Innocent Secrets [Pine Valley 3] (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 7
“Come here, little rabbit,” Riley said once he was able to put words together again. Jessica crawled up beside him and curled into his arms. Riley was too tired to do anything but pull the cover over them both.
After weeks of being hard as a rock, his cock was blissfully soft and resting against his thigh. Riley sighed. As he drifted off to sleep, he thought this was the way he wanted to end his days for the rest of his life.
Riley woke to a bright, unfamiliar room. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the sun shining through the window. Once he did, he looked around the feminine room and remembered the night before. A moan slipped free before he could stop it when he realized what had woke him up. Jessica once again had her small hands wrapped around his erection.
“You’re finally awake. Good morning,” she whispered in his ear.
It was definitely turning out to be a good morning, a great morning by his standards. “Morning, baby.”
Jessica leaned down to kiss him, the whole time stroking his cock. Riley couldn’t stop his hips if he had wanted to as he began thrusting his cock up and down in her grip. He knew he wasn’t going to last long in Jessica’s presence and was correct when she trailed her lips down the side of his neck and bit his shoulder. Riley yelled out as he came against Jessica’s stomach and thighs.
He rolled Jessica over when he got his strength back. After a thorough kiss, he lifted off her and stood. He stared down at her. Looking at her lying there sleepily smiling up at him, he realized at that moment he was in love with Jessica Garrison. She was possibly the only virgin in the world that looked totally debauched lying there in nothing but her bra with cum drying on her stomach and thighs. She was sexy as hell, and she was all his. He had no intentions of ever letting her go.
“Come on, sweetheart. Let’s get you cleaned up.” He helped her up from the bed. If he stared at her for another second, he had a feeling they wouldn’t leave the bed that day.
Riley had to use all his willpower to limit himself to nothing more than a few kisses and touches as they washed each other. He was tempted to take Jessica against the wall of the shower, but refused to let that be her first time. When they finally had sex, he wanted it to be special for her. A plan began to form in Riley’s head, but he wanted to run it by Jessica before he got too excited.
“What do you think of going on a trip with me this weekend?” he asked once they were dressed and in the kitchen.
Jessica didn’t answer his question as she gathered things to cook for breakfast, and Riley began to worry. “If you don’t want to that’s okay. I just wanted to take you somewhere special.”
“Can I ask you a question before I answer yours?”
Riley couldn’t read Jessica and was starting to think he had done something wrong. He nodded for her to continue.
“Was it okay last night and this morning?” Jessica bit her lip as she waited for the answer.
He knew exactly what she was asking, he just didn’t understand why. Had he done something to make her think he didn’t like what she did? “I’m pretty sure my reaction was answer enough, but just in case, I loved everything that we did. Why would you ask something like that?” He watched as Jessica blushed. He wanted to go over and hug her, but he also wanted to clear up any confusion that she had. He could see that something was bothering her.
“Then why didn’t we have sex?” she mumbled.
Shocked at what he heard, Riley went over and placed his hand under Jessica’s chin. He lifted her face until she was staring directly into his eyes. “Is that what’s bothering you, little rabbit? We didn’t have sex because it wasn’t the right time. Not because I didn’t want you. God.” He laughed. “I want you so bad it hurts. I stay so hard, I feel like my dick is going to fall off. That’s just being near you. I want your first time to be special. You deserve romance. I’m talking scented candle, rose petals, bubble bath, and champagne. All of that girly romantic stuff.”
He kissed the tip of Jessica’s nose and chuckled at her indrawn breath. “When I make love to you, and make no doubts, we will make love, it will be special. Not just some quick roll in the bed after a night out. Why do you think I asked you to go away with me?”
“Oh, okay.” Jessica nodded. “In that case, then yes, I will go away with you.”
Riley watched her go back to making breakfast. He would have been worried about her answer if he hadn’t seen the sparkle in her eyes or her face light up when she smiled after what he told her. He needed to come up with the perfect getaway so that it would be a night she could remember for the rest of her life.
Chapter 5
After a quick breakfast and one scorching good-bye kiss, Riley left to go home and get cleaned up, leaving Jessica alone. She immediately got on the phone and called Cane. If she didn’t tell someone about her night, she was going to burst.
“I’m assuming my brother-in-law not coming home last night was a good thing?” Cane questioned instead of answering the phone like a normal person.
Jessica let out a sigh of bliss. “You would be correct.” She wondered if Cane could hear the happiness in her voice. “He just left, so he should be home soon.”
“I want details.”
“I can’t give you details over the phone and I can’t come over there and talk with Riley there.”
“Okay, Duncan left for work already, but Logan is here. I will have him bring me to the diner for lunch. Between him, Gavin, and Angel, it should be safe enough. Can you meet me there in a couple hours?”
“That sounds great. Do you think Kerri can come?” Jessica asked.
“I think Chase letting her out last night was pushing it. I have a feeling he won’t let her out again until this mess with her kidnapper is over with. Besides,” Cane said, taking a breath, “between the racket those two were making last night and this morning, I don’t think they will be making it out of bed anytime soon.”
“Wow, we definitely have things to talk about,” Jessica said. “I will meet you at the diner then.”
After their good-byes, Jessica was left with nothing to do. It seemed it was going to be a slow day at the library, so she was left with plenty of time to think. Too bad her thoughts all centered on one thing, the fact that she and Riley hadn’t had sex the night before. She had been more than willing, but it was Riley who held back. At first she was worried he wasn’t attracted to her, or he didn’t want her the way she wanted him, but she felt better about it once he explained his reasons why. If it were up to her though, she would have no longer been a virgin. She didn’t need the romance that Riley had described, but she had to admit it did sound good and it was mainly because of the trip. She had fantasized for years about getting Riley alone, and now she was getting her chance.
Jessica wasn’t naïve. Between hearing other people talk, the internet, and her very vivid imagination, she liked to think she knew what to expect when it came to sex. Still, she was glad to be meeting Cane to get some advice. If anyone knew the keys to finding happiness in a relationship, it was her.
Jessica checked her emails and worked on a few edits. She tried writing for a while, but her mind kept straying back to Riley. That had been a major problem lately. She found his name randomly typed throughout her work and had to hit the delete button way too much. She hoped her obsession with him died down soon or she was going to find herself out of a job.
Giving up on getting any work done, Jessica dressed and headed to meet Cane. She arrived early so she took a seat at a table in the corner to wait. She nodded to Angel and received a wink from Gavin, who were both seated on the opposite side of the restaurant. They both looked relaxed, but as she watched them, Jessica noticed that they were completely aware of their surroundings. They eyed everyone that came through the door and tracked every move Ali made as she served the small lunch crowd. Jessica knew Chase would take no chances with his baby sister’s safety, and she knew he had left her in the hands of nothing but the best. Looking at Angel, people automatically knew he
was dangerous. From his silent stare to the long, thick scar going down the side of his face, people instinctively turned and went the other way to avoid him. Angel seemed like he preferred it that way. Now Gavin, he was a wild card. He was the type to grin in a person’s face to make them comfortable around him before he struck. She had a feeling he left people staring up at him in shock as they slowly died.
“Hi, Jessica,” Ali said as she came over with a huge grin on her face. “So my brilliant plan worked?”
“Hey, Ali. Let’s just say last night worked out better than I expected.” Jessica didn’t have the heart to wipe the satisfied look off Ali’s face by telling her she couldn’t go through with it. “I’m just meeting Cane here for lunch.”
Cane came through the door at that moment followed by Logan. Although Duncan was on duty, he wasn’t too far behind. “We got one hour, and then I’m back under house arrest,” Cane said when she reached the table. She kissed Ali’s cheek and sat.
Jessica waited until they both ordered and Ali had left before she began. Ali may have been almost eighteen and very mature for her age, but she was too young in Jessica’s opinion to hear what she had to say.
“I’m taking it the plan worked?” Cane asked, wiggling her eyebrows up and down.
“No,” Jessica sighed. “I chickened out. I felt like I was being dishonest, so I just told him the truth.”
“And how did Riley take it? Him staying the night was a good thing right?”
“He took it way better than I expected. He had the complete opposite reaction from my ex.” Jessica could feel her face getting red just thinking about Riley’s reaction. “And yeah, he stayed the night.”
“So far I’m not hearing any bad news, but the sound of your voice tells me there is a but coming.”
Jessica sighed. Sometimes having a best friend that could read you like a book sucked. Cane saw right through her. “You’re right. He wants to go away together to make it special so we can…you know?” She couldn’t even bring herself to say it out loud. And you call yourself an erotic romance writer.
“I’m still not seeing the problem here.”
“My problem is what am I supposed to do? How am I supposed to act? What am I supposed to wear? Last night I had no problems. It was a spur-of-the-moment thing so I didn’t have time to think. I was just ready, but Riley wanted to wait. Now, he wants to plan things out which means I have time to think, and I’m starting to freak out.” Jessica could feel a panic attack coming.
“Okay, okay, just calm down. How do you feel about Riley?”
“What?” Jessica asked, confused.
“I’m asking how you truly feel about him. I know you like him, but how do you really feel about Riley?”
“I love him,” Jessica simply answered. That was the easiest question Cane had asked all day. There was no doubt she was hopelessly in love with Riley. “I haven’t told him how I feel yet so please don’t say anything.”
“Well, there you go,” Cane said as she waived Jessica’s last statement away. She waited for Ali to sit their lunch on the table before continuing. “You love him, he loves you, and everything else will work out the way it’s supposed to. Just go on the trip, relax, and enjoy it.”
Could it be that simple? Was she making a big deal out of nothing? Jessica knew losing her virginity was major, but she was planning on losing it to the man she was in love with. She had found her Prince Charming, and Riley was determined to make the event as special as possible. What more could she ask for?
Jessica could feel the tension leaving her shoulders as she decided to take Cane’s advice. “Who knew I had such a smart best friend?” she joked.
“Yeah, I do have my uses.” Cane blew a breath on her nails and buffed them against her shirt. She leaned in to whisper, “Now, enough of this serious talk. Do you want to know what I saw going on out on the patio this morning between Chase and Kerri?”
Jessica laughed as she listened to Cane go into way too many details about what she saw. All too soon her hour was up and Logan and Duncan showed up to escort Cane home. Jessica left as well. She needed to make plans and pack. She also had an appointment with her agent that she couldn’t miss.
When she arrived home, she found a large white box with a red bow lying on her step. Smiling, she picked it up and headed inside. She couldn’t wait to see what Riley had given her this time. The man was truly a romantic at heart, and she needed to come up with a way to thank him for all his gifts. She gasped when she opened the box and pulled out the sexiest lingerie she had ever seen. The bustier was a delicate pink with sheer lace cups. Silk ribbons in a darker pink laced up the back. There was also a pair of matching sheer panties so thin Jessica was scared she was going to tear them.
Well, at least I no longer have to worry about what I’m going to wear. The question was could she wear the outfit in front of Riley? She had never worn anything that sexy, even in private. Did she have the courage to wear it in front of a man? She knew Riley had gone through the trouble of picking the gift out as a part of making her night special. Wearing the outfit was the least she could do to make sure he enjoyed the night as well. It wasn’t like it was going to stay on that long anyway. Resolving herself to wearing the pink bustier, Jessica headed to her bedroom to begin making plans for her trip.
* * * *
How could she do this to him? James threw his glasses across the room in a fit of rage. She was going away without him, with another man. He wondered if it was that Riley guy who had been sniffing around her. For his sake, James certainly hoped not. He would hate to have to kill the man. Jessica was his and no one was laying a finger on her but him.
When James had arrived for work that morning, he had been pleasantly surprised to see Jessica in the office. He wasn’t aware that she had an appointment. At first hope swelled that she had finally come to thank him for all his gifts and was ready to take their relationship public, but she had just smiled and walked on past him. He waited until she was in her agent’s office with the door closed before he moved closer to hear what they were saying. That was how he had found out about her trip. Being a janitor, he was considered the lowest-ranking employee. When he first got the job, he had been surprised at how many people ignored him or talked like he wasn’t even in the room. Eavesdropping had quickly become his new hobby. He learned a lot about the people he worked for. That was how he found out J. Red was really the sweet, redheaded Jessica.
Now, James had to rush to the supply closet before his fury erupted. He couldn’t understand why his Jessica would hurt him so bad. She was the only one who paid him any attention. He had quickly fallen in love with her, and one day when she left one of her books behind for him to find, he learned the feeling was mutual. He was shocked to find out she had written about him. He was the hero in all her novels. Every since that day, she gave him secretive little smiles whenever she passed.
She was breaking his heart. There was no way he was going to allow another man to have her. He had to get Jessica away from the hick and alone. Once she was out of the man’s influence, she would see what a mistake she was making and choose him. Making up his mind, James came up with a plan to win back his Jessica. If the dog got in the way, then he would just have to eliminate him.
James made it back from the supply closet just in time to see Jessica leave the office. He followed her onto the elevator and reached out to push the button for her. Their hands met on the button at the same time, and Jessica laughed. That tinkling sound she made and the soft feel of her smooth skin went straight to his cock, making it rise. It was a good thing he was wearing loose coveralls. Nothing was said as they rode the elevator down, but just as she stepped off, Jessica turned to give him a small wave and smile. She still wants me! Hope was not lost. His Jessica still wanted him. She practically gave him a sign that she wanted him to rescue her. He just needed to get her away from the idiot and she would be his. He smiled as the elevator doors closed and he rode back up to his floor. Soon the whole
world would know they were in love with each other.
Chapter 6
Riley pulled up in front of Jessica’s house that evening to find her already on the sidewalk with her bags waiting for him. It made him feel good to know she was just as excited to go on the trip as he was. He had a feeling her excitement came from the fact that he hadn’t told her where they were going. Riley wanted to surprise her.
“Hey, little rabbit, I see you’re ready to go.” He kissed her on the cheek then grabbed her bags.
“Do I finally get to know where we’re going?” Jessica asked as she followed him to the car.
“I’ll tell you what, we have about an hour drive to get to the airport. I’ll give you a few hints and if you guess right before we get there, then I will tell you.”
“I don’t like the look on your face, Riley Matthews. What happens if I don’t get it right?”
Riley tried, but couldn’t keep the grin off his face. There was no way she would ever guess. He didn’t tell her that though. “If you don’t guess by the time we get to the airport, then you owe me a favor that I can collect at a later date.” He put emphasis on the word favor just to let her know exactly what he had in mind. Riley saw the moment Jessica understood what he meant. Her eyes lit up and she smiled.
“Deal.”
Her one-word answer had him going from semierect to hard enough to pound nails in an instant. Only Jessica had the ability to affect him like that. As he helped her in the car, Riley knew how he was going to spend his ride to the airport. Coming up with ways to cash in the favor she was soon going to owe him.
“Is there a beach where we’re going?” Jessica asked as soon as the car started moving.