Page 34 of The Riley Effect

Halfway through the movie, Jalen’s fingers start ghosting my arm, I watch the goosebumps form in his wake. I’m so relaxed it takes me a minute to realize that the sighing that fills the room is coming from me. I look up at him, wondering if I’ll see the same need I’m feeling in his eyes.

“Everything okay?” he pauses the movie, giving me his undivided attention.

“I’m just really happy I decided to stay here tonight.”

“Yeah?” A knowing smile is plastered to his face. “Why is that?”

“This bed is really comfy, and I get to see Mia in the morning. Who doesn’t love puppy kisses first thing in the morning…” All intelligent thoughts escape me when Jalen places his hands on both sides of my head, stopping my rambling.

I lose my train of thought, watching the gold chains he always wears sway against his sculpted chest.

“I don’t remember what I was saying.”

“I think you were about to tell me how much you enjoy ending your nights in my bed.” His raspy voice is full of sleep. The air in the room is so thick my breathing becomes staggered. Before I can catch my breath, he lowers his lips to hover over mine.

“Don’t flatter yourself, Jalen.” The words would be a lot more forceful if I didn’t have to catch my breath between each one.

“Be honest with me. What’s the real reason you asked me to stay and watch a movie with you?”

My breath hitches. I’ve always struggled showing my emotions. I love the mantra, actions speak louder than words. So I let my actions show Jalen why I asked him to stay up here with me tonight. I reach for the thick gold chain that’s still swaying and tug on it. Getting the hint, Jalen lowers his lips until they meet mine. The kiss is soft at first like he wants to make sure I’m okay with it.

His lips part when I tug on his chain again, wanting more. Needing more.

Jalen settles himself between my legs and rests his forehead against mine. “Are you sure this is what you want, Ivy?” he peppers kisses all over my face before continuing. “Because I really want this Ivy. I’ve wanted it for so damn long”

I do what I always do when I’m not sure how to respond to a question, I make an ill-timed joke. “Well, all you had to do was ask.”

“I’m serious. Tell me this is what you want.”

He looks at me earnestly. This man has taken the time to get to know me, the real me. He’s chipped away at the ice that’s guarded my heart for so long. Never taking too much, always listening to what I need.

“Yes, Jalen, I’ve wanted this for a long time too.”

He wastes no time, gripping the back of my knees and wrapping my legs around his waist. He rubs his hard length against my wet core.

“Jalen, please.” I moan.

There is nothing soft about the way his lips take mine. It’s possessive and intense, like he is releasing the sexual tension that has been building since the night of his party.

Jalen releases my lips and brings his hands to the hem of his shirt that’s covering my body.

“As much as I love seeing you in my shirt, I think it’s time we get rid of this.” I hold my hands out so Jalen can pull it off of me. Before the shirt even lands on his bedroom floor, Jalen’s lips are nipping at the top of my breasts. He brushes his fingers over the underwire of my bra. It forces the bottom of my bra up so my breasts pour out of the top. He sucks and nips on the over-pouring cleavage hard enough that I know I’ll wake up marked.

“This is the same bra you wore when you had to strip in my living room.”

How does he remember that? It’s been weeks since that night. He must see my confusion because he adds, “I couldn’t believe that a girl I hadn’t seen at a single party in my three years at Westvale had no problem throwing herself into my crazy games. So, of course, I remembered what you were wearing.”

He presses kisses down my neck. “I hate losing, but that party has led to some good surprises.”

The smile that spreads across Jalen’s face doesn’t match the look of need in his eyes. He pulls me up until I am straddling him. He unhooks my bra and slides it off my arms, dropping itto meet the same fate as the shirt I was wearing. If my nipples weren’t already hard, they would be when Jalen’s fingers lightly dance over them. He continues moving his hands down my body learning every inch. When he meets the waistband of my shorts, he pulls them off, leaving me in just my thong. But soon, it’s gone too.

He trails the tips of his fingers down my inner thigh, running his fingers through my slit. My hips buck up when he cups my pussy, trying to get more friction as he grinds the heel of his hand to my clit.

“Oh, Jalen, yes.”

He trails kisses down my body, stopping to suck each nipple, giving them a little extra attention. When he is satisfied with his work, he settles himself between my legs. He pushes the tip of his finger inside me, inching in slowly, widening me.

“You’re so wet,” He whispers as he pulls out of me.

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