Page 79 of Hating On Riot

“Did she give good head, Riot? Maybe had I given you more of them, you wouldn’t have invited her over for some something-something.” I glower. “I hate you!” I gasp. My hand clamps over my mouth.

I never meant to say those words. I lower my head, not wanting to see the hurt on his face.

He grasps my chin and forces me to look him in the eyes. “It wasn’t like that, Arie.”

“Explain.” My throat tightens. I’m going to bawl.

He hangs his head. “I can’t.”

“Then get out. I don’t want to ever see you again.”

32

Arie

I’m getting ready for bed, brushing my teeth and washing my face, but my attention wanders to my phone in the bedroom.

I’ve had time to think. To really think. Riot would never betray me. I let my emotions get the better of me instead of trusting Riot’s feelings for me.

He has insecurities, just like the rest of us mortals. What if his not wanting to bare his soul to me has something to do with one of his insecurities?

Oh, god, I made a huge mistake when I told him I never wanted to see him again. I should’ve stayed. We could’ve talked and cleared the air. We could be having make-up sex right now. I hurry to my phone. Before I can call Riot, the front door bursts open.

Oh, fuck, what if it’s Merrick going back on his word, and he’s here to hurt my brothers after hearing from Riot that I hurt him? I rush into the living room. Riot stands there, fists clenched at his sides.

He steps toward my brothers. Given how angry he is, he won’t hear my words that Tony gave us permission to see one another. Afraid he’ll hurt one of them—I swear I see steam coming from his ears and nose, like he’s a raging bull—I hurry to step between them.

My brothers surprise me when they smack Riot on the shoulders and leave the house, throwing over their shoulders, “We’ll be back in two days. Call us if you need anything, sis.”

My jaw must be on the floor, but it’s the least of my worries. Riot shuts the door and locks it calmly, which scares me more than his anger. I hurry to my bedroom. Something’s up if my brothers are leaving us alone for two days!

I’m just past the threshold of my bedroom when I’m grabbed by the waist and thrown onto the bed. A large body cages me in. Riot sets his arms alongside my head and stares. He just stares, and for some reason my eyes fill with tears. One runs down the corner of my eye. Riot licks it away. “Aw, baby, don’t cry.”

“I don’t hate you. Please tell me you don’t believe me. I was wrong. I hurt you. I should’ve stayed and listened to you. Instead, my emotions got the best of me. You had that girl in your room for a reason. There’s a reason you’re not telling me more about her. I trust you. Oh, god, I trust how you feel about me. Please, please, believe me.”

“I do, baby. I know you don’t hate me. And no worries about your emotions getting the best of you. Mine run rampant and wild all the time when you’re around. The fucking jealousy and pissy moods when you’re with Coop, or when any guy stares at you or even talks to you. I want you to myself, but I know I gotta share you with your friends, your brothers, your family.” He lets out a breath. “I didn’t tell you about Brooke because you’ll think I’m a wuss.”

He pulls me on top of him and wraps me in his warmth, one hand on the back of my head and the other across my lower back.

“You’re not. You’re the strongest guy I know. Not just here,” I run my fingers over the muscles along his arm, “but here too.” I palm the spot over his heart. “You had to be to endure four years of watching me with another guy and dealing with my brothers’ hatred. They’ll explain and apologize, by the way; otherwise, I’ll refuse to make them their favorite double white-chocolate-chip cookies.”

“That so? They’ll be explaining and apologizing for what, babe?”

“For the day they beat you.”

“Ah, I see.” He slides his hand beneath my hair and grips my neck. “No beating around the bush, eh?”

“How could I ever soften what they did to you? You almost died!” I wail into his shoulder.

“Aw, sweetheart, I would survive a thousand thrashes for you.”

He’s such a romantic. I melt into his warmth and the strength of his body beneath me.

“Tell me about the brunette,” I ask. “Let’s clear the air.”

He takes a deep breath. His heart is beating fast.

“You’re strong, Riot.” I kiss along his jawline. “What you say won’t change how I feel about you. I love you.”