Page 68 of Running Risk
I reach my hand out, brushing my thumb on her cheek, and she closes her eyes as she exhales. Like she’s relieved she’s gotten answers that have haunted her, and I’m close to her again. My entire body focuses on how soft her skin is under my finger. “Let’s go for a ride.”
Having Rylee’s feet on the dash in my truck is just like the memories I’ve treasured after all these years. I’ve wanted to go back to those days, and now it feels like a possibility, only we’re older and hopefully wiser. Just like in the past, neither of us says anything, but I know I still have things I need to say to her. I make the turn and go up the mountain to the lookout point, and I glance and see a small smile on Rylee’s lips, already knowing I made the right choice.
Before I have the chance to turn off the engine, Rylee jumps out of the truck and peers over the edge. I stand right beside her, our shoulders brushing. Turning to face her, I watch as her eyes scan the shadows down below and then trail up to the sky to see the bright stars shining down on us. “Ry,” I say, and she looks at me, worry etched in her face. I exhale, knowing I should have said this many years ago and tried to make it right back then, but I can’t change the past. I can only move forward. “I’m so sorry.”
Rylee looks down at our feet and slowly nods. “You know, I do get why you joined.” Her gaze meets mine again, and I wait for her to continue. “You’ve always thrived in structure.Honestly, there aren’t many other things you could’ve done that would’ve given you that amount of structure.”
I nod, knowing she’s right. I don’t regret my time in the Marines. I loved it, and I’m proud of what I accomplished. But it also gave me a sense of purpose when I felt lost, and I know I wouldn’t be the man I am today if I hadn’t joined.
She tucks a few loose hairs behind her ear, and I take a step closer, cupping her warm cheek in my hand. She looks at me with no hate or hurt in her eyes, and she wraps her arms around my middle, hugging me like her life depends on it. I instinctively hold her, laying my cheek on her head, and feel my body relax more with each passing second. Nothing has felt more right, and all this fighting has felt like it was needed to get to this moment. She needed answers that I wasn’t prepared to give all those years ago, and I needed to let her in.
“What are you doing tomorrow?” Her voice is muffled against my chest.
I breathe in her strawberry and vanilla scent. “I don’t know. What am I doing?” I hold her a little tighter.
“I think you have a friend who’s grouting her kitchen floors.” Her head cranes up to look at me. “I think it would only be nice to start off this friendship on the right foot. Don’t you?” Her arched eyebrow is visible in the starlight.
“Whatever you say, but I don’t have an opening for any new friends,” I say, raising an eyebrow.
She shoves me away with a twinkle in her eye. “Sorry, that’s the only thing I’m looking for.” Turning, she faces the view again, and I take a few steps to stand behind her.
Stretching my arms around her, I place my hands on the railing, trapping her in front of me. I bring my mouth down to her ear. “I guess I’ll have to convince you.” Having her tease me and act like she’s going to force us to only be friends brings a lightness to my body. I love how easy it can be with her.
She spins around, and her mouth parts in surprise. “And how are you going to do that?”
I bring my mouth closer, and her breath catches as her eyes flutter. “Well, I’ll help grout your floors, but I’ll also clean up the mess and massage your feet once we’re done.”
She bites her lower lip. “And?”
“And—” I rub my fingers along the side of her neck, making her give me more access. “I’m finally taking you on a proper date.” Before she can move, I kiss her neck and feel her moan against my lips.
She lightly presses against my chest, and I reluctantly pull away. “Don’t leave me again,” she whispers.
I shake my head. “I’m not going anywhere, Ry, and I’ve been trying to prove that to you for years. I’m here.” I point to my chest. “I bought a house and your dad’s business here. I’m not going anywhere. This is where I’m meant to be, with you.”
Her eyes search mine before her mouth crashes into mine, and it’s like my entire body knows this is home. She’s my home. I kiss her deeply and don’t rush because we have all the time in the world to be together. I don’t want to be without her another day for the rest of my life.
49
RYLEE: NOW
Getting out of the shower,I wrap a towel around myself, use another to dry my hair, and walk through my bedroom toward the kitchen. “Clay, what time do you need to leave?” I toss my hair over my shoulder as I walk, continuing to use the extra towel to scrunch my hair as I walk past the front door.
“Five minutes ago, but he takes so long to get his hair just right,” a deep voice says from my living room couch.
I spin around, making sure not to drop my towel wrapped around my body. “Avery! What the hell?”
He chuckles as he stretches out to relax. “Now, if I had known I’d been getting this view this morning, I would have rushed over sooner.”
I glare at him, feeling a blush creep up my neck. “Where’s Clay?”
“Oh, he’s not in there with you?” He rubs his chin. “Then what were those lovely moans coming from your bathroom moments ago?”
“Clay?” I yell. I do like Avery, but sometimes he gets under my skin, and after spending all day yesterday finishing thefloors in my kitchen and all night with Clayton, I have no tolerance for him and his jokes when I’m running this low on sleep.
Clayton comes in the door from the garage and pauses when he sees me in a towel, and then glares at Avery, who is still scanning me. “Get the fuck out.” He storms toward Avery just as Avery jumps off the couch, holding his hands up.
“Take it easy.” Avery walks backward out the front door, and Clayton slams it in his face.
