Chapter 39 Riggs
THIRTY-NINE
RIGGS
The time between Christmas and New Year’s is quiet on the basketball front.
Since school is out, we don’t do much else except practice.
This gives me the chance to spend a lot more time with Dad.
He was released from the hospital yesterday, and we are all happy to be spending New Year’s Eve at home.
We spent the morning watching college football bowl games, including the CTU game, which ended in a last-second missed field goal.
Looking over at my dad, I’m filled with conflicting emotions.
I don’t know what is worse, a sudden, unexpected loss or this drawn-out process.
Don’t get it twisted, I love having this time with my dad, but I hate watching him in pain, and I know he is ready for relief.
I know I will never be ready or prepared, and it is selfish of me to want him to hold on as long as possible.
A knock on the door pulls me out of the darkness, at least temporarily.
My mood lifts instantly at the sound of her voice.
Mom comes into the living room with Reagan behind her, and my breath hitches, just like it does any time I see her.
She looks edible in leggings and a hoodie.
With a fresh-faced look and hair up, she is undoubtedly the most beautiful woman.
After striding over to her, I pull her into my arms. “Rea, you always look beautiful. But seeing you in a hoodie does something to me.” As I let go, her eyes meet mine, and a delicious, sexy smile lights her face.
This is a New Year’s Eve I never want to forget. Intimate, just the four of us, laughing and reminiscing. All the while, I know there is an underlying tension we are doing our best to ignore.
It’s about ten o’clock, and I can see that Dad is exhausted. Reagan and Mom go into the kitchen and return a few minutes later. Mom hands me a hot chocolate with a soft smile on her face and takes hers to go as she pushes Dad’s wheelchair to their room.
After hearing their bedroom door click shut, I grab Reagan and pull her close. “It’s almost midnight, Sunshine. You going to give me a New Year’s kiss?” I whisper in her ear as I tuck a strand of hair behind it.
She gives me a shy smile, teasing me. “We’ll see.”
We stay on the couch for the next two hours, talking and watching the countdown on the television. Just as we hear “5… 4… 3… 2… 1!” I put my hands on Reagan’s cheeks.
Soft at first, I press my lips to hers. Electricity flows through my veins as she kisses me back, pulling me to her by my shirt, a deep groan escaping my mouth. It is a kiss full of promise, and it rocks me to my soul.
I pull her onto my lap, her legs straddling my hips, our mouths fused. We are a mess of hands and lips, and pure intensity crackles between us. I could drown in her, just like this, forever.
Coming up for air, she puts her forehead on mine, eyes dark gray and stormy. “Riggs.” Just my name on her lips has my heart jumping in my chest.
I pull back and grab her face in my hands.
Those piercing eyes locked on mine. “Sunshine. You’re perfect.
” I don’t give her time to answer as I put my heart and soul into a kiss that I hope shows her exactly how I feel.
Her answering soft moan brings a smile to my face, and I know she gets it. She does that to me, too.
Without thought, I suddenly stand, Reagan’s legs instinctively wrapping around my waist as I carry her out of the living room and down the stairs to the basement, where my bedroom is. We reach the doorway, and I stop.
“Sunshine, look at me.” I can tell she is nervous and uncertain of what is happening right now.
Her eyes slowly pull to mine, and I see a tender but uncertain gaze staring back at me.
“I just want to go to sleep with you beside me and wake up with your beautiful face next to mine.” She relaxes at that.
“Sounds perfect.” She kisses me once more, and we walk into my room. I lay her on the bed and slide in behind her. I bring her close to me, and we fall asleep instantly.