All because of Riley.
Her presence, her laughter, her voice—day by day, they’re healing me, stitching me back together. She gives me purpose, and I’m at my happiest when I’m with her. And Jesus Christ, do I want her, but I’m scared as shit that I’ll fuck it up. I don’t want to fall apart with her. I don’t want to lose her. Just the possibility of hurting her has me keeping my distance.
I shake my head, wishing I could shake the thoughts loose. They’re tainting my mind, and I’m already struggling to remember the melody.
My fingers stumble over the same damn keys, and I curse. Why can’t I get it right?
“Is that the melody you were humming in the park?” Her voice sends goosebumps scattering along my skin.
She stops beside the piano, her hair in a bun on top of her head, a few blue flyaways framing her face. Her white tee is oversized, and her dark blue shorts make her legs look long and tan. My skin hums in the way it always does when she’s around. Heat and desire mix, setting my whole fucking body on fire.
I need to resist it.
“Yeah.” I clear my throat. “Trying to get it down, but…something is off.”
She nods absentmindedly and joins me on the piano bench, her shoulder brushing mine, and suddenly, all my worries feel insignificant.
Thank fuck I’m sitting. Otherwise, my knees would probably give out. My heart is beating so fast, it feels like it’s ready to run, with her as its final destination.
I’m screwed.
“Maybe you just need a little help.” She grins.
I smirk because it’s easier than admitting that my heart is begging me to make a move. “You? Please. You can’t even clap on beat.”
She gasps, her jaw dropping. Then, she slaps my arm. “Rude. I have a very good sense of rhythm, thank you very much.”
I laugh. “Prove it.”
I’m full of shit. She does have a great sense of rhythm, and she also has a beautiful voice, but I love to tease her. And right now, I need a distraction from the inappropriate thoughts pummeling me.
So, I play a ridiculous tune, and she hums along. Before I realize it’s happening, I’m playing the melody I’ve been trying to work out. Her soft voice puts the pieces together for me. I’ve been struggling for over an hour to figure it out, and all this time, the answer was Riley. She’s the key.
I snag my pencil and note sheet, humming the rhythm on repeat. All the while, she watches me. When I’ve got it all down, I put the note sheet back on the music stand and turn to her.
“Thank you,” I murmur. “You made me lose myself in the moment, in the music, and it worked. I finally got it right.”
“Congratulations.” She gives me a shy smile. “I can’t wait to hear it when it’s done.”
“Not sure it’s right for Sabotage, but who knows?”
She’s too close. Her warmth infiltrates my senses, her scent, even her breathing. Riley is an aphrodisiac, and I desperately need to stop myself from giving in.
I clear my throat. “What do you think of Dr. Bell, by the way? Do you like her?”
Her eyebrows pull together, like the change of subject has thrown her off. “She’s nice, very professional. She asked me a gazillion questions, gave me some really good advice.” She shrugs. “I asked her if sex was safe, and she said yes.”
My spine snaps straight. “Why?”
“Why did I ask, or why did she say yes?”
“Why did you ask?”
She shrugs. “Just in case.”
Just in case.
The thought of anyone else touching her makes me see red. I swallow past the bile rising in my throat, ignoring how my blood boils in my veins.
