Page 110 of Tides That Bind

It’s okay I hold his face, hear his voice encouraging me to let go as I buck into my own hand and come harder than I ever have on my own before.

Lying in bed, I watch the sun begin to tickle the sky with a streak of light and warmth that can’t possibly be hotter than the flush beneath my skin. I could—and should—roll over and go back to sleep, but I don’t want to. I’m drawn to the sight of a new day breaking. The view of the backyard is the same, as is the lush tree line behind the garage where Riley’s apartment sits on. Life looks exactly as it did yesterday.

But how things look and how they feel don’t always have to be the same. In the earliest hours of today, life feels so much better.

An hour later, I finally pull myself out of bed and head downstairs. I pause in the living room.

Is that…humming?

I hold my breath, as if that might make my ears work better.

It’s humming.

Making my way into the kitchen, Riley stands facing away from me at the stove, cradling a mixing bowl he drops what appears to be a serving spoon. I don’t snark that I do, in fact, have a ladle. I’m too busy admiring his broad, bare back.

“Are you making pancakes?”And humming while doing it?

Riley doesn’t even look up.

“I saw a container of blueberries in the fridge.”

Riley could tell me there’s a bag of money in the fridge and I’d think nothing of it. And it’s not the shock of Riley cooking that leaves me standing there with my mouth hanging open—it’s the incredible color combination that is his tanned skin against the light grey of the sweatpants hanging low on his hips.

He turns. “Do you like blueberry pancakes?”

“Sure.” Right now, my favorite flavor of pancake is anything Riley makes with his shirt off.

“Harper?”

“I said I like blueberry pancakes.”

Riley laughs. “Did you hear the other thing I asked?”

He turns away from the stove and even though I want my eyes to linger on his body, I force my gaze to remain steadfast on his face. His very handsome, rugged face that I just rubbed one out to.

“I asked,” Riley begins, “If you’ll come somewhere with me on Monday.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Where?”

Riley’s lips disappear when he presses them together. “I want to file everything as soon as the courthouse opens.” His chest expands with a deep breath. “I shouldn’t tell you this because technically you’re my client but…I’m nervous.”

My mouth molds into a small smile. The ruggedness of Riley is only made more attractive by the hint of vulnerability he lets shine through. And I won’t lie, him needing my support—and communicating it—fills me with giddiness.

It somehow makes me feel less nervous and emotional about trying to get Tides back because I can tell how much Riley cares.

“Of course I’ll go with you.”

As soon as the grin spreads back across Riley’s face, I return to swooning.

“You okay?”

“Huh?”

Riley tilts his head. “You, you look kind of flushed.”

I bring a hand to my cheek. “Oh. Shower ran hot.”

Extrahot.

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