Closer to Love 💚

Chapter 17

Francesca woke up a few days later to Richard jumping on her on the bed. She grunted, rolling over as he kept her pinned to the bed, "you said I could sleep in. Are you a liar Richard?"

He laughed, "today. Yes. Get up. You and me are going out. Let's go!"

She groaned, pulling the pillow over her face. She squealed as she felt Richard squeezing her sides, tickling her, "stop!"

He smirked as she laughed and removed the pillow. He leaned down next to her ear, "do you want to have sex outside next to a waterfall?"

"I want to have sex with you everywhere Madden."

He chuckled as he stood up, "then be a good girl and get up. Now."

She rolled her eyes, "fine."

He laughed as he laid down and watched her walk into the bathroom. "Wear tennis shoes!"

She came back out of the bathroom, "you didn't give me time to plan accordingly Madden. You just said come join me on vacation. I packed swimsuits and dresses and lingerie. You know, the important stuff. I don't have pants."

Richard stood up, placing his hands on her shoulders, "not much of a spontaneous person huh? It's fine. I'll borrow clothes from Lauren."

She squealed as he spanked her as she walked back to the bathroom.

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Francesca stepped out in shorts and a tank top and tennis shoes, finding Richard waiting for her outside their room. She did a small twirl, "better?"

Richard stood up from the couch and nodded, "very much so. Let's go love."

She stopped at his sister, "thank you for letting me borrow clothes. I appreciate it. Me joining was sort of a spur of the moment thing."

Lauren smiled, "it's really no big deal."

Francesca nodded, "thanks. Let's go Richie."

He shook his head laughing, "Franny."

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"Richard, this is beautiful!" They stopped at a small clearing next to a waterfall, after hiking for more than an hour. "How did you find this place?"

He shrugged, "I talked to some people at the front desk for hiking spots and did some research. I wanted somewhere kind of private."

She watched him pull a blanket from his backpack, setting it on the ground for them. "Private?"

He laughed at her smirk as they sat on the blanket, "yes."

Francesca sat in front of Richard as she felt him wrap his arms around her, looking out over the water. She leaned back against him, "I really like your family Richard."

He kissed her neck, "they love you Franny. I'm so glad."

She chuckled, "worried they wouldn't?"

Richard laughed, "no no. Just worried at how quickly everything happened."

She nodded as she turned to face him, placing her legs over his as he pulled her close to him, "wasn't really quick. Like you said, we've spent the last almost 6 months getting to know each other. Also." She wrapped her arms around his neck, "I believe today is someone's birthday? Sure you don't want to spend time with your family today?"

He laughed, "we'll have dinner with everyone later. I just wanted some time with you Franny. What do you say about Christmas in Scotland love?"

She chuckled, "you're asking me about something 6 months from now Richie."

He nodded, "I know. You don't think we'll still be together at Christmas?"

She giggled, "of course. And yes, Christmas in Scotland." She giggled again as he pulled her body firmly to his, pulling her onto his lap, kissing her intensely.

"I love you so much Franny." He heard her moan softly as he pulled off her shirt before removing his own.

She pulled away as they both urgently removed the rest of their clothes. She felt him grip her waist as she lowered herself onto him, "I love you too Richard."

They had just finished when they heard Richard's phone going off. Francesca laid back on the blanket as she watched him typing and swiping away on his phone, "what's the matter?"

He sighed, "nothing and everything."

She laughed, "okay? What does that mean Madden?"

"Well you were right about putting out the picture before Alison. It worked. But it worked so well that she just now looks like a jealous ex. Us being together was supposed to promote the movie, now I think I may get in trouble for breaching the contract of being seen out with her."

Francesca sat, "oh. I'm sorry Richard. I don't want you to get in trouble."

He shook his head, "don't worry. It'll be fine. I'll talk to my team when we get back."

She nodded, "why don't we talk to Alison when we get back and apologize. Maybe her and I can be seen out together and it'll look like we're friends and we're all amicable. At the very least we should apologize. I realize the relationship wasn't real, but you were sleeping with her. And it was still a shitty way to find out."

Richard sighed, "I know. You're right." He smirked as he pinned her back onto the blanket. "You're good at this. I was serious about you coming to work for me."

She giggled as she wrapped her arms around his neck, "would I have to call you sir?"

"Only if you want to. But it's hot when you do."

Francesca laughed, "oh yeah? Well, I'll think about it Richard. I'm going to have to do something. I just started this job and then you made me leave for vacation without telling anyone. I doubt I'll have a job when I get back."

He nodded, "I'm not sorry. Sometimes you just have to leap Franny."

"I know."

"Speaking of." He hesitated, "I was kidding when I talked about getting married. Well, I want to marry you, but we aren't there yet. I know that. But why don't you move in with me when we get back."

Francesca smiled, "okay." She laughed at his sigh of relief before smiling.

"Really? I thought there would be more of a fight."

She shook her head, "no. You're right. Leaping is good. I love you." She heard him moan as she pulled his lips to hers.