Page 79 of Tides That Bind

Once the pressure against my shoulder is secure enough, I raise my left leg up to the middle of the hoop and then, my right as high as I can, pointing it toward the ceiling.

It takes a second for me to trust my balance, but when I do, I release my hands and lean back. It’s impossible to hold the groan because the stretch just feels too good.

When I open my eyes, my gaze—though upside down—is nearly level with Riley’s. His mouth is slightly agape, his deep green eyes not quite focusing on mine, but definitely onme.

“What?” I ask.

“They should give it a better name thanMan on the Moon,” Riley says.

Arching my back, I coil my body up, inch-by-inch, until I can grab the ring with my hands and hoist myself back in to sit. The movement makes me sway back and forth.

Riley reaches out, pushing against the hoop so I swing more. When he does it again, his fingers brush against the bare skin of my thigh peeking out from behind my shorts.

I try to not make it too noticeable that I flinch. Because Riley won’t understand that it’s not in abadway, like I’m afraid. Maybe it is bad, though, that the pad of his finger warms me.

That’s because you haven’t been touched by anyone in months.

I adjust myself in the hoop. “What would you call it then?”

His eyes drift up to mine and he shakes his head.

“What?” I press. “Tell me.”

“I don’t know.” His lie is obvious.

“I think you do.”

Now, I swear I see the top of his cheeks flush. The color is something warm and peachy, like the sun has perfectly kissed his high cheekbones. It suits Riley—this bashful and embarrassed side. The flush against the deep green of his eyes makes him look…

Well, kind of handsome.

He gives the gentlest shake of his head and his eyes travel up to the cord suspending the ring from the ceiling and back down to me. “I’ve…I’ve just never seen anything like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like you.”

I don’t know if it’s Riley’s words or if I’m just out of practice but my hand slips and it startles me enough that I fall backward.

Right into Riley’s arms. “Woah. Are you alright?”

I’m fine. I’m wondering if I should askRileythat. Because he doesn’t put me down, in fact, he adjusts his arms, sliding down the one supporting me in the fold beneath my knees. The side of his firm forearm against my skin leaves a hot trail in its wake. I’m so shocked that I’m soawareof him that I grow kind of dizzy.

“Harper?”

I shake my head and raise my hips, signaling I want to get down.

Riley relinquishes his hold and before both of my feet hit the floor I’m already taking quick steps to put distance between us.

“Got it. Sorry. I had a call I just took it outside.” Caroline pushes through the curtain partition. “Weather is gorgeous today…” she pauses, staring at me.

“What?” I ask.

She cocks her head to the side. “Are you hot? You look kind of flushed.”

I immediately look away.

Riley approaches his sister and takes the canvas bag, opening it and looking at the contents before his head tilts up and he goes from facing me to turning completely to the side.

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