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Riley's POV I couldn’t believe my luck—or lack of it. The day had been going so well until Eric had dragged me into this ridiculous situation. What were the odds that Eric’s old college buddy would be Jaxon's friend? Worse, what were the odds that we’d all have to spend the rest of the day together? This made me hate every minute I spent in this place just trying to calm myself and pretend like everything I good.I glanced over at Jaxon, who walked a few paces ahead with Alexis. Even when he wasn’t trying, his presence was commanding. The amusement park’s colorful lights and playful chaos seemed to dim in comparison to his dark aura. He wasn’t even trying to enjoy himself. If anything, he looked like he’d rather be anywhere else. Same, Jaxon. Same.“Isn’t this great?” Eric’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. He was smiling, his expression genuinely excited. "Isn't what great?" I asked, absentmindedly and I felt bad when I saw his smile falter just a bit."Isn't it great
Jaxon's POV Alexis’s laughter echoed in my ears as the roller coaster roared to life in the distance. I clenched my fists, willing myself not to explode. She always managed to test my patience with her antics, but today she was especially insufferable. Pairing me with Riley? That was no accident. She’d done it purely to amuse herself. Act your age for once, Alexis.“Something funny?” Riley asked, his voice tight with irritation as we remained seated and the ride went on.“Nothing,” I replied sharply, glancing toward Alexis and Eric. I could see them. They were chatting animatedly, as though their decision to stick me with Riley had been the most natural thing in the world. I didn't like this ride and I prayed for it to stop so I can get off and go home to spend the rest of the day alone, or more preferably, making love with some stranger on the app.Riley shifted beside me, clearly uncomfortable. I hated the way he always seemed on edge around me. It was as if he expected me
Riley's POV Jaxon’s stunned silence didn’t last long. The look on his face was a mixture of disbelief and controlled anger, his jaw tightening as he fought to keep his composure. I couldn’t deny the satisfaction I felt from watching him squirm, but that didn’t stop my heart from pounding. “I said I want out,” I repeated, forcing myself to meet his piercing gaze. His lips curled into a smirk, but there was no humor behind it. “You can say it as many times as you want, Riley, but it doesn’t make it possible.” I frowned, crossing my arms. “What do you mean it’s not possible? I’m not bound to you, Jaxon. This whole... whatever this is, it’s over. I’m done.” “You don’t get to decide that,” he said, his voice low and cutting. “You’re in this because I allow you to be. And you’ll stay in it because I say so.” Anger flared in me. “Allow me? Are you serious right now? You don’t own me, Jaxon. I can do whatever the hell I want.” His eyes narrowed, his stance shifting as if prep
Riley's POV The silence in the car was deafening. Eric kept his eyes on the road, his hands gripping the wheel a little tighter than usual. The tension between us felt like a physical barrier, and I hated it. But what else could I do? I had been honest with him—brutally, perhaps, but truthful all the same. Still, guilt gnawed at me. Eric didn’t deserve to feel like this, and I didn’t want to ruin our friendship. I cleared my throat, breaking the silence. “Eric…” He didn’t look at me, but his grip on the wheel loosened slightly. “Yeah?” “I’m sorry if what I said earlier upset you,” I began, choosing my words carefully. “I didn’t mean to hurt you, but I felt like I had to be honest. I value our friendship too much to lie to you.” Eric finally glanced at me, a small, sad smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “I know, Riley. I get it. And I’m not mad. Disappointed? Maybe. But not mad.” I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “Good. I don’t want us to be
Riley's POV I wasn’t sure if it was the whiskey or the rush of doing something completely out of character, but as I stared at Steven, I felt a thrill unlike anything I’d ever experienced. Was I really doing this? Steven leaned casually against the wall, his eyes glinting with amusement as he caught me sneaking a glance at him. “Nervous?” he asked, his tone teasing but gentle. I shrugged, playing it cool. “Just… new to this kind of thing.” He chuckled, the sound warm and rich. “Relax, Riley. We’re just two people enjoying each other’s company. No pressure.” His reassurance calmed me a little, but I couldn’t deny the flutter of anticipation coursing through me.Steven set his wallet and keys on the dresser before turning to me with an easy grin. “Only the best for my company tonight.” I rolled my eyes, but a small smile tugged at my lips. “Smooth.” He laughed and picked up the phone on the nightstand. “What do you drink? I’ll have room service bring us something.”
Riley's POV The sun was shining brighter, or at least it seemed that way when I stared at it.As I walked into the office building, a bounce in my step and a smile plastered across my face, I couldn’t remember the last time I felt this light. It would have probably been in a while because that was the only reason to explain why I felt this happy.I have been to a lot of hookups and one nightstands but being with Steven last night was as if I was in a whole new dimension.I just couldn't stop asking myself how I got to have this beaming smile plastered on my face when just yesterday I felt frustrated.Was it the thrill of last night with Steven? The taste of freedom after breaking my agreement with Jaxon? Maybe it was both. Either way, it felt like the universe had decided to throw me a bone for once, and I was all too happy to accept it. “Morning, Riley!” “Good morning!” I greeted every co-worker who passed me, something I didn’t usually do unless it was absolutely necessary.
Jaxon's POV I leaned back in my chair, the picture of calm control, even as Riley sat across from me, visibly tense and glaring at Steven with a mixture of confusion and betrayal. His jaw tightened, his fingers curled into fists in his lap, and his lips were pressed into a hard line. For a moment, I simply observed him, letting the silence stretch. I could feel the weight of his unease in the room, a tension that made the air almost stop. Finally, I broke the silence, leaning forward with a faint smirk. “You know, Riley,” I said, my tone smooth, deliberate. “There’s something you need to understand about me—something most people figure out the hard way.” Riley’s gaze snapped to me, his anger barely contained. “What are you talking about?” I clasped my hands together and rested them on the desk, my eyes never leaving his. “Nobody crosses me and wins. Nobody. Because I’m not just a player in the game—I own the game. I am the game master.” He flinched, his brow furrowing,
Jaxon's POV Victory tasted sweet, much better everytime I experienced it, and I savored every moment of it. Riley sat across from me, his body tense, his lips pressed together as if to hold back a thousand things he wanted to say. His hands fidgeted in his lap, betraying the cracks in his resolve. I tilted my head, watching him with cool amusement. “Well, Riley,” I said, breaking the silence, “I suppose you’ve realized now that resistance is futile.” His head snapped up, and for a brief moment, I saw the fire in his eyes, the same fire that had first drawn me to him. But it was dimmer now, smothered by the weight of his situation. “Are you happy now?” he asked, his voice low but steady. The question gave me pause, not because of its content but because of the vulnerability laced within it. Before I could respond, a tear slipped down his cheek. He was quick to swipe it away, refusing to let me see him crumble completely. I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the desk.
Jaxon's POV Victory tasted sweet, much better everytime I experienced it, and I savored every moment of it. Riley sat across from me, his body tense, his lips pressed together as if to hold back a thousand things he wanted to say. His hands fidgeted in his lap, betraying the cracks in his resolve. I tilted my head, watching him with cool amusement. “Well, Riley,” I said, breaking the silence, “I suppose you’ve realized now that resistance is futile.” His head snapped up, and for a brief moment, I saw the fire in his eyes, the same fire that had first drawn me to him. But it was dimmer now, smothered by the weight of his situation. “Are you happy now?” he asked, his voice low but steady. The question gave me pause, not because of its content but because of the vulnerability laced within it. Before I could respond, a tear slipped down his cheek. He was quick to swipe it away, refusing to let me see him crumble completely. I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the desk.
Jaxon's POV I leaned back in my chair, the picture of calm control, even as Riley sat across from me, visibly tense and glaring at Steven with a mixture of confusion and betrayal. His jaw tightened, his fingers curled into fists in his lap, and his lips were pressed into a hard line. For a moment, I simply observed him, letting the silence stretch. I could feel the weight of his unease in the room, a tension that made the air almost stop. Finally, I broke the silence, leaning forward with a faint smirk. “You know, Riley,” I said, my tone smooth, deliberate. “There’s something you need to understand about me—something most people figure out the hard way.” Riley’s gaze snapped to me, his anger barely contained. “What are you talking about?” I clasped my hands together and rested them on the desk, my eyes never leaving his. “Nobody crosses me and wins. Nobody. Because I’m not just a player in the game—I own the game. I am the game master.” He flinched, his brow furrowing,
Riley's POV The sun was shining brighter, or at least it seemed that way when I stared at it.As I walked into the office building, a bounce in my step and a smile plastered across my face, I couldn’t remember the last time I felt this light. It would have probably been in a while because that was the only reason to explain why I felt this happy.I have been to a lot of hookups and one nightstands but being with Steven last night was as if I was in a whole new dimension.I just couldn't stop asking myself how I got to have this beaming smile plastered on my face when just yesterday I felt frustrated.Was it the thrill of last night with Steven? The taste of freedom after breaking my agreement with Jaxon? Maybe it was both. Either way, it felt like the universe had decided to throw me a bone for once, and I was all too happy to accept it. “Morning, Riley!” “Good morning!” I greeted every co-worker who passed me, something I didn’t usually do unless it was absolutely necessary.
Riley's POV I wasn’t sure if it was the whiskey or the rush of doing something completely out of character, but as I stared at Steven, I felt a thrill unlike anything I’d ever experienced. Was I really doing this? Steven leaned casually against the wall, his eyes glinting with amusement as he caught me sneaking a glance at him. “Nervous?” he asked, his tone teasing but gentle. I shrugged, playing it cool. “Just… new to this kind of thing.” He chuckled, the sound warm and rich. “Relax, Riley. We’re just two people enjoying each other’s company. No pressure.” His reassurance calmed me a little, but I couldn’t deny the flutter of anticipation coursing through me.Steven set his wallet and keys on the dresser before turning to me with an easy grin. “Only the best for my company tonight.” I rolled my eyes, but a small smile tugged at my lips. “Smooth.” He laughed and picked up the phone on the nightstand. “What do you drink? I’ll have room service bring us something.”
Riley's POV The silence in the car was deafening. Eric kept his eyes on the road, his hands gripping the wheel a little tighter than usual. The tension between us felt like a physical barrier, and I hated it. But what else could I do? I had been honest with him—brutally, perhaps, but truthful all the same. Still, guilt gnawed at me. Eric didn’t deserve to feel like this, and I didn’t want to ruin our friendship. I cleared my throat, breaking the silence. “Eric…” He didn’t look at me, but his grip on the wheel loosened slightly. “Yeah?” “I’m sorry if what I said earlier upset you,” I began, choosing my words carefully. “I didn’t mean to hurt you, but I felt like I had to be honest. I value our friendship too much to lie to you.” Eric finally glanced at me, a small, sad smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “I know, Riley. I get it. And I’m not mad. Disappointed? Maybe. But not mad.” I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “Good. I don’t want us to be
Riley's POV Jaxon’s stunned silence didn’t last long. The look on his face was a mixture of disbelief and controlled anger, his jaw tightening as he fought to keep his composure. I couldn’t deny the satisfaction I felt from watching him squirm, but that didn’t stop my heart from pounding. “I said I want out,” I repeated, forcing myself to meet his piercing gaze. His lips curled into a smirk, but there was no humor behind it. “You can say it as many times as you want, Riley, but it doesn’t make it possible.” I frowned, crossing my arms. “What do you mean it’s not possible? I’m not bound to you, Jaxon. This whole... whatever this is, it’s over. I’m done.” “You don’t get to decide that,” he said, his voice low and cutting. “You’re in this because I allow you to be. And you’ll stay in it because I say so.” Anger flared in me. “Allow me? Are you serious right now? You don’t own me, Jaxon. I can do whatever the hell I want.” His eyes narrowed, his stance shifting as if prep
Jaxon's POV Alexis’s laughter echoed in my ears as the roller coaster roared to life in the distance. I clenched my fists, willing myself not to explode. She always managed to test my patience with her antics, but today she was especially insufferable. Pairing me with Riley? That was no accident. She’d done it purely to amuse herself. Act your age for once, Alexis.“Something funny?” Riley asked, his voice tight with irritation as we remained seated and the ride went on.“Nothing,” I replied sharply, glancing toward Alexis and Eric. I could see them. They were chatting animatedly, as though their decision to stick me with Riley had been the most natural thing in the world. I didn't like this ride and I prayed for it to stop so I can get off and go home to spend the rest of the day alone, or more preferably, making love with some stranger on the app.Riley shifted beside me, clearly uncomfortable. I hated the way he always seemed on edge around me. It was as if he expected me
Riley's POV I couldn’t believe my luck—or lack of it. The day had been going so well until Eric had dragged me into this ridiculous situation. What were the odds that Eric’s old college buddy would be Jaxon's friend? Worse, what were the odds that we’d all have to spend the rest of the day together? This made me hate every minute I spent in this place just trying to calm myself and pretend like everything I good.I glanced over at Jaxon, who walked a few paces ahead with Alexis. Even when he wasn’t trying, his presence was commanding. The amusement park’s colorful lights and playful chaos seemed to dim in comparison to his dark aura. He wasn’t even trying to enjoy himself. If anything, he looked like he’d rather be anywhere else. Same, Jaxon. Same.“Isn’t this great?” Eric’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. He was smiling, his expression genuinely excited. "Isn't what great?" I asked, absentmindedly and I felt bad when I saw his smile falter just a bit."Isn't it great
Jaxon's POVThe vibrant lights of the amusement park blurred into a mixture of chaos around me. Children’s laughter mixed with the distant hum of rides, while the sweet aroma of cotton candy and popcorn clung to the air. Yet, none of it reached me. I actually wished I was extremely far away from here instead pf having to go through the agony of watching people have fun.“Jaxon,” Alexis said, nudging me with her elbow. “You look like someone dragged you here against your will. Try smiling for once.” I raised an eyebrow as I stared at her."You did actually" I replied. "You dragged me out here even when I told you I had no desire, whatsoever, to be in this hellhole." "Don't sound like that. You make it seem like you're depressed or going through something" She said, a concerned look on her face.I cast her a sidelong glance, the corners of my lips twitching slightly. “I’m fine, Alexis.” “You call that fine?” she retorted, narrowing her emerald-green eyes at me. “You’ve got your