The Bet

Chapter 76

Riley's POV

Today's Wednesday, four days after Christmas. Of course me and James have spoken since than, but today he's coming over.

I was still lying in bed, until I heard someone walking up the stairs. I stared in the direction curiously until I see James.

"I didn't think you would be here this early." I say, giving a small smile.

"I woke up early, couldn't go back to sleep, so I just came over." He explains. I than notice that he's wearing sweatpants instead of jeans and an old t shirt. He comes closer and I move in. He climbs into the bed with me.

"This better?" I ask.

"Much. So, I've been thinking." He says, putting an arm around me.

"About what?" I ask, looking up at him.

"We, still never had our camping trip." He says.

"Yeah, I know. I was sick." I remind him.

"So, let's go tonight." He says.

"Are you serious? It's freaking December!" I exclaim.

"So? It was December when we first planned on going." He replies.

"Yeah, but that was before the temperature dropped." I argue back.

"And your point is?" He asks.

"James, it's too cold to go camping." I sigh, beginning to get frustrated.

"Don't worry babe. I got something planned." He says with a smirk.

~~~~~

Later that evening, James returned to my house.

"Ready to go?" He asks after I open my front door.

"As I will ever be to go camping in the middle of winter." I sigh.

"Lighten up Riles." He says, slinging an arm around my shoulders and leading me to his truck.

~~~~~

I immediately recognized the dirt road as the one that James drove down that night I thought he was going to kill me. By now, the sun was beginning to set.

"And...We're here." James says, parking the truck by the cliff. We both get out of the truck. I look around.

"Where are you pitching the tent?" I ask.

"What tent?" James asks.

"Um, the tent we're going to sleep in?" I say, giving him an odd look. He looks down, not answering.

"James, we are going to sleep in a tent, right? Where else are we going to sleep?" I question. James looks up and smiles.

"Look in the back of the truck." He says. I look at him puzzled, before I look in the back.

In the back if the truck was a mattress covered in quilts, blankets, and two pillows.

"And for extra heat, we still have this." He opens the backseat door and pulls out a portable space heater.

"I can't believe you did all this." I exclaim.

"So what do you think?" He asks. I flash him a smile.

"I think it's perfect." I reply.

~~~~~

James's POV

I made a fire and boiled some water and made hot chocolate for the both of us. Riley sat on the tailgate watching me.

"Here you go princess." I say, handing her a mug.

"Thanks." She replies, taking the mug. I hop up on the tailgate too. She leans against me as we sip our hot chocolate in silence.

"This wasn't what you thought camping with me would be like, huh?" I ask her. I notice her smile a little bit as she takes a sip from her mug.

"Not exactly. But this way is more romantic." She says, smiling broadly at me. She sets her cup down and climbs onto my lap. She wraps her arms around my neck. I cradled her small body and rocked her back and forth like a child. At the same time, we look at each other and lean in.

It felt like the best kiss we had yet. The shining moon above us, the fire crackling. Shivers went up my spine as she moves her hands up and down my chest. I slip my hands under her shirt, and delicately touch her bare skin with my finger tips.

It wasn't rough or hard. But it was slow, passionate...And special. We pull away after about five minutes. Riley looks at me, her eyes soft and innocent. She opens her mouth, the words coming out,

"I love you."

My heart race quickened. A thousand things raced through my head, fuzzy thoughts. But one thing was clear, and I said it boldly,

"I love you too."