Waves - Book #2 [completed]

36 ~ Cafuné

Cafuné
(Portuguese)
noun
Running your fingers through the hair of someone you love

She blushes every time her gaze drifts over to me from the passenger side while absently toying with one of Baby's ears. It's cute, albeit a little unlike her. I got to know Riley as a strong and determined woman who knows exactly what to do when I behave like a caveman. So this cutesy, bashful side of hers is new to me.

And I don't know what to do with it.

"Riley," I sigh, reaching over the console and cupping her knee. "Stop fidgeting with your dog's ear. They're long enough already."

"Fine," she mutters, throwing her hands up.

"Are you nervous?"

"Why would I be nervous?"

"Because Emma, your student, is going to compete. Because you're compassionate and caring and know how it is to be out there. Because you asked me to come with you and me being here makes you jumpy and fidgety. Because of yesterday." I drawl the last word out while my lips curve up into a smirk.

Riley tips her head back against the headrest, staring at the ceiling. "Yeah, all of the above."

I squeeze her thigh. She's casually dressed in short sweat shorts and an oversized black sweater, ready to tear off and march into the waves herself if need be. "Okay, first, Emma's ready. You said so yourself and you know what you're doing. Second, while on sight, don't feel obligated to entertain me. I'll stroll along the beach with Baby and stuff my face with fries or whatever they offer at the stalls. You can ignore me. About you being compassionate and caring. Well, I can't do anything about it. I can only tell you that these are two of the many traits I lo... like about you. They're good traits." I look over at her profile before focusing back on the street. "And lastly, you don't have to feel bad about yesterday. We went on a date – a fantastic one – and made out a little after. No harm in that, other than me having to jack off after you left because I was so turned on and enjoyed-"

"Mason!"

Chuckling, I continue, "sorry. Really though, it's fine. You asked me to give you time and that's what I'm doing. I mean, I'm trying because I won't stop you if you try to mount me again. I don't have that much willpower in me, but..."

Riley groans, scraping her palm over her reddened face. "God, Mason, cut the shit."

That's more like her.

"Okay, okay. What I'm trying to say is, I'll wait. I have roughly three more months left before I have to renew my visa. But until then I'm not going anywhere." I squeeze her hand encouragingly.

"You'll leave." That statement is the most neutral and flat thing I've ever heard her say. It's alarming.

"Well, I have to eventually." I pluck her hand off her face and lace my fingers with hers. "I made it worse, didn't I? Shit. I'm not good at this."