Page 112 of The Tomorrows After You
He shook his head helplessly. “They’ve told me nothing. I have no idea where he is or when he might be back.Ifhe’ll be back.” Riot plopped down on the chair, defeated. “But he told me he’d be okay. And that I should trust him. It was the last thing he said to me when I went to see him at the police department.” Riot shrugged, and it sent my mind spinning.
“Well, Ihaveto get out of here. Wehaveto turn all this over before Geoffrey Brown gets wind of it…”Hehelda hand up to stop me.
“Wearen’t going anywhere. Jeremy Blackwell already has everything that was in your car. Plus, you need to rest. They said if your scans are clearer tomorrow, I can bring you home Monday.” He gazed down and shuffled his feet shyly. “That is… if youwantto come home… with me?”
My chest blossomed with the flush on his cheeks. I grabbed his hand and his eyes met mine.
“Riot, I can’t think of anythingthat I would like to do more than come home with you.”
43
Nicolette
My body still ached something fierce when Riot pulled up his rental car to the house. His truck was going to be in the shop for quite some time, thanks to Brennan’s last joyride.
As I limped into the house, I instinctively moved toward the sliding glass door.
“Nuh, uh. Where do you think you’re going?” Riot wrapped a hand around my elbow, pulling me against his chest. I looked questioningly between him and the lanai. He leaned in and I was dizzy, maybe it was the painkillers or maybe it was the intoxicating scent ofhim. “I’m not letting you out of my sight for at least a year.” He pushed a lock of hair behind my ear. “You’re staying in my room,” he whispered and a peaceful swoon took me willingly. My lips curled in a shy smile. “If that’s okay with you, of course.”
I bit my bottom lip to try to mute my stupid grin. I nodded. “Yeah, that’s okay with me.”
With the brightest smileI’dseenyet, Riotdroppedmy bag andscoopedme into his arms. Iwasaware of the dull ache in my spine but somehow his armssupportedme in all the right places.
My face flushed with desire. He laid me down on his bed. He moved to leave, but I grabbed his hand, pulling him back down to me.
“Where do you thinkyou’regoing?” Igavehim a suggestive smile andfrownedplayfully, turning his own words on him.
“Nic, you almost died. Less than a week ago. You’re not even approved to drive a car right now, letalone—”
“Riot, I was down there for what felt like weeks. The thought of seeing you, touching you, being near you — it was all I held on to. I swore if I ever saw you again I wouldn’t waste a minute being afraid or cautious. Please. I need you.”
A few weeks ago I wouldhavebeenmortified, ashamed, even, tohavebehavedthis desperate toward a man. But the unending waves of relief and warmth to be back in his bedweresooverpoweringI couldn’t think of anything other than the weight of him on top of me.
He wavered and groaned. I saw his eyes drag down my body. He crawled into bed next to me, laying on his side, propping his head on his hand.
“You know even with hospital head, you’re still the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen.” He grinned, and I blushed. A wave of sincerity darkened his eyes. “I love you.” The words made him smile and all the blood rushed to the center of my body.
Igrazedmy palm across his cheek, running my thumb over the scar on his chin beforeweavingmy fingers through his hair.“I love you, too, Riot Asher.”
Riot kissed me through his smile, running his fingers gently over my body. His tongue explored my mouth, and I relaxed into his bed, feeling as though maybe I really had died and this really was Heaven. I pouted when he pulled away.
“I love you,” he repeated. “I love you so goddamn much and that’s not going to change. So, we can afford to wait a few days until you’re stronger.” My bottom lip stuck out childishly. He bit it playfully before wrapping my wrecked body in his arms. It felt intimate. Real. Honest. It feltfinal.I didn’t know what that meant for us tomorrow or any of the tomorrows after, but I was content to let this be for today.
The days thatensuedwerea whirlwind of statements and conversations, unanswered questions and frustrations.
Geoffrey Brownwasin the wind. The night Iwasfoundalive he emailed in his resignation to the water authority andtookoff. After the allegations oftamperingwith the clinical drug trial, the SECcamecalling for him with charges of insidertrading.
With the power of the SEC behind it, Ihadno doubt the search for Geoff Brown would turn him up soon. Of course, it would be a long trial and he might only getslappedwith fines. Therewasno way to prove heknewthat the Chimera addicts would skew the clinical trial. Itburnedme that he still wouldn’t face charges for what he did to Grace Asher. Or to me for that matter. But the rumorswerealready flying and in the court of public opinion, Riot’s guiltwascalledinto question.
Still, he wouldn’t beexoneratedfrom his mother’s death. There simplywasn’tenough evidence to overturn the conviction. But he did receive a new parolehearing.
The day he was scheduled to be in court, we were almost late. That morning, after spending an hour pinning him to the bed and touching everyinchof his skin, we heard a car door slam.
“Hello?”Brennan’s voicerippedus both out of our sweaty afterglow.
Riot jumped into sweatpants faster than I’d ever seen him move. I was still moving slowly but managed to pull on an oversized shirt of Riot’s.
When I emerged from Riot’s bedroom in nothing but his t-shirt, Riot was still embracing his older brother. Brennan’s eyes popped before his face morphed into a sneaky grin like he caught his brother stealing extra cookies. His eyes darted between the two of us. Giggles erupted from his throat.
