Chapter 31

CHAPTER 31

Riggs

I'm leaning against the brick wall off the post office, out of sight of everyone, when my girl turns the corner. Her eyes meet mine, and I grin as I reach for her at the same time she does for me. Our lips touch as we wrap our arms around each other in a desperate embrace. I am a fucking eejit for suggesting we wait to tell everyone. She needed to be beside me on that stage. I wanted to thank her, tell her how much I love her in front of the whole goddamn town. Tell the world that I wouldn't have made it through this damn Cup run without her. The simple fact of knowing she was home waiting for me kept me going.

Clara is the missing piece of my whole existence.

I cup her jaw with one hand and squeeze her hip with the other as I drink from her sweet lips. She tastes like cinnamon apples, which I assume means she ate the fried apple pies on a stick that I was eyeing. Truth is, I'm convinced they taste better on her lips than the real thing. As my tongue searches her wanton mouth, I groan and press my hips into hers. I know she feels every inch of me, and I want her to know how badly I want her, how there isn't a moment in time when my body doesn't crave hers. When my heart doesn't beat for her.

I pull away, only a mere inch, as I open my eyes to meet hers. I stroke her jaw, in awe of her beauty. She has her hair up in a sleek ponytail, black and orange ribbons tied around the base. She's wearing a championship Bears tee with tight black pants and a pair of orange flip-flops. Before I kissed her, her lips were glossed, but that isn't the case anymore. I press my nose to hers before licking her top lip. That makes her lips curve up, and the way her eyes draw me in hits me straight in the chest.

I search her navy depths, loving every single sparkle of light in them before she whispers, "You taste like beer and tequila."

I give her a goofy smile that I don't mean to. "The boys like shots."

"I saw," she says, and I hate the sadness in her eyes. She traces my lips, and I smile brightly for her. "Why do you smile so big for me, but when you're up there giving a speech, you look like you hate life."

I chuckle lightly before nipping at her finger. "Because you make me happy."

"Winning makes you happy," she retorts, and I gather her closer.

"At one time, maybe. But I never knew true happiness until you smiled at me."

In an instant, her face shines like the sun, and I can't get enough of how stunning she is. "You're drunk," she teases, and I shake my head.

"I'm buzzed."

"Nope, drunk 'cause you're being overly romantic."

"Because I'm in love with the most incredible woman alive."

She smiles even more as she traces my lips. "I love you too."

I press my forehead to hers. "I'm sorry for asking you to wait to tell everyone."

She shakes her head. "I don't mind, Riggs. I know the truth."

"And that is?"

"That no matter what, you're mine and I'm yours."

I bring her in closer, my eyes drifting shut as I brush my lips along hers. "Forever."

"Forever," she agrees, molding her lips to mine. We kiss for what seems like forever, unable to get enough of each other. When she opens her mouth for me, I move my tongue over hers, needing to taste all of her. Each stroke is demanding on my part, but she keeps up, her fingers biting into my sides as she meets me stroke for stroke. My whole body is on fire for her, and I want more. I part from her but stay close enough that my lips move against hers as I whisper, "Why the hell are these pants so tight?" I trace the seam between her legs.

Her eyes are hooded and dark as she answers. "Because I love seeing the length of your cock in those slacks just from looking at me."

I chuckle against her lips, my body on fire for hers. "I would take you right here, my love, but for what I have planned, I need a bed—and you naked."

She smiles as she searches my eyes, heat and desire looking back at me. "And my ass in the air?"

I groan, cuddling her closer. "Yes, and my cock so deep in that sweet ass, you'll forget your own name."

She smirks, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "But I won't forget yours."

My cock jerks in my slacks as I press my hips to hers. "You drive me wild, love."

"I know. It's been my plan since the start."

"Don't change," I beg. "I love you, just the way you are."

"Only because I let you spank my ass when I sass you."

"True," I tease, nipping at her lip. "But also, because I love you."

Her lips curve up into a bigger grin as she cups my face. "I love you too."

She kisses me, and I let her take control, her tongue moving along the seam of my lips before I open for her. Our kiss is passionate, demanding, and I don't ever want it to end.

But of course, it has to.

Her phone starts to ring, and she pulls away, her brows drawing together. "You're here. Who could be calling me?"

"You have four sisters," I scoff as she reaches for her phone.

"Yeah, but they text," she sighs. "Oh, it's Austen. Hello? Yeah, I'm still here. Oh, okay. Yeah, I'll be there in a few." She hangs up and exhales. "They want to go to dinner to celebrate Louisa, for the wedding."

I stroke my thumb over her lip. "Sounds like fun."

"I wish you could come."

"After the wedding, you'll be sick of me. I'll be glued to your hip."

She chuckles. "I can't wait. How are you getting home?"

"I'll have someone drop me off."

"Text me?"

"Of course. I'll meet you at home, aye?"

She pouts. "I feel like an ass, but I'd rather go home now with you."

I chuckle, squeezing her hip. "We have our whole life, my love."

She sighs, and I kiss her nose. "I love buzzed snookums."

I snort. "Go have fun."

She kisses my thumb and then takes me by my shirt to bring me in closer. Against my lips, she demands, "Be naked when I get home."

"With a bow on my cock?"

"Yes, right on the tip," she says with a wink before kissing me deeply. This girl is a fucking dream. Our kiss turns desperate, but I force myself to pull away before I take her right here and now. My little minx sends me a sultry grin as she disentangles herself from me.

I catch her by the wrist, squeezing it as we lock eyes. "Love you."

She quirks her lips. "Love you more."

"Never."

"Debatable."

"It's not."

She grins as she walks away, and I watch each step she takes. I bring my top lip between my teeth as I watch her ass sway side to side. The tight black jeans mold to each curve that I love to squeeze and bite. I shouldn't let her go, but I want her to enjoy her sisters. I can't keep her locked up with me all the time.

Even though I want nothing more than to do just that.

I exhale and then adjust myself as I shake my head. My love drives me insane to the point that I feel out of control. I groan inwardly as I push off the brick building and head the other direction so that no one will know I was copping a feel of the owner's granddaughter.

It isn't until I'm on the edge of the celebration that Alex steps into my path. I jerk back, surprised since I didn't see him. "Fucking hell, Cruz. What is your deal?" He eyes me, his brow perked as he stares at me. "What?"

"Is something going on with Clara?"

I pull in my brows, my heart kicking up. "What?"

His caramel eyes bore into mine, and I know he knows the truth. Fuck. "I saw you kissing her just a second ago."

My throat bobs as I swallow. I shrug. "She's a pretty girl," I admit, and then I smile. "But it was nothing. Just a wee drunken one-night-stand mistake. We thought something was there, but she realized it was wrong, just as I did. She works for me, and she's a baby."

The lie leaves my mouth so quickly, and I realize I am a bit drunker than I thought. I try to smile, but guilt washes over me almost instantly. I can't tell him the truth, though. I know he'll run his mouth, and I want to be the one to tell Dan myself. I don't want rumors starting. I don't want anything to ruin Louisa and Ciaran's wedding. It means too much to everyone.

"You hooked up with her?" he asks incredulously, and I shrug.

"Sure."

"When?"

"Over a month ago. It's no big deal. It meant nothing."

"You're right. She's a sweet girl. You're too rough and old for her."

I bristle at his words. "Old. Jeez, you're a real gobshite, ya know that?"

"I'm just saying."

"Fine, but she's an adult."

He doesn't like that, and even though he isn't her blood, I can tell he's protective. While I appreciate that, I'm the one who is supposed to protect her. She is mine. "I don't like it, Coach. As much as I want you to be happy, I know she's too sweet for you. You'll chew her up and spit her out."

I have to school my features because he's right—the me before Clara was like that, but now, that girl owns me, and I'd never hurt her.

"Which is why it was a stupid drunken mistake. Don't worry a bit about it, aye? All is well. She's safe. I don't want her. I'm going to go sober up," I say, smacking his chest and walking past him. I exhale heavily, his words shaking me to my core, but I know they're not true.

I would never hurt Clara.

Not when hurting her would lead to my demise.

But why do I have the feeling that I might have just done that?