Chapter 40
Zoe
I fiddle with the silverware while I wait for Riggs. When I texted him that I wanted to talk, I didn’t expect him to want to do it over dinner tonight. I thought maybe I’d have a little more time to organize my thoughts. I’m not sure how we can move forward with things the way they are, but I’m miserable without him.
The steakhouse he owns is empty, since it’s closed on Mondays. This is my first time here, but I can tell it’s the sort of place I’ll love. He told me he was running late, but had a drink and appetizers waiting for me when I got here. The head chef and a waitress are the only people here other than me. It feels strange to be the only diner in a restaurant.
Thirty minutes later, Riggs strolls in, dressed in jeans and a button-down shirt. The sleeves are rolled up, showcasing his strong forearms. Damn. My husband gives good arm. My entire body flushes with desire when I see him, making me squirm in my seat.
He kisses me on the cheek before sliding into the seat next to mine. He lifts a finger, and the waitress brings him a scotch. I watch in awe as his Adam’s apple bobs with each swallow of the amber liquid. No grimace in sight.
“You wanted to talk?” he asks, clearing his throat.
“Um, yeah. I just–“
The waitress comes back out with our meals, interrupting me. I relax my shoulders, glad for some more time. “Can I get you anything else?” she asks.
“Everything looks great. I’ll clear the table when we’re finished. You and Steve can go.” He hands her two envelopes. “Thank you for coming in on short notice.”
“How have you been?” I ask once we’re alone. It’s been so long since I’ve been near Riggs that my entire body calls out to him as we eat our dinner.
“I’m not going to lie. It’s been tough since you left,” he admits.
“I’m sorry.”
“I don’t want us to think about the problems with Calla. Let’s enjoy our dinner. I want to spend time with you, just us, without worrying about the situation with my daughter.”
I nod. I wish we could stay in our little cocoon forever.
“How are things going with Avery?” he asks.
I smile at the mention of the little girl who has me wrapped around her finger. “Bull says she’s behaving more like she did before she lost her hearing. This opportunity has shown me a lot.” He nods, waiting for me to continue. “I’ve decided to go back to school next semester to double major in elementary education and American Sign Language. I want to teach kids like her.”
“That’s wonderful. It sounds like she’s teaching you as much as you’re teaching her.” He grins, and I damn near melt.
“She’s amazing,” I gush.
He reaches over, placing a hand on my knee. “ You’re amazing.”
I blush, not sure what to say to that, so I shift the focus to him. “How are things at Titan?”
“Not as good as we hoped. The acquisition has become. . . tricky.”
I frown. “Because of me?”
“No, acquisitions of this magnitude are always difficult.” His tone is firm. “They want to ensure everyone has a job, but there’s not enough room at Titan for their entire staff to come on board. If there will be layoffs, Rev Sports’ CEO won’t allow the merger to continue.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I’m not going to stress. Things always have a way of working out the way they’re supposed to.” He seems so calm and unbothered. If I were in his position, I’d be worried about losing my job.
“Do you truly believe that?”
“I have to. Otherwise, I’d be passed out on our sofa drunk off whiskey, wishing my wife would come home.”
I gasp. “You’ve been drinking?”
“Not anymore. I just had a few days of hopelessness when you left.” His honesty shocks me, but I’m not sure why. Riggs has always been truthful with me.
“What changed things?”
“I decided not to give up. If fate was going to give me my soulmate, it wouldn’t take her away. That’s not how fate works.”
“How do you know?”
“Because you’re here now.”
My heart hammers against my chest. “Riggs–“
“Shh. Come swing.” He stands, holding out his hand.
I take it, loving the way his touch warms me. He lifts me onto the bar. My heart flutters when he places a kiss on my calf before jumping up next to me.
“We have these performers who dress up as Can-Can girls. They swing the length of the bar each night. They’re all acrobats, so they put on an amazing show.” I watch as he adjusts the gold brocade swing. What is he doing?
“Climb on.” He holds the swing steady, helping me get situated. I inhale deeply, relishing the smell of his cologne as he straps a safety belt around my waist. “Hang on tight.” He pushes a button on the wall that raises the swing. Once I’m where he wants me, he moves behind the swing and gives me a small push.
I grip the ropes, laughing as I swing out over the restaurant, then back to where Riggs stands. He pushes again, sending me back out. This time, I lean back and lift my legs higher.
“I feel like I’m flying,” I squeal.
He pushes me three more times before stopping the swing. “I know another way to make you fly.” He moves to the front of the swing, stepping between my legs. He pushes my skirt up, baring my black thong to him. “Want to know what I love most about you in this swing?”
I swallow hard. “What?”
“You’re the perfect height for me to do this.” He leans forward and kisses the seat of my panties.
“Keep hanging on,” he commands, placing my legs over his shoulders as he pulls my hips to the very edge of the swing.
I’m thrown back far enough that I have to grip the ropes tighter, even though I’m still belted into the swing. He licks me through my panties, sending a shockwave of pleasure throughout my body. I roll my hips, desperate for the orgasm waiting just out of reach.
“Riggs,” I moan.
“That’s it, baby. Fly.” He moves my panties aside, then plunges two fingers inside me as he sucks my clit into his mouth.
The intrusion stings for a second before I adjust to the size of his thick fingers moving inside me. A thousand tingles heat my body as I buck my hips against his face and fingers. Thank god he sent the chef and waitress away because I scream out a jumble of nonsense when I come.
Trying to catch my breath, I slump forward as he lowers the swing. “Wow.”
“We’re not finished.” He releases his cock.
I gasp when he presses inside me. “Riggs.”
“Fuck,” he hisses through gritted teeth. “You feel so good. I’m not going to last.”
“Please,” I whimper between panted breaths. If I didn’t have to hold onto the swing, I’d grab him. Instead, I’m left at his mercy.
After a few thrusts, he cries out, releasing inside me, then slumping forward and resting his forehead on mine as we both struggle to recover. I’m boneless, vaguely aware of him pulling out of me.
“Shit,” he hisses.
“What’s wrong?” How can he be upset after that amazing orgasm?
“I didn’t use a condom.”
I frown, unable to read his expression. We’ve always used a condom except for when I was on my period. How could we be so careless? I unbuckle myself and jump down from the swing. A mess of our combined juices left behind. “Oh, crap.”
He shoves himself back into his pants, then grabs a towel, wiping up the swing.
“Riggs?” My voice wobbles with worry. What is he thinking?
He gives me a cautious smile. “It shouldn’t stain. I’ll have the cleaning crew steam it before we open tomorrow,” he tells me, as if I’m worried about the damn swing.
“Seriously?” What the fuck? That’s all he has to say when we just had unprotected sex while our marriage is in such a precarious place? I hop off the bar, grab my purse, and rush out the door.
Riggs Malone can go fuck himself.