"I mean, that's okay, right? It has to be." Her laugh is quick and nervous. "We need to keep whatever this is between just us for now. And if you don't want it to be more than that, it's okay, too."
I blow out a breath, slow and controlled, and force my voice to stay steady.
"Rika," I say, and I wait until she looks at me. "I get it."
She blinks, like she expected a fight.
"The kids come first," I add, and the words feel simple because they're true. "But I also need you to hear me when I say that this isn't just casual sex. At least, not for me."
Some of the tension in her shoulders eases, but her eyes stay cautious.
"You say that now," she murmurs. "But I'm messy. My life is messy. And you, you're—" She makes a wide gesture that seemsto encompass all of me. "You could have anyone you want. So I guess I don't know why you would want someone like me."
"There is no one I want more than you," I say quietly. "You need to believe me when I say this. You're beautiful and strong and you're an amazing mother. You're the whole package, Rika."
Rika's throat works as she swallows. She looks pleased but nervous too, like she doesn't trust what I'm saying.
I shift slightly, just enough to catch her gaze again.
"I've never felt like this for anyone," I admit. The words come out bare, terrifying. "Not like this. It's more than just the sex, although the sex is great." I huff a quiet laugh, because I sound insane. "I want to give this a real shot. No pressure. I'm not asking you to decide anything tonight. But I want you. For real."
Rika stares at me, lips parted. For a heartbeat, she doesn't move.
Then her lashes lower, and she nods once. Her lips lift in a tiny smile, almost shy.
"Okay," she whispers, and there's something in her voice that makes my chest ache. "I can go for real."
I exhale like I've been holding my breath for years. Rika shifts against me and lets out a tiny squeaky cry when I move fast, trapping her underneath me.
She's so beautiful like this. Her blue hair spread on the pillow, her dazzling blue eyes wide and dark, pupils dilated. Her cheeks flushed.
Mine.I know it's crazy. I know we've only had sex once. But I want Rika Everdeen to be mine with every fiber of my being.
I lean in, closing my mouth on hers. Her lips part and her breath mingles with mine, my body lighting up with desire all over again.
Then her phone rings.
I groan as she breaks the kiss. I want to tell her to ignore it, but I know she won't.
"Let's hope it's just work so I can tell them to get lost," Rika jokes as I move so she can stretch and retrieve it from the nightstand.
As she sees the name on the screen, her face scrunches up in annoyance. I move away, allowing her to sit.
"What do you want, Mitchell?" Her tone is ice-cold, and I'll be damned if it doesn't turn me on some more.
Angry Rika is sexy as fuck. My mind wanders to all the wicked things I could do with her after she hangs up.
Then I sober up when her expression goes from annoyed to alarmed.
"What?" A pause. "What do you mean, you're in my driveway?"
She hangs up, and she scrambles for her underwear, then shoots me a glance over her shoulder.
"The kids are here. Mitchell brought them back early."
And then it's my turn to scramble for my clothes.
Chapter 13
