Chapter 9 #3
Oz tensed. This was one of the hardest things about dating. He wanted to reassure her, tell her that they’d be working with the Somali military, that they wouldn’t be doing anything on their own, but he couldn’t divulge any details.
“But I’m so freaking proud of you,” Riley went on. “Even without knowing anything about what you’re doing, I want to tell everyone I know, which isn’t that many people, how amazing you are and that you’re out saving the world. Keeping us safe. Doing what so many others wouldn’t be able to do.”
God. This woman. “Thank you,” Oz said quietly.
“No, thank you. I’m gonna worry every second you’re gone, but you’ll be okay, I know it. I’ll kick your teammates’ asses if you aren’t,” she mock threatened.
Oz chuckled.
Then one of her hands snuck up to his neck and into his hair. She pulled at him and went up on her toes.
Not able to keep from teasing her, Oz asked with a grin as he resisted her obvious signal, “Something you want?”
Riley growled. “Yes. You.”
That one word had Oz’s cock immediately stiffening. He knew she didn’t mean that the way it sounded, but his dick didn’t. He dropped his head and gave Riley what she wanted. What they both wanted.
He took a step forward, then another, until her back was against the wall.
One of his legs went between hers, and he pressed his thigh against her hot core.
She moaned into his mouth as he kissed her, and the hand in his hair tugged hard.
He felt one of her legs inch up his own, opening herself to him.
Oz held her against him with one hand at the back of her neck, and the other he plunged under the hem of her shirt. He palmed one of her generous tits.
Riley pulled her mouth from his and her head hit the wall. “Yessss,” she hissed.
Oz couldn’t stop himself from pulling down the cup of her bra and pinching her nipple between his fingers. In response, she arched her back, thrusting her chest toward him, and the leg hitched around his thigh tightened.
Looking down, Oz licked his lips and swallowed hard. She was absolutely beautiful, and she came alive under his touch. He pushed his hips into her belly, letting her feel how much she was turning him on, before he lowered his head once more.
They made out against her wall for several minutes.
Long enough for Oz to pull down the material covering her other tit and fondle that one too.
Long enough for him to actually be able to smell Riley’s arousal, and long enough for him to realize that if he didn’t stop, he’d most likely come in his pants right then and there.
Letting go of her nipple was surprisingly difficult, but he finally moved his hand to her hip.
He tightened his grip on her nape before he lifted his head and straightened her bra and shirt.
Riley protested, raising her chin and trying to keep her lips on his.
But he was too tall—and he really needed to stop.
They were both panting, and a flush had worked its way above the collar of her shirt. Oz couldn’t wait to see if that flush went all the way down her chest.
“We need to stop,” he said after a moment.
“I know,” Riley agreed. “But I don’t want to.”
Oz smiled at that. At least they were on the same page.
“Guess I’m not frigid after all,” she said with a small smile and blush.
Oz snorted. “I told you that you weren’t.”
She smiled, then sighed. “You should get back to Logan. I’m sure he probably has more questions.”
“If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call my commander. Or Gillian. And if Miles doesn’t stop texting you, you need to call the cops and file a restraining order against him.”
Riley jerked in surprise. “You know about that?”
“Yeah. It’s hard to miss, since your phone is always buzzing.
I looked at it the other night when it vibrated, and you were busy with Logan.
I won’t apologize for it, Riley. It was locked, but I could see the previews of the texts.
For the record, I think it’s probably smart that you’re ignoring him, especially if you don’t have that game he wants, but if he escalates, don’t hesitate to call the cops. Okay?”
“I will. And I don’t have his stupid game. I’ve looked everywhere for it. At this point, I’m ready to go buy the damn thing and give it to him. I just want him to stop. To go away. I don’t know where he left the damn thing, but it wasn’t here.”
Oz rested his forehead against hers. “I’m not supposed to say anything but…
I don’t think we’re going to be gone too long this time.
Tensions are escalating where we’re going, but we’re going in as advisors.
The government doesn’t want us engaging in any firefights.
We’re going to train some of their units and then hopefully come home. ”
Riley nodded. “Okay.”
Oz could feel some of the tension in her body release.
“Be safe while I’m gone,” he said.
“I will. Be safe while you’re gone,” she returned.
Taking a deep breath, and knowing one of them was going to have to make the first move to separate, he stood up straight. Oz ran his hand over her hair then couldn’t help brushing his thumb over the spot on her cheek where the baseball had hit her. “And no playing catch with Logan, got it?”
She smiled weakly. “Got it.”
“I’ll see you soon,” Oz said as he dropped his hands and took a step back. Riley didn’t move from her spot against the wall. He knew he’d never be able to walk into her apartment again and not remember the hottest make-out session he’d ever had.
“Be safe,” she said again.
Oz nodded. He lifted his chin in goodbye, then reached for the doorknob.
He didn’t look back as the door closed behind him and he headed for his apartment.
He needed to get back to Logan and make sure the kid was one hundred percent sure that he would be coming back to him.
He’d had enough losses in his life, Oz was determined not to be another.
Usually the night before a mission, he was solely focused on maneuvers and logistics of what was about to happen, but tonight was all about making sure the people he loved would be all right.
Loved…
Did he love Logan?
Yes, absolutely.
Riley?
Oz mentally nodded. It was crazy, but he thought he loved her too. He wasn’t ready to marry her, but if he lost her, he knew without a doubt he’d have lost something precious, and he’d always mourn what could’ve been.
Oz made a decision right then and there, standing in the hallway of his apartment complex, his hand on his own doorknob.
When he got back, he was done tiptoeing around his relationship with Riley.
Logan approved, or at least he wasn’t opposed to the idea, if his reaction to them hugging was any indication.
They had amazing chemistry, and Oz liked Riley.
She was funny, thoughtful, and he’d never been so attracted to anyone before.
If Riley Rogers thought he was intense now, she hadn’t seen anything. When Oz wanted something, he went after it one hundred percent. It was how he’d gotten through Delta Force training, and how he’d managed to survive several missions no one should’ve come back from in one piece.
His determination to not only give his nephew an amazing life, but to show Riley how much she was starting to mean to him, grew tenfold.
He hadn’t wanted to go on this mission, but he had a feeling it was just the push he’d needed in regards to his relationship with Riley.
Smiling, Oz opened his door and locked it behind him. As he headed for Logan’s room, he mentally swore to do whatever it took to make his relationships with both his nephew and his neighbor stronger.