She always has been.
The wall I built to keep her out, keeping my feelings locked away, didn’t fall down brick by brick. She fucking obliterated it the first time our lips touched.
My eyes frantically scan my surroundings before landing on a fountain through the window. And sitting on the stone edge beside it is my Ria, trailing her fingers through the trickling water, lost in thought.
Letting out a long breath, I walk slowly toward her, watching as she picks a flower that has fallen into the water and carefully brings it to her nose, closing her eyes as she inhales its scent.
“Can I sit with you?”
She nods and opens her eyes but doesn’t look at me as she fidgets with the flower in her hands before placing it next to her.
“I’m sorry he said those things to you.”
“Don’t be. He wasn’t lying, was he? I am a control freak and not your type.”
“You’re exactly my type.” I grasp her hand in mine, but she still doesn’t look at me as she huffs out a laugh. “Don’t believe me? Do I need to show you exactly how much you are my type?” She doesn’t answer me, so I use my fingers to tilt her face up to meet my gaze. “Because I’m happy to show you. I’ll show you every way you’re my type.”
“How?”
“I’ve shown you in private a small part, but now let me show you in public.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m going to date you.”
“Date me? But you don’t date.”
“Exactly. You’re special, baby.”
“But this isn’t real.”
“Ria.” Bringing her hand to my lips and kissing her knuckles, I vow, “This is as real as you want it to be.”
“What does that mean?” she says softly.
“I mean that this can be whatever you want it to be.”
“And what if I want it to be nothing more than an act?”
“I’m used to acting, Ri Ri.”
She tilts her head and assesses me. “And what if I want more of what you showed me last night?”
“Then it would be a fucking honor to show you how free I could make you feel.”
Dropping her gaze, she intertwines our fingers before she answers. “Do you, um… do you…”
Dipping my head, I try to capture her gaze. “Do I what?”
Squeezing her eyes shut, she says almost silently, “Do you have a type in the bedroom?”
“Kinks, Ri Ri? You want to know what I like?”
“Shit, I can’t believe I asked that.” She snatches her hand away, but I hold tight, and her face morphs into shock.
“I like control.”
“I’m sorry?” Her eyes connect with mine, and I see a flicker of lust in her ocean eyes.
