“Oh hey, Donovan, what are you doing here?” She jogged over to his car with the dog in tow. “Did you forget something last night?”
He stepped out, forgetting the flowers because he was too busy taking in how pretty she was for it being so early in the morning. Her hair was once again piled up on top of her head, but she looked like she was ready to tackle the day.
“Umm, sort of,” he said, willing himself to go for it. “I wanted to talk to you for a minute before I went to work.”
“Of course, what is it?” Her genuine interest in what he had to say sealed the deal. He needed her to stay.
“Riley… there’s something about you I can’t get out of my head. I like you. I know we just met and it’s been kind of an odd set of circumstances, but I swear to you, I’m really not like Gavin, and I’d like the chance to see if there’s something between us.” He watched her body language change from concern to surprise, but now she had a smile on her face.
“You should kiss me,” she said, her tone matter-of-fact.
Donovan didn’t need to be told twice. He pulled her close and, with both hands cupping her face, brought his lips to hers. He’d been so worried she’d tell him to fuck off, he hadn’t even had time to imagine how amazing it would be to kiss her. He dropped one hand to pull her tighter to him, and she ran her hands up his back as she returned the kiss as passionately as he gave.
“Please stay and spend the summer here, with me?” he asked softly when their lips broke apart. Searching her face, he prayed for the answer he was looking for.
Riley looked up at him, her expression unreadable, before she turned her gaze in the direction of the ocean.
"Donovan, I've never been one who really connected with many people, except maybe Jameson, I’ve never been terribly social." She looked back at him, a sparkle in her eye and a smile playing on her lips. "But with you, I've never felt more at ease with someone I literally just met. There's something about you that brings out this part of me I never thought I'd feel comfortable expressing."
She brushed her fingertips across Donovan's cheek and he closed his eyes at the contact.
"So, yes, Donovan. I'll stay. I can't promise you more than this summer, but I will stay and give you and Scrappy a chance." She giggled.
He grinned as he leaned down to brush his lips across hers. "That's all I'm asking."
His plan had been set in place.
The End. Or...just the beginning.
The Inheritance, a full-length novel with extended scenes, coming Winter 2019.
Also By Amy Briggs
The Brotherhood of District 23
Fired Up (Book 1)
Fully Involved (Book 2)
Controlled Burn (Book 3)
The Complete Brotherhood of District 23
The Brotherhood of District 23 Coloring Book
Standalone Novels & Novellas
Hot & Cold
(co-written with Mikey Lee;
a Brotherhood of District 23/Sin Series Crossover)
Saving Sarah
Uncovering Davidson
Kissing Kalliope