by Emma Collins
In the last year, there’d been plenty of rumors about Riley’s love life, mostly involving other actresses or celebrities. She’d turned down two offers for drinks or dinner, one with a musician she knew through a mutual friend, the other, a fellow actress. Riley could have explored those options, but she knew no one was ever going to compare to Laura.
Riley knew that after just one night, because they had this indescribable connection. Laura had never been far from her mind, even when they hadn’t spoken for months, and she was going to savor this moment. She was also going to do everything in her power to have this be the start of something. That would involve talking, something she’d never been good at.
Laura’s lips parted against hers, and Riley gasped when Laura’s tongue slid across her own. Riley pushed Laura’s blazer off her shoulders, and Laura did the rest, tossing it to the side as her hands cupped Riley’s cheek, deepening the kiss.
A part of Riley wanted to take this slow, to do it right this time, but now that Laura was here, she knew that wasn’t an option. She needed to touch Laura again.
Riley’s fingers worked on the buttons of her blouse until it was hanging open, revealing her lacy white bra. Laura broke their kiss, lifting her top over her head, and Riley’s hands immediately roamed across her toned arms and up her back, unhooking her bra. Laura let it fall to the floor, her eyes on Riley.
“You are so fucking sexy,” Laura breathed, slipping her hand underneath Riley’s open blouse, pulling her into a hungry kiss. Riley’s hand covered Laura’s breast, her fingers playing with her nipple until Laura was panting, and she had to break their kiss.
Laura removed Riley’s blouse, moving on to her jeans, unbuttoning them and lowering the zipper. Her gaze was locked onto Riley’s as she slid her hand into Riley’s panties. Laura groaned as her fingers found Riley’s arousal.
“So wet...”
Riley bit her lip as Laura’s other hand found her jean clad ass while her fingers glided up to her clit. Riley held onto Laura, her heart hammering in her chest. This would not take long. Her knees were already buckling from Laura’s slow circles.
“Laura...” Riley kissed her hard, her tongue swirling with Laura’s as she continued to tease Riley’s clit. “I need to... I can’t...”
Laura pulled her hand away and helped Riley take off her jeans. Riley stepped out of them, kicking them to the side, and then Laura’s hands were on her waist, guiding her back to the edge of the bed. Laura took off Riley’s white panties, her eyes never leaving Riley’s.
“Sit down,” Laura said, her hands on her shoulders, and Riley swallowed as she sat on the gray sheets.
Laura knelt down in front of her, spreading Riley’s legs. She reached behind Riley’s back to unhook her bra, pushing the straps down her shoulders, letting it fall away. Laura’s hand palmed her breast as she dipped her head, her tongue parting her folds.
Riley moaned as Laura’s fingers played with her rock her nipple while her tongue teased her clit, her free hand on Riley’s thigh, keeping her legs spread.
“Fucking hell,” Riley groaned. “Laura... I’m-”
Her orgasm came too fast, the combination of sensations sending her over the edge. Riley’s hand was in Laura’s hair, holding her there as her tongue flicked across her. “Yeah. Right there,” Riley panted, both hands lost in Laura’s hair, her thighs pressing against her ears as her body rocked and her hips bucked.
Riley fell back onto the bed, her breath ragged, her body limp. That was unbelievable.
“I take it you missed me,” Laura said, a smile on her lips as she took off her own jeans and panties.
“Yes,” Riley breathed. She couldn’t form any more words. Her pulse was pounding in her ears.
Riley’s eyes took Laura in as she joined her on the bed, and Riley used what little energy she had to push herself fully onto the king-sized bed. She was gorgeous, her mahogany hair falling across her shoulders, her cheeks flushed.
“Did you miss me?” Riley asked as she climbed on top of her, straddling her waist.
“Why don’t you see for yourself?”
Chapter 39
Laura closed her eyes as Riley’s fingers explored her sex, parting her folds, and her breath hitched when Riley found her clit. She’d only begun to touch her, and Laura was already trying to remember how to breathe.
Riley was above her, one hand planted on the sheets beside Laura’s shoulder, her breasts swaying as she slipped two fingers inside of her, and Laura moaned, her hips lifting to match her thrusts. Laura massaged Riley’s breast, her other hand raking across Riley’s back.
As amazing as their first night together had been, there was something special about tonight. This was the start of something, and they both seemed to sense it. Their kisses were more passionate, their touches more intimate, and Laura couldn’t wait to show Riley how much she meant to her.
Riley added another finger, and Laura forgot all about what would happen later on tonight. She was in the present moment now, her mouth open, her eyes slammed shut as Riley’s fingers moved faster and faster. Riley dipped her head to take one of Laura’s nipples into her mouth, and that was enough to send Laura over the edge. Her hips bucked against Riley’s hand as she came, hard.
Laura groaned, a fistful of sheets in one hand, the other gripping Riley’s bicep as her body quaked, and her pulse hammered in her ears. She reached up to pull Riley down into an intense kiss, Laura’s tongue sliding over hers. She didn’t think she’d ever come that hard.
Riley broke the kiss, carefully withdrawing her fingers as she got comfortable beside Laura on the bed. She propped herself up on one elbow, while her other hand traced patterns across Laura’s stomach.
Laura swallowed. She didn’t know when it had happened, but she’d fallen for Riley. Really fallen. This was something she never could have imagined for herself, not a second time. Tears pricked at her eyes, and she was determined not to let them fall. She wasn’t going to ruin the moment.
“Hey,” Riley whispered, her fingers pausing just below her belly button.
“I’m fine,” she said, her voice cracking. “Really.”
“Laura...” Riley’s eyes studied her. She opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something and closed it again.
“I’m just...,” Laura started, knowing she had to say something. A tear trickled down her cheek, and Riley brushed it away with her thumb. Laura cleared her throat. “This is something that I never... I never thought I’d feel again. I got a little overwhelmed,” she said softly. “That’s all. Everything is fine,” she added when Riley’s expression remained serious.
“Are you sure?” Riley asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Yes.” Laura ran her hand over Riley’s arm, down to her hand and interlacing their fingers. “I’m fine.”
“If you’re worried about this... I know I’ve been the one to kind of... Initiate things. If you’re not interested in more than-”
“What?”
Riley pulled back slightly, her hand sliding out of Laura’s as she sat up, pushing herself back until she could lean against the headboard.
“I’m just saying,” Riley said, tucking her knees into her chest and wrapping her arms around them, as if she was trying to protect herself. “I would understand if this is... Too much. We’ve moved fast... Well, slow, maybe. Depending on how you look at it. I know there were gaps, but when we’ve been together... Things have been intense. I don’t want you to feel... Pressured or... I don’t know.”
Laura sat up too, not quite believing what she was hearing. It didn’t sound like Riley was regretting this. She was worried about what Laura was thinking. She had to say it.
Laura wanted to touch Riley, to put her hand on hers, but she was wrapped up so tight, there was nowhere to place her hand that wouldn’t have been awkward. Instead, Laura leaned back against the headboard, the gray velvet cool against her flushed skin.
“Riley... I think...” Laura swallowed the lump in he
r throat. This could be a terrible idea, but she needed to be honest with Riley. They’d already wasted so much time, and Laura was too old for games. “I think I’m falling in love with you.” Her words hung in the air, and Laura turned to glance at her. Riley’s eyes widened, but she stayed silent. “That’s why I uh... I got emotional. You know my story. This is something I never expected to have happen.”
Riley’s arms were around her, pulling her into a hug, lightly kissing her temple, then her cheek, before her fingers caught Laura’s chin, tilting her head as she brushed her lips across Laura’s in a delicate kiss.
Another tear trickled down Laura’s cheek as she rested her hand on Riley’s neck, her thumb tracing her jawline as she parted her lips, deepening the kiss. Their tongues met in a slow, sensual dance, and despite all of the emotions, Laura’s body was heating up again.
Riley broke the kiss, her hand on Laura’s cheek, her blue eyes giving her away before she even spoke. “I’m falling for you too,” Riley said in just above a whisper. “And I’m just as scared as you are... For different reasons...”
Laura blinked back her tears, a smile on her lips as she leaned in to kiss her, her body melting into Riley’s as she kissed her back.
For the first time in a very long time, Laura’s tears were happy ones, and even though she didn’t know how this was going to work, she took some comfort in knowing that Riley was falling for her too.
Chapter 40
Riley jumped out of bed when she heard a heavy knock at the door, grabbing her robe from the bathroom and sliding it on before she checked the peephole. She thought she had hung out the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign, and maybe she had, but she’d completely forgotten that she was getting breakfast delivered at 9:00 a.m.
She answered the door, not opening it fully. “Hi... Can you just leave that there? I’ll take care of it.”
“Are you sure?” the woman asked, standing behind the breakfast cart that was loaded with fruit, pastries, and a covered plate which hopefully had her veggie omelet underneath. “I’d be happy to wheel this inside and-”
“Positive,” Riley said, forcing a smile. “It’s fine. Thank you though.”
“Okay. Enjoy.”
Riley only opened the door completely when the women was gone, using her body-weight to keep the door open while she rolled the food inside. The door slammed behind her, and Riley winced. If Laura wasn’t already awake, she definitely was now.
“Hey,” Laura murmured, pushing herself up on her elbow, her hair slightly disheveled, but she was so beautiful that Riley forgot about breakfast, leaving the cart in the middle of the room and sitting on the edge of the bed beside Laura who was still underneath the covers.
“Morning.” Riley leaned in and brushed her lips across Laura’s. “Sorry about that. I always get breakfast delivered at nine when I don’t have anywhere to be... I really can’t wait until I can just wake up with you.”
“With no interruptions...”
“I know... Although I have worked up an appetite,” Riley said with a smirk. “Why don’t we eat? How do you feel about a veggie omelet?”
******
After they’d eaten and taken separate showers, Riley’s doubts starting creeping back in. Yes, they’d had an amazing night together, but what were they doing really? Laura was a writer, an introvert, and Riley’s life was in complete conflict with that. Even though she wanted to be a screenwriter, she’d always be famous. People would recognize her, paparazzi would still want photos of her. Laura’s name was out there now because of this movie, but she’d never have to deal with that kind of invasion of privacy... Unless she was with Riley.
Riley stared at the view of the city and the endless buildings. She had the resources to live anywhere in the world. Would she be happy in Laura’s small town? Was that even what Laura had in mind? It had to be. Unless, she wanted to move to California.
“You okay?” Laura asked, dressed in the clothes she’d worn last night, and Riley turned to face her.
“Yeah,” she breathed. “I’m just... Worried I guess?”
“About this,” Laura said, motioning between them.
Riley nodded. She didn’t trust herself to speak, swallowing down the lump in her throat instead.
“What’s worrying you?” Laura asked in that calm voice that Riley had always envied. Laura never seemed nervous or rattled when she was around Riley.
“I know that this is something... That this isn’t one-sided. But... I guess, I’m thinking about reality and how this would actually work.”
“The distance, you mean?”
“Yeah,” Riley said in just above a whisper.
“And the age difference?”
“No... No,” Riley said again, surprised that Laura thought that would be an issue. “Why? Does it bother you?”
“No,” Laura said with a soft laugh. “Well, maybe the idea of it would have... Before I met you, I mean. It’s not an issue now though. I’m getting the better end of the deal anyway,” she said, a smile on her lips, but Riley couldn’t smile back. Her stomach was in knots. “Sorry... I shouldn’t be joking about this.”
“It’s okay. I’m uh...” Riley cleared her throat and blinked back tears that had come out of nowhere.
“Hey,” Laura whispered, her hands finding Riley’s at her side. “I want this... and I can see you do too, so we’re going to figure this out. Okay?”
“Okay... I wish I didn’t have the rest of this promo tour. I’d love a few more days in the city with you.”
“What’s next?”
“I have to leave for Chicago tonight, then Miami... Then I’ll be flying to London. Paris after that. There’s a few more cities I can’t remember. It’s a full week of interviews and press... Do you want to come with me?” Riley asked without really thinking.
Laura’s sharp intake of breath told Riley she shouldn’t have asked. She couldn’t wait until it was just them, and they didn’t have to worry about prior commitments.
“I’d love to, but if the rest of the press is anything like today was... You’re going to be busy. I’ll hardly see you, and that’s your thing. You’ll have Julie McCoy and Adam with you right?”
“Yeah. Adam’s coming with us for the European leg... Sorry,” Riley said, dropping Laura’s hand to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. “I shouldn’t have asked.”
“No. It’s not that. I’m glad you asked, that you wanted to spend more time with me.”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“I don’t know,” Laura said with a shrug. “I imagine you’ll get bored of me at some point.”
“What?”
“Our lives are so different,” Laura said, her eyebrows furrowing slightly. “I’m either at home or at a coffee shop writing most days, and my evenings are usually spent at Amanda’s or just hiking through the woods on my own. It’s so far from the parties and the glitz and glamor of Hollywood.”
“You have to know there’s more to me than all that.”
“I do... It’s just... You’re worried about the practical things, like when or where we’re going to see each other. I can work from anywhere. I can come see you... I can move to California if that’s what it takes... But I’m thinking ahead. You’re young and-”
“I thought you said that the age difference didn’t bother you,” Riley said, her hands on her waist now. She didn’t want this to turn into an argument, but at the same time, they needed to figure out what they both wanted.
“It’s not, but I don’t want to hold you back.”
“And I’m worried about ruining your life.”
“What?”
“The fame. The paparazzi. The fact that I need to plan ahead, have an escape route, where a hat or no makeup... It’s not normal.”
“I don’t care,” Laura said with a sigh. “Look, maybe we should stop worrying about the future.”
“I don’t know if I can do that.” Riley knew Laura was making sense, but it was easier said than done.
“We should just take it one day at a time... Meet me after you get back. If you’re free, that is.”
“I have nothing planned after this promo is done,” Riley said as she took a step closer, brushing Laura’s hair away from her face. “I’m sorry I’ve been so... dramatic.”
“Nothing to do with being an actress.”
“Hey,” Riley said with a laugh. “I’m trying to be serious.”
“I know. I’m sorry, and you’re not being dramatic. It’s not easy when you’re... Falling.”
“That is the truth,” Riley whispered as she leaned in, her hand lightly cupping Laura’s cheek. She parted her lips against Laura’s, sighing into the kiss with relief. She wasn’t the only one feeling this crazy.
Laura’s hands were on her waist, then her neck, one hand threading through Riley’s hair as they deepened the kiss. She had to be at the airport in a few hours, but there was nothing she’d rather do than fall back into bed with Laura.
Chapter 41
Laura tightened her knees and thighs against the saddle, signaling to her horse to slow down. They’d come to a clearing in the woods, and even though Laura had taken this trail dozens of times, the views of the orange and yellow trees covering the mountains had her wanting to stop for a longer look. The warm sun shining on her face and hands made her forget that it was almost November. The temperatures had yet to drop, and so far, anyway, there was no mention of snow.
Riley and Laura had gone their separate ways five days ago, and ever since then, a zen like calm seemed to stay with her each day, as if she knew this would all work out. It had been years since she’d felt anything like that. Since Grace’s unexpected diagnosis, dread and anxiety had a way of visiting Laura almost every day. Even years later, she found it hard to look past the current moment. She’d found out the hard way that nothing was guaranteed, that life might take you down a long and windy road you never had any intention of taking.
After spending the day with Riley in New York City and finally talking about what they wanted, Laura stopped worrying. Riley was just as scared as she was, and while that should make Laura even more nervous, it was oddly comforting. It meant Riley was invested in whatever this was. That had always been the fear, that Riley thought of Laura as a distraction, an experiment, or even a fling. She was serious though, and that would have to be enough for Laura. They would figure out the details later.