Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 129131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 646(@200wpm)___ 517(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 646(@200wpm)___ 517(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
She squirms like the words are trying to wiggle their way out of her. “My fear overwhelmed me. Fear that you were using me . . . because I’ve had people try to befriend Riley Sunshine to benefit themselves. Fear that people would judge me for not being perfect. Fear that by needing help, I wasn’t good enough to be a positive influence for other people.”
“But you burst through that fear. I’ve seen the video of you talking to your followers and read a lot of the comments today. You took on the naysayers and turned the tables on them.”
“You watched the apology video?” she asks uncertainly.
“You did say you’re sorry, but what I watched was a rebirth of Riley Sunshine, a better, more real you. That’s what I saw,” I reassure her.
Her smile is soft, blooming in millimeters until it’s her full-wattage one that blinds me with its beauty. “Thank you,” she whispers.
“Did we do it?” I tease, lighter now that we both seem to have said what’s been weighing on our hearts. “Did we have a conversation about how we fucked up and how we’re going to do better?”
“I think we did,” she says with a quiet giggle. “I want you to know that I’m always going to be positive and perky, with a big dose of sunshine. But I’ll be real about things too. I’ll share with you, not push down anything negative and pretend it doesn’t exist.”
“Good. I want you . . . Riley Watson, not Riley Sunshine. Though she’s pretty hot.” I let my eyes trace down her body, hoping she can feel the weight of my gaze. “And I’m still going to be an asshole who works too much. But I’ll find a balance so you never have to worry where my priorities lie. Because you are my number-one priority, always.”
“I promise to trust you so that even when your fears are at their biggest and you need a minute, I’ll know that you’ll come back to me. And I’ll remind you that you are bigger, stronger, better than the doubts whispering to you.”
Her fingers dance along my thigh, moving higher with every vow so I don’t want to stop. I’ll bare my whole soul, from the ugliest recesses to the shiniest corners, if she’ll keep touching me.
“I promise to let your sunshine warm me, inspire me, and help me see good in the world. I’ll create goodness too, following your example of love, generosity, and joy. I promise to love you, Riley.”
That’s what it all boils down to. We’ve gotten through this, but we’re both going to mess up again. We’re human, and we make mistakes. But the most important thing I want Riley to always know, down to her soul, is that I love her.
“I love you too, Noah.”
The silence stretches between us, and Riley smiles. “You know, those sounded a lot like vows.”
“Maybe,” I admit, nodding. “I think more people should make promises to each other. Clear ones like goals or mission statements.”
Riley’s brows jump up her forehead and then she laughs. “You were so close, and then had to go call our sweet words goals? Mission statements? How romantic.”
I laugh, shrugging as we fall deeper into the couch. “I am who I am.” I gather her into my arms, nuzzling and kissing the sensitive skin of her neck. “You want romance? How about if I take you to your bedroom and make love to you all night?”
“Mmm,” Riley moans. “I have a better idea . . . let’s go to my bedroom and fuck. I want to feel you all over me, inside me. I need you, Noah.” She’s gone quiet, breathy with the naughty words she loves but struggles to say.
Luckily for her, I don’t struggle with them at all.
“I can do that,” I promise her, leading her to the bedroom. I feel like I’m walking on a cloud, and I need her too. The fire inside me is so high that as soon as the door to her bedroom closes, I push her against it, consuming her mouth with a hungry kiss.
I reach for my tie, loosening it and then pulling my clothes off as I tell Riley, “Strip.”
She does as I order, removing her boots and socks before dropping the dress to the floor. She stands boldly before me in a black bra and panty set that has metallic gold suns and silver moons on it. “Did you wear this for me?” I ask huskily, giving my cock a slow stroke.
She nods as I trace the line where the silky material meets her breast with my other hand. “Beautiful, baby. But take it off.”
She reaches behind herself, undoing the bra and dropping it to the floor before shimmying out of the panties, leaving me with the blonde goddess I love with all my heart.