Chapter 5 #2
Derek sees River, and something flickers across his face. "River."
"Derek." River's tone matches—neutral, cool. That's it. No handshake. No "good to see you." Just two men who don't like each other pretending civility.
Alice smiles. "I was just asking Nadine about your wedding. It's such a surprise."
River's thumb traces small circles against my hip. "The people who mattered knew."
Derek's gaze flicks to River's hand, then back to him. "I knew you were a mechanic, River, but I don't think I ever caught where you worked. One of the chains, maybe?"
Oh, Derek.
You just made a mistake.
You think River is some chain-shop mechanic who changes oil for minimum wage.
You think I settled.
Let me show you exactly how wrong you are.
River doesn't take the bait. "I own a shop, actually."
"Oh?" Derek's eyebrows lift like this is the most fascinating revelation since gravity. "Which one?"
Stepping in before Derek can patronize River any further, I let my smile stay sweet.
"James Auto. You know, the one on Third Street?
Vintage Chevy in the window that changes every month?
" I pause, letting it sink in. "Biggest classic car restoration shop in the city.
River rebuilt a 1970 Plymouth Superbird last year.
Sold it at auction for three hundred thousand dollars, but you wouldn't have heard of it since you only go to chains. "
The silence that follows is fucking delicious. Derek's smile stretches thin, the edges brittle. Alice's perfect posture stiffens further.
"Oh, and he owns the commercial property the shop sits on. Bought it outright. No mortgage."
Derek's complexion shifts from his normal tan to a mottled red that starts at his neck and creeps upward. His jaw flexes, like he's grinding his back teeth into powder.
Alice waves a dismissive hand. "Well, money isn't everything—"
I nod. "You're absolutely right, Alice. Money isn't everything. That's why I married someone who actually respects me instead of someone who likes going on side quests every now and then."
I deliver this in my sweetest voice, my smile never wavering.
Derek's face transitions from angry red to an alarming shade of purple. Alice's mouth hangs open, as if she can't believe what I just said.
It's absolutely beautiful.
River has been letting me handle this, but now his hand on my hip tightens fractionally. His body shifts slightly, angling more toward Derek and Alice.
Alice tugs at Derek's arm. "We should go greet other guests."
I reach out, touching Alice's arm with the same fake-friendly gesture she used on me earlier. "See you at work, Alice! You too, Derek."
I wave and smile, cheerful as a summer camp counselor.
Derek and Alice stand frozen for two solid seconds. Their smiles have evaporated completely. Other guests are glancing over now, sensing the shift in energy. Derek grabs Alice's hand and practically drags her toward the opposite side of the terrace.
Watching them retreat, satisfaction blooms warm in my chest. Not just warm—hot. Molten. Derek's purple face. Alice's cracked veneer. Both of them realizing I'm not the pathetic ex they expected to see.
I moved on. I moved up. And they just lost a game they didn't know they were playing.
Turning to River, I half-expect a lecture. "That was too much," or "You should've let it go," or some other reasonable adult response.
What do I get instead?
His eyes are dark, pupils blown wide. His jaw is tight, the muscle there jumping. His breath comes slightly faster than normal. That look men get when they're right on the edge, when they're barely keeping themselves in check.
Proud. Hungry. Possessive.
All three at once.
"That was the hottest thing I've ever witnessed in my life."
I swallow past the lump in my throat. "Yeah?"
"I'm so fucking hot for you right now." His eyes rake over me, from my face down to my feet and back up again. "I'm so hard I might embarrass myself walking back to our room."
Heat floods through me, making my core clench, and my thighs press together. My skin is too tight, every nerve ending hyperaware.
The reception fades around us. Other guests might as well be furniture.
All I can see is River. The way he's looking at me. The promise in his dark eyes.
He takes my drink and sets it on a nearby table with his, hand finding mine. "We're leaving."
"What about—"
"We're done here, Nad."
Before we go anywhere, his hand cradles my jaw and tilts my face up. We're so close I can see the day's worth of stubble along his chin and jaw.
His mouth crashes into mine. Demanding. Possessive. Tongue sliding into my mouth, tasting me, claiming me.
A sound escapes me—embarrassingly needy—and I don't even care because his other hand grips my waist, hauling me flush against him until I can feel exactly how much he meant about being hard.
Jesus. More than half.
Way more than half.
When he pulls back, we're both breathing like we just ran a marathon. River smirks. "We're leaving. Come on."
Glancing back once, I see Derek and Alice watching us leave. Both looking like they swallowed glass. Derek's jaw tight. Alice clutching his arm.
Every anniversary they celebrate, every wedding photo they look at, every time someone asks about their special day—this moment will be there. River and I, living rent-free in their heads forever.
They invited me to make me feel small.
Instead, they gave me the best weekend of my life.
Goosebumps rise on my bare arms as River heads straight for the stairs. The elevator's too slow, and we both know it. Going up, tension builds with every step. His thumb strokes circles over my knuckles.
My free hand finds his waist, fingers curling into his jacket. We're touching everywhere we can while still climbing.
The hallway to our room stretches forever, but not long enough at the same time. River fumbles the key card. His hands aren't steady.
Standing behind him, I slide my hands around his waist. Rest my chin on his shoulder blade. Feel his heart pounding under my palm.
The door swings open and closes behind us, and we turn to face each other.
Everything from this weekend led here.
"Come here, Nad."
Oh God, yes.
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