The Playboy Next Door

River slides his hand across the bench and places it on my thigh. I glance down at his hand, then smile at him. He nods in my brother’s direction.

“We have something to tell you,” Rivers says, resting his elbow on the table to look at Ollie.

My twin stuffs a roll into his mouth, his eyes on us as he chews.

“We both love you,” I say with my hand on his shoulder. “So, don’t freak out.”

Oliver’s eyebrows rise, but he doesn’t look mad. “You think I didn’t know you two are hooking up?”

“It’s not what you think,” River says in his defense. “I’m serious about Emma. It’s not a fling or a hookup.”

“Better not be,” he shoots back between bites. “If you break her heart, I’ll kill you.”

“I won’t,” River assures him. “You know I’ve liked Em for years. She’s not a puck bunny. This is real.”

Ollie takes a deep breath and blows it out. “Okay, just remember my warning. This will hurt our team if you fuck Em over.” He sips from the glass the server sets in front of him, staring at us from beneath his light brows. “Is this the only secret you’ve kept from me?”

“Yes,” we both say without hesitation.

Before our dinner arrives, a tall man with black hair and tanned skin approaches our table. I recognize him immediately. It’s Chef Pierre, who is all smiles as he stops beside me.

He lowers his head to greet us. “Welcome to Bernard’s. I’m a big fan of the Flyers. So glad you could join us this evening.”

“Thanks for handling our reservation personally,” River says, extending his hand.

Chef Pierre shakes his hand, then reaches across the table to greet Ollie. And when he comes to me, he raises my hand to his mouth and places a kiss on my skin.

I shiver at his touch, smiling so hard I can’t even think straight. My heart pounds a million miles a minute as he lowers my hand.

“Pleasure to meet you, Chef,” I blurt out, my voice trembling. “I’ve been following your career for years. You inspired a few of my favorite recipes.”

“The pleasure is all mine.” He grins. “It’s a shame what happened with Giovanni’s Trattoria. You’re a very talented chef. If you ever want to work together,” he says, reaching into his pocket, “call me.”

I stare at the business card and nearly die.

Chef Pierre Bernard! Oh my God!

Trying to keep my shit together, I stuff the card into my purse. “Thank you. I would love to work together.”

“Don’t be shy.” He nods. “Ladies, gentleman, your dinner will arrive shortly.”

Then he disappears into the crowded dining room.

“Are you kidding me?” I look at River, my mouth hanging open. “Chef Pierre… Did you know he would do that?”

He rolls his shoulders. “I mentioned what happened to your restaurant. He was well aware and said we should come by for dinner.”

I wrap my arms around his neck and press a kiss to his lips. “Thank you, River.”

He kisses me again, and Ollie groans.

“I’m okay with you guys,” my brother says, “but maybe tone down the PDA until I get used to this.”

All of us laugh.

Ollie slings his arm across the back of my neck. “I’m happy for you, sis. You need a lucky break.” He kisses my cheek. “I hope all of this works out.”

Emma

THREE MONTHS LATER

Instead of spending the night at the apartment, River drove to Penn’s Landing and booked us a hotel room down the street that overlooks the Camden Waterfront. The setting is perfect.

My skin is cold from the chill outside. River guides me into the bathroom to turn on the shower. He pulls his shirt over his head and drops it on the floor. I can’t take my eyes off him as he removes his pants and boxers.

Between his chiseled arms, well-defined shoulders, and his massive cock, I’m so wet I don’t want to wait another second. I bite my lip when he moves in front of me and slides his hands onto my waist, staring into my eyes as if he wants to devour me.

He tugs at the seam of my shirt and pushes it up my stomach and over my breasts. River looks so focused and determined as he removes each piece of clothing. With a pile of clothes at our feet, he studies every part of my body until his eyes meet mine.

I press my palm against his chest, and River takes a step back to guide us beneath the water. We share an intense moment before he reaches behind me to grab a tiny bottle of shampoo from the ledge.

“Turn around,” he orders.

I do as he says and lean back against his chest. His cock digs into my ass as he rubs the liquid into my hair. He massages my scalp, the soapy water sliding down my face and onto my chest. I close my eyes and moan, my nipples hardening with each touch. I’m ready to beg River to stop playing with my hair because I want him to reach between my legs and take care of the throbbing between them.