The Ashes Of River

❥ 41| fall to pieces

THAT NIGHT, I slept better than I likely had in all the years of my life, not moving an inch as I'd laid in River's arms, his heartbeat lulling me to sleep. We didn't utter another word, so much to say but nothing seeming important enough to shatter our fragile bubble.

I wasn't sure what we were doing, nor where we stood, but suddenly clarity didn't feel as important anymore. Being sensible felt akin to defying the very course that nature had set in place for us.

When I woke up, the sun peeking through the thick curtains, his fingers were drawing slow circles across my skin, sending bursts of what felt like pure sunlight into my blood. Pulling my arm away from around him and shifting back from the embrace had been the last thing I'd wanted to do. But it was necessary, for it was still a weekday and work loomed over both our heads.

Being an adult sucked at times.

I offered to make breakfast, but after telling me that he would get food later or he would run late for a meeting, he went to shower. He'd made a phone call before going and by the time he was out, someone had delivered a fresh set of clothes for him. Dress shirt, slacks, and blazer. He went without a tie, as always, opposing its constriction.

I handed him a thermos with coffee and a bagel as he left and he took it from me, leaning in to press a kiss against my forehead.

"Thanks, baby. I'll see you later."

"You won't be busy?"

"Nothing I can't postpone." He shrugged a shoulder, unperturbed. "Text me when you get to work please."

"Because I've been telling you where I am all these years?"

"Because I just want to know you're safe."

"Then call me when you get to work as well." I frowned. "You, okay? Not Liliana, whoever that is."

The corner of his mouth kicked up. "Really? She's my assistant and deals with all my communication. I'm sure she wouldn't mind calling you as well."

"Don't even think about it," I warned. "I'm sure she's sweet but I'd like to speak with you."

His smile turned affectionate. "Then you will."

I nodded, watching him walk away, strangely feeling my heart ache. I'd gone years without seeing him, but the idea of being apart for hours suddenly drenched me in discomfort.

Sighing, I closed the door behind me, turning to lean against it and allowed myself a single moment. When that passed, I made my way back to my bedroom to shower and get dressed. I still had over an hour before I had to be at work, perks of not being the boss and also slightly getting leeway because of the boss being my grandfather. I hated the idea of getting a job because of nepotism, but he'd taken one look at my work before I'd graduated uni and had been insistent on my joining the company. I'd protested that someone much better qualified could get the position, but he argued that everyone who'd had it over the last few years had been subpar at best and I was the only one he could trust. Or rather, my words, in order to gain a larger clientele and more projects.