The Bet

Chapter 43

Riley's POV

Me and James get in his truck and pull out of the school parking lot. But we were heading in a different direction than my house.

"What's the surprise this time?" I sigh.

"You'll see." James replies. I groan and lean against the window. I have come to the realization that James likes surprising me, no matter how much it annoys me.

In no time, a mall comes into view. James pulls into the parking lot and into a parking space.

"What are we doing here?" I ask.

"I told you this morning I would take you shopping later." He replies. I sigh.

"I haven't been paid at the cafe yet for working last week and-"

"Ri, I'll pay for whatever you want." He says, cutting me off.

"No, you won't." I tell him. "I'd rather look like the pathetic poor girl I am than let someone pay my way."

"Don't say that." James says softly.

"Why not? It's true." I mutter.

"I'm your boyfriend. I should be allowed to buy you stuff." James persists.

"That's not the point James." I say.

"Than what is?" He inquires. I sigh.

"I don't know..." I trail off, looking out the window and watch a group of preppy girls walk into the mall. I turn back to James.

"Okay, but I'll pay you back as soon as I get my pay cheque." I tell him. He chuckles.

"You don't have to pay me back. " He says, getting out of the truck.

"Well, I will." I reply, getting out of the truck as well.

"What if I won't take the money?" He questions, walking towards the entrance.

"Than I'll make you take it." I tell him, catching up to him and let him wrap his arm around my waist. No surprise, we continue this debate until we go into the first store.

~~~~~

James's POV

"Are you coming out?" I ask Riley on the other side of the dressing room door.

"Yeah, just give me a minute." She replies. She emerges a moment later, in a tank top I picked out for her. And I will admit, she looked pretty hot.

"Wow, you look...Hot." I comment, taking in her body. She blushes.

"Don't say that." She says.

"Sorry. You look amazing than." I tell her.

"Thanks." She replies.

"Is that everything?" I ask. She nods.

"Yeah, that's everything you made me try on." She replies. It was hard trying to shop for Riley, I will admit. She didn't want me to buy anything too expensive, which was hard, but I insisted that price didn't matter.

Riley comes out of the dressing room again, wearing her regular clothes and all the other clothing in her arms.

"I can't believe I'm letting you buy all of this." She mutters.

"And what kind of boyfriend would I be if I never?" I inquire.

"One who respected my wishes." She mutters. I chuckle lightly and walk up to the check out. I keep my arm wrapped around Riley, hugging her close to me.

"That will be $255.85." The cashier tells me. I take out my wallet, and take out my debit card. The cashier hands me the bags.

"Have a nice day." She says cheerfully. I nod in response, and walk Riley out the door.

"I can't believe you paid for that!" She shrieks.

"So? It wasn't that much." I shrug. Riley looks down sadly. It wasn't that much for me, but it was for her.

"Are you hungry or-" I'm cut off by my cell phone ringing. Groaning, I answer it.

"Hello?" I snap into the phone.

"James? Where are you?!" My mother shrieks on the other line.

"With Riley." I reply.

"Get home right now! And don't even think of bringing her home with you!" She growls. I glance down at Riley, considering if I should bring Riley home with me just did get on my parents nerves. But I decide against it. I can't torture her like that.

"Fine." I mutter and hang up.

"Your mother?" Riley questions.

"Um, yeah. She wants me to come home." I tell her.

"Alright." She says. "You'll bring me home though right?"

"Of course." I reply, kissing her forehead.

~~~~~

I kissed Riley hungrily, as if in a way to blow off steam. I was just dropping her off at her house, but a simple goodbye kiss turned into a rough make out. I let my hands wander over her small body, and play with her hair.

"Slow down." Riley mumbles, breaking the kiss to breathe. Our foreheads rest against each other as we took this time to catch our breath.

I had enough of waiting, so I lean in again, craving her lips, but Riley pushes me away.

"That's enough." She says, still panting.

"Why?" I pout.

"Because, you need to get going home." She says.

"A few more minutes won't hurt." I mumble, leaning in once again. This attempt is successful, as Riley kisses back hard and rough. But I doesn't last long before she stops again.

"That's enough now." She says.

"Fine." I sigh. I give her one last peck on the lips and let her leave.