“How you doin’?” River murmurs, demanding my attention.
I clear my throat and glance over at him. “Fine. Just dandy, actually. Did I mention how much you’re going to owe me after this?”
His chest rumbles with amusement before River raises his hand and drags his fingers along the lace at my shoulder. “The dress looks nice on you, though.”
“It’s hardly a dress.”
“It’s sexy as hell.” My pulse quickens at the way he says it. Like it’s a fact, and I’d be a fool to disagree with him. And I don’t disagree. It makes my girl-next-door cute look like a damn sex kitten or something.
Whatever a sex kitten is.
Still, when the compliment slips from his lips, it means more to me than a regular Joe on the street though I refuse to acknowledge why.
Toying with the neckline above my breasts, River gives the camera his back while practically swallowing me whole with his commanding presence. I hold my breath and peek up at him. “I might have to convince Brett to let you keep it,” he continues as if we’re having a conversation at a coffee shop when his hands are only a few centimeters away from my freaking boobs.
My heart is pounding a million beats per minute as I scramble to reply.
Wait, what are we talking about? Oh. The dress.
“And why would you do that?” I murmur. “It’s not like I’d actually wear this thing in public. Don’t get me wrong. It’s gorgeous, but…”
My voice trails off as the sound of the camera clicking distracts me. I look over River’s shoulder and find Brett’s camera pointed directly at us while snapping a billion more pictures.
I probably look ridiculous. Like a first-time hooker. Or a deer in the headlights with––
“But what?” River prods, demanding my attention. Again.
I try to focus, then peer up into his eyes. They’re gorgeous. Like moss with little flecks of gold around the iris. How the hell does he have such pretty eyes? And his lashes? Don’t even get me started on those bad boys. Long and dark, with just enough curl to frame his eyes without looking feminine. It’s the perfect balance.
His mouth quirks in the corner as if he’s making fun of me, and it’s enough to bring me back to the present instead of the daydream I could easily get lost in. You know the one where he bends me over backward and kisses the shit out of me.
I clear my throat. “But if I’m not sleeping with anyone, and since I wouldn’t wear the dress in public, then what’s the point of taking it home? Does it classify as loungewear? Do you think Milo would be cool if I was just hanging out in the family room while watching Netflix in this thing?”
His breath of laughter fans across my cheeks before a bright flash makes me flinch.
“Sh…,” he whispers. “Ignore it. It’s just you and me.” He grabs my waist and pulls me against him. With a soft gasp, I press my hands against his naked chest. I’m in desperate need of a little space, yet I’m craving the closeness more than my next breath. It’s a heady––and confusing––concoction.
“That’s easier said than done,” I point out as my fingers flex against his muscular pecs. He’s so warm and hard, yet silky too. I feel like I could curl into him and sleep for days.
His grip tightens around my waist before he presses his groin to my lower belly. Sliding his hand across my spine and up my bare back, he tangles his fingers in my messy waves at the base of my skull. The slight sting from his punishing grip has my knees buckling with need.
“Maybe I’m just not distracting you enough,” he murmurs.
I lick my lips, then drop my eyes back to where my hands are practically clinging to him. “I think you’re doing just fine.”
My pale skin contrasts with the sun-kissed flesh stretched across his taut muscles like the yin to his yang.
We couldn’t be more different. Both physically and personally, but there’s something about him that makes me curious. About what life could be like if our paths crossed in a different way. About what Milo would do if I gave in to my curiosity and kissed River. About what River would do if I gave in and kissed him. Yeah. I’m curious about a lot of things. Things that I should definitely never act on but aren’t exactly torture to think about.
Or maybe it is torture. But I like getting lost in the fantasy that will never be my reality.
A few more clicks combined with the bright light from the flash make me squeeze my eyes shut as reality comes crashing back to the surface. River’s hand at the base of my skull disappears, and he cups my cheek, leaning closer as if he’s going to kiss me.
“W-wait. What are you doing?” My eyes slip to his mouth.
“Chemistry, remember? Don’t worry. I won’t kiss you unless you beg for it. Besides, it’s the almost-kiss that’s torture anyway. And we want to torture the audience if I have any hope of getting this role.”
The audience. Right.
I practically deflate in his arms as reality hits me square in the chest. Again. Somehow it’s so easy to get lost in him when it’s apparent that I’m just his plaything. His means to an end. Forget about torturing me during this entire thing because we mustn’t forget about the audience.
Sensing my melancholy shift, he runs his nose against the bridge of mine before teasing, “Loosen up, Roomie. You were doing good. Don’t bail on me now.”
You know what? No. No deal. I’m not his plaything. Besides, Trisha said I look hot. Even River admitted it. So why am I so insecure? Why am I so positive that River couldn’t want me the way I want him? I’m done being a pawn. Now, it’s time to prove it.
“You think I would beg for your kiss?” I whisper, pushing up onto my tiptoes until I can practically feel the heat from his lips against mine. “That I can’t bring chemistry? That you’re the only one who knows how to tease?”
A flash of a smile stretches across his face before he challenges, “You tell me.”
Cocking my head to the side, I drag my fingers down his chest and over his abs before toying with the hem of his boxers. But I keep my eyes on his the whole time until I see the familiar heat start to sizzle below the surface.
“By the time I’m through with you, you’ll be the one begging for a taste, River. And so will the audience.”
“Is this a game of chicken, Reese? Because we both know I won’t lose.” His voice sounds like he’s gargled broken glass, but it only spurs me on.
Pressing my chest against his, I weave my hands through his short hair and give it a soft tug. “This is me proving that you’re not a gift from God and that you’re not the only one who knows how to play this game.”
His mouth quirks up on one side before his other hand cups my ass, and he pulls me into his very hard, very ready––
“This is great!” Brett announces. “Let’s do a few with Reese facing me, and River, I want you at her back.”
Releasing me, River brings his chest to my back, and I glance over my shoulder at him. His chiseled jaw looks good enough to eat as his hand spreads against my lower stomach. Arching my back into him, I gasp when I feel him against me.
“Careful, Reese. I know you mentioned that you felt like this was your first porno, but we wouldn’t want to make it one, now would we?” he tsks against my ear. The sound races down my spine, hitting every nerve with precision before I glance up at him and bite my lower lip. That same heat returns to his gaze, penetrating me as he leans forward and presses an open-mouthed kiss to my throat. I moan softly at the contact and close my eyes to savor the heat from his lips as it brands my sensitive skin.