Among the Echoes(52)

"I don’t want to talk."

"Okay, then write." I hand her the pad and pen and guide her toward the bedroom.

Once inside I shut and lock the door behind us, I look in her direction to make sure she saw it. She responds with an embarrassed grin.

"I never would have left that door open if I knew it scared you. I remember now that, a few months ago, you mentioned something about keeping it shut, but I honestly didn’t remember until Dave told me. I actually purposely left the front door open in case you woke up. I was just outside and I thought it would be better if I could hear you. I’m sorry." She shakes her head and dismisses my apology, but that doesn’t change the fact that it happened. "Tell me what you’re scared of, Riley."

Her eyes widen with anxiety as she backs away. "Please don’t do this."

"No, just listen. I told you I wouldn’t ask, and I won’t. I don’t need to know why you’re scared of it. I just need to know what you’re afraid of so something like tonight doesn’t happen again."

"I’ve never made a list. A lot of stuff is just situational," she answers nervously.

"Okay, well just give me the definites." I shrug and lean back against the pillows.

She lets out a groan but curls under my arm and spends the next five minutes writing.

"Uh, I think that’s it. But you promised you wouldn’t ask why."

"I already told you that. You have to start trusting me." I snatch the list from her hands and intently study it. I am actually surprised at how short it is and how much I already know off it.



"Riley, this is bad. Really f*cking bad," I say seriously while dragging her onto my lap. She immediately shies away from me and swallows hard. "There are some things you should know about me. Things that could change everything." I kiss her mouth reassuringly as my cock grows between us. I graze her lip with my teeth, sucking it into my mouth before leaning back and holding her gaze "I have a pet bird and an obsession with cottage cheese."

She slaps my chest and rolls her eyes. "No, you don’t, jerk."

"No, but you were the smartass who put them on the list."

"Those are legit fears of mine. Cottage cheese is all clumpy. I mean, why is it so freaking chunky? And don’t even get me started on birds. They are all flappy and they could fly at you at any moment." I bust out laughing, but she remains silent. "Can I ask you a serious question?"

"Yes, I like cottage cheese," I answer matter-of-factly but then smile and signal for her to ask away.

"Why don’t you like to be touched?"

"Wow. You really did do your research on me." I roll her to the side and prop myself up on an elbow, facing her.

"I read it in a few articles. Then I watched some of your old fights online and noticed you always flinch when fans touch you." She leans forward, giving me a reassuring kiss of her own.

I take full advantage of her mouth for a moment. I’m willing to take whatever comfort she is offering—even if I don’t need it.

"I wish I had some grand story to tell you, but the truth is, I just don’t like it. I’m a really quiet guy. I like my privacy and personal space. When I was growing up, my mom was very loving but not very affectionate. I guess I just got used to it. What is it with everyone needing to touch people? All that hugging and touching. A wave and a friendly smile work just as well."

"You let me touch you." She wraps her arms around me, dragging her nails up my back in the way she knows I love.

"That’s because I wanted to touch you. I’m not some hermit who can’t stand the human touch. It just makes my skin crawl when people I don’t know feel the need to grab me or hug me. I’m a person, not an animal who needs to be petted."

"I like to pet you." She throws a sheet-covered leg over my hip.

"Show me." I reach around and grab her ass, grinding my cock into her core. "And get rid of that damn sheet," I growl as she rolls over on top of me. I quickly flip off the light.

I glide my hand over her breast. I would rather slide it between her legs and into her *, but I saw the list. I fully intend to shred that paper soon, but for now, I won’t push her.

"One of these days, beautiful, you’re going to trust me."

"I do trust you." She leans forward, pressing her breasts against me.