“So how have you been?” Riley asked a few minutes later as she drove them through the darkened streets.
“Busy. I’m working from home now, and between studying and looking after Kelsey, I haven’t had much time to myself.”
“Well, tonight is all about you. Let’s make the most of it.”
“So where are we going?”
“My place.” Riley glanced at her. “And before you say anything, not for that. I was going to take you to a restaurant, but I really wanted to cook for you. And I don’t want to be constantly interrupted. I want the chance to talk with you, get to know you properly. We can’t do that if we’re surrounded by loads of people.”
“It sounds perfect.” Jennifer wouldn’t have minded going there for “that”. She couldn’t get the images of them together in bed out of her mind. If she got turned on just lying in Riley’s arms, God only knew how she would cope if, no, when they had sex. Putting the fantasy from her mind as best she could, she teased, “But can you cook?”
“You like cereal? I’m kidding. Yes, I can cook. And you know that from when I cooked for you after your appendix burst.”
“I was high on pain meds. You could have fed me cardboard and I would have enjoyed it.”
Before too long they pulled up outside Riley’s quaint house. Riley got out quickly and rushed to open the passenger-side door before Jennifer even had a chance to blink. She gallantly held out her hand for Jennifer to take, then led her up the walk to the front door.
As she stepped inside the lounge, Jennifer’s eyes went wide. “Oh my,” she said as she took in the room with a sweeping glance. Riley had strung up fairy lights of different colors around the walls, and soft classical music came from the stereo. The sofa had been pushed back against a wall and in its place a small table was set for two. Mismatched china and plastic wine glasses sat atop a deep red table cloth.
“This looks amazing.” She turned to look at Riley, whose hands were in her pockets, pink tinging her cheeks. “You did all this for me?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you.”
“I don’t entertain much, so I don’t have anything fancy to drink out of,” she said as she gestured to the plastic cups.
“It’s perfect.”
Riley pulled out a chair and bowed. “Please, take a seat, ma’am. Can I get you a glass of wine?”
“That would be lovely.”
She disappeared into the kitchen and came back with a bottle of red and a bottle of Stella.
“You’re not having wine?” Jennifer asked.
“Just a beer,” she said as she poured the ruby liquid into the plastic cup. “I have to take you home later.”
“That’s very responsible of you,” she said before taking a sip.
“I don’t know where you get this idea from that I’m reckless.” Riley sat across from her, sipping her own beer, worrying the label with her thumb. “Yes, I do like to go to the clubs, but I never drink and drive. I’ve had to recover too many smashed-up vehicles to do that.”
“I’m sorry. You’re right.” She reached across the table and placing her hand on Riley’s arm. “I do tend to think the worst of you, and I have no basis for that.”
“That’s what tonight is for: getting to know each other. Is steak and salad okay? I’ve also got chicken if you prefer.”
“Steak would be lovely. Medium rare.”
“Okay.” Riley stood from the table and headed back into the kitchen. After a few moments of listening to her bang pots and pans around, then the sound of the steaks sizzling, Jennifer went to join her, feeling self-conscious sitting in the lounge on her own. Well, that was what she told herself; she just wanted to be close to Riley.
Riley glanced up from chopping a tomato as Jennifer entered. “So how is our patient? Any more escape attempts in the last few days?”
“No, thank God. I don’t know if it’s just my imagination, but she doesn’t look well.”
Riley’s forehead creased. “I thought that too when she came by the garage the other day.”
Jennifer watched her hands as they deftly chopped the rest of the salad. The thought of those same hands on her body made her mouth water. She looked away, not wanting to let her libido go into overdrive. “Do you think the balloon is working?”
Riley shrugged. “I’m sure the doctors know what they’re doing. It’s just taken a lot out of her. It’s hard enough being pregnant, but with her pre-eclampsia as well…. It’s going to be a tough seven weeks until the baby is born.” She smiled. “She’ll be fine, don’t worry.”
“It’s hard not to worry. I’ve already lost my parents; I don’t want to lose her too.” The thought terrified her.
Riley captured her gaze. “Same here.” And yes, Riley did understand. Her mother had left and now her dad had passed. If anyone knew what Jennifer would be feeling it was Riley.
“Have you heard any more from your mother?” Jennifer asked.
“She’s left some voicemails on my mobile,” Riley said as she flipped the steaks over. “Not sure how she got my number, but I haven’t called her back. I don’t think I’m ready. And besides, I doubt I’ll believe what she says anyway.”
“You might change your mind, just give it time. You’ve believed in what your dad was saying for so long, it’s hard to rethink what he told you.”
“I don’t care what her excuse is, she shouldn’t have left me.” She lifted the pan from the heat. “At the very least she should have tried to see me.” Riley placed the steaks on a spare plate and carried that and the bowl of salad back into the lounge. They took their seats again.
“Here you go,” Riley said after she plated up the food at the table, passing one to Jennifer, loaded with salad and a juicy steak.
“This looks lovely. Thank you.”
They ate in silence for a few minutes, then Riley asked, “More wine?” as she picked up the bottle.
“Trying to get me drunk?”
She topped off the glass. “No. If anything happens between us, I want you to be fully aware and fully involved. No point doing it if you’re not gonna remember it.”
“Oh, I’m sure I’d remember it.”
Riley’s gaze was intense as she looked at Jennifer over the flickering candle, and heat rose to Jennifer’s cheeks. “Do you think about it?” she asked quietly.
“Every day since I brought my car to you.”
“Yeah, me too. I’m glad you decided to give me a chance.”
“Me too.”
They finished eating and Jennifer sat back in her chair, stuffed. “That was lovely, thank you.”
“I’ve got homemade cheesecake for dessert.”
“Sounds heavenly. Maybe later?”
“Okay. Do you want to sit on the sofa?”
“Sure. Let me help you clear the table.”
“No, it’s fine. Go sit down.”
Jennifer watched from the couch as Riley cleared the table, her thoughts running a mile a minute. She tried to imagine what would happen if Riley led her to the bedroom. Would she be able to go with her? Would she be ready to sleep with a woman for the first time? Watching Riley easily fold down the table and push it into the hall, her muscles flexing under her tight white shirt, Jennifer knew she would. Riley, now finished with her clearing up, joined her on the sofa. “So….”
“So…,” Jennifer repeated. “You seem really nervous.”
Riley’s leg bounced rapidly, and she was tapping her knee with her fingers. Looking everywhere but at Jennifer. Jennifer had never seen her so anxious before, and she was pleased she wasn’t the only one worried about tonight.
“I am. I’ve wanted to kiss you since you opened the door earlier,” she confessed.
“I wouldn’t have minded.”
Their gazes finally locked.
“Can I kiss you now?”
Jennifer wetted her lips. “Yes.”
Slowly, Riley’s face came toward her own, her pupils growing to block out all the colour of her irises. She lunged forward, banging their foreheads together.
“Ow.”
“Sorry.”
Riley moved closer again. This time she somehow managed to headbutt Jennifer’s nose.
“Ow,” Jennifer said again.
Riley threw her hands in the air, slumping back into the sofa. “I can’t believe I’m making a mess of … oomph.”
Jennifer lunged forward, taking Riley in a hot and passionate kiss. She didn’t know what had come over her, but seeing Riley sitting there, all dejected, she’d just reacted. And, boy, was she glad she had. Riley tasted amazing. She couldn’t get enough.
Without knowing how she’d managed it, Jennifer now sat astride Riley’s lap, Riley’s hands holding her waist, Jennifer’s hands messing up Riley’s hair as their kiss grew more urgent.
“Geez, Jenny. You’re driving me crazy,” she said in between kisses.
“Good crazy?”
“Oh yeah.”
Jennifer went back for more, not caring that her thighs were now bare as her dress had ridden up, and Riley’s hands had moved to cup her breasts. She moaned, undulating against Riley’s crotch.
A loud knocking on the door pulled them apart, both breathing hard.
“Who the hell is that? Sorry.” Riley moved out from under her, straightened up, and patting her hair back down.
“It’s okay. I need to catch my breath anyway. Phew.”
“You look so sexy.”
Jennifer’s dress was still up around her waist and she imagined she looked disheveled, not sexy. She couldn’t help but blush at the way Riley licked her lips.
“And there’s that blush I love. You’re so cute.”
“I’m thirty-two, too old to be cute.”
“Never.” She went to the door and Jennifer heard her say, “Yes? Can I help you?”
“Riley Blake?” It was a man’s voice. Jennifer stood, righted her dress, and peered around the corner.
“Yes. What do you want? I’m kinda busy.”
Oh, yeah, we were busy all right.
“My name is Richard Sanders. I’m your father.”
There was no mistaking that the tall, handsome man stood at the door was Riley’s father. They had the same eyes and the same-shaped face, except his was masculine while Riley’s was softer.
Riley hadn’t replied, so Jennifer stepped around the corner, holding out her hand. “Hello. My name is Jennifer Wilson, a friend of Riley’s.”
“Nice to meet you,” he said as he shook her hand.
Riley found her voice, asking, “What are you doing here?”
“Your mother said you weren’t taking her calls. I had to see you to explain a few things.”
“Well you can just leave. I have nothing to say to you.”
Riley tried to close the door, but Jennifer stopped her with a hand on her wrist. Riley might think she didn’t care about her parents, but Jennifer knew she was just hurting, that given time she would regret not listening to their explanation. She wasn’t about to allow Riley to throw away the chance at having a family again.
“Riley, can I have a word a moment?” Jennifer didn’t wait for her to reply; she grabbed her hand and pulled her into the lounge.
“What?” Riley seethed.
Jennifer refused to let Riley’s anger bother her. “I don’t want to get in the middle of your business, but I think you should give him a chance, listen to what he has to say. That way you’ll have all the information. You need to do this. For closure.”
“But we’re busy,” Riley pouted.
She knew exactly how she felt, but they were moving too fast “Yes, we were. But it’s okay. I should probably leave anyway. Things are getting rather heated and I don’t know if I can control myself around you.”
Riley lowered her chin to her chest, looking at Jennifer through her lashes. “That’s a good thing, right?”
“It’s a very good thing,” she assured. Jennifer kissed her quickly on the lips, then stepped back, not trusting herself not to slam the front door and drag Riley off to bed.
“I’ll take you home and he can wait until I get back.”
“No, I’ll call an Uber.”
“No—”
“It’s fine. Stay, talk to your father.”
“He’s not my father,” Riley ground out through clenched teeth.
“Call me tomorrow, or drop by the house.”
Riley’s shoulders slumped in defeat. “Okay.”
Jennifer kissed her again, hard and fast, giving herself more material to fantasize about in bed later tonight, probably with her hand between her legs. “Goodnight, Riley.”
“Goodnight, Jenny. I had a really nice time.”
“Me too.”
They headed to the front door to where Richard still stood, gently rocking on his heels. “Mr. Sanders, pleasure to meet you.”
“You too,” he replied.
Jennifer looked back to Riley, hoping she was doing the right thing. “Call me, okay?”
Riley nodded, glaring at Richard. “I will.”
Once outside in the cool evening air, she opened her Uber app and booked the car to collect her a short walk from Riley’s house. She needed time to clear her head, and her arousal, before she got home to Kelsey, and the grilling her sister was sure to give her.
It had been an amazing evening. She couldn’t believe how she had lost control and kissed Riley the way she had. She was wet, very wet, something she had never been before with the guys she had slept with. Riley should come with a warning label: Hazardous to Your Underwear. Jennifer knew the next time she saw her, they would probably make love. She wanted it and so did Riley. That, she was positive of.