River's Heart

by Shayne Ford

  I barely settle in my corner, when she makes a beeline for me, cuts her way through a group of people, and stops in front of me.

  “Hey. You stood me up, handsome.”

  I grin shallowly and say nothing. Defending myself would start a conversation I’m not eager to have. Lasciviously, she leans on me and whispers in my ear.

  “It looks like you’ve got yourself a little treat over the holidays.”

  If I admit it, Layla is going to be on her hit list. If I don’t, she’s not going to believe me anyway, and the outcome is the same. The third option is what I do best, so I decide to mess with her head.

  Pulling my best man whore impersonation, I flash a languorous smile.

  “It’s hard to stop at one treat,” I say, running my eyes down on her, undressing her with my filthy gaze.

  It’s cold, but she doesn’t know it, or perhaps she doesn’t care. The way she rubs her thighs together tells me that it’s working.

  “So when are we going to catch up on things?”

  That’s a very elegant way to put it. Resting my hand on her shoulder, I lean toward her.

  “There’s some business I need to take care off first... I’ll let you know.”

  As I play my little game, someone taps Alana on her shoulder and her focus shifts away from me.

  I look across the room, just in time to see Layla waltzing to Ron, hugging him tightly. It’s his birthday after all, but the sight of their bodies clamped together makes my insides twitch. It’s nothing more than a hug, but I’m tense like a coiled spring.

  She twirls away from Ron, casts a gaze in my direction, and sure enough, I register the revenge boiling in her eyes. My award winning performance hasn’t gone unnoticed, and she looks like she’s ready to pay me back.

  Any other time, I would’ve kicked back, get the popcorn and amused myself. Not tonight, though. By the time I’m done with Alana, this could be a mess. Not to say that seeing Layla in the proximity of other men, drives me crazy.

  She briefly sets a frosted gaze on Alana before she turns away and slices her way back to the group, edging closer to the last person I want to see her with.

  Tension surges through me as I catch sight of her leaning toward Jay. Talking to him?

  He jerks away from her, panic-stricken––at least the man learned his lesson, and then he glances across the room, meeting my eyes.

  Still, I can’t blame this one on him. I know what she’s doing.

  He’s trying to get away from her, but she doesn’t give up that easily. Pursuing him, she mutters something to him, convincing enough to coax him to follow her to Ron’s booth. Layla takes a seat between Jay and Nora.

  My jaw tenses.

  Rubbing my chin, I try to reason, but no matter what I say to myself, my thoughts spin out of control.

  If things are not shitty enough, Alana flashes me a knowing smile as if she’s privy to my turmoil. I take a sharp left to a different booth and sink into an empty sofa.

  Leaning back, I stretch my arms on the back of the couch, openly glaring toward Layla’s table.

  They clink glasses, and toast, her beautiful face turned to Jay. She utters words that make him smile. He’s guarded and I can tell he stifles his reaction to her. He’s definitely a tool in her ploy.

  At least I’m able to admit that.

  Casually, she glances over her shoulder and hurls me a frosted stare. Oh, that hurt. It may be a fucking act, a way to punish me, but it doesn’t really matter. I can’t think straight right now.

  My eyes throw fire back at her. She doesn’t give a damn.

  Cold, she turns her back to me. They laugh and chat, and I simmer like a stew.

  I need to turn this shit around. I wish I wouldn’t need to do what I’m about to do. I might regret it later on.

  Scanning the room, I spot Thalia on my left, sitting at a table in the company of a few women. Seemingly, she’s on a prowl tonight. I motion to her, and she excuses herself and heads my way.

  I tap the sofa at my side.

  She sits next to me, half turned to me. With some effort, I’m finally able to focus on her. She wears a red dress, her sun kissed locks framing her face, setting off her blue eyes.

  She studies me, intrigued.

  “You look great. Great company over there,” I say, motioning over my shoulder while working on my set-up.

  A wolfish smile stretches across my lips.

  She gives me a faint smile.

  “It’s only small talk, really...”

  “Mmm-hmm...”

  “You don’t look bad yourself,” she chirps, giving me a once over. “Love agrees with you. Where is she?”

  My lips curl into a lopsided smile, half carnal, half criminal.

  “She’s across the room, at Ron’s table. Don’t look!” I say, almost swallowing my tongue. “She looks at us.”

  Surprised, she lifts an eyebrow.

  “What’s wrong with you? I’ve never seen you like that,” she says.

  I chuckle, nervous.

  “Like what? Loosing my shit?”

  She nods, amused.

  “Yeah...”

  Without erasing my grin, I dish out on my situation.

  “She’s fucking with me. See, we’re not a public item...”

  “Does she want to go public?”

  “No, but this is not working either... In fact, it drives me crazy.”

  I shoot a glance in Layla’s direction.

  She’s no longer at the table. Standing next to Nora, she’s conferencing with her, glancing at me from time to time.

  Her smile falls from her face as she catches sight of Thalia. I’m sure by now, she knows who sits next to me.

  No longer cold or playing tricks, she harpoons her gaze straight into my eyes, charring me with her glare.

  “Hmm... It seems to me that you’re a bit jealous.”

  I look at Thalia with tormented eyes.

  “A bit?? I’ve been drowning in jealousy for the past half hour, and now I’m thirsty for revenge...”

  She studies my expression for a few moments, a faltering smile tugging at her lips.

  “This is not what I think it is.”

  I tilt my head to the side, flashing a mischievous grin. She shakes her head in disbelief and looks deep into my eyes searching for a different answer. There isn’t one.

  It’s all emotion, dark and powerful and inescapable.

  She jolts right up.

  “I can’t do this River. I’m sorry....”

  I briefly scan the room. Not far from the booth, Alana has her eyes on us.

  I glance up at Thalia.

  No matter what she says, her eyes tell me a different story. She’s a bit curious, and for reasons I don’t have time to analyze right now, she can’t really say no to me. Her smile turns lustful, her cheeks blushing.

  I cuff her wrist, and gently pull her to me. She bends at her waist, our faces mere inches away.

  She fights the idea, yet it’s a lost battle as my lips start trailing hers.

  “You help me get her in my room...” I breathe into her.

  “How do you know she’ll...?”

  Before she finishes her question, I lock her lips, and her body ceases to resist. Without breaking our kiss, she slides back onto the couch.

  I lean back, and pull her with me, brushing her hair to the side, for my audience to see.

  Alana’s eyes shoot dark not far from me.

  “This is crazy, you know?” Thalia says.

  “Uh-huh...” I murmur.

  Without another word, I rise to my feet, clasp her hand and pull her with me. We slip out of the room, strut into the hallway, and head straight to the elevator when we bump into Steve.

  Swiftly, he swallows his surprise, his eyes telegraphing questions. Thalia begins to say something before I press my finger against her lips.

  I turn to Steve.

  “I’m in my room,” I say.

  His mouth opens and closes, without a word.r />
  I hold the door open for Thalia before I walk into the elevator. We ride in silence.

  The elevator doors slide open at the last floor where we split ways. Thick rugs absorb the sound of my steps as I stride to my suite.

  I walk inside, toss the key on the table, and take a long breath. I lean against the sofa, mixed emotions pouring over me.

  Nervous, I start rubbing the back of my neck when a noise comes from the door. The next moment, it swings wide open and Layla swoops in, seething with fury.

  Crossing my arms over my chest, I stare at her.

  It fucking worked. Now let’s see what’s the price I need to pay.

  “Hmm... You found your way.”

  My voice slips out, cold.

  “Where is she?” she breathes out, almost choking.

  A small smile rolls to my lips.

  “She has a name.”

  Her blazing eyes could kill me right now, but that’s the power of love. It can turn bad in a blink of an eye.

  “You fucking lied to me, River. ”

  “No, I didn’t.”

  “Yes, you did. You kissed her...Why would you do that? For me to see. Why the fuck would you do that?“

  “Hmm... I did. And now you’re here, aren’t you?”

  She blinks, confused.

  “See Layla, this is a two-way street.”

  Her eyes widen, her lips creasing into a bitter smile. She slides her hands onto her hips, her face washed with revelation.

  “So now you know how it feels to get hurt...” she mutters.

  She smiles cleverly as if she’s taught me a lesson. I glare at her.

  “No. You know what hurts? You slipping every fucking time for things you don’t even know if they’re real,” I burst out, finally venting some of the anger I’ve been sitting on for the last hour or so.

  She huffs.

  “Really? What about Thalia? Isn’t she real? Wasn’t your kiss real? We even look alike for fuck’s sake.”

  I shake my head.

  “That’s divine comedy at its best... I have nothing to do with it,” I say, unable to stop a smile from seeping into my voice.

  She looks at me, thrown off by my reaction.

  She is close to me and distracted enough. Taking her by surprise, I curl my arm around her waist and bring her to me.

  She pushes me away, but I know this fight, oh, so well. The moment I run my hand on her bare back and pull her close to me, pressing her into my groin, her body slackens.

  I take her face in my hands.

  “How real is what you see, Layla? Huh?” I ask quietly, almost touching her lips.

  She looks at me, showing me the softness that I know and love, her fingers tenderly running over my face.

  “Don’t do this to me, River...”

  “I’m not doing anything, baby,” I murmur.

  My lips meet hers. Warmth and tenderness pour in my kiss before fire courses through us, breathing life into our love, pushing away our anger and the desperation.

  It’s been only a few days since I’ve held her in my arms, and it already feels like a lifetime.

  Still kissing, I slide my hands up her thighs, rolling her dress up.

  I dip my eyes.

  “Fuck, Layla,” I say running my fingers between her legs.

  She’s wet, and I’m hard, raw hunger ramming through my blood. Swiftly, she peels my shirt off me, and pulls my fly open.

  “That’s fucking good,” I mumble as she starts stroking me.

  She moans and rolls her hips, prompting me to break the kiss. Deftly, I slide the dress off her shoulders and throw it on the sofa. I nudge her around, and slowly slide her core down my length.

  She starts rocking her hips. She’s hot and wet and throbbing, and I’m getting drunk on her.

  Without taking her long, she’s right there, edging. I’m close to coming as well.

  “Damn it...” I mumble.

  I fill my hands with her breasts, my lips tracing her neck, my fingers slipping between her thighs, stroking her clit.

  She starts shaking. This could get out of hand in a split second as I quickly lose control.

  “Fucking shit...” I mutter.

  I pull out, bend her over the back of the sofa, and slide back into her, pounding her to her relief. She screams so hard, I have to clamp my hand over her mouth while, pumping her fiercely.

  She barely scales down when I sweep her off her feet and lay her in my bed. Rolling to her back, she bends her knees and opens her legs, her eyes begging me.

  “You’re going to be fine baby...” I say as I shake my pants off me and lie next to her, with a hammer between my legs.

  She dips her gaze to my lips and then shifts it back to my eyes, her hand clutching my arm, her lips moving slowly stretching the words.

  “I need you inside me, River. Please...”

  Hovering over her, I run my fingers over her cheek.

  “I’ll come inside you, but I want you to promise me something first...”

  Slowly, my finger traces her lips.

  “I don’t like games, baby. Please don’t play with me.”

  “But, that woman...”

  I press my index to her lips.

  “That woman chases my ball, but I didn’t fuck her. I tried to distract her. I don’t want her on your back. That’s all.”

  She searches my eyes.

  “Are we clear?” I ask.

  She lowers her head.

  “Promise?”

  “Yes.”

  Tucking my finger under her chin, I angle her face up and look straight into her eyes.

  “I don’t fuck Thalia, either. I don’t fuck anyone, baby. I need you to trust me. Otherwise, we’ll crash and burn. Both of us. This will never work. Do you understand?”

  She nods, the light shining brightly in her eyes again. I trail the length of her thigh with my hand, and slowly kiss her while wedging myself between her legs, filling her up.

  Her moan makes me hot.

  “Is this better?” I ask.

  “This is good,” she purrs, running her hands down on me. “Can you please fuck me?”

  “That sounds just about right,” I say, smiling.

  Drinking in her intoxicated smile, I start moving. She watches me with hooded eyes as I roll my hips and thrust, her nose creasing with pleasure.

  My lips slide to her mouth, and then start trailing the side of her neck, my teeth digging into her silken skin.

  She moans and squirms.

  “I fucking love you, River... I don’t think I’m gonna get down from here... I’m addicted to you...” she says, and I grin, the fire between her legs driving me mad.

  Her hands latch onto me, one planted on my ass, the other entangled in my hair as I thrust my tongue into her mouth.

  Her body jerks under my weight, her blood running warm like mine.

  She screams inside my mouth, and I ram into her until her power starts to die down, and then I let go and come.

  Embraced we slow down, and then I crash by her side, one thought spinning in my head.

  How am I gonna stay away from her for so long?

  8

  “So, how is she? Hot as she looks?”

  I throw Ron a vicious glare.

  Have I missed the memo? Since when do we dish out on pussy?

  “Who are you talking about?” I grumble.

  I don’t know how much he knows, but he’s definitely fishing for information or confirmation, or fuck, maybe just a few titillating details.

  Whatever drives him to probe me, is stupid if not downright dangerous. I don’t know what’s with him lately, but he’s too curious when it comes to Layla. I’ve ever been quite able to understand his obsession with her.

  He seems concerned––most of the time anyway, but who can tell? We’ve been playing this game for a while. And fuck me, don’t I know that itch, the longing that’s been lurking inside him, the unquenched curiosity.

  We may have rules about not cros
sing each other, but any rule can be broken. Arguably, I’m suspicious of any hot blooded man who lays his eyes on her, but Ron’s no ladies man for nothing.

  He may be engaged, but to him, that’s like wearing a new tie. It’s shiny and smooth. You stroke it once in a while, but at the end of the day you shove it into a drawer and forget about it.

  Squinting, he takes in a long drag on his cigarette before he blows the smoke out, dispersing it with his long-fingered hand.

  “By the way, I had those pictures posted, the ones she took...The last batch,” he says.

  “Uh-huh...”

  “Within hours, they went viral. They were the most shared and liked, and they also had the most comments.”

  “That’s good,” I say with a hollow voice.

  He takes another drag. Exhaling the smoke to the side, he narrows his eyes and studies me.

  I tear my gaze away.

  “She’s good.”

  “Yes, she is,” I mutter absently.

  He stabs the cigarette in the ashtray.

  “Listen, we’re gonna be gone for more than two months. Let me give you a piece of advice. People do all sorts of crazy things when there’s distance between them. You have to cool off,” he says as if he knows what’s going on.

  “Is that what you’re doing with Nora? Cooling off?”

  Smiling, he nods.

  “Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m doing. I don’t want any drama. I want my head with me, focused on what I do where I’m doing it, not miles away. I don’t want to be glued to the phone, all sweaty, trying to catch the nuances in her voice.”

  I wonder if he’s just a jerk or the smartest man in the room.

  “Let’s say that all is good. The girl keeps her head straight, and you only get a bad case of blue balls, but you never know. It may or may not be what she says. Good people fall the same way bad people do. If you stray, you’ll never trust she hadn’t, and if you don’t, you may regret it later on.”

  Why is he telling me all this? I guess it’s just another way of justifying his own behavior, but still, it annoys me to no end.

  “Is it tested? Your strategy... Does it work?”

  A small smile tugs at his lips.

  “Yeah, it does. No promises, no regrets. Nobody gets hurt...”

  “I doubt that.”

  “Not if they don’t know.”

  “Oh, I see...Well, I’m not in your situation anyway.”