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The atmosphere of the small Chinese restaurant is ridiculously calming. In the corner is a beautiful waterfall. The faint sound of the water cascading down the wall of stone brings a smile to my face. The walls are decorated with a combination of traditional Chinese décor and family photos. Even the tables specifically for larger parties are still intimate.

I absolutely love everything about this place.

“Like it?” Rhys whispers in my ear. A shiver travels down my spine from the sensation of his breath of my skin.

He’s talked about this place over the months we’ve gotten to know each other but had mentioned it was vandalized. This is my first time here and I’m very happy to be experiencing another part of Rhys’ life.

“I love it,” I reply, turning to face him.

A wide, proud smile spreads across his face. “Good because you’re going to meet the owners tonight. They’re very important to me and so are you. It’s about time you meet.”

My jaw slackens at his statement, and he chuckles, kissing my forehead.

He places a hand on the small of my back and leads me toward where our friends are already seated.

Paige and Emily stand and pull me into a hug.

Since being rescued, we hug each other like our lives depend on it and say I love you as if it’ll be the last time.

Rhys sits next to Declan, and I take the seat on the left, next to Paige.

When the waitress comes over, I’m immediately tracking her every move. The way she interacts with everyone is a major contrast to how she interacts with Rhys.

Possessiveness swarms inside my body like a level 5 tornado.

“Here you are.”

I tense at the flirty tone in her voice when she sets Rhys’ food down in front of him.

Thanking her, Rhys gives her a tight, polite smile. Clearly not trying to encourage the flirtation. But the bitch is either stupid or deliberately choosing to ignore it.

A growl rumbles from deep in my chest and out my mouth when she ‘accidentally’ brushes up against his arm when she pulls away.

She eyes me warily for a split second before plastering a fake smile and setting my food in front of me.

“Enjoy,” she purrs touching Rhys, AGAIN.

I snatch her wrist, yanking her down so she is forces to bend at the waist. “Touch him again and I will kill you,” I snarl quietly in her ear.

Her entire body turns rigid. Eyes bugging out, she nods rapidly. “I-I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

Her wrist is bright red when I release it. She scurries away with her tail tucked between her legs.

When I turn to face Rhys, his eyes are hooded. The heat in them sears my skin.

He leans close and nips at my earlobe before whispering, “I’m going to fuck every one of your holes tonight until the only word you can say is my name.”

A quiet whimper falls from my lips.

Someone clears their throat, reminding me that we are in fact not alone. The table is silent. Everyone’s eyes are on us.

“Well, that was a good show,” Paige teases, knocking her shoulder against mine. Emily lets out a snort.

“I was waiting for you to strangle her right in front of everyone,” Liam snickers.

“Still tempted to,” I mutter, causing everyone at the table to laugh.

The waitress never comes back, instead being replaced with an older woman who radiates a maternal energy toward Rhys.

He speaks with such warmth that it’s clear this is the woman he’s told me about.

“You must be Sarah. Rhys has told me so much about you.” Her brown almond shaped eyes are soft and warm. Faint, thin lines frame her smile, showing the years of happiness along her barely aged face.

I stand and hold out my hand.

“Pffh.” She pushes my hand away then pulls me into her arms. Our heights difference is comical; she barely reaches my chin. The delicate fragrance of jasmine tea mixed with something floral drifts into my nose.

I relax into her embrace. Tears prick the edges of my eyes. It’s been years since I’ve been hugged by a maternal figure, and I’m overwhelmed by how much I’ve missed it.

“Hi, Mrs. Chang. Rhys has also told me so much about you,” I say when we step out of each other’s arms.

“Please call me Mei.”

An older gentleman steps up beside her. She turns to face him, and I immediately know this is her husband. The love in her eyes is unmistakable.

They exchange a few words in their native tongue, then Mei gestures toward me.

“This is Rhys’ Sarah,” she says to Mr. Chang. I feel my cheeks heat at the way she introduces me.

I blink away more tears when he pulls me into his arms and squeezes tightly. He lets go and hold onto my shoulders. “You’re more beautiful than he described.” He looks pointedly at Rhys, then returns his gaze to mine. “I’m Henry. It’s so lovely to meet the woman who has finally captured Rhys’ attention.”

Rhys stands, greeting them both with a hug of his own. They spend a couple of minutes talking about the changes made to their restaurant after cleaning up the vandalism.

A sense of pride rises within me. He loves this couple and has sworn to protect them with his life from the moment they helped him in the street.

The depth in Rhys’ character continues to catch me off guard. My heart and soul fall more in love with him and I struggle to remember why I don’t let him in.

Mei and Henry ask how we’re enjoying our dinner. I’ve nearly inhaled my entire plate that’s piled with dim sum, spicy chicken, steamed veggies, and an embarrassing amount of fried rice.

My stomach is already protesting at the amount of food I’ve eaten, but I can’t stop myself from stuffing my face with more.

After Mei and Henry leave to check on their other guests, we sit to enjoy the remainder of our dinner.

* * *

“I don’t think I’ve ever eaten so much food in my life.”

Rhys glances at me and chuckles.

I’m slumped against the passenger seat, trying to relieve the bloating of my stomach. There is definitely a food baby in there, but I have no regrets.

After parking and taking the elevator up to the penthouse, we make our way to the bedroom. With a groan, I drop onto my stomach on top of the black comforter.

The bed dips with Rhys weight. Next thing I know, he’s straddling my hips. His large, callused hands wrap around my shoulders. I moan when his thumbs press into my muscles, kneading them.

After a few minutes, he shifts down my body. His hands slowly travel up the back of my legs until they reach the hem of my dress. He pushes the fabric up and over my head, leaving me in my matching panty and bra set and heels.

“Fuck,” he curses under his breath. His hands palm my ass cheeks, and I moan again when he kneads my flesh. “This ass is a thing of fantasies.”

Releasing his hold, he climbs off me and steps into the ensuite. He returns with a bottle of massage oil in his hand. Rhys spends the next 30 minutes massaging every inch of my body. I’m so wet, my body is an inferno of need.

His thumb brushes against my clit when he slides his hand up the inside of my thigh. My hips lift off the mattress, chasing the promise of pleasure.

My ass cheeks are spread apart, followed by Rhys’ mouth descending onto the soaked fabric which covers my pussy.

I grind my hips the moment his heated breath warms my core. “Ohhh,” I moan, arching my back. He nips and teases me until I’m writhing and begging for him to fuck me.

My bra is quickly unhooked and discarded. My nipples are hard and sensitive. The sensation of the comforter brushing against them heightens my arousal.

Rhys tucks his thumbs into the waistband of my thong and tugs into down my legs. He tosses it aside the second it’s off.

He pulls my hips, making me rise on all-fours. His thick fingers press against my entrance but don’t go inside.

“Please,” I whine, peering over my shoulder.

Rhys watches himself repeatedly tease me with his fingers. My pussy clenches in anticipation.

“Please, Rhys,” I beg, pushing back. Trying to get his fingers inside me.

His deep chuckle sends goosebumps across my entire body. “Patience, mo réalta, ” he whispers. I moan loudly when he begins circling my swollen clit.

The bed shifts and then Rhys’ lips press against my spine. He continues to build my orgasm with his fingers while kissing his way up the path to my neck.

He bites down on my neck and shoves two thick fingers into my pussy. Crying out, I arch my back. He fucks me roughly with his fingers, rubbing all the right spots.

“Come,” he demands.

I explode with his name on my lips. My hips grind against his hand over and over until my orgasm dims.

“Fucking perfect,” he praises.

I whimper when his fingers slip out. When I peer over my shoulder again, he’s sucking my release off his fingers.