What I Need

by J. Daniels

  The bed is empty beside me. Reaching out, I run my hand over the cold sheets.

  Fuck.

  She’s been gone for a while. Why’d she leave? I didn’t give her any reason to think she shouldn’t stay here last night, did I?

  I think back to our last conversation. My jaw tightens.

  Fuck no. I damn sure did not give her any reason. In fact, I remember specifically telling Riley I wanted her ass in my bed, naked, and to not be surprised if I woke her up wanting another go.

  “Baby,” I mumble into her hair, moving my hand down her back to her ass and palming it.

  Riley gasps, all fucking cute.

  “Yeah?” she answers with a small voice. Her arm tightens across my waist.

  “Look at me, darlin’.”

  Her head turns up and she looks at me, those big blue eyes blinking slow.

  “I like this and what we just did,” I tell her. “I like it enough I know I’m gonna want it again as soon as I get enough rest to give it to you, so heads up. We’re not done. We’re not even close to being done.”

  She blinks, sucking that fat bottom lip into her mouth. “Okay.”

  “You might wake up with me getting you ready if you aren’t already there. I hope you’re good with that.”

  Those bright blues flicker wider. A flush creeps across her one visible cheek. “I’ll be good with that,” she whispers.

  I smile and tug her closer.

  “Good. Now give me that sweet fucking mouth so I can go to sleep and recharge. You wore my ass out.”

  “I barely did anything,” she argues while climbing higher until she’s more on top of me than next to me, her heavy tits now pressing to my chest instead of the side of my ribs.

  Her heart is pounding.

  Keeping one hand on her ass, I cup her face and slide my mouth along hers, speaking inside our kiss. “Rode me. You forgetting that?”

  Her breathing stops. “Oh,” she whispers.

  “Yeah. Oh.”

  Riley giggles, then deepens the kiss by tilting her head and working her tongue. She pulls away to ask me, “You get enough?”

  My brow tightens.

  “Enough of what?” I growl. “Didn’t I just say—”

  “I meant enough of my mouth so you can get to sleep and recharge,” she explains.

  I watch her drop down, flatten her hand on my chest and rest her chin there, doing this while smiling all cute for me.

  “I’m gonna be honest with you, babe,” I begin, tucking my one arm behind my head and raising up higher. “If I ever get to the point of getting enough of your mouth, I got a serious problem and most likely need medical attention.”

  The smile she’s wearing softens, turning shy.

  “So to answer your question, no, I didn’t get enough of your mouth. But I am satisfied enough to shut my eyes knowing I’m gonna get it again the second I wake up. That work for you?”

  “That works for me.”

  I smile. “Then, darlin’, let’s get some sleep. The sooner I recharge, the sooner I’m feeling you tighten around me again and hearing you scream my fucking name.”

  Now that flush is taking over both cheeks and burning out those freckles to the point they are no longer visible.

  Riley slowly shifts down and settles against my side, swinging her leg over my hip and draping her arm over my waist as she lays her head on my chest. And I tuck her close, keeping one arm around her.

  Yeah, I remember being pretty damn clear. And she seemed agreeable.

  So, again, what the fuck?

  My phone beeps with an incoming text. I grab it off the nightstand and swing my legs over the side of the bed, sitting there as I swipe my thumb across the screen.

  Reed: Breakfast is at Parrot’s Bay in fifteen.

  Right. This is why I’m awake. Everyone is meeting up for breakfast before all the wedding shit starts.

  Everyone including Riley fuck me Tennyson.

  I get out of bed and head for the shower, washing up quickly so I can get dressed and get going. I know I’m going to have to wait until after breakfast to get some answers out of Riley. Makes this breakfast something I’m not looking forward to. But maybe I can catch her before everyone else gets there. Once we all sit down and start eating, I’m screwed. No way will I be able to say shit to her about it.

  Not unless I feel like making it awkward for everyone.

  “Hey, Reed. I fucked the shit out of your sister last night and then she bailed on me while I was catching some shut eye. Can you believe that? Pass the juice, man.”

  Yeah . . .

  It’s the guy’s wedding day. I should probably spare him the details of his sister’s tight pussy and what all I did to it.

  After toweling off, I get dressed in a pair of army green cargo shorts and a black tee. I grab my phone, my wallet, and my room key, tuck those into my pockets and head out, combing my wet hair with my fingers as I make my way toward the resort restaurant.

  When I push through the glass doors and scan the room, I spot the guys sitting at a large round table near the back with their women, Nolan and Chase.

  And no Riley.

  Motherfucker.

  Ben eyes me and motions for me to join, grabbing the attention of Reed who then notices me along with everyone else, destroying my plans of backing out of the room and knocking on every goddamned door until I see freckles and blue flames.

  She better be on her fucking way over here.

  “Mornin’,” I greet the group, pulling out the chair next to Tessa and sitting in it. I stare at the empty seat across from me, then lift my eyes when Ben starts talking.

  “Where’d you end up last night? You stay at the bar?” he asks me.

  Mia elbows him, careful of Chase who’s sitting in her lap.

  He gives her a look. “What?”

  She subtly shakes her head, briefly looks at me, then grabs the purple stuffed octopus sitting on the table and bounces it in front of Chase, making him laugh.

  My brow furrows.

  I don’t know what the fuck that’s about so I grab my glass and shoot him a vague, “For a while,” before taking a sip of my orange juice.

  “You see my sister when you were over there?”

  I cut my eyes to Reed.

  Fuck.

  Fuck.

  “Yeah. She was taking shots,” I tell him, figuring I’m in the clear admitting my knowledge of that. I did say I was at the bar. I would’ve seen her.

  No fucking way would I have missed Riley. Jesus.

  Can’t believe I had the chance of meeting her a year ago at Sam’s Deli. What the fuck? That must’ve been one helluva call for me to not notice a girl looking the way Riley does.

  Damn.

  “Great. She’s probably too hungover to show up to this,” Reed guesses, shaking his head and tossing a napkin on his empty plate.

  I can clear that up real fast but I don’t, because how the fuck would I know if Riley got drunk unless I was watching her or with her until she called it quits last night?

  And considering how much watching I was doing and what all we did while I was with her, I keep my mouth shut.

  “No. Look, there she is,” Beth announces, raising her finger to point.

  I set my glass down and turn my head, watching as love-me-and-leave-me makes her way across the room wearing a white midriff tee with the word Rebel scrolled in red across her tits, showing off her tanned and cute stomach, jean cutoffs and black badass-looking combat boots on her feet. Her hair is down, falling past her shoulders in a mess of waves, and her face is free of makeup. She looks like she just rolled out of bed.

  Her own fucking bed. Not mine.

  I feel my jaw clench.

  But holy fucking shit, she looks good. A little rough and sharp edged. Far from the pretty thing pounding back shots of tequila and asking me for secrets, that's for damn sure.

  Riley Tennyson looks ready to hop in my truck, not ask questions, and just let me take her.


  And I will fucking take her.

  She locks eyes with me, blue flames burning me up but only for a second before she cuts away, smiles shyly at the group and lifts her hand in a wave.

  “Hey. Sorry I'm a little late. I forgot to set my alarm,” she explains, rounding the table and moving across from me. She pulls out the vacant chair and sits in it, briefly catches my gaze, then leans over and nudges Beth’s shoulder. “Happy wedding day,” she says.

  Beth’s entire face lights up with a smile.

  It’s a smile that caught my attention last year and had me wanting to see more of it, but I’m over that now. Beth is Reed’s. Has been since before I ever laid eyes on her.

  I’m happy for them.

  “Thanks. I'm so excited,” Beth says, nudging Riley back.

  Reed sits forward and plants his elbows on the table, linking his hands together. He sighs. “Look, Riley, I get why you’re pissed at me and all, but—”

  “It's fine, Reed. Really,” she interrupts, leaning forward to see him. “I’m sorry for yelling at you the way I did. I get why you didn’t want him here. I shouldn’t have pressed. It’s your wedding. Let’s eat and just, enjoy the weekend, okay? I'd rather not talk about it anymore.”

  “It’s fine?” Reed echoes. His brow lifts. “Are you sure? You were pissed last night. You looked ready to kill me. What happened?”

  Riley slices her eyes to me, then looks down at her plate.

  “Tequila happened,” she answers, sitting back.

  I feel my mouth twitch.

  Fuck yeah. Looks like the Tully charm sticks with you even after you sneak out of my room. Good to fucking know.

  “Really? You drink that stuff?” Mia asks with her nose scrunched in disgust. “I can't stand the taste.”

  “It's not so bad,” I throw out, shrugging. “I like it mixed with something sweet.”

  Riley’s eyes go round.

  “Dude, really?” Luke asks me. “Somethin’ sweet with tequila?”

  I keep my eyes on Riley when I answer.

  “Yep.”

  She pulls her lips between her teeth, blushes, and looks away.

  “Well, whatever the reason, I’m glad you’re here, Riley. It means a lot to me,” Reed says, causing Riley’s blush to turn a shade redder and her eyes to mist. He leans back and drapes his arm over the back of Beth’s chair. “Plus, Christ, now we can order.”

  “Finally! I’m starving!” Nolan whines, dropping his head on his arm.

  Ben laughs and rustles his hair.

  Luke asks Reed something, and Ben joins in, stirring up conversation I’m not paying mind to while Mia, Tessa, and Beth start discussing wedding shit.

  I stare at Riley, watching her pick up her glass and bring it to her lips. She looks at me over the rim.

  “What the fuck?” I mouth.

  She swallows some juice and licks the residue away. “What?” she mouths after lowering the glass.

  What?

  Is she serious?

  I cock my head.

  Then before I can get anything else out of her, the waitress steps up to the table and begins taking orders.

  Riley gives hers. I rattle off mine without glancing at a menu, not really caring what I eat at this point. I’m more interested in wrapping this shit up fast and getting someone alone so I can get some answers.

  I slide my gaze back to Riley when I’m finished speaking and watch as Beth ropes her into wedding conversation with the rest of the girls, completely screwing me out of keeping her attention, unless I feel like offering my opinion on false lashes and whatever-the-fuck breast tape is, which I don’t. I don’t even have an opinion on them. Don’t wish to have an opinion, and sure as hell don’t want to pretend that I do. And thanks to Reed and his hard-on for giant motherfucking tables, I can’t stretch out and nudge Riley’s foot to get her out of that conversation and back into the silent one we were sharing.

  Should’ve gone around banging on every door this morning until finding hers. Now I’m regretting it.

  Fuck this breakfast.

  Fuck these eggs. Fuck this juice.

  I’m done eating in nine minutes, but I have to sit here for fifty-six more and watch Riley and every other person at this table take their time eating. It’s torture. I swear these assholes are all in it together. They all know I want to get Riley alone and they’re keeping that from happening.

  Even Nolan.

  Awesome kid. Always saying funny shit, except for today when he orders two more pancakes just when I think we’re getting the check.

  Swear to God. I almost lose it.

  Ben gives me a look when he catches me glaring hard at his kid. I play it off, fake coughing and turning away, then I go back to watching Riley and the cock tease show she doesn’t realize she’s putting on.

  Sucking egg yolk off her thumb. Licking jam off her lip. And don’t even get me fucking started on the damn sausage she orders.

  “You okay over there?” Beth asks me at one point when I let a groan slip out as I rub at my face.

  Fuck no, I’m not okay. I’m getting hard in a family restaurant. But I can’t tell her that.

  “Just tired,” I answer, letting my hands drop to my lap and rubbing them on my thighs.

  Reed stands from his chair and reaches back for his wallet. “This was on us,” he announces, tossing money onto the table. “Just a thanks for being here and sharing—”

  “Great,” I interrupt, getting to my feet and yanking out Tessa’s chair for her. She yelps. “We’re happy to be here. Thanks for the food. Let’s get going.”

  I motion for everyone to stand and make their way toward the exit. When Nolan starts busting my balls again by requesting more color time, I step up behind him and lift his little cock blocking ass out of his seat.

  “Here. Just take it with you,” I say, grabbing the paper and the cup of crayons and pushing them into his hands.

  “Cool!” he shouts, then holds them out to Ben who’s standing close. “Daddy, look. I’m taking these. CJ says I can.”

  Ben picks him up.

  “I don’t know if we’re allowed to do that,” Mia observes, looking cautiously at Nolan while bouncing Chase.

  “I’m sure it’s fine, Angel,” Ben argues, smiling down at her. “And if it isn’t, what are they gonna do?”

  “Nothing,” Luke and I answer together, both of us sounding ready to jump any motherfucker that tries touching those crayons and stalling our exit. I look over, catch his smirk and the eye roll Tessa gives him, then gently gripping Mia’s arm, I spin her around to face the door. “Come on. We’re wasting time.”

  “Jesus, man,” Luke chuckles, throwing his arm over Tessa’s shoulders and looking back at me. “You in a rush to see Reed get married or somethin'?”

  “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?” I lie, looking from Reed to Riley, then back to Reed when I feel his eyes still on me, eyes that are now looking suspicious until Beth grabs his chin and forces him to look down at her.

  Whatever. This shit show has been going on long enough.

  I stay behind Riley during the walk back to the villas, but only because she’s walking beside Beth. Reed is holding tight to his girl while joining in on their conversation, so no way can I step up now and not have it seem motivated.

  After Beth directs all the girls to meet in her villa and all the guys to meet in Ben’s, the group splits up. When Reed steps away and I don’t see anyone paying me any attention, I follow Riley, getting to her door a few seconds after she closes it.

  I knock, and the minute it cracks open I’m pushing my way inside.

  “Whoa, hey,” Riley exclaims before I step out from behind the door and she sees it’s me. “Oh, hi, uh . . . did anyone see you?” she asks in a quiet voice, glancing around me and then looking back into my face.

  I shut the door and cross my arms over my chest. “Babe, what the fuck?” I ask, skipping over her question because I got a better one. “Why’d you leave last night?”

>   She blinks up at me.

  “And what the hell was that shit at breakfast?”

  “What do you mean?” she questions.

  “What do I mean?” I echo back, a little firmer. “Ordering off the sex menu and putting on a show that made my balls ache. Thanks for that.”

  Those stormy blues go round.

  “Then ignoring my ass like I’m not sitting there trying to get some answers out of you.”

  “But I didn’t want to get caught,” she argues. “And you were staring at me. If I would’ve stared back like I wanted to, someone would’ve seen us.”

  My brows lift when I probe, “You wanted to stare at me?”

  She nods.

  Nice. That feels good.

  “And I wanted to explain why I left,” she continues. “I didn’t want you thinking it was because I didn’t want to be there.” Her hand comes up, crosses her body and grips her elbow. “I did. I wanted to be there.”

  “So, why’d you leave? `Cause I sure as fuck remember expressing wanting you in my bed, darlin’. We weren’t done.”

  Riley lowers her eyes to my chest.

  “You could’ve told me last night you were looking to bolt,” I add, drawing her attention up again.

  And I would’ve convinced her that plan was shit and mine was better.

  “I could’ve,” she begins. “But you were sleeping and I didn’t decide on bolting until after you fell asleep. That was when I realized how it would look if someone came knocking on your door and I was in your room . . . without my clothes on.” She swallows. “It would’ve been obvious you had taken part in removing my clothes.”

  “And?”

  “And.” She drags in a breath, then releases it tensely. “I just didn’t think Reed finding out that way was in my best interest. Or yours. So I bolted and slept in my bathtub.”

  My brow pulls tight. “Say what?”

  “My neck is a little stiff, actually.” She rolls her head from shoulder to shoulder, wincing through her stretch.

  “You slept in your bathtub?” I ask.

  “Yes.”

  “You got a reason for doing that?”

  “Mia saw me leaving your room and I was worried she’d tell Reed and he’d come looking for me.”

  I stare at her, trying to figure that one out and coming up short.