by Paula Cox
“You’re absolutely, positively right.” He held her hand and squeezed it. “Thank you for that interesting offer, Tania. I’m really touched and grateful that you’d consider me for such an honor.” Her lips carved in a smile and she tugged her hand away. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Riley ate his food in a thoughtful manner. “Now that we’re planning to live together, it will take me some more time to wind up things in that place. There is the furniture that would have to be placed in storage or sold off, and I’d need some more time to clean my cabinets and bring some of my stuff over. We should do it over the weekend.”
She gazed at him, and he saw the calculating gleam in her eyes. Busted! Riley had a moment to remove his hand before hers came down hard on it. “You bastard. Well played.”
He tried to act innocent, but it was impossible to fool her. “I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, I bet you do. You’ve given this some thought. That’s why you started this conversation. You were actually aiming to go there, and I just jumped the gun. Damn it. Why the hell did I have to say it first?”
Riley couldn’t help the laughter that sputtered out of him. Of course, that was the reason why he began the conversation in the first place. He’d been thinking about it for some weeks now. For all intents and purposes, they were already living together so might as well make it official. She just made the whole thing easier for him. “Too late now. It’s gone on our personal record that you’re the one who wanted me to move in.”
“You’re a piece of work.”
He pretended to dab his eyes. “Please, sweetheart. No more compliments or you’ll make me cry.” Tania shook her head as she continued to eat. “You have to admit that we’re always on the same page.”
“Yes, we are,” she admitted as they smiled at each other.
After they finished their food, they shared a dessert and had coffee. By the time they came out of the restaurant, it was dark outside. Cars zipped by. They walked over to the parking lot where his bike had been parked.
Much to Riley’s disgust, someone had taken a knife to the tires and they were slashed. This was his new bike, and he hadn’t even enjoyed it fully as yet. “Fuck!”
Tania gasped. “Who could’ve done it?”
It wasn’t a bad, dangerous neighborhood. Riley never expected something like this to happen. “My brand new bike,” he moaned as he bent to take a closer look. “Shit. I’ll have to haul it to the repair shop. Damn kids.”
She tapped a foot on the ground. “You think it’s kids?”
“Who else can it be?” He ran a hand through his hair and then grabbed her arm. “Kids just don’t have many things to do these days so they run amok. I swear if we had kids, I’d keep a tight rein on them.”
She gaped at him as if he’d said something silly beyond words. “What?”
Riley realized that the words that slipped his lips were dangerous. Sure, he wanted a life with Tania, and that included the usual package: marriage, wife, and kids. But they never talked about it and, from the horrified expression on her face, he could tell she wasn’t that excited about the prospect.
“It was just an expression,” he said. Before she could answer, Riley hailed a cab and opened the door for her. Visibly shaken either by his words or by the unprovoked attack on his bike, she sat in and slipped to the other side. Riley came in behind her. He called his repair guy and asked him to pick up the bike. Riley closed his eyes and leaned back. The thoughts regarding his bike were already out of his mind. He was now pondering over her reaction to his statement. Didn’t she feel that they had such a future together? Or, perhaps, she was one of those women who didn’t like the concept of marriage or kids. He’d never discussed this with her before and he wasn’t sure what she felt about this.
Of course, he didn’t care that much about a piece of paper that gave them permission to call each other husband and wife. And sure, he did want kids, but he loved her more. And if she were opposed to the idea, he would accept it because his first priority was to be with her. Still, it was something they needed to keep in mind.
“I’m sorry about your bike,” she said after a while.
He opened his eyes and glanced at her. She was biting on her bottom lip, a sure sign of agitation. “It wasn’t your fault. Not to worry. The repair guy said he’d fix it in three days so we should be able to meet the bikers on the weekend.”
“I should also buy a bike.”
The car came to a halt outside her house and they got out. Riley paid the driver and opened the gate for her. “We could go tomorrow after office hours to check out some. Oh! When I went to buy my bike, I saw this gorgeous beauty that had your name written all over it. I hope it hasn’t been sold as yet.”
“We could see it tomorrow.” She opened the door and they slipped inside. He switched on the light, took off his shoes and set them on the side as she preferred. Ever since he began to live with her, Riley had picked up a lot of her habits. Perhaps it was just the way couples worked; they learnt from each other.
Riley walked into the bedroom. After opening the closet, he hung his jacket and when he turned around, she was standing right behind him. There was an uncertain look in her eyes. He wasn’t sure what to say or do so Riley remained quiet.
“What did you say back when we found the bike?”
He knew exactly what she was talking about but he wasn’t a total idiot. If one sentence could put that look in her eyes, what the fuck would happen if he opened this discussion? They just agreed to live together. He didn’t have any intention of scaring her with talk of future. “The kids did it.”
“No, not that.” She licked her bottom lip. He could see that she was struggling with words, but he’d already put his foot in his mouth and he didn’t wish to make the situation worse. “What you said about having our own kids?”
Clearly, she wasn’t about to let it go. Now that he’d gone ahead and put his head on the block, he might as well finish the job. Riley walked over to the bed and sat. “I want to spend my life with you, Tania. Sure, we’re moving in now, and I’m willing to take it as slowly as you, but the truth is that I’m crazy in love with you and I want to marry you eventually and have kids eventually.”
She sat on the bed beside him. “Marriage? Kids?”
“Not now. When you’re ready,” he assured her. “And if you’re never ready, then it’s okay. I’d take any life as long as it is something with you. You don’t want kids, so we won’t have kids. If you don’t like the idea of marriage, we won’t get married. The only important thing is that we stay together and continue to love each other.”
Her face was blank. She didn’t twitch, didn’t move. He couldn’t tell what she was thinking. Riley prided himself on being able to read her, but, right now, he wasn’t getting anything. Had he messed this up for good? Did he ruin all chances of happily ever after by scaring her away?
“We love each other,” she said.
He held his breath. “We do, yes.”
“Marriage? Kids?” she repeated. He still didn’t say anything. Riley didn’t trust himself to speak. “Eventually, yes. I could live with that.”
The smile that lit her lips could’ve powered a hundred watts bulb. “Eventually,” he agreed.
She leaned towards him and he kissed her. Her lips were soft and warm. Riley lost himself in the feel of her body, the scent of her, and the touch of her hands as she put them on his arms and slid them up until she reached his shoulders. Riley felt as if his heart would split from the happiness that bloomed inside. He drew her in his arms and soon they were lying on the bed, their hands roaming over each other in a desperate bid to touch and to conquer.
Clothes came off. He threw hers away and kicked away his own. Soon, her naked skin was burning under the tips of his finger. This was love, and there wasn’t anything else that he wanted. It felt good to have her body vibrate under his. Nothing else was more important. Nothing else matter
ed. This was heaven, and he belonged here.
Chapter Twenty Eight
Tania never gave too much thought to her future. Marriage and kids were a distant possibility if she ever found the right guy and, frankly, she didn’t even think too much about it even when things heated up with Riley, but now he was the one who brought up the topic. It gave her a shock to hear him say that, but when she considered the idea, it sounded perfect.
Eventually was a long time away, or, perhaps, it could be near. They would figure it out as time passed. Right now all she could focus on his naked, sexy body that moved hers. Making love with Riley was always a heady experience. She ran her hands up his taut stomach to his wide chest and rested her fingers on his shoulders. Her lips met his and clung while sensations, hot and violent, stormed through her in waves. He alone had the power to drive her to the edge of insanity. He alone held the key to her heart.
His hands rested on her breasts, squeezing them while she buckled under him. His fingers flicked over her nipples and a low gasp escaped her lips. The tingling sensations increased to a new crescendo until she couldn’t think of anything other than the way he made her feel. His lips trailed down her throat and then latched on one sensitive bud. She squealed as he ran his tongue over it, tugging and sucking. Her fingers slipped up the nape of his neck until she curled her hand into his silky hair.
He moved on the other breast and, once more, the battle for control started. He sure knew which buttons to push to make her ready for what lay ahead. Moisture leaked down her thighs as she rubbed her legs together in an effort to curb the need that coiled in her gut. Her nerves were on fire, and she felt as if she would combust if she didn’t stop this flow of desire that careened through her veins.
But the storm picked up as he licked the underside of her breasts. He inhaled deeply as if to take in the scent of her body before slithering down until he reached the velvety mound that hid the sensitive nub. It was already wet and slippery. His finger slid inside with ease and she jerked under him. In and out, he moved and the tempest that was already swelling inside her picked up speed. She writhed under him. She didn’t have any control over the way she felt. Tania gave over to the sensations that gripped her. There was no time to think, to plan.
Instead, she was a mass of muscles and he could do whatever the hell he wanted with her. When he pushed his thumb on the sensitive nub, she let out a loud scream as the orgasm undulated inside her. Her toes curled and her body bucked. Pulling out his finger, he licked it while his gaze remained on her face. When she opened her eyes, he joined her on the bed. His lips caught her in a kiss that showed her how much he loved her. Words were not necessary.
Bending his head, he nuzzled at her throat and then kissed her shoulders. He’d long ago discovered that it was an erogenous zone and took full advantage of that knowledge whenever he could. The desire built once more inside her and she made no attempt to fight it.
Tania skipped over his torso, reaching down until she felt his cock. It was hard and ready, but she was now in the mood to take it slow. She pressed her finger on the tip and relished in the way it throbbed in her hand. She twisted her fingers around it and pumped. He groaned. With her hand on his shoulder, she forced him to lay down on the bed while she climbed over him. Her lips trailed a line of kisses down his chest and his narrow waist before she reached her desired destination.
His penis throbbed as she licked it. With her fingers, she cupped his balls and rubbed them; it was his turn to sweat under her. She nibbled her way up and down until he clamped his hand on her hair, forcing her to remain still. Taking the cue from his silent command, she took him deep into her throat. Her tongue twisted around his cock, licked and fondled, until he began to gasp out loud. He was about to come. He tugged at her hair and she understood what he wanted.
Tania rose up above him and positioned herself carefully on his cock. With one hard thrust, she drove it inside her body. For a moment, they were joined together while his penis rested deep within her muscles. Slowly, she rose up again, and then came down. It was good to control the rhythm. She leaned down and pressed one breast on his mouth. He took her nipple in between his lips and sucked while she jerked her hips up and down.
She allowed him to caress her breast for a while and then offered the other. Tania had enough; she wanted more. She rose and picked up the rhythm. The sweet, tangy need that spiraled in her gut spread to the rest of her body. The craving for release was strong, relentless. In and out, up and down, she moved at a crazy speed – and then suddenly, without warning, the orgasm ripped through her and she let out a wild cry.
Without pause, Riley flipped her over and drove his cock deep into her until she shuddered, still in the throes of passion. In and out, he did it so fast, so hard, that the orgasm stretched until she thought that it was better to be dead than to experience this exhilarating pleasure. He exploded inside her, and she lay down flat on the bed as he collapsed on top of her. He rolled off her, held her hand, and took deep breaths.
“It just keeps getting better and better,” he muttered as if he couldn’t believe it.
She didn’t have the energy to move. It felt like too much of an effort. She shifted until she covered her body with the blanket and then fell into a deep sleep. Dimly, she was aware that he snuggled closer and put his hand on her stomach, but she was too drained to think too much.
The next day, she was up bright and early. She was filled with newfound energy. It wasn’t just the lovemaking last night that did it, but, rather, the entire package: the conversation, the win of another deal, and of course, his skilled hands that always made her purr.
When Riley stumbled out of the room, she was making pancakes. Tania hadn’t much been into cooking but Riley was, and she’d ended up learning a lot from him. He sniffed and then took a stool. “What’s gotten into you?”
“You got into me last night, and that has put me in a good mood.”
“Good; I should do it every night.”
She laughed and passed him a plate of pancakes, doused with maple syrup, just the way he liked it. It was amazing how much one could learn about a man in a short while. It was only five months since they met, but it seemed like a lifetime. “Here you go. So what’s on our agenda today?”
“I have to meet a client and show him three prospective residences. Then I have to file the paperwork for the previous deal, and then there is the corporate client, Rosen, whom we have to meet together at four in the evening.”
“Is the presentation for the meeting prepared?”
“Done.”
She sighed. “I’ve got another client in the morning and then there are the mounds of paperwork, so once we deal with all that, we can meet at three thirty and leave for the meeting.”
“Sounds like a plan. What about dinner?”
She shook her head. “We’ve not even finished breakfast, and you’re thinking of dinner already?”
“I thought we might go to downtown tonight. A friend of mine has opened a new restaurant, and he has been pestering me to come and check it.”
It sounded so normal, so ordinary, but life was full of such events and moments that brought meaning. She smiled. “Sure. We can do that after the meeting.”
“And don’t forget we have to pack my apartment over the weekend,” he reminded her as she sauntered into the bedroom to collect her jacket.
Tania wore the jacket, checked her reflection in the mirror, and walked out. She picked up her purse and checked that everything she required for the day was already inside. Satisfied, she zipped it close. “Am eagerly looking forward to it,” she muttered.
He finished his pancakes, downed the coffee, and stood. Walking over to the sink, he rinsed his plate and mug and put them in the dishwater. After drying his hands, he walked over to her and drew her in his arms. “From that tone and sound, I can guess that you’re being sarcastic.”
She grinned. “How did you guess?”
“Maybe I could just hire a moving company?
”
“You would still have to take of the pesky details like where the furniture is going to go, and stuff like that, so let’s just do it together. And also, don’t forget, I’ve seen your cupboards and there are no more than six plates, six cups, six bowls, and six spoons in there.”
“Don’t forget the six knives and six forks,” he reminded her. And then pressed his lips on hers ever so lightly so as not to spoil her lip gloss.
He picked up his jacket, patted his trousers to make sure he’d put in his wallet, and then they were off. “Keys,” she reminded him.
“Already in my jacket.”
Although they came and went together, she preferred he keep his own set of keys, just so if they needed to come and go and different timings. Of course, Riley was now so paranoid after the incident with Raymond that he hardly left her alone. Perhaps they could come back to their earlier routine now. She didn’t need a bodyguard all the time. Of course, she felt safe when he was around.