17

Rio had spent the night, but was gone in the morning. There was a note laying on my nightstand with an address and time. I grab my phone and look up the address on my phone to see exactly what I was heading into. The address was a house, just a regular looking house. Which made me less worried about what my evening would entail. At least he gave me a warning this time... 

I took a shower and got ready for this meeting. Even though I've seen the house on Maps, I didn't  know what I would be walking into. I don't who is going to be there and what was going to happen. 

After I get ready I rush over to the store and make a bouquet to bring over as a gift. I don't know if they will even like them, what if they laugh and shoot me on the spot for showing up with flowers. 

I place the flowers in a vase and begin maneuvering them, Maybe I should be wine or bourbon, Rio likes bourbon. What if they don't like it? What if I get the wrong brand? 

I groan and decide the flowers are my best bet, since I know nothing about the people I'm about to meet. I lock up the store and head back over to my car, with the flowers in hand. I place the vase on the floor and place my purse at an angle beside it to help make sure it doesn't fall over. My heart beating faster and faster as I approach the house.  

I pull up to the curb as my phone calls out "Your destination is on your right..." before it recites the address I plugged in. I take a deep breath and wonder if I should even leave my car, Maybe I should just bail, would anyone really notice? I could say I got a flat tire or something. No, Rio will defiantly know and he'll probably come looking for me... 

I take another deep breathe and turn off my car. I grab my purse and the flowers from the opposite side of the car and exit my vehicle. I slowly walk up the drive way as I feel my heart about to explode. I climb the few steps up to the door and gently knock. 

A few seconds go by with no answer. I don't know if I should see that as a good thing or not... at least a scary guy holding a big gun didn't answer the door. I knock again, a little louder this time and wait again. 

"Hey, now." 

I jump and whip around to see Rio standing in the yard with a smile on his face. He looks me up and down and chuckles when he sees the flowers I'm holding. 

"Come on." he nudges his head to the side.

I climb down the small staircase and he greets me with a side hug and a kiss to my forehead. He leads the way up the long drive way and through an opened fence door to the backyard. Immediately, I think I'm gonna see something horrible back here as I follow him. It wasn't until I see two small children run by us. 

"You'll be fine." he says as he walks up to a woman, who has her back turned to us. He talks to her for a second before they turn to face me. 

"This is my boss." he says, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. 

"I'm just his grandmother." she says.

I stare at the pair for a second before whispering "Hi." 

I look around the yard and see it looks to be a family gathering. There were kids playing and multiple tables and chairs set up and a bunch of adults talking. This dude brought me to a family gathering, making me think I was about to be grilled for hours by scary people with big guns...

I look back at the pair and smile at her, "It's nice to meet you, ma'am. I'm Citrine." 

"Come, let me get a look at you." she says, gesturing me over. Rio pulls his arm away from and lets out a little chuckle, still wearing a smile. I take a few steps closer to her and she looks me over. 

"She's prettier than you described her." she says to Rio. 

"She's hard to describe." he smirks. 

"These are for you." I say, holding out the flowers to her. 

"That's so sweet. Place them inside." she instructs Rio. He grabs the vase from me and sends me a wink before he heads into the house, leaving me alone. 

She takes a seat at the picnic table next to us and gestures for me to, as well. I quickly slide into the seat and place my hands in my lap. 

"Christopher, tells me you own a flower shop." 

"Yes, ma'am, I opened it about five years ago." I tell her. 

"And you like it?" 

I nod, "Yes, ma'am, I like that I open the door and it just smells like so nice. I like being able to create different bouquets and make them either simple or extravagant." 

"That's good, to have passion about something." she smiles, which I return. 

Rio appears once again, with two drinks in hand. He places one in front of me and takes a seat to my left, "Here you go, Darlin'." 

I thank him and look up at him giving him a smile. 

"Those flowers are beautiful." his grandma says.

"I'm glad you liked them, ma'am. I wasn't quite sure what I should bring." I joke. 

"Oh, just yourself. She always makes plenty of food." Rio laughs. 

"No one leaves hungry, do they?" she retorts. 

We sat there talking for a bit and I notice their drinks were getting low and I offer to grab them refills as I stand up and grab they're cups. They tell me what they had and I make my way over to the drink area. 

This is defiantly not what I expected, but my version of this evening was far scarier than meeting his family. I refill the cups before returning back over to the table. I place their drinks in front of them before seating back down. 

Marcus runs over to us and I didn't even realize he was here, "Citrine!" He gives me a small hug, that I return and tells us that a game of soccer is about to start and invites us to join.

"Go, I need to finish setting everything up." she stands up to leave and I ask if she needs help. She gently laughs and instructs me to go play the game, I'm happy I wore flats. 

I was not much help in the game, obviously. I was the kid that always ended up getting hit with the sports equipment... The sun had almost finished setting by the time dinner was ready. Rio sat to the left of his grandmother at the table and I sat to his left. Marcus sat beside a man I hadn't been introduced to yet. 

His grandma loaded up my plate with more food when I had almost cleared my plate and I didn't bother with refusing. I grew up in the south, you don't deny grandma's cooking, it won't get you anywhere. Instead I thank her and the man across from Rio speaks up, "You know better than, huh?" 

"My grandma is the same way. I've learned quickly, to accept it and be appreciative." I chuckle. 

"She tells you when you've had enough." Rio laughs, placing a hand on my thigh. 

"Exactly." I agree. 

"So, how do you know my uncle?" a kid beside Marcus asked. 

I turn a little to Rio, hoping he would answer, "She's my friend, bud." he says. 

"What does she do?" he asked. 

"I own a flower shop." I answer. 

"Oh, did you bring those flowers that are in the kitchen?" the woman sitting to my left asked. 

"Yes, I did." 

"Those are beautiful! What's the name of your store?" 

"Citrine's flowers, not very original, I know." I laugh. 

"You two just friends?" the man in front of Rio asked. Again I look to Rio. Rio just glares at the man.

"Do you have any children?" the grandma asks.

"No, ma'am." I shake my head. 

"You're single then?" the man asks. 

"Let the girl eat." the girl beside says. I thank her silently. 

"Come on. I'm just playing." he says, picking at his plate. 

I look too Rio.

"My cousin." 

"Brother." he corrects Rio. 

"Cousin." 

So, they're cousins? I feel like they have to be cousins because if they're brothers Rio wouldn't call him that... Right? 

"I've heard a lot about you, Citrine." he says.

"All good things, I hope." I joke. 

"Very good things." he winks, placing the fork in his mouth. 

Rio leans back in his chair and moves his hand from my thigh to my back, "Gotta watch out for that one." 

"Gotta watch out for both these guys." the girl sitting beside me says. 

"Like you're some peach." the guy says to the girl. Rio starts laughing, his thumb moving up and down my back. 

I turn my head to the girl sitting beside and whisper "Where's the bathroom?" 

"Yeah, it's inside off from the dean, sweetie." she smiles.

I thank her quickly and rush inside. I find the restroom quickly, closing and locking the door behind me. I lean against the sink and try to focus my breathing. 

I take my time using the bathroom and looking myself over in the mirror, making sure my mascara hadn't run down my face. There is defiantly some tension between Rio and that guy, who I still don't have a name for...

I exit the bathroom and begin walking back down the hall when I see a picture that makes me stop. I know I shouldn't, but I walked into the bedroom to examine the photo. It was Rio in a graduation cap and gown, holding a diploma in his hand. It doesn't look to be a high school graduation... I wonder what he went to college for, he's never mentioned it...

There are other photos on the bookcase, an older photo of a kid holding a soccer ball, the guy who looked to be making a speech, Rio in boxing gloves and shorts, I didn't even know he could box... 

"What are you doing?" I jump, letting out a little gasp. I see Rio leaning on the doorway with his hands behind his back. 

"I saw this and just had to investigate." I say, pointing to his graduation photo. He chuckles a little, walking into the room. 

"I thought I was here to meet your boss." 

"You did." he nods.

"You could've warned me it was your family." 

"Same thing." he picks up and examines the photo of him and his grandma. I watch him as he places it back on the shelf. 

"Who's that guy out there?" I ask. 

"My cousin."

"Is that what I refer to him as or?" 

"You really need to know who your elected officials are." he chuckles.

I lightly grasp him arm and sing "Christopher."

He shoots me a look before muttering "Nick." 

"Did you want me to meet them or did they want to meet me?" I release his arm.

"Both."

"Why?"

"They needed to see if you're good enough." he states.

I scoff, "For you or your business?" 

"Both." 

"What happens if they don't like me?"  

"Then, you don't get invited back." 

"Do they?" I whisper.

"What?"

"Like me?"

He's smirk returns to his face as he nods, "Yeah, Darlin'. Safe to say, they like you." 

I smile up at the man, and take a small step forward, "What about you? Do you like me?" I tease.

"Would say so." he places his hands on my hips, pulling me closer, interlocking our lips and I cup his cheek in my hand.

As the kiss heats up I let my hands trail down his chest to his belt and begin unbuckling it. 

"mmm-mmm." he says, grasping my hands. 

I look up at him, as he lifts my leg to rest on his waist. He moves his hands to my thigh and lets the skirt of my dress ride up as his hand does, it slides over to the edge of my underwear, causing goosebumps.

I pull him back in to kiss me when his hand slips inside the thin cotton barrier. His long fingers dipping in and out of my core, spreading my juices for his thumb as it easily finds my clit and applies pressure. 

"Rio." I gasp. 

He quietly shushes me. 

I tilt my head back, a soft moan leaving my mouth, he takes the opportunity to attache his lips to my neck. His fingers working in and out repeatedly, his thumb moving in quick circles. I grip onto his shirt, balling it in my fist. My breathing becoming short and heavy, he finds my pulse point and sucks it. I let out a breathless laugh, knowing he did it as revenge. 

He curls his fingers hitting my spot and I almost cry out. I drop my head on his shoulder, shutting my eyes, letting him take even more control of my body.

"Christopher." I moan.

His speed quickening as I pull him closer if that was possible. I whimper, grinding my hips into his hand. 

"That's it, Darlin'." he smirks into my neck. 

"Christopher." I cry.

"Let it go, mama."The pleasure took over my body, making my muscles tense and jolt. His hand had slowed down slightly, as I rode out the high. 

We stayed in the position for a few moments so I could catch my breath. I quickly fixed my dress and hair as we left the room to join everyone else outside. 

"Ah, good you're here. You almost missed dessert." his grandma said as Rio closed the door to the house. 

I went back to my original seat as his grandma placed the pastry in front of me. 

"Looks delicious, ma'am." I smile at her, knowing what had just happened in her home. 

"I hope you enjoy it." she beams.