Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 47822 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 239(@200wpm)___ 191(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47822 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 239(@200wpm)___ 191(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
Her attempt at humor eased something in my chest. I chuckled, the sound unexpectedly genuine. “Careful what you offer, honey. I might take you up on it.”
The rain intensified, drumming against the roof in a chaotic pattern that matched my heartbeat. A flash of lightning briefly illuminated the room through the window, followed seconds later by a low rumble of thunder. River’s face was all the more lovely in the silvery blue lightning flashes.
“Storm’s getting closer,” I observed, still hesitating to move closer.
River tilted her head, studying me. “Are you afraid of me, Byte?”
“Terrified,” I admitted, the honesty slipping out before I could catch it.
Her eyes widened slightly, my honesty apparently not what she’d been expecting. “Why?”
I sighed, finally giving in and shifting to sit beside her, my back against the headboard. “Because you matter. More than I expected. More than makes sense after knowing you for such a short time.”
She nodded slowly, drawing her knees up to her chest and wrapping her arms around them. The oversized sleep shirt she wore rode up slightly, revealing a glimpse of smooth thigh that I forced myself not to stare at.
“Will you answer any question I ask?” Her voice was quiet, almost lost beneath another crack of thunder. “Honestly?”
“Yes.” The answer came without hesitation. “Anything.”
River took a deep breath, her gaze dropping to the quilt bunched between us. She picked at a loose thread, winding it around her finger before looking up at me again. “Is any of this real?”
The vulnerability in her voice hit me like a physical blow. I turned to face her fully, shifting until we were eye to eye. “What do you mean, honey?”
“This… adventure. You and Crush. What you said earlier about wanting me. Both of you.” She swallowed hard, the movement visible in her throat. “Is it real? Or is it just some game you’re playing with your grandmother? Some elaborate fantasy that falls apart once we leave these mountains?”
I didn’t answer immediately, taking time to consider my words carefully. Outside, the wind screamed against the cabin walls, but inside our little bubble of lamplight, everything felt still, suspended between one heartbeat and the next.
Before I answered, I slid down to lie on the bed, my head propped on the pillow. I held out my hand to her. “Lie down with me. Please?”
She hesitated only a second before uncurling herself and stretching out beside me. I mirrored her position, turning on my side to face her. Our faces were inches apart on the pillow, close enough that I could count the freckles dusting her nose, close enough to feel her breath on my skin.
“It’s real, River,” I said, my voice low and steady. “More real than anything I’ve felt in a long fuckin’ time. Maggie may have orchestrated our meeting, but what’s happening between us? That’s all us.” I fought the urge to reach out and touch her, to trace the delicate curve of her cheekbone with my fingertips. “I can’t speak for Crush, though God knows I usually do, but I know he feels it too.”
Her eyes searched mine, looking for something. A lie, maybe, or a truth she could believe in. “How can you be so sure? About me, I mean? It’s been days, not months or years.”
“I don’t know, River.” There was no use lying to her. That way would end this before it even started. “I can’t answer that question any better than ‘I don’t know.’ I’m just sure.”
She smiled slightly, recognition flickering in her eyes. “You’ve used that line before.”
“Doesn’t make it less true.” I risked reaching out then, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead. My fingers lingered, tracing the shell of her ear, then down to the soft skin of her neck. I felt her pulse jump beneath my touch. “I’ve never been good at reading people, River. Emotions confuse me. But with you…” I shook my head, struggling to put the feeling into words. “With you, it’s clear. Simple. I just know. Everything inside me is settled like it never has been.”
The lamp flickered as another gust of wind rattled the cabin. River’s gaze never left mine, even as shadows danced across her face. My palm itched to cup her cheek, to slide down her shoulder, to explore every inch of her. But I held back, terrified of pushing too hard, too fast.
“I want to believe you,” she whispered.
“All I can do is tell you what I intend to do, then follow through. You’ll give me your trust. Me and Crush.”
For a long moment, she just looked at me, her eyes reflecting the lamplight. Then, so slowly I could have counted heartbeats between movements, she leaned forward and pressed her lips to mine.
The kiss was tentative, a question rather than a statement. Her lips were soft, slightly parted, her kiss sweet as honey. I remained perfectly still, letting her lead, letting her decide how far this would go. When she didn’t pull away, I responded, moving my mouth against hers with gentle pressure.