Page 47 of UnWholly Angels (Crestview Cardinals #1)

Chapter Twenty-Six

Maya

T he events of yesterday were still a massive blur.

I don’t even remember being put to bed or the bed dipping as Riley got comfortable next to me.

The worst part about it, I couldn’t tell him about that kid.

There was far too much risk right now. But I’d be keeping a close eye out once I could get out of my own head.

I wanted to thank Riley the only way I knew how, but I’d already messed up breakfast and was lucky that the place didn’t burn down.

A chorus of meowing at my feet caused me to scoop up the small creature and hold her close.

“Thank you, Mari. Thank you for pulling me out of it.” Well, that felt weird to say.

But this feline was insistent on tripping me with the way she weaved between my legs, trying to distract me from the mental torment.

I’d always loved animals, and while Marinara was Riley’s cat, we’d become quite close over the past couple of months.

All this cat did was eat, meow, and bite at my left toe.

It was still hard to believe Riley had a room dedicated to her, and she knew it.

He was still sleeping, and I was bored out of my mind, already finishing my fifth puzzle this week before I’d even stepped into the kitchen.

Snuggling into such warm, comfortable fur, I felt the worry wash away as I reached for the cabinet. An outpouring of catnip and treats stood neatly lined by flavor. What the rookie said about Riley angered me. He did love, and he cared, probably way more than some people deserved, including me.

“How’s salmon today?” I asked, shaking the bag. A long, drawn out whine of encouragement poured from her and right then I just knew that we’d be best friends during the season while Riley traveled.

Placing the bowl on the floor, I relented and opened my big mouth to negotiate with the big ball of fur.

Pawing at the bag, the meow once again pierced my ears, and I opened the bag slowly, the disgusting smell of processed fish permeating my nostrils.

“Listen Mari, can I call you that?” This cat would hate me if I burst out laughing every time I called for Marinara.

Leave it to Riley to come up with the most ridiculous name.

“I will give you the whole bag if you let me wake up dad today.” The insistent purr caused a smile to spread across my face, and I ripped the bag away with a raised brow. “Deal?” Large eyes stared at me, wide with hunger and licking her lips as I emptied the contents of the bag into the bowl.

My tongue poked the inside of my cheek as I spun around the kitchen, looking for the perfect way to wake him up.

He would want to kill me for the thought that crossed my mind.

I should find another hobby. He'd find gray hair in no time if I kept up the charade, but it was so much fun. My gaze shifted to the kitchen island, where a few markers sat idly right on top of the playbook he’s constantly studying.

“See you later, pussycat.” I laughed. Almost taken aback by the sound, I paused at the top of the stairs, surprised. My thought was that my genuine laugh was beautiful, and I felt beautiful. Despite all the fear and scare tactics, a part of me forced myself to believe that everything would be okay.

The door pushed open to reveal Riley shirtless and sprawled out on the bed, face down and snoring. He looked so peaceful, and a devilish grin spread across my face. Not for long.

The deep snores flowed through my ears the closer I tiptoed to the bed, climbing over my side to straddle his back. Squeezing my thighs against his side, a small groan erupted from his mouth as he shifted under me. “It’s too early for your shit, Maya.” He groaned. “What are you doing?”

Realistically, I should have asked him if I could color in his tattoos, but I’d been dying to since I laid eyes on the dragon that encased his back.

Right over it, a cardinal rested on a branch with a buttercup hanging from its mouth.

I flattened my palm against his shoulder blade and leaned down, giving him a quick kiss.

“I was just trying to relax and thinking…I’d like to color in your dragon. ”

“Is it going to make you feel better?” he murmured into the pillow.

“Maybe. I won’t know until I try.”

“Keep inside the lines and let me sleep a bit longer,” he replied softly, putting the pillow over his face with a breathy laugh. Quickly, I uncapped the marker and got to work on my human canvas, honoring his request as I went along with my task.

“Beautiful,” I muttered to myself, taking in the amazing job I’d done the past couple of hours.

Staying in the lines was daunting against the intricate details, but I did it.

Somehow, he had managed to stay asleep, only moving to grind himself into the mattress a few times.

Looks like I’m not the only needy one here.

Sitting here, watching him had me thinking.

Lying here so peacefully, it was hard to believe the stories I’d heard over the years about Riley.

Everyone had a reason for going off the rails, and those who said different were liars.

Playboy.

Murderer.

Arsonist.

Was there truth to the words Rocco fed to me?

I mean, let’s face it. I am far from innocent, my own skeletons crawling up from hell to claw for the surface.

Maybe we could bathe in the darkness together, embrace it even.

Two shattered hearts stitched up by the trauma bond formed at the worst time in our lives.

People always say love yourself first, but I was a firm believer that everyone was hurting, and it didn’t mean you couldn’t heal with someone else.

Half the time you end up healing the most broken parts of each other without realizing it.

“Sounds like you're obsessed with me or something, Mr. Kingston.”

“Maybe I am.”

Running my thumb along his jaw, I smiled feeling the small tickle of his stubble.

I’d questioned so many times if it was love or safety that held us together in the past. I should hate him.

I should hate myself for being so selfish.

Putting my need to love him above rational thinking.

I’d put Riley in terrible danger, and I’d never forgive myself if something happened to him.

Yet, this little piece of my psyche whispered into my ear like a devil wanting to sabotage any good thing that came my way.

What was stopping him from being like everyone else and handing me back to Rocco when he was bored.

My hands skimmed up the expanse of his back, up and down.

Get out of your head, Maya. He loves you.

My face flushed, the heat spreading along my veins at the thought, and I moved to my spot on the bed next to him. His eyes were opened slightly, and that burning gaze caused me to squirm. The smallest hint of a smirk matched the eye twitch he had.

“How did you do?” he asked, hand flying to rub at the marker on his back, humming in mock disapproval when he pulled his hand away.

“Feels like you went outside of the lines.” Before he could lie back down, he peered over my shoulder at the clock with a groan.

“It’s too fucking early.” I ripped the pillow from underneath him and threw it to the side with a scoff.

“Early,” I belted out. “I hate to break it to you, but it’s two in the afternoon. You’re lucky I’m not clingy or anything.”

He scoffed. “You, clingy, no. I mean, you don’t even ask for flowers or anything.”

“Flowers are overrated. I’d much prefer you get on your knees and thank me for allowing you in the presence of such…royalty.” Stretching to the max, I sprawled across the bed. “And more tacos, those were amazing.”

Riley shook his head, laughing at my serious expression, and I couldn’t help but follow.

Electricity surged through me as he pounced, tickling my sides furiously.

My stomach knotted, and I couldn’t breathe from laughing so hard.

It felt nice to be able to act like a normal, functioning couple.

The last few years of my life almost had me trying to end it on more than one occasion.

So, I clung to this small piece of enjoyment like we were the only two people in this world.

Our little bubble that no soul could break through.

My laughter died down as Riley took my hands in his and lifted them above my head.

He leaned down and whispered in my ear. “When you’ve earned it, I would be nothing but honored to drop to my knees and beg to touch you.

” Meeting my gaze, he smiled, placing a kiss to my lips.

“Do you want to talk about yesterday, or would you rather I make you forget for a while?”

“Can I have both?” I asked. Every so often, I could feel his cock jerk through his briefs as he ground his pelvis into me. The friction from my shirt caused my nipples to harden under his featherlight touch. Nipping at his earlobe, I whispered, “Make me forget before I spill…please.”

“Can I bring a little help this time? Or would that be too much?” Taking my bottom lip between his teeth and biting down, I gasped.

Again, he dove in, taking my lips in a dominant kiss, using the small part in my lips to let his tongue explore.

He laughed for a second after pulling away.

“I could kiss you all day.” There was silence between us.

“It would only be Nick, and I promise you can trust him. He never joins without Chloe’s okay, I promise. Do you trust me?”

He waited patiently until I gave a nod accompanied by a small smile. “Yes. However…can we speak about boundaries first? Nick needs to understand that I am still learning, and I don’t know if I have any other hard limits until it’s presented to me.”

Riley nodded, resting his hand on top of mine. “I will do my part, but it is extremely important you can do yours okay, please,” he encouraged.

My smile of approval had Riley already jumping out of bed, making a beeline for the bathroom, and I laughed. At least he beat me to it; all I was going to say was get rid of the morning breath before we did anything.

Worry and excitement crashed around me in waves at what was to come.

I just had to remember my safe word…Angel…

yes, Angel. I could hear him singing an upbeat tune as the shower roared to life.

He sounded like a dying walrus trying to belt out ‘I’ll Be’ by Edwin McCain.

The song we used to listen to on repeat. I can’t believe he remembered.

This was the side of Riley Kingston I fell in love with—the caring, gentle, and down to earth side of him—instead of the cold, arrogant, egotistical hockey player.

If I needed to become the villain for his humanity to stay intact, then I would with no hesitation.

God help anyone who tried to rip that away from me.

Whipping my head toward the bathroom door, I asked him to repeat the question he’d just mumbled out, forced out of my own little world by his voice. “Is there anything specific you want to try?”

He flicked the bathroom light off and moved toward me as I thought about it. There was one thing I wanted but was afraid to say it. He would judge me or look at me like I was a freak.

He stopped in front of me in nothing but a towel around his waist, while two fingers found their way under my chin. “I’ll never judge you if that's what you’re worried about. You can tell me all of your sinister desires, and I will be more than happy to indulge. Every. Single. Time.”

Taking a deep breath, I locked my hand around his wrist, the coolness giving my heated skin some relief. “Riley, I want to be tied up. Not simple bondage, I want to be immobile. You’re going to be gone for almost two weeks, and I want as many orgasms as you’re willing to give me.”

He acted like I was giving him the gift of a lifetime with that request. My hands covered my face in embarrassment until they were brought away. One question had my thighs pressed together to try to relieve the pulsing between them.

“Well, you came to the right person,” he smiled, yet the darkness in his eyes showed, lust glazed over his eyes. “How many orgasms do you think you can handle?”