Page 23 of Breaking the Habit

Riley pressed her hand against her mouth to silence the laugh. Why was this so fun? Maybe her friends were right. Maybe the sabbatical had dragged on too long. Maybe it was okay to have a little fun in her life, even if it was instigated by a new man.

Just playing around with Levi didn’t have to mean anything.

RILEY: I’m happy you didn’t ditch me for a real sports photographer. I’ve been researching you know.

LEVI: I can tell. These are better than the first practice already. Can’t wait to see what comes out of you next.

Riley snorted.

“You’re not even watching, are you?” Fiona demanded.

“I’m busy!” Riley said, swatting Fiona’s hand away as she attempted to steal her phone. “I’m talking to Levi!”

Both friends said “Ooooh.” But it got them to leave her alone. Riley settled back in.

“You have sex with that man,” Fiona encouraged, patting Riley’s wrist. “Make mama proud.”

RILEY: Art-wise or…other-wise?

LEVI: Any-wise.

RIILEY: Well I think the next thing scheduled to come out of me will be a burp. Not super artistic.

As soon as she sent the text, her eyes got wide. Why had she sent that? It wasn’t cute, or even remotely sexy. She was being…herself.Which was fine and all, but definitely counter-productive if she wanted to have sex with this man. Which she didn’t. Except she did. The whole thing was so confusing.

LEVI: Yours would be artsy somehow.

RILEY: I think you have a very high opinion of my bodily functions.

LEVI: I have a pretty high opinion of all of you.

Riley tucked the phone away, her cheeks flaming. Thank God he couldn’t see her right now. And the worst part of all? She wanted to continue this flirty conversation. See how far they could take it.

She unearthed her phone again, tapping out a message before she could think better of it.

RILEY: Yeah? What’s your highest opinion about me?

Levi’s answer came in lightning fast, as if he’d already written it out before she’d even asked.

LEVI: Mind or Body?

RILEY: You pick.

LEVI: You’ve got an eye for photography that I’ve never seen before in the entire world. Your art makes me ache.

Riley blinked rapidly, reading and re-reading his compliment. It was the best thing anyone had ever said to her. It was the reason she was doing this shit. The world around her had completely ceased to exist; all that mattered right now was Levi and this conversation.

RILEY: Thank you. That means a lot to me.

LEVI: U deserve it.

LEVI: Wanna hear my other high opinion?

Her heart was pounding waiting to know what it could be, knowing already what ithadto be. But the idea of turning the lens to her physical appearance was somehow embarrassing. Especially when it came from someone like Levi, who looked like a Hollywood star in waiting.

RILEY: I guess.

LEVI: You have the sexiest thighs.

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