Chapter 41 Take Back

RIVER

It hurts. It was freaking hard to sing a happy and beautiful song when your ex was watching. I had to close my eyes and think of a happy memory I had with him to finish the song without shedding a tear.

He’d moved on. That fast, and I hated that fact.

I had to make an excuse to walk away before I could glare that woman to shred. God, I hated this feeling. I wished I was those women who could pretend they felt nothing in front of their exes, but I was one of those few who couldn’t hide the pain.

I mentally cursed myself that I couldn’t ignore him calling my name behind me. And I swore further when my feet developed a brain on their own. Then my stupid body reacted to his innocent touch. Damn, could this night be any worst? I shouldn’t have canceled the invitation, but I already received the initial fee, so I had to suck it up and face my ex.

“You have already date.” Man, that was so dumb. That was exactly what I had in my mind, but I wasn’t supposed to say it out loud.

His wonderful thick dark brows met together. “What?”

I wanted to roll my eyes. “My work here is done. I have to go.”

“River, we need to talk.”

“I don’t think so. I should stay away from you, remember? Then this is what exactly I am doing, honoring your wish. Go back to your date.” She was just pretty and innocent, but she was still dating my ex.

“That’s Everest.” Of course, she is. She even pretended to be my freaking fan. How awesome was that?

I chuckled annoyingly. “Who’s gonna be next, Krew? Mountain, Hills, a freaking lagoon?”

“I’m enjoying this situation, River. The fact that you’re still jealous.” He smirked. He just freaking smirked at me.

“I am not.” I glared. “We broke up, remember?”

“You broke up with me.”

“You told me to stay away from you.”

He looked around. “Can we talk a little more private?”

“No.” I bolted away before I fell on his smirk and jumped into him.

To my surprise, he was still following me. When I reached the door, he helped me out. We ended up in the hallway, and I didn’t know where to go. Both sides were probably the exit, so I pulled my gown up so that I could walk fast.

A yelp escaped my mouth. What I wasn’t expecting to happen was him catching me on my waist, lifting me up as if I weighed nothing. I was kicking in protest, but it didn’t do any help. “Put me down, asshole, or I will scream a freaking murder.”

“Not a fucking chance. Not until I’m done talking with you.”

“I could have just kicked your ass right now. Aaren taught me self-defense, remember?”

“For a few sessions, River. I did years with him.” We entered the restroom.

“Fine, we’ll talk. You’re squeezing my tummy, and it hurts, asshole!”

“Okay. I’ll put you down and lock that door. If you’re planning on escaping, don’t even try.” He put me down to my shaky feet. I kneed him on his balls, but he blocked me with his hand before my knee reached his crotch.

“Good try, River. But don’t do that again. Not on my crotch where my balls and cock that you love set.”

I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs, but I wouldn’t give him a chance to show more of his smug face. He was way having fun of this situation. “Start talking.”

He smoothed the wrinkles on my forehead, gently stroking my furrow away. “I’m not dating Everest. My brother had been asking me to hire an assistant. I hired Everest because I know you wouldn’t get jealous of her—”

“How convenient? But why the hell would I even care?” I glared further, but it hurt to know that he was right.

“See that reaction earlier? Everest is not interested in me other than doing her job. She did not bat her eyelashes at me when she came for an interview. And her resume was outstanding.”

I pretended to be doubtful, pursing my lips. “So?”

“You worried me.” His voice dropped. “Why did you do that?”

I knew exactly what he was talking about. “Did what?”

“Dropped the case without asking for a second opinion.”

“You might be right this time. I should stay away from you. Does that ring a bell? So I just did what you asked.”

“I take it back.” His face broke into a smile.

I kept up the ruse, even though my inner self was literally jumping for joy. “Well, I don’t give a shit.”

“Really? You won’t forgive me?” He stared at me, a stare that could weaken my knees in a second. “You’re literally caged in right now.”

I stepped back, hitting the marble counter. “You’re not gonna force me with your charm.”

“We’ll see about that.” He simply leaned down and stopped just an inch his lips touched mine. I could feel his breaths--his smell intoxicated my senses.

My heart thumped wildly, and I was afraid he could hear it. My inner muscles clenched everywhere while I was still holding my breath.

“Krew,” My lids finally gave out, fluttering close before I said his name.

He pressed his lips against mine for a few moments, and I was immobile to respond, added to the fact that I loved the feeling of our lips pressed together. When he didn’t get any response, he pulled back. The gap between us made me feel hollow, even if I knew he was still close to me.

I opened my eyes to find Krew gazing down at me, his eyes shining with sad emotion.

“I can see it now.” He chuckled sadly. What was he talking about? “You’re the one who doesn’t want to be with me anymore.”

I rolled my eyes. “Oh, come on.” I held him on his hips harder enough that I caught him off guard. A gasp escaped his lips when I swung, pushed him against the counter, and kissed him hard. My hands dug deep into his skin, my mouth demanding him to respond.

So he did, kissed with the same demand, taking control, thrusting his tongue inside, pressed his hips against mine as he made a point with his growing erection. My knees wobbled. He wrapped his arms around me, tracing the slit of the dress at my back with his fingers down to my ass, squeezing the globe so tight that I whined in pain.

I pulled away and glared. “What was that for?”

He smiled—the kind of smile that made me slowly burn with needs. God, I missed him. I licked my lips. I could still feel his taste, and the way he made me feel, his smell, everything about him made me feel woozy.

He didn’t answer, instead, he pulled me into his arms and pressed a kiss to my hair. “I couldn’t go through that again, or I would lose my mind. It fucking hurts, seeing those eyes judging me.”

“I’m so sorry if I made you feel that way. I felt like I was missing the point at that time. I promised myself to get to know you, to peel you layer by layer until I get to know the real you. You were right when you said that I might not see you the same way when you showed me who you are. But I still don’t have the right to judge, you know. But the truth is, I was way worse than you are.”

He cupped my face. “You could never change the feelings I have for you because of a bad decision you chose. You have my heart the moment I kissed you that night.”

“You knew me before we met.”

He pressed his lips and nodded. “Nah. Kinda. Unofficially.”

“Really? That’s all you can think about?”

“When you’re pressing your body to my growing greedy cock, I intent not to think of anything than feeling myself inside you.”

I scrunched my nose. “Jeez. Hold that thought. My father is just behind this wall.”

He pressed his lips on my forehead and murmured, “You’re so beautiful. You’re eyes. God, your eyes, so stunning.”

“You two, get the fuck out!” It was Kai. His voice and knock vibrated against the wall.

“Fuck you, brother!” Krew yelled, fixing his front pants the moment I pulled myself away.

“You can open the door. Kai won’t go anywhere unless he sees us not fucking against this counter.” I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I was flushed, pupils dilated.

“Fine, but you’re not going home with your dad.”

“Actually, I stayed in my apartment today.” I pulled the lipstick from the attached cup in my dress.

“What else you got there?” He sounded amused.

“Taser, pocket knife, condom.” I re-coated my lips when Kai entered.

“Really? You got them fit all in there?” Krew asked.

“You two didn’t—”

“What?” I looked at him in the mirror. “Had sex? Don’t tell me you didn’t do it a million times.”

He inspected his brother while I ran my fingers through my hair. “My brother isn’t like me. You two didn’t do it, did you?”

“Then you don’t know him at all.”

“Whatever. You two need to show up for a couple of minutes.”

Krew snaked his arm around my waist. “I think we’re done here. River will say goodbye to her father. Then we’re out of here in a jiffy.”