It looks like… love.
I shake my head, convincing myself it can’t be. Couldn’t possibly happen to me.
Instead of thinking about it, I bury my face into the side of Eloise’s neck, breathing in her sweet scent. Her lips press to the top of my head, so light I think I imagined it. But the tenderness, the care… there’s no way I imagined that.
Eloise curls up into my arms, and in the next few minutes, her breath evens out, sleep taking her into its clutches. I follow soon after, a sensation of joy brightening my chest for the first time in years.
I think… I’m happy.
25
Eloise
The morning sunstreams in through the open window, tickling my eyelids and pulling me from a deep sleep. There’s a slight ache to my muscles, though it's strongest in the place between my thighs. I rub my legs together, discovering a slickness dripping from my core, coating the skin of my inner thighs.
Instead of opening my eyes, I take a deep breath, my senses filled with the familiar scent of leather and tobacco. It’s comforting and warm—just like the arm wrapped around my middle, like the hard planes of the chest pressed to my back.
I startle awake, adrenaline filling my veins with each rapid heartbeat. Carefully, I slide out from under Riot’s arm, placing it gently onto the mattress where my body was once resting. Exposed to the cool air, I shiver, goose bumps covering every inch of my bare skin, my nipples hardening to pinpricks.
Gazing over my shoulder at Riot, I ensure he’s still deep in sleep before collecting my denim shorts off the floor. I slide my hand into my pocket, pulling out my phone to check the time.
6:30 a.m.
I sigh, stuffing the device back into my pocket as dread replaces the warmth in my stomach. In just a few hours, Davewill be back from his trip, and everything will go back to how it always is.
I look at the door, debating whether I should slip out. I don’t have my bike with me, and it would take a good hour to walk back to the mansion, but it might be worth it. Then I won’t have to face what happens when Riot wakes up. Will he look at me the same? Will he regret what happened? Will he ask me to leave—kick me out—like I’ve read in all those romance novels?
I take one step toward the door when Riot’s voice rings out over my shoulder, freezing me to the spot.
“Where the fuck do you think you’re going?”
Slowly, I turn around to face him, my cheeks hot. “I thought you were sleeping.”
Riot tips his head, jewelry glinting in the morning light, his eyes piercing.Hungry.“And I thought you knew there’s no way in hell I’m letting you go before I have you again.” At this, he smirks. “And then again. And again. And again. Do you understand? You’re not going anywhere, sweet Eloise. Not for a long, long while.”
He brings a hand up, eyes unblinking as he crooks a finger at me, willing me to obey. My knees go weak, and that fluttering sensation returns tenfold. I squeeze my thighs together, all too aware of the slickness glistening on my sex.
“Come here, Eloise.”
I obey, dropping my arms to my sides as I stride toward him, the sunlight dancing off my skin, highlighting the dips and curves of my figure.
Riot’s eyes trail down my frame hungrily, his tongue darting out, dragging over the hoops on his lower lip. “You’re fucking ravishing in this light, Eloise. So beautiful it hurts.”
I crawl into his waiting arms, straddling his hips and sighing as his hands roam over my body, caressing and worshippingevery inch of me. His touch ignites a fire lying dormant in my soul, breathes life into it anew, and I fall into him.
“Please, Riot,” I beg, shamelessly grinding against the length of his cock. “I want you again.”
“I’ll never get tired of hearing you say that.” He leans forward, nipping at my lower lip. “I just have to run to the store first.”
“For?”
Riot’s eyes light. “More condoms. It was a fluke I had the one we used last night on me.”
Heat creeps up my cheeks, and I lower my gaze, suddenly shy. “We could… try it without.”
Riot’s hands slide over my hips, his fingertips digging into the soft flesh. “As much as I would love to feel you coming on my raw cock… I don’t think that’s the most responsible idea. I’m clean, but I don’t want to risk getting you pregnant.” He pauses, thinking for a long moment. “Actually… scratch that.”
I bite my lip, looking up at him beneath my lashes. “I’m actually on the pill. I’ve taken it since I was sixteen.”For the world's most painful cramps,I don’t add. “So we technically can if you want to?—”
