Live This Love

by Jamey Moody

  Everyone laughed, and Riley agreed. “Let’s go back to my place, get my stuff, and find us some food.”

  “Are you feeling fancy or not?” Liz asked.

  “Not. I’m too tired to make myself presentable after today,” Riley said looking at Alex hoping she’d agree.

  “Let’s get your stuff, hit the food trucks, and go upstairs for a rooftop feast,” Alex offered.

  “Perfect!” Riley said, grabbing Alex’s hand and pulling her toward the door.

  “See y’all later!” Alex said as they left.

  Liz smiled to herself

  “What’s that look for?” asked Beverly.

  “Oh, my little Alex is falling in love. Isn’t it beautiful?” Liz said happily.

  “It’s about time,” Beverly said.

  “It sure is. Now if we can just keep her from messing this up.”

  “Fingers crossed.”

  “That was just right,” Riley said wiping her hands on her napkin. “I love fish tacos.”

  “Me too. Would you like another beer?” Alex offered.

  “I think I’ve had my fill for the day,” said Riley, stretching. “What I’d really like is to cuddle up with you on that couch and watch these beautiful stars come out.”

  “That can be arranged. Let me throw this in the trash so it won’t blow away.”

  Alex finished tidying up and then pulled Riley over to one of the chaise lounges. “Let’s sit here. We can put our feet up, and it’ll be more comfortable.” She wrapped her arm around Riley’s shoulder. Riley took a deep breath and laid her head on Alex’s shoulder.

  “It’s kind of hard to see stars from there, isn’t it?” asked Alex.

  “Maybe, but it’s also so comfortable. I think your shoulder was made just for me.”

  “Really?”

  “Can’t you feel how perfectly I fit right here?” Riley said. She began kissing Alex’s neck.

  “Mm, I sure do,” Alex moaned.

  “I swear I was so tired I wanted to lay my head down a minute, and then my lips took over and they can’t seem to stop,” Riley said as she kissed her way up to Alex’s ear and tugged on the lobe.

  “I love your lips. I don’t ever want them to stop.”

  Riley leaned up and kissed Alex, slowly at first and then she brought the heat. Alex pulled the bottom of Riley’s shirt up, lifting it over her head.

  “We have too many clothes on,” Riley said, sitting up and taking her bra and shorts off. She looked at Alex with a ‘what are you waiting for’ look. Alex jumped up and out of her clothes. Riley pushed her back down and straddled her hips.

  “I missed you last night,” Riley said, “and I intend to show you how much.” Her lips crashed into Alex’s. They both moaned when Riley’s breasts pressed into Alex. Alex’s hands flew to Riley’s back, pulling her closer. Riley kissed her way down Alex’s chest to her nipples, lavishing each like she’d never touched them before.

  Riley then sat up so Alex’s mouth landed right where she needed it, moving from one nipple to the other. Riley scooted down a little so she could get her hand between them. Alex did the same. They locked into one another’s eyes as they slowly guided fingers inside each other. Riley gasped and began to ride Alex slowly while keeping two fingers inside her. They found their rhythm, one with the other, never losing eye contact. Their breathing began to quicken, but their pace was steady. Neither wanted to rush how good this building fire inside of them felt. The fire began to explode, and Riley stiffened right before Alex did the same. She willed Alex to see inside her heart at what was growing but, she was afraid to say the words and then she collapsed on Alex’s chest.

  After a few moments catching their breaths, they came back to themselves.

  “That was incredible,” Alex whispered breathlessly.

  “Intense!” Riley said into Alex’s chest. Then she raised up and kissed Alex softly, not wanting their connection to end.

  Six

  The days flew by, full of laughter, adventure, food, friendship, and fun. Some days Alex was able to spend all day with Riley. Kara joined them when she was not networking with contacts, and Mandy was included when she wasn’t working. On days when Alex worked, Riley explored on her own, taking tons of pictures to the point that she thought about starting a blog. She fell more in love with the islands each day she was there.

  She tried not to think about her vacation coming to an end. That would mean leaving Alex. Kara kept reminding her that there was no reason she had to go home right away. After all, she was retired now. This thought was in the back of her mind, but she wasn’t sure what Alex would think if she announced that she was staying. They both suspected this was more than a vacation fling, maybe it was time that she found a little courage and asked Alex how she would feel about her staying longer.

  Riley walked into Peaches with only a few days left on her vacation to find it busy. Her talk with Alex would have to wait. She walked over to the bar as Alex and Liz mixed drinks and filled orders as quickly as they could. Alex smiled at her but kept mixing.

  “What can I do to help? This is the place to be tonight!” Riley said.

  “Some nights are like this,” Alex answered.

  “Hand me a tray and a rag. I can at least clear tables until you get caught up,” offered Riley.

  “You don’t have to do that,” said Alex.

  “I know, but I want to,” Riley said reaching for the tray Liz handed her.

  A couple of hours later Riley sat down at the bar to catch her breath. “Wow, I’ve never seen it this busy. Did a cruise ship come in or something?”

  Alex laughed. “No, a couple of big groups hit at the same time along with the regulars. Thanks for helping out. You really didn’t have to do that.”

  “But we sure do appreciate it!” Liz added. “We haven’t been slammed like that in quite some time. Maybe you have a future as a barmaid, Riley.”

  Riley laughed. “Nothing like on-the-job training!”

  Alex came around from behind the bar with two beers, stuck out her arm for Riley to take, and led her onto the patio. She handed Riley a beer and said, “Now that it has quieted down, tell me how your day was.”

  “Not bad, especially for the last couple of hours,” Riley said smiling and taking a long drink.

  Alex leaned over and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. “I’ve wanted to do that when you walked in.”

  “Do you have a busy day tomorrow? I was hoping we could spend a little time together,” Riley said.

  “Actually, I’m hoping I have a date tomorrow with this hot little redhead. Why? What did you have in mind?”

  Riley laughed. “Hot little redhead, huh? Well, it’d better be this little redhead because I plan on spending every minute with you!”

  Alex smiled. “I hoped we could ride bikes over to the national park and have a picnic. I’ve wanted to show you the park since you’ve been here, but we haven’t been able to work it in.”

  “I’d love that!” Riley enthused. “I miss riding my bike.”

  “Then it’s a date.”

  “I have tons of pictures to show you that I took today. I find something new every day that amazes me.”

  “Well, I’ll be here for a while longer.”

  “I know, I don’t mind. I thought I’d just hang around until you were finished.”

  “Hmm, would you want to spend the night?”

  “I thought you’d never ask,” Riley said with a chuckle.

  The bar continued to be busy, so Riley helped out until they closed. They both made it up to Alex’s around two in the morning and fell into bed exhausted. “I can’t wait to show you the places I love by bike tomorrow,” Alex said yawning.

  “I can’t wait to see them,” Riley said sleepily. She gathered Alex into her arms, kissed her on the forehead, and in minutes they were both fast asleep.

  Alex dreamed that she and Riley were at one of her favorite spots on the island. She was telling Riley about what led her to the isla
nd. After telling Riley the whole story, she took Alex in her arms and told her everything was going to be alright. Alex woke up with a smile on her face, then realized it was just a dream. She looked over at Riley, her face so peaceful. Maybe she would tell her today. She was going to do it anyway, so why not today? It was a risk, but she’d already risked so much with Riley. She was falling in love with her—wasn’t that the biggest risk of all? Alex thought so, and it had happened when she wasn’t looking. She kissed Riley’s forehead and snuggled next to her and went back to sleep.

  The next morning they prepared for their ride. Alex left Riley upstairs packing them a picnic while she went downstairs to get drinks for the ride. Liz was there doing inventory for a liquor order when Alex said, “Good morning.”

  “Hey there, getting ready to go?”

  “Yes, I needed to get a few drinks together to take with us. I’m so excited about this ride.”

  “I can tell,” Liz said, smiling.

  “I’ve decided I’m going to tell Riley about Texas and what happened,” said Alex.

  “Good for you! I’m so glad. What made you decide to do that?” Liz asked.

  “You’re right. I’ve got to take a chance on Riley. I trust her and don’t want to keep secrets from her. I also don’t want what we have to end, so I’m really scared.”

  “I know you’re scared, but Alex, Riley is a good person. We know that. She’ll understand, just like I do,” Liz said putting an arm around Alex’s shoulder and squeezing.

  “God, I hope so.”

  Riley walked in just then, the picnic bag slung over her shoulder. “You hope what?”

  “I hoped you were ready to go!” Alex said, looking at Liz and then Riley.

  “You two have a good time. Don’t let her wear you out, Riley,” said Liz.

  “Do you mean the bike or…” Riley said, watching as Alex’s cheeks reddened. They all laughed.

  “Get out of here,” Liz said pushing them to the door.

  They loaded up the bikes and headed to the national park. It was a beautiful day with little wind and plenty of sunshine. They took their time, with Riley taking everything in and asking question after question about the monuments, landscape, and more. Several people honked or waved to Alex, and she would explain who they were.

  Riley asked to stop and take a few pictures when a truck came speeding past and a man yelled, “Get out of the way you pervert!”

  Riley jumped back and said, “What the hell was that?”

  Alex pretended she didn’t know who it was and said, “Obviously some ass hole.” She recognized the truck as a convenience store owner that had suspicions about her.

  Thankfully Riley let it go as they made it to the park, Alex pointed out a couple of trails that they could hike another day. She led them down one that opened up to a secluded cove. They were the only ones on the beach. Together they parked the bikes and unloaded their backpacks. Riley spread a blanket out on the sand, and Alex placed the food and drinks nearby.

  “Let’s wade in the water and cool off a little,” said Alex.

  They played in the water, splashing around, and Riley jumped on Alex’s back with her arms around her neck. Alex grabbed her legs and held her there. “You make me feel like a kid!” Riley yelled, squeezing Alex.

  “A kid?” Alex said as she walked farther into the water.

  “Alex, what are you doing? Alex, wait, oh no. Babe, don’t let me go!”

  “I can’t seem to hold on,” Alex said, dumping Riley into the water.

  Riley came up just as Alex turned, and she pulled Alex under the water with her. They both came up, laughing, arms around each other.

  “Babe, huh?” Alex said, her eyebrows raised.

  “Yeah. Babe. You have a problem with that?”

  Alex smiled, then kissed Riley hard, holding her as tight as possible.

  “Mm, I’m calling you babe all the time if you kiss me like that!” Riley said.

  They made their way out of the water and back to the food and drinks. When they finished their meal, they lay back on the blanket and watched the clouds, holding hands. “This has been the best date ever,” Riley said, squeezing Alex’s hand.

  “It’s not over yet.”

  Riley sat up and looked down at Alex. “I need to talk to you about something,” she said hesitantly.

  Alex froze, maybe today wasn’t the day to talk to Riley after all. “Okay?”

  Riley had Alex’s hand in both of hers, trying to find courage. “What would you think if I didn’t have to leave at the end of the week?”

  “I think that would be like a Christmas gift in July!” Alex said, sitting up.

  “Really?” Riley said.

  Alex nodded as her heart sped up.

  “Well, you know I’m not teaching anymore and I don’t have anything that I have to be home for this summer,” she explained.

  “And that means?”

  “That means I could stay here for a while.”

  “Really! That would be wonderful! Do you want to stay?”

  “I do.” Riley’s eyes sparkled as they took in her surroundings. “I’m finding that I love this place more and more every day. I feel so relaxed here, and there’s something new every day. I love taking pictures, and I’m thinking about starting a blog or a book. I even love working at the bar!” Riley said, not quite admitting why she really wanted to stay.

  Alex looked at her, beaming.

  “I wish you’d say something,” Riley said, a little uneasy despite Alex’s grin.

  “I’m having a hard time expressing how happy that would make me, you staying.”

  Riley smiled and put her arms around Alex’s neck. “I’m not trying to pressure us,” she said quietly. “But I don’t want to go home, I want to stay here in this beautiful paradise. I want to stay here with you.” She looked into Alex’s eyes longingly.

  “Oh, Riley, I want you to stay here with me. And I don’t mean in your hotel or somewhere else. I want you to stay with me,” Alex said.

  “You’re not worried about what people are going to say? About how fast we’re moving, I mean.”

  “I quit worrying about what people think a long time ago, Riley. I’m certainly not going to let them mess this up with their unwanted opinions,” Alex said taking Riley’s face in her hands. “I’m in love with you, Riley.” Alex couldn’t believe she actually said this out loud, but there was no going back and she didn’t want to. She was in love with Riley James and didn’t care who knew.

  “Oh Alex, I’m in love with you too,” Riley said, kissing Alex long and slow.

  When they parted Alex asked Riley, “Do you believe in love at first sight?”

  Riley chuckled. “I do now!” They both laughed.

  “The day that you and your friends walked into the bar was a strange day for me. I had a feeling that something was coming. I get those sometimes, if you know what I mean?”

  Riley nodded, letting Alex continue.

  “It bothered me all day, and I tried to put it aside when you walked into the bar. I couldn’t keep my eyes off of you as you now know, but as the evening went on and you ended up spending the night with me I didn’t think about it again until I was walking back to my place after leaving you at the dock the next morning. I noticed the feeling had been replaced by a… this is hard to explain. But it was replaced by a fullness and peacefulness that I’d never felt before.” Alex paused to take a deep breath and continued.

  “I knew it was because of you. I didn’t want to admit that at first because it was scary,” she said, looking down and tracing the sand with her fingers. “But I haven’t let anyone close to me in a very long time, Riley. And I know now that I couldn’t stop this even if I tried.”

  “I know what you mean,” Riley said. “Alex, no one has ever looked at me the way you do. Sometimes I lose myself in your eyes and the world stops. But do you remember that night on the beach when Liz told us to go watch the sun set?”

  “Of course I rem
ember,” Alex said. “That kiss.”

  “That kiss,” Riley said, whispering close to Alex’s lips. “It felt like my heart leapt right out of my chest into yours. It was the best feeling, but it scared me to death.” She looked straight into Alex’s eyes and said with a clear, strong voice, “I’m not scared anymore.”

  At that moment Alex knew this was not the time to tell Riley about her past. Relieved, the time for talking was over, Alex’s mouth crushed Riley’s as she pushed her down on the blanket. Her hand reached under Riley’s shirt and cupped her breast through her swimsuit top. Riley moaned and reached down and shimmied out of her swim suit bottoms. Their lips only parted for Alex to settle between Riley’s legs. Her hand slid down Riley’s stomach and cupped her sex.

  “Oh god, Alex,” Riley breathed.

  Alex separated Riley’s lips and was greeted by wetness as she slid through her folds. Riley’s hips bucked into Alex’s hand. She took her finger and stroked Riley from her entrance, up and around her swollen bud. She did this over and over as Riley writhed under her.

  “Shit—Alex, please. Take me, make me yours,” she pleaded.

  Alex didn’t need any urging. She entered Riley slowly, then added another finger. Riley’s breath hitched, and she moaned, “God, that’s good.”

  She went to work, stroking in and out slowly, then quickened her pace as Riley’s arms tightened around her. Alex kissed her, swallowing Riley’s screams of pleasure. Her fingers stayed inside and curled upward as Riley’s orgasm took her in waves. They stayed like this for several moments and then Riley’s arms fell to the blanket completely spent.

  Alex whispered into Riley’s ear, “You’re mine.”

  “I am.” Riley smiled, trying to catch her breath. “Now what are you going to do with me?”

  Alex lay down next to her and said playfully, “Hmm, that’s a very good question.”

  Riley raised up on her elbow, putting her head in her hand. “It’s a little late for this question since my naked backside is shining for anyone to see, but is there a possibility someone could see us?”