Page 69 of Finding Forever

“It’s nothing. I’m glad you’re okay.”

Riley sent me a grateful smile. “Thanks for finding me. I wasn’t looking forward to?—”

I stepped forward and kissed him. It wasn’t the gentle kiss I planned. As soon as our lips touched, heat exploded all around me. Riley’s arms wrapped around my shoulders, pulling me closer, his mouth opening to deepen the kiss. I lost myself in the taste of him, the feel of his body pressed against mine.

I pulled him tighter against my chest, ignoring the thump of his backpack as it hit the ground. The sensation of Riley's soft lips and the way his body molded perfectly to mine sent a shiver of desire through me. His soft moan ignited something primal inside me, tearing down the last of my defenses. He was alive and unharmed, and I loved him like no other. Regardless of what happened over the next few weeks, I needed him in my life, to be part of something neither of us expected.

Sherlock barked and we both froze.

“What just happened?” Riley whispered, breathless.

I leaned my forehead against his, trying to calm my racing heart. “I think it’s called a kiss, but my brain isn’t working too well.”

Sherlock whined as thunder rumbled in the distance.

Riley sighed and stepped away. “We need to get Sherlock off the mountain.”

“And then?”

His blush gave me the answer I needed.

I kissed him again, slower this time, savoring every second. “Let’s go.”

Sherlock didn’t need to be told twice. As we scrambled off the rocky ledge, he barked, urging us to move faster.

With my hand wrapped around Riley’s, we made our way down the mountain.

When I drove into Sunrise Bay all those months ago, I never thought I’d find the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. But it had happened, and I knew exactly what I’d do about it.

fifty

RILEY

Later that night, Eric and I waved goodbye to Craig at Broomfield Airport. The thunderstorm that everyone was expecting never arrived—which was fortunate for Eric’s agent. The visit to Alex’s home was a stopover on his way to Calgary for a conference. If the storm had touched down in Broomfield, there was a high chance his flight would have been canceled.

On our way to the airport, Craig talked about Eric’s publishing schedule. After the conference, he was returning to Manhattan and he wanted Eric with him. While I listened to what they were planning, I became more and more worried. I wasn’t sure how I felt about long-distance relationships, or even what kind of relationship I had with Eric.

“What are you thinking about?” Eric asked.

I watched the lights from another plane taxi down the runway. “I was thinking about us.”

When Eric didn’t say anything, I turned and looked at him. His gaze was steady and sure, something I was far from feeling.

Eric looked around the departure area. “Why don’t we get a coffee? We can find somewhere quiet to talk before we go back to Alex’s house.”

I nodded and walked beside him to the nearest café.

“What would you like?” Eric asked.

“I can get our drinks.”

His eyebrows rose. “What would you like?”

I sighed. “Fine. A cappuccino would be great.”

Eric returned with our drinks and two chocolate-covered pastries. “Where would you like to sit?”

I headed toward a table on the far side of the dining area. Apart from a few people grabbing a late dinner, the tables were empty. I wasn’t sure how our discussion would end, so it was just as well there weren’t many people around us.

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