Page 117 of Rinkmates

It was so spontaneous—I don’t even know how it started. But when I saw him in his tuxedo and the way he undressed me with his eyes, I just had to climb my man. I couldn’t help it.

I melt into Riley’s hug and my head tilts up to meet his soft lips. He was so cute all day, I showed him the routine I came upwith for the show and he spent his free time trying out some lifts. We used the pool to make it easier for him, since even though he’s way stronger than Aiden, he’s lacking the ice dancing classes he took. But I did my best and so did he and I think we’ll rock it next week.

The world fades away as we kiss, deep and sensual, not a care for the dozens of cameras capturing our private moment. It feels…right. Natural.

My mind spins dizzying fantasies of a shared future—a cozy house, a fluffy dog, children skating wobbly circles on a backyard rink.

I want it all, so badly it aches.

But deep down, I know it’s just a beautiful dream.

The doubts kick in, fighting against the burgeoning hope in my chest.

Sooner or later, the cracks will show.

The hurt will come.

My tender, naive heart will shatter.

The last time I felt like this when a man looked at me like that was the beginning of my downfall. And this time, my heart beats twice or even thrice as much.

I bury my face in his strong chest, wanting to stay lost in this perfect moment for as long as I can. Because despite every logical part of my brain screaming that it will all fall apart…I’ve already tumbled headfirst.

I’m dating Riley Huntington.

And I’m in love with Riley Huntington.

But I can’t tell him because it makes it true.

He’ll act like it’s true, but eventually he’ll leave because life will be too much for him because he’s not ready for it. I believe that he wants to be ready. But he’s not.

I only shared the tip of the iceberg with him, but credit where it’s due—he never once judged me for my sillyLolitalove. Still,he has no idea what life has in store for me or how much he’d need to change to be part of it. I like him too much to even ask him to make those changes for me. I’m not that selfish.

Someone clears his throat, snapping us out of our intimate bubble.

Riley and I pull apart and look over to see Jayce’s sheepish grin.

“Get a room,” he says.

Riley hugs him. “Shut up, man. Good to see you, nice suit.”

Jayce is dressed in a sleek black suit, his black bow tie accentuating his mesmerizing blue eyes. Just as we’re about to step onto the concrete floor inside, Jayce’s eyes widen, and I follow his gaze to see a red car pulling up behind us, swarmed by paparazzi. Out steps Rosalie, a knockout in a tight red dress. Her black hair is elegantly styled in an updo, with loose curls cascading down her back.

A sly smile graces her bright crimson lips as she gazes up to a man right behind her. I don’t recognize him at all, but the excited murmur of the photographers tells me he must be somebody. My gaze flits over his artfully tousled bleach-blond hair, the smudged black eyeliner, a half-unbuttoned shirt under a carelessly expensive red suit—he oozes rock star attitude. I wonder what Daddy will say about this.

Riley sighs. “Jett Vaughn, really, Rosie?”

“Since when are they a thing?” Jayce asks, his jaw tight as he watches them approach.

“Who is he anyway?” I say and both of them look at me as if I’ve lived under a rock and, well, I did.

“Some hot new singer, I fear,” Riley says.

“Pop punk shit.” Jayce grimaces.

“Hi guys,” Rosalie says, halting in front of us, but her man doesn’t wait with her, he just winks at Rosalie and goes in. No hello or anything.

Seems like he’s learned from Henry Huntington.

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