Page 9 of Risks

“Oh, are you looking for another job?”

He nods. “I’ve already discussed itwith a rep and have applied for a spot with this developer.”

“Nice,” I beam at the news. “I betyou’ll get it. You’re so talented.”

“Thanks, babe.” He wiggles hisbrows. “Before that, I want us to spend a week together.”

Something in his tone and expressionmakes me think he’s keeping a secret again.

Narrowing my gaze to slits, I try tofigure him out. “Are you planning a surprise for me?”

He simply shrugs. “I want us to getaway from everything. Relax together.”

“Where?” I rest my elbows on thetable, eager to know.

He picks up his taco, telling mebefore he takes a bite, “Scotland.”

“Really?” My body ignites withexcitement. “I loved Scotland. How are your grandparents? Would we stay withthem?”

“They’re good, and no, we’d besomeplace else. Private.” He reaches over to graze my cheek. “You’ll love it.”

“I’m sure I will since it’s withyou.”

A sexy look mists his gaze, incitinga rush of heat to caress my whole body even when he moves his hand. “Hurry andeat so we can go back to your room.”

“What will we do once we’re there?” Iask in a flirty tone, biting my bottom lip after.

His low and dirty chuckle makes meshift on my chair. “Well, princess, I’ll lie down, and you’ll sit on my faceand treat me to dessert.”

It’s the fastest I’ve ever finishedeating.

Though I’d love to remain tangled inbed with my love, Varen’s visit is the nudge to finally get out and explore thearea.

As light fills the dorm room to reveala new day, we decide not to waste it. We have breakfast at the café nearby, spendthe morning at Santa Monica Pier, browse The Getty museum, enjoy lunch andshopping, and finish the day at the Griffith Observatory, basking in the viewof the city along with the fiery sunset.

Leaning into Varen, he drapes hisarm around me and kisses my forehead. I miss moments like these at the riverback home when we’d sit quietly in the grass after a long swim and enjoy eachother’s presence.

No words could fully describe theelectricity flowing between us. It’s as if we were waiting for one another, andthe search ended the moment our eyes met.

“You’re it for me, Toya,” Varenwhispers. “I’ll never love anyone else. I don’t want to love anyone else.”

I tilt my head back to peer into hiscaptivating dark blue eyes. “Same, babe. I love you so much that it’s part ofmy makeup now.”

He gently runs his fingers along myjaw, and just when I think I can’t come alive anymore, a new ripple of heat submergesmy body.

Varen parts his lips as if to speak,but he shakes his head and crushes my mouth for an all-consuming kiss instead, entrancingme so much I don’t even bother to ask what he was about to say.

Perhaps he’s conveying everything inthis kiss that is spurring thoughts of fucking him in public for everyone tosee.

When he eases away, I grasp the backof his neck and pull him back for more. I’ll never get tired of kissing him. Consideringhe’s leaving in two days, I want as much as possible to carry me through the longdays and nights until we’re together again.

5

It was painful to leave Toya’s bed Tuesdaymorning. Before my departure, I filled her body with pleasure and whisperedsweet words when tears fell down her cheeks.

Damn, we had a good few daystogether. I can’t wait to have her in my arms again.

I snap out of reminiscing on my hot stayin California when Finn returns to the deck, handing me a beer before he dropsinto the chair next to me.

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