Page 59 of Shattered

“How’s he doing down there?”

He slides out of me and falls to my side. “Never better.”

“It didn’t hurt?”

“Fuck no. It felt too good to even last.” He pulls me against him. “I’ve missed you.” His hand travels from my navel down to the wet junction between my legs. “I don’t think you’re ready to stop yet.” His fingers slide between my lips.

“I’m okay, I don’t want to hurt you.”

“I promise you can’t hurt me.” His breath blows across my skin as his fingers move quicker, bringing my orgasm to the surface again.

14

IS THIS THE END?

As the summer goes by, River and I only get closer. And with each passing day, I’m that much closer to admitting how I feel about him. I still haven’t let myself say the words, but they are on my tongue, waiting to break free.

We only have a week left here in Miami before we have to start our journey back to California. We’ve managed to mark almost everything off the list including, get a haircut I’d never get. My hair that has always hung to my waist has now been lopped off to my shoulders. I thought I was going to cry when she was cutting it, but by the end of it, I was in love. It’s smooth and sleek now, and doesn’t require a small army to tame and keep in place.

Katie was right about one thing, this has been the best summer of my life, other than losing her.

I’ve kept in contact with my parents. I talk to them most days, and my mom has been making sure my rent is paid so I still have an apartment when I get home. She doesn't know anything about River though. I had a feeling she would freak out if she found out I was traveling across the country with a guy I didn't know.

River has promised me a special night tonight and I’m a little nervous because I have no idea what he has in store. Every day with him is special, but he promised me it’s something I won’t ever forget.

I’m sitting in the kitchen, writing another letter to Katie when he walks in. I close the notebook that’s nearly full now with letters to her.

“Are you ready?”

“Already? I didn’t think we were going until later?” I replace the cap on my pen before standing.

“Nope. This is check off day!” He pulls me against his chest.

“What’s check off day?” I look up at him and see a gleam reflecting in his eyes.

“The day we check everything else off that list, all in one day.” He looks completely carefree and happy. It warms every part of me.

“Seriously? You think we can do the rest all in one day?”

“If we hurry.” He takes my hand and pulls me towards the door.

“Where are we going first?” I ask him as I drive down the road.

“Turn here,” he directs, pointing right.

I turn and follow along with his directions until he tells me to stop at a house. “Where are we?”

“I just met this guy. His name is Dave. Anyway, he’s having a house party and guess what he has.”

I feel my face wrinkle up as I look at the run down house with the grass growing up and trash overflowing from the garbage can that’s still on the curb. There are used tires stacked up at the corner of his garage, bikes leaning against the front of the house, and a porch that seems to be a catch all for anything he can’t fit inside his house. “A hoarding problem?”

He laughs. “No, a keg. You can do your keg stand.”

“Oh, great," I say not all that excited about a keg stand. Compared to the other things I have checked off, this one is boring.

River leads me to the door and knocks before a big man wearing a white tank top answers. He’s completely covered in tattoos, even his bald head. He reaches out his hand. “River! Glad to see ya bro.” The guys shake hands. “And I’m glad you got your girl to come with you.” He opens the door and lets us in.

“River told me all about your bucket list and I think it’s great,” he says as he leads us through the dirty house and out to the back yard.

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