I went back to the table. River’s plate was empty, so he called both dragons to him. I finished my dinner. River was talking to Stone about the hockey players he would sign.
Forest walked over next to us and looked at River quite seriously. “I was thinking, Rinalto.” I realized how serious it must have been if he used his first name. “Maybe I could start getting bigger clients. Jeremy Walter did a deal with some cereal company, and I enjoyed working that deal much more than my full-time job.”
“Are you serious? You went to school for one thousand years to become an engineer. Would you want to change your path so much?”
“Oh god, yes! Politics in getting contracts, then the unions and the changes. I just can’t do it any longer.” He seemed to plead with him.
“Well, then, let’s get together and make it happen. I have something tomorrow evening, but we can meet in the morning. I’m leaving early onThursday, and I plan to take Friday off?” He looked at me, and I nodded. “I am taking the weekend off again, too.”
“You are taking another weekend off?” Cecelia asked from down the table.
“Yeah, it’s my new thing. I don’t work weekends.” I’ll confirm my schedule for the week in the morning. I didn't miss the fist bump with her sister at his declaration.
He turned back to Forest. “Tomorrow morning would be great. The sooner, the better.” He stood up and walked behind River on his way to the kitchen. He leaned between our heads, putting his hands on our shoulders. “Thank you.” He continued out of the dining room. Forest seemed genuinely relieved.
It was nearly 9 p.m., and we needed to head out. I thanked everyone for the lovely evening, exchanging numbers with at least half of them. There were hugs and comments about how good we were together. I was going to like being part of this family.
We were both quiet on the way home. I don’t know what was in his head, but all I thought about was how to say good night leaving him. I logically knew I would see him tomorrow for dinner with Tanner. What I didn’t expect was how it made everything in me tight. I wouldn't wake up with him next to me, and I hated it. I was an adult. I could manage this, but I didn’t have to enjoy it.
We pulled into the construction site. River took my hand, saying, “Come and get the things you left at the hotel. I have a bag you can use. I can also give you a proper good night kiss.”
We gathered our items from the lobby and then went to the elevator. He handed me the card that unlocked the penthouse. “It’s probably traditionally too early to give you a key to my apartment, but I am doing it anyhow. I have waited thirty-eight years to feel somethingin here and in here at the same time.” He pointed to his head, then his heart. “You can come and go anytime you want. I’ll let Gary know.”
I knew asking if he was sure would just insult him. He was old enough to make this type of decision. I took the key. “Can I sneak into your bed in the middle of the night?”
“You are welcome in my bed anytime you want.” He said, smiling, and gave me a quick kiss. “I can lock the elevator to keep the lobby from letting people come up. These keys bypass that, so you can still enter even if the door is locked.”
“You don’t need this one?”
“They gave me two when I moved in. Never had someone to give the second one to before.” He held up another card. “I just kept them both in my wallet.”
The elevator doors opened, and we stepped inside. We had put the dragons in their carry box. It's funny how it had become their box. Once we reached the penthouse, we took everything out and set it next to the doors.
“I’m exhausted,” he said. He took off his shoes, then his shirt and pants. What? You don’t hang out in comfortable clothes at home?”
“I’m sorry, but have you seen yourself? Every time I see you, it takes my breath away. Give my heart a second to recover.” There was a noticeable bulge in my pants. I stopped being embarrassed after it happened so often this weekend. He knew what he did to me and seemed to like it.
“I don’t even know what I want to take home.” The dragons were let out to stretch their wings, and then I started sorting through the pile. I smiled at the dragon pajamas. Those were my new favorites.
I felt River move close to me. I could sense and smell him, which made my dick swell. I groaned.
I walked him backward to the couch. He sat down, and I straddled his lap. I kissed him urgently, and I delved my tongue into his mouth, memorizing how it felt. I kissed his jaw and neck. I lifted my knee and dropped next to him on the couch. I took his hand and closed my eyes.
“I need to get going.” He closed his eyes and leaned back, putting his feet on the table.
“I guess.”
“It was a good day. Thank you for sharing your family with me.”
“They like you. What did my aunt have to say? She wasn’t exactly subtle about getting you alone to talk.” I didn’t open my eyes, but I could tell he was amused.
I chuckled. “Yeah. I believe your aunt threatened to murder me.”
“That tracks. My mom had medical issues when I was an infant, so my aunt cared for me. Murder seems a little tame, though. She probably has some torture planned out if you upset me. There are perks to being in a big Italian family. They know how to hide bodies.”
I figured he was kidding. At least, I hoped so. His aunt and brother had said something similar to me, though.
Chapter twenty-seven
