Page 89 of Fumbling for Perfection

Walker opens his eyes and picks up the string again. This time, he twirls it around his finger. “You were never mine before. Only partially. This time, I want all of you. I’m done pretending I don’t. Done pretending that being friends is enough. I want you in my life, Riley. In my bed. In my...”

He drops the string and gives me a curt nod before moving toward the door. He’s walking away? I’m so confused. He just said he was tired of playing these games, and now he leaves me hanging on this cliffhanger.

“Walker.” I say to his retreating back. “Why are you leaving?”

He doesn’t turn around when he responds. “Because when I’m with you I want to touch you. And if I touch you, I’m going to need to kiss you. And if I kiss you, I don’t think I’ll be able to stop until I have you stripped bare, naked, and under me, while my mouth and hands devour you.”

I’m not even moving, and my breathing becomes labored. Sweat trickles down my spine and I bite on my lower lip. He’s bared his soul and I’ve given him nothing but grief. The only compliments I’ve given him are about football.

“Walker,” I whisper.

Holy fuck. Those gray joggers move as Walker clenches his ass. I’m sure he’s clenching his entire body, but that perfectly shaped ass is staring at me. Or I’m staring at it. Regardless, he’s reacting. It’s a good reaction, like how I had to clench my thighs. I imagine if I was standing and wearing joggers my ass would twitch too.

Too much time has passed, and he hasn’t turned around. I take two nervous steps toward him, and he cranes his neck, looking over his shoulder. “Riley,” he warns, and liquid pools between my legs. I’m going to need to change my underwear. Or maybe I should take them off.

“Don’t go.”

Walker runs his tongue along his top teeth and ever so slowly turns around, his gray eyes piercing me with need.

“If I stay...”

My body tingles with anticipation, and I nod.

“Fuck.” His legs move, and before I can register how quickly he crosses the room, he has my face trapped between his hands and he bends to kiss me.

“Riley?” Julia’s voice has me jumping out of his embrace.

Walker’s back is to the door, which is a good thing. Those gray joggers don’t do much to hide his erection. I glance down between us, and my eyes grow wide when I see it twitch.

“Oh. Sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.” She clears her throat and I step around Walker, hoping I don’t look like he was about to swallow me whole.

“What can I do for you, Julie?” I don’t normally talk so formally with her, but by the blush on her cheeks and the giggle she’s doing a terrible job of holding back, I can see she doesn't mind.

“Matteo is here. I’ve been holding him off because I, uh, saw Walker come up here a while ago, but he needs to talk with you.”

“Thanks, Julie. You can send him up.”

When she leaves, Walker wraps his fingers around my upper arm and spins me around. “Matteo?”

Is that jealousy in his eyes? And why do I like it? “My accountant.”

“You were going to meet with him alone?”

“I usually do.”

“Do you want me to leave?”

“You can stay if you’d like. Unless your offer of extra...hands is no longer on the table?”

“My hands are yours to use any way you wish.”

I bite my lip, and move closer to him, pressing my breasts against his chest. “I’d like very much if we finished your version ofIf You Give a Mouse a Cookielater.”

“Cookies?”

“The book. Have you ever read it?” He shakes his head. Hell, what am I doing flirting with him? I’m only setting myself up for heartache. “Your, uh, threat had the same vibe as the book.”

“What kind of books do you read?” His sexy smirk has me laughing.

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