The Beginning of Us (297 page)

"I guess that is a good thing, huh?"

"Yes Riley that is an amazing thing. I’m so sorry for being such a bitch to you last week. I feel as though I’ve missed an entire week with you because I’m so insecure about everything."

"I know that I’m not the first guy you have ever spent time with and I am so sorry you were hurt in the past. But I will tell you this Char. I like you, I like you a lot and I have no intension of hurting you like he did."

"I know you don't want to hurt me Riley and I hope you never do. I feel like I took a huge step forward this week spending time with Chloe and my mom. I was really able to open up about how I felt when my last relationship ended. I’ve been blaming myself for the past year and really what had happened was no fault of my own. Letting this all out and asking my mom and Chloe for help has given me a sense of closure I’ve been looking for. Now I won't say that I will be one hundred percent confident, but I am moving in the right direction."

"Char that is all I can ask, just give this a chance. Give us a chance and I will do whatever I can to make you happy."

She looks into my eyes with such a heated desire that I have to kiss her again.

I lean over to her and she meets me halfway. This time there is no reason to keep our mouths closed to start this kiss. We immediately meet as one and I slowly stroke her tongue with mine. It feels so natural to kiss Char; I can't get over how good I feel next to her. She is the one woman I’ve been looking for my entire life. I just hope I don't fuck this up.

Chapter 16

CHAR

Coming home from a long day of flying back from LA all I really wanted was to relax in my apartment and unwind from my fun filled week. But to my surprise my night was so much better; I had something waiting for me that I never would’ve expected.

Riley and I stayed up till about three talking about everything you can imagine. I now know his full name is Riley Paul Kincaid, his favorite color is green, his favorite food is pizza, and he loves to kiss me.

I’ve never been so content with kissing one man and after last night I don't know that I will ever want to kiss any other man again as long as I live.

Riley is aware of my past relationship with Marc; however, I did not go into all the details of how we broke up. I know that Derrick has mentioned how Marc was caught with another woman, but I didn’t feel he needed to know that it was my best friend Natalie I caught in our bedroom. Some details are just better left unsaid and I know that eventually it’s a topic of conversation we will need to uncover together.

I was just so happy that he was here with me, the last thing I felt like discussing was Marc and Natalie. Instead we talked about our favorite things, places we want to see, goals we have to achieve, and how much he enjoyed his first week at work.

By the time three o'clock rolled around I could barely keep my eyes open but I still did not want Riley to leave. I realized that he was taking things slow, but still took every opportunity to touch me and kiss me.

He was gentle and subtle with some of his kisses and with others he took my breath away. Everything I was learning about this man drew him to me. I did not want this night to end. I wanted to be with him and have him stay with me.

Riley agreed that he would stay over, but insisted that we wait to take this any further than our kisses for the night. I appreciated what he was doing and it just made me like him that much more.

I went into the bathroom to get ready for bed and told him I would meet him back in the bedroom. This was a scene that was all too familiar from a week ago, but this time I was not going to chicken out. I had real feelings for Riley and I was going to see where this relationship could go.

When I walked out of the bathroom Riley was standing waiting for me by the couch. From the look on his face I could tell he was a bit nervous.

"You okay Riley?" I said as I grabbed for his hand.

"Are you going to get me a pillow and blanket and ask me to sleep out here?" He asked with a fear in his eyes.

"Riley, I promised you that I would not do that to you again. I’m so sorry for making you feel this way. I want you here with me and want you in my bed next to me tonight. I know that we are going to take things slow, but that doesn't mean you have to sleep out here."

With that a huge smile came across his face and he entered the bathroom.

After a few minutes I heard the bathroom door close and Riley walked into the bedroom. He stood next to my bed and looked down at me. I was wearing a tee-shirt and shorts, but I did not think my intimate apparel was appropriate for tonight.

"Can I help you with something?" I asked.

"Well I am trying really hard to get in that bed with you, but I don't know if I can."

"Come on Riley, I’m wearing my worst costume PJ's so I’m sure I will not be causing any trouble tonight."

"Babe, you being in your bed and me lying next to you is all we need to cause some trouble."

"Then why don't you climb in and be on your best behavior."

"No promises babe."

Riley takes off his shirt and I leave out a loud gasp. He laughs and crawls over top of me to the other side of the bed. He pulls the covers over the top of us and asks me to turn down the table light.

As he scoots in closer to my body, I can feel every muscle in my own body tense up. This sleepover is not going to be intimate, but I just can't stop thinking about how Riley looked in that second without a shirt on his body.

Riley is a tall man, tone with a lean body. When the time comes that I am able to inspect that body I will need to know every detail of that tattoo that runs from his left bicep, across his chest, all the way over to his right bicep. He is hot as hell and right now he is all mine.

I rolled over and put my body flush against the front of his body. I can feel his chest against my tee-shirt and his arousal at my stomach.

I put my lips against his and give him the best good night kiss in the history of good night kisses. I slowly pull away and say good-night while placing a kiss on the tip of his nose. I turn back over and continue to spoon with him.

This was the best night of my life and I can already tell I am slowly falling for this man.

I begin to wake from my sweet slumber and before I open my eyes I am struck with the fear that last night was just a dream. In fact it exceeded any dream I’ve ever had.

And then I’m taken out of my daydream with the sound of my doorbell ringing.

RILEY

Char is easy to talk to and the best part is that she laughs at all my horrible jokes. We talked for hours and it feels like we have known each other for years. It amazes me how a simple conversation can teach us so much about who we are.

I learn that her full name is Charlotte Jayde Taylor, her favorite color is pink, her favorite food really is anything chocolate, and she loves to kiss me.

By the time we crawl into bed, I am trying my best to be a gentleman. I tell myself that tonight was not the night to make Char mine, I want to wait. After all she just got home from LA and I want to make sure she really knows this is what she wants.

While I spoon my body into Char's I can hear her breathing slow to a steady pace and I know that she has fallen asleep. I’m a happy man and I vow myself to make sure that every day she goes to bed happy because she is well taken care of by me, her friends, and her family.

When I woke this morning, I am so happy to see that Char is still by my side. Last night went better than I could have imagined and I believe we got to know one another a lot better in only a few hours.

Now that morning is upon us, I lie here listening and watching Char sleep. She is peacefully lying next to me and cannot help but smile at the thought that this amazing woman is now mine.

I quietly get out of bed and head to the bathroom. After I freshen up a bit I make my way out to the kitchen and prepare a cup of coffee for Char. She doesn’t have much in the kitchen because she was out all last week, so I figure after she wakes up I'll take her for something to eat.

And then the door bell rings.

Chapter 17

CHAR

"Oh shit!" That's the doorbell, my doorbell! Oh God, I’m freaking out just a little at the moment and a bit taken off guard. Where is Riley? Didn't he stay last night; I think he stayed the night. Oh my god is he still here? Who is ringing my doorbell?

I suddenly realize the panic is building as I continue to ramble crazy thoughts off in my mind. I can feel the moment of an anxiety attack settling in my bones and I’m not sure if it’s that I don't know if Riley is still here or because Riley is still here and there is someone RINGING my doorbell.

I hear a voice, Riley's voice and I’m broken away from any other thought that is rattling through my mind.

"Char? Can I come in?" Riley says through the slight opening in the bedroom door.

"Oh thank god Riley you're still here, yes come in." I reply in an overly anxious tone.

"Well as you may have already heard, someone is at your door. I didn't think it was appropriate for me to open it in my underwear." He says looking down at his boxer briefs.

I giggle as he scans himself and I can't seem to take my eyes off his fantastic body either. Mama Mia! Well this has taken all the panic away.

"Yea that is probably a good choice, but I still have no clue who could be here at 8:30 in the morning." I tell him while attempting to get out of bed.

"Oh here babe, I did have time to make you a cup of coffee." He hands me a steaming cup of coffee and kisses me on the forehead.

SWOON!

"Thanks Riley, how thoughtful of you." I say with a wink and a sweet smile.

"Why don't you get your ass dressed and I'll see who is here to visit us so early in the morning."

I quickly hop into the bathroom to splash water on my face and brush my teeth. I wonder out into my apartment hallway and make my way over to the door. I’m feeling a sense of nervousness because whoever is about to enter my apartment will know that Riley is here and spent the night. Oh Shit, cats out of the bag.

I look through the peep hole and see it’s only Derrick. Oh thank god, at least he won't judge me for having Riley as an overnight guest. But I do know that he will interrogate both Riley and I soon enough about what happened last night.

I open the door with one arm while holding onto my hot cup of coffee in the other.

"Oh wait you're not Publisher's Clearing House. Unless, you are. Where are all the balloons and my giant life-size check?" I say with a look of shock and disappointment.

"Morning Derrick. Why the hell are you here so early and why did you ring the bell? You have a key ya know." I ask while pointing my finger in his face.

"Well good morning to you too Charlie. I thought I would come over and see how your trip was and how well last night went with your surprise visitor." He tells me with a twitch in his left eye.

"Why Derrick thanks for the kind gesture. My trip to LA was great and as far as a surprise visitor, I don't know what you mean. What are you up to?" I reply while leading him into the apartment.

Riley walks out of my bedroom cool and confident as if he lives here and it’s a typical Sunday morning. He looks over at me, smiles, and follows my gaze to find Derrick watching his every move.

"Busted!" Derrick shouts.

"Ugh, whatever ass." I return in Derrick's direction.

"Hey man. Good morning." Riley says as he pats Derrick on the back in a bro-like welcome.

"Why do I feel like the odd-man out here?" I ask with a scowl on my face.

"Babe no one thinks you are odd, well at least I don't." Riley says as he swings his arm around my waist.

He pulls me in closer to him and nuzzles his head into my hair. As much as I love the attention he is giving me, it feels weird doing it right in front of Derrick.

"So I see last night went well?" Derrick says in questioning tone.

"Yea, I would say she was pretty surprised to see me at her door when she got home. Thank god she let me in." Riley says as he pulls me in closer and kisses me on the lips.

"Well I couldn't just let him stand out there; he looked so pitiful slouching next to the door."

"So you only let me in because I looked pitiful?" Riley says with a pout. The cutest pout I think I’ve ever seen.

I let out a giggle. "No, it was a lot more than just having pity on you. After all you did have bags filled with my favorite things."

"Well I can't take complete credit for everything. Derrick was the little birdie that gave me a few hints. But the wine...that was all me."

"You did great Riley and I was pleasantly surprised and grateful for last night. In fact it was one of the best..."

RILEY

While Char answers the door, I get myself dressed, pack up my bag, and make the bed.

I can hear Derrick's voice from back here in the bedroom and love the relationship that he and Char share.

She is someone special and I plan to hold on to her for quite some time. Knowing that she has other friends and family to keep her happy and safe is reassuring as well.