Bound to You

Chapter 36: Assurances

'When the fuck did Darcy turn into such a slut??'

'Ross could do better. @darcydavis can you go back to wherever you came from?'

Darcy's brow furrowed as enraged tweets from R5 fans continued to flood her timeline. Her recent wardrobe choices seemed to be the root of the anger.

She locked her phone and laid it down on the wooden tabletop, pushing it across the surface as far as her arm would reach. There had always been a few negative messages mixed into her Twitter feed or her Instagram comments, but lately it seemed as though every social media account she had was flooded with hatred. It wasn't difficult to direct the blame onto one particular individual.

Sean.

Ever since he'd begun sending her 'gifts' to wear out R5 fans had been slowly turning against her. The overwhelming majority of the fanbase still had her back and defended her new wardrobe choices, but the number of fans who despised her was growing rapidly. Social media had turned into a warzone.

She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she didn't hear footsteps echoing down the staircase and into the kitchen. It wasn't until a familiar pair of muscled arms wrapped around her from behind that she realized she was no longer alone in the room. She jumped, startled by the contact.

"Morning, gorgeous." Riker murmured, pressing a kiss against her cheek.

Her heart continued to thump loudly in her chest as her walked around the table and took a seat in front of her. She gave him a condescending look as he began unwrapping the granola bar he'd pulled from the cabinet.

"You gave me a heart attack!" She scowled as she poured herself a bowl of cereal.

He smirked and tossed the crumpled up wrapper into the nearby trashcan.

"Sorry, love. Why are you so jumpy this morning?"

She glanced down at her phone, briefly contemplating telling Riker the truth before deciding it wasn't worth the explanation. Besides, what real explanation could she give anyways?

"I'm not jumpy, you just startled me that's all." She lied.

Riker eyed her skeptically. He knew something was up; he always did. But, as always, he didn't press her any further on the subject.

"So are we still on for movies in my room tonight? Rocky's going to be out late." he asked, cocking an eyebrow suggestively.

Darcy groaned. She completely forgot Riker had suggested a movie night earlier in the week.

"I can't tonight, I'm going to that concert with Ross." She said, frowning. Finding alone time with Riker was difficult, given the very full house they lived in.

Riker frowned in return.

"Seriously? You guys went out four times this week! Isn't that enough?" He asked, frustration evident in his tone.

A familiar pang of guilt shot through Darcy's stomach. She had been with Ross a lot lately, but there wasn't anything she could do about it. It wasn't as if she could tell Sean 'no'.

"I'm really sorry. I wish I could get out of it." She said wistfully.

Riker didn't look up from the table. "It's ok." He mumbled.

Darcy stood from her chair and walked around to where he sat. She flopped down in his lap and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.

"I'm sooooooooorry." She repeated, dragging out every syllable of the word. She pressed her lips to his cheek, allowing her mouth to linger. "You know I'd rather be spending time with you." She whispered against his skin, her lips dragging slowly across his unshaved face. His stubble pricked the soft flesh of her lips, a welcome and familiar feeling.

He nodded, his eyes finally looking up to meet hers.

"I know, I know." He said, playing with the drawstrings that dangled from the waistband of her pajama shorts. "I just don't like to share." He smirked, tugging suggestively at the strings.

"There is no sharing." She assured him. "Ross might get to borrow me sometimes but I'm one-hundred percent yours. Always." She pressed a kiss firmly against his forehead.

Riker's smirk grew as his hand moved in circles against her thigh. His touch sent a wave of goosebumps across her skin, as usual.

"Always?" He asked, his fingers tracing invisible patterns on her skin.

"Always." She repeated. She hesitated before leaning forward far enough to gently peck his lips. It was early but they were still in a house full of people, she didn't want to risk getting caught. Even by his family.

"Well you know..." He started, pulling her body tightly against his chest. "Rocky left early this morning to go out with Ellington." His lips met the soft skin of her neck as he began leaving a trail of kisses lightly down towards her collarbone.

"Yeah?" She felt her breath catch in her throat as his hand continued moving dangerously high up her leg. The familiar feeling of longing and desire gripped her stomach

He nodded, not-so-gently nipping at the delicate skin of her throat.

"Yup. And everyone else is sound asleep."

"They could still come downstairs." She squeaked. "We shouldn't-"

"Well then maybe we should move this upstairs." He growled, slipping his hand underneath her t-shirt. A breathless moan escaped her lips as his fingertips brushed the skin just beneath her bare breasts.

"Give me just a minute to clean up, I'll be up there in a second." She said breathlessly.

Riker smirked when he realized his teasings had their desired effect on her.

"Two minutes. And I'm coming back down here." He said, playfully smacking her behind as she stood up and took her bowl to the sink.

She smiled to herself as she heard his heavy footsteps slowly thudding, growing quieter as he reached the top steps of the house. She loved him, more than she had ever believed she could love anyone. No one understood her the way he did.

Halfway up the stairs she felt her phone buzz in her hand once again.

'I'm over @darcydavis and her attention seeking ass. Next please.'

She unlocked her phone and immediately held down the bright blue icon for Twitter.

Are you sure you would like to delete this app?

She clicked yes and tossed her phone through her bedroom door onto a pile of laundry before tiptoeing across the hall and into Riker's room, leaving all the drama, momentarily, on the other side of the door.