19. Río
RíO
Ilie over Hayden’s back and thrust into her tight body.
The way her pussy contracts is beyond anything I’ve ever known—and I never want it to stop!
She clenches around me, screaming into the pillow.
I don’t let her catch her breath, merely keep pounding, then toss my head to the sky.
My roar of approval echoes throughout the bedroom.
Collapsing onto her smooth back, I fall off the side and turn her body so we’re nose to nose. I swipe her hair away from her sweaty cheek, and tuck it behind her ear. “You’re amazing, do you know that?”
I’m rewarded with unfocused eyes. “I can’t get over what you do to me. I came four times. This never happens.”
I smile at the gorgeous woman in my arms. “Are you challenging me to give you five orgasms next time?”
Blue eyes widen. Then the tops straighten. Her shoulders wiggle. “I guess I wouldn’t say no.”
I laugh. A full-throated, deep laugh. When have I ever laughed with a naked woman? “This is one bet I will gladly accept. I love it when you come for me.”
Her cheeks pinken. Bowing her head, she replies, “I was only kidding. You make me feel wonderful.”
I tip her chin up toward me. “So do you.” Because I can, I kiss her. “So do you.” My hand goes to my cock and I grab the condom. “Stay here.” Pushing the blankets to both of our feet, I revel at how amazing she looks, then leave her on the bed while I take care of the spent condom.
When I return to the bedroom, Hayden’s sitting upright, phone in her hands. “Hey, there’s a boat trip around the Tagus River.” I tilt my head, and she explains, “The river around Lisbon.”
When I don’t react, she adds, “Where we are now.”
Ah—hard to keep track. I nod, interested in seeing what got her so excited.
“There are so many great sights along this trip”—she rattles off at least a dozen monuments, bridges, and parks. She continues, “The tour leaves in about an hour.” In an excited voice, she reads the highlights off the internet. “What do you think?”
My answer is simple. “Are you going to be on it?”
“I’d like to. It’s supposed to be beautiful.”
“Sounds great. It’s a ‘yes’ from me.”
“Oh, Río, you’re the best.” She gets to her knees, uncaring she’s naked. Wrapping her hands around my neck, she kisses me, which I return with abandon—hey, I’m a red-blooded male!
I break the kiss. “If we’re going to make the launch, we better get dressed. Unless you’d rather …”
Hayden swats my shoulder. “You could tempt a nun.”
“How about I take a shower first, as I’ll be quick. Take your time picking out an outfit.” I grin. “Make it sexy!”
She shakes her head. “I better wear a brown paper bag, otherwise you’ll rip it off my body.”
“I doubt you’d be safe even in that!”
With another tap on my shoulder, I get out of bed and go into the bathroom. I look around and open the door. “There’s room for both of us in here!”
She doesn’t miss a beat. “Take a shower, Romeo!”
Smiling, I turn on the hot water and take a relaxing shower. Of course, it would be better if she were here with me, but I need to conserve my energy if I’m going to give her five orgasms later. How on earth did she believe she couldn’t have more than one a night?
Soon I’m wrapped in the hotel’s fluffy white towel. I’m staring at myself in the mirror when Hayden enters. “Think I need to shave?”
She looks at my day-old scruff. “Nah. Go rogue today.”
“I like how you think.” I abandon the sink and make my way over to her, causing her to back up.
“No, no more of this! You get dressed and I’ll take a shower.” I don’t move. She makes a shooing motion.
My lips purse. “One for the road?”
She takes a deep breath. “Fine. One kiss. Then you’re out of here.” She sticks out her right hand. “Deal?”
When she put it so sweetly, how can I not give her what she wants? However, she does contradict what I want. “How about this? I give you a kiss now and you give me two when you get out? Seems fair.”
She laughs. I like it. “Fine.”
“Fine!” I swoop in and kiss the woman who has occupied all of my waking thoughts—and some of my sleeping ones too.
She tears her lips away. “Now, go!”
Because I’m me, I give her one more little peck, then leave her to enjoy her shower.
I’m soon dressed for the boat ride in cargo shorts and t-shirt, and sitting on the loveseat facing the wall of windows overlooking the beautiful harbor.
My phone rings. Without checking the caller, I answer, “Hello?”
“River? Is this really you?”
I sit up straight. I haven’t heard this voice for a decade. It can’t be. “Mother?”
“Oh, thank God, it is you.”
My eyes dart around the room. This doesn’t make any sense. “How did you get my number?”
“It doesn’t matter. All that matters is we’re on the phone now. River, I’m at my wits end.”
I blink. “What are you talking about?”
She blurts, “I’m getting evicted. I only need five grand to stay in my apartment. You won’t even miss it.”
Money. She wants money. I haven’t heard from her in well over a decade, and she’s calling me because she needs money? “Forget it.” My thumb circles the red disconnect button.
“Wait! I don’t want this to end here! Your father forced me to leave you behind. I didn’t have a choice.” In a lower voice, she says, “I’ve missed you.”
Do I need to relitigate all the crap Pop has done? No. Do I need to let this woman back into my life? Also no. “Mother, that was a long time ago. I’m with UC now. You’re,” I pull the phone away from my face. “Doing whatever you’re doing.”
“I’m in Portland. I moved. I had to get out from under your father’s thumb. He was still trying to micromanage my life, even to this day.”
“Water under the bridge.”
“That’s not really true, but what isn’t going away is this eviction. I have to get my landlord off my back.”
Eviction? $5k? My head moves from right to left. “That’s your issue, not mine.”
“I know it is, River. I’m sorry. If I had anyone else to ask, believe me I would.”
Because I must be a glutton for punishment, I ask, “Why don’t you get a loan?”
“I need it too fast. I have to come up with the money by the end of the week.”
My eyes close. “Seems like you’re in a bad way. I can’t help you. Lose my number.”
“River—”
I disconnect the call.
My hands clench.
Hayden. There’s no other explanation to this mess. She must’ve given my biological mother my number since I certainly didn’t when I changed numbers after UC was signed.
Anger toward Hayden takes up all my headspace. I fling open the fridge, and—of course—all the alcohol is missing.
The boat won’t have her stupid restrictions.
I’m up and pacing the room when Hayden gets out of the shower. With practiced ease, I give her the once over. “You look good enough to eat.” I approach her and take the two kisses I’m owed. “Ready for the boat?”
She blinks several times. “Oh, right! Yes, I can’t wait.” I watch as she fills up her tote with sunscreen, lip gloss, and a change of clothes. Once her feet are in flip-flops, I join her at the door.
It’s a short trip to the dock, although I’m fuming the entire time. Not even the sea air calms me. How could my biological mother think I would give her the money? I certainly don’t care she could be evicted. That’s her issue, not mine.
We’re ushered onto the boat without anyone being the wiser. Excusing myself, I hit up the bar. They only have beer and wine, so beer it is. I get three, down one and carry the two toward Hayden.
“Thought you would be ok with beer. It’s only beer or wine.”
“Oh.” Her nose scrunches up. “I’d actually prefer white wine to beer.”
Not a problem to me. I retake her beer. “I’ll change it. Wait here.” For good measure, I kiss her cheek. Back at the bar, I ask for her beverage of choice, and down a beer. When I return, I pass her the white and clink my beer to it. She thinks this is my first. Good.
The boat takes off and one of the passengers recognizes me. Happy to escape my reality for a bit, I get swept up with the fans. Smile for selfies. Chug a beer—or two. Hayden approaches me. “Río, I think you’ve gone beyond the two drinks we agreed on.”
I burp. “I’m on five, but who’s counting?” She puts her hands on my shoulders. Why didn’t I realize how annoying she is before? I’m fucking Río Sullivan, the damn drummer for the best band on earth. I can do what I want!
“C’mon, let’s take a seat over there.” She points. “We might be able to see the dolphins.”
Dolphins. My whole body lights up. I love them. “Yeah, let’s go.” I grab her hand and drag her to the opposite side of the boat, making sure to smile at the other passengers.
Sitting, I check for the underwater mammals. Nothing. However, I do catch the eye of the bartender who brings over another beer. “Here you are, Mr. Sullivan. Enjoy!”
I accept the beer. “Thanks, man.” Pushing my hair away from my face, I say, “It’s definitely hot out here!”
Cracking it open, much to Hayden’s dismay, I let the beer slide down my throat. Not a Gold Rush by any stretch of the imagination, but it’ll do.
Hayden puts her hand on the bottle. “I think you’ve had enough of these, don’t you?”
I swipe it away from her. “No, actually I don’t. It’s fucking hot and I need the beverage to keep me cool. If you don’t like it, you can move over there. That chick looks like she wants to trade places with you anyway.” I wink at the woman I mentioned.
“Look at me.” The order comes from my side. Hayden.
Rolling my eyes, I comply. “Yes?”
“What’s gotten into you? Why are you acting like this?”
Because you gave Mother my number.
Because after more than ten years of no communication, her first words are she needs money.
Because she tried to guilt trip me into giving it to her.
“I’m acting normal, Babysitter. I thought you liked me?” I leer at her.
She crosses her arms. “I don’t like this version of you, to be sure.”
Over the loud speaker, the voice directs our attention to the statue of Christ high above, which was modeled after the one in Rio. I leap to my feet and don a wide smile. I mimic the statue’s open arms. “Modeled after me?”
The passengers laugh.
Encouraged by their reaction, I toss back the rest of my beer and do a three-sixty on the boat. “Who does it better?”
The woman I had pointed out before stands. “You do!”
Damn straight. This is what I’m talking about.
I make my way to the woman, accepting another bottle of beer from the accommodating bartender along the way.
I reach out my hands into a makeshift dance pose, and she fits herself into my arms. I twirl her, much to the excitement of the other passengers.
Except for Hayden. She’s sitting on the other side wearing a negative puss. Whatever.
I pull the pretty girl into my arms and pretend to be doing La Lambada. The “forbidden” dance. Nothing is forbidden to me!
Over the loud speaker, the disembodied voice pronounces, “A pod of dolphins is off to your right!”
Finally! I rush over and this time see the majestic creatures swimming together. How perfect! Like how my brothers and I perform as UC on the stage.
I stand, mesmerized, and watch how graceful they are. They start to move away from the boat, and I lean forward to keep them in my line of vision. The boat hits a wave and knocks me off balance.
The next thing I know, I’m looking up at the boat from under the water.