Page 35 of Riding the Line
‘Oh my God,’ Cherry squeals, pulling her hand from mine to hide herself under the sheets. ‘I’d hoped you’d forgotten about that.’
‘Believe me, I’m trying to,’ I reply too quickly, the words rushing out before I can veil the desperation in my tone.
Slowly, Cherry brings down the covers again, teeth tugging on her bottom lip when her face comes into view. Fuck, how many times have I thought about being able to catch her lips between my teeth when she does that? Wondered if she’d moan or gasp? It’s like it’s all hitting me at once.
That’s what all this vulnerability does to me.
I think that’s a signal to call it a night.
Before I say or do anything more.
I shrug. ‘Truth is, though, you’ll be gone by then.’
And just like that, the light fizzles from her eyes, and all that distance builds back between us. She rolls onto her back, letting her hands rest over her stomach as she stares up at the ceiling. She whispers, ‘I’ll just be in the city where the bar is instead. Where you could be too.’
Oh.
I hadn’t thought about it like that…
‘Maybe we should make another deal,’ she blurts out. When my response is merely an inquisitively raised brow, she elaborates, ‘If you agree to the second bar, I’ll do something in return.’
I know she doesn’t mean it sexually, butfuck, that’s how it sounded. That’s how messed up my head is right now. That’s what happens when you let Cherry Hensley walk around your apartment in just a T-shirt.
In the midst of all my racing, burning thoughts, a bright idea pings in my mind. ‘If I move forward with the business deal, you have to take a horse-riding lesson.’
Her eyes flash, but she doesn’t hesitate to nod and confirm, ‘Okay. I can do that. Promise.’
‘Good …’ I really should leave now. ‘Thank you, Cherry. For letting me talk. I’ll give the bar some more thought.’
Given everything Cherry’s just said, I decide to momentarily relent and get one more touch before I go. So, I take Cherry’s hand, giving it what is meant to be a quick squeeze, but she clutches me tighter when I try to pull away.
Tired, shadow-lined eyes regard me with hope as she asks, ‘Will you wait with me until I’m asleep? Just so I’m not alone with my thoughts.’
And of course, my response is, ‘Anything you want, Baby Hensley.’
17
Cherry
A shift of solid warmth behind me wakes me up. I keep my heavy eyes closed, hoping to block out the sunlight for a little longer. Luxuriating in the toasty warmth of the sheets, I snuggle myself further into them.
It’s then that I realise I’m not alone.
Because my attempt to shuffle about is stifled by two weighty arms folded around me, clinging onto the curves of my waist like there’s no tomorrow. Like they’re the glue holding all my broken pieces together. The scorching heat encompassing me, reminding me that I’m tucked up and safe from any of the previous night’s distress, is actually radiating off Duke’s broad, long body. His T-shirt I borrowed to sleep in has ridden up in the night, and now his hands are branding my bare skin.
It also means that my ass is pressed against his crotch. The feel of something hard against my ass cheeks only makes me swallow and my breath shudder.
Inch by inch, my body wakes up further, triggered byevery point of contact with Duke. His soft, rhythmic breaths against my neck filter through my hair, leaving goosebumps across my chest. One thigh has slipped between my legs, as if providing my tired body with support, alongside reminding me torturously of that time his solid thigh propped me up at the roller rink. How badly I wanted to grind against it.
My skin tingles, body coming alive under his touch. Sometimes all it needs is a glance from him, and I’m lit up like a thousand fireflies.
And last night made me far too aware of such. That I’m here, chasing highs and trying to feel as alive and wild as possible, when all I need to do to experience that is be in Duke’s quiet presence – whether we’re having silly debates whilst closing up the bar, or watching the sunset from the top of a Ferris wheel, hand in hand, or just stargazing from the comfort of a truck bed.
Even when I was spiralling into hopelessness last night, frightened and frustrated, all it took to lift me up was hearing his voice.
I’ve got you, Baby Hensley.
It’s what makes me stop and relish this moment. It’s not like I haven’t dreamed of this before – waking up to the quiet of the morning, wrapped in Duke’s arms.
