Best Of My Love (Home to Green Valley Book 4) by Virna Depaul Page B

yawning for effect, rubbing his hands through his hair. “I think I’ll call it a night, if neither of you is opposed.”
    “Go on, then,” Sean said. “I’ll handle things here. And then I’ll be getting home to dream about my girl. Love of my life, even though she doesn’t know it yet,” he said loudly, loudly enough that the girls heard him, got his message and pouted prettily, before turning away and heading toward their table.
    Sean looked at him and winked.
    And at that moment, Riley knew that Sean knew about Erica.
    As if truly reading his mind through twin power, Sean said, “Is she the love of your life?”
    Riley simply said, “I don’t know. But I’m gonna find out.”
     
    * * *
     
    An hour later, Riley and Erica lay tangled together in what was left of Erica’s bed. Sheets, pillows, blankets—everything was spread around, having been knocked off the bed in the heat of the moment.
    “I didn’t expect that tonight,” Erica breathed, gasping for air.
    “You should know better by now,” Riley chided her.
    “Better than what?”
    “Better than to think I could leave you alone for an entire night.” He sat up, stretching, then looked down at her. Even in the state she was in—hair a tangled mess, mascara smudged, skin flushed and sweaty—she looked like a goddess.
    “Careful, now. I got rid of the last guy who acted possessive with me.” She winked.
    Riley frowned. “Was he aggressive with you? Rude? If so, I’ll take him down in a heartbeat.”
    “Nobody’s asking you to take him down,” Erica murmured, stroking his back with the tips of her fingers. “I shouldn’t have brought him up. I’m sorry. It was a joke.”
    Riley sighed, but didn’t reply. Of course it was a joke. Since when didn’t he have a sense of humor? He would normally be the first person to laugh off something like that. Rob was ludicrous, no competition whatsoever. It was the way the mention of his name caused Riley’s blood to boil that concerned him.
    He stood up, gathering the various bits of bedding which had been strewn around the room, putting it all back onto the bed.
    “Are you leaving?” Erica asked, sitting up.
    “No, why?” He looked at her, cocking his head to the side. “Do you want me to go?”
    “Oh, no!” She blushed from head to toe. “No, not at all. I only assumed you would want to leave.”
    “Love, the first night we spent together, we spent the whole night. Yeah?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Why would I want to stop now when we don’t even have to keep our voices down. I’m looking forward to making you scream some more.”
    “True. But…is that the only reason you want to stay?” She bit her lip. “For sex, I mean?”
    Riley joined her on the bed. “Is that what’s bothering you? You don’t think I’m wanting to spend time with you for anything more than sex?”
    She shrugged, smoothed her hands over her hair to straighten it somewhat, then gathered a sheet around herself. She was still a little nervous around him, still a little embarrassed to go around naked in front of him. Why, he had no idea, seeing as how her tiny waist, full breasts and round ass were all he ever seemed to think about.
    “I like spending time with you,” he said. “Hell, I liked spending time with you before this all started. What else do you think the past year has been about? We already know we like each other. We get on well, we have lots to talk about. We feel the same way on plenty of things. We were already friends. And what we have now? It’s far more than just sex, Erica.” He took one of her hands in his, running his thumb over the backs of her knuckles.
    She beamed at him. “You’re far more than sex for me, too, Riley. But the sex is pretty nice.”
    He snorted. “Pretty nice?” He began tickling her, making her screech with laughter. Soon, they were kissing. And she was sighing.
    And he was holding back from telling her he loved her once again.
     
     

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