by C. A. Harms
Her spunkiness was refreshing.
I released her hands and squeezed her just a little tighter against me. Her hand played with the hair at the back of my neck. It was such a small touch but yet it calmed me completely.
“So…tomorrow we have this thing with my grandma. She comes into town once a month and my parents force us to have lunch with her. She’s a little stuffy and most of the time we tune her out. Max even hides ear buds so it’s easier to ignore her.” Riley laughed before continuing, “Anyway…I thought if you weren’t busy maybe you could come and help distract me.”
I wanted to go, I did but I couldn’t back out of my Sunday routine. It meant entirely too much to me. “Sorry but Sunday afternoons are bad for me.”
She shrugged and I felt bad for saying no.
“Don’t worry about it. I thought I would ask because I really was hoping to see you tomorrow.”
Well she was definitely gonna see me. I had already planned to spend time with her tomorrow night.
“How about tomorrow night? Maybe we could hang here though, avoid Beth and Mark. I kinda want you to myself, for a little bit at least.” Her eyelashes fluttered and my chest tightened.
Riley rose up onto her tip toes and kissed me softly, “Call me. I’m not sure what time we’ll be done at my parents.”
She turned toward the door and I resisted the urge to follow her inside as she stepped through the doorway. She turned to face me and I could sense that she was a little disappointed about tomorrow.
I reached out and hooked my finger through her belt loop on her jeans. She bit her lower lip and I grinned.
“Come here…I wanna bite that for ya.” I jerked her toward me and she yelped followed by a giggle, as I smashed my lips to hers. I bit and sucked her lower lip between mine and she moaned. My knees became weak from the sound of her sexy little moan.
Holy shit I needed to leave, like now. I wanted just a little more though. I turned her slightly and pressed her against the door frame bringing my body closer to hers. It felt as if her tiny frame molded to mine and I could feel every sweet little curve of her body against mine. Riley’s hands roamed across my chest and slid across my stomach. She sucked the tip of my tongue seductively.
Fuck I felt like I was gonna combust.
“Dude, seriously don’t dry hump my sister in the hallway. I can’t see that shit. Vision’s like that can completely fuck with a guy’s performance.”
Riley laughed against my lips and I pulled back slowly turning to see Carson standing in the kitchen.
“Sorry man but I kinda like her.”
The smile that spread across Riley’s face took my breath away. Where the hell had this girl been for the last two years?
I kissed her once more and whispered against her neck. “I’ll call you tomorrow gorgeous.”
Walking away from her apartment was almost impossible. I wanted to hold her just a little longer but it was time to let her sleep.
Just before I went to bed I sent her a quick text.
Me: Sweet Dreams baby
Riley: You too…good night
***
Sundays were my days to visit with mom. It may sound crazy to others but it gave me peace. When my mother was still alive Sundays were always our time. Between our schedules we barely saw one another throughout the week.
We had agreed that no matter what was going on Sunday afternoon we would put aside the time to spend a few hours together. Just her and I, without any interruptions, it allowed us time to enjoy one another’s company.
When she passed away I couldn’t quite let it go. So every Sunday I packed a lunch and went to her graveside. I talked to her about my life like she was still there. I shared the shittiest moments and all the great ones. Even though until just recently it felt like the great ones were pretty scarce.
Like I said, to some it may seem strange or even a little crazy, but my mom was the greatest person I knew. I couldn’t let her go and I refused to forget about her or our time together.
I arrived at the graveside around one in the afternoon. I carried my cooler to the familiar spot just alongside my mom. When I sat down, I began picking the weeds that had started to grow up the side. Everything I did when I sat next to her tombstone became routine, I didn’t even think about it anymore. I just did what felt natural.
Today I get to tell her something great for once.
“So I met this girl.” I smiled as I pictured Riley’s eyes. “She’s gorgeous mom and spunky as hell. She beat me and my friends’ asses in paintball and then again with Black Ops. She’s really pretty awesome.”
I popped the cap on my soda and took a long swig thinking it all over. “She makes me smile…you know me mom, I don’t smile much anymore. It feels good to smile. I really like her a lot. You woulda liked her too mom. She reminds me of you sometimes. She seems so delicate and sweet, but underneath it all she’s sort of a badass.”
My mom took everyone by surprise because she looked so frail but had all my friends scared to step outta line when she was near. I laughed at the thought.
I stared off in the distance as the wind picked up a piece of paper off the ground and it whipped up then slowly began to float back down. “I miss you mom…really miss you.” I blinked back the tears and refused to let them fall. Taking a deep breath I tilted my head toward the sky and closed my eyes.
Chapter Seventeen
~Riley~
“My goodness Maxwell have you gotten more tattoos since the last time I saw you? Rayann your boys are out of control. Don’t they realize those things are permanent? He can’t change his mind once he put’s those things on his body.”
My mom just rolled her eyes at my grandma. She was so old school and thought that my parents were letting us kids get away with too much. “Mother, Max is an adult. I can’t control his chooses in life. He is the one that has to live with them.”
Grandma Edna just rolled her eyes, “Thank goodness that Riley has more sense than to ruin her body with that garbage.”
Max coughed as he attempted to swallow his tea and Carson laughed. I shot them both a glare. When I saw my mother’s eyes I knew I was busted and I would be questioned later.
The entire afternoon was full of grandma telling us how things were when she was younger. We all were exhausted by the time we cleared the table. I was ready to go home but when she sat down in the living room and told us all to join her, I held back my groan. I loved my grandma but sometimes a few hours were too much.
My phone vibrated in my back pocket and I quickly grabbed for it seeing a message from Zander.
Hey Beautiful, are you still with your granny?
I sent a quick response and looked up to find my grandma watching me closely. “Riley Joann you aren’t dating again, are you?”
I sighed and looked down at my phone when it vibrated once more.
I miss you. Call me when you’re done
I looked up and met my grandmother’s questioning eyes. She had her answer because I couldn’t hold back my smile. Zander missed me…
“What is it gonna take girl for you to understand your type is all wrong for you. You go for those troubled boys and look where it got you last time. Parker put his hands on you and not just once.”
She was starting to piss me off, “So what grandma, I’m supposed to live in a plastic bubble and judge everyone I meet by Parker’s actions. I can’t run away from life, I tried that and I’m not doing it again. Not every guy is like Parker…and what do you mean my type. Just because someone has a tattoo doesn’t make them a bad person.”
“Tattoos are trashy Riley.”
This woman infuriated me and most of the time I could just ignore her but today she happened to be attacking me and my judgment. I stood up and before I could think twice I tugged the side of my Yoga pants down. I pointed to the small butterfly tattoo just to the left of my hipbone.
“So what Grandma, because I have this I’m trash now?”
I never waited for h
er to respond before I stormed from the room and entered into the kitchen. I took a deep breath as I reached the sink and splashed cool water on my face.
I jumped when I heard my mother behind me.
“A tattoo Riley?” I spun around to face her but she didn’t look mad. She didn’t look happy either.
“Are you upset with me?”
She smiled, “It’s your body Riley…I’m not mad sweetheart. When did you get it?”
I took a deep breath, “After high school graduation. Kate and I got them together. Kind of like a little celebration I guess. I don’t regret it mom.”
“Well I guess I don’t pay enough attention to my kids. It’s been that long ago huh?”
I walked across the room and gave my mom a hug. “It’s hidden mom, unless I’m naked.”
She laughed and tickled my side.
“So…who’s the guy?” I looked down at the floor and suddenly felt nervous. Was I about to get a lecture from her too?
“Sweetheart I’m just asking who he is. I not upset you’re dating Riley. I just hope he treats you well and that you don’t allow anyone to mistreat you again.”
I took her face into my hands, “Mom I can’t run away from every guy because of Parker and what he did. I promise you though that I have my eyes wide open and it won’t happen again.”
She blinked and a tear fell down her cheek. I wiped it away quickly.
“His name is Zander and he’s a senior. He’s sweet and kind.”
“Well we’ll want to meet him.”
I smiled at her, “Okay.”
We made our way back to the living room and by this time my grandmother had moved on to harassing Carson.
I chose to avoid it all and bent down taking Mariah from Mason. Both he and my sister in law Kelly looked at me with panicked eyes. I was stealing their buffer and now they could be Edna’s next target.
I silently laughed to myself as I snuck away carrying my niece. Once we entered the playroom just off the dining room I sat down next to her on the floor.
“Hey Riah…you don’t think tattoos are trashy do you?” She giggled and I couldn’t help but smile. Mariah is my only niece. Mason and Kelly got married when they were twenty. They found out when they were sophomores in college that they were expecting.
Mason is the only brother of mine who at this time is the settling down type. He is also Max’s twin and they are Polar opposites.
I’d had enough of Edna’s judgments and stealing Mariah seemed like the best option. I would take the company of my four and a half year old niece to another round with Edna any day.
Around five thirty my phone vibrated once again but this time Zander was calling.
“Hi,” I whispered.
“Why are you whispering?”
This time I laughed lightly, “Because I’m hiding out from Grandma Edna. She’s kinda crazy sometimes and I don’t feel like hearing another lecture regarding my bad choices and my trashy tattoo.”
He was silent for a few seconds. “Um…tattoo?”
“Oh wait let me guess you think girls with tattoos are trashy too?”
When I heard Zander chuckle through the phone I smiled and waited for him to respond. “No, actually I was just wondering where this tattoo might be located.”
Zander was feeling playful and I could sense it in his voice.
“Well if you’re really sweet I might show you later. Just a little hint though, I may have to remove my pants.”
I laughed when he groaned. “That’s mean Riley…but now I’m really curious. When are you gonna be home?”
“Seven.”
“I’ll see ya then.”
He hung up before I could agree or disagree. As if I would have even considered saying no to seeing him. I once again felt the flutters within my stomach when I thought about Zander.
***
I was able to finally sneak away from my parents and pulled up to my apartment at a little after seven. Zander was already there and the sight of him leaning against his bike with his arms crossed was exactly what I needed.
His hotness was overpowering. He strolled toward my car slowly as I climbed out to meet him. He gripped my hips and backed me against the side of my car. When my back was firmly rested against the door I looked up into his eyes.
The look on his face had me holding my breath. His tongue rested against his lower lip and he watched my lips closely. He said nothing as his body was pressed firmly against mine.
“So are you gonna kiss me or not?” I watched his lips curled up and I smiled in return.
The moment his tongue ran across my lower lip my stomach dropped and my body trembled. I was certain that I moaned somewhere within our kiss but I couldn’t stop. I had missed him and yeah it was crazy to feel this need but I wanted him so badly.
Slow down Riley…
I pulled back slightly and looked up at him. “Do you wanna come up? We could watch a movie or something.”
He nodded his head and followed me upstairs. I wasn’t surprised to find Kate and Carson making out on the couch when we came in. “I thought the couch was off limits.” I rolled my eyes as I walked by still holding Zander’s hand in mine.
“We not screwing…you said no sex on the couch Riley.”
Carson hollered over his shoulder and I heard Zander chuckle behind me. I led him to my room and closed the door behind us. I was feeling a little irritated and I knew it had a lot to do with the day I had spent with my Grandma. Then Carson and Kate were always grinding on each other in plain sight. The least they could do was keep it in the bedroom.
I had mindlessly began removing my pants and slipped them down my legs. I reached for my shorts and stepped into them before lifting my shirt up and replacing it with a tank top. When I turned around Zander was standing next to the dresser staring at me.
“Shit I’m sorry…they just frustrate me.”
He took a step toward me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “I’m not sorry. Not even a little.” Then he kissed me.
Chapter Eighteen
~Zander~
I could so easily get lost in Riley and the feel of her against me. I backed up toward the bed and lowered her down slowly bringing my body over hers.
The moment her legs hooked around my waist I pushed against her. I swallowed her moan and continued to run my hand over her hip, while bracing myself with the other one. She was so sexy and at this moment I was so fuckin’ turned on. I wanted to feel her against me. I wanted to bury myself inside of her and make her scream my name, but I knew I needed to pace myself. I gave her one more kiss and pulled back to look into her eyes.
Think of kittens and fat lunch ladies in junior high. Imagine the lady with the mustache at the convenient store down the road…and there it went. I could feel the excitement slow down.
I took a deep breath, “We should slow down a little bit.” She crinkled up her eyebrows and I almost laughed. “Let’s watch that movie.”
For a moment she looked a little hurt and maybe felt like I was rejecting her. I placed my hand behind her neck and tilted her up toward me. Her eye’s wandered off to the side and I followed her gaze.
“Hey you…look at me.”
When she did she bit her trembling lip to calm it. “Baby, it’s not that I don’t want to. Believe me when I say that I want you Riley. I want you bad but I also want this to work. I don’t wanna rush things with you. I just want us to take our time.” She released her lip and I kissed her softly. “Is that okay?”
She looked up at me and nodded her head.
I really felt like I was doing the right thing. I didn’t want her to think I just wanted her for sex. I wanted so much more with Riley.
I helped her from the bed and she walked over to her closet and pulled out a Beanbag chair looking thing. I watched as Riley drug it over in front of the television and then grabbed a huge bright orange fuzzy blanket and placed it next the chair.
She then knelt down in front of the DVD player and hit
power. I guess whatever we were watching was already in it.
“You can sit in the chair. I’ll sit on the floor beside it.”
I grabbed her hips from behind and leaned in by her ear, “I think we can both fit in the chair.” I smiled when I saw the goose bumps rise on her skin. I kissed her neck just below her ear and then pulled her slowly toward the chair. I lowered her onto my lap and pulled the cover over us both. The floral scent of her hair flowed around me and it was relaxing. When the movie started I laughed.
“You’re kidding right?”
“No.”
She sounded like she was pouting. “Riley I’m not watching this shit.”
“If you’re not gonna have sex with me…then you’re gonna watch Pitch Perfect. Get over it.”
I laughed against Riley’s neck, “So this is payback for being the good guy?” She nodded her head and I sensed her smile.
“You know it’s really cute when you pout.” I tickled her sides and she wiggled all over my lap. Our mouths were only inches apart and I bit her lower lip.
“It’s really hard to resist you but I like you too much to make our relationship just about sex. I promise though it’ll happen soon enough. I’m sure of it.”
I couldn’t get over how beautiful she was. Fuck…I’m in so much trouble with this one.
So we sat snuggled on Riley’s floor under a huge fluffy blanket watching such a girlie ass movie and I knew if Cody and Mark got wind of this I would be living in hell.
I sang lightly in Riley’s ear to the songs throughout the movie. She giggled and shifted around on my lap. There were a couple times I had to continue to imagine cute kittens and fat lunch ladies just to calm my aroused state. I bit my knuckle and groaned when her shirt road up and I saw the bottom of her breast.
This waiting thing was harder than I thought.
I enjoyed holding her close, so I suffered through the movie.
