I blink, stunned. “App? Dude, it’s nearly eleven at night. And you come to my place to talk about the app?” I’m relieved it’s about the app and not Riley, but also . . . seriously?
“Yeah, well . . . I figured you’d be working. You always are,” he teases. But then my lack of clothing hits him and his eyes go wide. He whispers urgently, “Holy shit, am I interrupting something?”
I quickly shake my head but still start herding River out the door. “No. Nothing that you need to worry about. Just a long day,” I assure him. “But can we talk tomorrow or Monday about the app? I really need to get a shower.” It’s the best idea I can come up with to explain my half-nakedness and messy hair.
“Yeah . . . nah, that’s cool. Take a shower, and I’ll see you later,” River says, but then he winks outrageously.
Shit. He doesn’t believe me.
“Looks like you’ve got some stuff to take care of, anyway.” He lifts his chin toward the two glasses of wine of the coffee table and the purse on the dining table. “Bye, Noah!” he calls out too loudly, presumably for the benefit of whoever he thinks I have hiding here.
He leaves, and I lock the door after him, bonking my forehead on the doorframe in surprise at what just happened. That could’ve been bad. Really bad.
I will have to have a hard conversation with River at some point, but I’d prefer not to do it half-dressed, with Riley’s juices on my tongue. He deserves more than that. She does too.
I hear the click-clack of Riley’s heels and turn around, hoping to find her strutting in wearing only those pink heels. But she’s dressed once again, her curves covered in her dress.
“Hey, uhm . . . look, I don’t want to leave you high and dry, but . . .” Riley stutters, and I shake my head in understanding. Tonight was magical. Tonight was hotter than I ever would’ve expected. And I pride myself on expecting every possibility and planning accordingly.
But sometimes, a magic spell can be broken. At least temporarily.
“I’ll be okay,” I tell her, and Riley smiles. “So . . . home?”
“Yeah,” she says. She comes up to me, taking my hand. “Noah, about tonight. I don’t regret anything.”
“I don’t either. Except maybe that burger later,” I tease, patting my stomach. “Come on, I’ll take you home.”
“I’d like that.”
I grab a fresh shirt, and after checking that River is really gone, we make our way back to my SUV. The drive to her neighborhood is quiet, but it’s not a bad quiet. In fact, Riley keeps looking over at me with soft smiles and our hands have been interlocked the whole trip.
When we pull up to her apartment, I offer to walk her up, but she shakes her head.
“If you walk me up, I’m going to invite you in,” she says honestly.
“Would that be a bad thing?” I ask slowly.
“Tonight’s been wonderful, but . . .”
“That’s all you have to say. Next time?” I offer, and her smile grows.
“Next time,” she agrees.
I lean across the console, cursing its existence again, and tilting her chin with my thumb and index finger, I kiss her gently and softly.
She pulls back, her eyes telling me that next time will be soon. Very soon.
“Let me get the door for you,” I say, wanting one more chance to hold her.
But she shakes her head and lays a staying hand on my arm. “No. If you get out, I’m going to kiss you again. And I’m going to invite you up. I’m not strong enough to stop us tonight, so I need you to stay here. Let me walk away this time and enjoy our first date for what it’s already been.”
Her eyes scan mine, then travel down to my lips, and she licks her own. I don’t think she even knows she’s done it. And her chest is rising and falling rapidly, nearly panting.
She’s asking me to stick to her plan. That I can understand.
I nod. Cupping her cheek, I pull her forward and lay one more kiss to her forehead, not trusting myself to take her lips again. “Goodnight, Sunshine.”
With one more bright smile, she gets out and walks toward the building. She looks back once and waves, but then she’s gone and the date is over.
But Riley and I are just starting.
Chapter 13
Riley
“Rowf!”
I look down at Raffy, who’s nudging my leg and then sitting back to tilt his head at me.
“What’s up, Raffy? Let me finish this last batch, okay?” I tell him, and his tail wags.
Loretta dropped Raffy back off this morning, and I think she must’ve fed him more food and treats in the one night than he usually gets in a week. He’s been a demanding diva all day, and it’s barely after noon.