Chapter 19

A/N: In case you didn't check my CatMint5's Sunday News – I had some computer problems last week. I'm now working on a borrowed laptop though, so I'll keep writing even though my own laptop is for repairs. Also, this is the first of two WATA uploads this week and TGJWTHF will also have be updated.

PS: THANK YOU to everyone who came up with questions for the boys! I'm still accepting questions, so ask away!

Now back to the Rhys &Riley and thanks for being patient with me ❤

*****

Riley opened the apartment door and we walked right into a kitchen/living room combo. The moment we stepped in, my nostrils flared. There was so much of Riley's scent in here!

I could sniff that even in my human form.

It was only natural; after all, he spent most of his time here. But was this place safe?

I turned around and examined the door.

It wasn't anything massive. In fact, one push and a shifter could easily break in.

And the hinges?

Not screechy... At all.

Usually, that was a good thing, but not in this case. Riley lived alone; I'd rather them screech as Banshees so my mate would hear if someone wanted to sneak in. He could then lock himself in his bedroom – it had to be behind one of the two doors to the side – and call me or the police.

I should figure out a way to make the hinges noisy, I thought. Let's hope that at least his window is more secure.

"Erm, Rhys... What are you doing?" My mate asked, following me to my new location of interest.

"I want to see how easy it is to access your apartment." I opened the window and looked outside. "The fire escape is an apartment away... Not helpful if a fire breaks out, but good as they won't be able to climb in from here." I mumbled to myself and turned towards Riley... who looked absolutely horrified.

It took me a moment to realize what was causing him to slowly back towards the hallway – me. In my attempt to see whether his place was secure, I'd freaked the life out of him.

"Oh, Hell! I'm sorry, Riley." I moved as far away from him as I could to give him his space. "It was an instinct," I tried to explain, ignoring the pain in my back as I pressed it firmly against the wall. "With all that's happened lately, I wanted to check how secure your apartment was. Not that an alarm system and locked doors helped those poor people," I couldn't help but add. Scaring my mate even further was the second last thing I wanted to do right now, the first being lulling him into a false sense of security. There was danger out there; I didn't want Riley to jump at every little sound or sudden movement, but he had to be vigilant of his surroundings.

My heart pained as couldn't protect him... At least not yet. If only he'd move in with me... He'd still have to go to work, but at least I'd be with him at night.

And he'd have the protection of the pack.

Riley stopped distancing himself from me. When guilt showed up on his beautiful face, I had to remind myself that I should give him time to relax and thus I must stay put instead of running towards him to embrace him.

"Do you want juice?" He offered to cut the silence. "It's the only drink I have in here."

"I don't suppose it's tart cherry juice; that's my favorite." I decided to share this little bit about my culinary preferences and he smiled. I did the same when he replied:

"Mine too."

I followed Riley into the part of the room that he used for a kitchen and he handed me a glass of cold, refreshing juice.

"We seem to have more in common than I thought before," he said to my delight.

"When was that?" I sat on one of three chairs that were placed around a tiny table.

"The night we met." He took the seat opposite mine. "I was horrified by you back then," he admitted and the smile fell from my face. He hurried to add: "Not so much by you individually, but by all of you. By Alec, mostly."

I'd barely lifted my glass, but I placed it back on the table and snuggled his hands in between mine.

"That is exactly what I do my best to avoid. I don't want to hurt you, Riley Rivers, and I hope I never do. I'll try my hardest not to."

His gaze was a mixture of sadness and determination.

"I trusted the wrong people in the past, Rhys." His left arm twitched. "I've grown more cautious than I used to be."

Cautious was a double-edged sword. A part of me rejoiced that he was careful, that he wouldn't let just about anyone near him, but another part realized that it made us bonding together harder. And then there was the thought - the terrifying and painful, heart-clenching thought - that Riley had to have gone through hardship to be the way he was now.

Had it happened when he'd been homeless?

The streets were a tough place, especially for a youngster.

I held my breath, waiting for his next words.

"But I trust you don't want to harm me even though I don't really understand you," he went on. "You... You still have to tell me more about who you are as a person and as a part of your society. I need to know more, Rhys; I can't be with you, if you hide things from me."

Some would consider this an ultimatum, I thought it was fair.

"I agree: you should know." I nodded. "I just don't want to rush things." I slowly let out the air from my lungs. "Which is why my proposal might... no, will sound out of place, but I..."

I had to ask him. It was strange when it was I who insisted on taking baby steps in our relationship, but what better way was there for Riley to get to know me?

To get to know us?

"Are you okay?" His eyes narrowed slightly and he leaned forward.

"Would you like to visit our society and maybe have dinner with my parents?" My voice trembled. Not giving him time for a reply, I added: "You don't have to, of course; I'd understand if you think it is too soon. And you'll be right; it is too soon. But I told my parents about you and they wanted me to bring you over. Not surprising, given my history of dating... Well, the lack of it..."

I babbled on until he interrupted:

"Lack off? You mean you've only hooked up until now?"

I let go of him, my back colliding with the back of the chair. Clearing my throat, I shared something I prayed he wouldn't hold against me, the source of my insecurity when he was around:

"Haven't done that either."

I waited for him to speak, but he just looked confused.

"Riley."

His eyes moved from the empty space over my shoulder and to my face.

"No dating, no hook ups of any kind. The kiss you and I shared in front of your building? That was my first kiss. Ever."

He stared at my reddened face, blinking a few times before asking:

"How come?"

"I was waiting for the right person."

"Oh, God..." He looked shocked and for a moment I panicked that he would indeed hold my lack of sexual experience against me.

"I stole your first kiss. You weren't ready for it, you wanted to kiss me on the cheek, and I forced you to do more."

Now it was his voice that came out shaky.

"No, no, you didn't, Riley, you didn't." I reached for his hands, but he pulled them away.

"It's supposed to be romantic, Rhys, and I forced you..." His voice was almost a sob and my eyes watered at how much this had affected him. It was touching how upset he was because he thought he'd ruined my first kiss for me; it was also silly. Even if our first kiss had been just a peck on the lips, it would have been special for me. How could it not?

It would've been a kiss I'd shared with my mate.

"You didn't." My tone was firmer this time. "I've wanted to kiss you before, but I was scared it was too soon and that it would drive you away," I admitted, getting up and taking the few steps necessary to stand before him. I grabbed his chin and lifted his face towards me before placing my lips over his.

"I want to do this again, and again, and again, Riley." I kissed him after each word. On the second one, he began to move his mouth against mine.

"And I don't want you to feel like you stole my first kiss; it was meant for you anyway."

I straightened and glided my hand over his cheek. He closed his eyes and smiled under my caress. He stayed like this for maybe half a minute and then his eyebrows furrowed and his beautiful eyes gazed at mine.

"Rhys, so you've never... You've never... done it?"

"No, I've never slept with anyone," I confirmed what he should've already gotten from what I'd told him. How could have I been with anyone without kissing them? "Would that be a problem for you?"

He placed his hand over mine.

"No. And I promise I'll try to slow down; we'll do it when you are comfortable. Just tell me if I come on too strong. You promise?"

I almost laughed.

Riley coming on too strong?

It was the intensity of my libido when he was around me that we should worry about. My desire for him and the dread that I might shift because of it. Why on Earth was it so hard to keep the wolf at bay when I wanted to get physical with my mate?

That form would only get in the way, so why did the wolf insist it came out when we kissed?

Why did strong emotions make the animal want to take over?

It was one of the many mysteries of our kind and even though there were some theories on the matter, no one knew for sure.

"Yeah, I promise."

"Good." He got up and wrapped his arms around my neck. "But kisses are okay, right?"

"Yeah." I moistened my lips.

Kisses were safe now that I was calmer and we both knew not to go too far.

"Kisses are more than okay."

*****

A/N: Any theories why Rhys' wolf wants out when the human part gets all emotional?

How do you think Rhys' family is going to react to the news that Riley will be visiting?

What do you think of this chapter?

Please support it with a VOTE if you enjoyed it and have a great time wattpading!

Don't forget to ask Rhys and/or Riley about whatever you want to know about them!