Riley’s hands trembled as she fumbled with her seatbelt, her heart pounding in her chest like a drum that refused to slow.She hated flying—the closed-in space, the unnatural sensation of leaving the ground, the helplessness of it all. The moment the plane’s engines roared to life, a wave of anxiety crashed over her, threatening to pull her under. Her breathing quickened, shallow and erratic.River, sitting beside her, seemed oblivious at first, his expression unreadable as he stared straight ahead. He had that same detached look he always wore around her, like he couldn’t decide whether to keep his distance or be close.But then, without a word, she felt his hand on hers.It wasn’t much—just a simple touch, but the warmth of his skin against hers sent a shock through her, grounding her in a way she hadn’t expected. Riley glanced at him, startled. His face was still impassive, his eyes fixed forward, but his hand remained, firm and steady, wrapping around hers.“River…” she began.He
As they stepped out of the airport, the warm Italian sun caressed Riley’s skin. River’s hand rested on the small of her back as he guided her towards a sleek black car waiting at the curb.“Mr. Foster,” the driver greeted with a nod, opening the door for them.Riley slid into the luxurious leather seat, marveling at the spacious interior. River settled beside her, his presence both comforting and electrifying.Riley couldn’t help but gaze out the window in awe. Ancient ruins stood proudly amidst modern buildings, a testament to the city’s rich history. The vibrant colors of the buildings, the lively chatter of people in the streets, and the mouthwatering scents wafting from quaint cafes all combined to create an enchanting atmosphere.“It’s beautiful,” she breathed, turning to River with a radiant smile.He met her gaze, a soft smile playing on his lips. “Never been, huh?”Riley felt a blush creep up her cheeks. She shook her head. “No. I’ve been to other countries in Europe, just not
The sun warmed River’s back as he walked through the narrow streets of Rome, Riley’s hand tucked safely in his. Her energy was infectious—her eyes wide as she absorbed everything around her, as if she had never seen a city before.He never met someone like her before. So full of…light.That’s what she was, and River realized that now. She was the light he didn’t think he needed in his life.She stopped every now and then, pointing out something he had already seen but pretended to be surprised for her. He couldn’t help but feel a warmth radiating in his chest when he looked at her cheerful face.It struck him how easily she found joy in the simplest moments, like the way she pointed at the architecture or shared stories about the gladiators.“Can you believe they used to fight lions in there?” she exclaimed, glancing back at him, her excitement infectious.River couldn’t help but smile a little at her enthusiasm. “Why are you so excited? Did you want to fight lions too?”“I think I’ll
The door had barely closed behind them before River had Riley pressed against it, his mouth hot and insistent on hers. She moaned into the kiss, her fingers tangling in his hair as she pulled him closer.“River,” she gasped as his lips trailed down her neck, his hands roaming over her curves. “I want you so badly. But should we really do this here? What if we get caught!”River’s hands slid under her sundress, skimming up her thighs until he reached the lace of her panties. He groaned at the heat he found there, at how ready she was for him.“I don’t give a fuck who sees and who hears,” he breathed, his fingers slipping beneath the fabric to stroke her slick folds. “You are mine and you’re so wet for me.”Riley whimpered, her hips rocking against his hand. “Okay, but please hurry.”River’s eyes darkened at her words, a primal hunger overtaking him. His fingers teased her for just a moment longer, enjoying the way her body trembled under his touch.“Don’t worry,” he growled softly, his
As they made their way back to the Villa, Riley couldn’t shake the nagging sense of dread that had settled in the pit of her stomach. River remained quiet beside her, his arm firmly around her waist, but his earlier playfulness was gone. The change in his demeanor only heightened her concern.When they finally reached their room, River ushered her inside. He closed it behind them with a quiet click and turned to face her, his expression unreadable.“River, please,” Riley urged softly. “What’s going on?”He let out a long sigh and raked a hand through his hair. “I…I am afraid we need to go back home now.”Riley’s breath hitched. “Why? Are the kids okay? Are Lucas and Tiffany—”“The kids are fine,” River interrupted, his voice steady but laced with tension. “This isn’t about them.”Riley’s heart thudded in her chest, her mind racing through all the possibilities. “Then what is it?”River hesitated for a moment, his jaw clenching as if he was debating how much to say. “It’s about Alexand
When they finally pulled up to the house, Valerie was waiting for them by the entrance. Her eyes were red and swollen, and as soon as she saw Riley, her expression softened.Riley stepped out of the car, her movements robotic, her gaze still vacant. Valerie rushed towards her, pulling her into a tight hug. Riley stood still for a moment before her arms slowly came up to return the embrace.“Riley, I’m so sorry,” Valerie whispered, her voice breaking.Riley said nothing, her eyes staring over Valerie’s shoulder, unfocused and empty.Valerie pulled back, her hands resting on Riley’s shoulders as she looked at her, tears streaming down her face. “I know it’s hard, but we’re here for you. We’re all here for you.”Riley gave a small nod, her face expressionless. She turned her head slightly, her eyes meeting River’s for a brief moment before she looked away.Valerie glanced at River, her eyes filled with worry. He shook his head slightly, indicating that Riley hadn’t spoken much since they
River led Riley to her room, his hand resting gently on her back. He could feel how tense she was, her body still rigid with the weight of her grief. He wished he could say something to ease her pain, but he knew there were no words that could make this any easier.Slowly, she walked over to the bed and sat down, her eyes vacant and tired.River watched her for a moment before taking a step closer. “Do you want me to lie down with you?” he asked quietly.Riley looked up at him, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. She opened her mouth, but no words came out. She gave a small nod instead.River moved to the other side of the bed, slipping off his shoes before lying down beside her. He watched as Riley laid back, her eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. She looked so small, so lost, that it broke his heart.After a long moment of silence, Riley rolled onto her side, facing away from him. River could hear her breathing, uneven and shaky, and it made his chest ache with the urge to comfort
The day of Alexander’s funeral was bright and sunny, contrary to what Riley felt inside. She stood before the mirror in her room, staring at her reflection without really seeing it. She smoothed down the front of her simple black dress, her hands shaking slightly.A knock at the door startled her out of her thoughts. “Come in,” she called, her voice sounding small and fragile even to her own ears.River entered, looking handsome and solemn in his dark suit. His eyes softened as he took in the sight of her. “Are you ready?” he asked gently.Riley nodded, not trusting herself to speak. River crossed the room to stand beside her, his presence a comforting warmth at her side. He took her hand in his, intertwining their fingers. “I’ll be right there with you the whole time,” he promised.Together, they made their way downstairs and out to the waiting car. Tiffany and Lucas were already inside, waiting.Tiffany reached for Riley and pulled her into a hug. “I am sorry, Riley,” she mumbled in