Love, Riley: Redemption Highway: Briarwood

by Leaona Luxx

  We swing by his parents’ house, where Andi is once again in the water. She may end up a mermaid if she keeps this up. We cookout and drive home under the moon. “I’m so glad your mom got Andi to jump in the tub before she went to sleep, but what little girl can resist a bubble bath?”

  “Right? Mom loves having her around, I think it helps her when she misses Sallie.”

  “I hope so, Andi does love it.” I peek over the seat at her.

  “I love you.” He kisses the back of my hand.

  “I love you. Thank you.”

  “No need, we all needed this weekend.” He smiles at me.

  Sometimes, I think he’s a dream; he’s so good to me. We take Andi home on Sunday and I decide to revisit an old topic on the way home.

  “Do you think Maisyn or Lachlan will still give me a job? I mean, I never let them know anything, but it’s past time I get one.”

  “You don’t have to work, Ava,” he states.

  “Riley, I do. I have bills and a child.”

  “Are we lacking for anything?”

  “No, but I can’t rely on you to take care of me.” It says more than I want to reveal.

  “And why not?” He glances at me as his jaw ticks. Aw hell, here we go.

  “Because, Riley. I’ve never relied on anyone.”

  “You did, Brannon.” He side eyes me.

  “That was different,” I quip.

  “How?” What the fuck is this? I study his face as it begins to turn red.

  “Riley, it was different. I can’t explain it,” I huff.

  “Oh, okay. Brannon can half ass take care of you, but I’m not allowed to,” he growls at me.

  “Wait. Are you jealous?” I stare at him as he looks straight ahead. He’s jealous.

  “No,” he mutters.

  “You do realize I’m in love with you, right?” Oh, for heaven’s sake. “Baby, it’s for me. It’s not against you.” I sigh. “You know I fucking love your alpha shit, but this is a little too much. I’m getting a job. I also love and appreciate all that you do. At the end of the day, you’re the one I want to smack my ass and love me.” I cross my arms over my chest with a huff.

  He jerks with a chuckle. Then he’s full on laughing. “Ava, I have no clue how to be an alpha to you.”

  “You’re damn well giving it a helluva try.” I glare at him.

  “Am I?” He quirks a brow when he gives me his wry grin. Asshole.

  “You’re doing great.” I give him a thumb’s up with a fake smile. “I’m getting a job on campus if not with Maisyn or Lachlan. I love you but I’m going to work.”

  “On campus?”

  “Yes, if I get the job in the library. It’ll work with my schedule and I need to help.” I chew my lip, waiting for a fight but it never comes.

  “Just let me know when I can smack that ass again.” He winks at me.

  “Any time you want.” I bite my lip when that all too familiar tightening in my core reappears.

  “Yeah?” he asks, dragging his eyes down my legs.

  “Yeah.” My chest heaves with want.

  We come close to ripping the door off the hinges when we get home. It’s been over a week since he last touched me. I know if I needed more time he’d give it to me. But I need him, in more ways than one. Our mouths are locked as we try to undress each other.

  Riley pushes me on the bed, and I scramble to the middle as he drops his pants. My eyes burn a path up his body, desire pooling between my thighs. I can’t hardly wait, and he seems to be taking his time. He strokes himself as he watches me wither on the bed, making me mewl.

  He crawls up the bed to me, settling between my waiting thighs. His mouth on mine, he enters me slowly. Riley sets a slow, grinding pace. Sliding in and out with great care and want, his love greater than his need.

  I’ve never felt so loved, so wanted than I do in this moment. I close my legs around his torso, feeling his hot skin rubbing against mine. The slow push and pull from our bodies a heady mix of desire and need. His chest brushes my breast, pebbling my nipples.

  Riley works my mouth as slowly as my pussy, winding me to a breaking point. He breaks long enough to utter three simple words that rock me to my core. Gazing into my eyes, he tells me, “I love you.” And I believe him.

  Our climax rushes to the surface as he holds my face, and our bodies slide against one another. Loving, caring, and accepting in our hearts’ and minds, this is it. This is our great love story. I lay in his arms for hours until sleep takes me.

  “Mrs. Cook, she’s six. She needs a home and preferably a blood relative.” A woman with hair like an angel tells the woman with the crinkly face; she’s scary.

  “Where’s her mom? Run off?” Her gravelly voice makes me tremble.

  “She’s not with us anymore. The father passed after her mother,” the angel lady says as she strokes my hair. I like her, she sings to me.

  “Figures.” I peek around the angel, and the woman sneers at me.

  “I can turn the paperwork in today, and your checks will start within two weeks.”

  “Fine, but she’ll need to pull her weight around here. I ain’t changing no diapers.” She coughs as though she can’t breathe. She smells like smoke and something old.

  “Mrs. Cook, Ava’s six. She’ll need to go to school. You’ll also need to clean a little more often.” The beautiful angel smiles at me. “She’s a sweet little girl, she just needs a chance.”

  “Nobody ever gave me one.” She puts another white stick in her mouth, smoke coming out her nose. I think she’s a dragon. “Fine. Leave her.”

  “Ava, I’ll be back to check on you. You be a good girl.” Her smile is warm, but I’m still afraid.

  I watch from the door as the lady with angel hair leaves. I jump, startled from a noise behind me. “You heard her, get to cleaning. There’s stuff under the sink in the kitchen. I’ll tell you what to do,” the old woman croaks at me. “Now.”

  “Ava. Ava, baby. Wake up, baby.” My eyes snap open to peer into an ocean of perfect blue. Concern etched on his face with pursed lips. “Hey, beautiful. You’re okay, I gotcha.” I’m wrapped in Riley’s arms as he sways us to and fro.

  “A dream.” I shut my eyes from the memories, feeling safe in his arms.

  “You were crying,” he says as he snuggles me closer.

  “I’m okay,” I whimper.

  “Wanna tell me about it?” The mere suggestion makes me squeeze my eyes shut, and I shake my head vigorously. “Alright, baby.” He rubs my back. “How about we get dressed and grab some breakfast?”

  “No. I just want to stay here for as long as I can. No one can hurt us here.” I throw my arm over his, gripping his shoulder.

  “No one will ever hurt you again, Ava.” He kisses the top of my head.

  We lay here in our own sanctuary until the sun begins to fill the room with light. “I should move,” I whisper, even though I know he’s not asleep.

  “Don’t, let’s just stay here.” Riley holds me closer.

  I run my hand down his well-sculpted chest. “Oh, the temptation. I wish I could, but I’ll never put the bad behind me if I don’t keep after the good.”

  “You’ve got this, I believe in you.” He kisses my forehead.

  “Thank you.” I raise my head to check the clock. “Twenty more minutes, then we’ll move.” I fall back to his chest.

  Wrapping me up again, he sighs. “Sounds perfect.”

  Thanks to Riley, I was out the door on time this morning. I didn’t want to leave the bed or him. I can’t shake this feeling of dread, especially after that stupid dream. Why are they called dreams? A dream should be nothing but sweetness and sex, everything else should be called a nightmare.

  My biology professor is out again today, but I’m not gonna complain. I think I’ll go to the library and start on my workbook, try to stay ahead of the game. Walking across campus, I hear my name. “Ava. Ava.” I spin to my left to see Willow.

  “Hi, how are you?” s
he asks.

  “Good. On my way to the library, my two was canceled.”

  “Wish I could join you, but I’m going to my next. Want to catch up later?” Willow smiles.

  “Sounds good, text me and I’ll meet you.” She gives me a quick hug, and she’s off.

  Once in the library, I walk back to the stacks to get away from the crowd. There are a few study cubicles in the back, so I won’t be disturbed. Settling in, I pull my books from my backpack. There’s something else, a laptop. Not mine, Riley’s.

  State of the art, I open it, to find all my things loaded. How did he do this? When did he do this? I send off a quick text and try to get to work. Riley has other plans.

  One more time, Ry.

  What? - Riley

  You know.

  Damn those fairies! - Riley

  Lmao! Thank you.

  There’s nothing else. -Riley

  I’m holding you to that.

  Please do. -Riley

  I love you. -Riley

  You’re damn lucky

  I love you.

  I thank the stars. -Riley

  You can thank me later. -Riley

  SMH Love you.

  Love you. -Riley

  I set my phone down with a smile. He drives me crazy sometimes but there’s one thing I must admit, Riley gives me his all. He’s never once not put one-hundred percent into me. Now, more than ever, I’m determined to do this, for us.

  If you had told me years ago I would fall in love with Riley, I would’ve laughed. Looking back, I think I knew he loved me. I never imagined this though. This all-consuming love he gives me so freely. We’re gonna make it, Riley is the love of my life.

  I smile at my phone with Ava’s last text, she loves me. I shove my phone in my pocket and look up at my brother, who’s watching me with a smirk. “What, fucker?”

  “I’m happy for you, asshole.” He tosses his pen at me. “So, what do I owe this pleasure?”

  “I got my letter, you know the drill.” I lay the envelope in front of him.

  “Dad still refusing to deal with this, huh?” He opens the letter and cues his laptop.

  “Yeah, I can’t blame them. They’re picking up my fifth-year option. It’s another year, but that’s better than four.” I shrug.

  “Not to us, it’s like four.” He glances at me and back to his computer screen. “You tell Ava?”

  I crack my neck, moving it from side to side. “No.”

  “What do y’all talk about?” Walker’s eyes narrow.

  I flash him my winning smile. “It’s not really words spoken between us.”

  He rolls his eyes. “Whatever. You better tell her, she’s gonna flip shit.”

  “She’s gonna be fine. It’s a year, six months apart at best and then visitation. We’ll be fine.” I sit back, lacing my fingers behind my head.

  “Riley,” he pauses before staring me in the eyes, “I fucked up by keeping things from someone I loved. I know Thayer was going back to Hardy, but I hurt them and myself by not being upfront.” He leans forward. “Then I lost my shit over it. I’ll never forgive myself for becoming the fucker I did.”

  “Man, I know this, and I know you’ve worked hard in counseling on all of it. I admire you seeking help, but I’m not you.”

  “No, you’re not. Yet, here we are, talking about a secret that could hurt you both.” He narrows his eyes again. “Sound familiar?”

  “I hear you.” I release a deep sigh. “I just wanted more time, you know. We need more time.”

  “Riley, do you trust her?” Walker asks.

  “Emphatically.”

  “Tell her. It’s not an easy life, she may decide she doesn’t want it.” His mouth sets in a firm line.

  “I know.” I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “I’m afraid.”

  “No doubt.” He nods when I raise my head to look at him. “She deserves to know.”

  “Yeah, she does.” I swallow past the lump forming in my throat. “But do I deserve her?”

  “You do. I’m the one who needs redemption.” Walker smirks.

  “One day, man. Someone will knock you on your ass, and it’ll all make sense.”

  “Hope so. Now, how can I help?” Walker’s not just my big brother, he’s my best friend, always will be.

  Walker finishes my paperwork, and we say our goodbyes. We’ll catch up before I leave, I still have a few weeks. Not long enough for me to get my fill of Ava, but at least I can try. I decide while I’m down here to swing by the college to meet her for dinner.

  Hey, beautiful.

  ‘Sup hottie? -Trouble

  Dinner?

  Sure, but we can’t tell my boyfriend. -Trouble

  This is why you’ll always be Trouble.

  But you like it. -Trouble.

  I sure as hell do.

  I’m still in the library, be out in a few. -Trouble.

  I wait for her on a bench outside the building, doing my best to come up with a way to tell her everything. Nothing. How do you tell the person you love you’re leaving them? I thought I had it all figured out, but this—it’s too soon.

  “Hey, baby.” I jump as Ava wraps her arm around me. “Oh! I’m sorry, I thought you saw me.”

  I pull her into my lap, kissing her with abandon. “No, you’re fine. I’m sorry.”

  “You okay? You must’ve been lost in whatever you were thinking.” She pushes my hair back over my eye. “You need a cut.”

  “I’ll get one soon enough.” I throw her backpack over my shoulder before scooping her up in my arms.

  “What are you doing?” She latches onto me.

  “I got you.” She stares at me for a minute before laying her head on my chest as everyone watches us. I swear I can hear a collective sigh as we stroll past a group of women. The guys, I’m sure, are thinking I’m a showoff. I am.

  “I feel like a princess,” Ava murmurs.

  “Make no mistake, baby, you’re a queen.” I kiss her forehead.

  Setting her on her feet, I wait for her to settle in before telling her where we’re going for dinner. “Meet me at SeaBlue; my parents are joining us there.”

  “Riley! What the fuck? I’m in scrubs.” Her head falls back on her seat, her voice wavering. “Will you ever learn?”

  “I don’t know, baby. I like you in scrubs, you look like a nurse.” I twist my mouth with a grin, praying she’ll buy it.

  “Never again.” She shakes her head before shooting a glare my way. “I’ll go home next time, I mean it.”

  “I love it when you get angry.”

  “You’re about to really love me, Ry,” she snarls, and I decide not to press it.

  “Got it. Promise.” I grab a fast kiss and shut her door.

  I follow her to SeaBlue, parking behind her. She sits in her car, fixing her hair and makeup. “What are you doing?”

  “I refuse to go in there with my hair in a knot and no makeup,” she says through an open mouth as she applies lipstick.

  “You’re gorgeous with or without it.” Her eyes cut to me, making me chuckle.

  “Keep it up, you’ll go home with them,” she says as she stands from her car.

  “No, baby,” I whine. Yes, I whine as she walks in front of me, and I catch a glimpse of her fine ass in these pants. Everything jiggles. “Fuck, these pants.”

  “Yeah? What about them?” She pauses, letting me run into her back. Her ass rubs against my dick as I rise to full attention.

  “They’re thin, and I can see every wiggle.” I pull her closer to me. “Fuck,” I breathe into her ear.

  “Yes, Ry. I want to be fucked.” Her chest heaves. “Hard.” She shimmies against me and I die.

  “Baby, I can do that for ya.”

  She spins in front of me, taking my mouth fast. Her tongue twirls around mine before she sucks mine into her mouth and applies pressure. I’m about to bust my seam when she abruptly stops. “Next time I go anywhere looking like this, you’ll stay like this.” She pal
ms my cock as pre-come forms at the tip. “Now, let’s go see your parents.”

  She struts away from me, leaving me with a hard on that could serve as a speed bump. When she looks over her shoulder to wink at me, it hits me… Fuck. My parents. And my hard on. I scan the lot, adjust myself, and catch up with my girl.

  “Well, played.” I tweak her side. and she jumps with a giggle.

  “Thank you.” She beams with pride as we enter the doors.

  The restaurant is filled tonight, and I can tell Ava’s uncomfortable. I try not to let her think about it too much. “Come on, beautiful, I know you’re famished.”

  “I am,” she answers as she fidgets, her eyes sweeping the room.

  “Have the scallops, they’re amazing.” I take her arm as I see my parents, leading her to our table. Walker sits to my mom’s side and my father to the other.

  “Hey, kids,” my father greets us, kissing Ava on the cheek.

  “Hey,” I say before kissing my mom.

  “How are you?” Mom asks Ava.

  “Good. I wish Riley would’ve given me a heads up, I could’ve changed.” She winces as she sits.

  “Oh, you look fine. I’m happy we’re going to have a nurse in the family.” Ava chokes on her water, spurting it everywhere as Walker chuckles.

  She covers her mouth, clearing her throat. “I’m sorry.”

  “No, there’s nothing to apologize for. We need to remember, only Riley has planned your wedding.” My dad laughs as mom giggles.

  “You two are hilarious. Let’s just nix the wedding stuff,” I say, rolling my eyes. “You’re going to scare the shit outta her.” I continue to pat Ava on the back. She shrugs me off before pinning me with a glare.

  “Let’s not talk as if I’m not here, dear.” I’m not sure what frightens me more, her tone or the look on her face.

  “Damn, you’re in so much trouble, dude.” Walker snickers.

  I narrow my eyes, shooting Walker a dirty look. “Thanks, ‘cause I didn’t know that already.”

  “Hush. I’m fine, although I would love to see your wedding planner.” The table erupts in laughter as Ava offers me a crooked smile.

  “It’s in the tree house, I’ll get it for you.”

  “Sounds good.” She lay her hand on my thigh as we slip into easy conversation with my parents.