Touch by Touch (Riggins Brothers 4)
“Wow,” she breathes.
“What?”
She shakes her head. “I just wasn’t expecting that kind of reply from you. I guess I’ve never seen you this serious.”
“I can be serious when I need to be. I take my job seriously, and I take my position as a son, brother, brother-in-law, and uncle very seriously.”
“Still competing for that favorite uncle title?” She chuckles.
“Yep. I was at the top of the leader board until last weekend when Grant and Aurora brought Carter cookies.” My confession makes her laugh. Not just any laugh. This one is from somewhere deep inside her. Her head is thrown back, and the sound of pure glee surrounds us. It’s intoxicating.
So is she.
The conversation is easy as we finish our meal. “Ready to make cookies?” I ask as she pushes her empty plate away from her.
“Yes, but no. I’m stuffed. I ate so much. I don’t think I can move,” she groans, placing her hands over her toned flat belly. I know this because of the towel incident at the top of the stairs that’s still burned in my brain. It’s a moment I will never in my life forget.
“Okay, no cookies,” I concede. “How about a movie?” I stand to gather our plates and place them in the dishwasher.
“Perfect. Now, if you could just carry me to wherever this event is happening, that would be great.”
Visions of the two of us lying naked in my bed, watching TV, flashes through my mind. It’s so clear it almost brings me to my knees. “I can arrange that.” I stand and lift her into my arms bridal style. She yelps out in surprise but doesn’t hesitate to link her arms around my neck and hold on. Her scent, that same lavender from earlier, assaults me. “Where to?” My voice is thick.
“Um, what are our options?”
“Basement, theater, living room, or either of our bedrooms. All four have TVs.”
“Y-You decide,” she replies, almost breathless.
I head toward the stairs, but I make a quick right to the basement instead. If I take her to either of our rooms, I know she will be impossible for me to resist. So, basement theater it is. There are recliners down there and a huge couch, with a chaise lounge big enough for me and all four of my brothers. That’s the perfect spot for the two of us to snuggle. Snuggle? I’m losing my damn mind. I don’t snuggle.
The grip she has around my neck tightens as we descend the stairs into the basement. I manage to turn on the lights with my elbow before carrying her to the chaise lounge and gently setting her down. I miss the feel of her in my arms instantly, and that is not something that’s ever happened to me before.
Walking over to a big trunk, I pull out a soft blanket and toss it to her. She smiles and wastes no time snuggling underneath it. Grabbing the remote for the projection screen, I power it on and kill the lights, bathing the room in darkness, nothing but the glow of the screen to light my path back to her.
I don’t ask her if it’s okay if I sit next to her. I don’t ask her if it’s okay if we share a blanket. Instead, I take the seat and pull the covers over me. “What do you want to watch?” I pull up the streaming app and begin to scroll through the options.
“Oh, I’ll have to watch that one when you’re asleep,” she says when I land on a chick flick.
“Why not watch it now?”
“It’s a romance.” She says it like I’m crazy for even suggesting it.
“And? Am I not allowed to enjoy a good romance?”
“Do you?”
“My mom loved these movies. It didn’t matter that there were six males living in the house with her. We watched them with her. As long as it’s got a good plot, I’m all in.”
“Really?” Her eyes light up. “I’ve been dying to watch it, but I’ve been pulling extra time training the new staff and helping Rory with the wedding planning.”
“Well, tonight is your lucky night.” I hit Play for the movie, tossing the remote beside me on the lounge, and without a thought, I put my arm around her shoulders and pull her close to me.
“What’s this?” she asks, resting her hand against my chest.
“Shh, the movie’s starting.” I avoid her question because I don’t know the answer. All I know is that she’s close, and she needs to be in my arms. I can’t give her or myself any other explanation than that.
Chapter 5
Aspen
I don’t know what’s going on. His arm is around me, and my head is resting against his chest. A movie I’ve been dying to watch is playing on the massive projection screen, and all I can focus on is how good he smells and how warm he is. I snuggle a little closer, and his grip tightens on my shoulder.