Page 51 of Let It Be Me
“You’re staying?” She looks at me as if no one has ever put her first.
“Of course I’m staying.”
19
SARAH
Faint scents of cedar wood and leather blanket my body as I come out of sleep. Riley’s arms are locked around my stomach and his head rests against my back. His deep breaths almost lull me back to sleep. But my bladder is begging to be released and if I don’t get up I’ll have to order a new mattress.
I try to unwind his arms, but he locks them tighter. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“Bathroom. I have to pee.”
Riley loosens his grip and I slip out effortlessly. I use the bathroom and brush my teeth while looking at my reflection for the first time in over twenty-four hours. I could use a shower too but I want to get back to Riley. As soon as I exit the bathroom, Riley is switching places with me.
“I have an extra toothbrush underneath the vanity,” I tell him through the closed door.
His responding grunt is enough of an answer for me. I slink back into the still warm sheets and check my phone. Dozens of messages greet me and I conclude I’m too tired torespond to any of them. So I turn my phone all the way off right as Riley finishes up.
“Hi,” he greets me when he’s back in my bed.
“Morning.”
His bed head hair falls in his face and I push it back. My hand falls to the angular curve of his jaw and my thumb traces the full bottom lip.
“Do you remember yesterday?”
“The dull headache is a reminder. So yes.”
“Anything else?”
“You mean about us dating for real? It rings a bell.” My smile matches his and I love that I get this unguarded version of him.
“We’ll take it slow,” Riley promises.
“Does slow include breakfast? Because I’m starving.”
His silent chuckle shakes the bed. “Yeah, baby. I can feed you.”
“Okay,” I whisper barely loud enough for me to hear. The fire that burned bright the night we hooked up is alive and well. “Kiss me first and then feed me.”
“You’re bossy,” he tells me but zones in on my lips.
Our lips meet and my breath hitches. Riley’s hand cradles my neck and angles my head as he deepens the kiss. His tongue teases at my bottom lip, begging for entrance. When I open for him our tongues tangle, but he doesn’t take it further than this. And all too soon, he’s backing away and pecking my top and bottom lip.
“We’re going slow,” he reminds me.
“Mm hmm,” I agree.
Riley gets up and tosses a pillow at my face before heading downstairs. I decide to brave my phone again and turn it back on. More messages filter in and I start from the latest to the newest. Most of them are wondering where I’mat while I was held up in darkness. Yesterday’s migraine took a lot out of me. And while I’m not back to 100%, as I still have a dull headache, I can at least shake my head without wanting to cry or barf.
Jeff’s message is next and I respond with an update that I’m on the mend and will be back in the office on Monday. Do I think us having an office is redundant when our work can be done at home? Yes. But I think Jeff likes the ability to see his employees. Plus it gets him out of the house which is something his kids always push for.
I respond as best as I can to my other clients before I move onto my group chat with the girls.
Main Bishes
Kamryn: I need a coffee break.
