Page 108 of Fumbling for Perfection

“You didn’t. I offered. Think of it as a donation from a wealthy person of interest.”

“Person of interest?”

I sip her lips between mine. “So much interest in anything and everything to do with Margaret Riley.”

“Ew.”

I nip at her lip and brush my thumbs along the tops of her thighs. While I want more than anything to bury myself deep inside her, Riley and I need to talk about our status. I can’t survive another back and forth of on and off again.

She’s always been hesitant about talking about her feelings, so if we’re going to move forward, I’m going to need to get the ball rolling.

“Can I make an assumption and you tell me if I’m on the right track?”

“Um, okay.”

“You rushing over here last night when you thought I was on my deathbed—your insinuation, not mine—and then staying the night in my bed, then the most explosive blow job I’ve ever experienced, followed up with the most delicious dinner I’ve ever had tells me you’ve mostly forgiven me and are ready to talk about taking our relationship to the next level.”

“I mean...” She lifts a shoulder. “You’re partly right, but not entirely.”

A sinking weight drags my chest down. I swallow and nod, dropping my gaze to her naked thighs where my fingers continue to stroke her.

“I’ve completely forgiven you, and I want to do more than talk about kicking it up a notch.”

I lift my gaze to hers and zero in on the delicious smirk on her lips.

“I have conditions.” I squeeze her thighs and she shifts her pelvis forward, adding pressure to my hard cock.

“What kind?”

“We don’t date.”

Her mouth turns downwards, and when she starts to shift back, I clamp on to her thighs, holding her in place.

“We’re past that. You’re mine. I’m yours. Girlfriend. Boyfriend. Lovers. Partners. Whatever the hell label you want to put on it, I don’t care. But we’re together.”

“Oh. I can deal with that.” She inches closer so her pussy rubs against my bare stomach. “What about sex? What are the rules there?”

“We have it as often as possible. And I want you naked in my bed every night.”

“Why not naked in my bed?”

“As long as I’m there with you, your bed works too.” I trail my fingers up her spine and into her hair, massaging her scalp. “You’re it for me, Riley. I love you. I don’t care if you’re not ready to hear it, it’s how I feel. And I get if I’m moving too fast and you’re not there yet. I’m a patient man when it comes to waiting for the best.”

“How long are you willing to wait?” She rubs her nose against mine and hovers her lips over my mouth.

“As long as it takes.”

“The wait is over, Walker Bankes. Because I am one hundred percent head over heels in love with you.”

“Thank fuck.” I cover her mouth with mine and kiss her until we both are screaming for air. “I think I fell in love with you the moment I brought you back to my hotel room in Rhode Island.”

“That was lust, you big stud.”

I chuckle. “Okay. Maybe. But as soon as you left the following morning, I knew my life would never be the same and that I needed you in it.”

“I felt the same, Walker.” She massages my scalp with her hands and smiles, not only with her mouth but with her beautiful eyes.

“Confession time.” I peck her lips. “You're a big reason why I signed with Boston.”

---