AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Because I know you’ll keep my head above water. You’ll build me a boat if I need it.” He steps closer until there’s no space between us, pressing his forehead to mine and nodding, his skin moving against mine.
“Always, Stella. I’ll always be there, waiting for you on the other side. If the waters start to rise, I’ll be your lifeboat. And if you need to float in them for a little while, I’ll be there holding your hand.”
“I’m still scared of you,” I whisper.
“I know,” he says. “I know.” It’s a simple admittance, but it means a lot all the same. It means even more when he doesn’t try to refute or diminish my fear, just accepts it.
“But I’m not too scared to try again,” I whisper.
His eyes close slowly as he takes in a low, deep breath, filling his lungs. “I think that’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard.”
33 BURY ME
NOW
STELLA
Standing with Riggins at the top of my steps, the butterflies flutter in my belly like this is our true first date, and I’m nervous for what comes next as if he hasn’t kissed me breathless before or seen me naked a million times over.
“So tonight was…” I start, biting my lip with nerves, which iscrazy.
This is Riggins.
The one person on this earth I could always be myself around.
“It was great. Thank you for inviting—” There’s no time to continue my ramblings because his hand is on my waist, tugging me close. I let out anoomph!as he tugs me in, but I have no time to think when his other hand moves over to my jaw, tipping it up right before his lips are on mine.
With the touch, my body melts, and my arms lift, my fingers twining behind his neck as I move to tiptoes. He kisses me deep and full like he’s trying to consume me, but slow as if he’s trying to catalog the moment, remember it forever, just in case.
“If you need me to stop, that’s okay,” he says when he breaks the kiss, his voice low and gravelly. “Last time, we were both lost in emotion. I don’t want any regrets this time.”
He’s right. Last time we were wrapped in too many emotions and while I don’t regret it, not in the least, I know that this time would be different. If I invite Riggins inside, if we sleep together, it’s because I’m finally agreeing this is something more. Or maybe that we were never anything less. Either way, I can’t go back to being just friends, to pushing him away.
If I invite him inside, I’ll be accepting I am Riggins’ and he is mine, and we’re ready to try this again, regardless of my fears.
“But I need you to tell me now. If you need time, I’ll give it all to you. But if I follow you into this house, we’re making this real again in all the best ways. You’ll be mine again.” I stare at him for long, long heartbeats, and I can see the nerves and fear in his eyes, but I just smile. I smile, move to my tip toes, and press my lips to his.
I’m not scared.
“Do you want to come in?” I ask in a whisper. His lips tip up in a familiar smile, and he moves. I’m squealing as he lifts me up bridal style and opens my front door. He steps inside, closing the door behind us. Gracie comes running to the door as he does. “Sit, girl. Be good, I’ve gotta go make mommy feel really fucking good.”
I try to fight a laugh, but I can’t when I watch her turn and go to the dog bed he brought over for her, like she fully understands and is over our bullshit.
Riggins just keeps walking until we’re in my bedroom, letting my body slide down his as he lowers me to the ground, pressing his lips to mine gently, then moving to my neck. His hands move to my back, finding the zipper of my dress and pulling it down.
The loose material falls off my shoulder with a shift of my arms, and then I stand in front of him in just my bra and underwear. His fingers move to the back of my bra, expertly undoing the clasp and letting that fall too, my clothes a puddle at my feet. Once more, he pulls me in tight until I’m flush with his body.
His hands explore, one sliding up into my hair and holding me still as I stare at him as he looks down at me, the other dipping down into the back of my underwear, grabbing a handful of my ass.
My lips tip up because if there’s one thing I know about Riggins, it’s that he loves my ass. He returns it, then lets his hand shift to the waistband of my underwear, using a thumb to tug it down.
His lips hit mine, kissing me gently and slowly with no real urgency; he works my panties down with one hand until they’re low enough that I can help out and step out of them.
Then I’m naked in front of him, my body pressed against his clothes. I try to speak, to tell him I need him, that I want him naked and in me. I want his skin on mine, but the words dry up as his hand moves to my belly and slides down, a rough finger brushing over my clit and then circling it. My knees go a bit weak, and I loop my hands over his shoulders to hold myself up.
“Already so wet,” he whispers. “Is this for me?”
I nod, unable to speak as his finger slides further down, gathering my wetness and dragging it up to my clit. I let out a littleah!And his head dips down to press kisses against my neck.
