Love, Riley: Redemption Highway: Briarwood

by Leaona Luxx

I grip his hair with one hand and his jaw with the other, kissing him madly as I begin riding him. His tongue flips over mine and I grind down hard, which awards me with another divine groan. He bites my lip and I rise, holding as the tip stays.

  He wraps his arm around my waist and I moan, knowing what’s coming. The first time, Ry made love to me. This time, it’s all about fucking. Gripping my side, I sink my knees in and ready for my bronco. With my every rise, he meets me as I fall hard on him.

  He steadies my body as I bounce from his thighs, rocking out his orgasm with mine. The pounding of our bodies heard throughout the room, our breathing the only secondary sound. I roll my body with fluidity as he palms my breast, pushing me higher.

  This time, he’s rewarded with my uttering of reverence to him as I call his name on a scream. My orgasm rolls through my body as I pulsate around him, milking him for every last drop he can fill me with.

  My head lulls as my body quivers and shakes, his hands never leaving me. Holding me to him like I’m his lifesaver. Flipping my head forward, I rest it on his forehead. Slowly meeting his eyes, I can see he believes I am. That I saved him.

  Nothing could be further from the truth.

  I have never felt this deeply connected to anyone, ever. I’m lost at sea in his eyes, swimming in love that’s so overwhelming, I tremble in its presence. I’m thrilled. I’m afraid. Is it too quick to feel this way? Should we slow down, think with clear heads?

  A sex-induced fog isn’t a bad way to go if you gotta fall. All I do know is I want this. I want Riley. I’ve done my level best since I was eight-years-old to never want a damn thing from anyone. Keeping expectation so low, I would never be let down.

  Riley makes me feel.

  “Ava?” Riley calls to me. I lean back to see him better.

  “Do I need to move?” I offer a lopsided grin.

  “No. But I do need you to stop going radio silent after we do this.” I giggle.

  “Okay.” I nod. “Freaking you out?”

  “Yeah, sorry. I keep waiting to wake up,” he tells me.

  “Me too, Ry. Me too.” Throwing my arms around his neck, he wraps my waist and we fall to the bed.

  Twisted together in sweet bliss, we’re brought from our sex-induced coma by my rumbling stomach. We laugh, making our sweaty bodies rub in an all too familiar way. This ain’t good; I’ll end up pregnant before the week’s out, and that’s not an option.

  Oh, fuck.

  “What is it?” Riley stops as fast as my breathing when it hits me. Fuck. I sit up, freaking the fuck out.

  “We didn’t use a condom. Fuck.” I bury my hands in my hair. Riley moves slowly as he sits up, placing an arm behind me but not around me. Here it goes, the big kiss off.

  “Again, I let you down. I’m sorry, Ava.” My head spins as I stare, mouth hanging, at his beautiful face.

  “What?” I draw my brows down, gaping.

  “I got caught up, I’m sorry. I know that’s not good enough, but we can’t go back. It won’t happen again.” Riley moves from the bed, his eyes downcast. Is he hurt?

  “Wait.” I reach for him as I kneel on the bed. He stops, turning to me. He’s hurt, I can see it. “Did I do something? I mean, we just had unprotected sex. Aren’t you worried? I mean, it’s me.” I shift my eyes from his gaze, embarrassed by my predicament.

  “Worried? For you, yes,” he adds. “But I have no fears. I know you; half the stories are bullshit.”

  Snapping my eyes to him, I climb off the bed in a flash. Really? I storm through the house, pulling his shirt over my head. Damn it, it’s the first thing I could grab. He follows me in a rush as I scan the room for a clock or something to find the time.

  “Ava. Ava.” His voice grows louder each time. “Ava!”

  I turn on him, pissed as hell. At both of us. “What?” I yell with my hands on my side.

  His face goes pale, shit. “I’m sorry. I have to be honest.” Okay, here goes. You can handle this, you weren’t that far gone. Let me have it.

  “Well,” I demand.

  “Having a baby with you wouldn’t bother me. I just assumed you wouldn’t want one.” He shrugs. “I should’ve protected you.”

  I’m not sure why I’m just standing here, eyes wide but here he is—gloriously naked and declaring he wants a child with me. It’s been all of two hours. What in the hell? “Riley. What are you saying? I mean, technically we aren’t even dating. It’s been a week since seeing you for the first time in forever. And need I remind you, I was ditching a guy in a motel when you saw me.” I keep nodding my head through my crazed rant. “I slept with him. I mean, I used a condom, but I still slept with him. And here you are, declaring our firstborn child.”

  Frantic, I turn scanning the room for anything. I fist my hair in frustration, jumping when his arms wrap around me. “It’s okay, Ava.” His voice is calming as he begins to sway.

  “What if…” I stutter.

  “What if you fall? What if we have kids? What if we marry? What if we’re happy?” He pauses. “What if we fail?”

  I turn in his arms, my chest heavy. “Yes.” A tear escapes its confines and rolls down my face. Riley catches it with his thumb, wiping it away.

  “No need for that, baby.” He kisses my cheek to rid it of the wetness. “I don’t know. I know this is new to you, but Ava, I’ve waited years for us. I’ve fought the good fight to get us here, I’ll not give up easy. Not now that I’ve tasted you. Now that I know you could feel the same, eventually. Hold on to me, I’ve got us.”

  Oh, fuck me. My head hesitates as my heart races, running straight into this man’s arms. Please, God, let this be real. Riley’s lips take mine, and I send another plea up—don’t let me fuck this up.

  “You okay?” he asks me when he releases my lips.

  “I’m scared.” I shrug. “I don’t want to be pregnant right now. No, I can’t. So, we maybe need to take care of that. And ummm, I know you’ve embraced this whole us, love thing here, but I need time.”

  He gives me a weak smile. “I understand. Do you want me to leave?”

  “What? No.” I hold him closer. “It’s new, Riley. This has never happened to me. Love. Support. Feeling.”

  “Alright, what do you want me to do?” Can he get any better? Patience of a saint.

  “Don’t be afraid to push me. I may run, I might not. Tell me your hopes and dreams, especially if I’m involved. Kiss me, a lot. Laugh with me, make me laugh when I can’t. The rest just needs time.” I nod, proud I said it.

  “Anything else?” He smiles.

  “Food, I’m starving.” I grab my stomach as it rumbles again.

  “Let’s go get some food.” Riley takes my hand, leading to the bedroom.

  Dressed, we’re out the door in a matter of minutes. It’s three on Sunday afternoon; I’ve been well fucked and ready to be fed. Sitting at the stop light on Highway Seventeen, we discuss where to eat when Hardy pulls up beside us.

  “Hey, folks.” He’s the sweetest.

  “Hey,” we answer in unison as we laugh.

  “What’cha up to?” he asks.

  “Food,” we say again, together.

  “Come on over to One’s. We’re finishing the food from yesterday. Laid back and relaxed, just family,” he explains.

  “We don’t want to intrude.” We’re not family, I think to myself.

  “You’re not, you’re family,” he says as the light turns green.

  Riley turns to me. “You want to?”

  “We look like hell,” my voice squeaks.

  “Who cares?” He glances at me. “You’re with me, you look beautiful.” He winks.

  “Is that because you’re the one who gave me my ‘just fucked and satisfied’ look of the day?” I chuckle at his face when his mouth pops open.

  “Well, hell. Yes, if you’re gonna put it like that.” I lean over, jerking his ball cap off his head.

  “Then we’ll both go with sex-head.” His laugh bellows through the truck.
/>   “Deal.” He takes my hand as I twine our fingers. Here goes nothing.

  We walk hand in hand around to the backyard; everyone is here, to my joy. I want to crawl under Riley when they all turn and begin cheering us. I think I might die. “Look at this shit.” Hardy chuckles as he hands Riley a beer.

  “Shut the fuck up.” I giggle as Riley releases my hand long enough to open his beer.

  “I can’t believe Riley isn’t beating his chest. Damn, he waited long enough.” Thayer giggles.

  “Oh, he beat his chest.” I wink to a round of ‘hell yeah’s’.

  “Ava, look at you, gettin’ all braggy.” Riley leans in to kiss me, again with the cheering. I roll my eyes.

  “Assholes.” Laughter erupts between our family and friends.

  Torrie welcomes me with a big hug. “Hey. So, what’s new?”

  I laugh with the biggest grin, still holding Riley’s hand. “Everything.”

  “Damn, dude. You can let her go, she won’t run too fast.” Aksel chuckles.

  “I don’t think I want him to.” My eyes shift to Riley’s, his face glows.

  Slowly, the conversation turns to food and family. Waiting on babies and school are the main topics. We hang out with our friends for a few hours before making our excuse to leave. No one believes us, but that’s okay—we lied.

  My phone alarm goes off around eight. Morning comes too fast, but I guess if you stay up all night, that happens. I turn it off and roll over, wrapping Ava in my arms again. How will I ever let her go long enough to work?

  “I can’t move,” she whimpers into my neck.

  “Tell me about it.”

  “I am. Beast.” She presses her lips to my neck.

  “Mmmm, that’s not gonna help,” I say as I nuzzle her closer.

  “It will when I tell you my first class is at eleven.” My eyes pop open.

  “I thought you said, ten?” I double check to make sure I’m just wishful thinking.

  “I did.” She raises her head as I peer down at her. “Shower?”

  Ava lies gloriously naked in my arms. Our legs twisted from our last tryst early this morning. Her breast pressed against me, full and heaving. Her hair messy as she gazes at me with her sleepy eyes. “Yeah, then breakfast and a charger before class.”

  She looks away before biting her lip. “I need to watch my money until I can get another job. Please, don’t take that as anything bad. I hate to bring it up, but if it’s okay that Brannon uses your number, I’ll be okay for a week or two.”

  “Of course, that’s fine.” She still won’t face me. “Let’s shower.”

  Her face brightens as she turns to me. “Yeah, let’s do that.”

  Ava steps into the steaming shower with me right behind her. Water rushes over her body, outlining every curve. I watch as the bubbles from the soap caress her skin in places I have yet to touch. Jealousy rising in my chest, I take the soap from her. Her head jerks around as she looks at me wide eyed.

  I continue to soap her down, taking my time to enjoy the view. I run my hands over her hips as she spreads her legs. I bite my lip and then her plump ass. She jumps with a moan when I slide my hand between her legs.

  Standing, I grip her hips, pulling her ass into me. My hand travels the slippery path up the middle of her back and over her shoulder. I push her over, and her hands find the wall in front of her. I step forward, pressing my knee into her thigh, forcing her to spread wider.

  Fuck me, she’s hot as hell. “Damn, baby. This has been my wet dream since I was old enough to get a hard-on for you.” She moans as I drag my cock between her legs. Her back arches as I reach around, laying my hand just beneath her navel.

  I slide in, slippery and wet. Her moan tips me and I pull out slowly, trying to control this orgasm before it gets away from me. I wrap my hand over her shoulder, bringing her ass back onto me. Two pumps and we go at it, hard and fast.

  I meet her ass with thrusts of my own. Dragging her into my cock with hard slams. The water makes the sound louder than it is but sexy as hell. Sliding out, I spin her around. I pick her up and impale her in one quick motion.

  Her back lay against the shower wall as her hips grind into mine. Her hair sticks to her face as water runs down around her open mouth, and she bites her lip as she watches our bodies meet. When she palms her breast, I growl.

  “Come with me.” Reaching between us, I circle her clit twice, sending us both over.

  Leaning into her, our lips meet as her legs relax. I help her wash again, even her hair to her dismay. She watches me as I finish, and she dries. I try not to stare because she is, and I love every minute of it. Stepping out, she stands there naked, handing me a towel.

  Fucking girl is gonna be the death of me. “You get ready, and I’ll grab my stuff.” I kiss the back of her head after running toothpaste over my teeth with my finger.

  “Hey.” I step back into the bathroom, tilting my head in question. “Maybe, you should bring some things here. I mean, if you want to, but don’t feel like you should. I was just thinking you might want a toothbrush here or something. Okay.”

  I nod. “Sounds good.” Her eyes snap to mine as she stares at me through the mirror.

  “Oh, okay. Yeah.” She nods as her brows shoot up.

  Turning the corner, I fist pump. Hell yeah. She asked me, that’s a good sign. I’m dressed and through the house before she’s close to being ready. Searching her cabinets, I find they’re as empty as her refrigerator. She has nothing; when does she eat?

  I make a mental note of the things I have to do today. I know she’s gonna flip shit by the time I’m finished, but I’ll be damned if she does without. I’ll either hurt her feelings or be told to fuck off, but I’m willing to take the chance.

  “You ready?” Ava asks as she walks into the living room.

  Turning to her, I’m caught by surprise. “You look…”

  “Ridiculous?” She wrinkles her nose.

  “Like a nurse.” I lean in, placing a soft kiss on her lips. “You’ve got this. Kick its ass like you do everything.”

  She smiles, straightening her back. “Thank you. We tour the hospital this afternoon and have to be dressed. Some days I won’t have to wear them.”

  “You look amazing.” I kiss her again as I grab her backpack.

  Locking the door behind us, she hesitates and then turns again. “What?”

  “We need to get a key for you.” She glances away, then back. “Just in case I’m late one day or something.”

  “We’ll work on that tomorrow. I’ll need to show you the job possibilities, if you have time,” I explain.

  “Okay, but are you coming back? Tonight? This evening when I get home?” She takes a deep breath.

  “When will you get home?” I ask easily.

  “Around four-ish, depending on traffic.” She scrunches her nose.

  “Perfect, I’ll be here. Still wish you’d take my phone,” I offer as I toss her bag in.

  “Maybe tomorrow.” I smile because for her it’s something.

  “Alright. Have a good day, and play nice with the others.” I kiss her deeply, pushing her against her car. Releasing her, she straightens her clothes. I hold her door open as she sits down, and I lean in. “Please, try not to tell the teachers to ‘go fuck themselves’. At least not on the first day.”

  She breaks into a full-on laugh. “I’ll try.” I wink at her and close her door.

  She backs up and begins to pull away as I round my truck. When she stops, I watch her back up and roll her window down. Walking over to her car, I squat down. “What’s wrong, baby?”

  “I’ll take your phone,” she murmurs, making me smile at her willingness to try.

  I hand it over. “Thank you.”

  “Okay.” She stuffs it in her bag. “And Riley?” My brows shoot up. “I really, really like you. Like, a lot.”

  Did she just give me an opening? “I love you, Ava. Be careful.” Thinking the words would scare her, I’m pleasantly surp
rised when she smiles.

  I watch her drive away with my hand over my heart, making sure it’s still beating. Because I’m damn sure she took it with her. I start to work on my day’s agenda. I need to make a decision about my job and keep my appointment with One.

  First stop, the mall then I swing by One’s to find they’re working like a fine-tuned machine. “Hey, Riley. What’s up?” Brannon greets me as I walk through the door.

  “I’m here to see One.” I jerk my head in a hello as Hardy walks by.

  “I’ll get Thayer; go on in, he’s ready.” Hardy pats my arm as he walks past.

  “You doing some work?” Brannon pries.

  “I am.” I nod as I continue on to One’s office.

  “Hey, Riley. We’re gonna do it here, the chairs are better for Thayer.” She’s about nine months now. His wife and his sister are pregnant, along with Torrie.

  “That’s fine.” I nod in agreement as I sit down.

  “Yeah, man. Don’t drink the water around here, you may get Ava pregnant.” Hardy gasps as Thayer socks him in the stomach.

  “You’ll scare them, stop. Babies are wonderful.” She hums her happiness.

  “Doesn’t bother me, but Ava may have something to say about it.” We laugh before I explain why I’m here. “Listen, I have nothing against Brannon. He’s a great guy and a terrific friend, but this is for Ava and me. I want it to be about us, for us,” I explain.

  “Riley, we don’t have a problem with that. Brannon’s a big boy, it’ll be fine,” One replies. “So, what are we looking at?”

  “I have four acres on the back left side of my parents’ property that I want a house to be built on. I know you may feel uncomfortable, but I promise there’ll be no issues.” I glance at them all as I speak. “Hardy, I’ll be there every minute Thayer is or you can be, and if I have to pay your salary, I don’t mind.”

  “It’s fine. We’ll work it out.” Thayer nods at me.

  “What’s your budget?” One asks.

  “I’m not touching my savings from work, I’m using some of my inheritance. So, with land development, house, and landscaping, I’m thinking a million five to two.” I feel we can have a great place with that.