Chapter Eleven
River tried to get up but failed. Were his arms made of steel or what? He opened his eyes slowly and seeing her awake and squirming, he grinned at her.
"How did you get in?" She asked in confusion as she pulled the bed sheet to cover herself.
"It's my apartment, remember? I have a spare key," he said, with a wink.
"That's not fair, " River wasn't pleased. Her privacy would go for a toss if he appeared out of nowhere all the time.
"Everything's fair," he said as he embedded his face into the crook of her neck, inhaling her.
"You smell so good, I had the best sleep of my life," he confessed with a small smile.
He never slept in the daytime but after returning home from his office, he missed River so much just like a bee misses its honey. He knew it then where he wanted to be. In her arms. So here he was, on her bed, in her arms where he belonged.
"Why are you on my bed?" She whispered breathlessly, while he kissed her neck and shoulders. Now she would have to dress properly all the time.
"I've seen you while you were asleep. Don't hide from me," he coaxed, as he removed the cover from her body. His hands went to her shoulders and pushed the spaghetti straps down. The loose top fell, exposing her naked breasts as she had discarded her bra before sleep.
His eyes were dark with raw desire and he stared at the treasure he had exposed.
His fingers touched them, lingeringly and then he lost it and lowering his head latched onto one of them. He sucked while he teased the other one causing River to moan in ecstasy. He teased her peaks and gave equal attention to the other breast too.
"Mine, these are mine," he grunted, possessively.
River was in no position to argue. His mouth felt so good. She was floating in heaven.
The buzz of Tyler's mobile phone brought them back to reality. Tyler hoisted himself up reluctantly cursing the phone and checked the number. He rolled his eyes and took the call,"What now?" He grunted into the phone.
River fixed herself and escaped to the en-suite with a pair of jeans and top. She changed and came out into the room to see that Tyler wasn't there. Where did he go? Did he leave already?
She went to the living area from where sounds of people talking could be heard. Who'd come to her house? She came out of her room to see Carmella, looking extremely beautiful in a white sundress, standing near the main door with a very displeased Tyler.
"Carmel?" She gasped at the sight of her. Carmella turned and looked at her. Her face broke out into a happy grin.
"Riv," she squealed and came rushing towards her. "How have you been? You've grown up into a bombshell. No wonder my brother's whipped with you," she said eyeing her brother. They hugged each other tightly.
Tyler grumbled at his sister and walked off towards the main door, " I'll see you later, River, " he said and walked out before she could ask him to stay for dinner.
"I'm very upset with you, Riv. Why did you break off all ties with me?" She asked her, as she glanced towards her for answers.
"I I actually," River started, not knowing what to tell her.
"You love Tyler, don't you?" She asked her and River stared at her with shock. She knew? How?
"But how do you know?" She asked her. They sat down on the sofa in the living room.
"Tyler was heartbroken when you left Vegas with your parents. He was inconsolable and mom had to intervene, he was so bad. In fact, mom, dad, we all know," Carmella informed her and she simply stared at her. Tyler had feelings for her?
"He soon got over me and got married to Meredith, didn't he?" she asked, unhappily.
"No, he never got over you. He hated Meredith but she trapped him into marrying her. They never had anything between them," Carmella informed River and she gaped at her. This was news to her. Then she remembered how Meredith was acting all lovey dovey with him that night.
"But I saw their chemistry that evening at dinner," she said, blankly.
"You saw her clawing Tyler. She always acted that way in front of my parents. Mom and dad hated her," she said.
River tried to digest this piece of information. So, Tyler didn't love Meredith. Maybe he had wanted to confess to her about Meredith that night, two years ago. She should have listened instead of running away. It would have saved her a lot of heartache. She felt much better after hearing about the true state of affairs between Tyler and Meredith.
They chatted a lot more. She informed River about her upcoming wedding and invited her to be her maid of honour.
"How did you know I was staying here? Did Tyler tell you?" She asked Carmella.
"No, this was my apartment. Tyler wanted it and had it freshly painted and renovated with new furniture for you within a matter of 2 days. I shifted back to my parents' house. I will move in with my fiancé within a week, " she said and River again gaped.
"I'm sorry, he's really impossible," she said, feeling terrible for what Tyler had done.
"It's ok. I would have moved out anyways. Tyler can't help himself, he loves you," she said, and River looked at her in disbelief.
"He does?" She asked, with rounded eyes.
Carmella nodded and River squealed with delight, doing a happy dance. They ordered pizza for dinner and chatted and made plans for the wedding. Carmella left after some time and she went to bed, with a happy and grinning face.
The next morning, she got ready to go to the office. She was already ten minutes late and she knew Tyler hated tardiness. Parking her car, she rushed up to the elevators but they were out of order.
She rushed to the elevators at the other end of the corridor and went up to her floor. By now she was 35 minutes late and very very nervous. She had just deposited her handbag and started her computer when Lucas sauntered into her cubicle and sat down before her.
"Hi, when did come to Vegas?" She asked him, confused. He could have returned with them yesterday.
"Last night," he said, looking heartbroken and down. His sullen expression didn't suit him at all.
"What happened to you?" She asked in concern.
"Ann, how do you feel when you're in love?" He asked, looking like a lost puppy.
"Well, you have this uncontrollable wish to be with the one you love all the time," she explained and he nodded.
"And?" He asked curiously.
"And you miss him the moment he's away from you," she continued and Lucas nodded.
"And?" He prodded.
"You want to do it all only with him. Your heart beats faster when you see him. You're in heaven when he kisses you," she said and he nodded enthusiastically.
"Well then, I'm in love," he declared with an excited expression. "Meet me for lunch at Corner cafe downstairs at the groundfloor of this building at 1 o'clock. I'll tell you everything." He said but she was skeptical about meeting him.
"River come to my room, now," yelled the booming and angry voice of Tyler.
Uh oh, she was in trouble. She got up and rushed out to go to Tyler's room.
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Featured picture: Jamie Dornan as Lucas Parker
