Off the Tracks

Chapter 128- New Years Eve

Riley spent Christmas with Arthur, which was nerve racking meeting his entire family, extended and not just direct. Riley met Lorenzo's wife Charolette, and hung around her and Alex the majority of the time. She had to push through the night, which was difficult having a language barrier. Arthur told everyone ahead of time that she didn't speak french, but most forgot and Riley was left lost in conversation.

Arthur was hosting a new year's eve party. He was using Charles yacht to do so, providing alcohol for everyone on the condition they had a designated driver or got an Uber. Getting a Uber was the most common decision.

Riley was riding over to the party with Daniel in the back of a taxi. He got back from Australia 2 nights ago, for the soul purpose of the different new year's parties. But he was leaving again in a few days. Riley got out of the taxi quickly, walking down the docks with Daniel trailing behind her. She was wearing a dress, per dress code, with a dream to take over Arthur's blazer because it was in fact freezing outside.

The boat was absolutely crowded when she got on. Riley had no clue where Arthur was, she was just searching through the large crowd. She spotted him on the top deck, where she quickly made her way to.

"The life of the party has arrived" She said as she reached the top step, walking past a couple people, reaching Arthur at the edge of the boat.

"It's about time" He said, wrapping his arms around her waist. "We couldn't pull away from the dock without you"

"Couldn't or wouldn't?" She asked, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him in for a kiss. Arthur pressed into it immediately, keeping her body close to his before Riley pulled away. "You started drinking already" She pointed out.

"Not a lot" He told her, following her through a crowd of people so she could get a drink herself.

"It was enough for me to taste" She said, heading down the few stairs she had previously walked up.

"I'm sure it was" He rolled his eyes, wrapping his arm around her shoulder when they were at the same level, pulling her close and in the opposite direction she was walking.

"Arthur I wanted a drink" She said, seeing everyone crowded around different bottles of alcohol.

"Down here" He said, "I got stuff for your manhattans" He told her, taking her down a few stairs into a cabin she wasn't allowed in the last time she was on the boat. "What the fuck are you guys doing in here?" Arthur asked when he saw Paul and Oliver sitting at a table with glasses in their hands.

"Having a drink" Ollie said, "Do you mind?"

"Yes I do" Arthur said, letting go of Riley while she picks up a glass for the two of them. "No one's supposed to be in here"

"We're VIP" Paul said, getting up from the table with Oliver to head out.

"We're still having the afterparty at your house right?" Oliver asked Arthur when he opened the closed door to go up stairs.

"Yes now leave" He shooed them off, waiting for the door to close before putting a sly hand on Riley's hip.

"Do you want me to make you one too?" Riley asked him before putting the cork in the bottle, feeling the boat start to move away from the dock subtly. Riley heard Arthur hum in response, moving her hair from her neck to start slowly, placing kisses along her.

Riley leaned into his touch for a moment before turning around, handing him the glass she made him.

"In celebration of Ferrari's newest development driver" Riley smiled at him, pulling her glass away from his as he was about to clink them together, "Eye contact Arthur,"