The Games We Play Vol. 2 (Riley Grayson) by Elizabeth Nelson Page B

However long you need.” Darcy turned and walked back to the front of the restaurant, leaving the two love birds alone together.
    Riley lead Ali to the far wall where one of his paintings hung proudly. “This is one of your paintings?” Ali asked, impressed.
    Riley nodded. They both stood there silently for a minute without saying a word. Riley watched Ali intently as she studied the painting. Her face told him she liked what she saw.
    It was a bright and colorful pastel painting. There was this young man on a small bike with his feet kicked forward, racing along the boardwalk. The young man had a huge smile plastered to his face, and the beach grass was a vibrant green, the ocean a complementary bright blue. Between the colors and the man’s smile, it left observers with only one thing to do, smile with him and absorb that happiness.
    “So what do you think?” Riley squeezed Ali’s hand.
    “I love it.”
    “You do?” Riley knew people loved his work but he wanted to hear her break it down like she had last time they’d admired one of his paintings together. Back when she didn’t know he’d been the one to paint it.
    “Yeah. It reminds us to never stop being a child. Life doesn’t need to be so hard. It’s easy for us to forget that with all the bullshit we have to put up with daily. But in the end, even if we outgrow our old shoes, we should never outgrow the carefree spirit that every child has.”
    Riley loved listening to her talk about his work. He felt like she knew him so well. His smile grew with each word and she looked at him with pride when she finished explaining the painting.
    “Shall we,” he said, nodding to Darcy who could see them from the front.
    Riley offered his arm and Ali took it, the followed Darcy through the crowded restaurant and out onto the back deck. Per Riley’s request, the railing had been adorned with strands of white twinkly lights, and the massive cast iron fire pit had been lit. In the center of the deck sat a two person table dressed with only the finest china. A bottle of red wind waiting to be opened was in the center of the table. He wasn’t much of a wine drinker, but the owner had assured Riley this bottle would be a perfect pairing with the meal.
    “Oh wow,” Ali whispered, turning either way to get a full view of the deck. “This is breathtaking.” She spun around and smiled.
    Riley smiled with satisfaction. He loved it when he could impress a woman like this. It made it that much more satisfying knowing that Ali was the one he was impressing. He was in charge and controlling the night again. Exactly what he had hoped to do. He watched as Ali spun around, her skirt lifting above her knees, smiling. He smiled back, feeling great for where he was tonight.
    Darcy proceeded to the table, uncorked the wine bottle and poured each of them a glass. Riley pulled out a chair for Ali, waited until she was seated, and pushed her in. Then he leaned down so his mouth was right near her ear. “That’s exactly what I thought when I saw you tonight. Breathtaking.”
    He straightened and sat in his chair across from her, noticing the blush that had crept into her cheeks. Damn, she was sexy. And gorgeous. And smart and funny and . . . Goddammit, Riley, get a grip!
    “Your usual appetizer will be out shortly, Riley.” Darcy nodded, then left.
    “Your usual?” Ali asked with a faint, teasing smile. “You must come here an awful lot.”
    “Not nearly enough.” He laughed.
    It’s been far too long since I had someone worth bringing here , he thought to himself. He usually went somewhere more public as it offered him an easy out should he need it. But when planning tonight with Ali, he wanted to be as far away from everyone as he could get. He didn’t want any interruptions tonight, and had safely assumed there would be no need to alert Jackson to come bail him out.
    “So what is your usual appetizer?”
    “Bacon wrapped scallops.”
    Ali scrunched up her nose and made a