Page 48 of The Tomorrows After You
Mixed emotions crossed Riot’s face. He was breathing hard but fire still spilled from his eyes. I couldn’t help myself from dropping my gaze to his mouth. I didn’t deserve his trust, which meant I didn’t deserve him. And the fact that Iwantedthat meant I was never going to be neutral when it came to him.
The Riot Asher Story was dead for me now, which meant I had no reason to stay. The lump in my throat grew, and I tore myself away from him.
Blinkingaway the sting in my eyes, Istormedinto the kitchen andyankedmy laptop cord from the outlet.
“Willyou just stop for a minute?”His voicewascalmer, but Ineededto get out of this house, away from his unbearably intoxicating presence. Iwhirledaround andfoundmy nose an inch from hisheavingchest. He stillsmelledlike leather and citrus and sunshine and ittookeverything in me to hold my breath.
“And why should I? You don’t want me here, Riot andI’mnot—”
But my words were cut off by the firm press of his lips against mine. Everything inside me came alive. The words we had exchanged dissipated and I couldn’t remember what we’d been talking about.
The worlddisappeared. All the anger. The disappointment. The guilt.
All of it evaporated because his presence consumed me.
Before my body had a chance to respond he pulled back slightly and the sense of loss overwhelmed me. His chest pressed against mine more firmly with each heavy inhale. His eyes were full of fire, darting over my face. Searching? A glint of longing and concern flashed in them when I realized he was asking permission for more.
I responded without another moment of hesitation and wrapped my hands around his shoulders, pulling him so close I thought he might disappear into my body. The thought sent shivers down my back. The growing need to touch him consumed me. I felt his hand slip into my hair, fisting it gently before pulling me closer like I might slip through his fingers.
His lipswerewild and untrained against mine and my brainwentblank,lettingmy body mold itself to him. My lipspartedin response and his other handwrappedaround the back of my head,pullingmy face harder against him with vicious need. My fingers felt their way up his midsection and a small moanescapedmy lips. Ifistedhis shirt in my hands, desperate to bring his body closer to mine.
Every layer of my skinwasbrimming, all my sensesheightenedfrom the fight just moments ago. Our bodiesmoved like an animal of its own accord, crashing into the wall behind me.
His warm tongue slipped between my lips and I tilted my head to the side, trying to consume him entirely. A growl vibrated his chest. I moved my hand up to his neck and the blood coursing through his veins surged with desire. His mouth felt sorightagainst mine.
Stealinga glance, Ipinedat the sight of his face, so close. I wasastoundedat how much Ihadunderestimatedmy attraction toward him. Hot bloodranthrough my limbs,surgingtoward the center of my body. My hipspressedtight against him, desperate to alleviate the pressure I didn’t knowhadbeenbuilding for the last several weeks. Ifelthis erection pierce through his jeans as his hipsmetmine with the same force.
His handsexploredmy body, running down my rib cage,leavingshadows of fire on my skin. My backarched, willing him to explore further. His handstraileddown the edge of my hip.
I raked my hands through his hair and his chest exhaled a long breath accompanied by a small moan of relief. His brow stitched together. He yearned to be touched. Anywhere. Everywhere. It crushed me to think of the last time he’d been kissed by a woman. The image of Katie passed through my mind and I wanted to touch him, anywhere, everywhere, hungrily claiming his lips for myself. He tasted like salty sunshine and I was drunk on desire.
Our reckless bodies ping-ponged off furniture carelessly until wemadeit to the dining room. Wecrashedinto the wall thatseparatedthe dining from the kitchen. My backhitit with a thud and somethingcrashedto the floor.
Our faces separated an inch. Ifelthis smile against my lips and Iletthe warm breath of his laugh tangle with my own. Hisswollenlipscalledto me and Iwantedhim on top of me more thananything in the world. His droopy eyes stillburnedinto me but IhadneverseenRiot look so carefree. Sounburdenedand Iwantedto give him more of it.
Istudiedhis mouth,committingevery dip and curve to memory, running my fingers over his lips.
“I wish I could see more of that smile.” The feathery truth escaped my lips before I realized I’d spoken.
Riot’s grin widened, his eyes meeting mine before faltering. He blinked and his expression shifted to sadness. To confliction. My body was still alight with the desire he inspired. But I could feel my heart ache for the inevitable words perched on his lips when he pulled away from me.
He squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head, remorse contorting his features.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
Iheldmy breath. I didn’t want him to be sorry. I didn’t want him to stop. Hetooka step back andgrimacedat me with sleepy eyes. I could see the self-resentment shoot through him like the head of mydefeatedred robot.
Frozento the floor,catchingmy breath, all I could dowaswatch him spiral away from me. It stole the breath right from my lungs.
“I don’t know what came over me.” He shook his head, stammering. I narrowed my eyes at him. “I think… I think it’s just been a really long time.”
The little airleftin my lungsexhaledwith a huff like a gut punch. Thatwasit? The best fucking kiss of my life and all itmeantto himwasten years of pent-up blue balls?
The bridge of my nose stung and hot tears pricked my eyes again. I couldn’t let him see how much he’d affected me. I pushed off the wall, angrily brushing past him. I stormed back to my room.
“Don’t leave!” he called, pleadingly.
Riot didn’t follow me. I could tell he was still glued to the position I’d left him. My feet stopped despite my pride screaming for them tokeep storming away. “Please. Stay.” His voice was gentler, imploring and I winced. “Please don’t leave.”
