9. Riley

Chapter 9

Riley

The roads were too wet for a drive all the way into the city, but once the storm passed, Blake promised that he or his friends would take me to get my car. Until then, I didn’t have a lot to do.

Just a few days ago, there was nothing I wanted more in the world than to be inside a warm, dry house with a remote, a fridge full of food, and free access to do whatever I wanted. But now that I had it, I was bored. There were so many things I suddenly wanted to ask Blake.

And worse, he was about to tell me his big secret when he got called away.

My mood got darker and more somber while I sat on the couch with the TV muted. Nothing looked interesting, so I flipped aimlessly through the channels. The house was too big, too empty without Blake there. He just filled the space around me in a way that made everything more intimate.

And even though I’d barely met him, I missed him more than I’d ever missed anyone. Nothing made sense, but without him there, I just felt...off. And a little nauseous.

It had only been a few hours since Blake left for his shift, but it already felt like days. His work was important and he was saving lives, so I’d promised him and myself that I wouldn’t bother him. But now, I wasn’t sure I could keep that promise for much longer.

Just as I was about to give in to the temptation to call, my phone rang from where Blake had plugged it in. I still didn’t have my service turned on, so he must have connected it to the house wifi when I wasn’t paying attention. That was sweet.

I unlocked the screen and saw a message from Blake. Taking a thirty-second break and wanted to say hi. I miss you.

I smiled and felt better. Just knowing he was thinking of me made me feel less alone. I miss you too. Come home soon.

After hitting send, I tossed the phone down and sank deeper into the couch. I’d spent all day, every day alone, and now I couldn’t even handle a few hours. I was being ridiculous.

I should not feel like a piece of myself was missing.

My phone buzzed again and I picked it up, expecting a response from Blake. Instead, it was a video.

Blake’s face appeared on the screen, a little blurry as the camera was held at an odd angle. He was in his scrubs, standing in the break room. “Hey, sweetheart. Just wanted to send you a little something to make you smile.” He blew a kiss to me through the camera, his smile mischievous and warm. “I’ll be thinking of you.” He looked around the room and then whispered into the microphone. “And counting down until I can fill you with my knot again.”

Well, shit. I couldn’t help but laugh as a warmth spread in my chest. I still wanted Blake to come home immediately, but hearing his voice and seeing that familiar grin made the distance feel just a little bit smaller. Not to mention that I now had something to distract myself with.

I snapped a picture of my cock tenting the pajamas I put back on after breakfast and sent it to him. Thinking of you too.

He wrote back immediately. You’re lucky you’re cute. Take care of that if you want but save some for me.

I smiled to myself, feeling a familiar flutter in my stomach. It was funny how just a few words from Blake could turn my entire mood around.

As much as I wanted to take care of myself, I decided to save it all for my alpha and keep myself distracted in other ways. I started with his bookcase. There was no rhyme or reason to the way he had everything arranged. It was like he just put each book wherever it fit, and it was driving me crazy.

I pulled every book down, dusted the spines, then put them back according to size and color. I considered going alphabetical but that was just too haphazard. It would have looked just as disorganized as when I started.

It was dark by the time I was done, so I made a sandwich and then laid down on the couch to wait for my man.