River's POVI woke up to the sound of incessant pounding on my door, I looked over at Sammantha who had fallen fast asleep on the couch. “Samantha.” I called but she just gave a sleepy response, I rolled my eyes slightly irritated at what a sound sleeper she was.The pounding continues, my heart skips a beat as I turn to see the time. Who the heck would be pounding on someones door by 3:am in the morning!Could it be buglar or something? I wouldn't be surprised he got past the lazy security man downstairs. I tired to ignore it but if wouldn't ceaseThinking of what to use to protect myself, I remembered we have a baseball bat in the kitchen. I tip towed there and took the bat.I approached the door turning the key ready to swing at the intruder. The moment I opened the door I swung blindly hoping to catch the intruder at surprise.But the man could think fast, he held the bat. I opened my eyes, to see the most perplexing sight.Dante was standing at my front door holding the bat, he
Chapter OneRiver's POVI took a deep breath, taking in the New York air. I absolutely loved the smell of the city. It smelled like big dreams and lots of opportunities, money, and, last but not least, hot men.Tomorrow I have my life-changing case; this is going to be my big break. I have the privilege of being the counsel to a hotshot client in a million-dollar suit.Once I win as per usual tomorrow, my name will become a corporate staple. Every company would want me as their lawyer and I can't finally get the life I've worked so damn hard for.But first, I need to fuck someone tonight. I let out a breath enjoying the view of the magnificent hotel pool, my eyes scanning for my next prey. Yeah, I won't lie I've seen potential. Hot men with chiseled abs and all but I've had even better. Since this is the most important case of my life, I need to have the most passionate one-night stand of my life with the best-looking man I've ever been with.“River, you need to change your ways and
River's POVI woke with a banging headache, feeling rather sore. But not the bad kind of sore, the delicious kind of sore; glancing at the digital alarm, I saw the time was already 7am (the next morning).'Shit.’ I muttered softly, I turned around and noticed the space beside me was empty. What the heck? My eyes fell on my ripped clothes on the floor and I almost started panicking.How the hell was I to get out of here, where exactly was I even? I jumped off the bed in search of my cell phone and I saw a beautiful black dress and a folded note.I picked it up and read: 'Sorry for the ripped dress, and thanks for the beautiful night🖤’. I don't know why I smiled reading the letter. My phone rang loudly and I jumped slightly, swearing.I checked my phone to see that it was Samantha calling, I picked up the call.“Hi babes.” “The hell River, get your ass out of the hotel room. I'm outside the hotel with a cab.”I chuckled despite the situation, “I'll be right down hot pants.”I picked up
River's POVI freaking lost the case. I don't even know how I really feel, I feel utterly heartbroken. This was supposed to be the life-changing opportunity of my lifetime.Currently, I was sitting on the steps of the courthouse feeling utterly devastated. After the break, I was so disoriented that the defendant's lawyer completely ate me up, and I lost the case.The last time I felt this way was when Jake left me when I was seventeen back in Texas. I took a deep breath trying to hold back my tears, I can't let this break me. I'm freaking River Harper and who the hell cares if I soiled my perfect record and lost one case.Even if it was the biggest case of my life, I felt my chest heaving with a sob, tears blinding my vision. Damn that stupid Dante.Someone thrusted a crisp white handkerchief in blurry my vision and I took it without a thought. “I hate seeing pretty girls cry.” I heard that voice again, whose owner was the source of my problem.“Give it a rest, Dante.” Now I was mad,
Dante's POVThe music blared loudly in my ears; the club was wide awake tonight. I took another shot the burning sensation of alcohol went straight to my head.“Woah, what's happening tonight? You seem very on edge.” Kyle, my best friend said. Honestly, he was right, since I met that temptress River of a woman. I haven't been stable since.“Mind your business, Kyle.”Someone grabbed my arm, I felt her sharp nails jarring into my flesh and I nearly winced in surprise. “Hi baby, I didn't know you'd be in the club tonight.”I disentangled my hand from her grip and turned to her; it was Amanda, one of the trips I usually mess with. “Hi, I didn't know I'd be coming to the club tonight either.”She batted her fake heavy lashes at me, and from the corner of my eye, I could see Kyle roll his eyes. But what the hell I need the distraction right now.I circled her waist with my left arm, pulling her close, but almost immediately, the picture of River flashed before my eyes. But I shook it off.
River's POVIt's been a whole month since the humiliation Dante caused me. Honestly, after he humiliated me at the club in front of that plastic woman, I can't lie; my ego has not recovered, and I'm out to get him.He made me feel like I was disposable and nobody made a fool out of me, especially a man. Luckily, I got another hotshot client, and so far, so good I was nailing the case.But I still had a problem no matter the money, no matter the excitement I've tried to create for myself, including jumping off a plane. I couldn't get him off my mind, I needed him to fall for me.I want him crawling back to me begging then I'll throw it back in his face and reject him. That man thinks he can just make a fool out of me, over my dead body.My problem was genuinely getting access to the man, I mean, I had sighted him a few times, but I couldn't get close to him without embarrassing myself or seeming desperate.I sighed audibly, this was going to be my last desperate attempt. I saw an ad in
River's POV (6)The next thing I knew, my back was against the wall; I tried desperately to slow down my breathing. I know I must sound like the engine of a locomotive train. He put his right hand above me on the wall and leaned into me so closely I could smell his aftershave.I’m not some silly schoolgirl, but honestly, I couldn't stand to look him in the eye, so I brought my eyes lower. I heard him chuckle slightly. “Could the wonder girl Miss Grey possibly be? shy.”I don’t know why this man’s words had the power to infuriate me so quickly; I immediately brought my eyes up to him, giving him a blank, expressionless look.“Let me know when the man I should probably be shy of walks into this room. It can’t be the man standing before me.”He only gave a side smirk in response, obviously unfazed at my words. He tilted my chin towards him, and I could almost feel myself pool my panties due to that singular action.“I know you want me, you don’t have to be shy about it. I’m sure you kno
Chapter 7Dante’s POVI knew as soon as my mother left, River wouldn’t pass the opportunity to question me who Angelica was, especially since my mother made it seem like she almost ruined my life.Technically, it’s not a lie, but honestly, I’m in a much better place than ever. The last thing I needed to do was reminisce on my high school sweetheart, whom I dated all through and even after college.“An old acquaintance of mine.”She rolled her eyes at me, “some acquaintance indeed.” She muttered under her breath. I took a deep breath trying to gather my cool. “Drop it, okay? I don’t want to talk about it, especially not right now., I have work to do at the moment and would like to be excused .”I pushed my chair forward and opened my laptop. River had an upset look now, “Well if you’ll excuse me, sir, I’ll just be going back to my office, which I’d still be at if you hadn’t called me from.”I know I should say something to stop her or something. But I know all too well how women can a
River's POVI woke up to the sound of incessant pounding on my door, I looked over at Sammantha who had fallen fast asleep on the couch. “Samantha.” I called but she just gave a sleepy response, I rolled my eyes slightly irritated at what a sound sleeper she was.The pounding continues, my heart skips a beat as I turn to see the time. Who the heck would be pounding on someones door by 3:am in the morning!Could it be buglar or something? I wouldn't be surprised he got past the lazy security man downstairs. I tired to ignore it but if wouldn't ceaseThinking of what to use to protect myself, I remembered we have a baseball bat in the kitchen. I tip towed there and took the bat.I approached the door turning the key ready to swing at the intruder. The moment I opened the door I swung blindly hoping to catch the intruder at surprise.But the man could think fast, he held the bat. I opened my eyes, to see the most perplexing sight.Dante was standing at my front door holding the bat, he
River's PovI pinched the bridge of my nose trying to calm myself down. This man was absolutely about to make me lose my shit, “Jake it's fine, at least respect my decision. Let me go home and think properly, I've forgive you.”He let out a breath and pulled back, “I'm sorry, you're right I shouldn't push too hard. Last thing I want is to scare you off.”Scare who off? I just want to be miles away from you right now.I thought in my mind. I signed in relief as he took two steps back, I could finally breath easy. “I'll take my leave now, thanks anyways for trying to apologize I guess.” I said awkwardly.He looked me in the eye and the old feeling of butterflies in my belly uncurled again, I looked away sharply.And started walking to the door, Make reached out and held my elbow. “Please let me walk you out at least.”His touch felt like burning heat, I jerked away. But I knew he wouldn't drop it, sighing I nodded.He grabbed my hand before I could protest, and quite frankly I was tire
River's Pov I decided to take my flowers to my car, I deserve a fucking early day. Seeing Jake up close again was emotional roller coaster, and man was I drained.At least something interesting was happening, a whole new different admirer. Not that I lacked male attention but I was romantically bored and the fact that it was a office romance was interesting and safe.My therapist had advised I stay away from romance right now, but a little date never hurts anyone. I was going to go out tomorrow evening, I'm not going to let my experience with Jake spoil my love life.As I got to the lobby I saw an unexpected person, Dante also seemed to have the plan of leaving the office early. I pretended to not see him and kept my face straight up, he seemed to be staring but what was my business with that.By the way his ex girlfriend was back and they're probably going to get back together. I wasn't up for the tangled mess of emotions that came with messing around with him.I busied myself makin
Dantes' POV“Get out of here Angelica.” I heard myself say on autopilot. My heart felt like it was beating a thousand times faster,why the hell was she here. This was the last thing I needed to deal with today.I stared Angelica hoping I didn't look as disoriented as I felt. She simply gave me her killer smile. The one that brought me easily to my knees, her dimples showed.“Please baby, I know you don't mean that. I came over so we can talk things out, I'm sorry for how I left the last time.” I felt like I was being pulled into the abyss of bright brown eyes, she placed a hand in my chest but I quickly jerk away.“No! I need you to leave Angelica. You made your choice a long time ago and it wasn't by my side. You can't cat walk in here and just expect all to be well and forgiven.”She looked sad for a split second, but I was used to her theaterics. “I'm so sorry, I was just scared Dante. I was terrified of the concept of marriage I forgot I was going to be doing this with someone a
River's Pov I don't even know for how long I had my head on my desk sleeping. All I know is when I opened my eyes I saw it was fully mid day. I yawned and stretched my body slightly aching from sleeping in an uncomfortable position for hours. Sitting up straight I picked my cell phone from the table and turned it on, it was still on Jake's page angrily I swiped it away. Leaving the app with an irritated hiss, I decided to distract myself by watching some random YouTube videos to distract myself. I wasn't going to let my mind idle away into feeling sad about a man who I shouldn't give two shits about, all I needed was to keep my mind busy and active. I tapped the icon and started watching a random video of how to make ice cream and you know how the algorithm works. The app recommended video after, video and before you know I was an hour fully invested in random stuff. My phone beeped with a notification, I pulled down the top bar only to see it was Jake who sent me a friend reque
Dantes' Pov The afternoon rolled in and I closed the file I had been working on. I had to meet Mr White at White water hotel, I really hoped it wasn't a conversation that would upset me.Throughout the day all that has happened has just been upsetting. Immediately I got to the office after the meeting I had to contact Sanders the best private investigator money could afford to get. I needed to know who exactly Jake was and what was the relationship between him and River. It was all too obvious today that they had some weird unfinished business going on and I'm determined to find out.I rubbed my forehead, it was really quite annoying that cared so much about this but I couldn't get it out of my head. The way they both locked eyes like some love sick couple of something. I adjusted my suit and stood up, texting my driver to drive up to the building front door. I wasn't in the mood to take a walk and run into someone who would want to chit chat.I didn't even page Baron to let him kn
River's POVI had wanted to drive to the little cafe spot Tessa had suggested we go to but she insisted it was just a few blocks away and a walk would help clear my head.We walked about a block then a small cute restaurant came into view. The smell of hot coffee with cinnamon buns waffed around my nose and I immediately worked up an appetite.We entered inside the cute cafe a few persons were already there but spotted an empty table by the window. It looked like the perfect Pinterest background but we weren't here for pictures anyways.“Hi welcome, my name is Amara.” A young waiter approached us, I could tell she was new,it made me smile. She looked about sixteen.“Oh hi, I'll have a latte and two cinnamon buns.” Tessa said warmly.“Make that for two.” “Okay, so you'll have them here or to go?” “We'll have them here, we'll be seated at the table by the window.” Tessa said.“I'll be right out with your orders.” She nodded and went to the counter.We sat at the table, and in as much
Dante’s POV I woke up already upset, my concise made me toss and turn the whole night. I absolutely hated how I ended things with River, I wanted things to end to protect her from myself.I didn't want to be the man that hurts a woman because he is not ready for a relationship. But the way I ended it was terrible and the fact that I knew she would absolutely hate me right now and had the right to did not sit well in my chest.I got up from my bed swinging my legs on the ground to touch the cool tiles. I needed coffee to clear the fog in my mind before I took a shower and headed to work.I pressed the intercom and the voice of my butler came through, “Good morning master Dante.” “Good morning, please tell the kitchen to send up my coffee.”“Okay sir, would you like a toast or something.” “No Howard just coffee”“They’ll have that right up.”My butler Howard was more than just a butler to me, he was like a father figure. I had known him since like forever my parents were hardly aroun
River's POVYesterday's session with the therapist was amazing, he was professional, compassionate and knowledgeable. I even had to disclose to him that I had ran into Jake at the wine shop. He advised I stay away from him till I was able to clearly sort out the residue emotions I still had for him else he would manipulate and bend me to his will.As much as I had wanted to deny and claim that I was too healed for that, my reaction to seeing him at the door told me otherwise. A part of me still had feelings for him and I needed to deal with it.This morning I woke up by 4’00am sharp to start preparing what I was to present at the meeting today. Mr Brown had sent me template on how to structure my report, he was extremely pleased with my outcome at the court.Unlike that silly Dante, who seemed mildly impressed. Now standing in front of the mirror I adjusted my navel blue blazer which I pair with matching office palazzo pants. I wore a cream camisole inside and paired the whole looked