Rachel awoke the next morning to sunlight streaming into the master bedroom from the large window. Her eyes fluttered open, and she temporarily forgot where she was, prompting her to shoot up and look around in worry. She sighed as she remembered heading back to Riley’s, and she smiled as she looked at him sleeping peacefully beside her. She pulled the comforter up to her chin in the chill of the early spring morning.
Rachel hadn’t even noticed the room when they came in last night, and she grinned mischievously at the memory, knowing she’d been far too busy to take in the small details. But now that her eyes weren’t on Riley, she realized the enormous room they had slept in was Riley’s regular bedroom.
The bed seemed small compared to the enormous size of the room. Hardwood floors sprawled across the entire floor, but a thick and soft large round rug sat under the bed. The white walls were taller than those of an average house, and giant, professional posters of cityscapes hung on each. A private bathroom was beside the door, and a closet door was on the other wall. The place was minimalistic; few pieces of furniture were in the room, only the bedside tables and an oversized black leather chair.
Windows covered the entire east facing wall, from floor to ceiling. Long, flowing, dark blue curtains were pulled closed to conceal them within, but a little light filtered through a crack and splashed across Rachel’s face. She was curious as to what lay on the other side of the concealing fabric.
Rachel stood up and was surprised to find a silky kimono on the chair in the corner of the room, seemingly left for her. She picked it up and pulled it on, the material soft against her skin. She pulled it closed and tied it around her waist. Now clothed, she pulled the curtain back and gasped at what she saw outside.
The bedroom overlooked acres of rolling green grass; perfectly landscaped flower beds and trees decorated the hills, and beyond all that you could see the cityscape in the distance. The rising sun cast a warm glow on the land, a little private oasis from the city beyond. Rachel could see that other mansions dotted the hills and land close to his. Large oak trees stood silently beside some while other lawns looked bare.
A soft moan made Rachel turn back to the bed to find Riley looking at her with half closed, sleepy eyes. His arms opened, and with a small smile, he invited her to come back to bed. Rachel smiled back and took the invite, his big arms wrapping her up as she slid back under the warm comforter. She snuggled up next to him, and he gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead.
“Good morning, gorgeous.” His voice was hoarse from sleep.
“Good morning. That’s quite the view to wake up to, huh?” she asked as she reached up and gave him a few soft kisses on his beard.
He nodded, “Sole reason I picked the place.”
Rachel looked up at Riley. He opened his eyes a bit more to see her, reaching down and stroking her face with his hand.
“I’m glad you decided to come home with me last night.”
She nodded. “Mhmm, me too.”
He kissed her forehead again and held her for a moment. Rachel pondered the fact that typically, the morning after a one night stand would have been awkward. But with Riley… it just wasn’t. He was warm, encompassing. She felt like she belonged right there in those big arms. And while many men would grow cold and hang her out to dry, she felt like he just wanted to be right there with her.
Still, her mind raced. What if this was his thing? He was just a rich playboy who brought home girl after girl with no regard to their feelings? She bit her cheek nervously at the thought, but she had no way of knowing. He pulled her a bit closer, as if he felt her anxiousness, and she felt herself soften—there was only one way to find out.
He pecked her again. “Time to get moving.”
He released her from his grip and stretched. The clicks and pops of joints and bones rolled through his frame as he swung his long legs over and got out of bed. Rachel studied him for a moment, the morning light cascading over his perfect body. He was tan, with chiseled muscles, and his large stature seemed almost unreal. His wide chest bulged with well-worked muscles, and his back had athletic curves and angles Rachel had never seen before. He wasn’t a bodybuilder, but he was an incredibly fit man who clearly took care of his body.
He strode over to the closet. When he pulled open the door, Rachel realized it was a walk-in with an entire room dedicated to his clothing. She watched as he went through the sections and pulled a casual outfit together then looked questioningly at her.
“Do you wear small shirts and 6 pants?”
Rachel didn’t know if she should be impressed or intimidated by his accuracy.
“I do,” she replied, her brow lifting as she watched curiously.
Riley disappeared to another section of the closet where she couldn’t see him, but he quickly returned with fresh clothes in hand for her.
“I’m sure you don’t want breakfast in your nice dress.” He smiled and handed her the brand new clothes he had pulled from his closet.
She looked up with a surprised expression. “Wow, thank you.”
She took the clothes and got out of bed. Riley pulled on his briefs and jeans, then a plain white V-neck t-shirt over his head. She followed suit, dressing in dark skinny jeans and a plain black V-neck that accented her full cleavage. He looked over and gave her a mischievous smirk, then he stepped beside her as she straightened the shirt out and reached his hands around her waist.
“Looks good on you,” he stated
She gave a coy look back. “Yeah, you like it?”
“Mhmm.” He nodded and reached down. His soft lips met hers and Rachel felt herself stir within again.
He left her hanging though. With a quick motion, he headed toward the door and beckoned for her to follow.
“Come on, let’s get some breakfast. I’m starving!”
Rachel let out a small laugh, but ran to catch up. She realized as she stepped out, the bedroom was only the start to this giant estate. The floor to ceiling windows continued down the long hall, and the sunlight streamed in against the dark red hardwood and tall crisp white walls. The hall had rows and rows of doors, with large photos of nature scenes hung about. She would have stopped and studied each huge piece if she wasn’t working to keep up with Riley’s fast walk.
Riley pushed open a large wooden door, leading to a spacious dining room. A black, buffed table with twelve black leather chairs sat in the middle. The room spanned the entire width of the house and had full windows on both sides with the curtain pulled open. Rachel felt like she had been placed in the middle of nature, as sunshine washed over the room. Everything glowed warmly, casting deep shadows softly against curves and corners. The other side showed more rolling hills and woods, and what appeared to be a country club in the distance.
One wall had giant swinging doors to the kitchen, the other had doors that went to what she assumed were other areas of the house. She looked over the place in shock and awe; she had never been in such an exquisite place. Riley turned back to her when he became aware she was no longer by his side. He smiled as he saw her looking out the window in amazement.
“I know. I’ve been here 5 years, and it still amazes me.”
She nodded. “I can see why.”
He placed a hand on her back. “You have to be hungry; you hardly ate last night. What would you like for breakfast?”
Rachel thought for a moment. “What’s on the menu?”
He grinned. “Anything you would like, gorgeous. My private chef, Leone, is here today. We keep the kitchen well stocked, so really anything.”
Rachel’s eyes widened in surprise. “You really mean anything, don’t you?”
He laughed. “I do.”
She paused for a moment and bit her lip, then snapped her fingers as she realized exactly what she had been craving.
“Belgian waffles with cherries and whipped cream?” she asked with a big smile.
He gave a solid nod. “Belgian waffles coming right up. To drink?”
“Coffee, please.”
Riley whisked away behind the swinging kitchen doors, and Rachel took a seat at the giant table. It seemed a bit intimidating for just the two of them, but unlike anything she had ever seen. It was only a moment before Riley returned, a French press filled with delicious smelling coffee in hand.
“Man, that smells delicious.” Rachel inhaled as Riley poured a mug.
“It’s from Pineapple and Pearls on Capitol Hill, one of my favorite stops, a fun little joint with all kinds of delicious beans.”
She took the mug and sipped the hot, black liquid, the caffeine tingling at the back of her mind.
“Damn, that’s good.”
He nodded. “So, it’s a Saturday morning in Washington DC. You have to have something fun planned for your weekend.”
Riley sat down next to her with his own mug and sipped as he looked at her with those glimmering hazel eyes.
She shrugged and gave him a smirk. “Being new to the city, I’m looking for someone to show me around. Think you might know anyone who is knowledgeable on the best places in DC?”
He chuckled and took a sip of his coffee. “I might know someone. He’s a handsome guy that’s grown up around here. Gives the best tours in DC.”
Rachel laughed. “I like the sound of him. Think he’d take on the job?”
“I think so.” Riley nodded.
“Well then, I think those would be my Saturday plans.”
“Perfect. You mentioned last night you have a dog; does it need to be taken care of today?”
Rachel’s brow went up at his consideration, and she gave him a warm smile in response.
“I appreciate the offer, but Sarah went back to my place last night to enjoy some Frankie time and eat my food. I keep the fridge full, and she’s lucky to have a single item in hers. I’m pretty sure she’s recovering from her hangover with him this morning; it’s one of her favorite ways to get over feeling like shit from a night of drinking.”
The two laughed and Riley nodded.
“Good, good.”
Before either could say another word, the kitchen doors swung open in a flurry of excitement. Two gentlemen entered carrying large plates, which they set in front of Rachel and Riley. She looked to the large stack of golden brown waffles, her stomach growling at the sight of the red, glistening cherries and pile of whipped cream. Riley had a plate of eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, toast, and hash browns before him. Rachel didn’t think she could ever eat that much food, but he was probably triple her size.
“Excellent, thank you, Leone and Chris, this looks great.”
The gentlemen nodded and returned to the swinging doors. Riley dug in with zest to his big meal, and Rachel excitedly grabbed a fork and knife and started on her waffles. She took a bite, and her eyes rolled back as she let out an audible moan, “Oh my gosh, these are the best waffles I’ve ever tasted.”
She hungrily cut another bite, and Riley glanced up from his meal with a smirk.
“They are. Leone really knows what he’s doing back there.”
The two ate in silence, Rachel enjoying every delectable bite of the fluffy, cloud like waffles. The cherries were just sweet enough with a nice tart punch at the end, the whipped cream as smooth as could be. She had never had a meal that was so delicious, and she realized she could get used to this.
Riley polished off his giant breakfast in less than five minutes. His appetite was ravenous, and Rachel watched as she realized the man probably had to eat six meals like that to keep all the muscle. He wiped his mustache and picked up his mug of coffee as she continued to work at her waffles.
“I think today I’ll show you around the small nooks and towns of DC. The tourists will be out in droves near the Capitol and all the museums. It’s the Cherry Blossom Festival, so better to hit that on a weekday that you can take off from work. There are some truly amazing things to see there, but today we’ll go to the neighborhoods.”
Rachel nodded as she set down her fork, stuffed from the waffles.
“Sounds good to me.”
“And we’ll have dinner at POV, best rooftop view in the city and great food.”
Rachel watched as Riley stood and whisked away the dishes. She could feel herself melting as he turned and that perfect ass headed into the kitchen.
She sighed, a huge smile spreading across her face. “I think I’ll like DC.”
…
Riley really was one of the best tour guides Rachel had ever had the pleasure of riding with. He informed her that his large weekend estate where they’d spent the night was in Chevy Chase, Maryland, a rich town that straddles the border with DC. She was confused when he informed her a town of the same name existed on the DC side as well.
“Why not give them different names?”
Riley shrugged. “Never asked, but it is where Chevy Chase got his name.”
She laughed. “So you’re packed with fun facts as well, huh?”
He bit his lip with a smirk and cocked a brow at her. “Damn straight.”
Rachel and Riley sat in the back of the limousine. Riley’s driver was given a mental map of where to head and told to take his time so they could enjoy the sites. Rachel felt her heart race in excitement—she had never been on a private tour with someone who practically owned half the town. She felt like a kid on Christmas morning as Riley excitedly talked about everything they passed. They drove slowly by the high end country clubs; golf courses rolled for acres, and the giant clubs seemed to peer beyond the hills. Riley informed her he had memberships there but rarely went.
“Why not?” she asked curiously.
He gave a shrug. “A bit too fancy for me. I grew up on the streets, and those places are as formal as you get. Call me old fashioned, but I love a good bar and a simple design.”
“I get that.” Rachel nodded as she thought it over.
They continued on to their first destination. They drove through Cleveland Park, Woodley Park, and over to Adams Morgan.
Riley pointed at the colorful buildings. “They have a rainbow architecture; it’s a fun, hip section of town. I love to come down here for the gritty and entertaining bohemian lifestyle. My favorite restaurants down here are Donburi and Izakaya Seki. If you take a stroll down 18th Street after dinner, there is a whiskey bar named Bourbon and another sister bar called Jack Rose Dining Saloon. The two are just perfect on an early summer night.”
Rachel watched the scenery pass and took in the colors, murals, mix of cultures that squished together, and the scene of a market in the late morning night.
They continued on past Columbia Heights and Howard University to Bloomingdale. Riley looked out to the Boxer Girl Mural and smiled. “I love this one.”
They drove around, and Rachel looked to the mash up of buildings, so unique to the city.
“Bloomingdale is only 12 blocks, but it has another favorite whiskey bar of mine, The Boundary Stone. There is also The Red Hen, with chef Mike Friedman’s absolutely fantastic food.”
He pointed out to the rows of beautifully renovated brick and stone row houses that lined the streets.
Rachel noticed the well-maintained gardens. “Wow! I don’t think I’ve seen such gorgeous vegetable gardens in a city.”
Riley smiled as he went on, “A lot of gardeners here. There is even an urban farm experiment called Common Good City Farm that works to provide fresh produce. If you can’t find it there, you’ll for sure find it at the Sunday farmer’s market in front of Big Bear Café.”
They took Rhode Island Avenue through the hip town of Shaw, where Rachel noted the massive amount of construction going on in the city and Riley nodded.
“Yep, those are all the projects we’re working on. DC has had a huge influx over the last decade. We’re booming here now.”
“That’s great, to see a city thriving like this.” Rachel looked out as they passed the apartment buildings, restaurants, shops, and offices.
“It is, but unfortunately it pushes a lot of low income families out, hence the project work to help house those who can no longer afford the rent.”
Rachel looked at him and smiled as she met his soft eyes.
“It’s really crazy how you’re one of the few people who would even consider these things. Most people wouldn’t think twice about the people on the other side—they’d just want the money.”
“Well, knowing what it’s like to be on the other side, I’ll do what I can to make sure no other kids have to live through the childhood I experienced on those streets.”
Riley had turned somewhat stoic. The thoughts of his past seemed to make him turn off the emotions associated with it, and Rachel could almost feel him shut down. She reached out and placed a hand on his knee, her warm eyes meeting his.
“It’s a struggle you embrace. That’s a good thing.”
“It is,” he replied simply.
They continued to drive through Logan Circle and over to DuPont Circle. Riley had the driver park the car, and the two got out to spend a bit of the afternoon exploring. Dupont Circle was a mix of glamorous grand dame and public park, the bustle of the Saturday crowds moving quickly in the warm, afternoon sunlight. The early spring breeze was still cool, and Rachel pulled her coat around herself tightly.
Connecticut Avenue vendors were selling trinkets and well-groomed sidewalks lined the exquisite chocolate shop, Chocolate House. They stopped in, and Riley asked her favorite kind, to which Rachel felt herself blush as he ordered her a half pound of their own version of Reese’s.
“You like bookstores, I’m assuming?” Riley asked as he grabbed the bag.
“Oh, they’re one of my favorite places!”
He quickly led her into Kramerbooks & Afterwords Café, a shop that was tight and packed to the max with novels and adjoined a coffee shop that almost felt mystical to Rachel.
“This place is awesome!” Rachel gushed as her hand ran over spines of books, both new and old.
They spent a few hours wandering in and out of shops, past the modern art at The Phillips Collection, past embassies, outdoor chess games, and modern restaurants. As early evening began to set in, Riley began to head toward the car.
“We’ll pass the famous sites of Foggy Bottom, then over to POV for our dinner reservation.”
He pointed out the riverside view of Watergate, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the Memorial Bridge. He mentioned that they were the places most people thought of when they heard DC, because most were the famous exterior shots used in film and media.
“It’s one of the oldest neighborhoods, and this is where U.S. State Department receives diplomats. There are the K Street lobbyists and further down is George Washington University.”
Rachel thought it was a perfect end to the day of traveling as they passed the White House lawn; the giant, historic site was more than Rachel realized it ever was. Pictures and movies just didn’t do it justice. They finally arrived at POV, and Riley opened her door to the entrance as the driver dropped them off.
She followed Riley as they entered the restaurant. They were quickly taken upstairs to the rooftop, and Rachel felt her jaw drop at the site as they came to at the top. The balcony looked over the whole city—the White House was visible, the Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial. It was a perfect panoramic view of the vast concrete jungle.
“Wow,” Rachel whispered as her eyes scanned the place.
The floor was done in crisp black and white oversized tiles, matched by soft, plush leather chairs with black cushioned seats and striped backs. The bar ran along the building with bright blue, clean grey, and white fabric backed stools. The other side had lush red velvet benches with reserved signs. Candles twinkled throughout the place as the setting sun cast a warm, orange glow over the evening. Rachel followed Riley to one of the crimson benches and sat next to him as the host went over to inform the waiter of their arrival.
“Riley, you didn’t tell me this place was beautiful,” Rachel whispered, the tone of the place somewhat hushed in the early evening.
He chuckled. “I didn’t think words could do it justice. Best restaurant view in the whole city.”
“I can see why,” she said in astonishment as she looked over the glowing city at the bright lights twinkling and the construction cranes looming like giant protectors.
When the waiter walked over, Riley took care of all the ordering. Rachel felt herself blush as it dawned on her how amazing it was for this man to take charge and work to deliver the best DC experience she could ask for. She could see his love for this city pouring from him, from his lighthearted conversation with the waiter to the huge housing project that he worked on for the homeless.
Rachel didn’t feel the time pass as she talked with Riley. It was like she had met up with a long lost friend, and every part of the conversation was familiar, comfortable. He made her feel at home with those soft eyes and that warm smile, but at times she could see the toughness of the street kid that had gotten him to the top of the food chain. It was evident in the cold glance he directed toward a group of men being too rowdy at the bar, something many wouldn’t pick up on, but Rachel noticed the little things. In those moments she could see the ruthless, hungry young teen who had matured into such a successful man.
The wine arrived with appetizers, the tiny cod tacos that were overnighted from the ports of the East Coast. She realized that she’d had more amazing food on this one day than she’d had throughout her twenty-eight years on Earth.
“Riley, I don’t understand how you’re not huge with all this delicious food around!” Rachel said as she took another bite of the sweet and spicy dish.
He laughed out loud at that. “Oh, trust me, I would be if not for my personal trainer, Jim. I have to see him for two hours every morning, otherwise how else would I keep this girlish figure?”
They both laughed at his joke, Rachel feeling herself noe wanting more than ever for his arms to be wrapped around her as they sipped their wine and sat by the small contemporary fireplaces that were being lit around the restaurant.
Next was the main course, filet mignon wrapped with bacon and roasted sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts. Rachel ate slowly. Each bite seemed to melt in her mouth, and she chuckled as Riley moaned his way in pleasure through the dish. The wine poured freely, and Rachel felt her cheeks grow warm as they finished their meal and the conversation kept rolling.
They spoke of everything from their favorite music—his was in the Foo Fighters and Imagine Dragons side of things, hers was filled with acoustic treasures like She and Him and Lords of Huron—to their childhood memories. Rachel knew not to pry, but he mainly chose to speak about his times with Michael, and Rachel told him of the crazy adventures she and Sarah had experienced in their travels. They talked about school, why they got into their careers, and what their future plans were. Before Rachel realized, it was suddenly two in the morning.
“Damn! Where did the night go?” Her eyes widened in shock as she looked to her phone.
Sarah had stayed at her place all day recovering from her hangover; she hadn’t left until eight, but Rachel knew she needed to get home to take Frankie out.
“I hate to stop the good conversation, sir, but I must be getting home to take care of my little gremlin.” Rachel beamed at him.
“Gremlin, huh? I thought he was cute.”
“Oh! He’s adorable, cutest dog you’ll ever meet, but he also looks a little bit like a furry gremlin.” Rachel showed him a picture, and he smiled at it.
“You’re right, does look a bit like a gremlin. Well then, let’s get you dropped off at home.”
They headed out. Riley stopped to pay the tab, and the car was waiting as they exited. The two of them got into the limousine and began toward her neighborhood of Cardozo. They couldn’t keep their hands off one another. The wine had brought their inhibitions to the surface, and Rachel found herself growing warm under his touch. His lips explored her neck and down her chest, as his hands squeezed her hips and brought her against his waist, resting her against his aching cock restrained under his jeans.
She wrapped her hands around his neck and pulled him in for passionate kisses. She couldn’t get enough of his lips or the feeling of his flesh under her fingertips. She nuzzled his beard and nibbled at his ear lobe. Then she worked down his throat and over his Adam's apple, until the rumble of his delight vibrated delightfully against her lips.
The car came to a stop and both paused, pulling away with bashful expressions. Riley reached up and grabbed her hand. He held it gently and stroked her fingers with his thumb as he looked down.
“So when do I get to see you again?” he asked somewhat shyly, his hazel eyes looking up to her like those of a puppy. She simply couldn’t resist.
“Well, is tomorrow morning too early?”
He shook his head. “Actually, that sounds pretty perfect for my schedule. I also know a great brunch spot. Sleep in a bit, and I’ll pick you up around eleven. Sound good?”
She smiled, leaned in, and gave him a deep kiss. Her tongue pressed against his, and she felt his hips rock lightly under her. She so badly wanted to rip his clothes off and fuck him right in the back of this limousine, but she restrained herself and pulled back. She swung her leg off of his hips and slid over to the door that was being held open for her.
“Sounds like a date.”
…
Rachel felt dizzy and weightless as she flopped back onto her bed, Frankie jumping up beside her and giving her excited kisses at her return. She sat up, scooped up her canine friend, gave him a kiss on the forehead, and gently squeezed him.
“Frankie, I just had one of the best days of my life.”
She held him out so she could see his face and looked at him with faux seriousness.
“Is this real Frankie? Or are we dreaming?!” She pulled him close again as a huge grin spread across her face.
Rachel let the day replay in her head—the delicious breakfast, waffles that tasted like they were straight from the heavens, acres of beautiful landscapes from up in Chevy Chase, the tiny neighborhoods with their bright personalities, and the view from POV all played in her mind. It was so incredible to have not only seen such gorgeous and fun places, but to have been able to experience them with Riley. The man was more than the man of her dreams; he was a man she never knew could exist.
Rachel set Frankie down and stood up. She walked over to her window and peered out with a smile she just couldn’t drop. The city looked back at her. The lights were brightly lit, and the streets still held wanderers even this late.
She didn’t know what had happened over the last twenty four hours, but she knew her life was forever changed. Riley was more than anyone she had ever met—kind, caring, and giving, but tough as nails and ruthless when he needed to be. His charm and down to earth personality had pulled them together like magnets.
Rachel felt herself sigh as she thought of his handsome face and that absolutely stunning body. While she had never thought looks were as important to her as someone she simply jived with, she wasn’t going to deny the huge bonus of his sexiness. After all, he had been voted hottest bachelor in DC just last year. Clearly the man was beyond good looking.
Frankie gave her a soft nudge, and her attention came back down to earth.
“I know, you need to go out. I’m sorry. It’s just a lot in one day, bud.”
She put his leash on, and as she went about walking him down to the small pet area, her thoughts were abuzz with Riley. She couldn't help herself from remembering those lips, those muscles, those eyes, and the hours of endless conversation that flowed freely between the two of them. Until Riley, she had never been able to carry on a conversation with a man for so long, not even her ex of three years. Awkward and estranged pauses had often dominated such discussions, and she had only experienced a connection like this with Riley.
She gushed as she made her way back into her apartment. Frankie jumped up on the bed and made himself comfortable as Rachel quickly rinsed off and changed into her pajamas. A soon as her head hit the pillow, her thoughts drifted to Riley, and she quickly fell into a deep sleep filled with dreams of his handsome face.