Page 105 of Last Call

“Sylvia watched you grow up. She knows a little aboutstrange,” Riley teased.

Fallon laughed. “Gee, thanks.”

“I know she misses Ida.”

“We’ll make a plan,” Fallon promised, holding out her hand. “Let’s go home. I see a long,hotshower in our future.”

“Do you?”

“Mm-hm.”

“I guess we’ll need to work up a sweat first,” Riley commented, opening the sliding doors.

Fallon froze in her tracks.

“Say your goodbyes, Fallon,” Riley called back. “You know how I love long showers.”

She might just be the death of me. What a way to go!

Chapter Seven

Every so often,a sparkle of mischief lit up Riley’s eyes—one that told Fallon Riley had a plan. She imagined a shower in their future. How far into the future, Fallon wasn’t sure. Riley silently led her into the bedroom. “Riley?”

A smile danced across Riley’s lips. “What are you afraid of, Fallon?”

“I’m not afraid.”

“No?”

Riley suppressed a chuckle, knowing that while Fallon exuded a bold confidence, beneath it lay a tender heart. Fallon was always considerate of others’ feelings. Her gentle nature was evident in all aspects of her life, including the most intimate moments they shared.

Riley draped her arms around Fallon’s neck, drawing her in for a lingering kiss.

“I love you,” Riley murmured.

“Not that I’m complaining, but what brought this on?”

“I love you,” Riley whispered again. “I want you to make love to me.”

Fallon gently ran a fingertip along the curve of Riley’s cheek. At times, their lovemaking was fueled by intense passion and anurgent desire. Tonight felt different; there was a magnetic pull drawing them closer, a connection that only people in love could comprehend.

Riley tugged Fallon’s hand and led her to the bed. “I’m going to freshen up,” she said, gesturing to the bedside table.

Fallon’s heart leaped into her throat. She was confident that few people would envision Riley taking the lead in the bedroom. Riley’s assertiveness initially surprised Fallon. Her boldness signified trust, knowing that she could ask Fallon for anything without fear of judgment or rejection. Fallon nodded dumbly.

A giggle passed through Riley’s lips. She leaned close again and kissed Fallon softly. “If you need help, knock,” she whispered, turning to enter the bathroom.

Fallon took a deep breath, staring at the bathroom door as it closed. “This should be interesting,” she muttered.

Fallon turned to the bedside table and opened the drawer, reaching for the strap-on Riley had purchased. She wanted to please Riley in every way possible, but this was uncharted territory.

Fallon undressed, shimmying out of her jeans and pulling her t-shirt over her head. She examined the tangle of straps and buckles in her hand, trying to figure out how to fasten it to her hips.

“What do they think I’m doing, launching into space?”

Fallon thought the contraption looked better suited for a spacecraft or maybe a race car.

“Maybe we should install a roll bar on the bed.”

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