Page 130 of The Single Dad

I slide closer to Cole on the couch, and he leans toward me readily, resting his head on my chest. I run my fingers through his dark hair in silence, and we stay that way for a long time, no words passing between us.

But it’s as if we’re communicating silently somehow, and when he finally lifts his head to look at me again, there’s something in his eyes that makes my heart thump in my chest.

Chapter 40

Cole

Riley’s eyes search mine as if she’s trying to filter through the emotions in them to find the truth beneath. I’m not even sure I know how to figure out my own emotions right now.

Maybe I don’t want to feel. Maybe I want to escape.

Getting lost in her beautiful gaze seems like a good start.

Part of me is numb. Part of me wants to scream or throw something in frustration and sorrow for what I never had, what could have been, what I’ve lost. For my father never being who I needed him to be.

Part of me wants to close my eyes and pass out. It is late, and the combination of finding out my estranged father is dead and the whiskey flowing through my veins has me feeling like there’s something buzzing beneath my skin.

Riley’s eyes burn into mine, caramel flecks glinting in her irises in the low lamplight of the living room.

She’s the first to lean in, and I find myself drawn toward her like a magnet. I hear a rush of breath leaving her lungs just before her lips press against mine.

The thunderstorm of thoughts inside my head starts to clear as our mouths meet.

She’s tentative at first, as if she’s trying to figure out how badly I want this, how far to take it, how much pressure to put into the kiss.

I close my eyes and lose myself in the moment, allowing her tongue to slide into my mouth and dance with mine.

She lets out a soft moan and leans into me as our kisses become more fevered, more rushes of breath against skin, more nipping of teeth.

My hand trails down her back, caressing her curves as I groan softly. Right now, it feels like the only thing I need in the entire damn world is this.

As if she can sense that, her own hands start to wander. They roam down my chest gently, almost tentatively, before she finally brushes her fingertips over my cock through my pants.

I couldn’t suppress a groan of approval if I tried, and it seems to encourage her. Her touch becomes more intentional as she rubs her hand over me, teasing me. My cock strains in response, pressing against my boxers with an ache I’m suddenly desperate to abate.

“Cole.” Riley breaks our kiss for a moment, biting her lower lip. “Is this okay? I don’t want to make you feel like you have to—”

“It’s okay.” I palm the back of her head, crushing my lips to hers again. “It’s more than okay. Fuck, don’t stop.”

She smiles softly, a hint of sadness and empathy in her eyes. But she does just what I begged her to do, kissing me again as she squeezes my cock. I roll my hips against her, grinding into her touch as I thread my fingers through her hair.

When Riley pulls away again several minutes later, her lips are swollen and flushed, and she looks fucking gorgeous. She slides off the couch, her eyes trained on me the entire time as she settles between my legs, pushing my thighs apart with her hands.

The expression on her face is so soft and tender that it makes my chest ache.

She’s taking care of me, and even though I would’ve denied I needed to be taken care of if anyone had asked, I really fucking do. My head and heart are a mess, and I feel like her touch is the only thing holding me together.

As she unlatches my button, pulls down the zipper, and links her fingers over the waistband of my pants, I nod to her to keep going. I shift my weight a little, allowing her to drag my pants down enough to free my cock. Her fingertips graze over my thighs, and I shudder.

Every nerve ending in my body is pulsing, desperate, craving her hands to touch everywhere possible.

She pauses as her palm cuffs around the base of my cock.

“Are you sure? The rules…”

I let out a slow breath as she trails off. I know what she’s asking. The rules we made are yet again being tested, pushed past the boundaries we set in place to keep from diving in too deep.

But I can’t resist her, especially not right now.

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