River’s POV
“I want you badly,” I whispered, my hand still pressed against him. Daniel didn’t move. He stood in the doorway, breathing slow and tight, like he was weighing something dangerous. Then, finally, he spoke. “Inside,” he said. His voice was low. Firm. Final. I followed him in. The door shut behind me with a soft click. He didn’t touch me right away. He walked past me like nothing had happened, his back straight, shoulders tense. His voice stayed calm. “Shoes off.” I kicked them off quickly. He turned to me, eyes sharp now, darker than I’d ever seen them. “Jacket.” I peeled it off. My hands shook, but not from fear. From the heat. The need. I dropped it to the floor without thinking. Daniel stepped close. His hand came up, brushing the side of my face—not soft, but slow. His thumb dragged across my lower lip, and I trembled under the weight of his stare. “You’ve been thinking about this,” he said. I nodded. “Say it.” “I’ve been thinking about this. About you. For years.” His hand dropped to my chest, palm flat over my heart. “You feel that?” My heart was racing so hard I was surprised it didn’t shake the walls. “Yes,” I breathed. He leaned closer, his mouth near my ear. “From now on, I control everything that happens. You want this? You do what I say. Understand?” A thrill ran through me—pure and sharp. I nodded again, but he tsked. “Use your words, River.” “Yes,” I whispered. “I understand.” “Good.” He kissed me hard, one hand in my hair, the other grabbing my hip. It wasn’t soft. It wasn’t slow. It was claiming. And I let him. I wanted him to. I melted under his mouth, his hands, his voice. He turned me around and pushed me gently, but firmly, against the hallway wall. His hand reached around, grabbed both my wrists, and held them against the wall above my head. His grip was firm. His body pressed against mine, chest to back, and I gasped at the contact. “Stay still,” he said. I nodded, my breath shaky. His free hand explored—running down my arm, across my side, slow and firm like he wanted to memorize everything. My skin lit up everywhere he touched. I tried to turn my head, but he whispered, “Don’t move.” I stopped. His mouth found the back of my neck, kissing it slowly, and my knees nearly gave out. “You have no idea,” he murmured against my skin. “How long I’ve tried not to want you.” “Then stop trying,” I whispered. He growled low in his throat, and I shivered. He let go of my wrists and turned me to face him again. I stood there, eyes wide, heart pounding, waiting. “Strip,” he said. I obeyed. Shirt first. Then the rest. Each piece felt like shedding another layer of fear. I stood there, bare, exposed, and his eyes moved over me like I was something sacred. He didn’t rush. He took his time undressing himself—rolling up his sleeves higher first, then slowly removing his shirt, revealing a chest I’d only ever dreamed of. Strong, smooth, powerful. His body was lean but toned, every inch of him looking carved from something dangerous. He stepped close again, wrapping an arm around my waist. I drop to my knees, my eyes unable to move away from those beautiful blue ones. I trail a finger over his cock through his pants, a barely there groan leaves his mouth encouraging me to move on. In the past I never cared enough to want to pleasure them, I just laid there letting them use me, but strangely I find myself wanting to please this blue eyed stranger in front of me. A small smile makes its way to my lips as I unbuckle his belt. I tug the waistband of his pants down. His cock springs free from his boxers standing proud, and erect. I tighten my palm on his cock this time a groan leaves his mouth. “Touch me,” I said, breathless. His fingers wrap around my throat, pressing down slightly so I am not choking. He leans over his face directly in front of mine, he trails his thumb over my lips. “Do as you are told only then will I consider touching you.” he pauses, running his eyes over my body once more. As if not satisfied a sharp sound fills the air as he rips my boxers apart. The move is so sudden, so hot it has me panting. Deciding to listen to him, I take his cock into my palm as he groans loudly, throwing his head back. That encourages me, using my thumb I rub his precum over his length and start stroking. He thrust his hips into my palm urging me to move faster. I have to use both my hands because of how big he is. The sight of his cock in my hands is so tempting I follow my urge and swipe my tongue over his top to taste him. Not too salty or sweet, it tastes just right. A deep groan leaves his mouth, “Fuck yeah. Take it in your mouth.” he urges. His breathing quickens. I do as instructed, taking his whole tip into my mouth and suck. He bucks his hips causing him to slip deeper, making me gag. “Breath through your nose, and fucking take more.” he grunts, his grip on my hair tightening tightening. I swipe my tongue over his tip, bobbing my head up, and down, taking more of him as I do. My palm strokes the rest that I can't fit into my mouth. I hollow my cheeks as I find a pattern I like. Swipe, suck, stroke. I am not an expert in giving heads, but the groans, and grunts leaving his mouth tells me I am doing something right. His foot in between my legs moves slightly rubbing my honeypot. My body jerks at the unexpected move. “Just like that baby. Faster.” he groans. I move faster, bobbing my head faster as I stroke him. My moves become sloppy as I can't seem to get both my hands, and mouth in rhythm. As if he senses it, his next words have me nodding in relief. “I am going to fuck that pretty little mouth of yours, and you are going to take it like a good fucking boy, yes?” I nod, earning a grunt from his parted lips. He bucks his hip up, pushing his cock further into my throat. It hits the back of my throat, “ Fuck baby, you feel so fucking good with that mouth of yours wrapped around my cock like a filthy whore.” His dirty words go straight to my core. The heat in between my legs becomes too much and I start grinding on his leg. “Look at you. Such a desperate little slut. You are dripping without me even touching you, you want me so bad you can't help but to grind my leg, eh?” he groans. Blue eyes piercing into mine as I grind his leg, him fucking my mouth. His legs tighten, he begins to thrust faster into my mouth, my throat squeezing him as he does. “Fuck. You feel so good. I am about to cum, and you are going to take every damn drop of it like a good boy, yes?” He doesn't give me time to respond as his hips move forward spilling into my mouth. I swallow, loving the taste of him, the way he pulled away from the wall he leaned on while his cock entering deep to my throat as he spill more into my mouth, made my knees shake. He kissed me again, deeper this time. More hunger. More heat. His hands slid behind my thighs, lifting me effortlessly. I wrapped my legs around his waist. He carried me like I weighed nothing, moving through the house like a man with a purpose. He dropped me gently onto the couch. Hovered above me. His hands held my face for a moment, eyes searching mine. “I want to ruin every thought you’ve had about me,” he said. “You already are,” I whispered. He took his time. Every kiss had weight. Every touch had control. He kept his body over mine, making sure I couldn’t move without feeling him everywhere. He gripped my hips, guided me how he wanted. Told me when to breathe. When to moan. When to look at him. “Eyes on me,” he said, voice like thunder wrapped in velvet. And I did. I couldn’t look away even if I tried. Every second felt like too much and not enough. Every part of me burned. I begged without words. I gave him everything. My trust. My body. My need. And he took it all. Pushed me to the edge. Then pulled me back. Again. And again. Until I was trembling beneath him, hands clawing at the couch, breath coming out in sharp gasps. He leaned down, kissing me softer now, brushing hair from my face with the back of his hand. “I’ve got you,” he whispered.River’s POV“I want you badly,” I whispered, my hand still pressed against him.Daniel didn’t move.He stood in the doorway, breathing slow and tight, like he was weighing something dangerous.Then, finally, he spoke.“Inside,” he said. His voice was low. Firm. Final.I followed him in.The door shut behind me with a soft click.He didn’t touch me right away. He walked past me like nothing had happened, his back straight, shoulders tense. His voice stayed calm.“Shoes off.”I kicked them off quickly.He turned to me, eyes sharp now, darker than I’d ever seen them.“Jacket.”I peeled it off. My hands shook, but not from fear.From the heat.The need.I dropped it to the floor without thinking.Daniel stepped close. His hand came up, brushing the side of my face—not soft, but slow. His thumb dragged across my lower lip, and I trembled under the weight of his stare.“You’ve been thinking about this,” he said.I nodded.“Say it.”“I’ve been thinking about this. About you. For years.”His
River’s POV“Drink first. Questions later.” Noah handed me a red cup when I walked in.Lights flashed from the ceiling. The music was bass-heavy and fast. People laughed and shouted and danced like none of them had early morning classes tomorrow. The party was louder than I expected.I wasn’t even sure whose apartment this was.“Drink beautiful” “Don’t call me beautiful,” I said, taking the cup anyway.He threw an arm around my shoulder. “Drink up. Tonight we forget everything.”I didn’t ask what was in it. I just drank.It burned a little going down, but it didn’t take long before the heat spread through my chest, then my arms, then my head.Someone passed me a joint later, and I took a hit because it felt easier than saying no.Now I was warm and light and floating through this party like I didn’t have a heartache tucked deep in my chest.Noah was spinning in circles near the couch, laughing about something. I sat on the floor, leaning against the arm of the couch, another cup in m
Elliot’s POVLuciana was sitting in the passenger seat, legs tucked under her, sipping the last of her morning coffee. Her curls were tied back in a loose bun, and the soft morning light made her skin glow. We had music playing low from the car speakers—some calm acoustic playlist she liked. I didn’t mind it. It fit the mood.“I’ll be back in five,” I said, grabbing my jacket from the back seat.Luciana glanced at me, one brow raised. “Six.”I laughed. “I’m just letting him know we’re driving out today. It’s not a whole conversation.”She leaned her head against the headrest. “Sure. I’ll still be here when you get back. Me and my sad little coffee.”“Want a refill?”“Only if you want to stop at a gas station every thirty minutes.”I held my hands up. “Good point.”The building wasn’t far. Just a short walk across the lot and up the steps. Daniel—my dad—had his office on the second floor of the admin wing. Third door on the left. Always the same.The hallway smelled like old paper and
River’s POVThe sun came up like it always did.Too bright. Too fast. Too warm for how cold I felt inside.I didn’t sleep. I rolled from one side of the bed to the other, then to the couch, and then back again. Every hour passed slowly and heavy, like my bones had turned to stone.By the time I actually got up, my head felt foggy and my chest tight. My reflection looked like I’d fought a pillow and lost—hair a mess, eyes dull, skin pale in a way that reminded me of winter mornings.I didn’t bother fixing much. I pulled on jeans and a black T-shirt. Threw my grey hoodie over it. No cologne, no fuss. I didn’t feel like pretending today.I made toast and didn’t eat it. Brushed my teeth. Packed my bag. Left the house.The campus was already buzzing when I got there.People laughed in groups near the coffee truck. Someone played acoustic guitar near the big oak tree. Girls passed flyers for something about open mic night, and two guys walked by loudly debating a Marvel theory.Everything l
Daniel’s POV The airport was loud like it always was. Horns. Engines. Rolling suitcases. A baby crying in the distance. The automatic doors opened and closed every few seconds, letting in cold air from outside. I stood beside the car, leaning on the door with my hands in my coat pockets. My eyes moved through the crowd. People rushed by—some excited, some tired, all heading somewhere. Then I saw him. Elliot. He walked through the doors with a suitcase dragging behind him and a wide grin on his face. He looked older than when I saw him last. Taller maybe. Or maybe just more grown-up. But he wasn’t alone. Beside him was a girl. She was small and soft-looking. Her black curls bounced gently as she walked. She wore a pale green coat that looked too thin for the weather, but she didn’t seem cold. Her smile was quiet. Her eyes were dark and warm. She didn’t talk much as they walked, but she looked around with curiosity, like everything was worth noticing. They reached me, and Ellio
River’s POVI was lying on the couch, scrolling through my phone. My thumb hovered over Grindr for a long second before I tapped it open.There he was.GlazedDonut69.Still online.Still flirty.GlazedDonut69: So? You wanna come over? I got wine, candles, and absolutely no expectations.TwinkSpiceLatte: Candles? What is this, The Bachelor?GlazedDonut69: Only if you give me the final rose.I smiled. It wasn’t a real smile, but it was close enough.I stared at the screen for a full minute. Then I typed:TwinkSpiceLatte: Send your address. I’ll be there in 20.The second I sent it, my heart did a weird thing in my chest. Not panic. Not excitement either. Just a tight little squeeze like are you really doing this?I was.I needed to feel something. Even if it wasn’t real.Even if it didn’t last.Even if it made me feel worse after.He lived in a small apartment not far from the university. I changed into a pair of jeans, a clean shirt, and sprayed cologne even though I wasn’t sure why.I
River’s POVI was halfway through wiping down the kitchen counter again, when my phone buzzed.Noah: soccer practice. 5pm. community field. don’t make that “I’m busy being sad and hot” excuse.I rolled my eyes and dropped the sponge into the sink.Me? Sad and hot?Well. Maybe just sad.The house was too quiet. Like it knew Ethan was gone.I looked around. The bookshelf was missing his comic book collection. The kitchen didn’t smell like his awful burnt popcorn. Even the couch cushion he always sat on had a weird dent I couldn’t fluff away.I had cleaned everything twice already. Maybe three times. The dishes. The bathroom mirror. I even dusted the top of the fridge. I’d never done that in my life.I sighed and leaned against the counter.There wasn’t anything left to clean.And nothing left to say.I walked into the living room. That one photo frame still sat on the shelf. The one from the beach last fall—me and Ethan, both sunburnt and smiling. I stared at it for a long time, thumb b
River’s POV I opened the door. And there he was. Daniel Wellington. Standing on my front step like this was something normal. Like we weren’t a complete mess. Like he hadn’t called what we did last night a mistake and watched me walk out without a blink. He held something in his hand. A black short. Mine. I blinked, still wet from the shower, towel wrapped around my hips, water dripping down my back. My hair was sticking to my forehead. I was half-naked. And barefoot. Of course. “Really?” I asked. Daniel lifted the short like it was some kind of peace offering. “You left this.” “That couldn’t wait until tomorrow?” He stared at me for a second. “You left it on my bedroom floor.” The way he said that, calm, sharp, a little too direct, made my stomach twist. I stepped back without saying anything and left the door open. If he was going to come in, let him. If not, let the breeze slam the door on him. He stepped inside. Just like that. Like it meant nothing. I turned and wa
River’s POVThe sun was already up when I opened my eyes.But I didn’t feel rested.I didn’t even remember falling asleep.The sheets were warm around me, but my chest felt cold. Empty.Daniel wasn’t in bed anymore. I could hear movement from somewhere else in the house — the quiet clink of a cup, the soft sound of water from the kitchen sink.I stared at the ceiling, trying to feel something.Anything.But I felt confused.Everything from last night rushed back like a wave crashing into me. His touch. His mouth. His hands on my skin. The way we didn’t speak when it was over. The way he looked at me like I was something he shouldn’t want.I sat up slowly, wrapping the sheet around my waist.I didn’t know what I was supposed to say now.“Thanks for the sex?”“Sorry we crossed every line?”“Should we act like strangers again?”I hated how quiet it was.Like we were both afraid to face it.Like silence would make it disappear.I got up and pulled on my clothes from the night before. My h