The Touch Series Box Set

  I let out a huge sigh of relief.

  "The next day is when I made the decision to get the hell out of North Carolina and move to Boston. Thank god I saw Derrick's ad on Craig's List and called him."

  "I am so glad you found that ad, if you hadn't we wouldn't be here right now. Everything happens for a reason Riley and I thank my lucky stars that our reasons brought us here and together."

  I grab Char up in my arms and hold her as tight as I possibly can. I just shared with her the hardest parts of my life and all she can say is that she is thankful I am here with her.

  "Char. I told you I was going to take things slow with you, but that really didn't happen. And I said that I would take the whole love and baseball analogy day by day with you. But Char, I just can't do it. I can't take things slow; I can't wait to take things day by day."

  I pause for a moment and look into her big, dark eyes. I want to tell her, I want her to know, and I don't want to regret a second that she didn’t understand the way she makes me feel.

  "I love you Char."

  Once again I am awakening by the horrible sound of my alarm clock. Why can't I have one of those alarms that plays music or the sounds of nature? I would rather anything other than this awful beep, beep, beep.

  "Shut up! I am up! I am coming!" I yell at my alarm.

  As I look around my room, I am reminded that Riley is not here. After all that we went through last night and how he shared his tragic story with me and professed his love to me...he went home.

  I don't know if it was the shock of hearing everything that happened to him prior to his move or it was the fact he told me he loved me. I couldn't say those words back to him. He means a lot to me and I am falling in love with him. It’s just hard for me to actually say I love you to someone and give myself to him one hundred percent.

  Riley is amazing and caring and sweet and wonderful, but I still need a little bit more time. I am close. I am just not ready yet; soon just not yet.

  I have a few extra minutes this morning because everything is ready to go. I just need to wash up, dress, and head out the door. I need to call the one person that isn't here. She can help me better understand what I am going through. She will know exactly what is the right and wrong choice to make with my feelings for Riley.

  I pick up my phone, knowing very well that I am about to wake up my sister. Thank god she is a happy morning person.

  "This better be good Char." Chloe says answering her phone.

  "Did I wake you?" I ask.

  "Well it is four o'clock in the morning here, but nah I needed to get up anyway for a run. What's up baby girl?"

  See I knew she would be up and perky!

  "Chloe, can you move back home? I miss you so much and I need you here." I tell her as the tears begin to slide down my face.

  "Char I can't move home, but wait are you crying? What happened? Why are you crying? Should I call Derrick to come get you?"

  "No, no I’m fine. I’m just confused and scared and ugh…stupid."

  "You are far from stupid, tell me what happened." She says.

  "Riley told me a horrible story about his past. How his parents died, he lost the family business to his brother-in-law, his sister doesn't want to ever talk to him again, oh and he told me he loves me."

  "Oh is that all?" She asks with a giggle.

  "Well what did you say Char?"

  "I didn't say anything. I was so consumed with his story and then with his confession. I think I was a little overwhelmed."

  "Do you love him Char?"

  "I care about him a lot and I feel strongly for him. I just don't know if it’s love or just a lot of like."

  "Ok sweetie, this is how I see it. Do you miss him when you aren’t with him? Do you see yourself in a long lasting relationship with him? Could you see yourself being miserable without him? If you answer yes to all of those questions than I think you do really care about him. Just give it time. You will know when the moment is right to tell him you love him."

  "Thanks Chloe! Ok go back to bed or on your run or whatever you do. I got to get ready for work. Love you!"

  "Love you too baby girl!"

  Chloe does have a good point. If things are meant to work out they will, they always do. Riley and I’ve come this far in only a few short weeks and we are happy together. I just hope he isn't upset about last night.

  I get myself ready and head to work. I feel like a treat this morning so I stop at Starbucks for a white chocolate frappuccino. Yummy, just what I need. Before heading into work I want to send Riley a text.

  Char - Morning handsome, thinking of you :)

  If nothing else he’ll know that I do care and he was on my mind. I grab my delicious coffee and make my way into the building. I hear my text alert go off but my hands are too full for me to grab my phone. I hurry to my office and put down my bags and coffee. I pull my phone out of my purse and see a reply text from Riley.

  I immediately smile and the thought of him sending me a message makes me all warm and tingly inside. Chloe was right; there is no way I could live without this man. I do love him and I need to make sure I let him know.

  I look down at my phone and see his text.

  Riley - Morning beautiful, always thinking of you. I love you!

  I am mush, complete mush!

  Char - Wish you were next to me when I woke up this morning, I missed you....xoxoxoxo

  He responds almost immediately.

  Riley - Missed you too, can we meet for lunch?

  He read my mind!

  Char - Of course, can you pick me up at noon?

  Riley - YES

  My day has just gotten that much better. I can't wait to see him.

  I busy myself with my morning budgets and accounts so that my mind is in the books and not thinking about my lunch date.

  I look up and can see Angie and Ruthie walking toward my office. Both girls crack me up. As soon as they see I am watching them they take on a whole new strut to their walk.

  "Hey ladies, what's shaking?" I ask with a giggle.

  "Um obviously we are." Angie says.

  We all burst into a fit of laughter and quickly quiet ourselves realizing that we are in the office.

  "So are we still good for dinner and drinks tonight?" Ruthie asks.

  "Yes, of course! I am done at 5:30 so I am free anytime after that." I tell the girls.

  "Perfect, meet us over at Snides's on Fourth Street around six o'clock." Angie says.

  "Good deal, see you later!"

  The distraction of the girls just now put me back a few minutes so I need to bust a move to get these things done before Riley comes to get me.

  I work straight through the rest of the morning and get all accounts on track and finalized before 11:45, man am I good or what? It also helps that I have some motivation coming to meet me in my near future.

  My office phone rings and it’s Gail our receptionist.

  "Miss Taylor there is a Riley Kincaid here to see you." She says.

  "Great! Thanks Gail, I will be right out."

  I squeal with delight and am so excited to see Riley. I know it’s crazy. I was just with him last night, but I really do miss him when he is not near me.

  I enter the building of Minnich & Rizzotto and take a gander around the large office space. The building in size is similar to Taylor & Sons Contracting, but there are more administrative areas with open floor plans and smaller windows. I can't help but look at the building structure; it’s kind of what I do. I finally find the floor for the CPAs and ask the receptionist to call Char Taylor.

  The woman at the front desk is cheerful and most definitely loves Char. During the time that I wait for her to come out and meet me I get the scoop. Gail, the receptionist, has done nothing but tell me all the good qualities of Miss Taylor. God if Char ever wanted to run for president, Gail should be her campaign woman.

  I finally go to sit down in the lounge area and I hear the wooden doors open. Out she comes. She looks
absolutely breathtaking. She is wearing a cream colored dress with a navy cardigan and navy heals that show off her incredible legs.

  Fuck! This damn lady has me hot and bothered and I’ve only seen her for 2.5 seconds. No wonder I love her so much.

  "Well hello there Mr. Kincaid so nice of you to drop in to see me this afternoon." She says giving Gail a wink.

  "Oh cut the shit honey, he is no client of yours. Now go enjoy a nice lunch with this handsome young fella." Gail tells Char.

  Char lets out a sweet giggle and proceeds to grab my hand in hers. I guess she doesn't mind showing a little PDA around Gail.

  "Thank you Gail, I will be sure to escort her back safely within an hour." I tell her over my shoulder as we leave the admin area.

  "Well Mr. Kincaid I think you have an admirer." Char says.

  "No babe, I do think it’s the other way around. Gail was giving me your one hundred best qualities while I was waiting for you to arrive. It was sweet and kind of creepy all at the same time." I tell her.

  "Very funny Riley, ok handsome, where we off to for lunch?" She asks.

  "I was hoping back to your place." I shyly admit.

  "Shit Riley, you read my mind. We better hurry." Char says with a sexy laugh and races me out to her Jeep.

  How the hell that woman is running in those heals I will never know, but she is hot as hell.

  We get to Char's place in a little under 10 minutes.

  She unlocks her apartment door and in we go. We don't waste any time talking or much of anything else. We just make our way back to her bedroom, strip one another, and have the best lunch-time sex I could ever imagine.

  We are a hot mess of pent up sexual need. Our kisses are sultry and desperate. Our hands are hungry for the feel of one another. Our bodies cry out for the connection we know we share and must have.

  For a moment right after we both hit our climax Char takes my face in her small hands and looks me directly in the eye. She has something on her mind, but I’m not sure what she is about to say. I can see a tear fall from her eye and I am full of worry. I prop my arms alongside of her body to hold myself up so that I can be sure I’m not hurting her. I take my hand and wipe the tears from her eyes now flowing down her cheeks.

  "Char baby whatever it is tell me. Let me make it better for you." I tell her with all sincerity.

  I want to make her happy; I want nothing more than to be the man who will give her everything she will ever need.

  "Riley I am so sorry about last night. I should’ve told you how I felt and you shouldn't have left not knowing."

  I have no clue what the hell she is talking about. She has been completely honest with me, so I thought.

  "Riley you told me something that is so tragic to you and I was a bit overwhelmed. I woke up this morning and you weren't here. I don't ever want to feel like that again."

  "Ok!" I tell her, still not sure where this is leading.

  She takes a deep breath and lets it out like the whole world has been sitting on her chest.

  "Riley, I love you too. I think I’ve loved you since the day you stood here on my doorstep waiting for me. You are everything I’ve ever wanted in a guy and now you are here with me. We still have a lot to learn about each other and in time I know we will. I just can't wait another second without you knowing how much you mean to me. I hate when you are not with me, I can't stand the thought of you not in my life, and I know I will be miserable without you by my side."

  She looks deeper into my eyes. Her heart and soul are reaching to touch my own and she tells me again.

  "I love you Riley."

  After Riley and I had the best afternoon sex in the history of mankind and I declare my undying love to him we eat a quick lunch and head back to the office.

  Along the ride I tell Riley that I’ll be going for dinner and drinks with the girls and that we have plans for dinner at Mama and Daddy's Friday night.

  He escorts me back to my floor and I know it’s not just to see me safely to my office, but to say goodbye to Gail. I knew he had a thing for her.

  I show him around the place and have him say hello to Angie and Ruthie. Before heading out he asks to see my personal office and I oblige his request. He closes the door as we both enter the room and locks the door.

  "Riley what are you up to?" I ask.

  "I just want to give you a little something in here to help you remember me after I leave." He says in a very seductive tone.

  He lifts me up onto my desk, spreads my legs, and stands directly in front of me. He puts his lips to mine licking my bottom lip and immediately my mouth opens for his tongue to meet mine. We kiss passionately for a few moments and with the realization that I am in my work office I pull away breathless.

  "Damn it Riley." I say barely able to get the words out of my mouth.

  "Now I hope that’s enough of me to tide you over till I see you again. Have fun tonight baby and call me when you get home." He says while helping me stand and straighten out my dress.

  "You are too much Riley. Will you and Manny be at my place when I get home?" I ask hoping he’ll say yes.

  "If that is what you want." He replies.

  "It is! Just get the extra key from Derrick and we’ll have one made just for you. I'll see you later tonight." I tell him.

  He kisses me softly on my lips again and pats me on the ass.

  “I’ll see you later baby, I love you Char."

  "Love you too Riley!"

  I watch as he leaves my office and seriously cannot keep my eyes off him until he is out of my sight. The things he does to me. The way he makes me feel is really out of this world.

  I move around to the other side of my desk and look through my tasks for the afternoon. I don't have too crazy of a day, but still a few client accounts to get through before I leave to head out with the girls.

  I need this time with some friends to unwind and relax. As much as I love every moment I spend with Riley, I know we need some space too.

  As 5:30 approaches I am amazed how quickly days have been flying by. Being in love really does do a body good and keep the mind busy. I complete my daily shut down routine and head out for the night. The girls got out a half hour ago so I know they will already be at Snides when I arrive.

  I make my way down town to the bar and spot a parking spot around the block. I quickly snag it and head on down the sidewalk for my night out with the girls.

  I can see them as soon as I walk in and hustle my way over to their booth. They each have a glass of something in front of them to drink. Ruthie is with her typical glass of wine and Angie looks as if she has something tasty and fruity in front of her. The waiter comes up and grabs my drink order while handing me a menu.

  "Thanks for meeting me for dinner guys. I really do need a girl’s night out every now and then. I’ve been such a hermit the past few months and figure it’s time to relax and get out more." I tell them.

  "Well I don't know what this Riley guys has been doing to you, but whatever it is tell him to keep it up." Angie tells me.

  "I agree!" Ruthie admits. “You seem so much more relaxed and confident. More of the old Char we all used to know and love."

  "I know he brings out a better side in me, something that’s been missing. I really got a good guy this time ladies and I do not plan to give him up anytime soon." I say with pride in my voice.

  I look past Angie's shoulder and I see him. "Fuck!" I curse aloud.

  "What is it?" Angie says looking over her shoulder.

  "Don't look Angie." I whisper.

  "Oh shit!" Ruthie says as soon as she sees who I have locked eyes with.

  My lunch date with Char today was fucking fantastic. Heading back to her place for lunch was a brilliant idea, but I never would’ve guessed we'd left it the way we did. She said she loves me, she loves me. I am beyond thrilled that she shared her feelings with me and that they are as strong as mine are for her.

  Heading back to work I am seriously on cloud nine and can'
t wait for her to come home so we can spend the rest of the night together.

  When I approach my office, I have a message from Patty to head up to Bryce's office when I return from lunch.

  I set my stuff down and make my way up to the next few floors. When I get off the elevator his door is closed so I ask Patty to let him know I am here.

  She rings his line and asks me to take a seat. While I am waiting I check my phone and look over a few emails that have come in while I was away on lunch.

  Bryce's door opens and he asks me to come in. I follow his lead and have a seat in the chair across from his desk.

  "Riley I asked Patty to have you meet me up here because I need a favor from you." He tells me while sitting back down in his leather, high-back chair.

  "Sure, what's up?" I reply.

  "I know you haven't given me the go ahead with the general contractor position yet, but I need someone to head down to North Carolina tomorrow morning to meet with a few clients. Like I said before Roger and I were working on a few things in the southeast and now they want to see what we can offer. They did tell me there are others bidding on the job too, but I don't want to wait much longer to get our details in for their review."

  "I understand completely. When will I be leaving?" I ask.

  "We can get you a flight early tomorrow morning and will fly you back home after your meeting Friday afternoon."

  "Consider it done." I tell him.

  "That is great news Riley, I knew you wouldn't let us down." He says standing up next to me.

  "Bryce, I would be honored to accept your offer as GC. Let's just say that this trip to NC is my official call to duty." I say raising my right hand to shake his.

  "I am glad to hear you say that Riley. I will have Patty email you the flight schedule and anything else you will need to meet with the guys in North Carolina. Good luck to you!"

  He returns the hand shake and I make my way for the door.