Page 75 of Remember Me

She’s also come without her crutches; she was determined not to use them, and so far, she’s doing great, but she’s probably going to be paying for it tomorrow. Fuck, I’ll carry her around if I have to.

The stage lights dim, and the crowd goes wild. Lottie’s screaming like a fangirl possessed, and it’s always amazing to see the lighter, more carefree side of her that doesn’t come out as often as it should.

It’s a side only I ever get to see, and it’s an honor and a privilege to witness.

Riley’s set is amazing: we dance, sing, and kiss our way through some of his biggest hits. When he starts singing “Worst Way,” we slow dance just like we did in her kitchen.

“And now, I’d like to introduce a couple of friends of mine to join me on stage to sing with me tonight,” Riley says in that southern drawl that seems to make women swoon. Personally, I don’t see the appeal.

“Please welcome my first guest…Ella Langley.” The crowd goes wild as she walks out in a short black dress and cowboy boots, taking a seat next to him.

They sing “Don’t Mind If You Do,” and then my personal favorite, “You Look Like You Love Me.” Lottie’s arms are around my neck as we dance and sing, my hands drifting down her sides to her perfect ass while she serenades me.

Our dancing takes a turn as her hands move from my neck, grazing over my pecs as she grinds up against me. We now resemble two extras from Dirty Dancing, and I love every minute of feeling her delectable little body press up against me.

“Fuck, baby, I can’t wait to get you back to the hotel. I need to taste you again,” I say just before I take her mouth, swallowing her moan.

Her nails scratch down my skin in the most incredible pain-pleasure, and I’m now desperate to free my aching cock from the tight confines of my pants. I need to feel her mouth wrapped around me like I did on my birthday, her wet tongue lapping at my tip. I’m hard as stone and ready to combust.

It seems my girl is too, because as soon as the concert is over, she’s dragging me to our car in a race to get back to the hotel room.

Chapter 52

Charlotte

We make out the whole way back to our room, only stopping to breathe every now and again. We can’t get enough of each other; I can’t get enough of him.

Tonight has been a dream. I loved watching Riley perform, but I loved sharing the experience with Jake even more. Add in the memory I recovered, and I’m on cloud nine—nothing can bring me down right now.

As Jake kisses up my neck, I try and dig the hotel key out of my bag, fumbling with the little plastic card—I can’t think or see straight. I know it has nothing to do with the beers we had at the concert and everything to do with the man touching me.

Finally, as I scan the key across the sensor, we practically fall into the room, and I brush my hand against the wall, searching for the lights. Our hats are thrown to the floor, and I’m hoisted round Jake's waist, my legs wrapped around him.

“God, Lottie, you’re so fucking beautiful. Every time I see you, I’m more mesmerized than the last. I can’t believe I wasted so much time by not telling you how I felt all those years ago.”

That has me pausing. Time. We have wasted so much time, although I can’t remember a life with him in it. I’m now ninety-nine percent sure I loved this guy before my accident. How could I not? So why am I waiting for memories that may never come back to give myself fully to him? All he has ever done is show up for me and love me, and if the memories I have are all I get, then that’s enough. I’m certain.

Looking him dead in the eye, I say, “I want to take that next step with you, Jake.”

His eyes widen as he processes what I’ve just said. “I, ah, thought you wanted to go slow?”

“I did, but like you said, we’ve wasted so much time, and I don’t want to waste any more of it waiting on something that may or may not happen.”

Naturally, he’s still hesitant. Only last week, I said I wanted to take things slow—I’m probably giving the poor guy whiplash.

“Maybe, we should take the night to make sure this is really what you want. I don’t want you to regret anything,” he cups my cheek, his finger running back and forth.

“I know what I want, Jake. No regrets. My head wants this and so does my heart.”

As he tries to open his mouth to no doubt try and stop me, I lean in and press my lips to his, effectively silencing any lingering doubts he has.

“If this is what you really want, baby, then who am I to deny you?” With me still in his arms, we stride off toward the bedroom.

I can’t believe it’s actually happening. I thought I’d be more nervous than this, but I’m feeling pretty calm. Maybe it’s the buzz from the concert or maybe it’s just because this feels right, like this is the way it’s meant to happen.

Carefully, I’m laid out on the bed before Jake starts to undress, but I sit up and stop him. “I wanted to do that.”

His hands drop to his sides, eyes gazing into mine. “Have at it, baby.”