Riley's pov

Found him.

The sexy one.

“So,” I said once the burn in my throat had stopped, “What’s with the suit and tie? Did Mom try auctioning you off to the highest bidder at dinner?”

He laughed, very cool and unbothered. Like I’d handed him a compliment.

“My parents are divorced. Just me and Dad now.”

My eyes widened, but his didn’t. In fact, there was a smirk on his lips like he was talking about the weather, not a broken home.

Our stories weren’t too different. But the way he said it, so casually, like, it wasn't the first time it was happening.

I bit the inside of my cheek and shrugged, trying hard not to show I cared. "So... does dad know you're here?”

He stepped in, just a little closer. “He sent me.”

My stomach twisted. His eyes were still locked on mine, and that smug little grin hadn’t moved an inch.

“To do what? Blow off steam?”

Because there’s no way he wasn’t carrying something heavy, too.

“Nope,” he said, calmly and tilted his head.

“To pick up his new heartthrob,” he whispered.

I blinked. “You’re kidding.”

He leaned in, real close now. I could smell his cologne.

Sandalwood.

"You shouldn't say that till you've met him."

I gulped hard.

There were worse parents than mine.

I mean, they are clearly rich, why would he..."

A chuckle almost escaped my lips.

My stepfather is doing the exact same thing.

“But he didn’t say I couldn’t enjoy the drive,” he murmured, snapping me out of my thoughts. “And you, sweetheart… you look like you need a distraction.”

The knot in my stomach pulled tighter. He had no idea how right he was.

“I witnessed your breakup,” he added casually, “ I can help you ease the pain.”

I let out a low chuckle, as his hazel eyes pinned me like a dare. His palm slipped against my bare waist, gripping me tight.

He dipped closer, his breath careressing my neck. The tip of his teeth grazed my earlobe and I swear to God, my knees almost betrayed me.

“We could both use a little help,” he whispered then crouched slowly, his lips brushing mine while his eyes searched for approval.

I pulled back and gulped hard.

Anything for dad.

He saw the hesitation in my eyes and paused. Are you—”

My lips crashed his before he could complete his words, tasting the tang of whiskey lingering in his tongue.

My brain clocked out.

*****

The door he opened led to a big bedroom with dim lighting, its bed unmade, smelling faintly of his Cologne. Still trying to picture out what it looked like, his hands dropped back on me immediately, possessive and urgent.

He spun me around, pressing my back against the door as his lips claimed mine again.

Fuck.

My chest pressed hard against his and I could feel the hard plane of his muscles through his shirt.

Speaking of shirts....

What a barrier.

I unknotted his tie first, throwing it faraway.

My core ached with need as I peeled off his coat. The need to feel the flesh hastening my pace. Just as it fell, he handled the shirt, ripping it open without touching any of the buttons.

And there it was... bare before me.

Sin that made me drool.

I gulped hard and he chuckled darkly. "You should wait till everything's off."

My shorts were soaked, clinging to my skin, rubbing in all the right, wrong places, making me ache for more.

He found the zipper. One sharp tug, and the fabric slid down with it, pooling at my feet like it knew what was about to happen. The air hit my skin like ice, but it only made me hotter.

His lips crashed onto mine, a messy, breathless kiss that stole whatever logic I had left. His fingers rubbed slow, deliberate circles over my mound, like he owned me, driving me insane.

“You are so wet,” he murmured against my mouth, grinding his palm harder.

“Don’t stop,” I breathed, my hips rolling on instinct, chasing his touch, the pressure, the friction, everything, like it was the only thing keeping me alive.

Then—his fingers plunged into me.

A strangled gasp tore from my throat followed by a sharp, guttural sound that ripped from my throat.

This was it.

The pain Vivian and Susan had always talked about.

I’d been so lost in him that I forgot it was my first time.

He stopped.

Just like that—pulled out, his soaked fingers catching the light as he stared at them.

Blood.

He looked at me and his face shifted. “Wait,” he whispered. “You’re a virgin?”

I nodded, realizing what I had just done. “Yeah.”

He cursed under his breath and backed off. “I'm done."

I blinked.

No.

“No, you can't.” I whispered desperately.

“Just finish what you started,” I added.

“I’m doing this for your sake,” he growled, as if holding back. “Don’t make me change my mind. You'll regret it.”

“I don't care!” I screamed, tears streaming down my eyes. “I'm doing it for a reason. I want it and I want it with you. So just please, fuck the sanity out of me. I know you can do it.”

He growled, stepping closer and immediately he noticed the tears, his eyes widened.

“Why?” He whispered. “Why are you doing it? For your ex? You want to make him jealous? To tell him—”

"No.” I cut him off. “It's for something different.”

“Then tell me.” He whispered sharply. “ I might change my mind.”

I stared into his eyes, green and sharp like he could see through my soul.

He's just a stranger and after mom's marriage, I'll disappear. Never meeting him again.

My toes curled as the words left my mouth, “ My mom is remarrying.”

He didn't look shocked.

Didn't even blink.

Like he knew beforehand.

“So? Does it include giving your first time to a stranger?” Are you the one making the mistake?”

Mistake? How does he know mom is making a mistake?

"How… how do you know it's a mistake?” I asked, summoning the courage to meet his gaze.

“My parents are divorced.” He said and I nodded.

“Well, mine is not just that. My dad was killed mysteriously and it was ruled off as an accident. I want to fight it.”

He was silent as if thinking of what to tell me.

“And stopping the marriage is a weapon?”

“No. By ending the marriage the moment I gain something very important.”

He blinked, “Which is?”

"My mom's heart transplant.” I blurted. “The moment it's done, I'll set the crusty old man up with my legs, get mom to see it, boom, she gets heartbroken and we both leave him.” My voice fell, “I can also get some money to reopen the case.”

He ran his hands through his hair, “You can't.” He said, pulling away and I dropped to my knees.

“I can.” I said, swallowing hard. “ So please, fuck the sanity out of me. I've always wanted my first time that way.”

He helped me to my feet, his hands grazing my lower lip, “Remember, you begged for it.” He whispered and I nodded.