Riley nodded as she met her eyes and smiled. “It’s good to see you again.”
“Yeah. I’ve been thinking about you.” Quinn cupped Riley’s cheek and ran her thumb over it, causing Riley’s eyes to flutter closed. She was so incredibly gorgeous and gracious and elegant that it almost hurt to look at her. Her hair was silky smooth as Quinn ran her hand through it, and she was wearing a figure-hugging navy dress and her killer black heels. If Riley was trying to seduce her, she’d certainly succeeded. “I was planning on kissing you the moment I walked in, but you took me by surprise with all the work you’ve been doing.”
“You can kiss me now,” Riley whispered, tilting her head and inching closer to brush her lips over Quinn’s. They both moaned quietly, and a gasp of breath escaped them at the electrifying touch.
Quinn pressed her body against Riley’s, her core tightening at the contact. With every word or look exchanged, she felt the need to be all over her, and holding back was hard once they’d started. She ran her hands over Riley’s behind and squeezed her, pulling their hips together. “You’re killing me in that dress,” she said in a breathy voice.
“I was hoping you’d like it.” Riley smiled mischievously and ran a hand through Quinn’s hair in return. “Are you hungry? I cooked, and the food will be ready in ten minutes.”
Quinn chuckled. “I’d like to eat you first,” she joked, nudging Riley against the couch until she fell onto her back. She pulled up Riley’s dress in one, quick motion, and Riley gasped as Quinn traced the inside of her thigh. “And don’t worry about the food getting cold,” Quinn added. “I only need five minutes.”
* * *
Riley’s cheeks were rosy as they sat down at the dining table in the living room. Her eyes darted to the couch, clearly reliving what had just happened. She was flustered and a little out of sorts, forgetting the cutlery and their glasses, but she had a wonderful grin and a satisfied glow on her face. Quinn had made her scream, and she planned to do it again and again and again until Riley had no energy left to move or speak.
“This looks great,” she said, helping herself to the fish pie Riley had made. “You’re becoming quite the chef.”
“Against all expectations, I enjoy cooking.” Riley spooned a little onto her plate and poured the wine. “But I’m not sure if I can eat now. You’ve made me feel all funny inside.”
“You should eat. You’ll need your strength for later,” Quinn retorted, licking her lips. She could still taste Riley and couldn’t wait to have more of her.
Riley blushed even harder now, and she covered her face in her hands. “Oh God, what have you done to me? I can’t eat, I can’t sleep, I can’t think. I’m a mess.”
“If you’re a mess, then you’re the most beautiful mess in the whole world.” Quinn’s expression turned serious when Riley shook her head. “I mean it. I love everything about you. The way you talk and move and smile and laugh…and the way you frown when you’re concentrating. I love how brave you are, how you’ve left everything you know behind to start over and tried to make the best of a difficult situation. I also love how kind you are and naïve in certain ways, even though you’re highly intelligent. You’re a beautiful person inside and out, and I adore you.”
Riley dropped her fork and her eyes welled up as she stared at Quinn, who’d never seen her emotional before; she didn’t seem like the vulnerable type. Quinn rarely opened up like this herself, but it was like a floodgate had opened and the words just kept coming.
“And for the record,” she continued, “I can’t eat or sleep or think either, so maybe we should talk about what’s happening here.”
“Yeah. We need to talk.” Riley reached over the table and took Quinn’s hand. “I love how kind you are, how much you love your family, and how you make me smile inside every time I see you. I love how you make me feel, like I’m floating, and my emotions and dreams are entwined. This may sound cheesy, but you’ve lifted me and awoken my body. It’s been asleep for so long and I’m alive again, perhaps only now really living for the first time.” She smiled. “And on top of all that, I’m crazy attracted to you and I want you so, so much.”
Quinn’s soul warmed at Riley’s words, and she squeezed her hand. “Do you think you’re ready for something with me?” She hesitated. “I’m talking about being exclusive, maybe giving this a name. Because if you need more time, I’d understand, and I’d never rush you into anything.”
“I’ve never been ready, but I am now,” Riley whispered. “I’ve wasted the better half of my life doing something that had essentially no meaning, even though it seemed like it was everything at the time. I’ve been living on autopilot, working every minute of the day, avoiding emotional connections because they got in the way of my ridiculous goal of growing my company. I never want to do that again.” She winced. “Ending up on intensive care the first time should have been a wake-up call, but it wasn’t. I kept asking when I could get back to work, and when they told me I had to stop and take it easy, I didn’t listen. It wasn’t until the second time that I realized I wouldn’t survive if I maintained my lifestyle, and that was devastating because I didn’t think I had anything else to live for.”
“And now you do?” Quinn asked.
“Yeah. I’m starting to learn what it’s like to have friends and be part of a community, and I’ve come to realize that experiences are far more valuable than gross margin.” Riley sighed as she met Quinn’s eyes. “So yes, I would love to give this a name and see where it leads. I’m done wasting time.”
“Then don’t,” Quinn said. “I’ve wasted time too. I’ve never settled because I was always working toward something I couldn’t have, feeling like a failure every time this house changed owners. But I’ve found a sense of peace now. It’s been cathartic coming here, so thank you.”
“You’re thanking me for stealing your dream?”
“I’m thanking you for opening my eyes. I wanted everything to be like it used to be, but change is good. I still love the house. I always will. But the walls are white now and the world hasn’t collapsed around me. In fact, I feel happier and more content because I’ve been able to let it go. You’re good for me, Riley.” Quinn was aware that if it worked out with Riley, this could be a new chapter in their lives, but the house had no part in that. This was between her and Riley and their feelings for each other. It was a matter of the heart, not a place.
The corners of Riley’s mouth tugged up as she nodded. “I’ll remind you of that when I strip the bedrooms, girlfriend.” She giggled. “Or should I say partner? This is new to me, so you’ll have to help me out.”
“You can call me anything you want. Whatever you’re comfortable with.” Quinn stood up and leaned in over the table to kiss her. “But I like the sound of girlfriend.”
45
RILEY
“Tell me about your love life,” Riley said, snuggling into the crook of Quinn’s arm and wallowing in her warmth. Her bedroom window was open, and although the April night breeze was cool, she liked the sound of the river and the rustling of the big willows in the yard. What had scared her before was now romantic and soothing, and as she was making good memories here, she was starting to see the house in a different light.
“My love life?!”
“Yeah, I want to know everything. Or at least whatever you’re comfortable with sharing.”
