Touch by Touch (Riggins Brothers #4) - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,44
my last chance to be in his arms. It’s an opportunity I know I should pass, but I just can’t.
With a nod, I scoot back in my chair and stand. He offers me his hand to lead me to the dance floor, and I take it. I crave his touch, and the realization that this could be the last time I ever experience it has hot tears pricking the back of my eyes. Swallowing hard, I smile at him as he settles his hands on my hips and pulls me into his embrace. Sawyer and Royce, Owen and Layla, Grant and Aurora, and Lena and Stanley are already dancing.
My eyes scan the room to find Marshall and my mom joining us on the dance floor while my father tosses a laughing Carter into the air over and over. He’s going to be a wonderful grandpa. Sadness washes over me. Will I ever find true love? Will I ever be able to give them grandkids?
“Hey.” Conrad places his index finger under my chin and assists me with lifting my chin so we are looking eye to eye. “What’s going through that pretty head of yours?”
“Nothing. I’m fine.”
“Aspen, baby, you can talk to me.”
I want to. I want more than anything to tell him that in a matter of a few days, he’s made me fall for him, but I don’t. “I’m good,” I assure him.
“I missed you yesterday and today. I feel like I’ve barely gotten to see you.”
“It’s been a busy few days.”
“I’ll be glad when we get home and can spend some more time together.”
“Conrad—” I start just as the song changes. Brantley Gilbert’s “Let it Ride” flows through the speakers, and I give him an accusing glare.
“I might have had something to do with the song selection,” he confesses. I didn’t think it was possible, but he pulls me closer, holding me tighter. “This is our song,” he says as he proceeds to sing the lyrics low, his lips next to my ear.
I feel the meaning. It’s us, and we both know it. We are most definitely caught up in the moment, and just as Brantley suggests, we’re letting it ride. I feel myself start to get choked up. I really like him. No, it’s more than that. I care about him, and the thought of not having more moments like this is enough to cause an ache inside of me that I’m not sure will ever be cured.
“Let me show you, Aspen. Let me show you how great we will be together.”
“Conrad, you’re caught up in the moment. You’re blinded by the events of the past week.”
“No. I’m blinded by your beauty. I’m blinded by how perfect you fit in my arms. I’m caught up in your hazel eyes and the feel of your skin against mine. I’m lost in the fact that all I want to do is touch you. I don’t care if it’s holding your hand, sitting with my hand on your lap at dinner, spinning you around on the dance floor, or making love to you. I crave you and your touch.”
“Con—” My voice cracks, and I feel his lips press against my temple. I’m very aware that our families are in the same room with us and could see him kissing me. They can see him holding me as if I’m his. I pull out of his arms and stare up at him. “I can’t do this.” Turning, I walk out of the living room and close myself into the bathroom at the end of the hall. Tears well in my eyes.
I want so badly to believe him. I want to believe that our circumstances are not what’s fueling his confessions, but I know better. Or do I? Can someone really change just like that? Is it possible that everything he says is true? Looking at myself in the mirror, I say a silent prayer that the universe leads us back together. Only time will tell how serious he is. I vow to keep an open mind. When we get home, we’ll see if he changes his mind.
Opening the door, I find Marshall leaning against the wall. “You good?”
“Y-Yes,” I stammer.
He throws his arm over my shoulders and leads me back out to the living room. “I know my brother can be an ass, and take it from a man who’s already watched three of them fall ass over head in love. He’s into you.”