Page 60 of Pose for Me

The sweetness of caramel mingles with the bitter notes of espresso, creating a perfect balance. I close my eyes, savoring the flavors as River carefully tips the cup, allowing me to drink.

As I swallow, I feel a drop escape the corner of my mouth, trailing slowly down my chin. Before I can react, River's thumb is there, catching the errant liquid. His touch lingers, the pad of his thumb tracing the curve of my lower lip with agonizing slowness as he pulls the cup away. When I open my eyes, his gaze is fixed on my mouth.

He slowly lowers the coffee cup, setting it gently on the hardwood floor beside us. The soft thud as it meets the ground seems amplified in the charged silence of the room.

With a flourish, he lifts the lid on the white box, revealing the treasure within. My breath catches at the sight of the apple crumble cupcake nestled in its paper wrapper. The cake itself is a rich, golden brown, studded with chunks of tender apple and crowned with a generous swirl of cream cheese frosting. A dusting of cinnamon-sugar crumble adorns the top, glittering like edible jewels in the late afternoon light.

The aroma wafts up, an intoxicating blend of warm spices, tart apple, and sweet vanilla. It's a scent that speaks of comfort, of indulgence, of moments stolen from the rush of everyday life. My mouth waters involuntarily, and I feel a pang of regret for not enjoying the one he'd given me the other day.

River's voice breaks through my reverie, tinged with a mix of amusement and something darker. "Since you didn't eat the other one," he purrs, his blue eyes locked on mine, "I got you a fresh one. This time, you're going to eat it."

There's no room for argument in his tone. It's not a suggestion, but a command.

His finger dips into the luscious cream cheese frosting, coming away with a generous dollop. Slowly, teasingly, he brings it to my lips. Without breaking eye contact, I dart my tongue out, licking the frosting from his skin. The sweet, tangy flavor explodes on my tongue, a perfect balance of cream cheese and vanilla. River hums appreciatively, his eyes darkening as he watches my tongue swirl around his finger.

"Good girl," he murmurs, his voice husky. He breaks off a small piece of the cupcake, holding it to my lips. Without being told, I part them, allowing him to press the morsel between them.

As he feeds me another bite, River's voice drops lower, taking on a more serious tone. "I ended up in foster care when I was eleven," he begins, his eyes distant for a moment before refocusing on me. "My parents... well, let's just say they weren't fit to raise a goldfish, let alone a child."

He breaks off more cupcake, this time smearing it with frosting before bringing it to my lips. As I take the bite, a dollop of frosting escapes, clinging to the corner of my mouth. River leans in, his tongue darting out to lick it away. The heat of his mouth against my skin sends a shiver down my spine.

His fingers trail down my neck, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake. His eyes, usually sparkling with mischief, are now dark and serious as he continues his story.

"My parents," he says, his voice low and controlled, "were addicts. Heroin, mostly, but they'd take anything they could get their hands on." He breaks off another piece of cupcake, once again dragging it through the frosting before bringing it to my lips. As I take the bite, he leans in, his tongue darting out to catch a stray crumb at the corner of my mouth.

"They owed money to their dealer," River continues, his fingers tracing abstract patterns on my collarbone. "A lot of money. And one day, when they couldn't pay..." He pauses, his jaw clenching. "They decided I was worth enough to cover their debt."

My heart clenches at his words, a wave of sympathy and anger washing over me. I want to reach out, to comfort him, but the handcuffs prevent me from moving. River seems to sense my distress, because he leans in, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead.

"Don't worry, little Rayne," he murmurs against my skin. "It has a happy ending. Well, for me at least." His trademark wicked grin returns, though there's still a hint of darkness in his eyes. "The dealer came to collect. My parents were too high to put up much of a fight. I remember my mother's vacant stare as the man dragged me out of our dingy apartment. I kicked and screamed, but no one came to help."

He breaks off another piece of cupcake, holding it to my lips. As I take the bite, his thumb brushes my lower lip, lingering there. "The dealer took me to this abandoned warehouse. It was cold and damp. It smelled like mold and despair. There were other kids there, all looking as terrified as I felt."

River's hand trails down my neck again, his touch feather-light. "I quickly realized what was going to happen to us. The other kids, they were resigned to their fate. But not me. I refused to be a victim."

His eyes meet mine, and I see a flash of that dangerous edge that lurks beneath his cheerful exterior. "When one of the men came for me, I was ready. I'd found a rusty nail in a pile of debris. As he reached for me, I struck. Right in the eye."

River's grin is feral now, all sharp edges and dark satisfaction. "The screams were music to my ears. In the chaos that followed, I managed to escape. Ran until my lungs burned and my legs gave out."

"I ended up in the system after that. Never staying anywhere long. I was... difficult. Angry. Lashing out at everyone and everything."

He breaks off another piece of cupcake, gathering more frosting before bringing it to my lips. "Then I met Knox," River says, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Or William as he still went by back then. He was different from the other kids. Quiet, watchful. But I could see the darkness in his eyes, the same darkness I saw in the mirror every day."

His fingers go back to trailing down my neck, tracing abstract patterns on my collarbone. "We recognized something in each other. A kindred spirit. Someone who understood the ugliness of the world, who wasn't afraid to do what needed to be done."

River's hand moves lower, skimming over the swell of my breast. His touch is feather-light, teasing. "We became inseparable. Partners in crime, literally and figuratively. We protected each other, watched each other's backs. And when the time came, we killed together."

Chapter 36

Rayne

AsRiver'swordssinkin, a maelstrom of emotions swirls within me. My heart aches for the scared little boy he once was, thrust into a world of cruelty and darkness far too soon. I can almost see him–small, scrawny, eyes wide with terror as he was dragged from the only home he had ever known. The image makes my chest tight, a lump forming in my throat.

River watches my face intently, his eyes studying every minute shift in my expression. I know he can read the thoughts racing through my mind as clearly as if I'd spoken them aloud. His lips curl into a knowing smirk, a glimmer of appreciation flickering in his gaze.

"Oh, little Rayne," he purrs, his voice low and rich with dark promise. "I can see those beautiful wheels turning in that pretty head of yours. Tell me, what are you thinking?"

I swallow hard, my mouth suddenly dry despite the lingering sweetness of the cupcake. "I... I wish I could go back," I whisper, my voice trembling with emotion. "I wish I could hold that little boy, protect him from all that pain and fear."

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