Tank has obviously had a few drinks, and when he spots me, he yells into the mic, “G-Force!” He waves me forward. “People, our house never woulda survived the last few weeks without the one and only Gabby Duran! Gab-by! Gab-by!”
It’s so unexpected, I laugh, but then Olly, Knox, Trevor, and Bree join in, and suddenly the whole room is screaming my name.
Next thing I know, Rider’s lifted me into the air, and I’m hanging halfway over his shoulder as he spins me around. His roommates keep cheering, and I’ve officially entered a parallel universe where I party at the Stallion Station.
Knox hands me a drink, and I hold up my red Solo cup in the air and yell, “Go, Broncos!”
The guys pick up the chant until the whole house is vibrating with this rally cry. After I chug the beer, I’m high-fiving Rider’s roommates as I cling to him with my other arm. Bree pulls out her phone, and I mug for her pic.
For a minute, it’s almost like I’m at their game, celebrating their incredible win with them. I’ve never felt anything like this before.
Laughing, I slide down Rider. I’m still pressed to his hard body when I look up.
He thrusts a possessive hand into my hair, and three years of pent-up lust and longing rush over me as his mouth crashes into mine.
34
GABBY
A few minutes later,we stumble into his bedroom. He kicks the door shut behind us and shoves me up against it. With a hand fisted in my hair and another on my rear, he kisses me like we’re on the eve of the apocalypse.
Keeping time with the pounding of my heart, the floor vibrates with the beat from the music downstairs.
I strain against him, trying to get closer. Needing to be closer. Wanting to feel him move through me.`
This is what was missing in my other relationship. This unquenchable fire that feels like Rider and I could burn down the whole house with the electricity sparking between us.
And tonight, I want to burn.
Our tongues twist and stroke like this is a duel. Like we might die if we stopped.
Except that’s exactly what he does.
Suddenly, he pulls his body back, but he rests his head against my shoulder as he pants, “Do we need to talk first?”
It takes a second for my mind to make sense of what he’s saying.
I frown.God, no.“No talking.”
Do I need him to spell out what this means? How this is likely a one-and-done or friends with benefits or some other equally horrifying situation? I’ll pass.
I know what I’m getting. Pigs would have to part the skies for this man to commit to something significant.
I’m not looking for significant at the moment.
I took it slow with Sean. Had a million dates. Waited until we were committed to have sex. Andnever oncedid I feel this alive.
Never once did I feel like I might come apart at the seams if we didn’t rip off each other’s clothes.
I have zero expectations except for what Rider might make me feel right this moment. Do I want something special with him? Of course. But will I look back on this night with regret if I don’t seize this moment?
I always do the responsible thing.Always. Would it be so bad to take a chance right now? To live a little?
I’ve wanted this far too long to backtrack now.
It’s my turn to tighten my hand in Rider’s hair. I bring his face to mine, and our lips touch as I answer. “Wear a condom. That enough conversation for you?”
His eyes, dark in the low light of his bedroom, turn molten. “Oh, fuck.”
