Touch by Touch (Riggins Brothers 4)

“Please don’t break me,” I whisper.

“Baby, don’t you see? It’s you who has the power to break me.”

“Is this the part where you kiss me?”

“Fucking, finally.” He smirks, and then his lips are on mine. The kiss is slow and sensual as our tongues battle with one another. His hands cradle my cheeks, and it’s hands down the greatest kiss of my life. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve tried so hard to convince myself it would never happen or if I missed him that much. I think it’s a little bit of both.

“Come on. We have a boat ride to take.”

We take a ride on the lazy river, cuddled next to one another. My heart is happy. I’m happy. Conrad Riggins is the one for me. I’m still worried he’ll break my heart, but he looked me in the eye, and I could see it—his determination and the truth in his words. It’s been a month since our time at the cabin, and not once has he stopped telling me I’m who he wants. Maybe with a little luck, we too will get our happily ever after.

Chapter 24

Conrad

I closed on my house today. The house that only my brother Grant and his wife, Aurora, know about. I don’t know why I’ve kept it a secret, but I do know the first person I want to show it to.

Aspen.

I took the day off. My brothers didn’t even ask what was up. I’m sure they assume it has something to do with my girl. Yep, she’s my girl. It’s official. After our date night, last Friday night, I took her home and locked that shit down. I made sure she knew that we were exclusive, and there was no one else for me. She confessed the same.

This week with her has been nothing short of amazing. We’ve had dinner every night this week, and I stop to see her every day on my way to the office. She missed Sunday dinner but claimed she was behind on laundry. I know she was sick last week, so I brought her leftovers and sat with her watching movies while she did her laundry.

I’ve yet to stay over again, and that’s okay. I haven’t had her at my place because it sold, and I’ve been packing a little each night before bed. There are boxes everywhere, and until I tell her about the house, I didn’t want her to see it.

That all changes today. I called Aurora and asked her if she could spare her sister. When I told her I closed on the house and I wanted to show Aspen, she practically begged me to come and pick Aspen up.

That brings me to now. I walk through the bakery doors to find Aspen standing behind the counter. “Hey, I didn’t expect to see you in the middle of the day.” I watch her as her eyes take me in. I’m in jeans and a long-sleeve T-shirt. Not something I would wear to the office. “I thought you had a meeting this morning.”

“I did.” I told her last night I wouldn’t be in this morning because of my meeting. It wasn’t a lie. The closing was scheduled for seven so the owners could make their flight home.

“What’s going on, Conrad?”

“I have something I want to show you.”

“Now?” she asks, raising her eyebrows.

“Yes, now.” I smile at her.

“Go on,” Aurora says, joining the conversation.

“I’m working.”

“And now you’re not.” Aurora grins. “Go. The man has something to show you.”

“Are you in on this?” Aspen narrows her eyes at her sister.

“No. I’m not, but he did call me and tell me he was on his way and wanted to swoop you away for the rest of the day.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. It’s after nine, and our morning rush is pretty much over. Go with your man. Let him show you whatever it is he needs to show you.”

“You know what it is, don’t you?” Aspen asks, placing her hands on her hips.

“Maybe, but he’s the only one who can tell you.”

“Come on, baby. I want to take you somewhere.”

“You two.” Aspen points between the two of us. “I’m not sure how I feel about you teaming up on me.” She steps out from around the counter and comes to me, wrapping her arms around my waist. “Let me grab my purse.” On her tiptoes, she presses her lips to mine, and then she’s gone, disappearing behind the swinging door.

“If you smile any bigger, your face might crack,” Aurora teases.

“She’s finally mine, sis.”

She nods. “Take care of her, Conrad.”

“Always.”

“Okay,” Aspen says, coming back out front with her purse, phone, and jacket in hand. “Let’s see what you’ve got, Riggins.”

My cock jumps, thinking about showing her exactly what I’ve got. I ignore him and take my girl's hand in mine. “Later, Aurora,” I call over my shoulder, leading Aspen out of the bakery.