by C. A. Harms
“Let’s go get us some pizza Z, I’m starving.”
I laughed as we made our way inside. I think everything was going to be okay. Now I just needed to work on getting her and Mark back together. I could sense the regret in her voice when she said she lost him.
Beth and I sat at Marco’s talking for over three hours before I realized so much time had passed. I filled her in on my trip to Florida and winning Riley back after being such an asshole over the night everything fell apart.
I sent a quick text to Riley letting her know I would be there soon. I needed to drop Beth off at home. When she didn’t respond it made me a little nervous.
The first thought that crossed my mind was that she may be upset that I’ve been gone so long. When I walked into their apartment and found her asleep on the couch my mind settled instantly. She had spent the weekend taking care of Beth and now she was exhausted.
I knelt next to her and placed a soft kiss against her lips. “Mm…hi.” She whispered without opening her eyes.
“How did you know it was me kissing you?”
Riley opened her eyes and looked up at me. “No one has ever kissed me the way you do. I know those lips, believe me, I dream about those lips often.”
I smiled, “Well then I think I should spend the rest of night making sure that those dreams come true. What do you say?”
I didn’t wait for her answer before I slid my hands underneath her body and lifted her from the couch. The moment I placed her onto the bed I began kissing every inch of her soft skin. The night ended perfectly with both of us screaming out one another’s names, over and over.
Graduation
~Riley~
“Hello handsome, how does it feel to be a college graduate? I gotta say you look really damn sexy in this cap and gown.” I rose up to kiss his gorgeous lips. He gripped my hips tightly and held me firmly against him.
“It feels really good babe. I can think of a few other things that would feel a lot better though.”
“Zander behave, my parents are here. They wanna take us out for lunch to celebrate. It looks like you’re gonna have to tame the wild beast within you for a few more hours at least.”
He groaned against my lips and I laughed.
“Well you two need to disconnect from one another so we can go eat. I’m hungry as hell and dads on his way over.” Carson approached holding Kate’s hand.
Seeing the little baby bump my best friend is now carrying beneath her snug shirt made me smile. Yeah Carson was gonna be a daddy and it woke his ass up big time when Kate gave him the news. “What are you smiling at you fool?”
“Nothing,” I laughed and slugged his shoulder. “I’m just proud of you is all.”
Carson hugged me tightly, “I’m proud of you too Ry.”
We went to a steakhouse just at the edge of town. Mark and Beth joined us. Seeing Beth happy once again was great. Her and I have spent a lot time together over the last couple months and have really developed a closeness that I sort of treasure. Who would have picture her and me shopping together or having movie day at my apartment on yucky days? No way did I ever think I would be sharing girl time with Beth.
Things seemed to be falling into place and I loved seeing all my friends and family happy. Zander and I have been doing so well and sharing all our secrets and concerns has become so easy for us.
The love I have for this man that has shown me how to love again is overwhelming and completely consumes me. Each day I feel like my love for him grows stronger.
***
~Zander~
I watched as Riley laughed with Beth. It was a great feeling. These two have kind of pushed me aside lately and bonded. At first it was weird but now I can only smile.
I rubbed Riley’s shoulder gently and she turned to face me. I took a moment to look at those gorgeous eyes of hers. It was always so easy to become lost when it came to my girl.
I leaned toward her, kissing her softly. I wanted to spend the rest of life sharing these kisses with her. I placed another kiss just below her ear and she leaned into me.
“Let’s move in together Riley. You need a roommate and I’m sorry but I’m not gonna allow anyone else to live with you. So what do you say?”
She turned toward her parents and smiled. “Hey dad, it looks like I found my new roommate.”
“Somehow Ry, I already knew that was gonna happen,” He turned to face me. “You better treat her right boy. Remember I have ways of discarding a body.”
I laughed and nudged Riley, “You told him I said that?” She giggled and I shook my head laughing in return.
“You got it, sir…I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Life was good and things seemed right. Actually things seemed perfect.
Riley leaned back into me and I kissed the top of her hair. This girl had my heart in the palm of her hand and I would spend my life making her smile. There was no one that deserved it more than my girl.
The End
Or maybe it isn’t…
Scarred by Love
Playlist:
Face Down - The Red Jumpsuit Aparatus
I Hate Myself for Loving You - Joan Jett
Don’t Speak - No Doubt
Jar of Hearts - Christina Perry
Black Eyes Blue Tears - Shania Twain
Control - Puddle of Mudd
Fighter - Christina Aguilera
Call Me When Your Sober - Evanescence
She Fuckin’ Hates Me - Puddle of Mudd
S&M Remix - Rhianna/Brittnay Spears
Addicted - Saving Abel
Whataya Want from Me - Adam Lambert
I Believe in this Thing Called Love - The Darkness
I gotta Through This - Daniel Bedingfield
Stormy - Hedley
This - Darius Rucker
When You Kiss Me - Shania Twain
Fall for You - Secondhand Serenade
Sad - Maroon 5
Acknowledgements
Scarred by Love would have never made it to publication without the following people Reading it and giving me the encouragement to continue.
Maria Trojanowski you are amazing. Our crazy chats and your awesome way of getting me out of a slump when I have hit a snag within my story line. You are one of those people that I stumbled upon randomly in the world of words and I am grateful for our meeting of chance.
Dorilyn Harrison you rock. You take the time to proofread my work and correct me in my errors of punctuation and random run on sentences. You truly are an amazing person and I am honestly grateful to have you.
To all my Beta Readers who take the time to read and review giving me your honest feedback on my storyline and Characters.
To my Aunt Brenda and Cousin Sarah. I love you both dearly. Thank you so much for supporting me. You both are so amazing.
To my children Jayden and Tayler I love you both to the moon and back. You both are my greatest accomplishments in life. You are my world.
About the Author
C.A. Harms is like any other addicted reader. She enjoys happy endings and HEA love stories. She hasn't always been a lover of Romance and had once been addicted to a good Mystery. Just recently she has taken on a new liking and now is a full blown Romance novel addict.
She lives in Illinois and enjoys spending time with her husband of 14 years and two children. You will always find her with her kindle or paperback in hand as it is her favorite pass time.
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