Cory's POV
Ripley.
Ripley.
Ripley.
Her name was like a breath of fresh air. Kissing her was like a sip of fresh, cool water across chapped, parched lips.
Ripley.
Savior.
Martyr.
His chest ached for wanting her. Grant and Austin had nearly had to tie him to a chair to keep him from pacing holes in the floor while she was gone.
Cory inspected his reflection in the mirror. He studied his blue eyes, blue like the night sky. He ran a comb through his hair one last time, making sure every last hair was in place. Cory took a step back to admire his physique in the mirror. D*mn, the Goddess had blessed him with a perfect body. He flexed his chest and biceps, then grinned at himself.
Of course, Ripley couldn't say no to him.
He had worried for a while that she would. She was unreadable at best, but he was learning her tells.
Cory would play it cool.
It didn't help to come on strong, he could see that now.
Sweet, skittish Ripley.