Page 24 of Riding the Line (Willow Ridge #2)
Cherry
A shift of solid warmth behind me wakes me up. I keep my heavy eyes closed, hoping to block out the sunlight for a little longer. Luxuriating in the toasty warmth of the sheets, I snuggle myself further into them.
It’s then that I realise I’m not alone.
Because my attempt to shuffle about is stifled by two weighty arms folded around me, clinging onto the curves of my waist like there’s no tomorrow.
Like they’re the glue holding all my broken pieces together.
The scorching heat encompassing me, reminding me that I’m tucked up and safe from any of the previous night’s distress, is actually radiating off Duke’s broad, long body.
His T-shirt I borrowed to sleep in has ridden up in the night, and now his hands are branding my bare skin.
It also means that my ass is pressed against his crotch. The feel of something hard against my ass cheeks only makes me swallow and my breath shudder.
Inch by inch, my body wakes up further, triggered by every point of contact with Duke.
His soft, rhythmic breaths against my neck filter through my hair, leaving goosebumps across my chest. One thigh has slipped between my legs, as if providing my tired body with support, alongside reminding me torturously of that time his solid thigh propped me up at the roller rink. How badly I wanted to grind against it.
My skin tingles, body coming alive under his touch. Sometimes all it needs is a glance from him, and I’m lit up like a thousand fireflies.
And last night made me far too aware of such.
That I’m here, chasing highs and trying to feel as alive and wild as possible, when all I need to do to experience that is be in Duke’s quiet presence – whether we’re having silly debates whilst closing up the bar, or watching the sunset from the top of a Ferris wheel, hand in hand, or just stargazing from the comfort of a truck bed.
Even when I was spiralling into hopelessness last night, frightened and frustrated, all it took to lift me up was hearing his voice.
I’ve got you, Baby Hensley.
It’s what makes me stop and relish this moment. It’s not like I haven’t dreamed of this before – waking up to the quiet of the morning, wrapped in Duke’s arms.
He must have accidentally fallen asleep after talking with me last night. I probably should move but I can just imagine the panicked look on his face when he wakes up and sees what’s happening right now.
Besides, I don’t want him to let go just yet.
Because right now, it’s like Duke’s arms create this forcefield around me, all the thoughts swarming my mind instantly quietened in his presence.
I know it’s going to take a while to process and deal with what happened last night with Levi, but here in Duke’s arms, I’m certain I could take on the world.
For the first time last night, I could’ve sworn I saw the same fight in his eyes that I recognise in myself when I’m around him, trying not to let my true feelings slip out—
Duke suddenly lets out a groan, one that sounds like he’s still half asleep, suspended in that lazy morning bliss. It makes me wonder if he’d make the same noises if I pushed my ass back against his hard length.
But then I go instantly rigid when he nuzzles his face into the crook of my neck, squeezing me tighter and trying to tuck his hands around me further.
My tenseness lasts barely more than a second when he inhales deeply, as if he’s trying to drown himself in the scent of me.
Instead, I melt into a goddamn puddle. Especially when he lets out another groan.
Like he’s addicted to breathing me in and finally got another dose.
God, this might be the best feeling in the world.
Except I’m proven wrong a second later when Duke tugs me in closer and sleepily grinds his erection against me, this time the groan that rumbles out borders on a growl.
I can feel every steel-hard inch of his length, as well as the molten desire beginning to puddle in my core. He must be having a wild dream.
Now this is the best feeling in the world.
Heat licks up my spine as Duke refuses to let me go, keeping my ass pressed against his hardness, making my mind wander down too many filthy roads.
Like how all he’d have to do is pull down his sweatpants, push my panties to the side, and slide straight in because I already know I’m soaking wet for him.
Because that’s how quickly my body is trained now to respond to thoughts about Duke Bennett.
He wouldn’t even need to feel guilty about fucking me if I stayed facing away from him, we could just pretend I was someone else.
Although, in all honesty, I’m slightly concerned whether the wetness pooling between my thighs would even be enough, because based on the hard length crushed against my ass, I’m not sure if something that large would even fit inside of me.
Fuck, I have to press my thighs together to try get a hold of myself—
Duke jolts behind me because I’ve just gone and squeezed his leg between mine like a vice. A frustratingly horny vice.
Just like that, Duke seizes up, the sound of his sharp inhale echoing through the room.
I keep my body heavy and limp, my breaths even and laboured, as if I’m still deep in slumber and try not to react as Duke gently eases his arms out from around me, clearly attempting not to wake me.
His leg slips from between mine and I’m suddenly aching to be encompassed by his warmth when his body finally slides away.
He shuffles behind me, and the rasp of his hands over his stubble fills the silent bedroom.
I wait, expecting him to flee from the scene.
Yet, he doesn’t. I almost sense a strange heaviness on the back of my head, like that feeling you get that someone’s staring at you.
Now could be a good time to pretend to wake up. It would be less awkward. We could just laugh about him falling asleep beside me and—
The mattress dips and Duke leans in towards me.
It takes every ounce of my self-control not to move when his fingers brush the shell of my ear, tucking my hair behind it.
A soft sigh leaves his lips, and I fight back the whimper that wants to escape.
Even more when Duke presses a light kiss to my head before hopping off the bed.
And once I hear the bedroom door close behind him as he leaves, I lie here, smiling silly and basking in the glorious realisation that Duke Bennett might be struggling to ride the line he’s drawn between us as much as me.
After crawling out of bed to grab my purse and quickly apply some concealer and mascara, silently sending a thank you to last night’s Cherry for putting makeup in my purse in case I needed to touch up my face in the club, I finally psych myself up enough to head out of the bedroom.
The smell of waffles immediately hits me and I stop short at the heart-warming – and panty-melting – sight of Duke making breakfast. He’s wearing those grey sweatpants still, which, even though he’s clearly not hard right now, I can still see the outline of every single inch that was pressed up against me earlier.
I suppress a full-body shiver at the memory, heat coursing straight between my thighs again.
‘Morning,’ I squeak out, tugging on the hem of Duke’s T-shirt that I’m still wearing as I take slow steps towards him.
Duke’s head shoots up, making him pause from where he was cutting up strawberries, and his eyes instantly fall to my bare legs.
Like they’re naturally drawn to where I’m exposed, even if his strained features suggest he’s fighting it.
He takes a long blink, before meeting my gaze and he clears his throat. ‘Morning. How did you sleep?’
‘Better than I expected, thanks.’ I settle onto one of the stools at the breakfast bar.
It gives me a chance to fully take in what Duke has been whipping together – freshly made waffles, chocolate spread, and an assortment of berries.
My mouth was already salivating from Duke in his sweatpants, but now it’s working overtime.
‘This looks amazing. You didn’t have to do all of this. ’
Duke scrapes the strawberries he was cutting into a bowl and gives a nonchalant shrug. ‘I didn’t think you’d be too pleased with cold pizza for breakfast, which was the only other option.’
‘You underestimate me,’ I jest, popping a slice of strawberry straight into my mouth. ‘Cold pizza is one of my favourite foods.’
‘You really do have strange taste.’ Duke shakes his head at me.
I grin. ‘Ah, you wouldn’t say that if you knew what else I liked.’
His eyes flash at me and he swallows. ‘Get eating, then.’
We quickly fill our plates with the waffles and all kinds of toppings.
I can’t stop the noises of enjoyment that vibrate in my throat as I scoff down my food, making Duke chuckle every time.
Each mouthful tastes even more delicious with the added knowledge of the effort Duke has made to make all this for me, a warmth kindling in my chest.
‘So,’ Duke starts after finishing his last bite, ‘I, uh, don’t know whether you had any plans for today …’
He rubs a hand over his head, and I can’t stop my eyes from flicking to his stretched triceps, following the shift of muscle as discreetly as I can.
‘But I usually pick up my grandmother from church on a Sunday, then go to hers for lunch before opening the bar and wondered if you – you obviously don’t have to – but maybe you might want to join?
Might help to keep your mind off things.
’ Duke flashes me a soft smile, dark eyes searching mine.
‘You do owe me a small moment for the speed dating still. But only if you want to.’
The rational part of me says I should go home.
I’m likely running on a high despite how well I think I slept in Duke’s embrace, and the exhaustion will hit me later.
Yet, I also know if I go home, I’ll end up sitting in my room, playing last night over and over in my head.
So, would it really hurt to spend longer with Duke?
The person who wouldn’t think twice about changing his plans to drive over an hour to come to pick me up without knowing the reason, talk me to sleep to help keep any nightmares at bay, and then cook me a huge breakfast the next morning.
The person who would do anything for me, it seems.
Smiling silly, I settle my cutlery down and flash my grin at Duke, immediately receiving a heart-warming, beaming smile back – the kind that sparks in his eyes too. ‘I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my day.’