Not So Fake After All
1318 Words
River leaned against the balcony railing, the city lights stretching far below him like a restless sea. He pulled a cigarette from his pocket, flicked his lighter, and watched the small flame dance before touching the tip. Smoke curled upward, wrapping around his face.
He needed space. Space from him.
From Mister Control Freak.
River’s jaw tightened as he exhaled slowly, watching the smoke drift into the night. Jace Maddox had this annoying way of talking to him, ordering him around, like he owned him. Maybe that was the problem. Maybe part of River hated the fact that Jace could talk to him however he wanted. And River hated himself more for letting him get away with it.
All because of this stupid fake boyfriend act.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
The chirpy voice pulled him out of his head. River turned his head lazily, his dark eyes meeting a woman’s amused stare.
She stood there, maybe early thirties, her hair swept up in loose curls, lips painted a bright red. Her dress clung to her body like a second skin, leaving nothing to imagination, especially her chest, which looked like it was about to spill out. She grinned at him like a cat ready to pounce.
River’s gaze swept over her, slow and deliberate, from her overly powdered face down to the straining neckline of her dress. His lip curled.
He snorted and looked away.
“Come on,” she pouted, taking slow, deliberate steps toward him. Her heels clicked against the balcony tiles. “We both know you’re only with Jace for the money.” She tilted her head, her voice dropping to something husky. “But you can’t really resist these t**s, can you?” She winked, arching her back just enough for emphasis.
River’s laugh was low and sharp. He leaned closer, bending just enough so his breath brushed her ear.
“Let’s say I’m indeed interested in women, like you said,” he murmured, his voice slow, teasing and dangerous. Then he pulled back slightly, his smirk curling wider. “Just know I don’t do fake body.”
Her smile faltered instantly.
River straightened and turned away without another word. The soft click of his boots against the floor was the only sound as he walked back inside, leaving her standing there with a furious flush spreading across her face.
By the time he got downstairs, his expression was unreadable again, but his fingers itched for another cigarette. He decided against it. Instead, he stood near the car, leaning against it casually, waiting.
After a few minutes, Sasha and Leo appeared, followed by Jace. Sasha was in a sleek black suit, her blonde hair pinned back, radiating effortless authority. Leo trailed beside her, grinning as if the entire day was a fun game.
Sasha waved. “River, meet Leo, Jace’s PA.”
Leo stuck out his hand enthusiastically. “Nice to meet you, man. Damn, you’re built like a tank.” His eyes practically sparkled as he gave River’s arm an exaggerated once-over.
River raised a brow but shook his hand. “Bodyguard. Comes with the job.”
Leo laughed, turning to Jace. “No wonder you feel so safe with him around. Bet nobody dares mess with you when this guy’s standing next to you.”
Jace’s ears went pink, and he cleared his throat. “Leo.”
Leo grinned wider.
River’s lips twitched, fighting back an amused smile, but he didn’t say anything. Instead, he pushed off the car and opened the SUV’s back door for Jace.
Jace slid in quietly, and River followed, taking the seat beside him. Sasha and Leo entered another car behind them.
The ride back home was quiet. The hum of the engine filled the silence, and the occasional flashes of streetlights cut across Jace’s face, highlighting his sharp jawline.
River noticed Jace glancing at him more than once.
After the fourth time, River sighed, rubbing his temple. “Alright, Maddox. Why are you staring at me like that?”
Jace’s head snapped slightly toward him. “I wasn’t….” He paused, then sighed. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
River studied him for a moment, then nodded once. “Apology accepted.”
When they arrived home, River changed quickly into something casual but clean, while Jace disappeared into his room.
When Jace stepped back out, River couldn’t help the way his eyes lingered. Jace was dressed in a dark tailored suit, his hair perfectly styled, and damn if he didn’t look like he just walked out of a magazine.
River forced his gaze away quickly, masking it with a faint scoff.
Sasha and Leo arrived shortly after, both dressed sharply.
Jace smiled faintly at Sasha. “You look great tonight.”
Leo, standing beside Sasha, went red instantly, shifting awkwardly.
River raised a brow and smirked. “Leo likes Sasha.”
Leo nearly choked. “What? No, I…I don’t….”
Sasha glanced at Leo, amused. “That’s not possible. Leo’s just fooling around.”
“Yeah,” Leo said quickly, nodding even though his voice cracked. “Just fooling around.” But his face betrayed him. His smile dimmed for a second, just enough for River to catch it.
River didn’t comment further, but he filed the reaction away in his mind.
*************************
The five-star restaurant was swarmed with paparazzi. Flashes exploded around them the moment they stepped out of the car.
“Mr. Maddox! Over here!”
“Is it true you’re in love with your bodyguard?”
“Kiss for the cameras!”
River’s jaw clenched, and he automatically positioned himself closer to Jace, shielding him from the crowd. They moved quickly inside, Sasha leading them toward the private lounge where the interview would take place.
Sasha went over last-minute instructions as they settled into their seats. “Stay calm, stick to the answers we practiced, and for the love of God, don’t argue in front of the cameras.” Her eyes darted between River and Jace meaningfully.
The interview started smoothly. Jace answered questions with his usual composed charm, while River gave clipped, occasional responses when asked about their “relationship.” His deep voice and sharp glares were enough to keep the interviewer from pushing too hard, at first.
But Aby, the interviewer, wasn’t done.
When the last question ended, Aby leaned forward, eyes twinkling with mischief. “One last thing before we wrap up. Can we get a kiss? Just a quick one for the cameras. The fans love this kind of thing.”
Jace’s face turned pink instantly. He shook his head quickly. “That’s… private. I don’t think……”
“Come on, Mr. Maddox,” Aby pressed. “Just one kiss. For your fans.”
Jace looked ready to argue, his fingers tightening against the armrest.
River didn’t give him the chance.
In one smooth motion, River turned, cupped Jace’s jaw, and pulled him close.
Jace’s breath caught just as River’s lips crashed against his. The kiss wasn’t rushed; it was slow, deliberate, and deep. River tilted his head slightly, angling just right, and when Jace gasped softly against his mouth, River didn’t waste the moment.
His tongue slipped past Jace’s parted lips, tasting him. Jace’s heart pounded so loudly it almost echoed. His hand, almost hesitant, gripped River’s sleeve as if to steady himself.
The room went silent except for the click of cameras.
When River finally pulled back, his thumb brushed Jace’s flushed cheek for half a second before he leaned back in his chair, completely unbothered.
Jace sat frozen, his chest rising and falling too fast, his lips still tingling. His heart was a mess, racing wildly.
And River?
River smirked, leaning back casually. “There. That should satisfy your fans.”
Aby grinned like she’d just won the lottery.
Jace, however, avoided River’s gaze completely, his ears burning red.
- Writer
