Page 150 of The Vacation Mix-Up
He kisses the side of my head, and every nerve ending fizzles to life. I love it when he kisses my head. It says so much without saying anything at all.
“So today will be a good day, huh? Good enough to come with me, now, no questions asked?”
Turning in his arms, the rose still dangling from my hand, I narrow my gaze. “That depends.”
“On what?”
“Where are we going?”
“Did you not hear the no-questions-asked part?”
Truth is, I don’t need to ask. After the pillar of strength he has been for me, I’d go anywhere with him. And that should terrifyme, but it doesn’t. When I’m in his arms like this, his crinkly eyes searching mine, his sexy stubble twitching, terror is the last thing I feel.
Pressing my lips to his, I murmur, “Lead the way.”
He growls, his tongue lightly grazing mine, his hands creeping underneath my T-shirt. “On second thought, let’s stay exactly where we are.”
I don’t object. I can’t. My body is more than happy to remain attached to his.
Riley pulls away, runs his hands through his hair, and eyes me heatedly. “We need to leave right now, or?—”
I pout. “Or what?”
“Or so help me God, I will strip you naked.”
My jaw drops.
My core clenches.
I wait for him to continue, but he doesn’t. He just continues gripping his hair, and I fear for a moment that he might actually rip it out.
Biting my lip, I take his fingers in mine and lead him toward the door. “We better go then.”
chapter twenty-two
RILEY
Jesus Christ, my balls are gonna burst.
I want her beneath me so badly, writhing and screaming my name. Our name.
Damn, that’ll be weird.
It’s going to happen at some point though; there’s not a doubt in my mind. The way she reacts to my touch… the chemistry between us. Even Roni would be scientifically impressed.
But Riles is too fragile right now for me to do all the things I want to do to her, and I can’t rush what could possibly be the best thing to happen to me for as long as I can remember. I also need to sign my divorce papers. Until that chapter is closed, I can’t in good faith start another.
Smiling to myself, I know Riles would like my literary metaphor.
“Why are you so happy?” she asks as we exit the elevator.
“Can’t a man be relieved he didn’t just die in a death box?”
She laughs. “I guess he can. Although you’ve been nailing your fear while on the ship. You should be proud.”
I drape my arm around her shoulders, loving her praise and how she feels tucked beneath my arm. “It’s so nice to hear you genuinely laugh again.”
“Mom wouldn’t want it any other way. She loved laughter. Hated sadness.”
