Riley’s POVHis kiss burned through me like fire. One second I was standing there, trying to remember why I hated him and the next, his hands were on my waist, lifting me like I weighed nothing. My legs wrapped around him on their own, like my body remembered what to do even when my mind screamed no. "You're mine," he growled against my lips. I should have fought, or should have kicked and screamed him and tell him how I hated him for cheating on me for lying to me but his mouth crashed back onto mine, stealing every protest.His tongue swept in, tasting me, claiming me all over again. Five years disappeared in that kiss. He carried me down the hall, never breaking contact, our teeth clashed as our breaths mixed. I bit his lip just to hear him groan, and the sound went straight between my legs. The bedroom door hit the wall with a bang. Then I was falling, the soft mattress catching me as his weight pressed me down. His hands pushed the stolen shirt up my thighs. "Still
Riley’s POVMy eyes squint at the morning sunlight peaking through the curtains my head hurt so bad, it was pounding.“Ugh!” I growled sitting up.My eyes roamed around my environment, i wasn’t in my own bed. I shot up, immediately regretting it as the room spun. Where the hell am I?The sheets were soft, the pillows too fluffy. I looked down. And froze. I wasn’t wearing my dress from last night. Instead, I had on a large white shirt one that barely covered my thighs. My heart stopped. Oh my god. Did I… Did I sleep with someone? Memories from last night rushed back the party, Nicolas, the kiss, the car ride… Nicolas.This was his shirt. Which meant this was his place. I groaned, burying my face in my hands. “Oh my god! What have I done?” Then a smell hit me. Something sweet, buttery. Pancakes. My stomach growled loudly. I hadn’t eaten since yesterday, and the tequila had left me starving. I hesitated, then slowly got out of bed, the floor was co
Riley’s POV I couldn’t stay at that party any longer. My chest felt too tight, my hands wouldn’t stop shaking. I needed to leave this place else I’d lose my sanity. I walked back into the event hall, my heels clicking too loud on the marble floor. Anna was near the champagne table, laughing with some guy. I grabbed her arm. "I’m leaving," I said, my voice rough. Anna turned, her smile fading. "What? Why?" "I just… I can’t." I didn’t explain, if anything I couldn’t. Not when my throat felt like it was closing up. Anna studied my face, then nodded. "Okay. Let me get my purse " She looked like she knew, and I know she did and I’m greatful she didn’t argue into letting me stay longer."No," I cut her off. "I need to go now." Before he found me again. Before I broke down in front of everyone, my feelings were in the edge. My eyes stung with tears. Anna hesitated but finally sighed. "Text me when you get home." I didn’t answer, I just turned and walked away
Riley’s POVIt’s been weeks. Weeks of Nicolas showing up at my office. Weeks of him sending flowers. Weeks of me throwing them in the trash and shutting him off completelyxEvery time his name popped up on my schedule, I made sure to disappear. Meetings got "rescheduled." Calls went "unanswered." I was done with him. I didn’t want to keep living in the past, what him and I had was over and the sooner he accepts that the better it is for both of us.At least, that’s what I kept telling myself. Tonight was the annual business gala the biggest event of the year, according to my mother. It’d be my first time attending as the new CEO of the Sanchez Corp, I was nervous and so unprepared for this. I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the straps of my dark blue dress. My hair was curled, my makeup flawless. I looked good. I needed to look good. Because if I looked confident on the outside, maybe I could fool myself into believing I felt it on the inside too. A knoc
Nicolas’s POV I watched her walk away. Every step she took felt like a knife in my chest. I wanted to grab her, pull her back or make her listen. But I didn’t. I let her go. For now. Because the idea that she thinks I’ll just let her walk out of my life again? Absurd. I may have made that mistake before but it wasn’t one I was willing to make again. I’ll be damned to have her disappear again. Now that she’s back, I would have her return where she truly belongs. I walked out of the building, my hands clenched into fists. The cold air hit my face, but it didn’t calm me down her absence was eating me up. The fact that I couldn’t stop her from going eat me up, but Riley is a very bullheaded woman she won’t just budge. Nothing could calm me down right now. Not after seeing her. Not after touching her. Ryder was waiting by the car, leaning against the door. He took one look at my face and smirked. "That bad, huh?" I didn’t answer. I didn’t trust myself
Riley’s POV His grip on my wrist was tight. Too tight. I yanked my hand back, glaring at him. "Cut the crap, Nicolas. We’re done. Whatever we had is in the past now. We both moved on." His jaw clenched. His dark eyes burned into mine. "Moved on? Is that what you think? Really Riley?" "Yes," I snapped. "That’s exactly what I think. We’re over so please don’t try to get in my way." He stepped closer, his voice low and dangerous. "We’re not divorced, Riley. You still belong to me and you’re mine alone" I laughed, but it came out bitter. "I don’t belong to anyone. Especially not you. You made your choices Nicolas. Now you can fuck off." His face darkened. "You think this is a game?" "No," I said, crossing my arms. "But I’m not playing anymore. Our union was based on a contract if I need to remind you of thatThere was never anything real between us and I was a fool to think there was something between us, I may have made that mistake before but not anymore, don’t test me"