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Riley leans forward, pressing her lips against the corner of my mouth. “I want you again,” she whispers huskily. “I miss you, Grayson. It’s been two very long months.”
I went to visit her in October, and Riley was supposed to come here during winter break and for Christmas. But she was busy with her essay and her new part-time job at the library.
While I was busy with more important matters. The timing just didn’t work for us.
So here we are now. On my birthday. January first. Celebrating New Year’s together.
I used to think I was special for being born on New Year’s. Maybe it meant something— maybe my birth has a unique meaning. A new beginning or something. As a child, you find every little reason to make yourself feel like you’re important to this world.
But I was only five years old when I realized that wasn’t true. There was nothing special about my birthday. I used to watch the fireworks through the window of our trailer, wishing I was cutting a cake like every other kid on their birthday.
I never did get a cake for my birthday until I was sixteen years old. I knew Uncle Ben and Aunt Naveah tried hard to make that day significant for me, a day to remember, but it was different. I wasn’t the lost five-year-old kid wishing for a cake anymore. I had long grown past that stage in my life. I lost my childhood waiting for something special…
Riley’s kisses bring me out of my cynical thoughts. She licks the corner of my lips, giggling when I groan in response. My hands move to cup her ass, roughly squeezing the perfect globes. “Again?” I question hoarsely.
“Again,” she breathes into our kiss.
I aim to please, always. Fuck, this girl might just be the death of me.
***
Riley pouts. “I hate leaving. I wish we had more time together.”
We spent two days in bed. Two blissful, perfect days, and I don’t want it to come to an end either. Our separation— every time I am forced to let go, kills a piece of me.
Riley looks up at me through misty lashes, her eyes glassy. “You promise you’ll come to see me by the end of the month? You promised me a weekend.”
I tuck a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. “Nothing will stop me from coming to you, Goldilocks.”
She sniffles and then a tiny smile ghosts her lips. “Okay, I believe you.”
My heart thuds at her words.
Her trust in me is astounding, a blessing indeed. Goldilocks has always believed in me. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve such a delicate gift, but sometimes, it scares me.
Because breaking Riley’s heart is inevitable.
I have to…if I want to protect her.
I bring our entwined fingers to my mouth, kissing the back of her hand. I let my lips linger there far longer than needed. “Are you sure you don’t want me to drive you back?”
“No, that’s fine. It’s four hours there and four hours back.” She shakes her head. “That’s too much.”
“I would still do it.” For you.
“I know.” Riley beams with tenderness in her eyes. “But I don’t want you to go through the trouble, and anyway, I’m a big girl. Independent too. I can drive myself back.”
“Okay, call me as soon as you get there.”
She nods, while grabbing her keys off the shelf. “Yup, promise. You’ll be blowing up my phone anyway if I don’t call you.” Riley smirks, mischief playing in her gaze.
“You bet I will. Need to make sure my girl makes it back home safely.”
She bites on her lip. “Have I ever told you how much I love hearing that on your lips? You calling me your girl.”
My arm circles around her waist, tugging her to me. “Because you are. My girl.”
“I have to leave now if I want to make it before nightfall,” she whispers. “Don’t tempt me again, Grayson. I’m already late.”
