Page 19 of The Hottest Daddy
“Hey, hey.” Daisy interrupted, carrying a tray. “Here is your new favorite beverage, Signore Giotto …” She placed a huge drinking jar in front of him, a weirdly colored concoction that made Sunday snicker and River’s eyes widen.
“What the actual hell?”
Daisy winked at Sunday. “You ordered it. Now drink.”
River manfully picked up the drink and took a swig, the whipped cream on the top sticking to the tip of his nose. His grimace made Daisy and Sunday bust up laughing. “Oh dear God, now I know what Satan’s underwear tastes like.”
“How dare you?” Daisy was crying with laughter. “I’ll have you know that was my finest work. Hazelnut mint orange with just a hint of toothpaste. Oh, and coffee, of course.”
“Toothpaste?” River was laughing now and Sunday’s breath caught in her throat—God, this man was gorgeous. Sexy, fun, tormented … he was everything, and that smile …
She watched him and Daisy tease each other.God, I could fall for you so easily… Sunday felt a pang of sadness, a feeling that by being with River, she was betraying Cory’s memory.
No. Shut that down. After everything, you deserve happiness. She felt someone watching her and glanced over to see Aria watching her, an unreadable expression on her face. Sunday excused herself and went to the bathroom, waiting a beat. Sure enough, a moment later, Aria came into the bathroom. She didn’t seem surprised to find Sunday waiting for her.
Aria leaned against the sinks next to Sunday and for a moment, neither of them spoke. Sunday waited. Aria sighed. “I guess you and River are together now.”
“It’s very early. Very early. And I don’t want to make an enemy of you, Aria. Of anyone.”
Aria nodded, chewing her bottom lip. “Me and River … I always kid myself that we were suited but the truth is, we weren’t. I’m sorry to say it but I think he’s too damaged to really know love.” She looked at Sunday, her expression soft. “And I’m not saying that to hurt you.”
“I’d rather you were honest,” Sunday said. “I can make up my own mind, but as I say, it’s very early. River and I … we don’t know each other that well yet.”
Aria nodded. “You don’t have to listen to me. I won’t be offended. Just know. It’ll be like walking on an icy lake with him.”
She left the bathroom, and Sunday felt a wave of confusion. Was she just being a bitch? The answer came back to her. No. She knew Aria was right. River was damaged; it didn’t take a genius to work that out.
She went back out to see River drinking on his own, Daisy having gone back to work. A simple black coffee was in front of him now and Sunday smiled. “Are you scarred for life?”
“I might be.”
As she sat down, he reached over and took her hand. “So … now we’re on an official date.”
“Looks like.” She smiled at him, trying to read the expression in his eyes. “River, listen, this doesn’t have to be anything heavy. Let’s just enjoy each other.”
He reached out to stroke her cheek. “I want to know you.”
“And you will. We just don’t have to do it all in one night.”
He nodded, and they chatted easily and lightly until after ten. Outside, he took her in his arms. “Come back to the house. Stay the night.”
She shook her head. “It’s not time for that. Think of Berry.”
She couldn’t be persuaded and instead they went back to her apartment.
River gazed at her then bent his head to kiss her. His mouth was soft against hers at first, then as the intensity grew between them, his lips crushed against hers. Breath mingling, they stripped each other, desperate to be skin on skin. They never made it to her bed, instead tumbling to the rug. Sunday rolled him onto his back and straddled him, stroking his cock until it was rock-hard and quivering against her belly. She slowly impaled herself onto it as River groaned, his hands caressing her breasts, sliding down her waist. Sunday tightened her thighs on his hips as she moved on top of him, taking him deeper with each movement.
God, this man was intoxicating, his intense green eyes never leaving hers, his strong hands holding her as if she was the most precious thing in the world.
He would be far too easy to fall in love with, and that was a problem. A big problem.
They made love tenderly, then with increasing animal desire, until they were clawing at each other, River flipping her onto her back and thrusting harder and harder until she was screaming his name and coming, her vision exploding with a million stars as she climaxed.
Afterward, breathless, they held each other until River looked at his watch, regret in his eyes. “I have to get back for Berry.”
“I know.” She kissed him and they got dressed. Again, he drew her into his arms.
“Just tell me that we’ll move forward. That you’ll stay over eventually.”
