Chapter 32

CHAPTER 32

Clara

I jerk awake when I hear dry heaving.

At first, I assume it's one of the dogs, but when I look toward their beds, they're all sleeping soundly. I hear Riggs groan, and I can't help but giggle.

"Aw, poor Grandpa couldn't handle his liquor?"

He groans once more. "As soon as I'm done puking, your arse is mine."

His voice is so deep, gravelly, but not in a sexy way. Poor guy. I got home around eleven, but Riggs didn't get home till two. He stumbled in, drunk off his ass, and fell face first onto the bed. I was two seconds from yelling at him, until he gathered me in his arms, told me I was his world, and then promptly passed out. "I've heard that," I call to him as I cuddle deeper into the bed. "My ass was supposed to be full last night, but someone went drinking."

When he pukes, I snicker. "Have mercy on me, love. I'm dying."

My laughter echoes around the room as I watch him move from the toilet to the sink. I undressed him, which was a feat on its own, so he stands in only his tight black boxer briefs. His thick thighs are on display and begging to be licked. His stomach is tight and ripped, and knowing he's all mine is just downright euphoric. "I'm sure it was worth it."

He groans as he puts toothpaste on his toothbrush. "I don't think it was. I can't keep up with those boys."

I grin. "It's hard being a grandpa."

He sends me a dark look, and I just grin wider at him. He shakes his head as he continues to brush his teeth.

"Did you have fun, at least?" I ask, hoping he did.

He nods before spitting. "Yeah. Just feel like shit."

"There are aspirin and water beside the bed."

"I took them, thank you."

I watch as he spits again and then washes his face and beard. When he comes out of the bathroom in all his glory, my mouth goes dry. He makes me want to climb him like a tree and hump him. Since I know he's not feeling well, I refrain.

"Did you have fun?" He crawls into bed, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me to him so we're flush. He glides his hands along the backs of my thighs, up to my ass, before squeezing my bare cheeks.

I nod. "We did. It's crazy how nothing has changed between us, even though all of us are involved with someone and Eliza is married, Elliot is pregnant. It was nice to just be us five."

"I'm glad," he mutters against my temple. "Do you have anything to do today?"

"Not really. Ciaran hired people to set up, but I think he and Alex are going to go make the arch."

"Make the arch?"

"Yeah, they're making one out of all their favorite romance books that Lou and Ciaran love."

He smiles against my temple. "Ciaran is such a romantic."

I snort. "So are you when you're buzzed ," I tease, and he kisses my temple.

He moves his hand to the small of my back and draws circles along my spine. "I should be more romantic when I'm not buzzed, aye?"

"No," I say, gazing into his eyes. "If you do it all the time, I won't swoon when you do."

He quirks his lips. "I do love making you swoon."

I kiss his mouth, tasting the mint of his toothpaste as he devours my lips. He brings me in closer, his cock growing against my stomach. He pulls back first, which is surprising, until he grazes his lips over my top lip. His eyes bore into mine, his depths so dark and inviting. I want to fall into them, drown in all his chocolate glory. "Think you'd want to go on a day-trip with me?"

I eye him. "Are you up for that?"

He grins. "I threw up. I'll pound back some Gatorade and then eat some bacon. I'll be fine."

"Then, yes. Where are we going?"

"Nashville."

"For?"

"I have a storage space there, and I need to grab a few things."

I see a secret in his eyes, and I furrow my brows. "A few things?"

"Yeah, some of my parents' stuff."

My heart aches for him. "Sure, I'd love to."

He brushes his lips against mine. "Also, do you have a passport?"

I nod. "I do."

"Can I take you to Scotland?"

I giggle. "You know the answer, Riggs."

He smiles. "What about your business?"

"I have employees. They'll be fine, and Peepaw can keep the boys."

"I'm surprised he hasn't figured out you're here."

"I live in an apartment above the dog resort, and when he asks where I am, I say I'm at Lou's old place. But he's been so busy with the play-offs, I don't think he's noticed."

"Which is a win for me since you're in my bed."

"Well, you are a winner," I retort, grinning at him. His cheeks flush a bit as I twirl his beard with my fingers. "My hot hockey king."

His eyes flash with desire, and my heart skips a beat. "Before I ravish you, I need you to know, I want to introduce you to my parents." Once more, my heart aches for this beautiful man. "We have a plot of land in Scotland, a small little house I haven't visited in over two years. My parents are buried on our land, and I want to take you there."

Tears spring to my eyes. "I'd love that."

"When I said I had money, it's because of the land and an inheritance. Peppa tried to take half, but I was smart and made her sign a prenup before we got married." He searches my eyes. "So, if down the road, you want that baby we discussed, I promise I'll make it happen." A tear slips past without my realizing it, and he narrows his eyes. "Love, what have I told you about this crying? It kills me."

I nod, quickly wiping the tear away. "It's just, you say you're only romantic when you're buzzed, but Riggs, you blow me away at every turn."

He cups my jaw, running his thumb along my bottom lip. "I don't want you ever to question how much I love you."

"I don't," I whisper against his thumb. "I feel it."

He leans his forehead to mine, kissing my top lip. "I do too," he whispers. "I still have regrets about suggesting we wait till after the wedding. I'm ready to ruin the wedding if it means you'll be on my arm."

I grin, stroking his jaw. "As much as I want the same, Louisa deserves the best day ever."

He nods. "You're right."

"My peepaw is so unpredictable. He lost his shit when it came to Austen and Elliot with their guys, but then with Louisa and Eliza, he didn't get upset to the point of trying to ruin lives. I just want everything to go smoothly. We're good, no matter what. You know what I mean?"

"Yeah. I'm just gonna be in a state of pain the whole time, being so close but unable to touch you in that hot little number you're gonna be wearing."

I beam. "It's okay. I'm sure there are spots we can sneak off to."

"I'll find them for a wee second of your time."

He kisses me, and when he kisses me like that, all demanding need for me, I feel like I'm underwater. But I'm able to breathe as long as Riggs's lips are on mine. He traces his hands up my back, and I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him even closer. When we part, we're both breathless and heat burns in his eyes. "If we keep this up, we'll never leave this bed."

"Isn't that the plan?" I ask sweetly, and he shakes his head.

"Day-trip, remember?" I nod, and he smacks my ass playfully. "I'll ravish you tonight."

"Promise you won't get drunk, Grandpa?"

"The only drunk I'll be getting is off you, my love."

We share a grin before he kisses my nose and then starts to get up. I roll over to the other side and reach for my phone. I jerk back in surprise when I see thirteen missed calls from Elliot.

"Oh no," I gasp, hitting her contact. "Elliot has been calling. I put my phone on silent 'cause I didn't want to disturb you."

Riggs's brows pull together. "Shit. Hopefully she's not in labor."

My heart drops as the phone rings, and my sister's voice comes over the line. "Clara Drew, what the hell?"

"My bad. I had my phone on silent. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she snaps.

Perplexed, I ask, "Are you in labor?"

"No."

"Okay. Then what's going on?"

"I thought I knew what I wanted to say. But now that I hear your voice, I'm so fucking pissed, I can spit."

Her voice is hard, and when I glance at Riggs, even he looks confused. "What's wrong, El?"

"Is Riggs there?"

"Yes?"

"Put me on speakerphone."

I do as she asks, my face twisted in confusion as Riggs steps toward me. "Okay? You're on speaker."

"Riggs, I want you to know you're lucky I'm about to drop a baby, or I'd come over there and whoop your ass."

"Elliot!" I chide. "What the hell?"

Elliot's voice is like steel. "No, Clara. I want him to explain to me and to you why he had the audacity to tell Alex that my beautiful sister was a drunken mistake and that she meant nothing and that he doesn't want her."

I look up as Riggs's face goes a shade of white I've never seen. He holds up his hands, palms toward me. "I can explain."

"Please fucking do!" Elliot demands.

I shake my head and hang up on my sister as I lock eyes with Riggs. I don't want to believe this, but he just admitted to it. My heart pounds in my chest as I cross my arms, hugging myself. I knew this was too good to be true. I knew I wasn't destined for love, not when I'm not whole like other women. But even thinking that doesn't seem right. Not with how his eyes are pleading with mine, not with how my heart still screams for him.

No. I am worthy of love.

His love.

But he has some explaining to do.