The Rivals - Dylan Allen Page 0,320

perfect.

Since he left my room, I’ve been swinging on a pendulum of indecision. I spent half the day thinking about how to make sure we don’t find ourselves alone again. The other half was spent hatching frantic schemes to ensure we did.

Which is crazy. Last night shouldn’t have happened.

It was so wrong. But I’m very attracted to him.

If I’m honest, my body isn’t the only part of me that’s responding to him.

There was something about the little boy who I found hiding in the back room of the bakery that summer. He was so sad and so brave. And the harrowing experience we shared the last time he came to the bakery re-shaped the trajectory of my life.

Last night, when he looked me in the eye and said, “See you tomorrow,” I saw it. The determination that filled the glittering depths of his eyes was the very same I saw in his expression right before he stabbed Weston in the back.

But, that’s the only thing about him that’s the same.

In every way, he’s a new person.

“Well at least you won’t be all alone when I leave tomorrow.”

I turn to her, my expression pleading. “Can’t you stay a few more days?”

She purses her lips and shakes her head. “I gotta be at work on Tuesday. But I’m sure he’ll be happy to keep you company,” She tips her head to the side where I know he’s sitting.

“I’ll be fine. I brought a book.”

She laughs. “You know what? He looks like the guy from A Fault in our Stars, but ten years older because of the facial hair.”

“He doesn’t look anything like that kid. He looks like… James Norton.”

“Who?”

“The hot priest in Grantchester,” I explain, knowing that she’ll get it then.

“Oh my God, you’re right. I was gonna say no because Grantchester is blonder and not as bootylicious, but yes…I see it and definitely that mouth….”

“Ugh, stop drooling over him,” I elbow her.

“Why? You said you’re done with him, right? Why do I have to play nice just because you can’t? And if he’s into older women--"

“Shut up, okay? I’m not that much older than him.” The words ring true. Eight years might have been a big deal back then, but now, there’s nothing to indicate the difference between his age and mine is anything but a number.

The way he touched me wasn’t the way a man without experience would. He can’t be older than 28 or 29. But from the way he looks and how sexually relaxed he seems to be, he’s more experienced than I am.

I didn’t know sex could be like that. I wish I could enjoy just one more night. But I’ve played with fire. So far, I’ve gotten away unscathed. I shouldn’t take any more chances. This can’t be a simple affair we just walked away from when we were done.

He’s Tyson’s friend and his brother, Hayes Rivers, is a friend and business partner of Marcel and Remi’s. Hayes is getting married soon and Marcel is flying from Paris so we can go together. What will happen when I see him there? Just picturing it makes my stomach queasy.

“Oh shit, he’s coming over,” Matty says in a low voice.

My stomach drops, but I straighten my shoulders and take a deep fortifying breath when he slides into the seat on the other side of me. I smell the same verbena, coconut, and clean I did last night. I squeeze my thighs together to ease the ache blooming there.

“Hello Goddess,” his voice rumbles low and hot in my ear. Just like that, I’m wet. Annoyed at how traitorous my body is, I stiffen.

“Don’t call me that.” I keep my eyes on the bar.

“Hellooo,” Matty reaches across me to wave enthusiastically at him.

His smile brightens. “Hi. Matty, right? Stone.” he reaches over to take her hand.

“Ah, you have a good memory,” she coos. I ignore the small flare of irrational jealousy when their hands touch. I sip my drink and the cold and spicy effervescence settle my bubbling nerves and cool my overheating head.

I feel his eyes on me and I dart a dark glance at him without turning my head.

“Hasn’t anyone told you it’s rude to stare?” I say and take another sip of my drink.

“Yes, but I can’t seem to help myself when it comes to you.”

“That’s not a huge endorsement for your self-control then. You should try harder.”

“I’d like to try doing obscene things to your mouth and pussy with my hard dick instead,” he whispers. A