Page 67 of Beauty Beneath the Sorrow
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I open the door to my townhouse a short time later to find ablond guy with a backward hat sitting on my couch. “Can I help you?”
He briefly looks up from his phone to give me a quick nod. “I’m Riley.”
“Are you here for my sister?”
The guy’s eyes run the length of my body. “Or you.”
“Gross,” I spat. “I hope you’re fucking kidding.”
“I am.” He smiles, flashing me his overly whitened teeth. “Older women aren’t my thing.”
Older?My mouth drops. “Wow, you’re already making a great impression, aren’t you?”
“Bye, sis. I’ll be back later tonight!” Zoe calls out as she descends the stairs two at a time. The smart-ass guy on my couch stands up and walks toward her, wrapping a loose arm around her neck.
God, I’m glad I’m not in college anymore.
“Where are you going?” I press, dropping my keys in the bowl by the door.
“We’re going to a movie, then bowling afterward,” she replies, flipping her jacket over her shoulder.
“Okay. Be safe. And don’t stay out too late,” I remind her, heading into the living room.
A second later, I hear the door close behind me. Kicking off my shoes, I grab the remote to turn on the TV, but a light knock stills me.
I bet Zoe forgot her key again. I huff an exasperated breath and shuffle over to the door with heavy feet.
“Forgot your—” My breath catches. My stomach flips onits side. “Carter?”
He’s standing on the step with a hoodie on and a backward hat, oddly similar to what my sister’s date was wearing. “You left me on read.”
And there goes my heart as it drops from my chest, then trips and falls right into the palm of his strong hand. My eyelashes flutter. “What?”
“You left our text onread,” he repeats, this time slower, stepping into the house. His warm body against mine.
I’m hit with the potent scent of Irish Spring.He just took a shower.Swallowing the drool about to roll down my chin, I shake myself to gather my thoughts. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize that.”
His eyes bore into mine as he stares down at them. “I got worried.”
A tight smile slips at his unapologetic attentiveness. “I was out for girls’ night. Do you want to stay?”
“Sure.”
Closing the door behind him, I’m already thinking about where in this house I’d like him to pound me. My body is already humming. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“A bottle of water is fine.”
I sprint into the kitchen, overheated by his presence.Fuck, he smells good.We can be friends. It’s completely fine. Opening the fridge, I bend to grab a cold water bottle from the bottom shelf. Then I feel the warmth of his hands glide up the curves on my hips. My eyes fall closed as I stand and lean into his embrace, craving for him to touch more of me.
“Hi,” I purr.
“I missed you,” he groans, sliding his hands under my shirt until he finds the sensitive peaks of my breasts. With a gentlepinch, my head falls back onto his shoulder.
“Fuck, I missed you too.”
Tilting his head to the side, he runs his tongue along the seam of my lips. On instinct, mine darts out to taste him.Heaven.Our tongues tangle for a beat before he captures my entire mouth in his. I suck him in. He spins me around to face his front.
