RIVER
Three years ago…
He's even more stunning. The tall, dark-haired in a tux was standing across the hall, conversing with the other invites before he looked around and caught me gawking. Heat rushed in a wave from my chest to my neck. My cheeks were burning. My heart was pounding as I watched him freeze, turned to stone before an older man caught his attention. I sighed in relief despite my heart still hammered in my chest. That was three hours ago.
Damn. My feet were throbbing. Thanks to my expertise in online purchasing. I would have enjoyed a soak in a bathtub with my cheap Pinot noir, but my HR diploma came in handy. Journey loved her job at the Cullen Art Catering, so I decided to take her place for tonight.
The venue that featured a 70-foot ceiling with a gigantic column balcony was just majestic. I was assigned in the cocktail area with my partner Colleen, a little bit chatty, keeping me entertained with the gossips of people she recognized.
"He doesn't look pleased with the party," Colleen sang.
The fundraising gala was doing great, aside from the fact that it was more tedious than I thought, but this event was to raise money for a cause, and I had to suck this up for a few more hours.
"And you call this a party? I mean, yeah, it is because there's a live auction, but no one seemed to appreciate the musical performance." I'd been watching these people and only one man who managed to top my boredom—him.
"Forget about live music. Just take a look at the eye candy over there." She was looking over my shoulder.
"Who is exactly the eye candy you are talking about?" I pretended to search for the eye candy even though I thought I may have an idea.
"Don't look," she rushed, pretending to inspect the table. "He's looking at you."
"Who's looking at me?" With wide eyes, I looked at Colleen.
"Not now," she whispered through greeted teeth.
"And you missed to mention him to me, why?"
Her hazel eyes widened into circles. "You don't know him?"
I squinted slightly. "Should I?"
"If a man could knock you up by a stare alone, damn, you are nine months pregnant, River," she casually said.
"I honestly don't know anyone," I admitted. "And besides, my only interest is saving Journey's job. So I'll stick with it."
"Ugh. You're no fun. But he's hot, isn't he?" She pushed the topic, which Journey warned me about her. We stepped back when the refill had arrived.
Yeah, like the hottest flame. "He's okay, I guess." I tried my best not to talk too much. We were briefed to avoid chitchatting, but here we were. We couldn't just help it.
Colleen threw me a where-the-freaking-part-of-this-universe-you-come-from look. "Are you crazy? You should have seen his brother," she whispered and straightened her back. "Poor Journey. She's been looking forward to this event."
ak. I'll be right back." I wanted this to be over. I could
room, and luckily, it was empty. I sat on the counter and kicked my sho
ould compose myself, my spine stiffened like a stone. Oh, my god. It's him. And he wa
duction? I guessed he thought he didn't need one. Direct to the point. Is he the ty
uniform, I realized what he was doing—he was talking to me as he stepped closer. He seemed to suck the air in
roof of the mouth. "Sorry. Is this supposed to be—?" Did
l rooted in place. He was tall with broad shoulders, at least, a foot taller than me in h
ng in his voice crawled shivers up my spine, in a
supposed y
sed a brow
ferocious focus for a m
ll is not your crowd." I motioned to his perf
his five o'clock shadow. He was almost perfect, except for his dark thick hair touching the collar of his starched white crisp shi
e, eyes glittering with humor. He filled up the room like a force of nature, and I could hardly catch m
n bothered explaining to a stranger. Maybe I didn't want to look stupid in front of
hour before the event." Colle
a moment and stared at me. Really stared at me, making me almost quiver. What's wrong with this
ing, like pretend to fix your bow, lit a smoke, or dial your girlfriend and tell her that you're dying
happen for a reason. If I didn't show up tonight, I wo
ng to me. Of course, why would I think it was me? "I guess so. I'
es for a few moments as if to memorize my face, which I could tell that nothing special about me. Does
e eyes I've ever seen." He must be dr
wanted to waste his time with someone, and that poor someo
ling out of its ponytail, and god, there was nothing special with the color of my Prussian eye
ke a blue flame. His dark eyes were hypnotic, and he had the cerise red full lips I'd ever seen, not to mention his strong jawline to add to his perfecti
ill staring at my mouth. He then trailed a finger on my cheek. It was a simple
ps, in an instant, my blood was molten lava
t remember the last time I had the best orgasm or wi
n surprise, taking that advantage to thrust his tongue deep. He completely invaded me, and I had no power to resis
done this a thousand times. I entwined my fingers in his dark hair, and it felt like silk against my
like we'd missed each other for a long time of bottled-up desire and longing between us crackling up in
ted me. I could feel his rigid erection pressed against my lower belly, and I also wanted him t
e reached towards my breast. I flexed forward, seeking to ease the ache between my thighs and my sensitive nipples.
e only one, I also felt his big, hard, hungrily digging c
God, I wanted his mouth and tongue in there, everywhere, all over my body. I could feel the pool of desire so
ghs. I inhaled in a huge gust, shuddering. I wanted him to fuck me
ke I wanted to dash out of the door, but my bo
omeone just slapped him, but his dark eyes pinning into mine were
compliments and spread legs for you." God, what was I
nk with lust. Then deliberately, his freeze started thawing while I was beyond turned on. But now some
nothing as he