Total pages in book: 157
Estimated words: 150968 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 503(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 150968 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 503(@300wpm)
That’s true. It’s late March, and the afternoon’s breeze is no longer as chilly as it used to be a few weeks ago. “Did you like the food?”
Riley props herself up on her elbow, leaning closer to look down at me. She holds herself above me, her breath fanning over my lips. Her braid falls over her shoulder, the loose strands tickling my cheek. “The food was good. I was able to enjoy it once we got here.” Her eyes soften. “Thank you for bringing me here.”
She leans down, lowering her lips to mine. The kiss starts out slow, before turning into a frenzy of tongues and desperately needy. I lift my head up from the blanket, cupping the back of her neck to hold her to me.
Riley steals the breath from my lungs, and I drink in the taste of her, savoring her lips as if it was the last kiss of a dying man. Her chest is crushed against mine; I feel her own heart beating — the sound of it resonating through me.
“Grayson.” She moans my name into my mouth, and I swallow it, chasing her tongue with mine. We don’t break apart until we’re both dizzy and breathless.
A soft whimper spills from her mouth and she buries her face in the crook of my neck. I feel her damp lips against my flesh, and she nibbles on the sensitive spot on my throat. Licking my Adam's apple, and when I grunt in response, I feel her smirk against my skin.
Riley knows the effect she has on me, and she’s a tempting minx. I know she’s not a virgin; I’ve heard the rumors about Jasper and her. But Riley was somewhat inexperienced three months ago. I loved seeing her transition from tentative kisses to her boldness now. She’s exploring things she likes and the ways she wants to be touched.
She licks my throat again, her teeth grazing my skin with a teasing bite.
“Fuck.” My heart slams against my rib cage. My dick is impossibly hard. No amount of jerking off is helping my severe case of blue balls. Riley is a beautiful woman, with curves that make my mouth water. I’ve been satisfying myself with our kisses, but fuck, it’s no longer enough.
I hunger for Riley, and her undeniable desire for me is apparent in the way she rubs her body against mine. Needing to be closer.
Almost like she’s frustrated with the barrier between us.
We’ve made out a lot. But always clothed. If I ever feel her bare skin under my fingertips, I might actually lose my fucking mind.
My fingers tangle in her hair, my lips brushing against her cheek. “Are you my girlfriend, Riley Johnson?”
She jerks up at my response, her eyes narrowing on my face. “I thought that was obvious. We’ve been dating for three months.”
I cup her cheek, my thumb stroking along her jaw. “I was just making sure. We’ve never explicitly said the words.”
I need the words.
I need her to tell me that I’m not the only one who’s feeling the way I do.
“We’re exclusive, Mr. Hale.” She scowls at me, but instant relief courses through me. “You’re my boyfriend and you’d better not be kissing any other girls. Especially not Oaklynn. She’s a goddamn leech.”
My chest rumbles with a chuckle. While Oaklynn had been stuck to me like glue, I have to give her credit. She’s got immense self-respect; the moment Riley and I held hands in public, Oaklynn got the message and stepped back. I was half-expecting pettiness from her, but she surprised me with her maturity. Oaklynn isn’t happy about my relationship status, because every time we pass each other in the halls of Berkshire, she scowls at me.
“The only lips I’ve been tasting are yours, Goldilocks,” I tell my girl.
Riley preens at my words. “Good. In case you need me to make it crystal clear. I’m your girlfriend; you’re my boyfriend. Oh, and I like you. A lot.”
A burst of emotion erupts in my chest. Ah, fuck.
This is the first time Riley has confessed to liking me. I was supposed to be the boy on the wrong side of the tracks, the one without a purpose. The poor, forgotten boy who has lived all his life knowing his worth is less than a penny.
Because Grayson Avery was simply worthless.
My value was grotesque; living a life of desolation. He didn’t deserve Riley.
But…Grayson Hale has a girlfriend now. How did this happen? How did I end up with a beautiful, smart woman— who looks at me with stars in her eyes?
What did I do to deserve this, her?
Is Riley the gift of my patience…? Because it sure feels like it.
My Goldilocks is a gift; one that I’m going to hold and protect.
I can’t let her go.
I won’t let her go.
***
“I’m home,” I announce, walking inside, only for my steps to halt when three pairs of eyes look up at me simultaneously.