Chapter 10: Chapter Ten

Riley

This is over. I’m done teaching you.

TRISTAN

I found myself staring at the text message on my phone, unsure of how to respond.

I didn’t want to end things. Hell, I’d just experienced the best kiss of my life, and I was certain she’d enjoyed it too.

Her response had said it all. I hadn’t meant to frighten her, but damn, I couldn’t help myself when I saw her at the party, wearing that little dress.

She looked incredible.

I’d been waiting for this for so long; I wasn’t ready to give up now. With a smirk, I tossed my phone aside, deciding to deal with Riley face-to-face tomorrow.

The next morning, I woke up around ten and decided to drop by her house.

My dad had come home yesterday for a visit, but I figured he was already back on his business trip.

I sighed and climbed out of bed.

“Good morning, Tristan.” Mrs. Waters, our housekeeper, greeted me with a warm smile as I walked into the kitchen.

She was like a second mom to us, always looking out for me and my little sister, Susan, who was sitting at the dining table, munching on her breakfast.

“Good morning, Mrs. Waters,” I returned the smile and pulled out a chair, playfully messing up Susan’s hair, which made her giggle.

“Did you talk to Dad last night?” I asked her, lifting her onto my lap. She was five years old, and I loved her more than anything.

“Yeah. He gave me a toy and said he’d take me out for ice cream, but I didn’t see him this morning.”

I gave her a reassuring smile. “That’s okay, sweetheart. Daddy has a lot of work to do. He’ll be back soon,” I explained. She nodded, understanding.

“I have to go out to meet a friend now. When I come back, if Mrs. Waters tells me you’ve been a good girl, we’ll go get some ice cream, okay?” I smiled down at her.

She clapped her hands in excitement. “Okay, Tristan,” she replied, wrapping her arms around me.

I chuckled at her cute pronunciation of my name, then kissed her forehead and stood up.

“I should be back soon, Mrs. Waters. You can leave for the day once I’m home.”

“Nonsense, I’d be happy to look after this little munchkin all day,” she replied, giving Susan a fond look.

“Okay, then. Take care, both of you,” I grinned at them and headed upstairs to shower.

***

I took a deep breath and stepped out of my car, clutching my textbooks.

~I hope her dad doesn’t kill me.~ His car was parked outside the house.

I walked up to her door and rang the bell. I heard some movement before the door opened, revealing a middle-aged man with the same brown eyes as his daughter.

His hair was a mix of gray and black, and he greeted me with a warm smile.

“Good morning, Mr. Adams,” I said. “I’m Tristan Harris. I go to the same school as your daughter.”

He nodded, and I continued, “I believe she mentioned the tutoring job? She’s supposed to help me with math today.” I explained confidently.

Recognition dawned on him.

“Oh, that’s right. You’re the guy she’s tutoring. Please, come in.” He opened the door wider to let me in, and I stepped inside.

The house was smaller and cozier compared to mine but had a charming feel to it.

Riley was nowhere in sight. I noticed a staircase in one corner of the living room, which I assumed led to her room.

“I’m getting a soda. Can I get you something to drink?” Mr. Adams asked. I shook my head.

“So how good is my daughter at tutoring? Is she helping you understand the material?” he asked from the kitchen.

“She’s really good, Mr. Adams. I find her explanations easy to follow. In fact, I have a test tomorrow. That’s why I’m here with my books.”

I smiled at him as he reappeared in the living room, holding a can of soda.

“That’s good to hear, but she’s been holed up in her room since last night. You can go up and see her.”

He pointed toward the stairs, then settled down on the couch, “And please tell her to come down and eat something. I tried my best to convince her,” he added.

I started toward the stairs.

“Sure, Mr. Adams.” I nodded as I ascended the steps.

Once I reached her room, I raised my hand to knock. But feeling a bit mischievous, I decided to open the door without warning, hoping to catch her off guard.

The sight that greeted me took my breath away.

Riley was sprawled out on her bed, a face mask on, eyes closed.

She was wearing nothing but a black tank top and short white shorts, revealing the sexy legs she usually hid beneath baggy clothes.

Blood rushed to my groin. I swallowed hard, trying to keep my arousal in check.

“Dad, I told you I’m not hungry,” she groaned, sitting up on her bed with her eyes still closed.

I smirked, closing the door behind me, then leaned against the wall, hands in my pockets.

“I must say, this is quite a view, Adams,” I said.

Her eyes snapped open immediately.

“Oh my god! Tristan!” She quickly pulled the sheets up to cover herself.

“Ever heard of privacy!?” she exclaimed, jumping up from the bed. She dashed toward her bathroom, while I burst into laughter.

I walked further into her room, letting my eyes wander.

The walls were painted blue, and there was a bookshelf filled with books next to her bed. The wall opposite her bed was covered with pictures.

“What the hell are you doing here? Ever heard of ‘knocking’?” Riley emerged from the bathroom, hands on her hips.

Her face was freshly scrubbed from a mask, and her hair was thrown up in a haphazard bun, a few loose strands framing her face.

“I figured your text deserved a face-to-face response. Plus, I’ve got a test tomorrow,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant.

I set my notebooks down on her desk, my gaze wandering over her body without any pretense. She crossed her arms over her chest, which only served to accentuate her cleavage.

“Did my dad let you in? What’s happening?” she asked, her nostrils flaring with irritation.

“Yeah, he did. He also told me to make sure you eat.” I was fighting back a grin.

“I’m not hungry, and I’m sure you can handle the test tomorrow with what I’ve taught you so far,” she retorted, avoiding my eyes.

“And the text? Was it about the kiss?” I asked, taking a step closer.

She stiffened immediately. “This isn’t right, Tristan. I don’t know why or how it happened, but this wasn’t part of our agreement and I don’t want to be just another notch on your bedpost,” she blurted out.

I frowned. Was that what she really thought of me?

“Riley, you’re not just another girl to me. I kissed you because I wanted to, and believe me, it was the best kiss of my life.”

I held her gaze. “But if you didn’t like it, I won’t touch you again.”

She swallowed hard. “You kissed me because I was all dolled up and looking nice. I thought you hated me, Tristan. I don’t understand any of this.”

She sighed, rubbing her forehead, and I moved closer to her. Her floral scent filled my nostrils, and I felt my control slipping.

“I would have kissed you even if you were in your everyday clothes,” I said, meaning every word. I reached out to touch her cheek, which was now flushed.

She licked her lips, her gaze fixed on the floor.

“Look at me.” I tilted her chin up and she met my eyes, “Did I make you uncomfortable last night?” I asked.

I was scared her answer would be yes, but she surprised me by wrapping her arms around my neck and pressing her lips to mine.

~Damn, she’s full of surprises.~

I kissed her back, my arms encircling her waist, and I moved forward.

The foot of her bed stopped us from going any further, so I sat down, pulling her onto my lap, her legs wrapped around my waist as I deepened the kiss.

I ran my hands over her bare thighs, soft as silk. She threaded her fingers through my hair, igniting a wild desire in me.

God, she was driving me crazy.

“Riley, I don’t think I can hold back,” I groaned as she continued to grind against my now-hard cock.

“Then don’t,” she whispered against my lips.

I growled in response. My grip on her waist tightened, while my other hand moved to her breast and squeezed, eliciting a moan from her.

“I’ve been trying to reach you all morning, babe. Where the hell is your phone—” Lucy’s voice cut through the room just before she barged in.

We both froze in shock.

“What on earth is going on here?” Lucy’s jaw dropped, her eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets.

~Great timing, Lucy!~