Page 49 of Leave

Nolan

Tomorrow.

We’d be there tomorrow.

The temptation was strong to suggest we take some spontaneous detour. We could drive out to the coast, pick up Highway 101, and take it up to the top of the Olympic Peninsula. It was gorgeous out there, and the beaches wouldn’t be crowded yet. We could easily kill a day or two under the pretense of showing Riley the Washington scenery.

But I’d already texted my dad to let him know we were heading up in the morning. Depending on when we got moving and how much traffic we encountered, we’d be at my parents’ front door sometime in the afternoon.

At least I’d convinced them not to have a big Welcome Home shindig. Mom had wanted to have almost everyone I’d ever known come over, but I’d begged them off.

We’re both wiped from traveling,I’d said.I’ll see people at the wedding and while I’m in town.

None of those things were lies. Not the whole truth, but not lies.

My phone vibrated on the nightstand. When I looked at it, I had a text from Riley.

Was thinking of hunting down some dinner. Want to go?

I had to think about that one. I was hungry, yes, but my stomach was also roiling with nerves. The room’s walls were closing in, but the thought of going anywhere filled me with dread.

Before I could respond, a second message came through:

Or fuck it let’s order pizza or something. I think if I see another human being, I’m going to road rage them.

I laughed into the quiet as I wrote back,I can drive if you’re that worried about it.

Oh I don’t even need to be in the car. I will road rage a pedestrian.

Is it still road rage if you’re both pedestrians?

I’m not answering any more questions until my lawyer gets here.

I chuckled, shaking my head.Pizza sounds great,I replied.Want to watch a movie in my room?

Are you hitting on me, Staff Sergeant?

If I was hitting on you, I’d say come over here so I can blow you while we wait for the pizza.

…ARE you saying that?

Maybe I should wait until your lawyer gets here.

LOL Be there in a minute.

I laughed again, especially as I heard him moving across his room, and then the door opening. I swung my legs over the edge of the mattress and rolled to my feet, and I reached the door a second before he did.

He gave me a playfully sultry look. “Is this where I go for pizza and a blowjob?”

I rolled my eyes. “Get in here.”

He snickered as he did, but he also caught me around the waist with his arm. I managed to get the door shut before he reeled me into a long kiss. I hadn’t actually been in the mood to fool around, and I still wasn’t, but I liked this. This was still new for us. Still an incredibly sexy novelty.

And… what could I say? The longer we stood there, Riley’s mouth moving lazily with mine, the less I could hold on to my earlier mood. And the more I warmed up to the idea that while fooling around hadn’t been on my agenda, I probably would feel pretty good after. And during.

He nipped my lower lip. A little out of breath, he asked, “Should we order pizza? Or wait until we’re done?”

“Don’t know.” I nudged him back toward the bed. “What do you think?”

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