I had no dreams; no nightmares to speak of. My body felt sated, floating, unburdened, all my worries gone, a foreign feeling.

Where was I? The question bubbled from my foggy brain as my eyes slowly peeled open. The brightness of the room made my head spin a little. The room was unfamiliar. And why was it so bright? It took a good minute or two before my sight became accustomed to it. Then I realized I was naked in bed with barely any sheet to cover my most intimate parts. I groaned as I rolled onto my side. And then it hit me. Hard.

Last night.

River.

“Damn.” Images of us rutting like some sex-starved idiots flashed before me. I could still feel him throbbing inside my pussy, pushing his way into my body. God the size. How in the world did I survive? “Damn,” I stated again in pure and utter disbelief.

Recalling last night’s events left me wanting. I wasn’t sure how that was possible since I remembered how he had woken me up before leaving to shoot the commercial hours ago.

River had whispered into my ear, apologizing for taking me again and how he couldn’t stop himself. What was most shocking was the fact that I had actually told him he could take as much as he wanted. Hopefully, he didn’t take that invitation too seriously.

Sex had never been better, but for us to continuously do this … Well, I wasn’t sure I was ready to face the ramification that arrangement would entail. It was too much too soon.

What time was it? I groaned in frustration as I tried to get up and felt the immediate sting between my legs. And right on cue, I felt his semen slowly trickle out.

“That’s what you get for being such an uptight horn-ball,” I muttered to myself as I pedaled toward the bathroom to wash and freshen myself up.

Once the tedious task was done, I plucked up the shirt he had lent me last night that lay abandoned on the floor before darting out the door.

The entire place was silent. Did Anton and Kells leave already? Apart from the distant echoes of the traffic below, there was no other sound.

My eyes scoured for my purse. Where had I left it last night? I couldn’t recall. Well, the sex bit I vividly remembered, but apart from that, the recollection was sparse.

I had no phone, no money, and had no means to get home. Now what?

There should be a house phone somewhere. Maybe I could call Anton or Kells to come get me, if they weren’t hungover enough.

I trailed toward the kitchen when I heard the sound of the key unlatching the door. Paralyzed on the spot, my throat bobbed as I peered toward the entrance as it gradually opened and in came River with a dashing smile, donning simple jeans and a white shirt. I had never seen a more gorgeous sight.

My heart skipped a beat as I watched him stride toward me.

“If the guys were here, I wouldn’t be comfortable with you walking around with just my shirt, naked underneath it.” He laughed before placing a few paper bags down on the counter. He then spun around to cup my face and gave me the most sensual kiss, unhurried and thorough. The kind that momentarily erased the past. “I brought some essentials.”

My ears perked up before my sense of smell finally kicked in. Food.

I could smell the divinity of the food. Too much late-night activities had made me beyond ravenous.

“It’s your favorite—waffles and fried chicken.” He winked at me before guiding me toward one of the kitchen stools for me to station my butt. Then he pulled out two large boxes full of hot, yummy goodies. His smile reached his ears before he gestured to feed me. “Time to feed your grumbling tummy.”

“How’d you know it’s grumbling?”

“In all the years I’ve known you, you never said no to food.”

Damn, I was little miss Hoover. “Gee, thanks for that. I was just recently chastised about my eating habit and how I should ‘tame it’ or no agency will hire me.”

“You’re a fucking goddess, Cara. Don’t let anyone fuck with your head like that. That’s pure bullshit.”

He was being too generous. Goddess, I surely wasn’t.

He threw me a confounded look, as if he could read my mind. “Woman, do you look at yourself in the mirror? You were gorgeous when I met you at eleven, but now …” He took a deep breath. “Now you’re just … well, breathtaking and absolutely lethal.”

I coughed, almost spitting out my food. It was endearing, but he was going way overboard with compliments.

“Okay, now we can definitely establish you’re crazy.”

Brushing hair off my cheek before securing it behind my ear, he gazed at me with love in his eyes. “You’ve always downplayed how beautiful you are. It’s what I’ve always loved about you … Always so modest. And even now, you’re still grounded and down to earth.”

“So are you.”

“Aren’t we quite the pair?” He chuckled before taking a bite off the waffles.

River was perfect. The unwelcomed thought that popped out of the blue almost choked me as my eyes honed in on his luscious lips eating, chewing. And if my mind kept straying this route, I’d be in more trouble than I already was. Shrugging, I tried to play it cool by intending to resort back to safe territory. “How was the shoot?”

“It went great. I think it’s safe to say that I won’t be doing any reshoots.” He did a commercial for one of the leading cell phone carriers in the US. It was a major deal.

“I could kiss you for this,” I sighed before taking another bite off his fork.

Setting the fork down, he slid my stool toward him before setting me right between his legs and cupping my face. “I’d take more than a kiss …” he muttered before taking my lips, slowly kissing me before the pace deepened.

As the seconds ticked by, we became consumed with each other while his hand busied itself by searching between my parted thighs.

There was no denying it; I wanted him again. But after last night’s ordeal, I was sore. Even still, my pussy became wet the moment he kissed me.

“You can’t …” Parting from his kiss, I gave him a sheepish look. “Nothing will fit even if you try.”

“Swollen?” His brow rose before that gorgeous smile flashed, his notorious thumb finding my sweet button, circling it slowly and arousing me to surrender to his ministrations.

“Very.” Out of breath, I began to bite my lip as I tried to hold back a moan. “River …” I closed my eyes as my lips parted, panting as my senses honed in on the sensation he was weaving for me.

“You’re making me so fucking hard,” he groaned, losing control before he surprised me by plucking me off my stool and placing me on the marbled countertop with my legs parted for his viewing pleasure. “My turn to eat, my beautiful Cara.” He situated himself on the stool once more then dipped his head to satiate his appetite. His tongue was on a roll, literally, heedlessly.

Food definitely forgotten, I screamed, moaned, and begged for him to release my body from sweet torture.

“River, please—”

And just like that, he liberated my body from its agony and granted me an earthshattering release.

Completely dazed, I tried to level my elbow so I could properly see him smugly beaming at me. “You’re so naughty,” I huffed out, feeling lightheaded from the torment he put me through.

“I’m sorry, baby. I just couldn’t resist.” He slid my still parted body toward his before slowly lifting my face so he could thoroughly kiss me. “Did I tell you how much I love you today?”

Oh, the man had a way of showing me just how much. This was the old River I knew—insatiable and unfailingly generous lover.

“Where are you taking me?” I mumbled as he began to carry me over his shoulder.

He playfully connected his large hand to my butt cheek. “I’m taking you upstairs, my love. And if you think I’m going to have sex with you … Well, I’ll prove you wrong. I just want to be with you before I leave.”

As swollen as I was, a part of me was disappointed that he didn’t want to have sex. I mean, after he woke my body, I wasn’t ready to let it rest just yet. Not that I would openly suggest otherwise.

Once we reached the stairs landing, he proceeded to take me into his bedroom, situating me in the middle of his haphazard bed. Instead of joining me, though, he strode toward the opposite side of the room, where I suspected his walk-in closet was located.

“One sec,” he said before completely disappearing from my view. After a loud thud and some shuffling, he reemerged with a large, white, thick envelope.

“What’s that? A sexual contract?” I teased.

His smile broadened before using that said envelope to smack my foot. “No, silly. Although, I wouldn’t mind one if you agree to it.” Joining me in bed, he handed me the daunting thing, piquing my curiosity. “This is for you.”

Brows furrowing, I skeptically eyed him before carefully taking hold of it. “You’re making me nervous.” More than that, actually. There was an eerie feeling deep in my gut that wouldn’t subside as I cautiously opened the damn thing. It contained papers—documents, titles, and a copy of a will in case of death. River’s will. “What the fuck?” I gasped as I gazed at him accusingly. “Are you dying?” If he was hiding something, I was going to rip him apart with my bare hands.

“Don’t look so sad, babe. But no, hopefully death won’t be for the next few decades.” As explanations went, he failed.

My eyes flickered toward the scattered papers on the bed. “But …” My heart pounded against my chest. I felt lightheaded as I waited for him to give a clear, proper answer.

“Both homes I have, they’re half yours. And in case of my death, you get everything—mutual funds, cars, savings, the houses, and some rental properties.”

Horrified, I stared at him. “But why?”

He thoughtfully gazed at me before bestowing that signature gorgeous smile of his. “Because you’re the only one I care about. But most of all, you’re family, and I love you. I work hard so that someday you’ll enjoy it. I had these drafted last year. I always thought of you, even when you weren’t in my life, Cara. I hope this proves just how much.”

“What if I decline it?” I didn’t want to be the one reaping the fruits of his labor. We weren’t together anymore, and even if we saw each other as family, it just wouldn’t be right. “This is all too much …” Too much, too soon.

“You don’t have a choice. it’s already set in stone.” Seeking my hand, he took hold of it before bringing it to his lips. Placing his arm behind his head he then brought out entwined hands against his chest before moving his head to the side, glancing at me. “On a lighter note … Phoenix wants me to get into music. We’ve been playing and toying with some new songs for the past year, but last week, he’s been pushing me to get into it more.”

Phoenix was a DJ, but apparently, he was willing to do more than play and party at clubs. But crossing over could be catastrophic for River.

“How do you feel about that?” Music was and will always be his first love. He once told me that it was the other love of his life, apart from me.

“I’m still on the fence about it. Making an album requires one hundred percent dedication.”

He would have to take a hiatus in the movie industry. He had already made four blockbuster films and another one on the way. He already made a name for himself. Maybe it was the right time to indulge in what he loved most.

“You’d be amazing. I know you will. Your voice is beautiful. It’s raw, has depth, and it has a way of connecting into one’s emotions, to one’s psyche. Not a lot of artists have that gift, River. You’re obligated to share it to the world.”

He cocked his eyebrow at me. “Obligated?” He poked the side of my hip. “What else do I have to do for you, my petal? I love hearing you praise me.”

I was sure he did.

“You know what I mean, weirdo.” I couldn’t help it. I just had to kiss him, for reasons I dared not explore. “You love music more than acting; we both know that.”

“I do. I love both, but I can’t juggle it together.” He pondered before letting out a laborious sigh. “I’m in talks for another franchise after finishing TVM, so we’ll see.”

It was endearing that he was letting me in on his life this way. This was a behemoth move, and I was pleased he shared this moment with me.

“I really think you should pursue it. You might never get the chance to again. You’re so known now that your fans would adore you more if they know how sexy your voice is.” Sexy didn’t begin to cover it. I swooned each time he sang like a total besotted idiot.

“Oh, yeah? So, you think my voice is sexy?” He rolled me on top of him before kissing me, unrestrained.

“That came out wrong. You know what I mean,” I said sheepishly while he tightened his hold on me. Lovingly gazing at his face, I felt warm all over at the mere thought that I might fall in love with him without even realizing.

“Cara, stop blushing like that. It always gets me hard,” he pleaded before playfully stroking my inner thigh, beyond tempted to satiate his hunger that vividly showed in his eyes.

Licking my lips, I wondered if he was going to break his sentiment earlier about not having sex.

“I’m sorry. You know I blush so easily.”

“I know … Trust me, I know.” He snaked his other hand inside my shirt, seeking the soft mound of my breast, softly grazing it with the pad of his thumb. “I want you, and I know you won’t resist me if I try to take you, but not today, petal. As crazy as this sounds, I love just spending time with you. Nothing could trump sex, but this is the second best, and I’d rather wait until I see you next time.”

Since when did he become so good at controlling his sexual desires? The old River would only cease when I could barely walk to the bathroom.

“I have to fly out soon. Why don’t you come with me and drop me off at the airport, then my driver will take you home?”

We were reaching new territory, unchartered and definitely unfamiliar.

“I can get Uber. I don’t mind.” Maybe getting away from him would clear my thoughts. I hadn’t been thinking straight since he took off his clothes last night in the bathroom.

“I want to spend every second with you before I take off.” He took my hand and kissed each of my fingertips. “Also, I quickly dropped by a shop before coming home to get you something to change into. I hope you don’t mind.”

He went shopping for me? Now that was unheard of. River was always so attentive, but never to this extent.

“How’d you figure out my size?”

“Eyeballed it?” He smiled sheepishly before rolling me over to my back, him now on top of my willing body. “Now, woman, will you please spend these few hours with me before running off to your place? I won’t see you for another three weeks.”

If he weren’t being so cute, I would have probably declined him. “All right, if you really want me to.”

“Oh, I always want you, too.”

So, that’s what we did. We spent time together in bed, catching up as he described the set in Ireland and how his life had been without me. He also softly reprimanded me that I hadn’t been to see Mattie since I had left. River saw her as a mother figure, too. But unlike me, he had been attentive to her needs. He had told her to shut down the fostering after she suffered a mild stroke. He paid off her house, gave her monthly stipends, and hired a round the clock caregiver to make sure she was well and cared for.

Time passed and before we realized it, it was time to get ready to leave for the airport. River brought one of the bags he came in with earlier, packed with clothes that were somewhat my size. There was a selection to choose from, but I settled on simple cutout jeans and a sleeveless crop top before putting my hair in a loose chignon. My face was makeup free, but thanks to the wild sex, my rosy cheeks made up for it. Leaving my wet clothes behind, I slipped into my nude Loubies before seeking out River, who was busy tapping on his phone.

“Everything okay?” I asked timidly before kissing his cheek. I could get used to this close intimacy with him.

Dropping his phone on the bed, he gave me his undivided attention through a mind-mending kiss. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For making me happy.”

Squashing the tremors of doubts that sprouted out of nowhere, a deep ache settled within my heart. Peering through my lashes, I envied the love that shone freely in his eyes. “I didn’t do anything, River.” Last night happened because I succumbed to him on a primal level. Hopefully he wouldn’t see it any other way.

“You did, my little petal, more than you’d understand.”

I understood more than I was letting on, but since my actions had more than baffled me, for the time being, I was willing to let bygones be bygones. We had great, mind-blowing sex. That was all.

The ride to the private airstrip was seemingly pleasant. River was busy with emails and making short calls to the production team in Ireland, which left me in a sweet, thoughtless reverie.

He turned to me when the car halted at our destination. The jet was waiting for him on the tarmac. “Please promise me that you’ll take care of yourself?”

“I will.”

“I have to go.” He softly sighed before giving me another toe-curling kiss. “I love you, Cara Quinn.”

Damn. “River …” I began but he immediately shushed me.

“You better get used to me telling and showing you just how much. I know you’re never going to give me a chance, but oblige me for a little bit longer.”

His statement made me clutch my chest before I nodded.

He then lightly tapped the side of the driver’s headrest. “Drive safely, will you, Joe? Take her home safe for me. Thanks, man.”

Joe dipped his head in response. “Roger that, boss.”

River let out a chuckle before thanking Joe once again then reverting his attention to me. Cradling my cheeks between his palms, he lightly pecked my forehead. “Bye, beautiful.”

My heart fluttered for the last time today before kissing him with everything I had. “Bye, beautiful,” I murmured the same sentiment.

He made a thunderous laugh before winking at me.

Solemn in my lonesome, I watched him stride toward the jet then climb the steps two at a time before finally disappearing from view.

I had a few weeks to figure out what to do next without him clouding my thoughts with bombastic sex and earthshattering kisses. But I must say, I had never felt more alive in my life. River touched something deep within. He had awoken the fire that been buried in the scarred depths of my soul. For that, I was grateful.