Page 88 of River
“Maximum told me your house was a gift from a suitor.”
“Yes. I also have expensive art and pieces of jewelry that we can sell if we need money.”
“You’d do that?”
River looked dead serious. “I would. I actually already did. Maximum and I convinced everyone in our family to take part in a family foundation that helps orphans around the world. I took twelve pieces of art from my house and sold them through an art auction. It brought in almost a million Euros that are now earmarked to bring joy to orphans around the world.”
“That’s… wow, River. I’m proud of you.”
“You know that YouTube video you referred to earlier?”
“Yes. I’m sorry about what I said.”
“You should be, because in that video I’m encouraging people to donate to the foundation, and you’d be surprised how many have contributed. Maximum and I are committed to making housing and education available to as many orphans as possible.”
“That’s amazing. I’ll be happy to help any way I can.”
“Thank you.” River closed the gap between us, kissing me with soft and tender lips.
“River.”
“Mhmm?”
“About what happened that last night in Bali.”
“Yes?”
“Did you talk to a therapist about it?”
She stiffened a little.
“I don’t mean it in a bad way, but I’m not a psychologist, and I can’t help you deal with whatever happened in your childhood. I’m scared it’ll pop up again and get between us.”
“I did talk to a therapist, but…” Frown lines formed on her forehead. “She wants me to do hypnosis therapy to unlock suppressed childhood memories, but I’m not ready.”
“Okay.”
“My therapist did give me a few books that might help. It’s about how to use sex to heal people with physical traumas.”
“Did you read them?”
“Yes, and I’ve done the exercises that I could do alone.”
I stroked her arm up and down.
“Are there exercises to do as a couple?”
“Uh-huh. But it’s mostly about taking it slow and building trust, and for the partner to respect a ‘no’ and that sort of thing.”
“I want to help.”
“You already did.”
“Did I?”
“Yes, in Bali, and that photo of you in your uniform helped a lot too.” She winked.
“What photo?”
