Page 276 of Second Sets Omnibus
The snores are something she swears she doesn’t do. Mostly, she blames me or one of the others for waking her up. Little does my baby know she’s the one responsible for all the noise.
“She’s out,” I murmur into River’s hair as she rests her head on my shoulder.
I could get used to this. Every night having them by my side, snuggling me until they each fall asleep.
“Let’s roll,” she murmurs softly, gesturing toward the exit.
You don’t have to tell me twice. If Lyric is out, then I can tuck her into bed. After that, I’m going to tie my Little Star up and fuck her into oblivion.
Those remarks from earlier sit fresh in my mind, creating fiery ideas. Her. Me. My mouth between her legs, licking the repeated orgasms from her slick pussy. Fuck. I shake the thoughts from my head and save them for later.
As quietly as we can, we exit the reading without disturbing Lyric and successfully put her into her booster seat in the back of River’s car.
“It must have felt like bedtime,” River chuckles, leaning against the passenger’s side door with crossed arms, staring up at the stars beaming down on us.
A cold chill flows with the tiny wisps of wind, blowing the leaves on the trees. Goosebumps pucker at River’s skin, but she doesn’t pay it any mind.
“Must have,” I say, softly closing the door after buckling Lyric in.
“Did you see the way that lady looked at me when we walked out?” she asks, licking her lips. “I think your groupies might claw my eyes out and try to steal you from me.”
“Fuck them,” I murmur, crowding her against the car with a smirk. “You’re the only one who matters, Little Star.”
“Hmm. Is that so?” she hums with sass, staring straight into my eyes.
“It is.”
Before she can blink, I brush my lips against hers, leaning into her. Mine. All fucking mine.
Butterflies swoop in my belly every time I’m around her like it’s the first time all over again. Something that will never go away.
Every time I’m in her vicinity, my internal wounds stitch back together even more than before. She’s the balm necessary for my healing.
Even when she used to be the reason I fell. Now, she lifts me.
“You and Ly and the guys are the only family I need,” I whisper against her lips with a grin. “Should we get home?” A soft moan falls from her lips when my hips brush against hers, letting her know how desperate I am to get her to bed. “Those little comments from earlier really stirred something up,” I murmur, kissing her one last time.
Out of the corner of my eye, something flashes in the distance, repeatedly going off. I sigh. There they are again, following our every move. Even at the library, we’re not allowed peace by the paparazzi. They can follow us to the end of the world, though. I’ll never stop kissing my girl out in public. This is our life.
“Yeah? And what do you want to do to me?” she rasps, oblivious to the cameras documenting our make out session against her car.
I lick my lips when she challenges me with one look.
“I’ll catch you,” I whisper directly into her ear. “No matter where you run off to.” And that’s a goddamn promise. She canrun as fast or as far as she wants, but River West will always be caught by me. Or the others.
“Sounds like a fun game,” she says with a wink, pushing me away from her playfully. “Take us home now, Cal.”
God. I wish she’d say my name like that all the time. All breathy and deep, just begging me to take her right now. If we weren’t in public, I’d rail her against the car. Fuck that camera still flashing.
River’s brows furrow as alarm widens her eyes, focusing on something behind us. My heart rate kicks into overdrive. Her stalker might be gone, but we’ve all been on high alert, scanning for any more threats. Who is to say that he was the only one coming after her? He had friends, after all. Three of them, to be exact. What if they’re upset that their friend is dead because of River?
Swiveling around, I cover her with my body, facing the person who has somehow snuck up on us.
The man grins, plucking a toothpick from between his teeth. His head nods in greeting as a smirk pulls at his lips.
Fuck. I let out a breath but don’t move from in front of River. I’ll protect her from anyone. Even if I know who they are.
“Jesus, Ruthless,” I shudder, blowing out a breath at my former fight organizer.
