Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Nick had dropped by Rio's bar, Rio knew his visit meant he was going to hear something he didn't like, which turned out to be exactly right.

"Yeah, I don't like these events, you know that."

"No choice brother, we gotta get this contract."

As Nick got to the door he added one last thing. 

”And make sure you bring someone, gotta fill that seat at the table.”

He just stared at him as he walked out of the bar. Fuck, he hated these things. A bunch of uptight assholes flaunting their money around, trying to one up each other, but this contract would bring in good money for them so he pretty much had to go. These type of deals were usually just Nicks thing as they had pretty much stayed out of each other's way, each of them dealing with what they had to do but sometimes Rio was involved too. Nick would consider Rio owing him this for getting his charges dropped and keeping him out of jail so Rio was stuck to go. Even worse he had to bring someone. Fuck. Now he doubled hated this.

Her doorbell rang. She was surprised to see Nick standing there. 

“May I come in?”

”Sure, what’s up everything okay.?”

Nick sat at the kitchen island. 

“There is an event coming up that I think would be good for you to attend. It will give you exposure if you decide to run for that seat.”

“What kind of event? Like, what do I wear?

“It's a semi-formal kind of deal."

”Oh, and you want me there?” 

“Yes, it’s a great opportunity for you.”

“Okay. What time?” 

“I can pick you up if you like. Then I can introduce you to people and it won’t be so awkward for you.

Nick hesitated.

"I mean, that won’t be a problem will it… with your husband? Like, what’s the deal with you two?”

”We are separated living in the same house. We can’t really afford another place yet plus it helps me when I have to go and work at night.”

”Okay as long as it doesn’t cause any conflict it’s a date then….well, so to speak.”

Nick gave her that charming smile of his.

”Right, just let me know the time.” 

Beth was kind of looking forward to going. She rarely got a chance to go to an event or spend an evening where she could dress up and just enjoy herself. 

Nick had really wanted her in that seat and she was really now considering it. It would give her some stability money wise and some leverage against Rio. Maybe this was a way she could make his life difficult since she felt powerless against him right now. 

She was also still very pissed at him for kidnapping Annie. Very, very pissed. That made her very interested in the seat.

Nick wanted Beth in that seat for completely different reasons. Her vote would help them pass through projects that he and Rio used in there crime operations. She was the perfect for it. She had the perfect public persona, the suburban mom that many would relate to, all the while helping them set up their criminal activities. Of course Beth didn't know about the second part at all, Nick wanted to make sure he looked like the good guy, as he always did his whole life. Rio was the bad guy, he was the good guy.

Nick had another reason for getting Beth on city council. He wanted to put a wedge between her and Rio. He not only felt that Rio was weak around her, he also didn't mind taking something else from him. He was going to play the long game. He didn't really need Beth to come to this event and could have done it without Rio, but this was a perfect set up to pit them against each other.

When Nick picked up Beth, he couldn't help but notice how amazing she looked. She had bought an emerald coloured satin wrap around dress that highlighted her cleavage perfectly. She was going to turn some heads tonight, especially Rio's.

"You look stunning Beth." 

"Thank you. You clean up pretty nicely yourself."

Nick did look very handsome in the black suit and tie he had on. She smiled at him. 

"So is there anything I have to know or do?"

"No, just follow my lead and you will be fine. It's a charity event for a company that we are going to hire with the city. They have a lot of pull in the community. Just be yourself."

The place was beautiful and nothing was spared setting up the room. These people had money. Beth kind of took it all in. When Nick walked in with her, she definitely drew so much attention. Nick introduced Beth to the companies head honcho and two of his associates, the one they were going to be doing the deal with. 

"Well who is this beautiful lady you have here Nick?"

"This is Beth Boland, she is going to hopefully run for city council. I am hoping tonight will give help convince her to run."

"Pleased to meet you Beth. If Nick is giving you his endorsement, then I know you would be the perfect choice for it."

He was well aware that Beths seat would mean more votes. 

"Thank you for your vote of confidence, I am definitely considering it."

"As you can see, our company is very involved in the community as well. This is one of the things we like to do, raising money for charity. I  am glad you joined us tonight."

"Thank you so much, so nice to meet you."

Nick walked Beth over to the bar. 

"See? you are a complete natural."

"I don't know about that."

"Don't underestimate yourself. Now what can I get you to drink."

"Bourbon, on the rocks please."

As they were walking back to their table she saw him. Her stomach twisted in a knot. She looked at Nick who was already looking at her. 

"You didn't mention Rio was coming too?"

"I needed to fill my table and well....he owes me."

Rio looked over at her. He clenched his jaw but not enough for Beth to see. She had come with Nick. What the fuck. Not only did she come with Nick, she looked absolutely jaw dropping gorgeous. Her hair was up, a few strands hanging down, he had never seen it that way on her. She almost took his breath away. And her fucking perfect lips with the dark pink lipstick. He swore he could smell her fresh scent from where he was. His stomach tightened up into a knot, it physically hurt him. 

She looked at him. He looked so damned good and he was with someone. Beside him was a very attractive woman. She was maybe in her late 20's. A brunette, long hair. She had on a tight fitting dress that sat about 6 inches about her knees over her perfectly shaped legs. She swallowed hard, hoping he didn't notice it. A sudden surge of complete utter jealousy flooded her whole body. Ugh. Now she was hoping this night would be over fast, because she was totally rattled now.

Nick watched them both. 

"You okay Beth?"

"Yes, totally fine, I just wasn't expecting him. I am not very happy with him after he kidnapped my sister."

"Right, I am sorry Beth, I should have told you.”

"No worries, it will be fine. Who else will be joining us at our table?"

"My assistant and his latest girlfriend."

They all arrived at the table about the same time. Beth's heart was in her throat. Nick spoke first.

"I guess we should do some introductions. I am Nick, Rio's cousin and this is Beth, my assistant Scott and his friend Abby."

The woman with Rio smiled at them both. Rio introduced her. 

"This is Haley."

Beth smiled at her.

"Nice to meet you Haley."

"Nice to meet you too."

This was going to be hell and even more so when Beth saw the place cards at the table. It was Haley, Rio, Beth, Nick, Abby and Scott. She was sitting right beside him. Just what she wanted especially when he had a date. This was a nightmare.  

Rio suggested he and Haley go to the bar and get a drink. He fucking needed one. This was fucking torture. How could she come with him?

When they all sat for dinner, Beth picked over her food. She had no appetite, but she was going to drink to ease her angst about this. Nick chatted away to everyone. Rio was fighting himself to not put his hand on her back like he did when he was at his Grandmothers. He wanted to keep her away from Nick. She just had no idea how manipulative he was and that underneath all that charm was a snake who would snap her head off in a heartbeat. He also couldn't even allow himself to think of him trying to sleep with her. He wouldn't put it past Nick. That punched him in the gut hard.

Nick looked at Rio. 

”So I thought it would be a good idea to bring Elizabeth to have her see what it would be like if she decided to run for city council.”

Beth looked at Nick.

"Beth, it's just Beth."

"My bad."

Rio jumped in with his smile that Nick knew meant he was pissed.

"Come on man, the least you can do is get your dates name correct."

Haley and the others laughed about it. Rio hated Nick for doing that. He knew only he called her Elizabeth. The only thing that made him calm down about it was the fact that Beth always corrected him. She only wanted him to call her that. She never, ever asked Rio to call her Beth. He had that much going for him at least. 

But still, Rio couldn't help himself, especially when she had told Nick to call her Beth again. He slid his hand down beside him and ran his hand lightly up Beth's thigh over her dress. She kept looking at her plate, not trying to give herself away; she almost shuttered at his touch. What the fuck was he doing? He was here with someone. And why the hell did he have to smell so good. She hated this.

Rio was always totally aware of what was going on at the table, who was talking to whom, especially Nick. He wasn't going to let Nick have any part of her. When everyone was distracted, he put his hand on her thigh and left it there. She took her heel and put it on his foot and stepped down a bit. Did he think he could do whatever he wanted? He removed his hand, for the moment. Rio engaged in the light talk at the table, but he was totally distracted by Beth. 

The third time he touched her he put his hand up as high as he could go. Again, she wanted to shutter, having his hand almost between her legs. She was also getting mad at him, thinking he could sit there with his date beside him and be touching her. She put her hand under the table and pinched his leg hard. She also hated how much she loved him touching her and how pissed off she was at him all at the same time. This was how it was between them. He annoyed the fuck out of her, pushed her buttons, was an asshole about printing his money, kidnapped her sister, and she was literally melting under his touch.

He knew exactly what he was doing. He knew no matter what was on the surface, he could make her crumble when he touched her, and she was the only one he wanted to touch. She knocked her leg into his. When he pulled his hand away, he pulled it up between her legs again. He saw her wiggle her ass a bit in the chair. Her perfect ass. 

He wasn't going to stop it and she knew it; she also knew she wasn't going to stop liking it, and that was almost worse. She stood up and grabbed her purse. 

"Excuse me for a moment."

Haley saw her stand up. 

"Are you headed to the ladies room?"

Oh fucking great, this is just what she wanted now; Rio's date or whatever she was to him, coming to the washroom with her, but that's exactly what she did.

"Yes I am."

She looked at Rio and he gave her the smallest smug look. He was loving this. If she could tell him to go fuck himself, she would have. 

As they left for the ladies room Rio watched them walk away. Actually, he watched her walk away. He watched her ass moving under that satin dress. She really was too perfect. He wanted nothing more than to grab her ass in his hands. He was usually really good at keeping those feelings under control, but right now it wasn't so easy. He didn't even look at Haley once, and she was wearing the tight form-fitting dress she had on, but he didn't give a shit. 

Haley was chatty, which surprised Beth a bit because that’s not really something she thought Rio would like. 

“So how long have you been seeing Nick?”

”This is the first time we have gone out. It's not exactly a date.”

”What about you and Rio? How long have you been seeing him?”

She was sorry she asked, as soon as it came out of her mouth. 

"We have hooked up a couple of times, you know….but this is the first time he has called me in a while.”

”Ahhhh gotcha.”

"He's kind of hard to say no to, he's kind of hot you know? But Nick is pretty hot too!

“I guess it must run in the family.”

Why the fuck did she just do that? Why did she ask anything? 

They walked back out together. Rio watched them, more so Beth. She smiled at him; she wasn’t giving away a thing. When she sat down, Rio put his arm around Haley’s chair. He knew Beth saw it; he wanted Beth to see it. She hated him right now.

The music started and Nick came over and put his hand out to Beth. 

“Come on. No point wasting that beautiful dress you have on by sitting in a chair."

Rio’s jaw tightened. Nick knew how to dance. Great, now he got to watch her move her ass dancing with him. It was a slow dance, and he placed his hand perfectly on the small part of her back. Rio could see her huge tits against his chest. He wanted to crawl out of his skin. She looked so damn beautiful up there and the way she moved. Fuck.

Haley grabbed Rios hand and took him onto the floor.

"Come on let's dance."

Rio didn't care much for dancing, but right now he didn't mind it. Haley was right in close to Rio. Beth had to look the other way. No way he was going to see how much it bothered her. 

Nick was having a great time. This night was turning out perfect, just as he hoped it would, and even though he didn't have an interest in Beth, he was a bit attracted to her. He knew she looked gorgeous; all the men were looking at her. 

Rio wasn't going to let him away with it; he knew what Nick was doing so he was going to dance with her next song. 

"Could I have this dance with the new council woman to be?"

There was a look between Nick and Rio. Beth leaned over and whispered in Haley's ear. 

"Let's switch up the hot guys." 

Haley laughed. 

"Let's do it."

Rio held Beth very tight, he wanted to feel her tits on him and when Nicks back was to them he would pull her ass in tight to him. She didn't resist him when he did it or try to pull away either. Haley was too busy chatting away to Nick so she didn't notice anything.

"How's your date going Elizabeth?"

"How is yours going Rio?"

"I asked you first."

Beth wouldn't bite.

"Hayley seems like a lovely person. Quite the chatty little thing though."

"Is that right?"

"We had a little girl talk in the ladies room."

"Did you now?"

He rubbed her ass a bit. She smelled so fucking good, she felt so fucking good. She hated how good it felt to have his arms around her. 

"You know Elizabeth, you need to be careful with Nick."

"Do I?"

"He didn't need you here tonight."

"Well he seems happy I am."

"Oh, no doubt."

"What does that mean?"

"Told ya already, he's fucking with you."

"So he doesn't want me on city Council?"

"Oh he does."

"Well that's why I am here."

"Just be careful. You never fucking listened to me in the past, and it was costly."

"Funny he warned me about you too."

"Did he now?"

"He did."

The song was ending and just before it did he whispered in her ear. 

"You look absolutely beautiful tonight."

She gave him a very cold look. How dare he.

"So does Hayley."

Her jealousy was oozing out of her, she knew it, and he knew it. Problem was, she had no idea that the only person Rio saw, and thought was  beautiful was her, not Hayley, not any other woman.

They sat back down at the table; Beth started working on another drink. She needed it. Nick came over and whispered in her ear, which infuriated Rio. He told Beth he had to go talk to the guys she had met when she came in. She nodded. When he left Rio put his hand under the table and this time up under her dress. Beth stood up. 

"I need to excuse myself for a bit, I won't be long."

Hayley was sitting beside Abby now chatting away like they were long-lost friends. This was the perfect time. Beth headed out in a different direction from the way she saw Nick go out with the guys. She went down the hall and waited for a few moments. She knew he would follow her. Rio told Hayley he had to go take an important call. She wasn't even paying attention. He followed her down another hallway, watching her hips sway in the dress. He wanted to grab her so badly. 

Beth found a staff washroom that was unoccupied. She stepped in with him behind her. 

"You want another bathroom break huh?"

"No way. I wanted to talk to you and I am sure you don't want your date to hear our conversation."

He gave her that grin that just made her more angry.

"Right, right. Whats up Elizabeth?"

"Could you please stop touching me under the table?

"You don't like it?"

His eyes changed to those dark smoldering eyes that did her in. He just stared into hers. Fuck, fuck, fuck. She started to feel all achy inside. Why did he do this to her?

"What are you doing Rio?"

He moved in closer to her face. She was so beautiful he didn't want to take his eyes off her. How did she not know just how much she got to him?

"Tell me you don't like it Elizabeth."

She just looked at him.

"Fuck off Rio."

He walked her slowly back to the wall. He wanted to lift her dress and fuck her hard against the wall. This woman was the biggest fucking pain in his ass; she pissed him off so much, but his desire for her always trumped everything.

"Tell me you don't like it Elizabeth."

He slipped his hand inside her dress, touching her nipple. He lightly brushed his finger over it. Then he put his whole hand over her breast. She thought she was going to moan it felt so good, but she took his hand and removed it. 

"You don't get to do that."

"You don't like it? because if you don't I will stop."

She tried to ignore what he was doing even though it was impossible for her to.

"When I was with you at your Grandmother's you turned me down remember? I am turning you down.”

"Are you? Do you really want too?"

She continued on. 

"Were you saving yourself for your girlfriend?"

She was feeling as jealous as she was sounding. 

"You mean when I did this?"

He started lifting her dress with his hand. He ran his hand on the inside of her leg. She just stared at him. She should speak, she knew she should speak. It was taking all her effort not to moan when he put his hand over her pussy. Then he kneeled down. This was when she should step away, right now. But she stood there doing nothing. 

He lifted her one leg over his shoulder. She knew she had to stop him. But she didn't. Her panties were the same colour as her dress. Fuck, he wanted to rip them off her again. He pulled her panties just off to the side so she could slip his finger inside her. She put her head back on the wall closing her eyes. Damn she hated he could do this to her and she didn't want to stop him. She was wet, he knew she was going to be wet, of course she was wet, I mean when wasn't she when he was around. She was probably wet after he sat down beside her. She hated him, she hated how much she always wanted him.

"I think you liked me touching you."

He put in two fingers, moving in and out of her. She wanted to moan out loud but she wasn't going to give him the satisfaction. It was bad enough she had no self control to stop him. Then he put his mouth on her, running his tongue up and down her lips. He wanted to moan as much as her. He started to work his tongue on her.

"Fuck you taste as good as you look."

She still wouldn't acknowledge him. She wanted to stop him but she just couldn't. She started to move her hips back and forth while his tongue worked on her. She was now pissed off as hell at herself. He put his hand behind her ass and pulled her into him more. Part of her dress slipped down so his head was under it now. She looked down watching him, seeing his head move under her dress was getting her going even more. She kept watching as she was getting closer, and she would be damned if she was going to let him know it. At least she tried until she couldn't any more. She was coming despite herself. Her legs tightened up and she drew in a deep breath. She put her hand over her mouth, trying to stifle her moans which were loud, her hand didn't do a thing. Damn. She was tingling all over when she was done. She couldn't move for a moment. He let her leg down slowly, then pulled her panties back in place. He pulled out from under her dress and back up to her. He stared in her eyes. 

"I am 100% sure you liked me touching you."

That pissed her off big time. She was so pissed she couldn't resist him, even more pissed that he knew it. She looked him right back in the eyes. She grabbed his pants and started to undo them. He looked at her like he may stop her.  

'If you turn me down again, it's the last time I will ever do this."

He gave her that smug little smile again.  

"Is that right?"

"You want to really find out?"  

He had no intentions of stopping her, none at all. He was wanting her to touch him so badly.

'So do you still want me even though you are here with Nick?"

And there it was, his jealousy. She unzipped his pants and pulled them down enough to free up his cock. She started stroking him. 

"Kind of looks like you like me touching you too."

She kept stroking him faster. 

"You definitely like it Rio."

She squatted down and took him into her mouth. He leaned against the sink watching her. When she got him all wet she added her hand stroking him faster and faster. She could feel him breathing faster and holding back a moan. He loved having her touch him again, and having her mouth on him. She was working on him really good. He wanted to touch her but he wasn't going to push his luck. So he just closed his eyes, feeling her amazing mouth on him. When he got close he warned her. 

"Better stop unless you want a nice pearl necklace."

She kept stroking him with her hand.

"You want me to stop?"

"Just don't want to ruin that dress."

He actually would love to blow his load all over her right now and then have her go sit beside Nick again. 

"I got this."

She went back to working on him. She kept her hand and mouth working together, and went deep throat on him. He pushed his hands down on the sink as he watched her. Fuck, she was giving it to him good. Then it hit him, he was coming hard. She took him to the back of her throat while he came. It was so damn good. She slowly released him from her mouth. He put his hand out to help her back up. She had wanted to do that to him for so long but she wasn't going to let him know that. She opened her purse. Pulled out a mint popped it in her mouth, just ignoring him now. She washed her hands, then reapplied her lipstick, not looking at him once. She walked to the door. 

"I am 100% sure you loved me touching you too...oh and you might want to clean up before you go out there...you have my lipstick on you, not sure Hayley would appreciate it."

He stood there watching her leave. He wanted to run and grab her; she wanted to go back in to him. But neither did a thing. They just held onto their jealousy, and their anger with each other.  

She took a moment in the hallway to get her bearings. Part of her wanted to cry; part of her was angry, and a whole large part of her was so jealous. Fuck him.

He cleaned himself up. She was right, he had lipstick on him. She gave him an amazing blow job then turned into the ice queen Elizabeth again, who he knew was going to be little miss charming to Nick. Fuck her. 

She had gone straight to the bar and had gotten another drink. She needed it. Nick came back shortly after, so he never knew she had left. When Rio arrived back at the table, he sat beside Hayley again who was oblivious to how long he was gone. Not the sharpest tool in the shed, but that's not likely why he was with her. Maybe she was "the typical friend" that Nick was referring too. When she walked back to the table, Rio turned and looked at her. She gave him a cold, cold look, and he was only too happy to return it. If only she knew that Nicks plan was working out just as he wanted it too. Rio knew he set this up so she would see him with another woman. Rio knew exactly what Nick was trying to do and he was really worried she would fall for it.  

She felt like the night was never going to end. Rio left for about 15 minutes. He had to meet with the guys Nick just had. But Hayley stayed at their table and talked to Beth. She thought Beth was great, she thought that Beth was funny. Beth would have liked her if not for the fact she was with Rio. 

This night she had looked forward to turned into the night that she ended up hating...except for the time in the washroom with Rio which she would never admit to herself. After her last drink she was feeling a bit better. When Rio returned from his meeting he turned his back to her this time when he sat down. The truth was, that bothered her more, not him touching her like he did before. 

The night finally came to an end. Nick made sure that he and Beth walked out when Rio and Hayley did. Nick put his arm around Beth so Rio would see it. She was tipsy. He knew it and Rio knew it. When they said good night chatty fucking Hayley wanted to hug Beth. She just loved Beth, thought she was so much fun. Beth wanted to scream, like as if the night couldn't get any worse. As she gave Beth a hug, she gave Rio the death stare.....like the go fuck yourself and beyond stare. Rio obliged by returning it, then he looked at Nick. That ice cold hard ass stare they would do to each other.  Rio kept watching as Nick walked her to the car. When Beth got in she watched Rio open his door for Hayley and let her in. Hayley waved over at them. Beth rolled her eyes; she wanted to scream. 

They both wondered how their nights were going to end. Was Rio with Hayley and was Beth with Nick?

It was the night from hell for both of them, but it was the perfect night in Nick's eyes. Mission accomplished.

Chapter Text

She sat down in the same seat she usually did at his bar, she had already started working on her bourbon. She didn't want to be here and she didn't want to see him. She was pissed at him before the charity event and was even more so now.

If she was honest with herself, what she was pissed off about is the fact that he had a date there and that she was jealous. This was a jealousy she had never felt before in her life. The day she saw him with that other woman who he dropped off to the drug car she had felt jealousy, but this was far deeper than that. 

She was also angry with herself that when she got him into the bathroom she could not say no to him. She didn’t take him in there for that, she wanted to confront him about touching her all the time. But she didn’t even try to say no, didn’t even form the words on her lips. Instead she was lifting her leg for him. What was wrong her? why did this man have such a hold on her?

To pile things on top of it she gave him a blow job. She just couldn’t stop herself, like good job Beth, that will really teach him. He had pissed her off so much when he said he was 100% sure that she liked him touching her so what did she do? she goes right for his belt buckle and unzips him so she can just go for it. She was sure that really gave him the message that she was pissed off at him, that she didn't want him touching her. It’s not like she didn’t enjoy it because she did and how he responded to her. To make it worse she hadn't stopped thinking about it. Why does this fucking man keep doing this to her? Why? 

She took another sip, then she got that faint smell of his fresh scent. Couldn't he just once not smell so good? That scent would linger in her nose all night long now which would probably result in her pulling out her vibrator again tonight.

She decided she just wasn't going to look at him, just not make eye contact for as long as she could because he could always read her too well and she could get pulled right back into him.

He plopped down beside her but before he did, he checked her out the same way he always did. He could never help himself. He would never get tired of looking at that ass of hers. He knew she was pissed off by they way she was drinking her bourbon and looking straight ahead.

He was just as pissed at her though. The fucking games she played and now she was going to play games with Nick. She really had no idea who she was dealing with when he came to him and he knew she was stubborn as hell so she would continue to be impossible and the royal pain in the ass that she was.

But he certainly wasn't pissed at her when she took him to the bathroom. He also knew she didn't mind him touching her at the table and she certainly didn't mind it in the bathroom. She couldn't even turn him down when he offered it and he was glad she didn't. He wanted her and he sure wasn't expecting her to give him a blow job like she did. Wholly fuck. It was just one more thing he wouldn't be able to get out of his head. This fucking stubborn, beautiful, smart, difficult woman was his Achilles heel.   

"So, did you enjoy that charity event?"

"Yes, I did."

She was lying through her teeth. 

"Really? which part? or do I even have to ask?"

That made her more angry. He knew, of course he knew. She didn’t acknowledge his comment. 

"I really enjoyed meeting Hayley, sweet girl."

"Good, good, she said she liked you too. Maybe the 4 of us go out one night yeah?"

Fuck him.

"Sure."

Fuck her.

He turned and looked at her. She kept staring ahead. He knew she was a bit rattled so he didn't take his eyes off her.

"I need you guys to print me some money. Need it pretty fast."

"Oh really? like how fast."

"By Friday night."

That made her turn her head and look at him. He gave her that 'I got you smile' of his. 

"That's kind of short notice."

He shrugged his shoulders and kept looking at her. 

”I can just ask the other two to do it. No cut for you though.”

She gave him a scowl.

”Not necessary.”

He put his hand on her thigh held it there for a moment then patted it.

“Great.”

She looked down at his hand and back up to his face.

”Must you?”

There was his smug grin again, the one she wanted to wipe off his face. He pointed over his shoulder.

”Do you want to go discuss this in the bathroom?”

He was trying to push her buttons. 

”No.”

He stood up, gave her a stern look.

“Let me know when it’s ready for pick up.” 

He turned and walked away. She was fuming, and didn’t he just had to touch her leg again, and sit so close to her.

She went home and jumped in the shower before bed; maybe she could cleanse that fresh scent of him out of her nose. But instead she found herself with her fingers on herself. She touched her nipples, the same way he did; she ran her fingers over her clit, just like he did. She couldn't get him out of her mind. The way he fingered her, the way he sucked on her nipples, the way he licked her clit, that way he fucked her. The way she just came against so easily just thinking of him. She totally hated that he was forever in her head.

There were nights, many nights that she would lay in her bed and think about that night in the bathroom, and the afternoon in her bedroom. But when she had shot him, she shut those thoughts down. She couldn't allow herself to think of it, to think of him. It was too painful. She kept all of that locked away inside of her. When she was with him at his Grandmothers, he fired it all up again inside her and she couldn't stop thinking of him despite what she told others. Now she could add the charity event bathroom sex to it. There was no denying it, that man knew how to get her off and she could never get him off her mind.

He did something to her, something she didn't want to acknowledge. There wasn't a night when she lay in bed when he wasn't on her mind. There wasn't a time that she didn't get that feeling when he was near her. There wasn’t a morning that she woke up and she didn’t think of him. It was always there, it was always fucking there.

He lay in bed that night thinking of her again. She pissed him off, she made him angry; she also occupied a spot inside him he could never let go of, no matter what she did.

Now Nick was manipulating and trying to get close to her. He was pretty sure he wanted to take her away from him as much as he wanted to use her to help them in their activities.

But what else was new when to came to them. There was always something going on, always something to deal with when it came to her. Fucking always. Yet, he couldn't let her go.

When he was away from her for those two months healing from this gunshot wounds, he was full of anger at her but there was an void in him caused by her, an emptiness. That night was a nightmare for them both. He had hated her for it, but he also remembered the look of betrayal and fear in her eyes too. 

So he did what he usually did; he had jerked off, thinking about her, thinking about her fucking gorgeous tits, her fucking soft ass, her fucking curvy hips, and the fucking lips of her. Yeah, that woman had a hold on him.  

The girls worked their asses off to get the money done in time. They got it all together and packed it up. Beth texted Rio to tell him it was ready to go and he could pick it up. He didn't reply. Usually he answered her within 10 minutes when he was expecting her to text him. She told the other two to go; she would wait for him.  

After 30 minutes she texted him again. No reply. This was really odd, he didn't do this when he knew there was a pick up. This time she called him. His phone went to voice mail. She left him a message telling him things were good to go. She waited another 15 minutes, then she packed up the money and put it in the safety deposit box. 

Screw it, she did what she was suppose to do. She got in her van and started to drive home.

She had just worked her ass off to get this money done and he couldn’t answer her or return her call? She pulled over and tried to call him one more time and no answer again. She left him a message. What the hell was going on?

She changed her mind instead of going home she went to his bar. This was ridiculous. When she entered she looked around. It was pretty busy being a Friday night but was no where in sight. She went up to the bartender, who knew exactly who she was. 

"Hi there, have you seen Rio?"

"He's not here tonight, he's out."

"Do you expect him later?"

"No, he won't be here at all. Any message for him?"

"No, it's fine I will send him a text. Thanks."

She went to her car; she was pissed but also felt like she had been jabbed in the stomach. Was he out with her again? Was she going to do this jealousy thing again? She went home and just as she was pulling in her driveway she received a text from him.

"Had to change the pick up time, I will pick it up tomorrow."

Why didn't he tell her earlier? She called him back instead of texting. His phone went directly to voicemail. The last time her phone calls went to voicemail was when he ghosted her taking Marcus to Legoland. She didn't like the feeling it gave her. Was he with someone? Hayley? She texted him. 

“Sorry I am busy tomorrow.” 

He didn't respond to her text either. She was so annoyed with him, so frustrated. She was also jealous. As hard as she tried not to, her thoughts kept going to him and Hayley and she absolutely hated it.

He purposely messed up the pick up to make her wonder and he knew it worked.

He texted her the next day about the pick up. She ignored his text. He was getting under her skin big time now and he knew it. He sent her another text.

"Shall I come by your place instead to pick it up?"

Damn him.

“No. I will be there.”

When she met him at the club she was pissed at him, but even more so when she got there he wasn't there. She went inside and waited for him; it was dead quiet, and a bit creepy being there alone. He finally showed up 15 minutes late. Of course he did.

"Where were you?"

"Just running late."

"I mean last night!"

"Out."

"It would have real nice if you had just let me know you changed the pick up time. We worked our asses off to get the money done on time."

He was being really nonchalant about it. 

”I sent you a message.”

Her eyes were a blue sea of anger. She was really pissed and he knew it.

”After the fact!l

"Well I am here now."

"Yeah?"

She came up close to him. She was angry he had screwed them around, but she was really, really angry that she was so jealous that he may have been with Hayley again. 

“Is that all you have to say?”

“What do you want me to say Elizabeth?”

”How about you apologize?”

”Okay, I’m sorry”

He was flippant about it.

"No, you aren't."

She stormed over to the safe and bent over to open it. He followed her over and stood right behind her, brushed his hip across hers. She stood up and looked at him. He was so close to her, their bodies almost touched.

"What are you doing?"

"Apologizing again."

He leaned over brushed her hair behind her ear, then put his lips right next to her ear and whispered.

"I'm sorry."

She stood looking at him, totally caught off guard. 

"You need to relax."

"How can I when you have me running in circles? You don't show up for a pick up and then are late again today."

"Turn around."

"What?"

"Turn around."

"Why?"

"You are so tense.”

"Wouldn't you be?"

This was just like her, stubborn and difficult.

"Just turn around."

He put his hands on her shoulders and turned her around. As soon as he touched her she didn't resist. He moved her hair to the side. She closed her eyes his hands felt good. He started to massage her shoulders, very gently. She was trying hard to muster up some anger still but she couldn't find it. 

He put one hand on her neck and gently massaged it. He leaned over near her ear again.

"That feel good?” 

She nodded yes. He ran his hands down her sides over her hips and then up the middle of her back. She took a deep breath. She was definitely relaxing under his touch. She put her head down. While he massaged her whole back. For a moment she forgot where she was. He ran his hands back down to the bottom of her sweater and slipped his hands underneath it. He massaged her under her sweater up her back. She pulled her head up. He leaned over whispering in her ear again, his beard gently brushing on her neck.  

“Tell me if you want me to stop.”

She didn't say a word, just like last time. He pulled her sweater up over her bra and undid the clasp on the back. He continued to massage her back, lightly and gently. She had to concentrate on not moaning out loud. She didn't want him to hear it. He slowly moved his hands around to her tummy and then up to her tits.

She felt so good and her skin was so soft. She was intoxicating. He moved his hands up over her breasts. This time she couldn't stop the moan that escaped her lips. She should stop him, she knew she should, but she couldn't, just like the other night in the bathroom. He touched her nipples, playing with them between his forefinger and thumb while the rest of his hands were wrapped around them. He kept working on her breasts, then slipped his hands down her tummy again. He wanted to turn her around and kiss that mouth of hers, kiss those tits, suck on those nipples but he refrained himself. He was going to make her want more of him.

He unbuttoned her pants and and slipped them over her hips a bit. Then he slid one hand down the front of her panties. He ran one finger between her lips, then two of them until they were both wet. She leaned back into him and let out a shaky breath. He whispered into her ear again. 

"Should I stop now?"

She whispered no. She had absolutely no control over herself again. She didn't want him to stop; she wanted him badly. 

When his fingers were slippery wet from her pussy he opened his two fingers in a v shape and placed them on each side of her clit, moving them up and down, not applying much pressure. She moaned. He used is other hand to pull out one thigh a bit. He increased the pressure of his fingers on her, still not directly touching her clit. When she was breathing fast, he slid his fingers up and down her lips again, which were even more wet than before then went back to doing the same thing on her only this time pulling his fingers closer together around her clit as he moved them up and down faster. She was holding on to his forearms with her hands. He whispered in her ear again. 

"Are you getting close?"

"Yes.

He increased the pressure and closed his fingers on each side of her clit, moving in a circular motion now. She gripped his arms tight. He knew she was getting there.

"Do you want me Elizabeth?"

She didn't answer. She wasn't going to admit it to him, let alone herself. She started moving her hips. He lightly ran his beard up her neck to her ear again. She gasped.

"I didn't hear you, do you want me?"

She put her head back ready to come but when she didn't answer he lightened the pressure on her and slowed right down. She grabbed his hand to stop him.

"You cant stop now."

"Then answer me, do you want me Elizabeth.?”

He increased the pressure again. She moaned loudly. She had her hand over his pushing down on his fingers. Moving her hips into his hand. She could feel the build up tingling through her body. 

“Last chance.”

He started to pull his hand out from her as she was starting to come. 

”Yes..Fuck!”

He applied the pressure back on her circling her clit fast. She gripped hard as her legs started close together tight, grating back and forth on his fingers while she came. She put her head back on him. He put his arm around her for a few moments while she caught her breath. He actually liked holding her and feeling her. He slowly pulled his fingers out and she let out a small gasp. She so wanted him to fuck her right now, feel his cock inside her. But she wasn't going to let him know that. 

He whispered in her ear one last time. 

“See, that wasn’t so hard was it?”

She put her bra on properly, he did the clasp up for her. Then she turned and looked at him, her face rosy and flushed.

”Were you just playing a game with me?”

“I’m not the one playing games, it's you again, it's always you.”

She buttoned up her pants again and pulled down her sweater.

He wanted to rip it all off her and have her naked body all over his. He wanted to fuck her badly, but he couldn't give himself away to her, he already had too many times. This time something had to come from her.

"Fuck you."

He came close to her again, her blue eyes staring into his dark eyes. 

"You and I both know you would like me to do just that, fuck you hard. How about against that wall right there? or I bend your ass over that table?"

She didn't know what to say to him. He had her tongue tied for a moment because that is exactly what she wanted him to do. If she said no she knew it would sound like the complete lie it was, after all he could always see right through her. She took the bag out of the safe and threw it at him hard. 

“You wish!”

Damn she looked so beautiful standing there angry at him, her face flushed and her flustered. He wanted to grab her and touch her again but instead he just grabbed the bag and walked out. 

She watched him leave, part of her wanted to run after him and the other part was still fuming. He got her to admit she wanted him. Fuck him. Two could play this game, and she was going to do it right back to him.

Later that day Nick had asked to meet Rio to talk to him, and did the same with Beth, having her come a half hour later. He was going to stir the pot between them just a little more. Beth still hadn't made a decision about running so he wanted to push her a bit and make sure Rio saw him do it. 

“Okay I will see you shortly. I am telling you, you are perfect for this, I will convince you why I am right."

Rio sat eating his hamburger, trying not to react to Nick at all. He knew what Nick was doing. He needed to play Nick as much as he was playing him and he couldn’t give away his hand. 

"'Your little fundraiser didn't convince her huh? Maybe she’s just not into you."

"She’ll come around."

"Chicks like that don’t need to be romanced."

"Oh yeah what does she need?"

"Someone to yank her by the ponytail."

Which Rio knew was exactly what you didn't do to with Beth. In fact, Rio never yanked her ponytail; he brushed her hair gently off her face.

"That’s not my style brother."

"You want her in that seat right?"

"What would you do?"

"I’d give her what she needs."

Nicks problem was that he had no idea what she needed like Rio did. 

"I know what you need."

"What's that?

"Need to stop eating this burger. Got to make weight."

"Always want what I already have huh? "

"Always get it too." 

Like fuck he was, not this time, not ever again.

Beth showed up a few minutes later. She had on an especially low cut top with her cleavage showing. Rio felt that pang of jealousy hit him in the gut again, but what he didn't know and what she wouldn't admit to, was that she dressed this way because of him, not Nick. She was upping the ante.

Nick turned and saw her. This was perfect. 

"There you are!"

Beth smiled at him then looked at Rio. 

"Come sit down."

Nick turned and gave Rio a smug look which Beth noticed. Rio kept a poker face. Nick had fucking set this up again. Rio stood up.

"Well you two kiddies have fun yeah?"

"You aren't staying?"

"Nah, gotta be somewhere."

Rio wasn't staying because that is what Nick wanted so he got out of there. It instantly went through Beth's head that he may be going to see Hayley. Damn. Why, why, why? As he turned to leave, he stopped and looked at Beth.

"Oh, how's your back now? better?"

She gave him a cold look.

"Much better thanks."

Rio walked out, jealous and pissed at Nick and hating how good she looked. Maybe he should have fucked her hard this morning. Nick took the bait though, the bait Rio wanted him to take.

"What's going on with your back?"

"Oh nothing, I just strained it a bit I think, lifting something too heavy, but it's okay now."

Nick just looked at her, wondering what that was about. 

"Hmmm. Glad to hear its better."

Now it was time to put on the charm and get her to run.

"So, have you given it anymore thought? Running for city council?"

"Well it's a big step. I just don't know if I am qualified enough for it."

"You were great at the fundraiser, very personable, relatable. I think you underestimate yourself. "

"But you know I have worked with Rio. Am I really the right person for this?"

Beth watched him and his face. There was a change in his eyes about Rio. She was trying to figure Nick out. She didn't trust him when he showed up at her house and she didn't now. Not telling her Rio would be at the fundraiser was no accident; she was sure of that. But, he was giving her attention and that worked for her right now, attention that Rio hated. 

"Wouldn't it be nice to earn a good reliable salary?"

"Of course but there are so many things to consider."

Rio was right, this may be a tougher sell than he thought.

"How about we go for a quick dinner, maybe I can sway you more?"

She did not want to go out for dinner with him but she knew Rio would hear about it so she quickly agreed. Beth's mind was still on Rio. It was usually always on Rio. Yup, two could play this game, now it was her turn.  

Chapter Text

Rio left the bar because his anger and frustration were going to be difficult to hide if he stayed. Nick was really laying into her heavy now but Rio knew he also had not succeeded in getting her to run even after the charity ball, so her hesitation meant something.

Nick took Beth to dinner and charmed his way through it, or at least tried to charm his way through dinner. Beth was leery of him. She could never shake the feeling ever since she met him at their Grandmothers, and especially after the afternoon he came to her house to warn her about Rio.

Nick kept the wine flowing, for her. He knew she kept things very tight to the chest, and she gave away little, maybe a little alcohol would help loosen her up. 

“I have to ask, he isn’t the reason you are hesitating is he?”

”What do you mean?”

”It just seems after kidnapping your sister you would want to distance yourself from him.”

Beth noted that Nick kept bringing up Rio all the time. 

”My decision has nothing to do with him. I have many things to consider like my family.”

Which was not the truth, Beth couldn't help but feel Nicks sudden interest in her being on city council was linked to Rio, there would be no other reason for him to push for it so hard. She was sure Nick didn't like her when they met, but here he was all over her, wanting her on city council. There wasn't a conversation they had that didn't have him mentioning Rio. Clearly, there was bad blood between them but why?

”Wouldn't it be good for your family if you had a good, regular income?"

”Yes it would, but it means changes for our family and I really should talk to Dean more, he is going to have to pick up the slack if I do it.”

”Of course, understood.”

”But I have question for you.”

”I am all ears."

"You always distance yourself from Rio, keep away from his activities, but you know I have done those activities with him. Isn't that putting you too close to it?"

"I just think this offers you a better opportunity."

"Yes it does."

Nick gave her that look like he was trying to read her mind. 

"Is there some reason you prefer to work with him?"

"No...and I promise you I will give it  serious consideration."

"Good, that's all I ask. I just see such potential in you."

She knew one thing for sure. Nick was pushing this too hard and he was being too vague.

Beth had enjoyed the wine too much. She knew when she got in the car, she wasn't going to be able to driver her van home. Nick offered to take her right home which was totally fine by Beth. Leaving her van at the bar would be perfect pay back for Rios stunt yesterday not picking up the money and leaving her hanging. He would wonder why it was there and she liked that alot. 

Beth didn’t hurry to get her van the next day. She left it sitting at his bar in on purpose. What she didn’t know was that her van was towed for parking illegally on private property.

Rio was out back playing basketball when Beth came storming out the back. He was angry, he was frustrated and he was jealous. She was angry, she was frustrated and she was jealous.

“You are unbelievable.”

”What are you talking about?”

”You know exactly what I am talking about. My van!”

”What about it?”

She went over and grabbed the basketball he had just thrown.

“You had it towed.”

”Nope, it wasn’t me darlin."

“It’s your bar, your parking lot.”

”I have better things to do than have your van towed, besides I wasn't here."

He pointed to the ball.

”May I have it back now?” 

She took the ball and shoved it into him. He put both hands on it to stop it. She was angry but so was he. 

“I hope this makes you feel really good.”

"Hold on, let me get this straight, you leave your vehicle on private property, but it’s my fault it got towed?”

”I couldn’t drive it home, I had one too many drinks to be driving.” 

“It seems you do that a lot around Nick.”

“It's not really any of your business now is it?

He scoffed at her.

“No, and neither is the fact that your van got towed, yet here you are having a meltdown over it."

She glared at him. His eyes were cold. 

"You are enjoying this aren't you?"

"Nah, you aren't much fun when you are huffing and puffing like this."

She couldn't crack him. She knew he was pissed at her going out with Nick but he wasn't biting. If anything she looked liked the one who was bothered by it all. She just glared at him. Then his face changed. 

”You look so tense again Elizabeth.”

She scoffed at him. 

“Don’t even.”

He bent over and whispered in her ear again. She was glad he couldn't see her face, that she closed her eyes for a moment when she felt his beard lightly brush her ear. 

“Why don’t you go see that city councilman, maybe he can help you with your problem.” 

This was all back firing on her. Now she was even more annoyed.

"You know what, that's exactly what I will do. Thanks for the suggestion."

"Do you need a drive to pick up your van? I can call a cab for you."

"No."

She couldn't believe how much of a dick he was being towards her. He held the ball looking at her. 

“Great, now if you don’t mind, you are in my way.”

She turned and walked away. She wasn't sure she liked this detached Rio. She didn't actually like it at all. 

He watched her perfect ass as she walked away. He was full of jealousy. When she was far enough ahead he checked to see who was drove her here. It was Annie. He was a bit relieved. If she had been with Nick he would have have gladly dropped her off today for Rio to see.

After getting her van back, she headed to the strip club to meet the girls and print some money. She was edgy, and clearly annoyed. Annie and Ruby looked at each other. Annie wasn't so sure she was just angry about having her car towed. She went in the bar annoyed, she came out even more angry. 

"You got your van back, are you still pissed about it?"

Beth looked at Annie.

"Yeah, he didn't have to do that."

"Maybe he really didn't do it if he wasn't there."

Ruby and Annie looked at each other. There was much more going on then her van being towed, they knew it. Ruby changed the subject.

"So, how was this dinner thing with brother-cousin?"

"It was fine. He wanted to talk about the city council position again."

"So how is it you drank too much? 

"I guess I wasn't paying attention."

"Hmmm."

Beth looked at them both.

"Oh come on, he didn't try anything at all."

"So why the dinner then? You don't think he is trying to make some moves on you?"

Beth looked at them both.

"Well, I am wondering what he is up too. It seems he likes to have me meet him when Rio is around."

"You think he is doing it on purpose?"

"I think he could be. Its strange he always mentions Rio when we discuss things. There is definitely some bad blood between them."

"Well what are you going to do?"

"I don't know. He makes a good argument that me taking that position gives me stability income wise."

"So then Nevada is out of the question?"

"No, but I will need to find a job when I am there and maybe this would be good experience to put on a resume."

Annie couldn't help herself.

"Sooooo, like is he good looking?"

Beth rolled her eyes.

"Yeah he is."

Ruby asked what Annie was thinking.

"Are you attracted to him?"

"No, not at all."

"So, what's the hold out then?

Beth thought about it for a moment.

"I feel like Nick is always playing an angle, whereas Rio, never does that, he always hits us straight with stuff. I don't know if its the politician thing in Nick but I don't feel like he ever gives straight answers, like everything has an agenda attached to it."

"It's definitely a better opportunity then this."

"Is it though? With Rio I know exactly what's going on."

Ruby scoffed.

"Okay....like you don't need to be careful of Rio?"

Beth looked at them both.

"Not in the same way I feel I need to be careful with Nick. I mean if I was honest, I haven't liked Nick since the moment I met him. There is more to this, I really feel it. It's like,  do I want to work with the devil I know or the devil I don't know."

Suddenly they heard music playing, they looked at each other and went into the strip club room and there he was. 

"So. A dealership, never really my thing."

"Spas, what are those even for?"

The girls just kept staring at him and Beth was shooting daggers at him with her eyes.

"But this? This is how we make dreams come true."

Beth glared at him.

"Not we."

"Public record darlin."

"This is ours."

Rio ignored her.

"A little Lysol, lot of love."

"This just where we print."

"Clean this place right up."

Beth kept throwing it back a him.

'Not a place to wash."

Rio put his head back and then looked at Beth and smiled.

"It is now."

Beth was exasperated with him.

"We know nothing about running a strip club."

"Didn't know much about cars or hot tubs either."

Beth's face dropped in surprise when Ruby asked him how much the cut would be to wash his money and Annie jumped in. They were negotiating a deal with him, much to Beth's dismay. Now they were opening up a strip club. Great.

Beth texted Rio. 

"Meet me at the strip club at 8 please."

"Why, whats up?"

"You forced me to open a strip club, so don't be asking me what's up."

"I am a little busy."

"Well unbusy yourself."

He was unbelievable. He shows up at her strip club earlier in the day, makes demands on her, then says he is too busy to meet about it. She made sure she was dressed nice. She wore a low cut top to show off her cleavage. She sat down and poured herself a bourbon and waited. He showed up a half hour later. When he came in he noticed how good she looked, and how low her cleavage was but he kept his eyes on her face. 

"You just had to be late again huh?"

"I told you I was busy."

"And I told you we needed to discuss this strip club."

"I am here aren't I?"

"Then stop acting like it's an inconvenience."

"It is."

"You seem to be awfully busy lately."

"Yup."

"What are you doing that's keeping you busy all the time?"

As soon as she said it she regretted it.

'I am going to tell you what said to me earlier. It's none of your business."

"Fine."

Maybe she needed to start being busy and not available to him next time he wanted to talk to her. Maybe it was eating away at her that he was busy with Hayley. Not maybe.....it was, it was bothering her a lot. 

"Now what do you want Elizabeth?"

"What do you mean what do I want?  You bulldozed your way in here this afternoon, telling me we are going to open the strip club."

"Yup, I did."

"Why?"

He gave her a feigned look of confusion.

"Why not? I mean aren't we partners? That's what you told my family, remember?"

"Yes."

"So which is it? are we partners or not?"

"But this is mine, why do you have to take what is mine?"

“Interesting, I mean I let you in on my businesses didn't I partner?” 

“Yes.” 

“So how is this different?”

"I bought this place so I had a somewhere to use the printing press I stole.” 

“You mean the printer you were making money with and didn’t tell me about? That one?”

"Well I am using it to only print for you now aren't I?"

"Good, good, then we are on the same page right so what's the problem here?"

Damn him why was he able to turn things around on her all the time. This wasn't going as planned. She really wanted pay back for yesterday when he was here.

"Is that why you did it?"

"We need a place you know that, gotta keep flipping my game."

She walked over to him. Stood right in front of him.

"Is that the only reason?"

She started to unbutton his shirt at the bottom. He kept his eyes on her face. 

"What other reason would there be?"

He put her soft hands on his tummy and slowly moved her hands around to his back. He wanted to touch her, he wanted to kiss her, but he didn't. 

"Elizabeth, do we have to have this discussion again?"

"Which discussion is that?"

She stepped right up close to him so that her breasts were almost touching him. He still didn't stop looking at her face. 

"The one where you came to me wanting to work with me...and now you are in, all in."

She put her hand on his zipper to undo his pants. 

"What are you doing Elizabeth?"

She pushed her breasts into him. He loved how they felt against him. He wanted to touch them but he wouldn't.

"You know what I am doing."

She started to unzip his pants but he zipped them back up.

"I told you, if you ever say turned me down again, it would be the last time."

He looked her in the eye.

"Do you really think so?"

She unzipped them again and slipped her hand down and touched his cock. 

"Because that means you would be cutting yourself off too."

Her hand felt good on him. He wanted to kiss her, to hold her. He put his hands on her breasts, watching her face. He ran his thumbs up and down over her nipples.

"You don't really want me to stop doing this do you Elizabeth?"

She pulled down his pants to enough free his cock. They both kept their eyes on each other. She reached in her pocket and pulled out a small bottle of lube. She squeezed some into her hands. She took his cock in her hand and started stroking him.

'You don't really want me to stop doing this to you do you Rio?"

She continued to stroke him with a little more pressure. He took in a deep breath. Fuck it felt good. He didn't answer her. She leaned into him and nibbled the bottom of his ear while continuing to stroke his cock. He made a low moan. She brought her face close to his. He look down at her lips. He wanted to kiss her so badly but he wouldn’t let himself. Not like this, not with the way things were between them, not with her fucking cozying up to Nick. He just would not kiss her under these circumstances, nor would he fuck her either.

She pulled back and looked at him again.  

“Now it’s your turn answer. You don’t really want me to stop doing this do you?”

He knew what she was doing but fuck she was working his cock good with her hand. She started to increase the pressure and speed. He took in a deep breath. He didn't reply to her. She kneeled down and looked up at him, she could see it all over his face how much he was liking it. She put both her hands on him and stroked him firmer and faster. He sucked in his breath again. 

"I didn't hear your answer, should I stop?"

Fuck her, she was playing his game, doing the same thing back to him he did to her. Only he was going to stop her. She kept stroking him. He closed his eyes for a moment. She stroked him even faster. Fuck, fuck, fuck. 

"What's the answer Rio?”

He moaned. He was close to coming, no where close to stopping her. Not now.

"No."

She went back to stroking him with one hand and with the other ran a wet finger very very lightly up the centre line of his balls. He moaned. He was getting close. 

“Grip even tighter.” 

She increased the pressure on his cock and concentrated more on the head. She stroked him a few more times before he told her he was going to come. She put her mouth over his cock and with her hand and mouth finished him off. He groaned loudly. Fuck, he lost all his will power against her. He ran his fingers through her hair as he pulled out of her mouth. He put out his hands to pull her up then he pulled up his boxers and pants. He fixed himself up while she took a drink of her bourbon. 

"So, that's what you really called me here for wasn't it. You wanted me again."

She had to bite her tongue. 

"Pretty sure you wanted me."

"Right."

"I mean you didn't want me to stop did you?"

He nodded with that smirk of his. 

"No, I didn't, but I still think what you would have really liked is for me to still fuck you darlin."

She gave him a smile. 

"You would be wrong."

"You sure? Because I think if I lifted your ass up on that table you wouldn't have stopped me."

"I got what exactly what I wanted."

Rio gave her that grin. 

"Did you?"

"Very much so."

He leaned over and moved her hair behind her shoulder and did what he always did. Brushed his beard along her neck up to her ear. It was a no fail way of getting her to respond to him. She was going to have to stop letting him do that. But she wanted him to touch her, she was aching for him now and was hoping he would get her off again, but she knew she shouldn’t let him.

He placed his hands on her ass as he pulled her into him. She looked into his eyes. He brought his hands around and unbuttoned her pants and pulled down the zipper, slipping his fingers down into her wet panties. He started circling his fingers over her clit. She looked down at his hand and closed her eyes for a brief second, she didn't want him to see her face, she knew she couldn't hide a thing. She had to stop him this time. She wasn't going to let him finish things, not like last time.

As soon as she looked down he put his other hand on her chin and lifted it so she had to stare into his eyes. He slid his fingers down her pussy along her lips and back up to her clit, then worked his fingers on her. She took in a deep breath. He held his hand gently on her face, rubbing his thumb on her cheek. He leaned in and she thought he was going to kiss her but he didn't. He wouldn't.

She was moving her hips into his hand faster and faster. She closed her eyes and moaned. She grabbed onto his arm holding him tight. She was close to coming and he knew it. He had his mouth inches from hers, he whispered to her. 

"I want you to come for me Elizabeth."

She wanted to stop when he said that but there was no way she could. When she let him touch her, it was over. She took in a deep breath, he was still right there watching her face. She grabbed onto his hand and held it while she rocked her hips against his hand. She kept moving back and forth, until she came, letting out a loud, long series of moans. She briefly leaned her head against his until she realized what she was doing. He gave her a moment then slowly slipped his fingers out of her panties. He gently kissed her neck.

"See, I knew you wanted me still darlin."

Fuck him. He got to her again and he knew it.

She whispered in his ear, the same way he did to her.

“And you wanted me, I know it and you know it."

 Fuck her. She got to him and she knew it. 

Nick felt that Beth needed a bit more of a push. Rio was holding her back. He was going to need a little help to push things along.

Chapter Text

They were opening up the strip club again, the first order of business was to recruit the strippers back and make it worth their while, then clean up the place. It was a huge undertaking. Just double the work, thanks to Rio. But the day only got better when the Family First Alliance Group dumped a new problem in Beth's lap. They wanted to stop the reopening of the strip club. This was exactly what she didn't need on top of everything else. She went to the bar to show Rio her new problem. 

”We have run into a bit of a snag.”

Beth put the large document in front of Rio.

”What’s this?”

”We are having some zoning and licensing issues from a group called Family First Alliance. They have decided they don’t want this club to be opened."

”That’s called red tape darlin. It happens.”

”How am I supposed to open the club?”

”Elizabeth are you going to let something like that get in your way?  Come on you have dealt with worse.”

”Aren’t you going to help me, you are the one who wanted this club opened not me.”

”Probably not a good idea for me to be putting my face out there. You’ll figure it out.” 

“You know what? I am getting really really tired of this.”

”Of what?”

”You’re constantly dumping on me. What do you ever do?”

”A whole lotta stuff you don’t gotta know about.”

She rolled her eyes.

”You know what, this is exactly why city council position is looking very enticing right now.” 

“And you know what? I have warned you about him and this will be one more time when you don’t listen to me and you end up in over your head again.”

”Funny, he keeps warning me about you.”

”Does he now?”

”And guess which one of you pisses me off?”

Rio smirked.

”I know which one of us gets you off.”

She smirked.

”You sure about that?” 

He took a sip of his drink. Finally she got one on him. 

"You know what? I should have went to Nick with this in the first place."

"You do that."

"Great, thanks for giving me even more of a headache."

She grabbed the documents and left. Screw him.

Rio was pissed. His smart ass comment backfired on him. Beth left and went directly to see Nick. 

“What is family first alliance?“

“Not a group you want on your bad side.“

“Women have been naked in that place for over a decade.“

“Yeah, I when ownership transferred…“

“But it’s the same place.“

“Community has a say."

“I don’t even want to do this."

“Then don’t.“

“Oh, sure. So your brother can come for the rest of my family.“

“Not my brother.“

“What is he exactly?“

“Blood.“

Beth smiled at him coyly.

“You are my elected official.“

"So?“

“So you’re supposed to be helpful.“

“You want this problem go away?“

“Yes, please.“

“Run for city council."

“I’m just a mom.“

“I was just a caddy.“

“What’s a plain old mom like me supposed to do?“

“Fight“. 

"How?"

"Let's meet after work and we can go over some ideas."

Beth was going to take full advantage of this.

"At the bar?"

This is exactly what Nick wanted. Meeting on Rios turf again. He felt he was really close to convincing Beth to run and if she won this appeal, he was sure she would take the position, so he was going to help her win. 

"Yes, at the bar."

Beth changed into sheer blouse and wore a black camisole under it. It accentuated her breasts, it was hard not to look at them and she knew that. 

Rio was at the bar with Mick, he turned and saw them both. He couldn't help but notice what she was wearing. Fuck. She was really upping her game. Nick walked over to where Rio was, with Beth behind him. Nick was very pleased with how she dressed for this. He knew it would get to Rio.

"Hey cousin."

Rio smiled, pushing down all his anger and jealousy. 

"Whats up?"

Nick was smug.

"We are just going to go over some ideas for Beths appeal about the opening of the strip club. You know, the one you want open."

"Well, you are just the guy to help her aren't you?"

"Apparently so."

"Well it looks like you two have this covered."

Rio was not going to let Nick get under his skin.  He nodded to Mick and they went over and played pool. Nick went over what the process was about and what she could do to counteract the complaints. When they were talking Nick saw her glance over at Rio. 

"Is it bothering you he is here?"

"No, not at all, its just annoying I am doing all this for the club he insisted on opening."

"Look one thing on your side is if you do a good presentation and win this, it will be a good to use if you decide to run. Have you given it more thought?"

"I actually have and I am leaning towards yes now."

Nick was very happy. Rio was very miserable. Beth was pleased with herself.

When they were done with their meeting Nick made sure he was close to Beth and when he got to the door, put his arm on her back guiding her through it. Both of them enjoyed the moment for the same reason. To make Rio jealous. 

He watched her walk out with him. All smiles, her tits bouncing a little as she walked. His jealousy was burning inside. She upped her ante, he was going to have to up his. 

It was all hands on deck at the strip club to get it up and running. They all cleaned and scrubbed the place, Beth and Ruby took care of all the business aspects including insurance for the stipppers, supplies, costs for stocking the bar, and hiring bartenders and waitresses. There was a lot to do. Beth also had to finish up her notes for her presentation.  

She was reading them over when she heard her voice. She closed her eyes hoping she was hearing things. 

"Beth!! Hey girl how are you?"

What...the...fuck. She turned around and there they were.  Her heart went in her throat, her stomach tightened up. Hayley and Rio. He was with her again. Beth put on a fake convincing smile. Hayley came right over to Beth, arms open like they were best friends, giving Beth a hug. This was exactly what Beth wanted a hug from the woman who Rio was probably sleeping with. 

"Hayley, it's good to see you again."

Hayley must have been coming from work. She was wearing another knee length dress showing off her perfectly petite little body. She had her sunglasses on her head, her hair was pulled up in a ponytail.  She looked young, she looked pretty. Beth wanted to scream.

"It's so good to see you again. I was telling Rio on the way over that we should get together again."

"It's funny, I was thinking the same thing. Maybe I will run it by Nick."

"Well, I would love that, you are so much fun."  

Beth wanted to punch something. The last thing she wanted was to spend anymore time with them together, but if Nick was there, it would piss Rio off and that may be worth it."

Beth looked at Rio. 

"So what's going on? I wasn't expecting you."

Rio gave her his fake smile, the smile that meant he knew he had pissed her off.

"You mentioned you needed help, so I am helping."

She stared at him. 

"How so?"

Rio pretended to look innocent. 

"Oh wait.....I just realized, I never told you what Hayley does."

Beth was annoyed, he knew it so he played into it.

"No and it never came up at the charity fundraiser."

Bubbly Hayley jumped in.

"I work for an interior design company! Rio told me all about your new business venture and said the place needed a bit of sprucing up so I told him I would love to stop by and give you some ideas."

"That is so kind of you."

Beth was hoping that Rio couldn't tell how perturbed she was by this. SHe was also perturbed that it was bothering her so much.

"Listen, when Rio said it was for you, I told him I just had to do it."  

She looked at Rio, who smiled at Beth. 

"Well, lucky me, that's so sweet!"

Ruby and Annie came in. They looked at Rio, then Beth, then Hayley, then Beth again. Beth smiled and did the introductions. 

"This is Hayley, I think I told you about her, she was at the charity event."

Rio was quite pleased she had mentioned Hayley to them. Beth had realized what she had said. Fuck. Ruby and Annie knew this wasn't going over well with Beth. She was jealous of her, even though they knew she would never ever admit it. Rio looked at Ruby and Annie. 

"Hayley is an interior designer and she is going to take a look around and see what we could do to clean this place up more."

"Hi Ruby, hi Annie."

Annie couldn't help herself.

"How did you and Rio meet?"

Ruby gave Annie her look. Beth wanted to throttle her. 

"At his bar. I have a thing for tattoos. It was the first thing I noticed about him."

When Rio smiled at her, Beth responded to Hayley. It was her best fuck you she could do at the moment.

"I am not really a tattoo person myself, but to each their own right?"

"Ofcourse."

Rio was enjoying all of it.

"How about you two give Hayley a quick tour?"

Ruby jumped in before Annie could speak again.

"Let's go on that tour!"

When they were out of the room Rio stepped in close to Beth. Why did he have to stand so close to her? Why did he have to look at her like that?

"So what do you think about Hayley giving some ideas?"

Beth ignored him. Rio looked around.

"You have done a good job getting this ready, impressive."

She still wouldn't bite.

"What's the matter, why so quiet?"

She knew he wasn't going to stop until she answered him.

"What are you doing?"

Rio gave her that smile. She wanted to wipe if off his face. 

"Helping you."

She decided that was enough. She went to step around him but he put his hand on her arm. 

"Is everything okay?"

"Of course it is."

He looked down at her tits. She felt a warmth go right through her. Then back at her face and smiled. She was getting flustered. She turned around away from him.

"I have to work on this presentation so if you don't mind."

He leaned into her, put his hips right up against her ass. Leaning over her a bit. She closed her eyes for a brief second. She should stop him. 

"Don't do that."

"I was just reading over your presentation."

"Well don't. You didnt' care about it when I brought the problem to you so don't bother now. Nick is helping me."

"Ahh, yes, Nick your guardian angel."

"Yeah maybe he is. Now move back please."

Rio gave her some space.

"I didn't think he would be your type?"

”You think you know my type?”

Rio looked her over, then smiled at her.

”I think I do.”

Beth scoffed at him.

"Well Nick was right about you.”

”What did Nick tell you now?”

“That you have one, a type."

Rio snickered. This was just getting better and better.

“Do I now?"

“Oh for sure. Petite, giddy, young, perky, bubbly, pretty and a little clueless. You know. They all look the same."

The words were exiting her mouth faster than she could stop them. Geezus Beth put a lid on it. Rio laughed.

“Whoops, I forgot one. Add chatty to the list. But you know....I never took you for a guy who would be with someone who never shut up but what do I know?"

She was pretty wound up. 

"And you believe everything he says. That’s interesting you just blindly believe him. If only you would have believed me when I told you things, there would have been a lot less messes between us. But I have warned you about Nick several times and it will fall on deaf ears again.”

“Well he is helping me you wouldn’t.”

Rio gave her a serious look.

“Oh he’s helping someone but it’s not who you think it is.”

“Really, who then?”

"Same person it's always been....himself."

Thankfully Ruby and Annie returned with Haley she had enough of Rio and him rubbing Hayley in her face.

"This is quite the place Beth. With a few changes it can look even better."

And right on cue Annie spoke.

"Well, we are looking for some more dancers, how are you on a pole?"

Ruby and Beth looked at Annie. Hayley laughed and looked at Rio.

"What you think, maybe I should give it a go."

Beth gave Annie the death glare, and then gave one to Rio. Ruby wanted to put her hand over Annie's mouth. Rio paused before he answered.

"Nah, don't give up your day job for that."

He was tempted to play it up but decided he was pushing it too much. Beth was rattled already.

"So Beth you only need to start with some basics to make this place look totally different. Paint. Freshen it up and brighten it up especially that lunch room and little office you have. That dark colour needs to go.  If you want, I have some paint colour ideas. There are not a lot of windows so you want to pick the right colour that will enhance each room." 

The place did need a lift badly. Beth agreed to look at samples, she knew she couldn't really say no, Rio would know how much Hayley being here bothered her.

"Well thank you for coming by Hayley, I really appreciate you doing this."

She looked at Rio.

"And thank you too." 

What she really wanted to do was choke him.

Rio headed out with Hayley after their goodbyes, which included more of chatty Hayleys babbling. Beth watched her little ass in her little dress walk away from her as she looped her arm in Rio's. Fuck him a thousand times over.

As soon as the door closed Ruby lit into Annie.

"What the HELL was that?"

"What?"

"You honestly thought asking her how she met Rio and if she wanted to pole dance was somehow a good idea? Do you ever think?"

"Oh come on, I was only joking, lighten up. She even laughed."

"Well she is a little bit ditzy."

"She had some good ideas."

"You could have just said that!"

Beth finally spoke.

"Enough please. I just wanted him out of here."

Ruby gave her a questioning look.

”I am not sure that's all it was.” 

"Well I wanted little Ms. Perky ass  out of here too.”

"Oh she was definitely that."

Ruby looked at Annie again.

"Seriously, you just can't zip it can you?"

Beth crawled into bed that night angry at herself, angry at Rio, angry that she couldn't get him out of her head, angry that she absolutely hated every moment he was there with Hayley. She was also so pissed off that didn't shut her mouth, giving herself away to him. She walked right into that one.

Tomorrow was her presentation in front of city council. She was going to wear those new skinny pants, heels and jacket she bought. She was going to make sure Rio saw her in it, somehow, someway.

She couldn't get him out of her mind, in fact it was getting worse not better. She hated this. It was her, her vibrator and her thoughts about him again before she fell asleep.

Rio went to bed with her on his mind, like she always was. All he was thinking about was her, not Hayley. Not Hayley ever. He thought about what she said about Nick. Was she falling for him? He always wanted whatever Rio had but he wasn't giving up without a fight, not this time. He knew he rattled her cage today that bringing Hayley there bothered her alot. She barely could hide it.

Tomorrow she was going to be with Nick again, and he knew Nick was going to lay it on thick with her. Nick was going to use her and abuse her anyway he could. He hated all of this. It was him, his hand and his thoughts about her before he finally went to sleep.

Beth walked in to the city council meeting with Annie and Ruby. When she walked in she saw Nick look her over, something he had never done before, except the night of the charity fundraiser. It was almost like he was seeing her for the first time. When they sat down Annie whispered to her.

"Nick was checking you out. I mean you look hot in that."

Even though she dressed like this for Rio, she didn't mind Nick noticing her too. She sat waiting for her turn to speak. She was ready, she even had people to back up her argument for staying open, she did a really good job. She was nervous but once she started speaking she relaxed and it wasn't so difficult. When she was finished she looked at Nick who nodded at her with a smile. He was impressed and she was relieved.

Beth texted Rio asking if he was around. He told her he was but was heading out soon. Beth assumed it was with Haley again. She came to the bar. When she walked in Rio's mouth almost dropped to the floor. She fucking looked amazing. Her legs were looking long and lanky, her pants were hugging her curvy hips perfectly, her tits pushing on her jacket. He wanted to tell her how beautiful she looked.

She sat down beside him and he ordered her a drink. 

"So what's up?"

"I had the presentation today at city council."

'I know."

She turned and looked at him annoyed.

"Well the very least you could do was ask how it went. You forced me to open a strip club I didn’t want to open, there were zoning issues that I worked my ass off to deal with. Maybe once in a while you could show some appreciation.”

”I got you some help cleaning the place up.”

”Right, because that’s what that was about.”

“What else would it be about?” 

Argh, she did it again. She just ignored the question.

“Look, you yourself aren’t doing anything, everyone else still is. And I am sick of it. There are still things to do.” 

“Like?”

”Like we have to move that printer it can’t stay in the lunchroom now that the club is back open. And it’s not an easy undertaking. That printer is old and it needs to be handled carefully and there are not many out there that know how to do that. Plus its stolen so that is a problem too."

”I will look into it.”

She looked at him a little surprised.

“Okay thanks.”

”So how did it go?

”Nick said my presentation was really good. We should know soon. They were voting after all their agenda items were complete.”

”Why do you rely so much on what Nick says?”

”I don’t.”

”You are quite capable and you don’t need his approval.” 

“That’s not what I am doing. At least he shows appreciation of what I do.”

”Like I told you, that’s not what he’s doing, he’s playing you.”

Her phone rang. It was Nick. Perfect timing. Beth made sure her voice sounded up. 

"So, what's the verdict?"

"You did it, I told you, you are a natural."

"Thank you for all your help Nick."

"You can open June 13th."

"That's great. Thanks again."

Rio wanted to take her phone and throw it. Nick was milking her big time and he was jealous.

“Well you can thank me. The strip club is a go. We can open June 13th."

"Good job. Now, I hate to cut this short but I have to be somewhere."

He was fuming, and he was jealous and he knew he wouldn't be able to keep it hidden. Beth felt that jealousy run through her too. His somewhere was probably with Hayley. Rio followed her out of the bar to his vehicle. He watched her gorgeous ass the whole way. Fuck. She got to her van and said good night. She watched him walk away and without thinking, she followed him. He stopped at his car and turned. She stepped up to him slowly. She looked him in the eyes the way that turned him inside out. Her face was perfect, her lips were a perfect crimson red. They stood out against the black outfit she had on. God she was so beautiful. 

She stood so her tits were resting on his chest again. He wanted to touch them. She wanted him to touch them. He looked back into her eyes with that same look she was giving him. They were eye fucking, plain and simple. She took her hand and ran it up his chest and placed her hand under his chin and turned it slightly. She kissed the wing tip of his eagle on one side gently. He felt it go right through him. She kissed the other side, then moved her lips over his. She didn't hate his tattoo, in fact she loved it. She then kissed him very passionately. She put her arms around his neck pulling him so close. He had missed kissing her so much. The kiss was deep, it was long, neither wanting it to end. He had wrapped his arms around her tightly. They were meshed together. Neither of them cared who saw them. She pushed him back against the car door, as the kiss went on and on.

When they finally stopped kissing she pulled back and wiped her finger on his lips removing her lipstick. For the moment, he wasn't jealous, for the moment she wasn't jealous. There was no Nick, there was no Hayley, just him and her right there, right now. They just took in all of each other. They both knew it was a temporary cease fire. She didn't know what made her do it, she just did it. She needed it, he needed it. She gave him one more tender kiss. They didn't say a word to each other when they parted.

Tomorrow they could go back to one upping each other, making each other jealous, playing cat and mouse. 

Chapter Text

Beth was starting to feel like she was never going to get everything in order to open the strip club by June 13th. She knew if that was the date they could open, it would be the date Rio would expect it to be open. Now that they had their licensing back she could go ahead with the list of things they had to do that were on hold. 

Rio had texted Beth to say that he had some samples of paint colours to drop off for her. Rio didn't mention if Hayley was going to come or not but Beth was pretty sure it meant she was. One area she wanted to do up nicely was the lounge area just for the girls. It had a change room area, and play area for the young kids. Beth wanted to make the girls felt comfortable and taken care of. If she was going to do this, she wanted to run a decent place for the ladies. 

Nick called her to say he had something for Beth, she invited him to come and see the progress on the club. She was going to leave it to fate which one showed up first. Him or Rio. 

Nick arrived first. He had his hand behind his back. 

"I have a little present for you."

He handed her the framed licencing permit.  

"Thank you! I am not sure if I could have done it without your help."

"I only gave you ideas, you put it all together. You argument was very compelling, I told you, you are a natural."

Beth showed him around the place and told him the things they were still going to do to it to make it brighter and cleaner She emphasized to Nick how she wanted to see the club run, and what initiatives they had put into place for the girls. He was genuinely impressed by her ideas and effort. She took him over to the bar. 

"Well, since was are all licensed now, would you like to share a toast?"

Beth poured them both a drink then she sat down beside Nick on the bar stool. It was the first time she had sat down all day. 

"Cheers to the reopening of Sweet P's."

Nick smiled and added. 

"And to the new management."

While they were talking, Rio showed up, and he had Hayley with him as Beth suspected he would. She took a sip of her bourbon and swallowed hard. It was show time. 

Hayley saw Beth and Nick sitting at the bar.

"Hey look at you two, you look so cute together."

Nick smiled at Beth.

"She thinks we are cute."

Beth mustered up a big old happy smile. Rio did the same. When Nick wasn't looking, Rio looked at Nick then Beth. She did it back to him. She looked at Hayley, then looked at him. Tit for tat or whatever game it was they were playing with each other. 

Nick was very happy, this couldn't be better. Rio was pissed when he walked in and saw Beth at the bar with Nick sharing a drink.

"So what are you drinking to?"

Beth turned and picked up the license. 

"Nick just brought me the permit. We are good to go now."

Rio smiled when he wanted to shove it up Nicks ass. How nice of her to celebrate the strip club opening with him. What the fuck. 

"Good, good."

Of course Hayley was even happier. 

"I am so excited for you. So I guess you have to get things going now."

Beth explained to Nick that Hayley worked for an interior design company and so graciously offered to look over the place and offer suggestions for spruce it up a bit. Nick was liking Hayley more and more. 

"And I brought you some paint colours for you to look at."

Nick got up. 

"Well it looks like you have some more work to do."

Before he left, Hayley asked the question that Beth and Rio did not want to hear muttered.

"Maybe sometime we can all go out for drinks one night? It would be fun."

Beth wanted to ring her pretty little neck, Rio wanted to stuff a sock in her mouth. Nick was delighted. Beth replied.

"Maybe after all this settles down more."

Nick smiled at Hayley. He loved how she was helping him without even knowing it. Nick felt he had made so much headway with Beth as far as running for city council but he wasn’t sure he made any headway with her regarding Rio and the same with Rio regarding Beth. He really wanted them against one another. This was his ultimate goal but they weren’t there yet. He replied to Hayley. 

"I would be up for that."

He looked at Beth. 

"Can I speak to you for a moment?"

Beth walked him over to the door. He stood close to her and talked to her.

'You are going a great job here and based on your initiative to make this a great work environment for the girls, you need to say yes to running for city council." 

Then he winked at her and touched her arm. She smiled. 

"I promise you I am, I am just up to my eyeballs in work right now."

"Sounds good....it looks like you have some paint colours to pick, talk to you later."

With that, he was gone and Rio was fuming again, Nick couldn't stand any closer to her if he tried and what the fuck was with the wink!

Beth sat down with Hayley and went over the colour choices. Beth had to admit they would really make a huge change in the whole place as it really was dreary. She knew Rio was pissed Nick had stopped by but she didn’t care since he was bringing Miss Chatty Pants around her. Beth was fairly certain of the colours that they were going to use but she was going to run it by Annie and Ruby who were coming by later that night because they had more money to print. 

Beth thanked Hayley for her help. On the way out she gave Rio a steely cold look. She was beginning to wonder if Rio was having her print money to keep her busy at night because of Nick. The amount he wanted was not near what he would usually ask for. When they got to the door Rio put his hand on her back. 

Beth gave him the middle finger when he got through the door. She was frustrated with him and he was equally frustrated with her.

Beth crawled into bed that night so tired but her mind was on him as it always was. She thought about their kiss. It was so fucking amazing, like they connected on some deep, deep level. It was just him and her. But then he showed up with her again, she couldn’t get the imagine of him touching her out of her head. 

She rolled over to grab her vibrator out of the night stand but stopped. No way she was doing that anymore. It was always about him and she had to stop that. No more. Maybe that would help get him off her mind all the time.

Rio was totally frustrated with her. She had stopped him at his car and kissed him like that. He could still feel her and taste her on his lips, the kiss literally melted him to the core. It was incredible. But then he walks in the strip club and there is she is again, having a drink with Nick, flirting her fucking ass off with him again. Fuck she was such a pain in the ass. 

She stood there staring at the printing press. This was not what she needed. They had almost completed their last run when one of the rollers acted up. 

She was tired, this was day two of non stop working and printing. She had been at the club all day again, then she went home to see the kids for dinner help them all get ready for bed and headed back out to the club. Ruby and Stan had left in the afternoon to go visit Harry, and Annie had to take Ben to a Lacrosse game. There wasn't much left to print so Beth thought she could handle it herself and she did, until the problem with the roller occured. It probably needed a new one or at least some maintenance, that much she knew. 

Her patience with Rio was running short. She was still doing these little print jobs on top of getting the club ready to go. She wasn't getting any break. To make things worse she was having a really bad period, including cramps, backache and a headache. Every so often she would have a period like this, and it was just her luck it was this month.

She called Rio to tell him she likely couldn't finish the job that she was short but he didn't answer. She was getting tired of that too. He always answered her calls until lately. She waited 10 minutes and tried again. No answer. This time she left a voice message. Now she had to wait until he decided to phone her back, which he finally did. She had just spent another 30 minutes wasting time waiting for him when he finally called her back.

"I got your message what's up?"

She was really angry now. She was working day and night and he couldn't even answer the phone now. She let him have it.

I am sick of this."

"Sick of what?."

"You know I have been working my ass off getting this place set up and also printing your money. The very least you could do is answer your phone when I call. What are you doing while I am still working? playing pool? playing basketball? having a drink? screwing Hayley? so don't call me and ask what's up. I wouldn't have called if it wasn't important!"

She was furious and she gave her hand away again, she fucking mentioned Hayley. 

"So what's the problem?"

"You are my problem! 

She hung up on him. She was so angry she had to stop and take in deep breaths. How dare he. He called her back and she didn't answer. She decided she was done, she was going home, enough was enough. This was the straw that broke the camel's back.

He called her again, and she ignored it. She was going to do the same thing back to him that he did to her. She finished counting, bundling and packing up what she had printed for the drop. 

She didn't sleep well at all the night before, she worked all day, then he had her waiting around on him again. He was always occupying her mind and she hated it. Not just him, him and Hayley and she hated that even more. 

She pulled out a bottle of Ibuprofen from her purse and grabbed a water from the fridge. Before she even got to take it, her phone rang. She checked the number. It was Dean this time. Just exactly who she didn't need to talk to right now. The night just kept getting better and better.

"When will you be home."

"Soon, why?"

"I was suppose to go out with the guys for a beer."

"Dean, I don't care what you want to do. I am working."

"You have been gone almost every night this week."

"Too bad Dean, how many years did you work nights, which was actually just you sticking your dick in whomever would let you while I was home with our kids. So you know what Dean, grow up, it's your turn. I will be home when I get home."

She hung up on him too. She wasn’t in any mood for anyones crap.

She put her hands on her back that was aching. She sat down for a moment and stretched it out. She reached for the bottle of ibuprofen and when she looked up he was standing there. She glared at him, took her pill and swallowed it down. He had heard her on the phone to Dean. 

"So I am not the only one you are hanging up on."

"Are you really amused by this?"

"Actually no, you interrupted my evening."

Now she was fuming.

"Are you serious?  I interrupted your evening did I? I am here because of you and your constant demands, and I interrupted YOUR evening?"

"Do you have somewhere else you are suppose to be? Like maybe celebrating the opening of our strip club with Nick again?”

She threw it back at him.

"Yeah, maybe! I mean apparently you have somewhere else that you’d rather be.”

"So what's the problem Elizabeth? I am here now, so what is it?"

"The  money I was printing for you is going to be short. There is a problem with the machines roller. It needs a new one or a repair. You can threaten me if you like, or do some other shitty thing to me, I am too tired to care."

She threw the bag at him. She was kind of cute when she did it and he resisted a smile.

"How much are we short?”

”About 5k.”

”Don’t worry about it I can cover it.”

”Great.” 

'If you had not hung up on me when I called you back, I would have told you. ”

"Too bad, I am sick of you not answering your phone anymore. You did it last week. We were here all night busting our asses getting your money done and you didn't show up or answer your phone."

"Is that what all this anger is about?"

"Not all of it."

She stood there feeling a combination of anger, and frustration but it was more, way more than that, it was jealousy too, so much jealousy that she didn't know how to deal with it. He was probably with her tonight. What she couldn’t say was that she was also wanting him so bad, aching for him and was angry because she felt that way. 

"What else?"

She stood with her hands on her hips and just fired away at him.

“You know what else Rio??? I’m really tired, I have been working non-stop, you don't seem to appreciate anything I do, I am frustrated, I have a headache, I have cramps, my back is sore, and I don’t want to be here doing this....how's that?"

She looked into his dark eyes. She couldn’t stop looking at him. He was standing there smelling so good, he was wearing just a tee shirt; she could see his tanned arms and face. Despite all her aches and pains, she wanted him.

Her chest was heaving she was so wound up and he thought she looked hot as fuck. Her hair was up, the baggy v-neck tee shirt that was slipping off her shoulder and her yoga pants that were tight on her ass. He wanted to fuck her.

”Well I do appreciate what you have been doing.”

"You have a funny way of showing it."

”Well, what would you like me to do take you out? Celebrate with you?

”NO!”

"Are you sure?"

"Fuck off Rio, I am not in the mood for this!"

"What can I do to help with your frustration?"

He was walking her right into it again, only she was so pissed she didn't catch it.

'How about answering your phone, how about stop making me work day and night! How about that?"

She stood there and stared at him.

"Is there anything else?"

He stepped forward and stood near her. He saw her look him over, then she looked into his eyes.

He knew what she needed, she knew what she wanted, he could see it. She knew, he knew it. Fuck.

And just like that, she gave up fighting it, what was the point? He fucking knew. She grabbed him by the waistband and pulled him over to the chair nearby and sat down. She opened his pants, and pulled them down. She was so hungry for him. She drew in her breath when she put her hand on his cock, it felt so good. She stroked him a few times. Then she pulled her tee shirt off and her bra. She knew exactly what she wanted. She took him in her mouth and worked her way down his cock. She was more rough than she usually was. He loved it. She put her hands on his ass and sucked on his cock, up and down, sometimes deep. He cupped her face in both his hands, stroking her face with his thumbs. She suddenly didn’t care about Hayley, she didn’t care about anything she just wanted him and she wanted his cock in her mouth. She had been thinking about it for the past two days. She ran her hand up under his shirt, over his chest, and back down around his back.

He was taking in every bit of this. Her hands felt so good on him, they were soft and warm. He watched her, watched the saliva pooling around her mouth, and watched his cock fill her mouth. Fuck, she drove him crazy.

He could feel her moaning on his cock. She was taking out all her build-up anger on him. She added her hand too, increasing the speed and gripping him tighter. She saw him put his head back and take a deep breath. He was so close and she knew it, so she used her hand only to stroke him firm and fast. 

"I want you to come all over my tits."  

He could hear her panting and moaning, which was all he needed. She stroked him more. He started to groan just before he shot his cum all over her just like she wanted. She held his cock near her chest for a moment while he recovered.

He went over to the sink and got her some damp paper towels. He cleaned up her chest, which was pink and blotchy, and her face was flushed; she was totally into it. She kept looking at him, and he held her gaze, knowing she wasn't done. She was aching inside before she had done that to him, and now it was even worse. He sat in the chair this time and pulled her on him. She straddled his lap and he took her breasts in his hands. She pulled up a bit so he could suck on each breast. He was gentle and even though they were sensitive, it felt so fucking good. He always seemed to know what she needed, how she needed it, when she needed it, which she loved, but it also pissed her right off. How did he always fucking know. 

She really needed some relief. She moved onto just one of his legs and started to grind on him. She put her head down and closed her eyes; she moved her hips around trying to find the right spot and kept moving back and forth on his leg. She was moaning and started breathing faster and faster. She was close but couldn't get there; there wasn't quite enough pressure because they both had clothes on. She put her hand under his thigh, pulling it up. She kept holding her breath like she always did when she was going to come. She was right there, she changed her position again. He saw her frustration in her face. He put his hands on her hips, pulling her down on his leg as she rocked back and forth. He knew she needed to come; she needed that release. He whispered to her. 

"Keep grinding Mama."

He had not called her that in a long, long time. She worked his leg harder, then it happened. She could feel it everywhere. She came so hard, writhing on his leg as it kept coming in waves. She was pulling his tee shirt with the other hand, and gripping is arm with the other. It may have been harder for her to get there this time, but it lasted longer and it was intense.

She put her arms around him for a moment; he gently rubbed her back. His warm hands felt good. A whole flood of emotions were running through her. He had called her Mama again. She put her hand over her eyes, fighting back tears. He gave her a moment, he knew she wouldn't want him to know how vulnerable she was right now or want him to see that very soft side of her.  He just enjoyed these moments with her but never let himself think about them long because he knew they would be back to battling again next time they saw each other. 

She did feel better; she didn't feel as tense, or agitated. She just didn't like that it was him who could do that to her. Why did sex with him always have to be so good. On her drive home, she couldn't help but wonder about him and Hayley. She shook her head. She had to stop doing that and somehow stop letting him get under her skin. She was failing miserably at it.

His dick was still tingling when he left. She did that to him. He made a mental note of when her period was, that was pretty raw and intense. He liked it, he liked it alot. Then he thought of Nick. He just couldn't think of her like that with him, he couldn't. Nick was a problem for him and a problem for them. He had to stop this fucker somehow. 

It was always one step forward, two steps back for them. Their moment came and went again, and tomorrow, the battle would continue; he knew it, she knew it.

Chapter Text

Things were uneventful for Beth the next day at the strip club which was nice for a change. She didn’t have to print so she was home early to see the kids. Things were all quiet from Rio too. The only one she heard from was Nick.

“Tomorrow is the last day of the tree planting and I was hoping you could be there to help us complete everything. You are the one who knows what they are doing when it comes to that. Can you join us?”

”Well what time were you thinking? I have to get to the strip club to get through that to do list.”

”We are starting at 8 am, that’s good and early and then you still have the rest of the day free.”

“Okay, count me in. I could use break from the club and get some much needed fresh air. See you tomorrow."

Rio had hunted down the part for the printer. He wanted Beth to come with him to pick it up since she knew how the press worked inside and out and he didn't know a thing about it. He called her just after 8 am but got her voice mail. He tried her again at 10:30 am then at 12:30 asking her to call but he had not heard from her. He was getting annoyed. 

The printing press had not been working for two days now. It needed it to be ready to go because he had more printing to do. He told her he would take care of it and he was. He had also hired some painters for the club to help her out. 

It was now 1:45 in the afternoon and not a peep from her. His phone went off. It was Nick. What the fuck did he want? 

”Hey look who is going to be in the local paper?”

Nick sent him a picture of him and Beth and a group of others. Of course Beth was right beside Nick. The article was about the towns tree planting initiative. So this is where she fucking was, she was with him again. Maybe she was seriously considering running for council, but when they spoke she never sounded as eager as Nick was to have her there. Truthfully her being on city council would have been a great move for their business, and he was initially on board  with it but not any more. Nick would destroy her and throw her under the bus.

He didn't trust Beth enough to tell her why Nick really wanted her there, she had just done too many things lately. She would have to prove herself to him if he was ever going to find some level of trust with her. She had never bought in with him, never committed to their work together, she battled him on almost everything. Sometimes she was fucking exhausting and until she showed him more, he was always going to be hesitant. 

It wasn't often Rio got this annoyed and showed it to her, but after the other night when she was tired and frustrated, he purposely gave her a break, he let her do her own thing yesterday and didn't bother her at all. Then there were those very intimate moments between them, like her kissing him the other night with such warmth and passion, or breaking down for a moment while he held her. They didn't exchange words at the time either, they didn’t need too. 

He decided he wasn't going to let her have a chance to do that to him again, not when she was doing this. She kept choosing Nick so easily, she believed everything he said, yet questioned everything he said and did. He hated it, and of all those things, it was his jealousy of Nick that pushed him to this level of anger, not anything else, he had always been able to manage the other things she did.

Beth was scrambling to get out of there and back to the strip club. This took much longer than anticipated. What Nick didn't tell her was that there was going to be some press there, and she wondered why he didn't tell her, it would be a significant thing to mention. It was  one more thing on her caution list when it came to him.

Rio had called her in the morning, and she didn't answer. He had done the same to her lately so she decided maybe it was time she returned the favour and let him have a taste of his own medicine. She saw his calls and didn't answer. It wasn't until she was on her way back that she called him.

He was not happy at all.

"Why weren't you answering your phone?"

"I was busy."

"Okay, so is this how you want to play it?"

She couldn't help but notice how cold his voice was. 

"I didn't have my phone with me."

"It's been hours Elizabeth."

"It was in my purse."

'I am not buying it, you have kids and you would never be away from your phone that long so stop bullshitting me. When will you ever stop?"

"What is it you want?"

"Where are you now?"

'I am almost at the strip club."

"I will meet you there."

She didn't like his tone of voice at all. When she got to the strip club she saw his eyes, they were dark, and they were cold. This wasn't good at all. 

"What's going on?"

"I need you to come with me."

"Where are we going?"

"To pick up a part for the printing press."

"But I have stuff to get done here."

His eyes got a whole lot darker.

"Then you should have been here working if you had so much work to do, not playing with Nick."

"Why do you need me to go?"

His voice was stern.  

"Are you going to make this as difficult as possible too?"

"No, I am just asking."

"I need you to come because you are the one who knows how to run the press, you know how it works, and you know what supplies we need don't you?"

"Yes."

"Great then let's go, maybe you could stop being a pain in the ass."

"It's two in the afternoon."

He glared at her.

"That's your problem. Just get in the car Elizabeth. We need that part."

He walked right by her out to his car. He was staring straight ahead when she came out. She got in beside him. She could how pissed off he was, it was radiating off him.

"How did you find this place?"

He looked over at her. 

"Enough with the questions."

She hoped it was not that long of a drive. She stared out the window. She was thankful for the radio, it cut the dead silence between them. She glanced over at him a few times but he wouldn't look at her, he kept his eyes on the road. He didn't want to look at her, it was enough she was sitting that close beside him. He had enough of Nick, her and her fucking endless games. 

They arrived about 40 minutes later, the drive felt like forever. He was right, she did know a lot about the press and the person helping them even said so. Rio felt him out about moving the press and finding someone to do maintenance on it. 

"The Heidelberg Windmill is one of the finest printing presses ever made, they don't make them like that anymore. They are well built and rarely do they need repairs. Often it is the roller that goes, and the feeding arm. Both are pretty easy to replace yourself. As for moving it, you can move it in pieces but you should have someone who knows what they are doing."

"If we wanted maintenance done on it do you have any contacts?"

"Actually there are some companies that do maintenance but I know a guy who does this one the side, he charges less and is way more flexible."

"Sounds good, I would appreciate the contact info. Now you said the roller was easy to replace, can you show us how it's done? We have been down a day and need to get it up and working."

Beth was wondering why Rio was asking so many questions and showing such an interest in the printing press.

"Do you have a manual for your machine?" 

Beth told him they did. He walked them through it, it was going to be pretty easy to do. While they were there, they purchased more supplies as well. Rio let Beth do the talking when it came to those things. She really did know her stuff. If he wasn't so angry at her, he would have been even more impressed.

Beth hoped he would be less angry knowing they could easily fix the roller. But when they got in the car he was the same. He stared straight ahead.

"Do you think we could stop for something to drink please?"

"Yup."

He pulled into a convenience store. She got out and asked him if he wanted something. He didn't even answer her he just got out and went in himself. He got what he needed and went back to the car. He didn't even look at her when he held her door open for her. 

She put her drink in the cup holder at the same time he did. Their hands touched each other. Normally his hand would linger but he pulled it away immediately.

When they were back on the road again, she tried to break the ice.

"The roller should be easy to change."

He didn’t respond and she was getting annoyed he wouldn't talk to her.

"Are you going to give me the silent treatment all the home?"

"No, there is one thing I wanted to mention."

"Okay, what's that?"

"You are going to show Mick how that press works, he's good with those kind of things."

"Do you mean how it operates or how I do the ink, printing etc."

"Both. We will start with how it operates and then take it from there."

"Why?"

"I think it's time someone else learned that machine besides you."

She didn't like the sound of this at all. If he had someone else to print, he wouldn't need her.

"What's going on Rio?"

For the first time since they left he looked at her.

"Just covering all my bases now."

"What? Why?"

 "I just feel I have to now.“

“What does that mean? What is going on?”

”I’m sick and tired of your fucking games.”

”My games?”

”That’s what I said. I mean are you ever not playing one? “

“And you don't Rio?  Are you serious? Where is all this coming from?” 

“You’re pretty smart I think you can figure it out.”

She sat there bewildered. Was it the fact she ignored his phone calls or she was with Nick?

They didn’t speak another word the rest of the way back and he didn’t look at her again. When they got back to the strip club everyone was gone. They unloaded the supplies and took them in.

She spoke first.

"We should be able to move the printer ourselves, Dean moved it to the strip club.

"Keep your dumbass fucking husband away from this place. He fucks up everything he gets touches."

He was so testy.

”Sheesh okay, fine. Do you want to put the roller in now?”

“Nope. Tomorrow when Mick is here.”

"So your sudden interest in the printing press, was it to help out or for another reason?"

He gave her a harsh look.

"It was to help you out but with the way things are going I think it's best if others know how this thing works so I can't be held hostage to it by you."

"What the hell does that mean?"

"Well, look at today. I had to wait 6 hours for my so called work partner to answer a fucking phone call."

She turned and looked at him.

”You can’t possibly be this pissed off at me because I didn’t answer my phone?”

”Why didn’t you answer it Elizabeth?”

She put it back on him.

"Who’s the one that wouldn’t answer his phone when I called the other night?”

”Is this what this is all about?"

"No, I was with Nick finishing up the tree planting which is done now."

"But you said you were so busy the last few days, there was so much to do and you had a melt down the other night over it, but when Nick calls, you go running."

"I have been working my ass off, a few hours doing something else was a nice break. And I do not go running when he calls."

Rio scoffed at her. 

"Don't you?"

"No, I don't."

"It's funny because it's a battle for me to get you to cooperate and do anything, but you drop everything when he calls. You seem to have your priorities all messed up. You seem to forget you work with me."

"I don't have my priorities messed up."

"Is that why you spent most of the day helping Nick, because it wasn't a few hours."

"What are you angry about, me not answering my phone, me working with Nick, or me taking a few hours off?"

She didn't like how pissed he was about it all. 

"I am sick of you making everything so difficult for me. Tell me something Elizabeth was your phone in your purse the whole time? or did you see my calls and ignore them? My first phone call was at 8 am. It wasn't until close to 2 o'clock you answered my call so lets not pretend you didn't see any of them, in fact you know you saw them all."

She just looked at him, she couldn't answer because he was right and she didn't want to admit it. He went and stood close to her but not touching her. He kept his eyes on her and she had realized he hadn’t looked her over once today, and he always did that.

"Aww, and there it is, your games and your bullshit."

He turned and started to walk away, then he stopped and turned to her.

"Oh and one thing....the other night when you called me? I wasn't playing pool, or playing basketball, or having a drink, or screwing Hayley. I was with my son who was sick. I went to see him. I called you as soon as I could and when I did you went off on me. I said I would help you and I was. I dealt with the printer and I also hired some painters for you while you were off playing with Nick!"

She stood there looking at him. Shit. Shit. Shit.

"Rio, wait a minute please, can I say something?"

The last time he was like this with her was in his loft when he told her to get out and that turned into a nightmare. She had re-lived that moment a 1000 times over and wished she had kissed him instead of walking away. She always had felt everything between them would have been so different if she had. She suddenly felt a sense of panic. She went over to him. 

Elizabeth, there's not much I am interested in hearing come out of that mouth of yours right now."

She was looking at him trying to read him. Her eyes were confused, his were angry. She put her hand on his. He pulled it back.

"Nah, you don't get to do that."

She tried again and put her hand on his waist, lifted his shirt and put her hands underneath like she always did. He didn't soften at all.

"You don't get to do that either." 

She looked a little shocked, a little hurt. He was seriously turning her down. This wasn't like the time at his grandmother's either. He stepped back from her and walked away. She just stood there watching him.

She didn't like the feeling she was having, the panicky feeling. That was not something she had ever felt before when it came to him and she didn't like it one bit. He had really thrown her off today. She wanted to run after him again and that was just not like her. 

Maybe she was wrong about where he was the other night, and maybe she did overreact because she was jealous, but she wasn’t the only one playing games.

The discussions about the printer were also unnerving her a lot. He was hinting at her that she was replaceable in more than one way. 

Rio called her in the morning, this time she answered her phone. He was brief and to the point. He let her know he was bringing Mick to help fix the roller.

When she arrived Mick and Rio were already there. He was cool with her but not as cold as he was the day before. She hoped he was cooling down.

Beth was right there when they changed the roller, it didn't take them long. Mick was looking over the manual and the press figuring out how to move it. She didn’t like what Rio said to her yesterday. This reminded her of when she found Mick in Paper Porcupine checking out the printer.

The one thing Rio couldn’t do was make her show anyone how to operate the press properly. It was a very complex set up which took her a long time to master in order to get the money perfect. Under no circumstances would she show anyone that.

Mick told Rio that with a few guys they would be okay to move it. He asked Beth a few questions about the press before he left but she was very vague with the information.

Rio got up and was going to leave too and she started getting that uneasy feeling and she had no idea what the fuck it was about. He was still as cold as ice, just like he was after she had ended it with him in her bedroom that afternoon. Rio being pissed off at her and them fighting was different than him doing this. They were at their worst with each other when it was like this.  

"How long are you going to be pissed off at me?"

He shook his head at her. 

"You are unbelievable sometimes."

"What did I do now?"

"It's what you didn't do and it's what I know you will keep doing, and I ain't spelling it out for you."

She fucked him around yesterday and she wouldn't admit it, she was wrong and she wouldn't admit it. She would never say thank you to him for anything and he knew it, but that was the way they had always been with each other. It pissed him off but it wasn't the real issue of what was pissing him off about all of this. It was because she would drop everything for fucking Nick again and he knew it. She also never had any problem thanking Nick for anything like the permit he left the other day. So fuck her.

"What do you want me to do or say?"

Just as he was about to answer, her phone rang. It was sitting on the table and Rio could see the name, it was Nick calling. She looked at the phone then at him.

“Surprise, surprise.....right on cue.”

He stared her down. They were in the middle of a conversation and if she answered that fucking phone, that would be it for him. He would freeze her out completely if she did.  It was up to her now and if she answered that phone call. 

Chapter Text

Rio watched her but didn't say a word. The phone rang a 4th time and Beth looked at Rio then picked up the phone and declined the call.

"You don't want to talk to your boyfriend?"

"He's not my boyfriend."

"How much do you want to bet you pick up his next call?"

"What is your problem?"

"That, right there...the fact that you don’t know.”

“I will ask you again, what is it you want me to say?"

"You know you were wrong the other night, you had a meltdown over something I didn't do, then you fucked me around yesterday and you don't know what my problem is?

The only thing he didn't mention to her was Nick, which was the real source of his anger.

"You want an apology?"

He stood there and looked at her. She knew that they did this thing back and forth to each other and never had he demanded an apology, nor did she ever ask him for one when he did things to her.

"Are you ever sorry for anything you do?"

"I could ask you the same question."

"You always have a comeback don't you?"

Rio walked over to the manual and picked it up. She was exasperating at times.

"What are you doing with that?"

"I am taking this with me."

He wasn't going to trust her with it and they needed it tonight when they moved it.

"I need that here."

"You'll get it back."

He turned and walked out. Beth didn't know if she should be angry or worried at how cold he was towards her.

Rio came back to the strip club with Mick and Dags later that evening to move the printer. He purposely didn't tell Beth about it and when she arrived at the strip club the next day she found it moved. She was furious. She was just going to call Rio when Mick walked in.

"What are you doing here?"

"Just here for the printer.”

"You moved it.”

"Yup."

"Is Rio coming?"

"Nope."

"Where is he?"

"He's busy."

She called him.

"Why did you move the printer without me being here?"

"Because I didn't need you."

"I thought you had me come with you the other day because I am the one who does know all about that printer?"

"I did."

"Then why wasn't I here?"

"I just told you, I didn't need you."

She noticed the tone in his voice when he said he didn't need her. She didn't like it. She was a cross between angry and anxious. She hung up on him. What the hell was he doing. Mick was still there when Beth hung up. She saw him reading a text.

"Boss wants you to try and print something to make sure it's working okay."

"So he just texted you to tell me that?"

She was defiant. She wasn't going to do that, screw him.

"You can tell Rio that I am not going to run anything for you or him or anyone. Now if you don't mind leave please, and tell Rio not she send you in here alone again, you just can’t come in here whenever you want.”

Mick spoke in that soft voice of his and scoffed at her.

“You sure about that?”

Annie came waltzing in.

“Hey. What brings you here?”

Mick nodded over at the printer. Annie looked around.

”Where’s your partner in crime.”

”Busy.”

”Hmmm.”

Beth stood there watching their exchange and the way they looked at each other. She jumped in.

”I thought you were leaving now Mick.”

Annie heard the tone of her voice.

“Sheesh, you don’t have to be rude about it.”

She turned back to Mick.

”Hey, you know that tea you told me about, I tried it, I like it!”

”You dip an Oreo in it?”

She laughed.

”Ewww, no you know I don't like Oreos.”

"You don't know what you are missing."

Beth cleared her throat. Annie nodded her head in Beths direction.

”Somebody's impatient."

Mick said goodbye to Annie and left. Beth stood there scowling at Annie.

“What the hell was that. You’re standing there flirting your ass off with the guy that kidnapped you?”

”No, we were just talking, what’s your problem?”

"Oh, I don't know, why are looking at each other like that? what the fuck?

”Geezus Beth, I not looking at him in anyway chill your ass. I don’t look at him the way you look at Rio.”

”Would you stop with that. All I wanna do is ring Rio's neck right now.”

”Is that’s why you’re in a shitty mood again?”

”Yeah, he’s being a fucking jerk again.”

”He's always fucking jerk Beth. You seem more on edge. Like you haven’t been laid in a while.”

”Come on Annie, you know we’ve been working our asses off to get this place open for him and he’s just making my life difficult. He wants me to show other people how I set up and run the printing press which is why Mick is hanging around and I'm not doing that."

Annie put her hands up.

”Okay, okay.”

Ruby came walking in.

”Did I just see Mick leave alone? What’s he doing here?”

“He’s being messenger boy for Rio, I told him to get out.”

Annie looked at Ruby.

“I think they had a lovers spat or she needs to get some.”

“Well it has been a while since finger-gate.”

Annie tried to suppress her laugh.

”Enough already, would you two stop it. He’s just being an asshole and the reason he gets to be an asshole is because you two decided to keep working with him and wash money through the strip club! And Annie, you can stop acting like Mick is your new BFF how’s that?”

Ruby gave Annie a look.

“Please, don’t tell me you too?”

“No, no he was here because he got the printer moved last night and I talked to him for 30 seconds…so shoot me.”

“Okay, well he got the printer moved, that’s a good thing, we needed it done."

Beth became serious.

“Speaking of the printer, you two do not show anybody anything about it.

She looked at Annie.

"And that specifically means Mick."

“We don’t know how to run that thing you’re the only one that really does.“

“Good and we’re going to keep it that way because if you show anyone he won't need us will he?"

Beth expected to hear from Rio when she refused to print but she didn't. All day she checked her phone, there were no text messages or any phone calls. This was not like him. The last time he did this was after their falling out when she ended it all with him and now she didn't like the feeling that they were back to that.

Rio had decided he wasn't going to bite. She was doing what she always did. If she wanted to play games with him, he would gladly do it back to her. He knew his silence would bother her the most.

She crawled into bed that night and couldn't sleep. He was on her mind, he had been on her mind every minute of the day today. Why? She needed to find some way to purge him out of her head.

When she closed her eyes, she imagined him touching her. He hadn't touched her or looked at her the way he always did for a couple of days. She just wanted him to want her, the way she wanted him. Why did she have to want him so badly and even more so when he was turning her away?

Rio was at his bar getting ready to leave for a work out when Nick walked in. He was the last person he wanted to see today.

“Hey.”

”Look what the cat dragged in.”

”Now that’s no way to greet your family is it?”

“You give new meaning to the word family. What do you want?"

”We are getting close to getting that contract we were working on.”

“So what do want from me?”

Nick came up close to Rio.

”You make sure she runs for city council. We need her vote.”

“Nah, you need her vote. My businesses are doing just fine. This is your problem. What’s the matter? Your charm not working?”

Nick's eyes were burning.

”You need to keep your eye on the ball. This is a huge deal. Are you going to let your dick ruin this business opportunity?”

”My dick isn’t the problem.”

“Oh, is that right.”

Nick stood inches from Rios face. Rio had the upper hand and he knew it. Nick needed Beth and he still didn’t have her, she had not jumped in with him yet. He felt a sense of relief.

“Get something straight, business comes first always. Don’t fuck with me on this.”

"The only one fucking anyone around is you."

"I am doing what is needed for business and you should do the same."

This time Rio got in his face.

"Nah, you aren't doing what is needed for business, you never have, you are doing what is needed for you, is always been about what you want."

Nick looked around at his bar.

"It benefits you too."

Rio sneered at him.

"Yeah, because that's what it's about. Are you done?"

Nick glared at Rio.

"Do not fuck this up."

Nick turned and walked out. He was pissed. Beth still had not agreed to run. Rio still had a fucking hold on her and he knew it.

It was another full day and she had not heard from Rio. He was more than happy to let her stew right now. She started feeling antsy about the whole thing. He wasn't bugging her and she should have been embracing it, yet she was stressing about it. They were always at each other's throats but inside she had the overwhelming desire to see him, to touch him, for him to touch her. It was getting ridiculous how she couldn't keep him out of her head.

She came up with an excuse to call him, she was going to ask him why he hadn't returned her manual back. When he answered he was a little out of breath.

“What’s up Elizabeth.”

Her mind went to the wrong place right away. Why was he out of breath? She had only see him out of breath when they were having sex. She changed her tone when a huge wave of jealousy hit her again.

"Where is the manual."

"You will get it back, relax. Is this what you are calling for because I am kind of busy."

She had to think fast on her feet he was blowing her off again.

"I need to talk to you."

"Why can't it wait? I am working out ."

He was purposely blowing her off again.

"It won't take long."

"Do you think I’m gonna drop everything because you decided you need to talk to me right this minute?”

She scoffed.

"You do this to me all the time. When you want to talk to me I am supposed to drop what I am doing, or you just show up somewhere don't you?"

“Elizabeth...what do you want from me?"

She wanted him, she wanted him badly that is what she wanted. He had turned her down and it was eating away at her.

"Now who is playing games Rio? This is why I didn't apologize to you, you do the same thing to me all the time. So next time you decide you need to talk to me I will be working out and I don't care how important it is."

She didn’t know which was worse her anxiety or her anger because he was playing games with her now but it has been two days since she had seen him and this wasn't like him.

"Well I am not stopping my workout, my trainer just arrived and she's waiting for me."

Beth felt her face flush. His trainer was a female? Shit. This was getting worse by the minute.

"I don't care. When you want to talk about business stuff I am to drop everything for you!"

The truth was he wanted to see her as much as she wanted to see him but he wasn't going to let her know that after she spent the day with Nick. They both couldn't help themselves they kept playing this game with each other.

"Well, if you want to talk to me, you come to my gym then. I should be done by the time you get here."

He gave her the address. She went and freshened up, changed, and checked her makeup.

Dean stopped her on the way out.

”Let me guess work again?”

She just looked at him.

“Whose paying the bills around here? it's certainly not you now is it? So yeah, I am going to work!”

She wasn't in the mood for his bullshit. She wasn't in the mood for anything. She was feeling all sorts of things on the drive over. She was jealous, she was pissed, she was anxious, she was annoyed. When she arrived, it was a smaller place, not what she expected. It was basically a small boxing gym that she figured he probably owned. When she went in he was in the ring with his trainer. His buff, slim trainer who clearly worked out with weights. He glanced over at her.

"Almost done."

She had never seen him like this, it felt like he was a bit different when he was in the ring or maybe he just seemed different. Clearly he was a good boxer. She stood and watched him. She had seen his body before but not like this. She could see all his muscles flexing, his tattoos that were glistening from sweat. She didn't mind watching him. In fact she couldn't take her eyes off him.

When he was done he talked to the trainer and she left shortly afterwards. Beth watched him closely when he talked to her. She hated the idea he had a female, barely dressed trainer. She could just add one more thing to her list of jealousy.

He locked the door behind her. His face was glistening and dripping with sweat that he wiped off with a towel.

"Do you own this place?"

"Yup."

"So your trainer is female?"

"Yup. She is one of the best.....so what is so important?"

She was stumbling over her words. She knew that her excuse to talk to him was pretty weak.

”Don't send Mick to the strip club alone again. He doesn’t work there or have any part of it. Do you understand?”

”Yeah he might have mentioned it to me.”

”You’re unbelievable, you are the one playing the games now.”

”Don’t like it when the shoes on the other foot huh?”

”You are also on notice that I’m not going to print or show anyone else what I do."

”Is that right?”

”I worked so hard for weeks and weeks to come up with the right formula to print the money. To get the paper right, to get the colours right.”

"I see.....so is that it, is that what all this stink was about on the phone?”

He had seen her looking at him, the way she looked at him when she wanted him. He was standing far too close to her. She wanted to rip his shorts off him and he wanted to rip her clothes off.

"Yes."

Her voice totally failed her. She sounded weak, she sounded apologetic. Fuck what was she doing? He stepped in close to her.

"Well I guess we are going to have a problem on our hands aren't we?"

"If you have Mick standing over me, and watching me we will."

"What about when I stand over you?"

"What?"

"What about when I stand over you, like I am now?"

She wanted to reach out and touch him; touch he was all shiny with sweat.

"What about it? I am not going to print for you either."

"What if I do this?"

He brushed his fingers along her pink perfect lips. He loved the taste of her lipstick. He wanted to grab her and kiss her.

"Nope."

He took his hand away.

"Okay then. Listen, I am all sweaty so I need to go shower. You can hang around if you want, or did you want to join me?"

She looked outraged or she tried to look outraged when he said it.

'No!"

He smiled at her that little knowing smile of his.

"No, you don't want to shower with me or no, you just don't want me to shower at all?"

She didn't want him to shower, she wanted him just like this. She was so fucking turned on by him and she hated it. She glanced down at his muscle shirt, sweat on it. He put his arm around her waist and pulled her into him. His face was right at hers.

"You don't want me to shower do you?"

She shook her head no.

"What do you want Elizabeth, you better fucking show me. You come over here and interrupt my workout, you better make it good."

He was as hungry for her as she was for him. It felt like an eternity since he last touched her. She had been aching for him just as much.

"Did I piss you off Rio? because you are always pissing me off!"

"Do I now? show me how much I piss you off."

He kept his eyes on her while he grabbed the bottom of her shirt and pulled it over her head and tossed it. He looked down at her tits. He unhooked her bra and pulled it down her arms letting them fall loose. He tossed her bra too. She wanted her body against his sweaty one and pushed her breasts into him, his body was hot. He put his arms both around her, holding her close to him.

"You definitely don't need a shower, you smell so good."

She could see sweat on his forehead. She wiped it away then placed her hand behind his head and pulled him into her for a very desperate and needy kiss. She slid her hand down the front of his shorts and grabbed his cock. It was damp, and warm. She moaned a bit while kissing him. He pulled back and whispered into her ear.

"You like that huh? You want me inside you?"

When she was like this, he knew that's exactly what she wanted. His breath was warm and tickled her neck.

"You know the answer to that."

She wasn't going to let him have the upper hand this time. She looked him in his eyes, her nose just a fraction of an inch from his.

“Do you want it Rio? Because you turned me down the other day.”

There was anger and the slightest hint of hurt in her voice and he heard it.

"You know the answer already Elizabeth."

He kissed her, he wanted her badly. He unbuttoned her pants and slipped his hand down the back on her ass while he pulled them down. She stepped out of them.

He walked her backwards to end of a table. He took the towel off his neck and put it on the table. He picked her up and put her ass on it. She leaned back on her arms as she wrapped her legs around his waist. He leaned over her and started to kiss her again. Then slowly moved down to her tits which he took in each of his hands before he buried his face in them. He kissed them, he sucked and licked them. She ran her hand through his hair. He kept doing it until he heard her moan. He moved down her tummy to the top of her panties. She spread her legs open when he put one finger under the waistband slowly pulling them down enough for his tongue to touch her clit, licking her. He was only going to tease her, but when she started to moan, he pulled her panties off then buried his face in her pussy. He stayed there until she came all over his face.

He wanted to fuck her and she wanted him to, it had been so long since he had. She sat up and slipped her hands down his shorts pulling them down over his hips. She took his cock in her hand again and stroked him. She kissed his tattoo which was salty and warm then worked her way up to his mouth. They kissed hard, it turned into passionate and needy. She put her tongue in his mouth and swirl it around his tongue. They were aching for each other, nothing else mattered in this moment between them. They were in sync with each other. She lay back on her arms again and pulled her legs back so he could enter her. They both watched as he did and moaned at the same time watching his cock glide in and out of her hearing the wet sounds of her pussy. As he increased the speed their bodies slapped together while her tits were bouncing up and down. He loved watching her, all of her and her facial expressions. 

He pulled her legs up onto his chest, then cross crossed them so the opposite leg was on his shoulders. He changed the position so he could thrust up into her which always made her come faster. She grabbed the end of the table with her hands slightly under her ass and he held her legs up against his chest so her ass was tilted up a bit. He started thrusting again, harder and faster. She moaned every single time he thrust into her. When she started to hold in her breath he knew she was close to coming. He slowed down for a moment then brought her legs back down around his waist and her ass a bit off the table. He wanted her close to him. He pulled her up to his chest and she wrapped her arms him. He thrust into her hard holding her ass tight into him. She told him not to stop. She dug her nails into him as she came, moaning loudly in his ear. She tightened up inside around his cock, squeezing tight until he came. They held each other a long time afterwards. He buried his face into her neck, kissing her sweetly as she rubbed his back gently with her hands.

This was always their moment. Their intimate, vulnerable moment when they are totally connected to each other. Nothing and no one else mattered. This was the moment neither of them ever talk about, or ever acknowledge between each other. 

Chapter Text

Beth was going through the inventory with Annie and Ruby of liquor they had and liquor they needed to purchase.

"You know Ruby, I think we could use Stan here to manage some things for us."

"I don't see it happening B. As long as we are printing money for him, he won't help us."

"Well we are only doing that because you two decided to make a deal with Rio, and now look at us, we have double the work."

Annie looked at Beth.

"Tell me are you really upset we are making money?"

"No but we are back in tight with him again."

Annie made a face at Beth.

"Right and that bothers you?"

"What do you think?"

"Oh you don't want to know what I think."

Beth scoffed at Annie.

"Whatever. All he does is annoy me."

"Who annoys you?"

All three looked up. Rio had that playful smile on his face. Beth rolled her eyes.

"Speak of the devil."

"You're still all tense I see."

Beth knew he was referring to their sex they had the night before. She just looked at him. 

"You should take up boxing or something, it's a great stress reliever."

"No thanks, I don't like it at all. What are you doing here?"

She didn’t like it yet she couldn’t take her eyes off him when he was boxing. He resisted the urge to laugh. She was something else sometimes. 

"I need you girls to print some money."

"When do you need it?"

"In a couple of days."

"Well that's really specific."

"You ain’t gotta know specifics. But we need to fire up that printer do a test run. You didn't do it yesterday when Mick asked you so nicely, so here I am."

Annie jumped in and looked at Beth.

"See?"

"See what?"

"I told you that you were a little snarky yesterday."

Rio smiled. Beth frowned at Annie and handed her the clipboard as she walked by.

"Maybe you can finish this up."

She went to the printing room, which was on the other side of the stage, with Rio following right behind her. In fact, when she stopped, he was literally on her ass.

"Still all frustrated huh? I thought we took care of that yesterday. You need an encore or something?”

Beth spun around, hating that he knew her so well.

"No and there are people around."

Rio looked around.

'Not right now."

He moved up so close to her. 

"They could come over here at any moment."

He had his eyes locked on hers. The look that she always had a hard time looking away from.

"Yeah they might catch us and we wouldn't want that now would we?"

"No, we wouldn't."

He put his hands on her ass, and pulled her in tight to him. She knew she should remove it, but she did nothing.

”I would kind of like to do that again.”

The truth was, she wanted to just as much.

“I thought you wanted me to do a test run on the printer.”

”Oh, I do. But I want to fuck you too. I mean yesterday was good yeah?”

He knew she would trip all over herself.

”I should start the machine up.”

She turned to walk away, and Rio grabbed her hand.

”You didn’t answer me.”

”You should know the answer to that you were there.”

“Why can’t you say it then?”

He wanted her to acknowledge what he knew she was feeling. 

“Fine, yesterday was good.”

He smiled at her.

”Actually it was fucking amazing wasn’t it?” 

His eyes were penetrating hers. She didn't answer. So he asked her again.

“Elizabeth? It was fucking amazing right?

She took a deep breath.

"Okay! yes!"

"Now that wasn't so hard was it?"

She turned away from him before her face gave anything away to him. She was going to try and ignore him and got ready to print something for him. She could feel his eyes on her. She was feeling uncomfortable because he was right. Last night was amazing and she hadn't stopped thinking about it; she was annoyed with herself that she couldn't. She was wondering who she had become with him. This was a side of her she never knew existed in her until him. Although she would never admit it to herself, it wasn't just the sex that she thought about either; she remembered how she felt in the moment when she was with him; how close she felt to him.

He was watching her; he loved watching her ass; he loved watching her tits; he loved watching her face. He did want to fuck her again, but it was more than that, he loved how vulnerable and open she was to him in those moments. He wanted more of it. He wanted more of her just giving herself over to him like she did. Even though he teased her about it like he was now, he took those moments seriously when he was with her like that.

She printed something for him. She examined it carefully, then gave it to him; he did the same. 

"Well, it looks perfect."

"Yup, it does."

"So, if you are here hoping I will show you more I won't be doing that."

"What do you want to do then?"

He stepped in close to her again and put his hand on her waist. She hated the fact that his hand felt so good on her and that she wasn't removing it. 

"I want get back to work."

"Nah, that's not what you want."

She could hear Annie calling her name; she welcomed the interruption.

"Well playtime is over."

Rio leaned over and whispered in her ear. 

"I am going to my gym to workout later, I will be there about 8."

He turned to leave just as Annie was coming in.

"You aren't leaving on my account are you?"

"Nope, I got what I needed."

Beth glared at him. If he thought she was coming there to see him, he was so wrong.

They finished up their order for the liquor.  Beth headed home, she was early for a change. She had dinner with the kids and Beth got them ready for bed. They were all watching a movie so she decided to go have a quick shower before bed; she was going to have an early night. When she was done she went to her drawer and pulled out her pajamas. She looked at the clock on her night stand. It was 8:09 pm. 

He was at his gym working out. She could see his glistening body of sweat, his muscles flexing. She could feel his warm body on hers. His soft beard on her neck. She closed her eyes. She saw his hard cock entering her. She felt his soft gentle kisses when they were done, and felt his hands caressing her body. 

She went to her lingerie drawer and pulled out her lace panties. Not any lace panties, she found the ones she had hidden away that she had bought a long time ago; the crotchless ones. She found the matching bra lace bra that left nothing to the imagination.

Fuck it. She was going to him.  

Dean tried to whine again when she left but she ignored him. Her tolerance of him was getting less and less, especially since he started working with that Vance guy. 

On the drive over she kept telling herself to go home, but she knew she was going to go, she wanted to go, she needed to go, she was going! She wanted to feel him touching her. She was craving it. She figured she could be mad at herself later on, like she always was. When she got to the gym she put on her pink lipstick, the one that he liked to taste when he kissed her. She had no will power right now, and for the moment she didn’t care.

He had started working out. He hoped she would come, his wanted her even more after seeing her today. She occupied his mind since he had been with her last night. Her soft body on his, her soft hands touching him; her body responding to him. He swore her scent stuck with him all night. He could still smell her when he fell asleep. 

She came in to the gym and he stopped punching the bag, looking at her; she was perfect, she was so beautiful. She locked the door, then slowly walked over to him. He was going to stop boxing, but she told him to finish his work out. She wanted to watch him.

He continued boxing. She listened to him breathe; she watched the sweat gather on his body. She removed her top and slipped off her pants while he boxed. He turned and looked at her and took in a deep breath when he saw her. Her bra was sheer white lace; he could see her nipples through it. She walked up behind him just as he finished; she ran her fingers very lightly up and down his back then gently kissed the tattoo on his shoulder blade. He was sweaty and hot, exactly how she wanted him to be again. She had no idea why, it was not something that had never turned her on before. She took in a deep breath, then exhaled slowly through her lips blowing cool air on his damp back. It felt so good. She did it a second time. He turned around and slipped his arms around her waist; her body felt cool on his. 

"You're so hot."

He smiled at her. 

"Am I now?"

She realized what she had said. He grinned at her. 

"Maybe."

He kissed her gently on the lips, down her neck and on her shoulder. He nuzzled his beard into her. It was so soft and she loved it. He kissed her nipples over her lace bra. Last night there was an urgency between them; tonight there was a gentle longing to just be with each other.  

She lifted his chin and kissed him. He took his tongue and ran it across her bottom lip before he put it in her mouth. His kiss was soft and deliberate. She wrapped herself around him as tight as she could. She just wanted to feel his body on hers. She loved kissing him and he loved kissing her. It was slow, sweet and long.

He took her hand and walked her over to the wall under the pull-up bar that was overhead. He cupped her breasts in his hands, lightly playing with her nipples looking over her body like he was seeing it for the first time again. He ran his hands slowly down to her waist, then over her curvaceous hips. He continued to move down slowly until he was on his knees in front of her. He gently ran his hands up over his soft ass, while he kissed her soft tummy. She was voluptious, and he loved all the soft curves of her body.

As much as he loved fucking her, he loved this too, the moments when she was open, warm and affectionate with him. He knelt down further and spread her legs apart with his hands, running his hands on the inside of her thighs until he got to her pussy. She took a deep breath. He loved the crotchless panties. He kneeled down further and placed one of her feet on his leg. He slowly started working on her pussy. He ran his tongue up and down her lips before he started playing with her clit. He lightly pressed his tongue on her; he knew how to work her up slowly so that she had a more intense orgasm. She leaned against the wall, with her head back as she made long drawn-out gasps. She had her hand gently on his head, not pushing it in like she usually did. When she got close to coming, she put her hand under his chin and pulled his face up to look at her. 

"Come up here."

He stood up in front of her. She slid her hand down his pants, her breath hitched as soon as she touched his cock. She did the same thing to him that he had been doing to her; her touch was gentle as she stroked him. She kissed his chest, then put her mouth over each of his nipples. She gently sucked on them. He let out a low moan. She increased the pressure on his cock and kept stroking him. She loved how he felt in her hand. She felt the precum on his head and she took her thumb and rubbed it around causing him to groan. She took his hand and put it under her leg so he could hold it up for her; she wanted to rub his cock on her. She ran the head of his cock up and down between her wet slippery lips before she started circling it around her clit. He had brought her close already, so it wasn't going to take her long for her to come. He put his hand over hers as she circled her clit faster and with more pressure. When she got close, she felt a trembling sensation through her body. She pushed his cock harder on her clit and together they rubbed it up and down until she came. He felt it go right through him. He kissed her neck and whispered to her.

"You ready darlin?" 

She nodded yes as he slid his cock down her lips, getting ready to fuck her. He watched her face as he entered her; it was already flushed. She put her hands around his neck as he started to thrust into her. She let out breathy gasps every time he went a little deeper. When she started to hold in her breath he knew she was going close to coming, just as he was.  

"Grab onto the pull up bar."

She put her hands up on the bar as he lifted her ass up in his hands. She wrapped her legs around him tight. She held onto the bar as he fucked her harder and harder against the wall. She put her head down, letting her orgasm flood her body. He followed right after her, groaning as he thrust into her. He held her against the wall for a moment; she put her arms around him as he slowly let her legs down. She held onto him tight in no hurry to let go. They never talked, they were completely inept when it came to communicating with each other unless they were at each others throat about something; but when it came to their physical relationship, they understood what the other needed. No words were ever necessary. 

When she left she didn't notice the black Cadillac SUV across the way. Rio watched her get in her van and leave when he saw Nick headed towards him. Rio barely acknowledged him as he came into the gym. 

"What do you want now?"

Nick was pissed. 

"I was trying to reach you."

"Well you got me now, what do you want?"

"I guess I know why you weren't answering your phone."

"What are you talking about."

"She just left here."

"Yeah so? You do know she works for me right?"

"Is that why she was here? At your gym?"

"What fucking business is it of yours, now why are you here?"

"I was looking for her. She didn't answer my text, which she always does."

Rio snickered at him.

"Is that right?"

"When you didn't answer your phone I knew where I would find her."

Nick came to remind Rio of the things she had done to him, to get his dick to stop chasing her. He had to get to both of them. 

"What the fuck is wrong with you? She turned you in a while ago and you are still playing tiddly winks with her?"

"Don't worry about what I am doing."

"Oh but I do. You need to do the right thing here brother! Family first."

Rio looked at him. Nick was always calm, cool and collected. It was why he could do the things he did so well. But he was really agitated and an agitated Nick was dangerous. Rio didn't want him to hurt Beth in any way. He had given away his hand when he let him know he had slept with her. He knew the only way to stop Nick on this rampage was to make him think he was still doing what he had to do for the business. He had to downplay Beth. 

"What's really going on? You don't ever stress this much over contracts."

"I told you this one is huge, and we need to land it. If we don't someone is going to pay the price."

Rio had to change his tactic with Nick. The person who would pay the price would be him or Beth.

"You seem to forget that she works with me, that's why she is here. I am well aware of who she is and what she did you think I am gonna let that go? I got her where I want her now. You need to get over the fact that I fucked her....she was a needy, lonely housewife who needed a good fuck. That’s all.”

"You sure about that?"

"Come on, you know me better than that. She’s just some bitch. I keep her happy so she will do what I need. Listen, you have never interfered in what I do and I don't interfere with what you do and so far it's always worked. How about we stick to that?  The business has always come first and always will, the bottom line is that family is family. It's always been that way."

Nick looked at Rio.

"Keep your head straight."

He turned and walked out. Rio hated him more than ever. Nick's idea of family was using and abusing them. The business did come first, and Beth was part of his business and his life. 

Nick got in the car. He had to get to Beth next. He looked through his phone and made sure he had what he needed. 

Chapter Text

Beth had not seen or heard from Rio since the other night when she met him in the gym. Well, it was actually only one full day. Rio had purposely kept his distance from her to keep Nick at bay. He didn't want him all over her sniffing around.

Beth was setting up the print room for printing; she had to get things organized and all set out to print, and they had picked up supplies that needed to be put away. She was just walking into the kitchen area to grab some water when Nick came in. 

"Hey Miss Strip Club Owner, you are working hard again I see."

Beth wasn't expecting to see Nick here again.

"Well, I found out there is a lot involved in opening one."

Nick looked around.

"Well, its look like you are making some headway."

"Thanks, but I don't really feel like I have made a dent. So what brings you here?"

"Just checking in, I haven't spoken to you in a while."

Beth gave him a coy look. 

"You mean you want to check to see if I have made a decision yet?"

Nick grinned.

"Well...."

"I promise you I have not forgotten, its just this place is sucking up all my time right now."

"I get it, I just wanted to make sure you are still considering it. You are better suited for it then you know."

"Well I appreciate the vote of confidence. A job with normal hours is actually appealing. I just realized that this place will need a manager of some sorts, I certainly won't be here everynight, nor do I want to do scheduling, supervision etc. I actually had someone in mind but I am not so sure they will take it, so I better look around just in case."

Nick had to fight to keep a smile off his face. He had the perfect candidate.

"Listen, I know someone who may be perfect for this position. She has managed small projects for me and knows what she is doing. It wouldn't hurt to meet her just in case the other person falls through."

"Really? that would be great."

"Okay leave it with me and I will set up a meeting with her."

"You have no idea how much that would help, I wouldn't know where to start looking for someone."

"See? Aren't you glad you dropped by?"

Beth smiled at him.

"A little bit."

Nick left very pleased with himself. Beth just gave him a gift and walked him into a perfect scenario that would make things very problematic for Rio and Beth.

Rio had just sat down at the bar when she walked in. He wasn't expecting her, but he was glad to see her. She decided on the way home to stop in and see him. She looked relaxed, and even smiled at him. Everything was very different the past few days between them and he had never seen her act like this towards him before. 

Beth had to admit she had left his gym the other night feeling different; she just couldn't put her finger on what it was that changed. She also found herself looking at her phone a lot, something she never did. 

"So what brings you here?"

"Buy a girl a drink?"

Rio ordered them both a drink.

"I need to ask you about something."

"Okay shoot."

"Well since you wanted the strip club open, there is something I could use your help with."

"What's that?"

"We are going to need to hire some bouncers. I really want to be sure these girls are totally protected. I have no idea where to even look for them. I thought maybe you could help me with it."

She debated whether to mention to Rio that Nick had suggested she interview someone for the managers position, but she felt that would just open up a whole bunch of more problems she didn't want to deal with right now, since her and Rio were not at each others throats for once.

"You are really taking this whole thing seriously."

"Well yes, I don't want to open any old club, if I am going to do this, I want it to be right. I want to be sure the girls are always taken care of." 

Rio was impressed by her; she was really doing a great job on the strip club. 

"Okay, I could do that."

She smiled at him warmly. 

"Really? Thank you."

He smiled back at her, then clinked his glass with hers. 

"No problem."

"I was also wondering if at some point we should sit down and make other decisons about the club. There are so many things still to decide and I think you should be part of the decison making too. I mean I know you if you don't like something you will change it all, so you may as well just be part of it from the beginning."

He nodded. This was not like her at all; she had always barged ahead doing her own thing without ever consulting or talking to him, and that led them into many problems. This was good, really good from her.

"Yeah, sounds good."

This was probably one of the nicest discussions they had ever had with each other. He kept looking at her, and there was no mistaking what was in his eyes, and there was no mistaking the warmth in hers. She was also sitting so close to him that their legs were touching. She was surprised he agreed so easily to do it.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Why are you being so helpful?"

"Because you said I should."

"Is that all it takes?"

"Yes, it can be that easy Elizabeth."

Maybe she was finally getting it. 

She had been staring into his eyes. He slid his hand down onto her thigh. They were so close together no one would see it. She opened her legs slightly and he rested his hand right between her legs. 

"Also, the printing room is all set up now, everything is organized and ready to go. You said you have a job for us?"

'Yup, I do. It will be any day now."

He didn't stop looking into her eyes, and he licked his lips subconsciously, like he often did when she was around. 

"Anything else?"

"That’s everything for now."

Rio rubbed his hand up and down between her legs.

"Well not quite."

Rio leaned over to the bartender. 

"I will be in my office."

He knew that meant not to disturb him. Rio often went in there for private business meetings. He looked at Beth again, and without saying a word, he got up and took her down the hallway to his office. He stepped inside with her and locked the door. She was putting her purse down when he walked up behind her and put his arms around her waist. He held her there for a few moments before he unbuttoned her pants. He pulled out her shirt and slowly unbuttoned it. 

"You wearin' those crotchless panties again?"

"Yes."

"Perfect."

He played with her nipples through her lace bra, then ran his hands over her tummy slowly before he slid his hands into her pants, pulling them down. He unbuttoned his pants and dropped them down. He slid his hands down over her pussy, slipping his fingers over her wet lips. She leaned back into him, her head on him as she played with her clit. He kissed her neck and along her jaw line, she turned her head towards him, pulling his face towards her with her hand and kissed him. His hard cock was pushed up against her ass. Her breathing became more rapid and small moans were escaping her throat. He knew her so well, he knew what every gasp, breath and moan meant. He whispered in her ear.

"I want you to come so I can bend you over and watch that ass of yours while I fuck you."

He also knew what to say to her to get her off. She pushed down on his hand as she circled her clit faster until she came. She was so ready for him to fuck her. She bent over and placed her hands on the wall in front of her. He rubbed his cock up and down her wet lips before he entered her slowly. She let out a loud gasp. He rubbed his hands over her ass before he put them on her hips. He slowly fucked her, watching her wet pink lips wrap around his cock as he thrust in and out of her. She moaned. She could feel herself coming. 

"More please."

She started moving her ass as he went faster. He started moaning too. He kept his eyes on her ass and pussy. She let out a breath before she cried out fuck when she came, after that he couldn't hold back any more and fucked her hard until he came to.

Just like every other time they fucked, they held each other tight afterwards, not saying a word. 

Nick called Beth the next morning to let her know the interview was good to go. They were going to meet in the afternoon at the club. Beth decided to try Stan one more time. She wanted to meet with him by herself before she interviewed someone else for the position. She knew he pretty much hated her, but he was also being very myopic when it came to Ruby and the choices she made. This opportunity to manage the strip club was perfect for him; Beth knew it, and deep down inside so did he.

"Stan, I am just going to ask you to hear me out and what I have to say. I know you don't like me...."

Stan interrupted her.

"No, I dont like you."

"Wow, why don't you say what you really feel?"

"I did."

"Are you going to hear me out or not?"

"I’m listening."

"I dont think there is anyone more qualifed to managae the strip club then you. I know you care about the girls, and you will do right by them. We are running the club to give the girls an equal say and to make sure they are taken care of properly. I know that is something you wanted to do for them. I would let you run the club and be hands off."

"What about him.”

”I am not going to lie, we will still be doing some work for him.”

”Then it’s a flat out no.”

Beth gave Stan a frustrated look.

”You know Stan, the reason we are still working with him is because Ruby and Annie cut another deal with him. It wasn’t me. And you know what else? if we hadn’t done what we did your daughter would not have had transplant surgery to save her life. So you can sit there and hate me all you want, but these things your wife did, that I did, that Annie did, helped save your daughters life.”

“I lost the job I had wanted all my life helping you girls out. So don’t act like I didn’t do my part.”

”Okay Stan, I got it. But I know if it was me, I would sacrifice my job any day to save my kids life. So, I am going to leave it with you. I am going to interview others for that job. If you reconsider you let me know.” 

She got up to leave, then turned back to him. 

“One more thing Stan, Ruby adores you and your kids. Everything she did was for you guys. Not me, not anyone else. She made choices and was never forced to do anything. She put herself on the line for you and your family. But you trying to force her to choose between you and her life long best friend is simply selfish and one day she’s going to totally resent you for it. Also know one other thing Stan, you can separate us, but you will never stop us from being best friends. Not now, not ever."

The girls met up for lunch at the cafe. They were going over the things they still needed to do. Beth updated them on Rio and Stan.

”I talked to Rio about him helping us find bouncers.”

Annie gave Beth a questioning look.

”You “talked” to Rio? Since when do you two talk? You either fight or screw.” 

“Will you stop?” 

Annie looked at Ruby. 

“Have you ever heard her use the word ‘talk’ and ‘Rio’ in the same sentence?” 

“She has a point.”

“Not you too, sheesh. I mean, tell me do  either of you know where to look to hire bouncers?"

Annie and Ruby just looked at each other.

"I didn't think so. Now, the other thing is the managers job. I did go talk to Stan alone."

Beth told them about her conversation with him. 

"I am sorry Ruby but I am not sure he is going to budge on this...but maybe leave it with him a day or so. I also wanted to let you know that I was talking to Nick, he mentioned to me he knows someone experienced in this area."

Annie rolled her eyes.

"Wow you have got them both helping you."

"Enough already Annie, Nick offered I didn't ask. Anyways, he is going to set up something with her."

Ruby looked puzzled.

"I thought you said Rio and Nick don't get along at all."

"They don't."

'So isn't Rio going to be pissed that Nick helped you? I mean, he wouldn't want Nick interfering in the running of his strip club."

Beth took a deep breath. Fuck.

"Shit, I never thought of it that way. I better run it by Rio and tell him or this could blow up in my face. The meeting is soon, I have to get in touch with him."

Beth texted Rio and asked if she could meet him at the bar. She knew she had better get out in front of this or Rio would take it all wrong. She got to his bar as fast as she could. 

"I need to talk to you about something."

"Okay, whats up?"

Beth looked uncomfortable.

"Well, Nick stopped by the strip club."

Beth saw Rio clench his jaw a little.

"What did he want?"

"I think he just came to feel me out about things."

"You mean about running for city council."

"Yes, but I told him my focus was on the strip club right now."

"Right."

He was relieved that she wasn't doing anything about it. He knew if he pushed her not to run, it would get back to Nick.

"So whats the problem?"

 She was hesitating too much, and he knew Nick all too well. He was up to something. 

"He was simply asking how it was going at the strip club, and I had mentioned to him that I was going to be hiring a manager to run the place because I didn't think the person I had in mind would do it. He told me he had a good person who might be exactly what we were looking for."

Rio's face instantly changed. 

"I dont want him to have anything to do with the strip club."

"I didn't ask him, it just came out in a conversation. 

"So when is this meeting?"

"They will be at the strip club soon."

Rio was very annoyed.

"You know what Elizabeth? I thought you might be starting to get it. I told you yesterday, all you ever have to do is ask me or tell me things. It's that simple."

"That is why I am telling you."

"A little late isn't it? I mean you aint no dummy....why would I want someone associated with him working at the strip club?"

"Yes I get it. Look, I promise you I will not hire them."

"Elizabeth, you know when it comes to him and anything tied to me, that I need to know about it."

"Rio, that's why I am telling you, but it was so innocous how the whole conversation happened."

"I have told you before, nothing about Nick is innocous, its always calculated. I would like it if just once you would listen to me. Just once Elizabeth!

Rio knew that Nick was still going after him and was going after her full tilt. Rio decided he was going to be there for this meeting. Recruiting Beth was one thing, but him inserting himself into his business was different. They always stayed out of each others way in that regard, and now he was crossing the line. 

"I am coming to that meeting."

Beth drove over to the strip club annoyed with herself. She thought she was avoiding a problem between her and Rio when all she did was cause one. It was always one step forward, two steps backwards for them. Fuck. Rio arrived shortly after her. She didn't even get to speak to him again because Nick arrived right on his heels. When he came in, he looked at Rio. 

"I wasn't expecting you to be here."

"Well I own the club so why wouldn't I be here?"

This is exactly what Nick wanted. He wanted Rio to show up, and he knew Beth would tell him about the meeting.

"Hey, I was only trying to help, when Beth mentioned they needed a manager I simply offered to help her."

Rio stared at him.

"Right."

Nick held up his hands.  

"I swear!"

Beth interjected.

"So where is this person?"

Nick looked at Rio, stared him in the eyes.

"She will be here momentarily."

Rio knew right then what Nick had done. That fucking bastard.

"Here she is now."

Beth turned around. She knew who this woman was. It was the same woman she had seen Rio hug in the parking lot that day she dropped off the car. She looked at her, then looked at Rio. What the fuck. Rio watched Beths face. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

"So Beth, this is Dylan."

Beth composed herself fast and shook her hand.

"Its very nice to meet you Dylan."

Her stomach flipped, her heart pounded. Then she heard the words over and over in her head.

”Our girls a side piece.”

"You're not his only side dish you know."

"You're just not his typical collegue."

"You're not his typical friend."

And Nick's warning.

"I just think that you should be careful."

She felt like a complete fool. 

Dylan worked for Nick on several projects; she worked behind the scenes. She had met Rio through Nick. They had seen each other for a while, but the relationship pretty much ended when Rio met Beth. Dylan had liked Rio a lot and was always hoping they would hook up again. The day Beth had seen Rio with her, Rio had set that up on purpose, knowing Beth would see them together. He did it out of sheer jealousy when she refused to tell Dean at his dealership she had slept with him. So he smashed his corvette, made them work for him, and made sure Beth saw him with Dylan. Rio now regretted it a thousand times over. 

Nick smiled and looked at Dylan and Rio.

"Well now, you two know each other already don't you?"

Dylan was so happy to see Rio there.

"I did't know you were going to be here."

She flirted her ass off with him.

"Maybe we can go out for a drink after?"

"I am here to see Nick actually."

He turned and looked at Nick.

"We need to talk."

Rio was furious. Nick was very pleased. 

Beth took over the meeting.

"Well thank you Nick for introducing Dylan. If you two don't mind, I would like to go ahead with my interview."

She wanted Nick the fuck out of there, and she wanted Rio the fuck out of there, but she kept herself in check. She found her Beth Boland cool exterior. She went through the interview with Dylan. She asked all the appropriate questions, and discussed the position with her. But her insides were churning. Dylan was all smiles, bubbly, petite, dark hair, chatty, just like Hayley. Apparently Rio did have a type, and she wasn't it. Maybe she was the side piece after all. Fuck him. 

Chapter Text

Rio followed Nick out to the parking lot.

"What the fuck do you think you are doing?"

Nick was acting smug; he had that small little smile of victory on his lips that Rio wanted to wipe off his face.

"Beth mentioned she was going to be looking for a manager and I was just helping her out, why is that a problem? I mean Dylan is qualified."

Rio wasn't going to take the bait about Dylan; that is what Nicks plan was all along.

"Here's the thing, we just talked a couple of days ago about not interfering in each others businesses. So you need to stay in your lane and stop stepping into mine or we are gonna have a problem."

Nick thought for a moment, then replied, "is that all it is?"

"That's exactly what it is."

Rio was putting it back on him.

"I mean, you like to distance yourself from what I do to keep that image of yours squeeky clean right?, unless you want to change things between us? I can easily be more visible."

Nick looked at Rio.

"No, not necessary, but you also know I am trying to get her on city council, which benefits both of us."

Rio nodded, "yeah I got all that already, so, like I said, you stay in your lane, I will stay in mine."

He turned and walked away. If Nick could see his face, he would see the depth of Rio's anger and hatred towards him.

Beth finished her interview with Dylan. She just wanted to get her out of there. She walked her to the door.

"I don't know if Nick mentioned to you that I am interviewing just in case the person I have in mind decides not to take the position."

Dylan smiled, "Nick did tell me that, I understand the situation".

When she left Beth leaned against the door. She didn't know what she was feeling the most; she did however, feel stupidly naive.

Beth sat for a bit, getting her emotions in check before she headed out. She just had to shake this off, not let it bother her. She was headed for the door when Rio walked back in.

"The interview is over, she left, sorry you missed her."

He could hear how cold her voice was.

"That’s not why I am here."

Beth wouldn't look at him.

"Well I told you before the interview I wouldn't be hiring her and I won't be....unless you want me too?"

Rio knew they were right back to where they were before.

"No, I do not want you to hire her."

Beth was very abrupt with him. 

"Great, now if you will excuse me, I’m going home to have dinner with my kids, but Dylan said she is available to meet up with you for a drink or whatever.”

Fuck. They were right back in the combat zone and he knew it.

“Okay, so that’s how it’s gonna be huh?"

Beth looked at Rio like she had no idea what he was talking about.

”Everythings good.“

”Okay. Got it.”

Rio walked out of the strip club. One step forward 3 steps back! Fuck!

Beth went through her evening on auto-pilot. She tried to ignore the feelings that were brewing inside her and she was very annoyed that she was feeling them at all. She was jealous, more jealous than the first time she had seen him with Dylan. She also wanted to know how Nick knew her, how she was connected to Rio, but she wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of her even asking the question just in case it got back to Rio. She had decided neither of them were going to see her bothered by it.

What she really hated was that Fitzapatrick had warned her, and she didn't listen to him. She really hated how he was right. Fuck him, fuck Nick, and fuck Rio.

Beth lay in bed that night, wanting to fall asleep so the day would be over, but she couldn't. Her mind was going in circles. She wondered if he was still seeing Dylan? were they just casual? was he seeing Hayley? Maybe they were all side pieces including her.

She had to shut her mind off whenever it wandered to him touching Hayley or Dylan. She was torturing herself. The one thing that gave her some small consolation was that she had never seen him look at another woman the way he looked at her. She held onto that and filed it away. But she had at least 10 years on both of them, and they were physically different from her in every single way. She wondered if that was what Nick meant when he said "you’re not his typical friend". She knew one thing. She had to stop thinking about him, and had to find a way to block this overwhelming sexual desire she had for him.

The girls were waiting on Rio the next day. They couldn't help but notice that Beth was in a bad mood, a really bad mood. Ruby and Annie looked at each other, neither having any clue what was wrong. Annie spoke up first.

“So how did the interview go yesterday?"

Beth was curt in her reply, "fine."

Ruby was almost afraid to ask the next question.

“Do you think she would be good for the job?"

Beth took a deep breath.

”I won't be hiring her, it would be a conflict between Rio and Nick and I am not interested in getting between them."

Ruby knew something was up. 

“So did something go wrong yesterday?“

Beth tried to blow it off.

”She’s just not right for the position.”

Ruby and Annie knew that is something way bigger than that."

Beth's phone rang. It was Nick on the phone checking in to see how the interview went, but it was really just Nicks way of keeping his hooks in Beth a little bit more.

“So what did you think?“ 

Beth really didn't want to get into with Nick. 

“She was good, but I’m still really hoping to get the person we had in mind to do this, he knows this place well and was part of the iniative to give the girls a voice here."

Nick knew it was more than that.

“I totally understandable, but that's not the only reason I was calling, I had meant to ask you yesterday but I didn't get the chance. I had wanted to take you out for dinner as a thank you for helping me so much with the tree planting initiative, you really made a huge difference."

Beth hesitated.

“And, I promise you I will not talk about city council position, it really is just a thank you.“

“Sure that would be great."

Beth was only going out with Nick to make Rio jealous. The second the thought of Dylan and Hayley popped into her head, it was an easy yes for her.

“Okay, how about tomorrow night?”

“Sounds good to me.”

Rio arrived shortly after. When he came in Annie and Ruby knew he was in as bad a mood as Beth was.

“Hey ladies, I’m going to need that print job for another 50G's American, if you could do it by tomorrow night, I will pick it up.“

Beth looked at Rio defiantly. 

“Well, that will take us tonight and tomorrow night to get it done on time."

Rio looked at her with a deadpan face. 

“Is that  a problem?"

"Well, I’m going out tomorrow night I can’t do it."

Rio gave her a stern look. 

“I told you about this a few days ago and you knew this was coming so this isn’t a surprise."

Beth shrugged her shoulders. 

“Well,  I’m sorry I’m going out."

Rio bit his lip then turned to Ruby and Annie. 

"Okay ladies, well, you two are going to miss out on your cut. And that deal we made? is going to be off if I keep having this problem."

Ruby panicked a little. 

"Just give us some time to talk it over.”

Rio went silent for a moment. 

"You have two hours to let me know", then he turned and walked out.

Ruby was pissed at Beth.

”What the hell was that? You can change that dinner with Nick and you know it.“

Annie was annoyed as well.

“We need that money, so how about you tell us what went on here yesterday?“

Beth was stuck for an answer because she knew that the truth was, this was all over her jealousy. 

“Nothing went on yesterday.“

Ruby made a face at her. 

“Oh come on Beth don’t even try that with us. What the hell happened?"

Annie added. 

"You were happy when you were talking about Rio yesterday, now it’s like you hate him, so what did he do this time?"

Beth just looked at them; she wasn't going to tell them, they would only ride her ass about it. 

"I will go talk to him."

Ruby did not think it was a good idea.

"Beth, he sound's pretty serious, I don't know about you, but I can't afford to lose this deal with him."

Annie looked worried. 

“She’s right Beth; I can't either. I have rent due so unless you are telling him you are printing, there is no point in you going."

Beth was clearly irritated. 

"I know!"

Ruby and Annie looked at each other as Beth huffed out of the club. 

When she arrived at the bar; Rio was at the back playing pool. He stood up and looked at her, with a very cool look in his eyes.

"So whats it gonna be?"

Beth stood in front of him, looking indignant.

"You can't cancel this deal with us."

Rio went back to playing pool. 

"Says who?".

"You opened the club so that we could print and wash money."

Rio hit another shot.

"Yup I did, but you have been nothing but a pain in the ass every time I need a job done."

He moved around the table to take another shot and continued.

 "You seem to think every time you get your nose out of joint that you can refuse to print. I told you already, you ain't gonna hold me hostage to that printer."

I simply said I am busy tomorrow night."

Rio scoffed at her.

Nah, you simply refused to print, and why is that?"

Beth stood there, silent. Rio stood up and looked at her.

"That wasn't a hard question was it?"

Beth didn't have an answer, and he was frustrating her more. She leaned over the table and knocked the balls around the table, glaring at him.

Rio put the pool cue down.

“We are done here, at least this time you didn't throw a ball at a picture and break it."

He wasn't going to entertain her melt-down, not this time. She was being unreasonable and difficult. He walked away through the door down the hallway to his office. Beth followed him.

"Who do you think you are?"

"Who do I think I am? I am the person on the other end of another one of your meltdowns. They are getting tiresome."

"There was no meltdown.”

"Oh there was another meltdown, so tell me what's your problem now?"

"Nothing. Everything is fine."

She knew the problem was that she was jealous, so much so she couldn't focus on anything else.

He came and stood right in front of her.

"Except, that's not quite the truth is it? You have been difficult since that interview, so what is going on?"

She was stuck, she didn't have an answer that wouldn't give her hand away.

"I am done here, I am not putting up with this."

She walked to the door and started to open it when Rio put his hand on it.

She looked at him.

"What are you doing?"

"What I am doing is trying to talk to you; what you are doing is coming here, doing what you always do, which is to yell at me and not tell me what is going on."

"I told you nothing is wrong." Rio was so frustrated with her,

"Come on Elizabeth, who do you think you are kidding here? there is something wrong; you are pissed at me for what Nick did. You are pissed at me for what you did."

She scoffed at him. "Is that right?."

"Yeah its right and you know it. I havent done anything wrong."

They stared at each other. He was right, she was angry at him for the wrong reasons, and she knew it.

"Can I go now?" Rio opened the door.

"Sure, but our deal is off. I am not playing your games anymore. Do you want to tell the other two or should I?"

"Its not fair to them."

Rio scoffed at her, "and this is fair to me what you are doing? You know who the problem is here? You. Just when I thought you and I were maybe on the same page, you do this."

He was angry at her, who the fuck did she think she was getting all pissed at him for Dylan coming to that interview. He would never put up with this drama from anyone else, and he was pissed she had such a fucking hold on him. 

Beth shut the door this time, and she said the words before she could stop herself.

"How were we on the same page? I mean how many other women are you on the same page with?"

Rio took in a deep breath, fucking Nick and she took the bait. 

“So this is about Dylan, just like I thought. I never asked her to come to the interview, an interview that should never have happened, an interview that wouldn't have happened if you had told me what Nick had done."

Once she started talking about the other women, she couldn't stop. 

"Well you paraded her around me to make sure I knew about her didn't you?, you remember the day I dropped off a car for you? So don't pretend you didn't. And then we have Hayley, who you brought to the strip club to help me. I guess I just don't like being one of your side pieces, thanks, but no thanks!"

"Whose filling that pretty little head of yours with stuff now?"  

"No one, I saw it all for myself." 

Rio was pissed.

"You have a lot of fucking nerve Elizabeth."

She stood her ground.

"How is that?" 

He moved in close to her, just barely touching her.

"You go home to that fucking dumbass husband of yours every fucking single night. Where does he sleep? On your sofa? You have been going home to him since the first time we were together. So too fucking bad if you saw me with Dylan or Hayley because I see you with dumbass all the time."

Beth fired right back at him.

"You know whats interesting Rio? you know my bedroom dont you?, you have fucked me in my bedroom haven't you? You know my house, in fact you show up in it anytime you feel like it, yet I don't have any idea where you live. You have fucked me everywhere but your place haven't you? Does Hayley know where you live? does Dylan? Did you ever fuck either of them at your place, the place I have never been to, like I am not good enough? How do you think that feels? So don't you dare throw Dean in my face. Screw you on that one."

Rio was just as angry as her. All their buried frustrations, and issues were leaking out of both of them. All the things they never said to each other.

Yet you can do whatever the fuck you want, don’t you Elizabeth? You went out with my cousin, my family! That’s fucked. In fact, you went out one night with him and left your fucking van in the parking lot of my bar and I don't even have to ask who your plans are with tomorrow night do I?"

"I had too much to drink that night and didn't want to drive."

"Right, so you claim."

"And Nick is taking me out tomorrow to thank me for my help."

"When did you become so fucking niave? You are way smarter than that Elizabeth!”

"I realized how fucking niave I was when I saw Dylan yesterday."

"You gonna have a few more drinks with Nick tomorrow night again?"

She just stared at him. He was furious, his eyes were black.

"Don't you ever play these games with me and then refuse to print because of what is ever going on in that head of yours. For once, things were good between us, we were working together, maybe only for a couple of days, but I should have known, ice cold Elizabeth would show back up. She always does."

She had to hold back a sob creeping up in her throat. She shoved him, and left, slamming the door on the way out.

"Fuck you Rio."

Beth drove out of the parking lot with tears in her eyes. She wasn't sleeping with Dean; she had only slept with him to try and get pregnant because she feared for her life. She hated every moment of it. She only wanted him. She wasn't interested in Nick at all either, because she only wanted him. She hated how much she always wanted him. She hated the jealousy she felt; she hated that every moment she wasn't with him, she was thinking of him. She hated that Dylan and Hayley could have been to his place, had been in his bed, but she never had, and that hurt, it hurt a lot. Fuck. They had done so many things to each other, yet she couldn't break the spell he had over her. She had tried different ways to get him out of her system, but it never worked. She let her walls slip, the walls that protected her, her whole life. She let him in; she should never have let him in.

Rio was pissed. Pissed at her, pissed at Nick, pissed at himself. She was such a hypocrite going home to that pathetic excuse of a husband every night but calling him out for having dated someone. If only he could get that woman out of his system, but it was impossible. He was so fed up with her games whenever she got her pants in a twist. He wasn't going to back down this time. He had done nothing wrong. 

When she got back to the club Ruby and Annie were waiting, "so are we back on?"

"Well we never got that far in the conversation."

Ruby rolled her eyes.

"That is what you went for. The two hours is up in 15 minutes. Do you think he is bluffing, because he looked pretty serious. Like, what happened that is so bad you are risking all this over it?"

Annie was getting impatient. 

"What the hell Beth, what are you doing and why? What had gotten into you?"

Ruby's phone went off; Rio had texted her.

"If she isn't going to do this job, I will pull the plug on this whole thing."

Ruby looked at Beth.

"Well? what is it going to be?" 

"Is that him?" 

"Yes."

Rio had never texted Ruby like that instead of her.

"I guess he will find out soon enough." 

She was angry, she was hurt. He was equally as angry and equally as hurt. Both were very jealous, and both have dug their heels in. 

Chapter Text

Ruby stood and looked at Beth.

“What do you mean I guess he will find out soon enough? You may be pissed off at him for who knows what reason this time, but you are messing things up for us." 

Annie stood looking at Beth like she had 3 heads.

“Seriously, what are you doing? I mean you need the money too, so like, what gives?"

Beth couldn't explain it to them; they would know how much she had been seeing him and having sex.

"Fine, I will print."

Annie was eyeing Beth. 

"Wow, you are having sex with him again aren't you?" 

Ruby raised her eyebrows.

“Did you ever stop?" 

"Will you two stop it? You know what he is like." 

Annie made a face at Beth.

”Oh, I think you are the one that knows what he is like." 

"Okay that's enough, you two seem to forget it was both of you that negotiated this deal with him, I didn't, so don't get on me about this. I am leaving and going home, I will see you back here tonight."

Beth wanted to cry, but she wouldn’t. She wasn’t going to cry over him.  She simply needed to learn how to stop letting him get to her, and she had better find a way soon.

Beth called Nick on her way home and rescheduled their dinner.

Rio was frustrated with her, and he was going to have to have someone else learn how to use that printer if she was going to continue to use it against him every time she got pissed about something and this time what she was pissed about was personal, had nothing to do with their business dealings, which made it even more frustrating. She was wrong, and her anger wasn’t justified. Maybe, just maybe, she would calm down and realize it, but he knew her too well and that likely wasn't going to happen. 

The girls came back at about 8 o'clock to get started. Beth was quiet when they were making the money. It was a bit frosty between the girls; they were not talking, and Beth made it clear she didn't want to. They had just got things going when Rio came in."Ladies." Beth refused to acknowledge Rio. Annie spoke first, "we are all here." Rio nodded. "Good, good." 

"So what brings you here?"

"I just wanted to make sure that everyone was here doing their part."

Beth didn't even look up at him. Ruby looked at her, then Rio. 

"We are all here and accounted for."  

"Well if you all weren't, we would have a big problem." 

Annie glanced over at Beth.

"We are on it. Maybe it's just a little PMS or something, you know?"  

Beth looked at Annie.

"Seriously??"

Rio didn't even look at Beth.

"So do either of you know how to run this press at all?" 

Annie looked at Ruby.

“We have an idea but we have never really run it, Beth does it all. We all kind of have our area of expertise."

"Hmmm. Okay." 

Beth looked up, shooting daggers at Rio with her eyes. 

"Why?"

"Well, I am thinking it would be a good idea to have someone else learn how to do it. I don't want to depend on one person anymore, it's been a problem. Maybe its time I looked for another person, of course that would mean you would have to split your profits with a fourth person." 

Annie glanced at Beth, then Rio.

"I don't think we want to add a 4th person to the operation. We have always managed to do it". 

Rio was contemplative.

“Well, if things don't change, I will either pull our deal or add someone, so maybe you girls need to sort this out."

Ruby responded. 

"We will be fine, we always are."  

"Just know if it happens again, things will be changing." 

Rio looked over at Beth. She stared back at him. 

“You don't need to hang around, we need to get to work.”  

Rio smirked at her, went over and got a stool and sat himself down.

“Nah, I think I am gonna stay now.”

She couldn't help herself; she just had to poke at him again, trying to tell him what to do. She glared at him.

"Great." 

“It’s probably a good idea for me to learn your little operation here anyways.”  

Beth was so defiant.

"Yeah, well, I told you I won't be showing you anything." 

Rio gave her a smirk.

"You act like you are the only one who knows how to run this thing. Don't bet on it, you would be wrong."

"What does that mean?"

"It's pretty clear what it means."

Ruby and Annie were getting more annoyed with Beth. Why the hell was she being such an asshole still. They were trying to keep things smooth with Rio, but she kept ruffling his feathers. 

"I am here, I am printing, you got what you wanted." 

Rio scoffed at her.

"Is this what you think this is? this isn't about me getting what I want, this is about you doing the job you agreed to do."

Beth raised her hands and looked around.

"Like I said, here I am, I am doing it."

"Great, maybe next time you will skip all this nonsense and just do your job."  

“So....who is washing this?”  

Rio rolled his eyes. She couldn't help herself. 

”You don’t gotta worry about it.”

 “I will worry about it, we were supposed to wash and print through the strip club.” 

Rio laughed.

“Yesterday you refused to print, now you demand to know where I am washing it?”

"Do we work together or not?" 

Rio was getting fed up with her.

"That's the question I have been asking myself. Look, the club isn’t open yet, we can’t wash it here, you will get your cut, are we clear now?"  

Ruby and Annie were staring at Beth. She was being so difficult and not only that, they didn't have the time to wash it. Rio looked at Annie and Beth again.

"Okay ladies, call me for pick up tomorrow night."

When Rio was out the door, Ruby turned to Beth.

"I cannot believe the words that are going to come out of my mouth, but you are so out of line on this one. You need to get your shit together Beth."

Beth looked at Ruby in disbelief. 

"Are you kidding me? you are taking his side?" 

"This isn't about taking sides. Unless you want to lose all this, you better stop. This just isn't like you."

Beth turned to Annie.

"What about you?" 

"Come on Beth. I am not taking anyones side either, but you almost screwed this up for us, and if you keep doing what you are doing, you will. You literally refused to print for him then you turn around and get pissed at him for washing the money through someone else? Since you are not going to tell us what happened, how about you unscrew up what you screwed up with him? I never thought I would see the day when I would be sitting here watching you both and he's the one I agree with." 

Beth was angry and frustrated at the girls, at Rio, and at herself. These feelings she had were feelings she had never experienced before, and she didn't know how to handle them; she didn't know how to define them. She just knew she was full of pent-up frustration.

"You guys wouldn't understand." 

She barely understood it herself.

"I will talk to him when he comes back for the money."

"How about you fix it this time and not make it worse."  

"Sheesh, I will Annie, back off."

The girls finished up the the printing the next night and Ruby let Rio know they were almost done. Annie and Ruby chatted a lot, but Beth kept mostly to herself. Ruby talked to Beth before Rio got there. 

"Do you want us to stay when you talk to Rio?"

"No, thank you. I can handle it."

Annie was more direct.

“Beth, please, don't make this worse when you talk to him, you are the only one who can fix this mess and sort out what ever went on. Do you really want to call his bluff?"

"I get it, I get it, you guys have already told me enough times."

This wasn't like Beth to be so short-tempered and agitated; even after she found out Dean was cheating on her, she was never like this. 

When Rio arrived, he chatted to Annie and Ruby, but he was cold to Beth; she was equally cold to him. The other two were ready to go when Beth told Rio she needed to talk to him. Annie and Ruby left soon after, but Ruby gave Beth a look just as she was leaving; a look meaning don't screw this up. 

"So, what's up now Elizabeth?

"You know exactly what. Did that make you feel better saying all that stuff in front of Ruby and Annie?"

"Did it make you feel better to refuse to print?"

"Is that why you did it?"

"No, I did it because I need your games to end."

"Well great job, now Ruby and Annie are pissed at me too."

"You did that yourself, just like you caused this mess between us yourself."

Damn, she was stubborn, he felt like he was beating his head against the wall. 

"I wasn't playing games."

"You can call it whatever you want to call it, but you are the one who mixed personal shit with business, not me. One minute you refuse to work, the next you say we work together. So you get on board or get off, whatever you do, get your head together." 

"Are you trying to get rid of me now?" 

Rio shook his head at her.

"You just keep twisting things instead of apologizing don't you? You were wrong and I can't run a business when you do things like this, do you understand?"

He looked at her waiting for her to reply; she just stood and looked at him.

”Do you understand Elizabeth?" 

She didn't know how to answer him. How could she tell him what was going on when she didn't understand it herself. She stood there in silence.

"Okay, I don't need this. You are impossible sometimes."

He turned and started to walk out.

This was going all wrong again. She called to him. 

"Wait." 

"Nah, we are done here now. You walk out on me all the time, my turn to walk out on you."

She went over and stood in front of him.

"Wait a minute please."

"Move Elizabeth." 

"No."

Rio lost it.

"What the fuck do you want from me?"

Beth just looked at him. She just could not work through her feelings because she didn't want to acknowledge them to herself or anyone. She did know that she was angry at him; she was frustrated with him, she was jealous, and she wanted him to fuck her so badly and she didn't want to feel that way.

"I don't know."

That was an honest answer from her; she didn't know what she wanted from him. She was tripping all over herself again. He turned to walk out on her; he was done with this conversation. She grabbed his arm

"Don't." 

He was angry.

"No, you don't Elizabeth. When you figure out what you want from me, let me know"

He pulled away. She wasn't even thinking any more; she was just reacting; she felt a sense of panic which she didn't understand either. She grabbed his shirt with both hands at the collar and pulled him to her face. She started talking, saying words that were exiting her mouth, words she had not planned on saying.

"Tell me you want me and if you can’t I will let go and you can leave."

He stared into her eyes.

"No Elizabeth." 

He was not going to tell her he wanted her, this was on her and it had to come from her. 

She grabbed the waist band of his pants hard and tugged him. He looked her over, then backed her up to the wall and pushed his body against hers so tight, there was no space between them. She asked him again.

"Do you want me yes or no?"

He kissed her, shoving his tongue in her mouth, kissing her long and hard, leaving her almost breathless. Then he stared hard into her eyes.

"If you want me to fuck you, then you say it, you fucking say it!"

She locked her eyes on his. They were dark and angry.

"Say it or I will leave.”  

She knew he meant it.

"I want you to fuck me." 

"Nah, not good enough Elizabeth. You fucking made my life hell, you got to do way better than that."

She went as close to his face as she could; his mouth was right at hers.

"I want your cock in me and I want you to fuck me hard." 

She grabbed at his pants hard, undoing them, then she yanked them down on him.

"Oh, I am going to fuck you hard Elizabeth."

He unbuttoned her pants and shoved them down her legs.

"Get them off now, you want me to fuck you, I will fuck you." 

 She stared him down.

"As if you don't want to fuck me."

His anger, his frustration was boiling over, but he wanted her just as much; he craved her. He grabbed her leg and pulled it hard around his waist. With his other hand, he yanked the crotch of her panties to the side. 

“You ready Elizabeth, is this what you want?"

His eyes were burning right into hers. She could see his anger, but she could also see his desire, the look he had when he wanted to fuck her, she was so aroused by him she couldn’t stand it. 

"Yes, it's exactly what I want."  

She was daring him with her eyes.

"Do it, fuck me now!”

She grabbed his cock, rubbed it up and down over her pussy, then held it with his head just inside her. He thrust into her hard; she let out a loud gasp. They kept their eyes on each other.

“I knew you’d be this wet.”

”And I knew your fucking cock would be hard as a rock.”

He thrust into her hard again. She let out another loud moan.

“Did you miss my cock?”

She didn’t want to say it, and he knew it. He started thrusting and she closed her eyes, gasping every time he pushed into her. He put his mouth up to hers.

“Answer me or I will stop.”

She defiantly answered him.

“Yes, I did.” 

He loved watching the look on her face as he kept banging her hard. 

“How much?"

She missed it and she missed him, as much as he missed her. He thrust harder and deeper. She let out a long low moan.

 "Come on Elizabeth, how much?"

She felt her body shutter against his throbbing cock.

“Too much." 

”Good, because I missed your, wet warm pussy wrapped around it.”

She tightened up around him. She opened her eyes and looked into his.

“Did you really?”

She wanted to know if he missed her. He slowed down a bit to a steady rhythm. Her softness came pouring out of her in those three words. Her eyes were warm and the anger in his eyes disappeared when he answered her

“Yes.”

She nodded.

“Good.”

She put her hands on his face this time and she kissed him, only this time it was warm, and passionate. Their tongues exploring each other. He started to thrust a little deeper into her. He was going to fuck all their anger and frustrations out of each other as he banged her harder and harder. She knew the sounds coming out of her mouth probably sounded ridiculous, but she didn’t care. She grabbed him around the neck, tight, watching his face, as he watched hers. Her voice was broken between gasps when she spoke.

"I need this."

He heard her words; she needed to be fucked in the same way he needed to fuck her. She needed him and he needed her just as much. They were both boiling over with frustration and not just over this. It was over their fucked up relationship that Nick was poking at. 

He pushed into her with desperation. She cried out a loud moan. She had made him so angry, so frustrated; she had pissed him off, but his desire for her was greater than all of it. She got to him in a way he could never understand.

She was on the edge and he was going deep. She wanted his cock buried in her. He held her ass so tight to him she had red marks on it from his fingers. She felt like she was having one long orgasm that was building up stronger and stronger.  He didn't hold back. All her pent-up emotions were easing every time he pushed his hard cock into her, with every groan he made. Then it suddenly washed over her; her orgasm rocked through her whole body. She cried out loudly, grabbing onto him. Her whole body was quivering, but he hadn't come yet. She tightened herself around his cock.

She whispered to him.

"Come on, you need this too."

He fucked her so hard and so deep, he let out an unrestrained, guttural groan as he came.

Both were totally spent from fucking so hard. He put his head down on her shoulder, catching his breath. She held onto him, placing her hand on the back of his head, holding him close to her. After a few moments, she whispered in his ear words he thought he would never hear from her. 

"Rio...I am sorry, I was wrong."

The words just came out of her; they just happened; she had not planned it.

“I shouldn’t have refused to print for the reason I did.”

He was totally taken back for a moment. He was not expecting it; she never apologized. He pulled back and looked at her. Her face was sincere and she meant it.

“And I just really needed to do this."

He understood her and understood what she meant. This was her way of letting him in. He pulled her close to him and quietly replied to her.

"I know." 

The anger and frustration they both were drowning in was gone for the moment. When they cleaned up and were ready to go, she stopped him again.

 “One more thing Rio, I am going to pass on that thank you dinner with Nick.”

She caught him off guard again. Maybe those steps backwards they had taken were now steps forward. He looked at her with appreciation. It meant a lot to him. 

“Yeah?” She nodded yes and smiled.

"Yeah."

He brushed her hair out of her face, like he used to.

"How about I take you out for dinner instead." 

"Really?"

 "Yeah, really." 

”That would be so nice.”

That meant a lot to her.

Beth drove home, feeling different. Rio was going to take her out to dinner. She just felt it was right to cancel the dinner with Nick; it didn't feel right anymore. She was looking forward to doing just a nice a normal thing with him, since they didn't ever do normal things. They were always meeting in odd places, doing exchanges in odd places, having sex in odd places except the time they had done it in her bed. The most normal thing they did was have dinner at his Grandmothers. Nothing ever really was normal between them. She would gladly take some moments of normalcy with him. 

As Rio drove home, he repeated the words in his head that she said. She actually apologized to him and she cancelled that dinner with Nick. Maybe she was getting it. He didn't expect the night to turn out that way. He walked into a war zone with her and ended up having amazing sex with her that included an apology. She always kept him off kilter. He never knew what to expect from her and he knew there was more of it to come but for now, he had to appreciate this.

The best thing of all was that he wanted to take her out to dinner, just to be with her, no work, no business, no stress between them. Just him and just her, just an ordinary normal night. Nick inadvertently gave him the chance to do it. 

Chapter Text

Annie and Ruby were having wine with Beth at her place.  Annie was all excited.

"I have a great idea. What do you think about having a men's night at the club?" 

Beth looked at Annie.

“You mean male strippers?" 

Annie laughed.

"Yeah, male strippers, you know, getting all naked."

Ruby raised an eyebrow.

"So you just really want to see naked guys?" 

Annie laughed.

"Well that's not all; I am serious. Why should we just have a club for men, lets make it for women too?" 

Beth thought about it.

"You know, maybe its not a bad idea. What do you think Ruby? I mean we want the strip club to be unique right?"  

"I like the idea too actually. Would we do it once a month, once a week?" 

Beth was contemplating the idea.

"I don't know, but I will run it by Rio, see what he thinks."

Annie made a face.

"Wait, are you two talking again? because I can't keep up." 

Beth rolled her eyes before she answered,

"I talk to him about all the stuff going on here, this is no different." 

Annie made a face.

"Hmmmm."  

Beth scoffed at Annie.

"Hmmm what?"  

"Well the other day you two were at each others throats." 

"Well the other day you two told me to fix things with him. Isn't that what you wanted me to do?" 

"Yes."

 Beth cut her off.

"Great, I did what you asked. As I said I will run it by Rio. Can we move on now?" 

Ruby and Annie looked at each other.

"Sure."  

Beth's phone rang; it was Rio.

"Hey, I just wanted to let you know that I have hired four bouncers and also to tell you that the painters will be at the club tomorrow to do that painting."

Beth was happy that Rio had actually been helping her with the strip club to get it open and running.

"That's great, I would have had no idea where to find bouncers, thank you and I will be at the club first thing in the morning for the painters."

"How about that dinner, what about Friday night?"

Beth suppressed a smile; she knew the girls were watching,

"Sure sounds good." 

When Beth got off the phone, Ruby and Annie were staring at her.

"What?"  

"You know what." 

Beth gave them a puzzled look.

"He said he was going to hire bouncers and he did, he also hired the painters, so just stop already."

Annie scoffed.

"I think I am just going to call you two war and peace."

Ruby stiffled a laugh.

Beth scoffed at them.

"You two make up your minds, one minute you want to work with him and were all in my face because I didn't want to and now that I am, you are in my face about that too and its getting annoying. How about we just don't' talk about him at all." 

Annie put her hands up.

"Okay, okay."  

Beth really didn't want to talk about him because she was just as a confused about it all as they were. 

Beth arrived early at the club and the painters arrived soon after. She showed them what needed to be done. The whole place really started to look different, much brighter, cleaner and more updated. She knew the girls would like the area she had set up just for them. The painters were working on the kitchen area when Beth heard her voice again, a voice she thought she wouldn't have to hear ever again.

"Hey Beth, how are you?" 

Fuck, it was Hayley again. What did she want?

"Hayley, what brings you here?" 

"I just wanted to make sure my guys were doing a good job for you." 

"Your guys?" 

Hayley smiled.

"The painters! We use them all the time." 

Beth gave her a fake smile.

"Of course, yes. They are doing a great job, I think this place looks so much better now."  

"Great, I am so glad you are happy with it all. Is Rio here too?"  

Like, what the fuck was Rio thinking, having her come here? 

"No, was he expecting you?"  

"No, no, I just thought I would ask."  

'Well I can let him know you were here."

Hayley smiled at Beth again.

"No, no not to worry. I can give him a call. Listen if you have any issues let me know. I would love to see this when its all done."

Beth wanted her out of there.

"Well thank you again for all your help, it really does look great."  

When Hayley left Beth texted Rio.

"Next time you are sending your girlfriend here, at least give me a heads up please." 

"What are you talking about?"  

"Hayley was here."

"I had no idea she was coming." 

"Yeah sure Rio, and you tell me I am the one playing games!!! 😠

"I am not playing games. I didn't know she was coming."

Beth didn't open the last message from him; she was pissed and just wanted to go home.

The guys finally finished painting for the day and Beth packed up to go home. When she got to the parking lot, Rio had pulled in and was getting out of his car.

"What are you doing here?" 

"You didn't answer my text, so I am guessing you wanted me to come here?" 

She looked at him dryly.

"You would guess wrong."

"Well, so you know, I had no idea she was coming or I would have come too."  

Beth smirked.

"Aww that's sweet to be with your girlfriend?"

"She's not my girlfriend." 

Beth nodded. 

"Sorry, I meant side piece." 

"We gonna to do this again?"  

Beth knew she better stop; she was looking jealous, and that's the last thing she wanted.

"No, no, its all good."

But it was too late. Rio stepped in close to her.

“You jealous?”  

"I told you before you don't need to parade your girlfriends around."

"Right." 

She gave him a cold look.

"Yeah, is it right."  

"Anything else?"

"Did you have to hire painters through her? Was it really necessary?" 

"Elizabeth, she had the contacts for that sort of thing, I asked for some names. I called them."  

Beth scoffed.

"Then what is she doing here, as if we both don't know." 

Rio raised his eyebrows inquisitively.

"Go ahead and tell me, this will be good."  

"I guess she is looking for a booty call."

Rio suppressed the smile that was on his lips.

"Booty call huh?"

"Yup. You need me to explain it to you more?" 

Rio gave her that look she couldn't turn away from.

"And yet Elizabeth, I am here with you."  

She was taken back by his comment. She didn't know what to say, nor was she ready to process what it really meant. 

So, has she called you yet?"

"Nope."

"You called her yet?"

"Nope and don't plan on it."

"Well the night is young, there is still plenty of time."

She turned to walk to her van. Rio grabbed her hand; she tried to pull it away. She was out of her comfort zone and he knew it.

"Nah, no doing that."  

"No doing what?."

Rio pulled her in close to him. She knew she should move away from him, but she didn't; she couldn't.

"What do you want Rio?" 

He didn't break eye contact with her.

"Same thing you want."

She studied his face before she answered.

"If you want something say it."

He couldn't help but grin. She was doing to him what he did to her.

"You know what I want."

"Say it or I will leave."

Rio leaned over and whispered in her ear. 

"I want you to crawl on my lap and fuck me."

He opened the back door and pulled her into his G-Wagon.

"I am not doing this in your car, we aren't teenagers."

He reached over and unbuttoned her pants.

“Oh come on, live on the edge a little." 

He slipped his hand down her pants, pulling off one leg, then unbuckled his pants and pulled them down enough to free up his cock, which was already hard. He pulled her onto his lap.

"Now you can fuck me." 

She tried to show him annoyance, but was failing miserably.

"Just like that, just fuck you?"  

"Yeah, just like that, we both know you want it to.” 

He kissed her before she could respond. It was passionate and needy. She kissed him back. They were hot and heavy, just like teenagers. She pulled up onto her knees and he slipped his fingers down into her panties. He knew she would be ready for him. She knew she would be ready for him. He pulled her panties over to one side. He held his cock while she lined up over top of him. She looked him in the eyes.

"Fuck me Elizabeth."

She came down on his hard cock. She let out a loud gasp. He put his hands on her hips. She started to ride him; he just let her go, doing what she wanted. He watched her face get lost in the moment. She felt so fucking good and he felt so fucking good. She loved it when he held her hips that way, pulling her down onto him as he got closer. She started to tighten around his cock, like she was trying to pull him into her and hold him there. She moved on him faster. She put one hand down under his ass; he knew she wanted him to thrust up into her hard because she was getting close. He kept watching her face; it was perfect; it was flushed, and it was beautiful when she came. She squeezed around him tight, while he thrust hard into her until he came too. 

She wrapped her arms around him for a moment and he gently kissed her neck while rubbing her back. It was their quiet moment again afterwards, when they were like one, when she didn't block how she felt and allowed herself to be close to him; when she didn't try to push him away. He tried to make them last as long as he could and they seemed to get a little longer each time.

Beth was getting ready for their dinner. She was thinking about the day she met Rio at lunch, about the botox they had stolen; she wore that dress that hugged her body, and she remembered the words he had said to her.

“You best not put that stuff on your face, you don’t need it."

It was a compliment from him that took her by surprise. She had already noticed the way he looked at her, but hearing those words was a whole different thing. He had also told her she was beautiful at the fund-raiser, too, but he was there with Hayley, so she took no heed of it. 

She decided she was going to wear a similar kind of dress when they went out for dinner, something that hugged her curves. She had not told Annie or Ruby about their dinner; they would think she had lost her mind, and maybe she had. They wouldn't understand her desire to do something so normal with him, something they had never ever done before. Besides, they genuinely had things she wanted to discuss about the strip club at dinner. 

Since Dean was at home with the kids, they were meeting at his bar first. It also felt less "date" like meeting him. 

When she walked in Rio looked her over from head to toe. He loved the dress on her; he could see all her voluptous curves. He stood up when she came in.

"You look beautiful in that dress Elizabeth."

She looked him over, and she had to admit, he looked really good too.

"Thank you."

She reminded herself this was just dinner. Not a date. This was dinner in lieu of her having dinner with Nick.

"Would you like a drink or are you ready to head out for dinner."

Rio was careful with his words; he didn't use the word date; he knew her too well and knew just referring to it as dinner, and nothing else was in her comfort zone. It was always going to be baby steps with her.

"I am ready for dinner."

As they walked out the door, Rio was behind her and his eyes were locked on her ass, which took everything in him not to touch. Fuck she was gorgeous. He kept looking over at her while he was driving. He wanted to put his hand on her leg, but he didn't. He wanted to reach over and kiss her, but he didn't. He wanted to hold her soft hand in his, but he didn't. 

She sat beside him, just breathing him in, that scent that hung on in her nose long after he was gone. His scent that she could never get enough of. She looked over at him once. He had trimmed his beard, and she knew how soft it was. She briefly closed her eyes thinking about it softly on her neck. She squeezed her legs together, thinking of his beard on the inside of her legs, of his soft beard pressed into her. She shook her head. She needed to stop doing that. This was just dinner. 

He saw her squeeze her legs together tighter, and close her eyes for a brief moment. He knew she was thinking about the same things he was, but she would never admit it. 

They had a nice booth for dinner at a restaurant Rio chose. Beth was a little bit nervous and she wasn't sure why, after all, it was just dinner. Rio made a toast to her and kept it to business.

"To you, for doing such a great job opening up the strip club."

He was being sincere. 

"Really?" She gave him a grateful smile. 

"Yes, really, I told you before, you could be something. When you set your mind to something you can do anything. I know I wanted the club to open to wash money but you are making it even better than that. I like what you have done and the more popular the place becomes, the easier it will be to wash money there."  

She was really flattered. Rio watched her face; his words meant something to her. 

"Well there is something I did want to run by you. Annie suggested something that I think might be a good idea. Why make the club just for men? why not have a ladies night too? I am just not sure how we would do it."  

Rio was thoughtful.

"Well it would bring in more traffic. I think it could work." 

Beth had a big smile on her face. She was proud of herself and Rio loved seeing it.

"Okay then lets do it. What do you think? One night a week?" 

"Yeah, one night a week to see how it goes."  

She smiled.

"Okay thanks."

Beth sat and looked at Rio for a moment. Her face changed briefly. 

"Okay what's going on in that pretty little head of yours?"

She was thinking about the night she tried to talk to Dean at the restaurant and he shut her down, dismissed her, didn't even listen to her. Rio was the opposite; he listened to her; he did encourage her, exactly the two things Dean asked her if Rio did for her. Yes, he did those things for her; she just looked at him with a new appreciation. 

"Elizabeth? you there darlin'?"

He jolted her back to the present.

"Sorry, my head was just thinking of too many things at once."  

"So, who is going to look for the male strippers?" 

Beth smiled playfully.

"I think the three of us can interview them."  

Rio laughed.

"Is that right? Have you hired all the women strippers? I mean I could help you with that."  

"Well, yes all the ladies are hired but I actually think I would leave it up to them to help find the men."  Rio nodded playfully. "Yeah that sounds like a good plan. One other thing though, you should meet the bouncers and show them around."

"Will you be there because I don't really know what tell them or what to expect."

"Yup, I will be there." 

The waiter came over and asked them about dessert. Beth was looking at Rio warmly, differently. For a moment she allowed herself to feel warm and close to him outside of having sex with him. For a moment she allowed herself to see him differently, to see he was being good to her. Rio turned to Beth.

"You up for dessert?" 

"I would share one with you."  

"We have fresh strawberry shortcake tonight." 

Rio saw Beths eyes light up.

"Strawberry shortcake it is please." 

When the waiter brought over their dessert, Rio moved over beside her.

"You first Mama."

He called her Mama; it slipped out of his mouth before he could stop himself, but Beth just smiled at him. She picked up the fork and took a piece. He watched her put in in her mouth, across her full lips. She could eat a strawberry as sensually as he sipped on a bourbon. Fuck. He could feel it all the way down to his cock. 

"Your turn."

He took a piece, using the same fork as her. There was a small crumb left on his lip and she reached over with her thumb and wiped it away. They stared into each others eyes for a moment. She leaned over and gave him a nice sweet kiss. 

"What was that for?" 

She smiled.

"To thank you for such a nice dinner."

He couldn't help himself. He put his hand on her leg and ran it up under her dress and then back down. He was going to remove it, but she put her hand on his wanting him to leave it there. 

'"You are welcome." 

They finished dessert and they both wanted to get out of there. On their way out Rio took her hand this time and walked her to the car. He was going to follow her lead tonight. Not push it with her. When they got in the car, she leaned over and kissed him. Deeper, longer, more passionately.  

"Come on, lets get out of here."

Rio took her hand and she slipped hers in his and held it tight while he drove. At almost every light one of them leaned over to kiss the other. They drove to his bar, and Beth's heart started to sink a little. She thought maybe this time he would take her to his place to have sex in a normal place; that she just wasn't some side piece to screw around with. Maybe he was dropping her off to get her car.  She hoped that was it. 

He pulled in the back, not where her van was. He leaned over to kiss her and her face had totally changed.

"You want a night cap?"  

She hesitated.

"When you say night cap, do you mean your office? or a real night cap?"  

He touched her face softly. She removed his hand.

"I think I am just going to go home now."

She felt so hurt. 

He just looked at her. What the fuck just happened? She went to grab the handle.

"Please don't leave, what's going on Elizabeth?"

She stared out the window, she didn't want to look at him because she was afraid she would cry and she would be damned if she was going to cry over him.

"Elizabeth, for fuck sakes would you just once in your life answer me?" 

She drew in a deep breath, then turned and looked at him. 

"I thought maybe things were different but they are not."

He was confused.

"How so? I thought we had a great dinner together. Tonight was perfect."

He knew he had followed her lead; he didn't initiate anything; he let things come from her. 

"It was great, really great. But you know I cancelled my dinner with Nick because it upset you."

"I know that Elizabeth, I appreciate it."

She looked down and asked him.

"Has Hayley been to your place?"  

"What? Is this about Hayley? I kind of thought I made it clear to you the other night she was nothing to me. So what is this about?"  

She stared out the window. She swallowed a few times, trying to get herself back to Beth, the Beth who could control her emotions and feelings. Why the fuck did she let him under her skin so much. Fuck Beth, shut it down, just shut it down. She finally turned to him.

"Hayley has probably been to your place, Dylan has probably been to your place. I have never been to your place. I am your side piece. Do you know how it feels that I am not good enough to go to your place!"  

He knew how it looked, but it wasn't at all the reasons she thought it was. He wanted her at his place all the time. But he didn’t want to let her in that much until she stopped being cold, distant and all over her place with him, and until she was done with that asshole. Coming to his place meant everything to him and he was not going to expose and open himself up to her until he was sure. Until she knew what she was doing. 

"Elizabeth, you have it all wrong. Didn’t we just talk about this?  It’s kind of clear why. Answer me this. Who is still living in your house? Who shares your bed?"

His anger and hurt were just under the surface. 

"It's not the same! I just wanted things to be normal."

"You are right it's not the same, I am not living with someone else! How could this be normal? So don't talk to me about not being good enough. You don't get to dump that on me. What am I? Your side piece? Sometimes you get what you give darlin'. Maybe go think about that instead of doing this."

She glared at him.

“There is a simple solution to this.” 

“Yeah, what’s that?”

”Lets just keep it strictly business between us!”

“Sure Elizabeth because that solves the problem doesn't it?"

She got out and slammed his door shut and went to her van as fast as she could. Tears were burning in her eyes. He watched her walk away. He loved dinner with her. He loved being with her. He would have loved to take her home but he just couldn’t, not yet, not while she was living with him still. Fuck. Their perfect night shouldn't end like this.

Chapter Text

He was going to let her leave, but as she got to her van, he got out and stopped her. She was always running away. Every single time she got upset, she left, and she never talked about things. Ever. No conversation was ever finished; they just did this on repeat.

He knew she was hurt; he could see it. But it was just as hurtful when she crawled into bed with Dean every night. He had actually thought about taking her to his place; he had thought of it often, and not just tonight, but this was a line he couldn't cross with her. This was a boundary he had to keep intact to protect himself. It was the one place in his life that she hadn't been to. She was everywhere else in it. Until things changed between them, he couldn't open himself up to her like that. If he took her there, he knew her presence would be there every time he went home. 

He felt like he had been slowly breaking through to her. She was talking to him about business things, asking for his advice and even his help. She was acting more like a partner. She was also warming up to him bit by bit. That dinner was fucking perfect; she was very warm and affectionate with him, and she was never like that unless they were intimate. He loved every minute with her, and he didn't want the night to end. He caught her before she got in her van.

"I am not going to let you ruin this night. You can be mad at me tomorrow, we can be strictly business tomorrow. But you are not ruining tonight."

He took her by the hand and led her back to his G-Wagon. 

She pulled back and stopped.

"What are you doing?"  

"I am finishing this night off properly, the way it should be.”

He put his face up to hers.

”So for fucking once, stop arguing with me, stop fighting me, stop running off, just fucking STOP."

She just looked at him. He was dead serious in a way she hadn't seen before.

"Let's go."

She got back in the G-Wagon with him. He pulled out and drove. She had no idea where they were going until he pulled into a very expensive hotel. He parked the G-wagon and looked at her.

"This is a compromise. This is a normal as things can be for now. We had a great time together and I am not letting it end with you storming off on me again. Not tonight. Save it for tomorrow. Can you meet me half way? Compromise?"

She wasn't going to argue with him, not this time, she just knew she would regret it if she did.

“Yes, I can do that."

Beth was not able to understand why he didn't want her at his place yet. She knew she wasn't in love with Dean anymore. She knew he was there because of her guilt over his arrest and for the kids sake. But what she couldn't even acknowledge to herself was that he was there as a safety mechanism for her. Him living there meant she didn't have to deal with other things, like her feelings for Rio, like her fear of those feelings, like her inability to allow herself to feel things she never had before. They scared her. They were foreign to her; they made her so uncomfortable she just didn't deal with them. She also couldn't cross over that line totally into Rio's world. The one she craved so badly; the one she fought against so hard. She was so unhappy being that Beth, and she didn't want to be that Beth anymore. She just had no idea how to become Elizabeth, how to let it happen. So she fought it; she stayed with what she knew.

Even though she had put up walls around herself, somehow Rio kept chipping away at them. It scared her, and she balked at it all the time. She wasn't ready to deal with her feelings. She had spent her life, not dealing with feelings. She couldn't' even look back on their evening and admit to herself how much she loved being with him. The night was simple, it was easy, and he made her feel special. No one had ever made her feel special like that. She didn't know how to let that happen. 

He got out and took her by the hand. He got them a room. She didn't say a word to him. He didn't say another word to her. They went in the elevator to the top floor. He held her hand the whole time. He opened the door to the suite, which was beautiful. But she didn't really notice the room, and neither did he. He pulled her to him and kissed her. It was a kiss that literally left her breathless. He turned her around and with his hands he touched her waist, over his hips and around to her ass before he unzipped her dress. She stepped out of it. He threw it over a chair. He did the same with his clothes, not taking his eyes off her.

He went over and turned on some music really low, and one lamp, so the room had a soft warm glow. He grabbed her hand and took her over to bed.

She was wearing a lace bra that her tits were busting out of and matching panties. He kissed her neck, lightly with his soft beard, just the way that made her almost quiver. It was like he had read her mind in the car. She was getting that tingling sensation throughout her body.  He took her face in both his hands and kissed her, a long time. She wrapped her arms around him responding back to him.

This was the first time they had a night together and he was going to take his time with her, be with her in a way they had never been before. He knew she would open right up to him and he was going to take it all in and hope that he would chip away at her a little more.

There was no jealousy when they were together like this; there was no anger; there were no problems. There was only him and her.   

He sat on the edge of the bed and turned her around. He unclasped her bra and gently rubbed his hands up and down her back, over her hips and waist. He wrapped his hands around her on her tummy, and kissed her back gently. He was sending shivers throughout her body. His hand moved up over her breasts. He pulled off her bra, then held her breasts in his hands before he moved them back down to her panties. He slid both his hands inside them and pulled her panties off her.

She turned back around and looked down at him. She ran her finger over his lips, the lips she always loved to look at. She kissed him gently and slowly. She ran her tongue along his bottom lip before she put it in his mouth.  

She put her hands on his chest and pushed him back onto his hands. Her tits lingered over him as she worked her way down his chest; his tummy and abdomen; she kept going until she was down on her knees between his legs. Her hands were softly rubbing the inside of his thighs as she ran her tongue up the shaft of his cock. She cupped his balls with one hand and massaged them gently. He put his head back with a moan. She licked the head of his cock before taking him in her mouth.

She took her time; she wanted him to feel everything she was doing with her mouth and tongue. He sat up and watched her while running, his hands down to her breasts and playing with her nipples between his fingers. When she started to moan on his cock, he brought his hands up and ran them through her hair before he cupped her face and pulled her up to him.

He moved back onto the bed and pulled her onto his lap. Both were sitting up and wrapped their arms around each other and began kissing again. She raised up so that her tits were in his face; she watched him take each of her nipples in his mouth, and suck on them. He was deliberate and slow. When her small moans got louder, he pushed her up and onto her back. He had been wanting to bury his face between her legs all night.

Every time his beard touched her leg softly, she gasped. He was going to take his time on her. The longer he built her up, the bigger her orgasm would be.  She raised up on her elbows watching him. He would get her close, then slow it down. When it got so intense, she lay back, grabbing the sheets in her hands, moaning. He reached up and took her nipples between his finger and thumb just before she was about to come. She lifted up into his mouth, tightening her legs around his head and slamming her hands on the bed when she came.

He slowly moved up over top of her while she caught her breath, kissing her until his mouth was on hers again. She was all flushed and pink and glowing. He looked down at her, and she stared into his eyes. She touched his face gently. He just wanted to take in her face, look at her.

He kissed her one more time before he pulled up one of her legs on his shoulder and then the other. He looked down at her pussy. He held is cock in his hand; she put her hand over his as he got his cock ready to enter her. He pushed into her and she arched her back, closing her eyes, taking in a deep breath, it felt so good. He did it again; she squirmed her ass under him. He got over top of her; leaned over, and started to thrust into her slowly. He could go so deep in this position. He loved watching her face, the pleasure, and the way she closed her eyes feeling him inside of her.

When he got going into a steady rhythm, she kept her eyes on him. She wasn't going to last long the way he was hitting her deep inside. She was very flexible and she put her hands on his back, pulling him down on top of her so he was just at her face. She kissed him again, then let out a loud moan telling him not to stop. He raised up over her a bit, then thrust into her deeply. She was moaning loudly as she grabbed onto his arms. His head was down and his eyes were closed. There was no holding back anymore. Their bodies were tangled together tightly when they both came.

He gently let her legs down, and she wrapped them around him. He lay on top of her as they both caught their breath. She put her arms around him tight; he was sure he heard a sob come out of her. He held her for a moment, then whispered in her ear.

"You okay Mama?"

She whispered back a "yes" and held him tighter. He just let her be and gave her some time, like he always did. She had no idea why these overwhelming emotions came from after they had sex; it had never happened to her before, only with him. It was just one more thing she didn't understand. 

She had gotten up to freshen up. He watched her walk to the bathroom; he loved her curves so much, her ass, her hips, especially when she wrapped her soft body all around him. She looked in the mirror and saw her little stretch marks on her hips, which made her smile a little; he always kissed them. When she came back to bed, he looked at her chest, her face. She had the flushed pink areas she always got when they had sex. He ran his finger lightly over them.

"You just have no idea how beautiful you are right now." 

She looked down at them, then at the little roll on her tummy. Her body wasn't perfect after having 4 kids; and despite all her jealousies and insecurities of these other women in Rio's life, she was not insecure when she was with him like this. What she didn't understand was that it was because she let herself feel what he felt about her. 

She looked down at his chest, and saw the three scars she was responsible for. She had seen them before and always blocked the thoughts that were in her head. But she didn't this time. She wanted to say something but didn't know how. She was tired of carrying it around with her. She didn't know how he would react to her. She didn't know if he would ever understand why she shot him or would ever forgive her. She also didn't know if he would understand how he made her feel that night. 

He was watching her face. He knew what she was thinking by the way she looked at his chest. He knew one day they would have to address it. It would always be in their way, no matter what happened between them, if they didn't. There was a part of him that avoided the discussion too, because he wasn't sure if he wanted to know what was really in her head that night. He also knew there was no point in him ever bringing it up until she was ready to face it. She had mastered the art of burying things she found difficult to deal with.

Her face showed a range of emotions, worry, sadness, hurt, confusion. Finally, she spoke after taking a deep breath in. This was going to be really hard for her to do. Not only did they not talk to each other about things, she always tried to keep her emotions in control around him.

"That night I shot you.....firing that gun was a reaction from the adrenaline pumping through my veins. It was self preservation. You scared me in a way I have never been scared before in my life. I thought I was your rotten egg, and I thought you were going to get rid of me. The only other person I saw you act like that towards was Dean and I saw you pull the trigger and shoot him. You also kidnapped me and that terrified me in a way I can't even describe. You and I both know you did not need to do that, so you set things in motions by the way you acted. I suddenly didn't know who you were. But I need you to know that fear pulled that trigger, only fear." 

Her eyes watered up. She stared at him. She couldn't read his face. She didn't touch him and he wasn't touching her. The silence between them was deafening. She suddenly felt uncomfortable and pulled the sheet around her. It felt like forever before he finally he spoke. 

He listened to her words. She wasn't wrong about what she said. He was acting in a way that she had never seen before. He was angry, he was hurt, he felt so many things that night that boiled over inside him, and that's what she saw. He remembered her face, her pain, her fear of looking at him, and he hated it. But he also hated the vision of her face when she pulled the trigger. He knew only one thing; something about her had made him feel emotions he didn't know he was capable of. She had shaken up his life, shaken up him.

"I need to know something."

His voice was calm.

" Okay."

"Why did you pull that trigger 3 times?" 

She closed her eyes, reliving that moment for a second. She hated thinking about it. 

"You lunged at me to grab the gun, I didn't know what you were going to do with it and I fired again. I honestly don't remember firing the third shot. I went on autopilot by that point."

He hesitated again. He needed to ask her the next question; this was the question that weighed on his mind. 

"Did it bother you when you thought I was dead? and I need you to tell me the truth."

Her face changed for a moment; a look of hurt all over it. This was the question that kept him from confronting her about it earlier.

"The truth is, I was in complete shock afterwards. It was too much for me to process, so I didn't. I couldn't. I had to try and live with the fact that I thought I had killed you. Kind of not easy to do." Her voice broke. She had to get up and take a breath in. She turned her back to him, trying to keep it together. 

“It haunted my dreams. It was really hard trying to cope with shooting you, but it was more complicated then that. I had to cope with the fact that I was thinking you were going to shoot me. The reason I reached out to Rhea and Marcus was guilt and remorse. So, the simple answer is yes it bothered me, of course it bothered me, it was very painful plus trying to live with the fact I thought you could kill me."

He got up and came over to her. They just stood there, not touching each other. It bothered him that she thought he could hurt her, but he understood why she felt that way. 

"I need you to know that I wasn't going to hurt you I was trying to take the gun off you."

She saw the pain in his eyes.

"I know that now, I didn't at the time."

Relief swept across his face. He felt a weight lifted off him that had been weighing him down for so long, that doubt he had about her, and the doubt that she thought he would hurt her.

She was biting her lip, keeping her emotions in check.

"I need to ask you a question now, did you really believe I could just shoot you like that unless I was in fear of my life?" 

There was a deep anger in her question and he heard it. He stepped forward to touch her and she stepped back.

"I need to know, did you think for one moment I was that heartless?"

Tears of anger and hurt threatened to fall. She was really hating all of this.

"I was angry that you had shot me, very, very angry. But I never thought you were heartless, because I know better."

She breathed a sigh of relief and just looked at him. It had been eating away at her.

"You know just because I don't show things, doesn't mean I don't feel them."  

He was shocked to hear her say those words, to admit it. 

"I need to ask you one last thing Rio, who knows I did this?" 

"Just me, you and Turner and he is gone now."

She had always hated thinking everyone knew what she had done, but none of them knew why or what really went down that night.

"I didn't tell anyone to protect you."

 She moved close to him and genuinely said "thank you" and he felt her sincerity.

He took her hands in his and rubbed them with his thumb.

"Look, I didn’t intend to hurt you the way I did and you didn’t intend to hurt me. We both made mistakes; we both regret what we did. I think we have paid the price enough, don't you?" 

"Yes."  

"Then when we leave here later, lets leave that here too and move on."  She nodded in agreement.

He pulled her into bed and wrapped himself around her. He knew that was tough for her; she never dealt with things head on. He was relieved that the nagging pain of that night was finally over.  They had many obstacles in their way, but this wasn't going to be one of them anymore.

They both dozed off together, something they had never done before either. She had her head on his chest and they had slept for about an hour. He loved waking up with her next to him and she did too. He took her hand and put it on his cock.

"You rested up Mama?"

She rolled over on her back and smiled at him.

"Are you?"

He crawled on top of her. She started to stroke his cock. He played with her nipples.

"Fuck I love your tits. I want to bury my cock in them."

He leaned over and put his cock between her tits; she pushed them up together as he started to rub his cock between them. He leaned right over her and started to move faster and faster. She pushed her tits together even tighter for him. His cock was totally buried in her tits. He loved how it felt; she loved how it felt. He could easily have come, but he wanted to fuck her again. 

He lay down beside her and pushed his hips up behind her ass. He ran his fingers down her leg and lifted it over his. She turned her head back towards him and he kissed her then whispered in her ear.

"Just relax and let me fuck you."

He played with is cock and rubbed it over her pussy, then entered her. He slowly fucked her while playing with her clit. She closed her eyes, taking in deep breaths. This was the perfect position for him to nuzzle his face into her neck, along her shoulder up to her ear. She could feel the sensation through her body. As she got more aroused, she put her fingers over his, showing him how fast and how much pressure she wanted on her clit until she was moaning. She whispered to him to fuck her faster. She let out a deep groan, and started to move against him. Her orgasm was so intense, she bucked up against him, letting out such a loud groan she barely heard him when he came. He put her leg back down and she grabbed his arm and pulled it around her. She wanted him to stay so close to her. He kissed her gently on her back. She couldn’t move.

“My whole body feels like rubber."  

She didn't even have the energy to get up and clean up. He got up and brought back a warm face cloth and towel and gently wiped her. He got back in bed, pulling the blankets up over them, and held her tight. This night was going to be over too soon.  

They barely moved, they were both so wiped out. She woke up before him. She quietly slipped out of bed. She thought she would shower and let him sleep a bit longer. As she walked by his clothes thrown over the chair, she stopped and touched them again like she did the day she was in his loft. He had woken up and watched her. She ran her hands over them like she was touching him. This was the soft side of her, underneath all her armour.

She put her hair up, then stepped in the shower.  She didn’t hear him come in. He opened up the shower door and she turned around.

"No taking a shower without me darlin'."

He walked up and pinned her against the wall. He looked at her and she looked at him, their eyes intensely hot for each other. They were kissing and wrapped in each others arms in an instant. They both knew it was soon time to go and both wanted to have every little bit of each other they could. He fucked her up against the wall, then they washed each other slowly. Before they got out, he put his arms around her from behind and held her while he whispered in her ear.

"I am glad you compromised Mama." 

She turned around and hugged him.

"Me too."

They drove back to the bar so she could get her van. He held her hand, and she squeezed his tight. When he pulled in, he looked at her.

“You can be pissed at me again now if you want, just as long as you agree to go out to dinner with me again."

She kissed him before she got out. She smiled because she got to spend the night with him. He let out a deep breath as she got into her van. They still had a lot of issues, but they got over a big one last night. Maybe he knocked down a bit more of her wall last night too.

Just as Beth pulled out her text message went off. It was from Nick.

"Hey, give me a call when you have a moment."

Chapter Text

Beth had cancelled their dinner and Nick was pissed. Very pissed. He had purposely thrown Dylan into the mix, but she didn't do the damage he had hoped. Either he miscalculated her feelings for him or she was hard to rattle. The one thing Nick knew about Beth is that she could put on a cool exterior. He knew he was going to have to keep twisting the knife in her. 

As for Rio, he was saying the right things about her, but he was sure the night he and Beth were supposed to be out to dinner, he was probably with her. That pissed him off even more.

Beth was a benefit to both of them. Her votes would have given them an upper hand and she would definitely be their fall guy. But fuck Rio. He was going to destroy his relationship with her. He needed Beth more than Rio needed Beth. She had come to him a few times for help and thought she was warming up to him. He knew she wasn't fond of him when she first met him and he had been working on changing that. The truth was, he still didn't particularly like her either, but she was valuable. Working on city council was hands down better for her than working for him. How is it she didn't know that? He would just keep showing her why. 

Underneath all the surface-level reasons for attempting to recruit Beth for their business, were the inner demons of Nick and his narcissitic, coldblooded need to undermine Rio. He was the golden boy in the family. He knew his grandmother adored him and Nick never could be equal to him in his grandmothers eyes. He had been trying to weaken Rio since they were teenagers. Even when he set him up and he went to jail for a while, nothing changed in his grandmothers eyes. Nick fucking hated it, and deep down hated Rio for it.

Nick had an arsenal of weapons to throw at them. He had that recording that he would keep for the final blow if needed. For now, he would go after Rio again, and that was simple to do; he would convince Beth to go out with him. 

Beth saw Nicks text message asking her to call him. She knew he wasn't happy she cancelled their dinner and he probably wanted to reschedule it. Beth just could not figure out the relationship between Rio and Nick. Were they cousins or brothers? Rivals? Family? She decided to text him back.

"Hey Nick, I got your message, I am just finishing up a few things at the club I have to get done, I will give you a call later."

Beth thought about it again. Maybe she should at least meet him for coffee or something so she could try and figure out the mystery of Rio and Nick. What the hell was it between them? She did not like Nick at all when she first met him, but he had grown on her a bit, but there was still something about him, a feeling she couldn't shake.  

She headed back to the strip club later in the morning. She told Annie and Ruby that Rio thought that Annies idea of the male strippers would be a good idea. Annie was thrilled.

"Really?" 

Beth smiled at her.

"Yes really it was a good idea."

Annie made a face at Beth.

"So, like did you have to do anything to convince him?" 

Ruby was suppressing a smile.

"No, not at all, like I said, he thought it was a really good idea but now we are going to have to hire some male strippers."

Annie's face lit up. "Oh, I will interview them!"  

"Annie, we are hiring them to dance, not for you to oogle at." 

Annie feigned a fake look of shock.

"I will be good, I promise."  

"I think this is a department for Krystal to head up, but you can be there too." 

Beth was thoughtful for a moment, then looked at Ruby.

"I had another idea. We still don't have a manager here, and I still think Stan is the guy. I have tried and he won't hear me out. But here's what I was thinking. If he knows I would be hands off, maybe he would reconsider. Like totally hands off."  

Ruby wasn't sure.

"Like how hands off are we talking?" 

"What if Stan had to work with Rio and not me. They have never even had a conversation but maybe he would be open to it if he met Rio and talked to him. I really want to run this place properly."  

Ruby pondered the idea.

"Rio would be good with that?"  

"I haven't run it by him yet, I wanted to talk to you first to see what you thought."   

"What about Nevada?"  

"We can't do Nevada until we all get some money under our belts, so what do you think?" 

Ruby thought about it. It might be a way for Stan to see Beth differently, especially if she could let him do his thing and not interfere.

"Well, his only reason for not doing it isn't just because of you; we would still be printing the money here and he wouldn't want to be connected to that. He would eventually find out."

"But Gene was doing all kinds of illegal things when Stan worked for him."  

'I know, okay....why not ask Rio anyways if he is okay with it then we can ask Stan if he agrees. No harm, no foul right?

Beth hadn't even mentioned it to Rio yet, but they had been working more like partners, working together, not fighting each other.

"I will talk to Rio, maybe he has an idea. I just know, we need someone here."

Beth was just finishing things up when Nick came walking in. He gave Beth his charming smile.

"I think you are busier than I am, you are a hard person to nail down."

Beth smiled back at him, and wasn't really surprised he showed up. Clearly, when he wants something, he doesn't give up.

"Well, that's life running a strip club."

Nick looked around.

"This place is sure coming along. It really does look great."  

"Thanks, it's getting there. So what brings you here?"  

"Just thought I would touch base with you, we haven't talked in a while. Did you make any decisions about your manager?"  

"We haven't yet but should be soon. I have to run something by Rio about it."

Nick clenched his jaw a little.

"He's been helping you out?"

 Beth picked up a slight edge in his tone, so down played it a bit.

"Well, I learned with him its better than doing things over if he doesn't like it."

Nick smiled, a fake smile.

"Yes, he can be particular."  

"Exactly, that's why I am just going to ask him up front, make my life easier you know?  

Nick laughed.

"Oh, I know. So look, since you cancelled our dinner, how about lunch, I do owe you at least that much."

Nick gave her that charming smile of his.

Beth's initial response was to say no, but she thought about it; she doubted that he was here just to see how things were going; there was more to all of it. She decided to go. She figured he was sniffing around her either to get her to run for city council, or it was something about Rio. She doubted he really cared about the strip club that much. The difference between him and Rio was that Rio was always straight forward; she always felt there was something behind every thing Nick did. She was curious why he wanted her there so badly on city council; there were others who could easily fill that seat, and she was sure he wasn't looking out for her best interest. It was connected to Rio; it had to be.

At lunch, Nick talked about general things at first, then asked her about the strip club again. 

"So when you get everything up and running, do you plan on staying so involved in the strip club?" 

"No I don't plan on being this involved, I want to turn it over to the manager." 

She was not going to tell Nick that she only opened the club because Rio forced her too, or that they were going to use the strip club to wash money. Her gut reaction was to protect Rio.

"So this manager you have in mind, he must be good if you are holding out for him because Dylan is good at what she does."

Beth was debating whether to mention the fact that Rio used to date her, but she chose not to bite. Maybe this is what Nick wanted today.

"Well, he knows the club, he used to work at it and knows the girls really well. It was his idea to make sure they were taken care of, so that's why I feel he would be the best choice."  

"I get it, that makes sense, but you know you have a plan B if you need it. What did you think about Dylan?"  

"You mean as far as her qualifications?"  

Nick smiled at her.

"Yes of course, what else would I mean?" 

"Well you asked me what I thought about her, not what I thought of the interview with her."

Beth smiled right back at Nick. 

“Ahhh, good point, of course I meant the interview."

"I think she was pretty well qualified. She could probably do the job just fine."  

"That's why I suggested her, she has done work for me, and was really good, and Rio knows her well he could vouch for her too." 

Nick watched her face. Beth didn't react to it. 

"I believe you. Thanks again for setting that up for me, I do appreciate it." 

"Anytime you need help run it by me, if I can help I will." 

 Nick wanted her to come to him for help, not Rio.

"And I am serious Beth, you really have taken on this strip club full force and have great iniatives for it, one being taking care of the women that work for you. It is those kind of initiatives that make you a good city council candidate, you are not just some soccer mom, I hope you know that."

Beth told him she had not forgotten about it at all and it was still on the table. She knew one thing for sure; he definitely wanted her in that seat for a reason, a very specific reason. 

When lunch was over Nick made a point of stopping by to see Rio on the way home. Rio had been expecting to see him once Beth cancelled their dinner, so he wasn't surprised.

"What brings you here?"

Nick sat down beside Rio.

"Just popping in to see how things are going."

Rio didn't even look at him.

"Things are going. I am taking care of my business and you should be taking care of yours."  

"Oh you know I am doing that, but again, some of your business is my business."

And there is was. Nick was digging again.

"Well, I know that my business that crosses over with your business have been doing just fine, no issues here, but you always seem to have one lately." 

"Just that issue of filling that seat but I just had lunch with Beth and she told me she was not going to be heavily involved in the running of the club."

Rio was instantly furious, but shoved it down; he wasn't going to let Nick see it.

"And?" 

"Well, she needs a manager to take over, then she will be free to run for city council won't she?"

 Rio nodded.

"I am sure she is working on finding someone."

"The thing is, Dylan is qualified. You know she has done work for us and would be perfect for that position."

 Nick watched Rio's face carefully, like he did Beth's. If there was something between him and Beth, he would not want to have Dylan working at the strip club. Rio kept a poker face.

 "I am sure she would be perfect, but I am not doing the hiring." 

Nick smiled at Rio, the smile Rio wanted to wipe off his face.

"Maybe you can put in a good word for her." 

 Rio smiled right back at Nick.

"Sure I will do that. Now are done?"

Nick got up to leave, then turned to Rio before he walked out.

"For now."

It took everything in Rio not to go pummel Nick, but his time was coming.

Rio felt punched in the gut. She had cancelled her dinner with him, then turned around after their dinner and night together and had lunch with him. And she fucking said he played games. Fuck her. 

After Nick left, Rio headed to his gym to work out, to box the shit out of the punching bag, when his phone went off. It was a text from Beth.

"Hey, there is something I wanted to talk to you about, are you free?" 

 He stared at the phone; was it possible she was going to tell him about lunch with Nick? 

"I am working out."

"Can I stop by?"  

He hesitated. She better be fucking telling him she had met Nick. He replied to her.

"Okay."

She noticed his texts were a bit short; she figured it was just because he was in the middle of working out.

She was glad she had a reason to see him. She hadn't stopped thinking of their night together. She went over it so many times in her head. It was the first time they spent the night together, the first time they had a shower together. He had washed her body gently, then slipped his fingers between her legs; he lightly touched her tits with his soapy hands; then he turned her towards the wall, spreading her legs so he could enter her. He started out fucking her slowly, then placed his hands on her hips, fucking her harder until they both came. When they were done, he kissed her sweetly, then held her like he always did. She was craving him again already and not just the sex, it was the intimacy with him.

When she arrived he was putting a beating on the punching bag. He glanced up at her; she had a warm smile on her face. He stopped punching the bag.

“So what did you want to talk to me about?”

She nodded towards the bag.

“You look like you’re gonna kill that thing.”

He picked up a towel and wiped his face and wrapped it around his neck.

"Whats up Elizabeth?"

“Well I talked to the girls about the male stripper night and let them know it’s a go. But we need to get a manager and the person I was hoping would do it was Stan. He knows that club so well and the girls respect him. The problem with Stan is that he and I are not getting along very well. He said no to me, so I was thinking, if I was hands off maybe you could be the one he would report to and I would be totally hands off with him. What do you think?" 

This was not what he was hoping she was going to tell him. Fuck.

"Is there a reason you would't consider doing it? You are qualified, you will be printing money there anyways....or are you wanting to free yourself up for something else?" 

She made a face at him.

"That job is too time consuming, I have kids and working until the wee hours of the night would be impossible. If you remember you are why we opened it."

Rio was stone faced. He stepped in close to her.

“Is that the only reason you came to see me?” 

She bit her lip and stepped up into him. She placed her hands on his waist and kissed him. He looked at her. She couldn't quite read the intense look in his eyes. She kissed him again; it was more passionate, and he kissed her back. She stepped back for a moment and unbuttoned her blouse, while watching him, he didn't take his eyes off hers, he didn't look at her tits. He wanted her, but his anger was stronger. Clearly she wasn't going to fucking tell him she had lunch with Nick. All her whining, her hissy fit over Hayley showing up, it was her who was playing the fucking games. 

She put her hand over his cock, which was hard; she rubbed it up and down, and he kept looking at her, wanting her to tell him. He needed her to tell him. She kissed him again. His anger and jealousy took hold. He pushed her back towards the wall. He put his hands on her tits, playing with her nipples the way she liked. He kissed her neck, but he wasn't as gentle as he usually was; then he sucked on her neck, leaving a mark. He never did that; he wasn't thinking clearly at all. He wanted Dean to see it. He wanted Nick to see it. Fuck her. She pulled back and looked at him. He kissed her, hard, sticking his tongue in her mouth; she responded back. He stopped, and he bore his eyes into hers. How fucking dare she stand there and act like she was.

"You want me Elizabeth?"  

She slipped her hands around him.

"You know I do."  

He pushed his cock up against her rubbing it on her.

"You want more?" 

"Yes."

He unbuttoned her pants.

"Is this the real reason you wanted to see me?"  

She pulled her pants down over her hips.

"Its not the only one, I did want to talk to you." 

He slid his fingers inside her panties; she sucked in her breath as soon as his fingers touched her.

"But I wanted this the most."

He started to work on her clit. Then slid his fingers down her wet lips, inserting one inside her. She moaned out loud. He inserted two fingers and she put her head back, moaning again. He worked his fingers in her; she was moving her hips into him. He curled his fingers up to the soft spot that made her cry out. 

"I am going to come." 

He put his face up to hers; she looked him in the eyes.

"Elizabeth, is there anything else you want to talk to me about?"

She thought it was an odd question, but she was so close to coming she just answered fast.

"No, please don't stop."

He slowed his fingers right down and gently pulled them out of her. She gasped.

"What are you doing? Please don't stop." His eyes were cold and she saw it.

"What's going on?"

"You cancelled your plans with Nick and as soon as our dinner was over and we spend the night together, you fucking went and had lunch with Nick. You had a melt down over Hayley showing up, when I knew nothing about it, having lunch with Nick, is on a whole different level darlin'. I thought we had an understanding. I thought wrong."

She pulled up her pants and buttoned up her shirt.

"Its not what you think it was, he showed up today and I knew the best way to get rid of him was to have lunch with him. He was going to keep asking until I did."

"So if thats the case, why not just tell me. I gave you enough opportunities when you got here and I just asked you again, so stop bullshitting me Elizabeth."

"I am not bullshitting you."

She reached out to touch him, but he backed away. 

"Don't. Leave now please. And don't you ever mention Hayley or Dylan again and especially don't ever mention the fact you have never been to my place. Now you know why." 

She didn't think Nick would run to Rio right away and tell him they had met. She just wanted to figure out what Nick was up to, and now it looked all wrong to Rio. Fuck.

"Rio it's not what you think at all."

He scoffed at her.

"Just leave now....I mean it, get out." 

She picked up her purse; he was just too angry. She threw back at him what he had said to her.

"This doesn’t solve the problem does it? You claim I don't talk? You won't even listen to me. You are so wrong on this one, you have no idea." 

He wasn't hearing her; he was angry, and he was jealous. He felt like she had played him.

"Elizabeth, one more thing....since you don't want to manage the club, you really should consider hiring Dylon, she's qualified and would be able to handle it just fine." 

She just stared at him. That hurt, really hurt. She pulled the towel off his neck and threw it in his face, then walked out the door slamming it as hard as she could.

Chapter Text

She sat in her van with tears in the corner of her eyes. Nick was a fucking little bitch, running to Rio to tell him she had lunch with him. Her alert was now on high when it came to Nick and she would have to be even more careful around him.

She had been trying to make her working relationship better with Rio and it had been. They were talking about things, making decisions; they were actually working together. He valued her opinion and it felt good. He always listened to her and that felt even better.

She had a very restless night. She felt all kinds of different emotions, including anger when he said she should hire Dylan. But she just knew that she needed to go see him and explain to him why she had lunch with Nick. She could understand how it appeared to him. She did not want to slip backwards with him, not now. She saw how angry he was. His eyes were dark and cold, and she knew that was never good.

She got ready to head to Sweet P's. She had to pick a top that would cover the mark Rio had left. She touched it, closed her eyes, thinking of him touching her. She actually didn't mind it, for some reason; she kind of liked having his mark on her. She didn't know why but she did.

The painters were finishing up today, and when they were done, she planned on going to see Rio to talk to him to set the record straight. They were just packing up everything when Rio came walking in with Hayley. Beth was furious. What a prick. This time, Beth wasn't so sweet to Hayley or Rio.

"I wasn't expecting either of you today."

Rio was totally straight-faced, showing no emotions when he spoke.

"Well I am here to pay the painters, and Hayley wanted to see the finished product."

Beth nodded at Hayley, who smiled at Beth.

Rio's jealousy had taken over, and he purposely called Hayley for lunch after he found out about her lunch with Nick. Hayley informed Beth that they were having lunch afterwards and asked Beth to join them. Beth smiled at Hayley while her stomach did a complete flip.

"Oh no thank you, you two enjoy your lunch I already have plans."

Fuck him! Rio just stared her down.

"It's too bad you can't join us."

Beth turned her attention to Hayley, showing no reaction.

"I do thank you for all your help this place looks great." 

Beth couldn't wait for them to get out of there. She was so angry with Rio. 

Since he continued to be an asshole to her, she was going to treat him the same way. She was pissed and jealous all afternoon. When it finally got the best of her, she stopped by his bar. She walked in and sat down beside him. He nodded to the bar tender to get her a drink.

"You know, you should have given me a heads up about lunch and Hayley I would have liked to have gone too. I mean she did do a lot for the club."

He wouldn't even look at her.

"I can always invite her out again. Whats a good day for you?"

This time he turned and looked at her. She refused to give him a reaction.

"Why don't you invite Dylan too then you can have all of your side pieces at one table. Now wouldn't that be fun."

Rio scoffed at her. 

"Why are you here Elizabeth?"  

"I need to talk to you in private." He finished the last of his drink.

"Do you now." 

He got up and nodded towards his office. She followed him. When they were both inside, she turned and locked the door. She was so angry it was oozing out of her; her chest was heaving under her blouse. But he was just as angry and jealous too. She glared at him and stood with her chest at his. Her tits, just braising him. She unbuttoned his shirt until it was open enough for her to kiss him on his neck. She started to work her way down his chest.

"This ain't talking."

She didn't stop, and she made sure she left a mark on him like he left on her, then looked at him.

"I changed my mind."

He grinned at her, an angry grin.

"Right."

As angry as he was with her, he didn't want her to stop, but he wasn't going to let her know that. She unzipped his pants and kissed him, but he didn't kiss her back. She put her face right up to his.

"You really want to pretend you don't want to kiss me?"

She kissed him again, harder, and this time he responded back. 

She put her hand inside his boxers. She started to stroke his cock, all while looking at him.

"I am pretty sure you don't mind me not talking."

He didn't answer her.

"Your cock sure doesn't."

She got down on her knees and took him in her mouth. He resisted the urge to moan. When she got his cock all wet with her mouth, she put her hands on his hips and held him while she deep-throated him. She kept doing it until he finally did moan. She stroked him again, alternating between her mouth and her hand, working him up. He tried to keep his breathing under control, not wanting to let her know she was getting to him. She increased her speed and pressure. She wasn't going to stop until she got him close. When she started moaning on his cock, he started to tighten up his legs and drew in a breath. He was close, and she knew it. She stopped and pulled off his cock slowly. He gasped when she stopped closing his eyes for a moment. He knew what she was doing. It was payback.

She stood up and looked him in the eye.

"Now we are even."

She grabbed his shirt collar with both her hands and pulled him to her face. She glared at him.

"How do you like it when you are ready to come and I stop? Kinda mean isn't it?"

They were both very angry.

"Don't you EVER do that to me again."

She had a grip on him so tight.

He wanted to fuck her so badly and she wanted him to, but neither was going to give in.

"Oh and so you know, I did want to talk to you today because I know what it looked like when I went out to lunch with Nick. I wanted to explain it to you."

For a brief second, hurt crossed her face.

"But you showed up at Sweet P's with your other side piece, the one you claimed meant nothing to you. So you can go fuck yourself." 

She pushed him back when she let go of his shirt. She walked away from him to the door.

"Maybe you can call Hayley and she will finish what I started." 

She didn't even look at him again. She didn't want him to see the hurt that she knew was in her eyes.

He wanted to go after her but he didn't; she wanted him to go back to him, but she didn't.

Beth didn't contact him for a couple of days even though there were things she should have talked to him about regarding the club. He didn't contact her either. They were both punishing each other. Rio had thought about the fact that she had intended to talk to him about Nick, but it was like every other time when it came to him, she didn't tell him up front. However, he fucking missed her and he hated that he did. He was in a battle with himself, his jealousy and anger versus his desire for her. 

Beth did not know if she was more jealous or hurt when he showed up with Hayley or why the hell she was letting it bother her so much. She knew Rio really wanted her to pay for going out to lunch with Nick. She understood that, but he didn't have to go so far as to involve Hayley again.

She also hadn't stopped thinking about him and how much she still wanted him despite being so angry at him. It was building up inside her, but she had to stop thinking about him like that, especially after showing up with Hayley. 

Their opening of Sweet P's was going to be very soon; Beth had put in another full day of working. Everyone was gone and she was just going to lock up when he came walking in. He didn't say anything to her, and he stood there, looking her over.

He walked over to her; his eyes were intense. So were hers. He reached out and grabbed her. He pulled her in tightly and started kissing her before she could even resist. She kissed him back; her kisses were as angry and desperate as his. Neither of them was thinking about their anger or jealousy; they just wanted each other; their desire was over powering both of them. Rio kissed her neck. She threw her head back, feeling his warm, wet lips on her neck. She missed this, she missed him. He missed her just as much. She couldn't think about anything else but what they were doing, and neither could he.

He desperately unbuttoned her pants, pulling them down. She kicked off one leg. He slipped his fingers down her panties and moaned when he felt how wet she already was. She unbuttoned his pants and pulled them down so she could touch his cock. He turned her around, she grabbed onto the table edge bending over for him. He pulled her panties to the side, and he lined up his cock at her pussy. He entered her so desperately as she moaned. 

She wanted it bad; she wanted it hard; and so did he. He pumped his cock into her, listening to the wet slapping between them. She moaned loudly. She was going to come fast. 

They needed to fuck each other. She held on tight letting out loud moans as she came. He buried his face into her coming as hard as she did. After a few minutes, he slowly pulled out of her then turned her around. They held onto each other for a moment while they caught their breath. He was rubbing her ass gently. She stared him in the eyes and he stared back. They both waited for each other to do something, but neither did. They both waited for the other to say something, but neither did. They had both dug their heels in deep this time. They were at a complete stalemate now. They cleaned up, got dressed and left together. They did not say one word to each other. Neither one was budging.

There were still the outstanding things to deal with at Sweet P's; and they were now running out of time. She texted Rio the next day and said they had some business to finish up. He didn't reply. He was pissing her off even more. He had a fit the one day she didn't respond to him, but he had done this several times to her now. She waited all afternoon and nothing. She checked his bar on the way home, but he wasn't there. She went to see if he was working out and found him.

The doors were locked, so she knocked. He didn't answer. She tried to call him, but he didn't pick up. Her imagination started to get the best of her. Maybe he had someone in there with him.  

He was just finishing up a training session with his trainer. She pounded on the doors. She was in a mood and he knew it. When he let her in, she was angry and it was written all over her face. She looked around and saw a couple of used towels. Her mind was going into overdrive. She watched Rio and his trainer carefully. She was very fit, and had rock-hard abs; her leggings showed off her sculpted body. Beth looked down at herself, then at her they were night and day. She almost had no waist, and Beth had a waist and curvy hips. She was the complete opposite of Beth in every way. Her name was Lisa, Rio was more than happy to introduce her to Beth.

When she left, Beth turned to Rio.

"I didn't interrupt anything, did I?"

His eyes were on her.

"Yeah you did, the end of my training session." 

She scoffed at him.

"Did you need to lock the doors? Were you worried someone would walk in?"  

She was so jealous. 

"You gonna have a melt down over a locked door?"

He was being such a smart ass, so she acted like one right back to him.

"Was that question too tough for you to answer?"'  

"What do you want now Elizabeth, why are you here again?" 

Rio took off his boxing gloves and wiped his face with a towel.

"I texted you today. You didn't respond to it, so I guess you must have wanted me to come here?" 

He smirked at her for using the same line he used on her.

"Nah, that's not it, I was busy."

He was trying to push her buttons.

Last time I did that to you, you had a meltdown."

She just fired right back at him.

"I told you I was busy."

Beth stepped closer to Rio. 

”Okay, you want to play it like this, that's fine. I will make all the decisions and you don't get to complain or change anything, got it?

He scoffed at her.

"Oh, you think so huh?" 

'Oh I know so and one more thing, don't you ever complain when I don't respond to one of your texts again."

He laughed at her.

"You still haven't told me why you are here."

"I asked you the other night about talking to Stan about managing the club. It is opening in a couple nights and we still don't have a manager. I can't do it all." 

He jeered at her. 

"Well you better hire someone fast, because there needs to be money printed before opening night, it can't be washed if we don't have it."  

She looked at him incredulously.

"Excuse me? Do you think I am going to stop everything and print some money when you have bailed on helping me?" She raised her voice at him. "I am working my ass off opening a club YOU FORCED ME TO OPEN!" 

His voice was cold.

"I don't like being played."

She was just as cold.

"I did not play you."  

"Oh yeah? whatcha want to call it then?

"A mistake, I made a mistake."  

"Yeah, and right there is the problem. You keep making the same one, and it always involves Nick and you not telling me things." 

She walked over to him. She was angry and hurt. She had been trying hard to change and she had every intention of apologizing to him.

"You say I never apologize, that I run away from things. Well, this time I didn't. I told you I wanted to see you to talk to you about Nick, to explain to you why I went out to lunch with him, but you brought Hayley and shoved her in my face again." 

She was exasperating him.

"Elizabeth! You want to apologize after the fact. It's not the apology thats the problem here, it's the fact that you didn't tell me you went out to lunch with him. You keep doing this. Remember Dylan? Nick set that up for you and you did't tell me. You are always hidin' shit from me when it comes to him. Thought we had a fucking understanding after you cancelled dinner with him." 

"We did, we do!" 

He raised his voice at her.

"Nah, we don't."

His eyes were burning full of anger.

"You went to lunch with him the day after you spent the night with me."

She became defiant.

"And what about Hayley, I thought we had an understandng about her, but the first thing YOU did was bring her to the club and take HER out to lunch."

"Nah, no turning this on me."

He stood right at her face.

"How many times have I asked you to just tell me things, especially involving Nick. I don't know why I let you get under my fucking skin. You never change." 

Her eyes filled up with tears of frustration.

"I was really, really trying. I have worked my fucking ass off to get that club running for you, for us. Night and day and I am tired, really tired. I thought we were finally working together. And you still think I am playing you?"

A tear ran down her face; she quickly wiped it away.

”I thought we actually started being real partners together."

"So did I Elizabeth, except my so called partner likes to sneak behind my back!" 

His anger and jealousy ran deep. 

She bit her lip, trying to compose herself. She shook her head looking the other way.

"I was NOT sneaking behind your back. You know, I could have just opened the club the way it was. But I tried to make it a place that will be lucrative in more ways than one. I came up with ideas to help keep the traffic moving. The more people that come, the easier it it for you to wash money in that place. You don't see any of it, you are just focused on Nick. You don't trust me with him yet you want me to trust you with a fucking bimbo you have dated and paraded her in front of me whenever you get pissed at me. I never fucking dated Nick. YOU have dated Hayley."

"You don't get it do you Elizabeth? I have warned you so many times about him. Do you think it was some coincidence that it was Dylan he set up an interview with? Do you? Come on, you are so much smarter than that."

"I am not nearly as stupid as you think I am about him."

Her eyes turned to anger.

"And you were the asshole who told me the other night to hire her." 

"Look, Nick can't be trusted, and I have very good reasons to not trust him."

"Well partner, maybe you should have told me why."  

She put the emphasis on the word partner.

"Not when my partner keeps sneaking behind my back to see him."

She shook her head at him. 

"Okay Rio, I get it. There was nothing sneaky going on, but you believe what you want. Just so you know PARTNER, The grand opening is soon. I will be inviting everyone, and I mean everyone that has helped me get the club up and running."

He knew she meant Nick. He hurt her and she was going to hurt him back.

"When I came to you about the zoning issues you, my so called partner didn't fucking help me, but Nick did. So, I think you should bring Hayley, you know, that so called person who means nothing to you. I think thats only fair right? OR bring Dylan. I mean you are going to need someone to fuck because it won't be me. So PARTNER, be clear, everything is on the table, I am not hiding anything from you." 

She glared at him. He glared at her. 

"I will continue to work my ass off to open the club for us, and you can continue not to help me because you are an asshole. I also won't be answering your texts when I am busy, and do not dump a print job at the last minute because I won't be jumping to your demands anymore....PARTNER."

He gave her an angry grin. "We will see about that."

She turned and left him standing there. Her eyes were burning with tears. He watched her walk out. His eyes were burning with anger. 

Rio couldn't get past it; he wasn't seeing the whole picture. His jealousy of Nick, and his years of being undermined and damaged by him were getting in the way. 

Chapter Text

She drove home, tears running down her face, and she was pissed she let him get to her. She had put everything into this strip club; she had a sense of pride about doing it right, making it something. She thought he appreciated it; he said he appreciated it, and he is now acting like it’s nothing because of Nick.

He was pissed from the moment she walked out the door. All he wanted her to do was tell him she went to lunch with Nick. He needed that much from her. He needed to be able to trust that she would do that and she didn’t.

Beth had breakfast with the kids and took them to school. She was going to put him out of her mind. She had to put him out of her mind. 

Krystal was going to check out the male strippers with a couple of the girls today. Since Rio wasn't going to help Beth talk to Stan, she had an idea, she was going to see if Krystal would take the position. She knew the club well and what the girls needed. Even if she didn't want it permanently, she would be a good person to talk to Stan because he always liked Krystal. If she could get that position taken care of, even temporarily, it would elevate some of the work and stress on her. The closer the opening got, the more stressed she was feeling. 

Beth was going through her to-do list when her phone went off. She saw Rio's name and didn't even read the text. He wasn't going to ruin her day. Krystal had the guys in the other room and about a half hour later, Krystal popped her head in. 

"Hey Beth, come and meet some of the guys."

Beth smiled at Krystal.

"I trust your judgement."

Krystal came in and grabbed Beth's hand.

"Oh come on Beth, don't be shy, the guys like stripping to an audience."

Beth went into the room and there were 6 guys in there. 

"Okay guys, two at a time. Show us what you have got."

Krystal sat down and patted the chair beside her so Beth would sit down too. The guys went through some of their routine. One of them came off stage and started to do his routine in front of Beth. He was gyrating his ass in front of her. Krystal started laughing out loud. Then he turned around; he had on a thong sock covering his dick. Beth looked over at Krystal, who could not stop laughing.

”You should see your face!"

Beth laughed.

"So this is why you had me sit down." 

"Well you need to see what they do."

The stripper introduced himself to Beth. They chatted for a few moments. He was a nice guy, putting himself through law school. 

Rio had come to the strip club when Beth didn't answer his text and was standing at the back watching everything. 

"Okay Krystal, I know you have got this covered."

Beth headed back to the kitchen to work. It actually felt nice to have a good laugh. Even though the guys were good looking, Beth couldn't stop thinking of Rio; they didn't do anything for her. For some reason it was only him that got to her; it was only him that made her crave sex all the time; it was only him that had her wanting to do things she was ever interested in; it was only him she was completely open and vulnerable to when they had sex. She kept thinking of his body, of his hard cock. She put her hands on her head. She had to stop doing this.

"You didn't read my text."

Beth heard his voice and didn't even look up, if she did she was sure he would know she was thinking of him again.

"Nope. I am busy." 

"Busy watching male strippers?"

She still didn't look up.

"Well, I guess the manager would have done that but I don't have one yet, so yes, I watched them.  So  why are here Rio?"

She was treating him the way he had treated her. 

"If you had read my text you would know why I am here."

She looked back down at what she was doing.

"Funny how that works huh, what do you want?"

"I said I would hire the bouncers and I did. I have their contact information for you."

She looked at him coldly.

"Oh gee thanks partner, I will add it on top of my list of other things I still have to do, but you could have just send that to me. So why else are you here?"

"I want to check out the printing room again."  

She looked up at him.

"Why?"  

"Because I want to see how secure the room is." 

She kept staring at him.

"Why?"

She was wondering, what he was up to now and she knew it was about her.

He was getting annoyed with her.

"I don't need to explain nothin' to you.  

She raised her eyebrows at him.

"Oh, it's back to that now, is it?"

His anger had not lessened since yesterday.

"You either give me the key to the room, or I get the locksmith to come and open it. I am not going to stand here and go through one of your meltdowns. They are tiring."  

She glared at him. She couldn't' believe he was still this angry, and it was a little unnerving for her that he was so cold to her still. She grabbed her purse, took out the keys, and walked right by him staring at him.

“Actually you are the one having the melt down. It’s kind of cute actually.”

He was not amused.

They walked through the room with the stage and Krystal was just finishing up with the male strippers. She came over to Beth.

"Hey Beth, we were just talking to some of the guys and we had an idea. We could split a night of guys and girls here. They would be down for it, including doing one show together. It might be fun."

Beth gave it some thought.

"I like it. Listen, I just thought of something, when I am done here, I want to talk to you about it, its something that I think you would be perfect for."  

"Sure. But first, what do you think of the guys. Hot huh?"

Beth smiled at her, then glanced over at the guys.

"You know how to pick them. They are hot."

Rio was standing right there, so she played it up.

"Yeah?, which one is your favourite." 

Beth looked them over and one of the guys was definitely a little more well endowed, than the others.

"The one second from the left." 

Krystal winked at her.

"Ahh good eye Beth." 

Rio stood there, listening to them both, trying hard to ignore their conversation, especially when he saw Beth checking out the guys. He didn't like it. 

When Krystal left Beth turned to Rio.

"Hey you should be sure to bring Hayley on opening night, those guys look way more her age. I am sure she would enjoy it."  

Rio fired right back at her.

"I haven't decided who I am bringing yet." 

Beth started to walk to the printing room again.

"Do you ever have trouble keeping names straight?" 

She was down right pissed at him.

"Nah, not when I have you around to remind me all the time."

He was just as angry as her. If she wanted to dish it out; he was going to give it right back to her.

She smiled at him with a fake sweet smile.

"I am happy to help."  

Both of them were acting on pure anger and jealousy.

 "So you are definitely making decisions on your own now huh?"   

"Don't have much of a choice do I? I can't rely on you. You pretty much have left me to carry the load of all this. I mean last week we talked about things and made decisions, this week you have dismssed me."

"Nah, that's not quite it."

When they got to the printing room, she unlocked the door. Rio wandered around and looked inside.

"So why did you really want to see this room?"  

"There will be a locksmith coming here to change the locks on this door and install a better security lock system on here."

Beth stood back and looked at him.

"Again, why?"

Rio snapped at her. 

"This needs to be secure. You are running a strip club with all sorts or people wandering around here and no one gets access to this room. Got it?"

He glared at her.

"Yeah, okay, I get it. So who will have the code to this room then?"  

"Me and Mick."

She looked indignant. 'I won't?"  

"Nope."

She closed the door to the room, angry. 

"How am I suppose to get in here if you have it locked up like Fort Knox?" 

"You will have access when you need it." 

Her anger was rising.

"What are you doing now? I thought we were past this part about the printing? that we had settled it." 

"So did I."

She could not believe he was going this far all over having lunch with Nick.

"I got to be able to trust you. Tell me something, does Nick know anything about this operation, this machine?"

"No, of course not. Do you really think I would tell him, I have given Nick absolutely nothing!"

She could not believe he thought she would do that.

She was on a slow burn now.

 “A few weeks ago you told me I was playing games every time you wanted to print, you know who’s playing the game now? You! now you’re being the difficult one. So you have two choices. You either stop this or I stop printing."

He sneered at her.

"You wanna try that shit again?"

She was furious. She stood there with her hands on her hips, glaring at him.

"What are you going to do, kidnap my sister again, threaten me about my family?

Either I get proper access to the printer or I am not doing it at all."

"You think so huh?"  

"What choice to you have? I am here, I am here everyday. This here....all of this? is part of your business, part of your operations, and I am here doing all this work, and now you suddenly don't treat me like a partner. So we have a real problem here."  

"Do we now?"  

Her blood was boiling over.

"We do. If you want to continue to treat me this way, I am done. Who will take care of all this if I walk away? You might want to think this through more."

She went and stood right in front of him.

“So you decide and let me know."

He stared her down; she could feel it go right through her. She closed her eyes for a brief second and caught herself, but he didn’t miss it. He moved in closer to her face, an inch from her mouth. He wanted to fuck her so badly and just her proximity was driving him crazy. He hated how angry he was at her and how much he couldn’t stop wanting every little bit of her. 

He put his arm around her and grabbed her ass. She glared at him. 

“You think I am going to let you fuck me again. It’s not happening.”

He smirked at her.

“You wanna play this game again too Elizabeth?”

He rubbed himself up against her. 

“This is no game, do you think you can treat me like this and I’m gonna fuck you?”  

His eyes were so intense.

”You want to pretend you don’t want my cock inside you right now?” 

She stared him down.

”You think you can fucking have me whenever you want don’t you?”

He grinned at her.  

“Can’t I?”

The anger in her was burning right through her.

”Go fuck yourself Rio! Or get Hayley to maybe she’s interested.”

He gave her an angry smile, then he ran his finger across her lip, looking into her eyes. That pissed her off even more.

She kissed him, passionately. She put her tongue in his mouth, and did not let up until he responded back just as passionately. She wanted him so badly, but that is not why she kissed him. Once he kissed her back, she stopped herself and pushed him away hard.

“No you can’t have me whenever you want!”

She walked away from him before she changed her mind because if he touched her again, she was sure she would not be able to stop herself again.

”So Rio, you decide what you want to do. If you lock me out of this place and you don’t give me access to the printing room, I am not doing another thing around here. Why should I? you have been nothing but an asshole to me.”  

He clenched his jaw, but she didn’t even look back at him when she walked out the door. Now, he was even more pissed at her. He would be stuck if she walked away and she knew it. Fuck her! He was also equally pissed that he wanted her so badly that his cock was throbbing for her. 

She made sure she wasn't around when he left. Once he was gone, she met with Krystal. Her mind was constantly wandering to him, that kiss, his hard cock pushed up against her. But she didn’t cave in this time like she always did. Who did he think he was believing he could fuck her whenever he wanted to? She knew he didn’t like that as much as he didn’t like her giving him an ultimatum about the print room, but he brought that on himself. He was being unreasonable, difficult and treating her horribly.

Rio drove off, furious at her. He needed her and she knew it. She gave him an ultimatum and he had no choice but to give in to her. He hated it. He also really hated the fact that he needed her in other ways, other ways he was trying to bury because he was so angry at her. They had locked horns and were in a power struggle with each other. 

Beth finished up her meeting with Krystal, who agreed to take on the position temporarily to see how it worked out. Beth went home feeling like she had accomplished something today. What she didn't feel good about was her and Rio. 

Rio dealt with the locksmiths. The system was finger print ID. He had his and Micks added. Only he could add other people. He knew he had to add Beth, but the power struggle between them really had him digging in deep not to. 

Beth had just finished having a relaxing bath and was getting ready for bed when her text went off. It was Rio.

'The new lock system is done. You need to meet me here to add your finger prints.” 

He had sat on the message for a while before he hit send. 

"Now?" 

"You want on this thing or not?"

She knew not to push her luck; she knew how much he hated having to do this. He knew it was the right thing to do, but his anger was standing in the way. He didn't want her to leave; he just could not get past her having that lunch with Nick. It was eating away at him and it made him put up walls around himself.

"Fine, I will be there in a half hour."

Beth put on a pair of yoga pants and a loose t-shirt and headed out. When she arrived she could see he was still as angry. They didn't say a word to each other. They were standing so close to each other when he was having her add her finger prints. She was intoxicating to him as always. He didn't know if he was more angry at her or wanted to fuck her more.  

When it was done she looked at him for a moment. He locked in on her blue eyes. But she had to pull her eyes away or she was going to give herself away again. He had been treating her so poorly and she couldn't let him get away with it.

They both walked through the stage area; he was behind her, watching her ass. She so wanted to turn to him; she so wanted him to fuck her, but she was not going to let him know it. She suddenly realized something, stopped and turned to Rio.

”You are doing what you accused me of, mixing personal shit with business."

He looked at her, like he didn't even hear her and he couldn’t help himself, he suddenly grabbed her, he stuck his hands up under her loose t-shirt. His warm hands were on her back.

She bit her lip; she bit it so that she didn't touch him back. She was like putty in his hands, and he knew it, but not this time. He unhooked her bra and her tits fell loose. He looked down at them; she looked down at them. He cupped her tits in his hands. She tried not to suck in her breath. He played with her nipples. She knew she had to stop him now. She studied his eyes. They were full of anger and full of desire.

"I told you already, you can't fuck me anytime you want. Not after what you have been doing to me."  

"Then how come I still have my hands on your tits?"  

She put her hands on his and removed them from her tits.

"Not anymore." 

She was aching inside for him. She wanted him as badly as he wanted her, but he owed her an apology for the horrible way he had been treating her.

"You owe me an apology, you were wrong today."

He heard what she said, but he was still stuck on his resentment and anger. She was holding strong against him, and it took all her will power to do it. He stood silent.

"Okay we are done here, good night Rio."

She had to walk away from him fast. 

She waited for him to leave then sat on the red leather seat. She was so fucking turned on by him she was aching inside. She squeezed her legs tight, wanting it to just go away. She started to hook up her bra but stopped and instead she touched her tits. She sat back, closing her eyes, thinking of his hands that were just on them. She played with her nipples like he had just been doing. She made a small gasp. She slipped one hand down inside her pants. She pulled up one leg on the chair. She started playing with her clit. She needed relief; it was the second time that day he had been touching her. She let out a long breath. 

Never in her life did she think she would ever do this in a place like this, but she had to. That man had changed her so much, had her craving him all the time. She let out a loud moan, then she suddenly opened her eyes. She could smell his scent.

He was standing there, watching her. She was a little embarrassed he caught her, but it quickly passed when she saw his eyes. She locked her eyes on him very defiantly. She would let him watch, let him know what he was missing.

He walked over to her slowly. He didn't break eye contact with her either. She worked her fingers on her clit, just the same way he always did. She put one hand on the chair, holding on tight; it turned her on even more that he was watching her. He stood right in front of her. He unzipped his pants and pulled out his cock. He started stroking himself. She fucking loved it. She almost let out a loud moan, but she stopped herself. She watched him stroking his cock. She wanted to touch him, to put him in her mouth, but didn't. She was breathing faster; she was getting close to coming, and he knew it. He put his hand under her chin and lifted it up to look at him. They stared each other down to see who could out-last the other. He started to stroke himself faster and that was all she needed to push her over the edge; she was losing the battle; she started to come, throwing her head back, pushing up down hard on the chair. She had been holding her breath trying to suppress the loud groan that she couldn’t stop. He wanted to come all over her; he could have, but instead, he reached down and pulled her up with both hands when she was done.

His mouth was almost on hers, ready to kiss her.

"Who were you thinking of Elizabeth?" 

She looked him in the eyes.

"Do you really need to ask?"  

"Then why cant you just say it Elizabeth?"

She didn't know if he really didn't know or if he just wanted to make her say it. 

"You."

He kissed her but she stopped and pulled back.

"What are you doing Elizabeth?“

"What do you want Rio?

"You fucking know what I want."

"Then you say it."

“Uh huh. I ain’t playing this game."

"This isn’t a game.“

This time she put her hand under his chin and held it to her face.

"Tell me what it is that you want out of me." 

Neither of them recognized this was repeat from last week when she refused to print because she was jealous of Dylon.

That printer had become the centre of their power struggles, each using it to try and gain control when they both felt insecure and jealous. This time he didn't know how to answer her, how to explain the depths of this abusive relationship between him and Nick, and how he felt so threatened by him worrying he was taking her away from him. Just like her, he didn't know how to work through those years repressed feelings he had. All he felt was the anger and the jealousy and it was clouding everything. 

She waited for a reply but he just stared at her. 

"Okay, when you figure it out you let me know."

She pulled away from him. He grabbed her and pulled her into him.

"Why are you fucking doing this?"

"Because you have treated me like shit and you think I want to fuck you?" 

"Are you going to pretend you don't want me to fuck you Elizabeth." 

"Not like this."

He knew she meant it by the tone of her voice.

She could see him clench his teeth. She didn't even think she just put her hand up on his face and ran her fingers along his jawline. He was so angry but she knew it couldn't really all be at her. It was about Nick. He had never shown her this kind of deep anger for so long or with the dark look in his eyes.

He closed his eyes feeling her soft hand on his face, he took a deep breath. Then he said it.

"You, I want you Elizabeth."  

This time she kissed him. She put her hands up under his shirt, and softly ran her hands up and down his back. She sat back down on the seat and pulled him over to her. She took his cock in her hand and worked him up slowly, with her hand and her mouth. He put his hands on her face, gently stroking her cheeks with his thumbs. Then she took one finger and ran it gently ran it under his balls. He let out a loud groan. She kept stroking his cock with her hand and gently licked his balls. He grabbed onto her hair with one hand to hold on, it was so intense. He watched her while he moaned. His legs started to tighten up. He groaned out her name loudly. She put her mouth back on his cock; she was moaning too; she only had to deep throat him a few times and he came in her mouth. She had put her hands around on his ass, holding him tight while he came. After a moment she let his cock out of her mouth, very slowly. He gasped loudly, holding onto her arms, and when he caught his breath pulled her back up and hugged her.

He had felt her moaning on his cock. He knew she was ready for more. He whispered to her. 

"You need more darlin'." 

She nodded yes. He pulled off her bottoms, freeing up one leg. He brushed his beard along her shoulder up to her ear, kissing her until she shivered. She put one leg up on the seat. He easily slipped his fingers into her wet pussy.

"Fuck Elizabeth, you are soaked."

He worked his fingers inside her slowly. She held onto his arms while watching his fingers move in and out of her. She could barely contain herself. She started squirming her ass around; she couldn't take it anymore.

"Faster please." 

He pushed his fingers into her, then curled them upwards, pulling them forward. Creating a different sensation for her. It did not take long before her legs started shaking; she grabbed tighter onto his arms, and let out a long guttural moan while she came all over his hand. It was soaked. She dropped her leg off the seat and muttered.

"Wholly fuck."

She dropped her head on his shoulder until she got her bearings back. He rubbed her back gently. After a few minutes, Rio went into the kitchen and brought her back a bottle of water and some paper towels to clean up.

"Thank you."

He leaned in and kissed her.

"Trust me it was my pleasure." She smiled at him. "Oh I am pretty sure it was all my mine.

When they were ready to leave, he put his arm around her. When they got to her car, he stopped, kissed her again, and then he finally said it to her.

”Sorry about that shit today.”

She gave him a warm hug.

“It's okay."

He still wasn’t sure how he still felt about that lunch with Nick, it still hit him the wrong way, but at least they were in a bit better place now. He wasn’t burning up with anger anymore.

He had spent all this time breaking down her walls and they were making progress and now he suddenly has put up a wall, but she has figured out there is something deeper involved. She just doesn’t know what it is, but she knows it involves Nick. 

Chapter Text

He kept thinking about the way she touched his face. She had never done that before. She only touched him like that when they were having sex; that was when she showed him her warmth and softness; but outside of that, it was not like her. 

He was not feeling as angry as he had been towards her. But he knew Nick, and he knew he always found a way to get what he wanted. He wasn’t sure Beth would even see it coming.

Going forward, she had to be upfront with him, keep him in the loop or Nick would succeed. He hoped that she finally knew how important this was to him to tell him when she saw Nick, but she should have known that last time and that’s what was bothering him. He thought she had his back when she cancelled that dinner, then turned around and went out for lunch with him.

Beth could not stop thinking about how angry Rio was, and how dark his eyes were. His anger was radiating off him.

She had seen him angry before, but this was different this time. That anger couldn’t have been just from her lunch with Nick. Even though she wish she had not gone, it was during that lunch, that she picked up on more underlying tones from Nick about Rio. Something was very wrong between them.

Rio kept occupying her mind all day. She couldn’t help but think about the moment she touched his face and how he immediately responded. He took a deep breath; he suddenly relaxed. It was like he needed her to ground him in that moment, and Rio never needed anything like that from her, or so she thought. 

She decided to stop by and see him. She wanted to see him. She wanted to see if he was okay. They were business partners and it was important he was okay; at least that’s what she told herself.

She knew he would likely be at his bar and he was. She came in and he looked up and saw her. He was surprised to see her. She usually only came to give him shit, or to ask for something, neither of which he thought would be the case right now. She came in and sat beside him. 

"What brings you here?"

"Can't a girl just stop by for a drink?

He looked at her. 

"Since when do you ever do that?"

"I guess since tonight."

Rio nodded at the bar tender to get her a drink.

"Hmmm. Is that all? I am sure there is something I did wrong."

"Nope."  

"So you must need something."

"Nope."

He looked at her with great skepticism. She lifted her glass to his, then they both took a drink.

She surprised him again when she slipped her hand down on his thigh, like he always did to her. She rubbed his leg, then left her hand on it for a moment. He just looked at her; he didn't know what to make of it. 

"So how are you doing?"  

This time he looked at her like she had 4 heads.

"What's goin' on Elizabeth?"

"Nothing. I just stopped by for a drink."

"Did you now?" 

He wasn't sure, and he was still cautious because of that lunch she went to with Nick.

She could see he was very unsure. She looked him straight in the eye.

“Yes, that's all I came for. What other reason would I be here?"

Now she was second-guessing if this was a good idea, he clearly still had his defences up.

"You tell me."

She was surprised he was being this suspicious of her intentions.

"Well, I see you are still pissed at me."

"I ain't pissed."

She looked at him.

"What are you then?"  

"Cautious."

”All because of that lunch with Nick, are you ever going to get past it?” 

“I will when I can trust you not to hide things from me about Nick.”

He was not letting it go.

”Look he showed up at the strip club, it wasn’t planned. But I shouldn’t have gone. I will tell you from now on when he is around.” 

He stared straight ahead.

"We'll see."

She finished up her drink.

"Okay. I had my drink; I am going to go now, this was clearly not a good idea."

She got up and left.

"Goodnight Rio."

She didn't even look back at him. 

He was totally confused. Maybe she was only stopping by for a drink. Fuck. He didn't know.

He went out to her. As she got to the door of her van, he grabbed her hand. They looked at each other. She stepped in close to him. He thought she was going to kiss him, but instead she put her arms around him and hugged him putting her hand on the back of his head. He hugged her back. His head nuzzled into her neck for a moment. She pulled back and looked into his eyes. She did not see that burning anger she saw yesterday; she just saw some doubt. 

"I really did just stop by to see how you were doing." 

"Why?"

She shrugged her shoulders.

"Just because." 

She turned and got into her van. She didn't know how to answer that question because it would be admitting she had strong feelings for him. She would have to tell him that she was worried about him, and that she wasn't ready for either of those things. She was just checking on her business partner. The business partner that had already told her that business and family were the same thing.

He stood there and watched her drive off. He wanted her to come back. She wanted to go back to him. But neither did anything.  

Rio was not only thinking of how she touched his face the other day; he was now thinking of her stopping by the bar to see how he was doing and that warm hug she gave him. There was no sex, not even a kiss. Just a very warm hug. Was that all it was? or was she feeling guilty for having lunch with Nick? He wasn't sure.

But he knew she was right about one thing; he had been a complete dick to her the other day about the printer; his anger got in the way.

She was also right that she was carrying a shit load of the work of getting that strip club up and running. He was so pissed at her that he dropped off the phone numbers of the bouncers when he had told her he would take care of it all. She had told him this was out of her area of expertise and needed his help. He needed to take care of it like he said he would; it wasn't fair to her.

He called her. 

She looked at her phone. It was him calling. They had been pretty quiet with each other, except when she stopped by the bar last night to see how he was. She was a little taken back that he thought she may have an ulterior motive for stopping by, when she didn't. 

"Hi there."

"Hey, I told you I would take care of the bouncers including showing them around the club, so I will contact them and set it up. But I think you should be there too, to meet them. 

She was a bit surprised.

"Okay that would be great. When were you thinking?"

"Tomorrow night good?"

"Sure that would be perfect."

"Okay see you then, I will text you the time."

She looked at her phone when he hung up. He was so formal with her, that's not how he ever acted towards her, and her not seeing him until tomorrow night was odd. They pretty much saw each other every day one way or the other, but had not seen each other since their blow up other than her going to see him last night. She didn't like this; it felt off. 

It gnawed away at her all day long; this was not him. Was he shutting her out? Did having lunch with Nick cause all this? 

Rio had just finished up a game of pool when Nick came waltzing into the bar. He was exactly who he did not need to see right now. He was not past his anger over his lunch with Beth. But he knew that fucker couldn't help himself. Rio would have to really work on hiding his intense anger, or Nick would feed off it. 

"You back already?"

'Just checking in." 

"Told ya you don't gotta check in with me."  

"Don't I? I just get this feeling you are not helping things along, maybe you are influening her the wrong way."

Rio sneered at him.

"What the fuck are you going on about now? She don't answer to me about things she is doing at the club and if you knew her, me trying to influence her in anyway would get the opposite results."

Nick leaned in close to Rio.

"Was I not clear the other day? You need to lean on her to get a manager fast. I mean is there a reason you don't want Dylan there? you and I both know she would be good at it."

Rio wasn't letting him try that crap again on him.

"I think the question is, what's the reason you want Dylan there so badly? 

Rio didn’t know that Beth had actually just hired Crystal since they were hardly talking. 

He was pissing Nick off, who leaned in to Rio, his face ice cold. 

"Stop fucking around. Do your job or I will do it for you."

Nick turned and walked out. 

Rio was furious. 

Beth had decided to stop by the bar again to see Rio. She couldn't help herself; he wasn't himself. When she arrived she walked by the window and she saw Nick and Rio. Nick was leaning right in Rio's face, and his facial expression was disturbing. He was always charming, smiling and sweet to her, but right now, he looked evil. Beth watched for a moment, and when Nick stood up, she ran back to the car. She was lucky that Dean had the van for the kids. She got in the car and watched for Nick to leave. He came out of the bar and he looked pissed. He did not look like the Nick she knew.

She waited until he was long gone before she got out of the car to go in. What the hell was between these two? 

Rio left the bar and went to his office. He could not contain his anger. He went in looking for something to tear apart. He had to get Nick off Beth's ass or he was going to keep pushing until he broke her. He had to protect her, but if he told her anything that could be worse. He had to figure out something.

Beth walked into the bar. The bartender indicated that Rio was in his office. Beth went down the hall to see him. She knocked. 

"You know not to disturb me when I am in here!"

She had never heard Rio talk to anyone that way. She walked in and locked the door. She knew this was going to be ugly.

"What are you doing here?" 

His eyes were black; they were angry like the other day, maybe worse. 

"Just stopped in to see you on my way home.”

He gave her a questioning look.

"Again? Why are you doing this Elizabeth?”

She debated whether to tell him she had seen Nick, but it was such a sore spot with him and he was so angry, she thought it would just make things worse. 

"Why not?”

"This is not a fucking good time."

"What's wrong Rio?" 

He snapped at her.

"None of your business." 

He wasn't going to tell her, not after she had lunch with Nick.

It really bothered her seeing him like this. This was so out of character, and now she knew his anger the other day wasn't just about her. She walked over to him. He just stared at her; his eyes were burning with fire. 

"Please leave Elizabeth." 

He didn't want her to leave, but he didn't want her to see him like this either. She shook her head no.

"I said leave."  

"Why won’t you tell me what's going on?."

He raised his voice.

"Get the fuck out of here. I ain't tellin you nothin."

His anger was so misplaced and she knew it. 

As soon as he said that to her, he knew he shouldn't have snapped at her like that.

"Look, I am going to go to my gym, need to work out this shit."

She took his hand in hers, rubbed her thumb over the top of it, like he always did to her. He took a deep breath like he did the other day. He needed her but he didn't want to need her right now. 

He looked down at her hand on his. He stopped thinking and just acted on his feelings. He grabbed her, all his emotions were soaring through his body at once. His anger, his frustration, his desire for her. He kissed her so hard and he pushed her up against the wall. He took both her hands and pulled her arms up against the wall pinning them there with his one hand. The other one he had on her face, holding it while he kissed her. When he finally let up, he was out of breath panting, just as she was. He wanted to fuck her so badly, he wanted to throw her over the desk and ram his cock into her so hard. Then he looked at how he had her pinned up against the wall. What the fuck was he doing? He let her arms go.

He put his face right up to hers.

"I shouldn’t have done that, you need to go. Get out please."

"It’s okay and I don't want to go. She knew he didn't really want her to go.

"I don't care what you want, I want you out of here." 

"No you don't."

He stared her down. She was right, he didn't want her to go, but he was in a bad place. She grabbed him this time and started to kiss him. He took her hands off him.

"Don't."

She didn't back down.

“I know you want to fuck me." 

He bit his lip.

"Yeah, I wanna fuck you but not like this, not this way, I won't do it."

She knew what he meant. She pushed herself against him.

 "Fuck me the way you need to fuck me." 

He looked at her. He was still angry.

"What do you think I need?"

"I think you want to fuck me hard and rough to get rid of all that frustration."  

She wasn't wrong.

"I ain't doin' that to you."

She looked into his eyes and he couldn't look away.

"Yeah you are."   

He kissed her again; he was so fucking hungry for her. She responded back to him the same way. He turned her around and grabbed her hands again, putting them on the wall. He shoved his hands up under her shirt, putting both his hands on her tits, not gentle like he usually was. He kissed her neck roughly at the same time. His hands slid down to her pants, which he unbuttoned and yanked them down her legs, with her panties. He stepped on one side, kicking them free of her. He smacked her ass, then rubbed his hand over it. He unzipped his pants and shoved them down, freeing his hard cock. He pulled her towards him so she bent over a bit as she faced the wall. He rubbed his cock up and down her pussy before he entered her hard. She let out a loud moan. He pushed her back up and held her hands up against the wall with one hand, while watching his cock thrust into her. He put his other hand across the front of her so he could put his hand on her face, and turned it towards him. He kissed her again, almost devouring her mouth in his. He left her breathless.

He started pounding himself up into her harder, but she knew he was still holding back. She moaned as she told him he could do it harder.

"Come on, fuck me like you really want to, stop holding back."

That was all he needed to let himself go, her telling him that.

He yanked up her one leg as she faced the wall. He started slamming hard into her, his hand gripping her leg tight. He was thrusting himself into her as deep as he could. She cried out over and over. She could hear him making small grunts. When he started going into her harder, he reached around and held her tight to his chest. He thrust into her, showing no mercy. He was almost lifting her up off her feet, as his whole body rammed up hard against her. He wanted to fuck her until she couldn't take it any more.

She could feel her orgasm start to ripple through her body. She was so fucking turned on. She slapped her hands against the wall as her orgasm ripped through her whole body. She cried out loud.

Once she had come, he pushed his whole body up tight against hers. He buried his face into her, grunting with each thrust, until he blew his load into her. 

Both of them were panting hard and had worked up a sweat. After a few moments he kissed her on her back, up her neck to her ear. 

He whispered to her.

"You good darlin'?"

He hoped he wasn't too rough with her.

"Yes, I am good."

She reached back with her hand and touched him. He kissed her hand. 

He slowly let down her leg and she gasped as he pulled out of her. He gently rubbed her ass where he left a hand mark. Then slowly turned her around. He kissed her very gently this time. She wiped the sweat off his brow, then put her arms around him. He didn't let her go for a long time, holding her tight. 

When they cleaned up he saw the red mark on her leg where he was holding it up. He put his hand over it softly rubbing the mark. She put her hand over his and wrapped her fingers in his, letting him know it was okay. He kissed her again very gently. 

Both of them were totally done in from fucking so hard. They both sat on the edge of the desk, very close, their bodies touching each other. She finally spoke.

"Do you feel any better?"

He looked at her. He reached up and fixed her hair for her.

"I do."  

He hesitated a moment.

"Can you please keep your word that you will tell me when Nick is sniffing around you. I really need that from you."

"I will Rio.”

He asked her the question that was on the tip of his tongue.

"How come you came by again tonight Elizabeth?" 

It was as if she knew he needed her. 

She smiled at him. "Same reason as last night.....just because."

Chapter Text

Nick decided it was time to push a bit more. He picked up the phone and called Dylan. He was going to stir the pot; things were moving to slowly for his liking. She would cause problems for Rio, and he liked that a lot. He knew Rio was keeping his distance from Dylan, and that was even more reason to keep pushing her on him. 

Nick called her to let her know that he didn't think the position of manager was filled and that Beths prospect may not come through for her. He told Dylan that he had put in a good word for her with Beth at lunch the other day. What he didn’t know was that Beth had hired Crystal.

“Listen, talk to Rio, he maybe he can persuade her. From what I understand, he is like a silent partner of the club.”

Dylan was quite happy to hear from Nick; he was her connection to Rio right now and she still liked him a lot. 

"Oh really?"

 She was even more excited now.

 "I was hoping to talk to him after my interview but he was already gone."

"Well reach out to him, it wouldn't't hurt right? I know they are opening very soon now, he probably has more details than I do, so thats why it may be a good idea to talk to him. If I were you, I would go to see him in person; face to face is always better. He is there most days but tonight is his pool night."

"I think I may do just that. Thanks Nick." 

Dylan welcomed the opportunity to see Rio. She couldn't wait. 

"You are welcome, just keep me in the loop. Talk soon."  

Rio had met Beth at Sweet P's and introduced the bouncers to her. Beth asked Krystal to come and meet them as well. She introduced her to Rio and let him know that she was going to give it a go as the manager. They went through all the security routines, and Krystal talked to the bouncers about the club and the type of clientele, and what to expect. While she was talking to them, Rio pulled Beth asdie. 

"So you hired Krystal for the manager position?"

"Yes, she is willing to give it a go and she also has a good relationship with Stan so if it doesn't't work out she can reach out to him. They worked closely together for a long time but I think she will be good at it."

"Sounds like you have everything pretty much ready to go now."

"Yes, I see an end in sight now."

Rio was relieved that Beth finally had a manager. It would get Nick off his back and hers for the moment.  

"I told you this before but I am more than impressed on what you have done here and I know you carried the bulk of the weight getting it done. You have set up quite the place here."

Beth was skeptical to accept his compliment, since the last time he said it, he went completely backwards on her. They seemed to never quite ever get on the same page for very long; it was always up and down. 

"Yeah, thanks."

"Yeah thanks? I am giving you a compliment."

"Well you have before and then you yank it out from under me."

"Okay, never mind then." 

Rio walked away from her. Like fuck, could they ever go a day or so without something negative between them?

He talked to the bouncers and Krystal. He wanted to run something by her. When they were done, they all headed out, including Rio. Beth had hoped he would stay around, but he didn't. 

"So you are leaving too?"  

"Yup."

"Yeah well you have a great night then."

What was that about? he never usually left. 

Beth was getting ready to head out herself, when she saw Rio's jacket on the back of one of the chairs. She picked it up. She could not help herself; she held it up to her face, and smelled it. It was just like him. She closed her eyes for a moment holding it in her arms. That scent of his did something to her and right now, it felt so comforting to her. She had no idea how to explain it to herself, nor would she allow herself to think about it too much.

She put his jacket on for a moment. Of course it didn't cover her breasts. She ran her hand over it as if she was touching him. It was like an extension of him. She sat there, thinking of how much he had changed her. She really could have cared less about sex when she was with Dean, but Rio opened a door, and let out something inside her she didn't know existed. It also scared her because these desires were just for him; it was always him in her head. 

He pissed her off and she seemed to piss him off, and they butted heads all the time, yet, she literally craved him. Just being near him stirred up her desires; he was intoxicating. There was no other word for it. And fuck, the sex was so amazing with him, she did things she never desired or wanted to do before. He knew just how to touch her, how to get her going, how to get her off fast and easily. He could fuck her, and she would want to do it all over again shortly afterwards.

She wondered who she had become. She fucked in his car, he fingered her at his grandmothers, they fucked in his office, in the strip club, she got herself off in front of him. She fucked him in his gym all sweaty and it was a big turn on. When he was so angry, and fucked her, he was a bit rough with her, and she liked it. She closed her eyes thinking about his cock slamming into her hard, filling her up inside. She could hear those throaty sounds from him as he did, and when he came, he buried his head in her, groaning from deep inside him. He seemed to need her in that moment. She did not know how to read anything when it came to him.

She had thought about that night in the hotel, their first night together. He seemed to appreciate all of her, and took his time. He was so passionate, and attentive and she was comfortable with him like that, which surprised her.

Sometimes when they had sex, she would get emotional; occasionally tears would fall. He never said a thing to her; he just held her and let her be until it passed. He just always seemed to know what she needed and that scared her a lot. She didn't even understand herself why sex was overwhelming with him sometimes. She didn't understand any of this. It was all new to her. 

Now, she was sitting there, aching inside for him again. She squeezed her legs tight for the moment. It was there, it was always there. Why, did he do this to her? If Annie or Ruby had any idea, they would lose their minds. She took his jacket off and folded it over her arms, and softly ran her hand over it. She held it up, burying her face in it again. No one was around so she could be warm and soft, and she didn't have to worry that anyone else saw her.

Except someone else did.

Rio had come back in to get his jacket, and he saw her with it. He stood where she could not see him. He watched her for a moment, holding it, smelling it, closing her eyes as she did. He could see the soft look on her face; it was like she was caressing him somehow. Then she put it on and he smiled when she couldn't get it to close over her breasts. He loved it. He wanted to go over to her, but he knew she would not want him to see her doing this. It was a private moment and he wasn't going to invade it. She had taken his jacket off and gently folded it over her arms and put her face in it one more time. He felt something go right through him watching her. She wasn't hiding her feelings and he could see it.

He also knew what this was like. Her fresh scent always lingered on him. In his nose, on his hands, his fingers, his lips. She was simply intoxicating to him too. His desires for her were like nothing he had experienced before; and she brought out things in him he had never experienced before as well. There was nothing better in this world than the way she grabbed onto him, held him, hit him or dug her nails into him when she came. He loved the sounds she made in his ear and the look on her face. And then there were those moments when she was so emotional, he knew to let her be, give her those moments and not say a word about them. He wasn't sure what they meant, but they did mean something to him. They were connected in those moments. 

He headed back to his bar; it was pool night. He would get his jacket at some other time. He was sure it was going to smell like her when she returned it. He wanted it to smell just like her when she returned it. 

Beth left Sweet P's and decided to stop at his bar on the way home and drop it off. 

Rio was playing pool when he looked up to see Dylan standing there. He wasn't all that surprised to see her after Nicks visit. He knew Dylan was into him, but he never felt that way about her. His mistake was taking her to pick up that car for him that day. He would not have hugged her or given her a kiss if it wasn't for the fact he knew Beth was watching.

"Hey how about a game of pool?" 

Rio was being polite. 

"I actually just finished up."

'Oh come on, just one game, you are not worried I am going to beat you are you?"

Rio gave her a half smile.

She was here for a reason, and that reason was Nick. He knew she wanted something, and she would be talking to Nick again so he was going to just play it out. 

"Sure."

Dylan was a good pool player. 

"So I didn't get a chance to talk to you after that interview."

Rio took his shot. 

"Had some business to take care of.”

"So how have you been?"

"Good, things are good."

“I was talking to Nick and he mentioned to me that the managers position had not been filled and that the person Beth wanted hasn’t come through?”

“Actually the position was just filled. I found out this morning.” 

“Damn, I would really have enjoyed managing the club.” 

She took another shot. 

“Do you remember that night we had a marathon night playing pool?” 

“I do.” 

She came around and stood right beside Rio. She was standing so close she was all but touching him. 

"That was a fun night."

 She purposely stayed close to him.

Rio took his turn.

"Yeah it was good." 

He wanted this game to end, to be done with it. He knew she was hinting at more. 

It was her turn to take her shot, and slowly bent over her ball.

“So the strip club is almost opened now?"

"Yes."

"Do you know the date of opening night? I would still love to come by and see it in action."

Fuck, just what he didn't want. 

"I am not sure yet actually."

"Well please let me know when it is."

Their game was over and Rio told her he had to get back work; she knew he owned the bar.

Beth checked her lipstick in the mirror and fluffed her hair a bit before she walked in. She expected to see Rio playing pool and he was; she just wasn't expecting him to be playing pool with Dylan. She watched them interact. Rio said Dylan was back because of Nick, but they were having a conversation about something. Plus, she was bending over her right in front of him. And she was as close to Rio as she could be when she talked to him. Not only that, Dylan certainly knew her way around a pool table.

Beth remembered the night Rio had her take that shot. How he bent over her, his face beside hers, when she pocketed the ball for their deal, he was an asshole to her.

This was why he left the strip club. Her first response was to leave, but screw that, she was fed up with the Hayley appearances and now Dylan. She hoped to make Rio feel uncomfortable; she just wanted him to stop playing these fucking games with her. She went and sat at the bar, her back to them. 

Rio saw Beth when Dylan was on her way out. Shit. This was just what he didn't need. She looked over at him, and her face was stone cold. Rio walked Dylan to the door, staying on the far side of her from Beth so that she would look his way away from her. When he was sure she was out of sight, he went over to Beth.

"Whoops, surprise." 

She was pissed, and Rio knew it.

"Yeah it was a surprise I had no idea she was coming."   

"Right and no idea I was coming either, don't you hate when that happens?" 

"Look lets go to my office to talk about this."  

Rio didn't want Dylan seeing them together, nor would he be surprised if Nick was hanging around. 

"Why are you worried she may see us?"

"Yeah actually, that wouldn't' be good." 

Beth was now pissed. What the fuck did that mean?

She waited until they got into his office. 

"So you are worried she will see us huh, now I know why you had to leave the strip club."

"Wrong again. She stopped by today to ask about that managers position, Nick had told her it wasn't filled yet."

Beth made a face. 

"Hmmm,  so that's why you were playing pool with her? that's why she was bending over making sure her ass was in your face? Is that why she was standing so close to you? Is that why she was touching you?  All to ask about the managers position?"  

Rio looked at Beth. 

"Is she still here?"

Beth scoffed at him. 

"Aww right, you said that about Hayley and then you turned around and showed up with her again. You have this habit of saying one thing but doing another."

"Nah, I don't. She stopped by, she is fucking gone. We know how this goes right? I didn't have anything to do with this and you are going to take it out on me." 

"You can't blame all of this on Nick now can you?"

"What do you mean?"

She could not hide her annoyance with him. 

"He may have set all this up but he knew there was something between you two. I mean I saw the big bear hug you gave her and the kiss. Remember?"

"Are you still going on about that, It was a long time ago. What do you want a hug from me in public, I mean maybe in front of your husband, friends?"

He was being a smart ass again, which pissed her off more.

"No, I am just stating the obvious, that's all. You want me to believe it was a coincidence you left the strip club and she is here with you?

"Yeah it is."

"Pffft. You know what else I noticed too?  I watched you play pool with her, and when I played with you, you were a complete fucking jerk to me, but you were very nice to her. Like who do you think you are kidding?"

His understanding and patience were limited since she still went home to that asshole husband of hers every night. 

"Lets not do this again, whose gonna be at home when you get there? Quite the double standard now isn't it darlin’? So just stop."

She glared at him. They were back at it again. 

"Okay fine. You know what the answer is? I will stop fucking you, I should have along time ago. I just came by because you left your jacket at the strip club." 

She threw it at him. 

"Good night."

He stood there watching her walk out. Just a few hours ago, he was watching her, sweet and soft, and as usual it was short-lived. 

Cisco and Mick were coming back to the bar late to meet with Rio. Rio sent the staff home; he would close up. While he was waiting for them, he thought about how it must have looked to her when she came in. He was just playing Dylan along to keep Nick off their back.

Beth was right about one thing; he was a dick to her when she played pool with him that night. She wasn't wrong. But how did she think she could question him about anyone when he never questioned her about that asshole at home. 

When Cisco and Mick left he texted her. 

"Can you please come to the bar?"

She was laying in bed, not sleeping, going over in her head, seeing Rio playing pool with Dylan; Rio hugging her. She told herself over and over, it shouldn't matter to her. 

She was surprised her text went off; Rio never texted late like this unless is was really important. She replied.

“What's up?"

"I will explain when you get here, text me when you arrive, park around back."

She left on her bralette, threw on her loose t-shirt and yoga pants. She had no idea what the hell was going on. She went in the bathroom, pulled up her hair, and put on a little mascara. When she was leaving Dean stopped her. 

"Where are you going?"

"Work, something came up."

"At this time of night? I am tired of this shit Beth."

"Yeah? I am tired of being the one who is working her ass off to cover our bills but here we are."

"As if that is where you are going."

"You know what Dean? I am not making you stay here, you choose too stay. If you don't like it you know what you can do."

She walked out on him. 

Beth arrived. The lights were low in the bar; the shades were closed. She texted Rio and he opened the back door waiting for her.

"Whats going on?"

Rio grabbed her hand and took her into the bar. He walked over and took two pool cues and handed her one. She was confused.

 "Is this what you called me for?"

"Yes, you said I was a jerk to you last time we played pool, I am going to make up for it. I was a jerk." 

She was surprised he was admitting it. 

"You texted me at this hour to come play pool?" 

"We can't play this game of pool with people around."

"What game of pool is that?"

"You can take a shot, but if you miss, I get to do what I want to you."

He stood up close to her, looking in her eyes, so she couldn't look away.

"And if I don't miss?"

He gave her a little smile. 

"I get to do what I want to you. This way it's a win, win for you."  

She couldn't help but smile. 

"But one thing first." 

He put down the pool cues. He put his arms around her.

"You look fucking good." 

"In this?"

"Your fucking tits are bouncing in that t-shirt, your nipples are showing and I can see your perfect ass, so yeah, you look good."  

"Yeah, well I don't think this is a good idea."

He gave her a hug, and put his hands up under her shirt. He gave her a long, slow kiss.

"I think you are wrong."

She stood there looking at him. She should walk away; she should go home. She should, but she couldn't.

"Come on darlin' time to play pool." 

He took the break shot. 

"I am going to call a shot for you and you can call the shot for me. Do you remember what I showed you last time?"

She reluctantly bent over with her pool cue.

 "Sort of, how's this?" 

He walked around behind her, checking out her ass, then put his hand on it and ran it down between her legs before he helped her. The anger she was trying to hold onto faded when he touched her. Fuck. 

"Go for it." 

She took a shot and missed. He smiled at her. He lifted her t-shirt slowly over her head and took it off her. Her tits were barely contained in the lace bra she had on. He pulled the lace just over her nipples and sucked on each one, until she let out a moan. He pulled it back up. Yeah, she was screwed, she wanted him too much. Fuck, she had no will power. 

Before he grabbed the pool cue, she stopped him. 

"Hold on." 

She unbuttoned his shirt and slid her arms around him so her tits were pushed into him. 

"Umm, so how does this work if you miss?"

He gave her a dirty little smile. 

"Then I get to do what I want to you." 

She nodded with a grin.

“And if you don't miss, you get to do what you want to me?"

He gave her a devious look.

"You got it. It's a good game, yeah?"  

She called his shot and he hit it in the pocket. He slid his hands inside her pants and pulled them down and tossed them with her shirt. He put his hands on her ass.

 "Your turn." 

He called her shot as she bent over to line it up, he stood right behind her and rubbed himself on her ass, then let her take her play it. Her ball went in this time.

"You deserve to get double from me this time." 

He pulled her up and nuzzled his beard along her neck, which always made her shiver. He placed his hands on her tits again, and played with her nipples until she moaned out loudly. He slid one of his hands down her panties. Her breath hitched when he touched her. He slid his finger along her wet lips. 

She took a deep breath.

”This game is going to be short, if you keep doing that."  

He whispered in her ear. 

"If you pocket the next shot, I will bury my face in your pussy."

He handed her the pool cue.

“I bet ya do it."

He couldn't take his eyes off her ass as she made her shot. She sunk her ball again. She turned around and looked at him. She reached down and slipped off her panties, tossing them onto her other clothes. She leaned back against the pool table. She pushed him down. He kneeled in front of her. She put one of her legs on his thigh and he opened her legs up slowly. Grazing his beard lightly along the inside of her legs until he got to her pussy. He teased her, lightly licking her. She leaned back on her hands, holding onto the side of the table. He slid his tongue up and down her wet lips, then licked her clit slowly. His touch was feather light and had her gasping, wanting more. She pushed down on the table with her hands resisting the urge to shove his face into her. At the same time, he lightly brushed his hands up and down her thighs and up to her ass. He knew she wanted more, but knew the longer he made her hold off the harder she would come. 

She reached down with one hand and slid her hand under his chin, up to his mouth. His face was wet from her. She moaned. She had had enough of his teasing and pushed his head into her more, and held it there. He reached up and took her hand off him and put it back on the table. Then he held both of her hands down while he worked her clit faster and with more pressure. She was at his mercy now. She was panting and moaning. Just when she thought he was going to finish her off, he slowed down, licking her more gently again. She pushed her hips forward into his face. She was so on the edge.

"You said you were going to bury your face in my pussy, fucking do it."

He loved it when she was demanding. He let her hands go. She was so close. She pushed his head into her with one of her hands, moaning. She started moving her legs in and out as the sensation was building throughout her body. He worked her clit the way she liked it, no holding back this time. She took a deep breath, then her orgasm ripped through her whole body. Her loud moaning came from deep inside her. When it stopped she let go of his head, still squeezing her legs together around him while it subsided. He lifted her leg off him, and slowly got up. He slid his fingers along her wet pussy again, then across her lips before he kissed her, his face still damp from her.  He whispered in her ear.

"I fucking love your pussy." 

She put her head back, catching her breath as he lightly kissed her neck. 

"I am so glad I sunk that ball." 

He put his face right up to hers.

“Oh, we arent fucking done yet. Go ahead and call a shot for me."

He pocketed the ball she called. He pulled her into him; he cupped her tits in his hand, circling his thumbs over her nipples. 

"Now I get to fuck you." 

He opened his pants, pulling them down enough to free his cock. She looked down at his cock and took it in her hand. She did the same thing to him, he had done to her. With a light grip she stroked him. He pulled a chair under him and sat down on it. He pulled her over the top of him. She stood over him, legs open on both sides of him. He pulled the lace down on her bra, exposing her tits.

"But first I got to bury my face in your tits." 

He licked and sucked her nipples, his face right in them. When she started moaning, he reached down with one hand and stroked his cock getting ready for her. He opened his legs wider and pulled her down on him, both letting out a moan when he entered her. He held her around her ass while she rocked her hips back and forth, riding his cock. He inhaled deeply she felt so good.

She kissed him on his neck up to his ear.

 “I can feel your cock tighten and pulsate inside me, just before you cum. I can't stop thinking about it."

He started breathing quicker and moaned. She moved faster on him. He tightened his hands on her watching her hips rock back and forth. She tightened up and squeezed around him. 

She whispered to him again.

"Fucking come inside me." 

He held onto her hips as she fucked him. He started to groan loudly as he came. She closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of him release inside her. She came immediately after him. She did not want to admit how good it was to be with him like this.

When they were cleaned up he walked her out to her van. He had put his jacket on; the one she had returned to him. She grabbed it by the collar and kissed him.

“I love this jacket." 

He smiled at her. 

"You do huh?"  

Yeah, she did; she really did.

Chapter Text

It was the middle of the night and Beth was driving home after going to see Rio.

She had just told him hours ago she was done fucking him, and a few hours later she was doing it again. She had not planned on it, but once she got there, and he touched her, all her anger was gone; all her will power disappeared. She was really wondering what was happening to her. 

But it wasn’t just that, there was the reason he called her there. He was extending a bit of an olive branch, admitting he treated her like a jerk the night she took that pool shot. He wanted to fix it. She couldn’t ignore it because they didn’t do that kind of thing. 

And this thing about Dylan. She did show up on him unexpectedly, and she left; he was walking Dylan out before he saw her sitting at the bar. Maybe she was reading too much into it or maybe she was just being naive and stupid; she didn’t know. She had never dated, other than Dean and she had never done anything like this before. She was like a duck out of water. 

When she got home, Dean was still up sitting and thinking about his decision to go ahead and turn over evidence to Vance about Beth. He thought about his meeting in his kitchen with Vance, his lawyer friend, and Stan.

"What's gonna happen with her?"

"Everything that never should have happened to you."

Stan told Dean it was the right thing to do.

"It's easy for you to say, its not your wife."

With a cold straight face, Stan replied, "She brought it on her self." 

Stan was right, she did bring it all on herself, so Dean handed over her counterfeit money, the list of her comings and goings with the time stamps to prove it. It was her turn to pay the price for what she did, not him. 

He had also stopped believing that Nevada was going to happen. It just wasn’t. 

He was sick of it all, sick of her. Sick of what their life had become. She thrived off that life she was living now and despite her denials he believed there was something going on with her and Rio. He didn't even know who she was any more; she had changed so much, and he didn't like her much. 

If not for her, he would not have ended up in jail. And now she was coming home in the middle of the night. So he sat in the living room waiting for her with the lights out. He had a drink in his hand. 

"So, what was your emergency?"

She jumped.

"Geezus, what are you doing sitting in the dark." 

"Waiting for you."

She scoffed at him.

"You aren't my Mom, you don't need to wait up for me."

"So where were you?"

Beth walked over to him.

"I have been working my ass off opening the strip club. I have been working earning money for our family. I don't answer to you."

Dean finished his drink.

"Whenever he calls or texts, you run. So what are you two up to now?"

She wondered what he was up to, sitting up waiting for her.

"I could ask you the same question, what are you up to Dean? What is with all the questions? You have been acting strange ever since you started working for Vance."

"Just wondering what's coming next, there is always something."

"I just told you, opening a strip club. It can be a regular source of income which we need don't we? Unless your sales are going really well, are they?" 

Dean scoffed at her.

"Look, I get stuck here with the kids almost every night."

"Awe, I know what that's like, I did it for years, only you were out fucking women and spending all our money, I am out earning money to fix what you did to us."

"Is that what you call it?" 

"You have no business making any comments to me. If you don't like any of this, be pissed at your self, not me."

"You just can't help yourself can you?"

Her tolerance of Dean was wearing thin lately.

"Dean, you really hate the fact that I found something more in my life than just being your wife. You really hate it that others see me as valuable, you hate it that I have broken out from under you and can stand on my own two feet. Maybe those affairs you had weren't such a bad thing in the end, if you didnt have them I would still be just Dean Bolands wife." 

She didn't even wait for him to reply.

"Now if you excuse me, I am going to bed." 

Beth wondered what the hell was going on with Dean? He seemed to be more than just being irritated she was working so much. She was happy he got involved in the skin care program with Vance, but he had also changed since he had. She thought it would a good thing for him, a distraction he needed; now she wasn't so sure. 

The only thing she really felt for Dean now was guilt. Guilt that he was arrested; guilt that he was away from the kids; guilt that his life was on hold because of his charges. But she didn't feel what she should have been feeling about him anymore. She was not in love with him. She knew it.

She had stayed home and had taken care of the kids for all those years; he could take his turn now. She didn't feel guilty about that.

Her reason for still being with him was their kids, and her guilt, they would take it hard if they split, so she was delaying the inevitable. But there was one other thing, one other big reason that he was still there. She didn't have to deal with this thing she had going on with Rio. This thing that confused her, that she didn't understand, this thing that scared her. 

She remembered the day they sat in that restaurant and Dean totally dismissed her, talked down to her, told her she was only good at making sandwiches. That was the day she got out from under him for good; she could never go back. She was invisible to Dean; he never saw her worth, and despite her and Rio always going head to head, he did think she could be something, he had told her so, he had told her that very morning. That's the day her whole life changed direction. That's the night she invited Rio into the bathroom. That's when she knew who saw her and who didn't. New doors had opened for her.

She knew deep down Dean was her past. She just wasn't sure what her future was, so she stayed where she was, where it was safe.

Beth, Annie, Ruby, and Krystal had finished working out the details for opening night. They planned on having a night for all the staff, including the strippers at the club first. Then it would open to the public on Friday night. Beth had originally planned on having others come for the opening as a thank you for their help, but after her talk with Rio and him not wanting Nick around, she had changed her mind. She knew how important it was to him. But there was still Hayley; she did help a lot. Rio had called her earlier to ask her to stop by the bar on her way home; she would talk to him then. 

He was sitting in his usual spot at the bar when she came in. She just stood and looked at him for a moment. If she was honest, she would admit to herself that she got butterflies in her stomach whenever she saw him and sliding into that seat beside him just always felt right. 

"Hey, whats up?" 

Rio ordered her a drink. Nothing ever felt better to him when she was sitting right next to him. 

"I just wanted to talk to you about printing the money. I think we need to put it on hold. Let's keep the place clean for a bit, we don't want to draw any attention to the club at all. I think it's going to be a pretty lucrative and successful strip club, thanks to you."

Beth couldn't help but feel a sense of pride for all her hard work, and she knew he recognized what she had done. Like she had told Dean once, it felt good to be good at something. 

"Thanks."

He looked at her, his eyes sincere.

"I mean it Elizabeth, you really did a great job on it."

He clinked his glass on hers.

She nodded at him in acknowledgement.

"Well I think it's a good idea to hold off on washing through the club. I mean the secret service was all over me so laying low is a good idea. But there is something I wanted to talk to you about too."

"Shoot."

"We were finishing up the details for opening night and who we are inviting. I told you before that I was inviting everyone who helped, I said I was inviting Nick but I changed my mind, I am not inviting him."

Rio looked at her, a thankful look.

"Yeah?" 

"I know you don't want him there and I don't want him ruining the night for you."

He put his hand down on her thigh and gave it a little squeeze.

"Thanks."

She smiled at him warmly.

"But there is one other person who was on that list, Hayley. I mean she did a lot for us and the place does look so much better."

Beth didn't want her there; Beth didn't even like thinking about it.

"I know you don't want her there."

"Do you?"

"No. Send her something instead."

She looked at him.

"You sure?"

"Yup."

"Okay. That's done then. I think everything is ready to go now."

They looked at each other, the way they always looked when they wanted each other. They didn't even say anything; when he got up; she did too, and they went to his office. He closed the door and sat on the edge of his desk. She stood between his legs, and he put his hands on her hips, pulling her close to him. He could have just phoned her and told her what he did, but wanted to see her again and she was equally happy he called her to stop by. 

"You know you got to do what you wanted to me last night. I think it's my turn."

 She slipped her hand inside the waist band of his pants. 

He looked at her with that look that literally made her melt inside.

"Do ya now? What were you thinking?"

She looked at him with those eyes that drew him right in to her.

"I was thinking this."

She unzipped his pants while looking into his eyes. Then she kissed him, and whispered into his hear.

"I haven't stopped thinking about your cock all day."

He kissed her back.

"Whatcha gonna do about it?"

She slipped down between his legs and freed up his cock into her hand. Her hand was soft and warm as she stroked him. She ran her tongue around the head of his cock, then licked the underside of it gently, causing him to suck in a breath. She took him in her mouth and sucked very gently on the head of his cock, then worked her way down his shaft. He watched her while holding her hair back.

She got into a good rhythm on his cock, getting it more wet with her mouth before she added her hand. He groaned as she added more pressure.

"Oh fuck, that mouth of yours!”

She changed it up by holding her hand at the base of his cock, while she went down on his cock with her mouth. He was sucking in his breath and started breathing faster watching her take in as much of his cock as she could. She was hungry for him. She took her other hand and lightly touched the spot underneath his balls, causing him to let out a loud moan. He put his hands behind her shoulders, caressing her. 

"Geezus, gonna come."

She went back to using her hand and mouth, and tightened her grip on him. She started to moan on his cock. 

"Yeah, just like that."

Almost as soon as he said it, he came in her mouth. He put both his hands on her face, as she gently pulled off his cock.

He took both her hands and pulled her up to him.

"I know it gets you off when you suck on my cock.”

He unzipped her pants and pulled them down enough to slip his fingers in side her panties. They both watched as his fingers played with her clit. She closed her eyes, letting him work on her. She was so aroused from sucking him off, it didn't take long for her to come. They hugged each other after like they always had done lately.  

They had both got themselves all zipped and buttoned up when Rio's phone rang. 

"Hold on a sec, I gotta take this call."

Rio went and sat on the other side of his desk. The phone call took a few minutes and Beth noticed his face changing by the second. She could only hear one side of the discussion.

"You are sure about this?" 

His eyes got darker and colder as he looked at her. She had no idea what was going on. 

"Yes, send it to me now."  

Rio had been waiting for this call for a long time. Getting the answers he needed took time, took some digging. He sent out someone to track down the man he killed who Beth said was secret service; the man who he knew wasn't Dave when Fitzpatrick reacted like he did when he said the name.

He was not going to talk to Beth about it until he knew who he was. Mick and his guys did the clean-up, and there was no identification; he didn't even have a set of keys, on him. Rio always had inside info on guys inside the circles of their business, but no one knew who this guy was. 

He was going to go to her when he put the puzzle pieces together.

It was that night in the bar when she had told him she chose him, and not a deal from secret service. She told him that she didn't want to go back to the life she had, the life he knew she was unhappy in. It meant something to him when she said she was turning down their deal. It was the first time in a long time that she had shown him any warmth. She chose him, to work with him…. or so he thought. 

Beth had told him where he had been watching Rio from, so it was easy to set him up. But when it was over, Rio told her that he wasn't looking to take him in; he was looking to put him down. She sat there and said they must have been out of options; that she must have been all they had. He even wiped out her debt to him, telling her she earned it. Fuck her. 

When she told him that it was "off the books", he figured it was the secret service gone rogue since they didn't get him when they arrested him. This was definitely off the fucking books but not in the way he thought.  

So he sent out someone to track it all down and do it on the down low, not to raise any suspicions. He just got his answers. The man was James Fitzpatrick; he worked on his own; he was a hitman, hiding behind other businesses. He kept a low profile, usually stayed from anyone like Rio involved in the crime world. 

She had duped him again. She was fucking clever. So clever. He had taught her; maybe he had taught her too well.

He thought about her; about them. He thought about how they were heading in a good direction, making changes. She had apologized to him; he had apologized to her. They talked about work; she came to him about things. They actually had made decisions together. She was working hard to get the strip club up and running. And he remembered how soft and caring she had been to him about Nick. How she had touched his face; how she had come to him "just because". The night they spent in the hotel, she was warm and sweet. Their sex was amazing; it felt like they connected on a different level. And just yesterday he watched her holding his jacket when no one was around. Her face, the softness, the warmth he saw as she held it close to her. 

But she had hired a hitman to take him out. 

She was watching him; his face was stone cold now. She was going over and over in her head about what she could have done wrong now.

"What's going on, everything okay?"

He glared at her and she felt it go right through her.

"No it’s not. This is what is going on."

He turned his phone and showed her a picture on it. The one he had just received.

Her face turned white. She stared at his phone; her heart was racing. She felt a little sick. She looked back up at him. He wasn't going to understand this at all, and she definitely could understand what he must be feeling. Fuck, this looked bad, so bad.

"Rio, you need to let me explain this to you."

'Like fuck I do."

 He leaned over and his eyes bore into hers.

"Get the fuck out of here."

Chapter Text

She stood there looking at him, looking into his eyes; they were so dark and so fucking angry. It physically made her feel sick the look she saw in them. 

"I said get the fuck out of here." 

She reached for his hand and he pulled it back. The look he gave her made her take a step back. She kept her voice calm. She spoke softly.

"Please listen to me for a moment Rio."

He spoke in a voice so low, she could tell he could barely contain his anger. 

"Everything that comes out of your mouth is a fucking lie. I stood in that hotel room with you and you told me you regretted shooting me, that it was painful for you thinking I was dead after you shot me, yet you turned around and hired a fucking hitman to kill me? I can't believe anything you say anymore. Now  get the fuck out of here.” 

Her eyes filled with tears; she suppressed the sobs that wanted to escape her throat.

This was fucked. He was fucked. She was fucked.

She grabbed her purse and left out the back way to her van. When she got in it, she smashed her hands on the steering wheel, then covered her face and cried.

She thought about the night Rio was to take out Fitzpatrick, and how she had a complete meltdown; how she lost her temper with Janey. How she felt so sick inside that he may not be successful, that Fitzpatrick would get him first. She thought about how deep down inside she didn't want to kill him, but she was afraid for her family, Annie, Ruby and for herself. He had made it clear she was around only because she was useful to him. It wasn't until Annie told her that he would never hurt her, and that Mick had confirmed it, that she stopped living in that fear of Rio. She looked at him differently from that moment on. It was the reason she was more open to him now. It was the reason things were different between them. It was the reason she was letting him in bit by bit. 

He had it all wrong; what he was thinking was all wrong. Everything was all wrong.

She knew he was too angry to reason with, too angry to listen to her. Maybe he even hated her now.

He was trying to process everything. A half hour ago she was sitting at the bar with him; they were talking about business. Then they went to his office and they fucked around. But one phone call later, it all changed. The anger and hurt hit him really hard. 

He walked to the front of his bar to make sure she had left. He watched her in her van and he saw her break down. For a moment he wanted to go to her until he reminded himself she had hired a hit man. 

He remembered what Fitzpatrick said to him; "didn't think she had it in her" and "you gotta be careful with a woman like that." Just how true those words were. She was never someone to underestimate. 

But what the hell was all this stuff between them recently? He could read her like a book, he could see through her. She couldn't fake some things. There was no reason, nothing for her to gain by being with him the way she had been lately. She was even showing her jealousy and there was no reason to fake any of that. She also didn't have to do what she did with the night club considering he made her open it. She could have just opened it as it was. 

But she should have told him the night they were in that hotel room. They put it all on the table, about the night she shot him. But then again, when the fuck did that woman ever talk about anything without it being dragged out of her. She was so fucking complicated. There was nothing easy when it came to her.

He needed to go to his gym. He needed to work out. He needed to get some space from it all. He needed to punch the fuck out of something. 

She got no sleep at all. She went through all of it in her head again. She was feeling so upset seeing him that way. So upset that he thought she was so cold-hearted just to kill him. She never wanted to kill him; she just got so sick of living in fear of her him. She saw no other way out.

That was all back then, before things changed between them. Before she found out he was never going to hurt her. She didn't know; she really didn't know until Annie told her.

She was going to go see him. She was going to tell him everything. There was a reason things got to that point and he was the reason. He could hate her forever, but not until he knew why she did what she did.  

Rio was in his office when she got there the next day. He also had no sleep the night before. He tossed and turned. He was angry, but under that anger was hurt, a deep hurt. 

She walked into his office and shut the door. He looked up at her.

”Get out.”

”No. I have something to say then I will leave.” 

Rio was still so angry with her.

”I said get out Elizabeth.”

”Nope.”

He walked over to her. She was leaning against the door. There was a space of one finger that separated them. His face was right at hers.

”Get, the fuck out of here. I am not interested in hearing your lies.”

She was not backing down.

”I will leave when I have said my peace. I am not moving from this door until I do. You are going to have to physically remove me and if you try, I will fight you back. I came here to say something and I am not leaving until I do. It also won't be lies, it will be the truth."

He glared at her; she could feel his anger radiating off him.

”You said I lied when I told you it was painful for me when I thought you were dead. Well you must have lied to me when you said you weren't going to hurt me the night I shot you, because you showed up in the bar instead of Rhea telling me you were going take care of me yourself, you know, get rid of me. The same kind of thing a hit man does, the same kind of thing your guys do. I was so terrified that I lied to you about being pregnant.”

She watched his face as she spoke. He looked away when she said he threatened to take care of her. She continued on. 

"You came to the print shop that night and watched how I made the money. You told me you needed me alive. That's why my life was spared.”

She didn't take her eyes off him. 

"You seem to have forgotten that you made sure I knew I was disposable at any given moment. The night you killed Lucy you took all of us out to the van, telling us you didn't need us, hinting that you were going to kill us. When you found out that you were out of your league in running that printer, that you needed us, I watched you kill Lucy instead. I watched you turn your head and nod at Mick, who blew her brains out. You did that to me. You wanted to send a message to me, well I got it loud and clear. But I am suppose to still believe you weren't going to hurt me that night you were shot right?  Maybe you are the liar?

He looked down away from her for a moment; he couldn't look her in the eyes. 

"You had me pick up Lucy's gun and put my finger prints on it, so I would be the one that went down for her murder.”

She grabbed his shirt with both her hands.

“So don’t you stand there with such indignation. I hired a hitman, not because I wanted you dead, I did it because I didn't want to live under the threat you were going to dispose of me when I wasn't useful to you anymore. I lived with that hanging over my head every single day. You forced me to choose between my life or yours didn't you?" 

She shoved him back away from her. 

"So, let me set this record straight with you. I am sorry I shot you, I meant it when I said it, it wasn't a lie. I am sorry I hired a hitman, and I mean it, that's not a lie either. But I am also sorry for one other thing and that is you scared me so much, that I felt I had to do it."

Her eyes filled with tears. He was looking away from her. She grabbed his face, made him look at her. 

"Look me in the eyes, so you can see I am not lying. I didn't want you to die the night I shot you, and I didn't want a hitman taking you out. I would have had to find someway to live with myself, some way to cope with that pain....but you forced my hand, and you would be a liar if you say you that you wouldn't have done the same thing if you were in my shoes. It was self preservation."

She let go of his face.

"Now I have said my peace.  I thought we were past it all, that we left it behind in that hotel room, but we didn't."

She turned to leave but he put his hand on the door.

"Hold on. Lets get ALL the truth out. You can stop acting like there was never a reason those things happened. It was business, all about business. You kept fucking me over going way back to first time you had me arrested. You caused me so many problems, one after another. YOU are why the FBI was all over our ass because you never listened to me once and look how that turned out. Had you ever just once worked with me instead of against me none of those things would have been necessary. I gotta protect the business, it would cost too many people unless you prefer to be sitting your ass in jail right now. I always had to push you hard, to give you incentive to do what you sholud have been doing. You don't get it do you? You got off easy, always got off easy. You did things to me that others would not live to tell about. The difference in what I did and what you did is that I never laid a hand on you, you actually hired a fucking hit man.”

She stared at him.

"Wow, everything I said just fell on deaf ears. You made me fear for my fucking life, so if you think thats better I guess we have no where to go from here. The thing is, we were working together just like you always wanted, but all you see is the past, the past that you were half the problem of."

Rio was far too deep in his anger and hurt to see her side of it. 

"You done now?'

"Yeah, I am done now, I apologized to you, I told you the truth, I told you my side of it. I understand yours, and you refuse to see mine."

She turned and left. She slammed the door behind her. She ran to her van this time. The flood gates opened. She drove off to the parking lot that they first exchanged the money at. She didn't know how long she sat there. She didn't understand anything anymore. She didn't understand what was going on with her, with him, with them, with anything. 

He stood there watching her leave again. He did hear her words, but he couldn’t absorb them. He also couldn't look at her sometimes when she said she thought he was going to kill her, but he never hurt her, and he was stuck on one thing, she hired a hit man. She actually put a plan in place to take him out. 

It was opening night of the new Sweet P's. The place she had really given everything to for his strip club. She was trying to make it something special, because deep down inside her, it was her way of making things up to him from the past. She knew things had never been easy between them, and she knew he was right; she had made many mistakes, but when they started to get along, she found herself wanting to do more. She liked the feeling of them being partners, she liked it when he had treated her like one. She liked that they actually talked and made decisions and he always listened to her. It was those little things that had been softening her towards him. They were simple but important things. 

She had just finished getting dressed. She bought a black dress with lace that hugged her curves. 

Dean looked at her when she came out of her room. He couldn’t help but notice just how good she looked. If only she had dressed like that for him.

”So how come you never invited me to this open house?”

Beth looked at Dean wondering if he was joking.

”You know why.”

”Hmmmm.” 

Beth wasn’t in the mood for him. 

“Let’s not do this okay?”

”I would really have liked to see what you have done with the place.”

“I’ll be sure to have you come by then and you can see it for yourself.” 

She drove to the club, feeling deflated. She had worked so hard on the club getting everything just right and her and Rio weren’t even speaking any more. It hurt.

She had not heard from him since she left him yesterday. She wasn’t going to contact him, he didn't want her around. She hoped that time would help him see things more clearly. She apologized to him, she told him the truth, she didn’t know what else she could do.

She pulled into the parking lot. She took a deep breath, she felt so out of sorts. She had to keep herself in check, she couldn't let her emotions get the best of her. She knew others had worked hard on the club so she had to put on her game face. The first thing she did when she got inside was make herself a drink to calm herself. Instead of being a fun night, it was going to be work for her, work to get through. 

They were waiting on a few more people to come including Rio. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres were being served. 

Beth was chatting with one of the strippers when she saw him come in. She swallowed hard and looked away. 

He looked at Beth when he came in. She was beautiful, absolutely beautiful but part of him just felt pure anger towards her.

She sucked it up and walked over to him. She had greeted every other person that came. If she didn’t Annie or Ruby would pick up on it.

”I am glad you made it. Go get yourself a drink and enjoy.”

She smiled and walked away. She could feel his eyes on her. She was very happy that this dressed hugged her ass tight. 

Beth was on auto pilot, burying all her feelings, she was actually an expert at it. She had done it for years and years. 

Just as they were going to the stage to talk, Annie told Beth to look at the door. It was Nick. She had not invited him. Rio looked at Beth right away. Beth went over to him. Fuck. This looked bad on top of everything else. 

"Hello Nick, this is a surprise."

"I thought I would stop by to see how great this place is.”

He handed her a big bouquet of flowers.

“Congratulations on opening the new Sweet P’s.”

"I wasn't sure you would want to be at the opening of a strip club.”

She smiled at Nick when she was so pissed. 

"It's a business, and I support businesses."

“Aww right, thank you Councilman Martin."

"Please go get a drink, I was just about to speak."

Beth texted Rio.

“I did not invite Nick.”

Rio watched their interaction closely when he came in. She certainly was friendly when he arrived. He was pissed even more now. He even brought her fucking flowers.

Nick headed over to see Rio.

”Hey brother.”

“You couldn’t help yourself could ya?”

Nick gave Rio his smug smile.

”Oh come on, I just supporting a local business initiative.”

Rio didn’t even look at him.

”Right because that’s what this is about.”

”That’s the life of a councilman.”

Beth and the girls welcomed everybody in the club and introduced people. She thanked everyone that helped to get the club up and running. She spoke a little about the changes the club has made and the new initiatives. Then she had Krystal come up and explain how things were going to be operating under the new management.

Male and female strippers put on a fun show for everyone and then everyone went back to mingling. 

It wasn’t until Nick was gone that Rio approached Beth. Of course Nick didn’t leave until he was all over Beth before he left. 

“I need to speak to you for a moment.”

They went into the print room. He was still so angry.

“What’s Nick doing here?”

”I don’t know. He just showed up.”

”Really?”

“You don’t believe me? Why would I lie about it?”

”Maybe the same reason you didn’t tell me you went to lunch with him.”

He was pissing Beth off.

"Are you are bringing that up again? Okay, tell me, when is the last time you had lunch with Hayley? or Dylan? or one of those other side pieces you have got? Did you invite Dylan to your bar the other night? Maybe you lied to me about it. How come I don’t know who you’re going to lunch with? I mean you seem to know everything about me, who I see, what I do.”

"That’s different. I don't want you around Nick because he is dangerous. I have warned you enough times. He's gonna eat you up and spit you out when its convenient for him."

Beth scoffed at him.

”Or maybe you don’t want me around him because of what he might tell me. You see Fitzpatrick told me, you have side pieces and I am just another one…so did Nick. Maybe that is why? Because you are the one who isn’t up front. I know fuck all about what you do from day to day other than when I see you. You seem to know everything I do. So you want to go on and on about me having one lunch with Nick, let’s talk about you. I have a whole list of things we can discuss. You whine about Dean all the time, but I am not hiding anything from you. You know about him. I still don’t know what where you live. So don’t accuse me of lying. I just told you I didn’t invite him. I kept my word to you! Now unless you want to talk about all those other things, fuck off!”

She stormed out of the print room. He watched her leave. He watched her perfect ass, in that perfect dress walk out. And why did she have to look and smell so good?

Rio came back out to the main room and Krystal came over to him.

“Have you shown her yet?”

”No.”

”What? She’s going to love it.”

”We’ll see.”

Krystal was direct as she always was. “Okay spill it, whats going on?”

Rio looked at her, like he didn’t know what she was talking about. 

“Look, I am a straight shooter. I’ve seen you two together and I see the way you two eye fuck each other all the time. Now you did that for her as a thank you and she deserves it and now you’re not doing it? I mean do you have any idea how much work she put into this place, she worked her ass off every minute of every day and everything that you’re looking at now is because of her. And it’s your strip club.”

Rio didn’t respond.

“Okay, I don’t know what the fuck is going on between you two but I’m just saying smarten up, get over whatever this shit is.”

Rio tried to blow her off.

“Don’t worry about it.”

”Okay honey, listen up. You’re a pretty hot guy, I mean I would hit on ya if it wasn’t for the fact that I saw you two together. I’ve never seen a guy look at someone the way you look at her, I could be standing here naked in front of you and you still wouldn’t notice me. And she’s the same way, the way she looks at you. But you seriously gotta get your shit together. Did you get a look at her tonight? I mean I am straight and even I’m attracted to her right now. So you need to seriously smarten up and fix things.”

She walked away, then turned back pointing at Rio.

“I mean it, fix it!”

Krystal’s words hit Rio hard. No one had ever talked about her to him like that. He heard Krystal’s words again.

“You better get your head straight because you got to be a stupid man if don’t see she did it all for you.”

He looked all around the club, then back at Beth. She had done all this for him. All of it.

Chapter Text

Rio was trying hard to reconcile his feelings that she hired a hitman. It hurt. Even though she laid out what led her to that decision, he wasn't getting beyond it. He was not seeing the whole picture at all. It was too soon; it was still too raw for him. 

Krystal had told him how much she had done for this strip club, how she had done it all for him. But he was stuck; he was stuck in his hurt and anger.

Everyone was having a good time at the opening, they were enjoying themselves. Everyone but her, everyone but him. 

Just when Beth thought things couldn’t get any worse, they did. Annie had come to tell her that Dean had shown up. What the fuck was he doing here?

Beth went over to him.

”Why are you here? And who is with the kids?” 

Dean gave her his big goofy smile.

“I got a sitter. I just wanted to support my wife, see this place. ”

He came to check things out to see if they were doing more than just a strip club.

”Really.”

He had been acting really weird lately, so she didn’t quite believe him. 

“Well, take a good look around, it’s just a strip club with strippers.”

Beth went over to Annie and Ruby.

"Look, I don’t know why he’s here, it’s just very strange he came. So can you guys keep your eye on him? The print room is locked up but he has been been questioning me a lot lately.”

Ruby nodded in Deans direction.

“Oh I have a feeling he probably won’t be going anywhere he's very preoccupied.” 

Dean was over talking to the strippers, more like ogling the strippers.

Annie looked disgusted.

“Ewwww. He is just so gross. Beth you gotta get his ass out of the house. The sooner the better. Like you are standing right here and his eyes are popping out of his head."

"Honestly Annie, I don't care who he looks at anymore."

Beth looked over at Rio; she knew this would piss him off more. She went over to him. 

“I had no idea he was coming. He’s suppose to be home.”

Rio didn’t show any emotion.

“Right. Always surprises with you ain’t there?”

“I did not invite Nick who is your family and I didn’t invite Dean. Now if you don’t believe me too bad.”

She walked away.

Beth went over to Dean.

"Could you stop drooling all over the strippers?" 

”Says the person who went right over to her boyfriend.” 

“Enough Dean. These girls work for me, try to show a little respect.” 

Dean looked over at Rio, who was watching them. He gave Dean a snarky smirk. He also noticed how Dean was all over the strippers. He really was an asshole. He was married to the most beautiful woman in the room and he was doing that. Dean really was as stupid as they came. 

Fortunately he had a curfew so he did not stay long. Beth was relieved when he was gone. Dean left thinking the strip club was simply a strip club.

The night was winding down. Beth looked around and saw Rio across the room. She would be lying if she didn't say it hurt her that Rio had not acknowledged anything about the club.

Beth had kept herself together all night. She was a great host and the opening was successful. When the evening was over she sent everyone home; she was just going to finish a few things, then was closing up and heading out herself. But first, she was going to have a drink. She didn't have time earlier to grab one. The only thing she had was a sip of champagne.

Rio had left too without saying another word to her, not even good night. He was clearly still hating her, and maybe he always would. 

Without warning, her eyes filled with tears. She was very hurt. It was his strip club and the very least he could do was say thank you. She put her hands on her forehead, leaning on the bar. A few tears fell.   

Rio sat in the parking lot. He knew it was wrong that he didn't thank her and he should have regardless of anything else. There was no denying that she had done an amazing job; that she had worked really hard on the strip club. So he came back in. He saw her at the bar. 

"Elizabeth."

She raised her head and quickly wiped her face so he wouldn't see she had been crying. 

"What's up? I am just closing up."

She was very cold to him.

"I came back because I should have thanked you."

She put her hand up.

"Don't. Don't you come back here after you leave, after everyone is gone and say thank you. It's too little, too late.”

"What did you expect out of me?"

"Nothing really. It was just a real shitty thing you did. Just a thank you would have been nice. I just hope it makes you feel better somehow."

She turned her back to him and took a sip of her drink; she could feel tears burning at the corner of her eyes. 

"This is why I came back. I was wrong.  Can you come with me?" 

"Where to?"

"You will see, just follow me please."

Beth followed Rio. There were a few small rooms that were unused, and Beth hadn't even looked at them yet. He opened the door, turned on the lights. She walked in and stood there shocked. There was a beautiful new office all set up. It had everything in it including a small bar fridge, some chairs in front of the desk. A small leather love seat. It was not lacking anything. Beth walked around the desk. There was a name plate on it that said ‘Boss Bitch’ on it. She looked up and smiled at Rio sweetly. It was perfect, it was him acknowledging her as a boss.

"Did you do all this?"

"Yes, as a thank you for all the work you did getting this place up and running...for the boss, for you."

Her eyes filled with tears. 

"Thank you so much Rio."

His recognition of her meant a lot. She came around the desk and over to him; she put her arms around him and gave him a warm, sincere hug.

"You have no idea how much this means to me." 

He hugged her back, but it was barely a hug, then he pulled back.

"You are welcome."

A part of him wanted to kiss her, hold her, but the angry part of him refused. All he had to do was envision Fitzpatrick sitting in that window with his rifle on him.

She just looked at him. He was still so cold to her. 

"So, when did you do all this?"

"Earlier in the week."  

Now it made sense to her.

"So before yesterday, before you had that phone call."

His eyes were still cold.

"You mean the phone call when I found out you hired a hitman?"

She swallowed hard. 

"Yes, that phone call."

"Yeah, it was before then."

She moved away from him, trying to hold back the tears. She thought maybe he was easing up, moving forward, but he wasn't.

"Okay, well, you shouldn't have given this to me. I don't want a gift from someone who hates me, who is just going through the motions. Your insincerity is oozing out of you right now. You are doing it because you are suppose to, not because you wanted to."

"I am thanking you and you are pissed at me?"

"I am pissed because you left here, came back and felt some oligation to thank me. It wasn't what you wanted to do, we both know it."

"At the time I did this, I didn't know you wanted me dead."

He was relentless.

“I didn’t want you dead. Stop saying that! I lived with the threat of you taking me out at any time. Guess that makes us even."

His anger wasn't easing.

"You think so huh?"

She walked over to him. 

"Yeah it does. You somehow think it’s different.”

”You should have come and told me about it.”

"I thought we cleaned the slate between us in that hotel room, left all that behind us."

"Nah, we left the shooting behind in the hotel room. If we were cleaning the slate between us, wasn't that the time to put everything on the table? All you had to do was come clean with me, but you didn't." 

”Clearly you had questions about the hitman, what stopped you from just asking me that night at the hotel? You had someone looking into it so it was still a problem. But this is you isn't it? always trying to trip me up.”

”Why is there always something to trip up.”

”There has been nothing, and I mean nothing for me trip up over. I have worked my ass off for you and have even come to you about things to keep you totally up to date on everything. I never did that before, I put those things in the past. I was doing exactly what you wanted, I was working WITH you.”

He became angrier.

"Nah, you were hiding this from me. Every time I look at you now, I know you wanted to kill me.”

She stood her ground.

“Tell me something, did you ever really want to kill me?” 

He looked at her for a long time. “No.”

She tried again with him, tried to get through to him. She took his hand in hers.

”Do you believe I really wanted to kill you?” 

He pulled his hand away immediately. 

”You actually had someone trying to take me out.” 

“That’s not what I asked you. Do you believe deep down inside that I really wanted to kill you, that I wanted you dead? Because all I was doing was trying to stop you from killing me."

He didn't answer her. She kept at him.

"Do you think I did all this for someone I wanted to kill? Do you think I fuck someone I wanted to kill?"

He still didn't answer her. His face was stone cold.

"Okay then, I asked you in the hotel room if you thought I was heartless. You said no, but I am asking again now. Do you think I am heartless?"

He just looked at her. She kept looking at him. Her eyes filled with tears. 

He didn't think she was heartless; he was deeply hurt, but he couldn’t tell her that, the anger part inside wouldn't let him. She looked so beautiful, he wanted to tell her, but he couldn't. She was absolutely amazing tonight and he wanted to tell her, but he couldn't. He was so proud of her tonight, but he couldn't tell her that either. It meant everything to him that she had done all this for him, but he couldn't say the words. He was stuck in his pain that she had hired a hitman. 

She backed away from him like he had smacked her in the face.

"I think you better go now."

She never looked at him again. If she did, she would burst open in a flood of tears. She waited until he left, and when she got into her van, the tears started to fall, and they did all the way home. 

She hurt him and he hurt her back. 

She was so glad Dean wasn't up when she got home. She just wouldn't be able to cope with him. She went over the whole night in her head again. One minute she felt appreciated by him. He had set up that office for her, and it was the sweetest thing he could do for her. It really meant so much to her, then a moment later, he took it all away from her. 

But what hurt her the most, was that he wouldn't answer her when she asked him if he thought she was heartless.

Beth arrived at the strip club very tired in the morning. She wanted to make sure things were ready since the doors were opening to the public tomorrow night. 

She remembered hating Rio for forcing her to open the club; then she ended up making it something he would be proud of. She had undertaken this huge project so she could make it into something. She felt a great sense of satisfaction, pride and accomplishment. But now she hated it all again. He had stepped on her and squashed her. 

She put on some coffee. She didn't even hear him come in until he spoke.

"I need you and the girls to print 50G's." He was cold to her.

She was equally cold back to him.

"I thought we weren't washing anything through the club yet."

"It's not for here." 

"For what then?"

"Excuse me?"

"Who is the 50G's for? this is the third time you have had us print and we sure has hell didn't wash it."

"Told ya before, you don't gotta worry about it. You'll get your cut from it." 

"So its like that again." 

He remained cold.

"Print the 50G's Elizabeth."

"Okay, sure we will print the 50G."

"Gee thanks."

He turned to leave.

"Before you go, there is something else."

"What's that?"

"After what happened last night and the past few days, I think its time we parted ways. Too much water has gone under the bridge. You seem to hate me, so we shouldn’t be working together. You wanted me to teach someone else how to run the printer. I will teach them, but I want out. I will ask Ruby and Annie if they want to keep working with you and one of them will let you know, after all, it was them negotiating a deal with you that got me tied up in this club. But I am out.”

He glared at her.

"Is that right?"

"I also will be done with this club, it's all yours now."

She saw him clench his jaw a bit. 

"Kind of a problem don't you think?"

"Why is that?'

"Well, you don't just get to quit in this business, doesn't work like that."

"I would implicate myself if I told anyone anything. Besides, I am well aware after all your threats what could happen to me."

She was very matter of fact when she said it.

"Thought you needed the income."

"Oh I do. You see my husband can't work yet." 

She purposely called Dean her husband.

"Husband huh?"

"You know...Dean."

She just wanted to dig at him now.

"Where you gonna work?"

"You don't need to worry about what I do."

He looked at her suspiciously.

"Gonna take Nick up on his offer?"

"No, I promised you I would stay away from him, I will keep my word to you, but whatever I do, it won't have any effect on you." 

He stared her down.

"Well you could just hire a hit man, then you don't have to worry."

She bit her lip for a moment, trying to keep her composure.

"You just went too far. You can't fucking help yourself can you? Maybe one day you will look at all of this objectively and see YOUR part in what happened, but you can continute to hate me if that's what you need, but this fucked up thing between us is done, over."

"Yeah you are right, it is."

"Good, glad we agree on something. I am also taking back my offer, I am not going to help you anymore. In fact you don't deserve me to help you at all. The club opens to the public tomorrow tonight. Krystal knows what shes doing so you will be in good hands."

"You got money to print."

She was defiant now. He had hurt her for the last time.

"Annie and Ruby need their cut. I will print because I am not heartless. But I won't train anyone on the printer and I will sure as fuck will never help you in this place again."

"Don't be doing this shit again Elizabeth."

She glared at him.

"You did this shit not me. I was all in working with you. 100% all in. I mean, what are you going to do? Threaten my family again? Oh wait, I forgot, you can say and do whatever you want to me, but I shouldn't defend myself."

She stepped up right in front of him.

"I don't want to see you again either. I will drive all around town not to go near your bar or this place, anything not to cross paths with you."

She walked away from him. She grabbed her purse to leave.

"I will leave the keys to this place with Ruby when the printing is done, you can also contact her about the printing job, not me. "

"Elizabeth!"  

She yelled behind her.

"You know what Rio? You are still an idiot. Now stay the fuck away from me."

She left and when she was away from the strip club she pulled over. She blocked him from her phone. She didn't know what she felt more, anger or hurt.

Rio left behind her. He was even angrier at her now. Maybe she was right. Maybe this was best. Fuck her! He needed to blow off some steam; he needed to forget all about her. He needed to put her out of his head; he needed to get away from it all. Going to his gym wasn't going to cut it.

He picked up his phone and called Hayley.

”You free tonight?”

He had had enough of Elizabeth Boland. Maybe it was time to move on. He had not slept with or touched another woman since the night she took him into that bathroom. She changed everything in him that night. Now maybe it was time he changed it back some how. Yeah, Elizabeth Boland could fuck right off.

Chapter Text

After Rio left Beth, his mood got increasingly worse. Here they were again, at each others throats, and she quit on him again. It's what she did, but fuck her, he was going out tonight and he was not going to think of her again. No more. She quit, she was a fucking quitter on top of everything else. 

He met up later with Hayley. He wanted so desperately to put Beth out of his mind. What were they anyways? She still lived with that douche bag of a husband, yet she had the nerve to question him about others. It was all so fucked up. They had done so many things to each other too. Maybe he needed a fresh start. 

They met at his bar. When Haley came in, she found him at a table, not the bar. He didn't want her sitting at the same place he and Beth always sat at.

They were finishing up a drink when Nick stopped in. He came by just to instigate, to stir things up, to get under Rio's skin, especially when he saw him at the opening of the club the night before. Nick had to admit, what Beth had done was pretty remarkable, and she handled it like a pro.

When Nick looked over and saw Rio with Hayley, he had a smug smile on his face; this was good, he wasn't with Beth. Rio looked up and saw him. What the fuck did he want now?

Hayley being Hayley was all over it as soon as she saw Nick.

"Hey Nick, how are you? It's good to see you."

Nick smiled at her.

"Nice to see you again."

Then he looked at Rio.

"Well this is a pleasant surprise."

Rio knew exactly what he was referring to. He was with Hayley. 

Rio had to fight his disdain for Nick.

"What brings you here."

"I didn't really get a chance to talk to you last night. The opening of the strip club was a big success. I have to say Beth did a very impressive job. I am more convinced then ever that she is ready to take on more. You must be pleased with how everything turned out."

"Yup, it was good." Rio was not biting on his little dig for her to run for city council. He was a bit worried about what Nick would do if he found out they had a falling out and she wasn't working for him at all. But she promised over and over she would stay way from him. 

Hayley interjected.

"I am glad it turned out so well, I actually received a beautiful huge bouquet of flowers and very expensive wine from Beth as a thank you. It really wasn't necessary, I was glad to help out." 

Nick was happy.

“Well it opens to the public tomorrow night. I have a feeling its going to be a huge success and as councilman, its satisfying to see a business succeed." 

Rio's blood was boiling. He knew Nick was loving this. 

"So where is your business partner tonight?"

Rio looked at him expressionless.

"I am not her keeper."

Hayley jumped in.

"You know we keep talking about going out together and it's never happened, we need to definately make a plan to do it."

Nick smiled at Hayley.

"You know I think we do."

There was nothing more that Nick wanted than to make Beth and Rio uncomfortable again. 

Rio ignored the comment.

"Listen thanks for stopping by, but we need to head out shortly." 

Nick just made Rio’s mood even worse. They headed over to Hayley's place. Rio was still angry, and he wanted a release and an escape from Beth. He had not been thinking clearly at all; his head was so muddled with emotions.

Hayley was completely the opposite of Beth in every single way. And maybe that’s what he needed, someone completely opposite of her. Hayley wasn’t long term relationship material, and that suited him just fine. He planned on fucking Beth right out of his system by fucking Hayley. 

Hayley knew what he wanted, and she was ready for him. She took Rios hand and lead him into her bedroom.

Hayley removed her top, and was standing in her black lace bra which she removed. Hayley's breasts were perfect. Symmetrically perfect, very firm. But all he could think about were Beths, the way they bounced when she walked sometimes, the way they felt against his chest. How he held them for her when they were fucking. The way they spilled over in his hands. The way they filled his mouth, the way he buried his face in the softness of hers.

Next Hayley stripped down to her panties. There was no doubt she had a great body, but it lacked the softness and the voluptuousness of Beths. He adored every single thing about her body; the curves, her hips, her ass, her breasts.

Hayley grabbed his t-shirt and pulled it over his head. She looked at his 3 scars from the bullet wounds. She went to touch them and Rio just instinctively pulled away. He didn’t want her to touch them. It was like she was touching a part of Beth, a part of them. It was their's and no one else’s.

He quickly thought how stupid that was and he tried to clear his head.  

Hayley put her arms around Rio, and he did the same to her, putting his hands on her ass. She didn't fit in his hands like Beth did. Her body spread thinly across his palm; she was thinner, smaller; and it was less than what his fingers had come to love. 

She kissed him. It was different than kissing Beth, totally different. She didn't have the same softness of Beths lips, of her mouth. Sometimes he wanted to devour Beth's mouth in his. And her lips were perfect, especially wrapped around his cock. He loved her soft warm mouth all over him.

He knew he needed to give his head a shake; he had to stop all these thoughts of Beth; this is why he was here with Hayley. 

They moved to her bed; this was what he wanted. He had just compared Hayley to Beth in every single away, and that needed to stop immediately; this is why he needed to do it; it’s why he needed to fuck her. 

Beth checked her phone again, out of habit. It was silent. Too silent. She talked to Rio or texted him every day, several times a day. She realized that she was in contact with him more than anyone else. There was no point in looking at her phone; he wasn't going to call her; he couldn't; she had blocked his number out of anger, out of complete frustration. 

She was in bed, trying to sleep, but she couldn't. Rio kept popping into her head. She tried to stop thinking about him and failed over and over. She was craving him again. Fuck. Maybe it would help if she just took care of herself, maybe it would make her tired. She slipped her hand down her panties, inside herself. She was wet, but then again, when wasn't she wet when it came to him, whether she was around him or thinking about him. It was ridiculous what this man did to her. She went from a person who didn't really didn't care much about sex, to someone who wanted it all the time and couldn't stop thinking about it; thinking about him. She had orgasms she didn't know she was capable of having with him. 

She closed her eyes, thinking of his fingers touching her, thinking of how he loved to bury his face in her pussy, and damn he knew how to make her come. She reached for her vibrator, and he was all she was thinking about when she came. It didn't help her; in fact, she lay there wanting him more, aching for his cock inside her. She made it worse, not better.  

She had only blocked him once before. It was after Dean took her children. She took him home to her place, then ended it all after she slept with him. She didn't think it would bother him that much; he he was a good looking guy; he could have any woman he wanted. She was a suburban soccer mom of four; what would he want with her?

But she opened herself up to him that afternoon in a way she had never before. It wasn't just that the sex was amazing; it was how he was with her, how he made her feel, how he touched her, how he looked at her. And damn his eyes, and how he held her gaze over and over. She couldn’t look away. The intensity, the desire, the warmth of them. He made her feel like she was everything.  

He was only the second man she had ever slept with; she was like a fish out of water. She didn't have the experience to know she was not just some other hook up for him. What she felt from him was real; she just didn't know it.

Beth was so repressed. She had no fucking idea who she was when she met Rio. Him coming into her life pushed her to find out. He pushed her to face the life she had. He helped her discover herself.

But she shut it all down, she shut him out, she shut herself down when she ended it. That was the moment she changed things between them and they never recovered from it. It was still there between them now. This issue with the hitman was part of it. 

He had retaliated and hurt her right back. She remembered how it felt when he told her she was just work. She was angry, very angry, but it hurt too. He had punched her in the gut. Then he doubled down when he caught her in his place. He asked her if she wanted it. She so desperately wanted it, wanted him, but he coldly threw her out, just like she had coldly thrown him out. Fuck they were a mess. 

She shut down emotionally when she ended things with him; she shut down emotionally when she shot him; she shut down emotionally when she hired a hitman. That’s how she coped. She had to get Rio to understand that, this was the piece that was missing; that he wasn’t seeing.

They had definitely made some big steps towards improving their relationship. They both started talking to one another; they both actually apologized to each other. They were working together. But too many issues of the past were always haunting them.

She thought they had put the shooting behind them. She shivered, thinking about it again, but now she knew, that night wasn't all about Turner and the FBI breathing down their necks. There was another piece to it. His anger and his hurt went back to that afternoon in her bed.

She didn’t like it the first time she blocked him on her phone, and she didn’t like it now either.

After she dumped him, Rio knew going back to her old life was making her so unhappy. He also called her on it when he came to the park to find her. “They suck your sole out yet?" Yes, they were sucking it out of her, stifling her, holding her back, taking her backwards to the life that she was drowning in. 

He had come to her and sought her out to warn her the FBI was coming. Even though she hurt him badly, he still looked out for her. He told her what she had done was cold....and it was. Maybe that's why he didn't believe her now when she said she did not want him to be killed. 

She looked at his name again on her phone. She could understand his anger at her, even though he had given her every reason to hire Fitzpatrick. But this hit him hard, really hard. And in his eyes it was just another thing she had done to him. 

Having his number blocked was too final so she unblocked it. 

She also felt lost. She had been going non-stop for weeks working at the strip club. She felt a little empty now. Even though it exhausted her, she really enjoyed what she had done. She had accomplished so much and the sense of satisfaction was undeniable.

She was surprised at how much she missed him, but she wrote that off to just missing their work together. However, she still didn't understand that work and their relationship were one and the same; just like business and family were.

Beth also didn't really want to walk away from everything; it was where she thrived; it was where she wanted to be; it was where she felt fulfilled. But she had quit on all of it, and she hated it.

None of this was what she wanted, yet here she was. She didn't realize just how tied into her life he was until now, it hit her just how connected they really were. 

He had come to her at a time when she didn't deserve it; when she treated him so badly; when she was cold to him. Maybe it was her turn to go to him even though he had been treating her badly. She had to show him she was not cold. 

She wanted to reach out to him; it was her turn, and she knew it.

She picked up her phone and called him. He didn’t answer, but it was better that he didn’t, she was never good at saying things, at expressing herself to him or anyone; this way it was easier for her to say what she wanted to say. 

“Hey, I wanted to call you because I was thinking about the first time I ended things between us. You came to the park because I had blocked you on my phone. I knew I had hurt you and I never told you I had to quit because Dean gave me an ultimatum and took our kids.

But even after I had done that to you and treated you the way I did, you still came to tell me that the FBI was coming to raid the dealership. You still looked out for me despite what I had done. I have never forgotten it either.

I just feel like it’s my turn to do the same now, it’s my turn to look out for you. I am just not sure how, or what you need though.

I also don’t want to quit on what we’re doing; I don’t want to quit the business; I don’t want to quit on any of it; I never did the first time, and I don't want to now either. You need to know that.

So please give me a call when you are ready."

Rio was on his way home from Hayleys. He needed to have a shower; he needed to wash the night off him. He wanted to lose the scent of her perfume in his nose.

There was nothing about Hayley that prompted the same feelings he had for Beth. He still could not stop thinking about her. A bitter smile danced across his lips thinking about the physical way Beth's body always embraced his. It was unique, it was just hers; it was just theirs.

He always knew that Beth had opened herself up to him in a very vulnerable way every time they were together. It was the way she responded to him; it was the way she allowed herself to open up to him sexually, how she trusted him when it came to that. It was the moments after when she continued to hold onto him, not letting go. There was an unspoken level of trust and intimacy between them when they were together like that.

Beth affected him in so many ways. He was always very careful; he always wore a condom when he had sex with other women, but he didn’t with her, he didn’t want to. He wanted all of her to feel all of him; he wanted to feel every part of her. It was just different with her in so many ways. Everything was different. 

He knew what was between them was special; it was just theirs, and he felt like sleeping with Hayley would break it; that it would hurt their bond. He wasn't ready to do that yet. He wasn't ready to let that go. 

He couldn't sleep with Hayley; he had to leave; he had to come home. Maybe he just needed more time. Maybe it was just too soon. He got into bed. That plan he had blew up in his face. Instead of fucking Hayley he jerked off in the shower thinking of Beth.

She got in his way again. Fuck she messed him up badly.

His phone rang, snapping him out of his thoughts.

He was shocked to see it was her. What was she calling about? She had quit on him again; she ended things, just like she did the afternoon he was in her bed. Fuck her. No more. He put his phone down. He wasn't interested in what she had to say. He just couldn’t do it again, he was too hurt. 

Chapter Text

It was Friday morning; Beth did her usual morning routine with the kids, feeding them breakfast, making their lunches and getting them off to school. She came back home and stood in the house looking around.

Now what? Was she going to go back to her old Mom routine of cleaning up, doing laundry and dishes? This wasn't her any more. If she knew one thing, it was that she was not Beth Boland, wife and mother, specifically Deans wife. She had outgrown that so long ago. She loved her kids, but having kids didn't mean she had to lose herself or lose her own identity to be a Mom.  

She started feeling suffocated, a little panicky, anxious. Going backwards was not an option; she just couldn't; it would destroy her. 

She regretted letting Rio get to her yesterday, and she reacted to it. All the blood, sweat and tears she put into the strip club and she wasn't going to be there when it opened up to the public. She wanted to see how successful it could be. She had been so excited about it. It had long term potential for her.

She had not talked to Annie or Ruby and told them about the latest fall-out with Rio. She did not want to get into another discussion about him with them. They had no idea just how much more involved she and Rio had become. They would think she had lost her mind. She would never be able to explain to them her relationship with him. She was having a hard time understanding it and explaining it to herself. All she knew was that right now, she felt empty inside, like something was missing. 

She had hoped Rio would get her message and call her. But she knew that he would be so angry that she quit on him. In fact probably double the anger at her now. It actually really bothered her that he let her go; usually he made it impossible for her to leave. But not this time, she had not heard from him and it was very unsettling for her. 

She thought about going to see him, but she said she was giving him time, and maybe with him being so angry, it was too soon. Pushing him wasn't the answer.

Quitting was like she did also wasn't fair to Krystal, or any of the others who worked for the club. It was too much to put onto Krystal. Opening night was going to be so busy. She realized how it impacted more than her and Rio; it impacted everyone.

It was all hands on deck at the club an hour before it was to open. They were going over everything one last time to make sure they were ready to go. Beth had already prepared the outline for everyone. 

Most people had arrived, including Rio. They were waiting on a few people still. Krystal was surprised Beth wasn't there. She went over to Rio.

"Have you heard from Beth?"

"Nope."

Krystal turned to him with her hands on her hips.

"What did you do? or should I say what didn't you do?"

"What are you talking about."

"You know what I am talking about. Where is Beth? You own the place, where is she?"

"I doubt she is coming."

"What the fuck? Seriously, what did you do? I left here the other night you were still here, I didn't think you would fuck everything up."

Rio did not want to have this discussion with Krystal.

“It is what it is.”

”Dont even try with that shit with me. Beth should be here tonight, this really was her baby."

Rio was about to respond to Krystal when they both heard her voice.

"I am here."

Both turned to see her standing there. Beth had decided at the last minute that she was coming; she was going to finish her job. She wasn't quitting on it; she wasn't quitting on him, at least not tonight. Krystal came over to Beth and hugged her.

"I knew you wouldn't let us down."  

Beth wouldn't look at Rio. She didn't know what she would see, and she didn't want to push anything with him either. She was afraid he would tell her to leave but he didn't. She just wanted to do the right thing. 

Krystal and Beth were getting ready to address everyone, but when Beth wasn't looking Krystal gave Rio a glare and pointed her finger at him, and mouthed the words "smarten up." She also had an idea, one that would get his attention.

Rio was surprised Beth came, but he didn't know what it meant. He assumed that was what her phone message was about. They had a line up out side the doors to get in. This was good, really good for the club. 

Rio stood back, watching Beth; he saw just how important she was to everyone. She also looked fucking hot. She had on tight black pants, a black wrap-around jacket open enough to show her ample cleavage and she turned heads.

As soon as the doors opened, the night got very, very busy. Beth was over at the bar getting her first drink when Rio finally came over to her, ordering another drink for himself. He had been drinking since he arrived. 

"Thought you never wanted to see me again?"

Beth couldn't believe this was what he came to say to her. She gave him an incredulous look; she wasn't sure how to take what he said to her. Was he being a smart ass? or was he testing her to see what she would say?

"It would be wrong of me not to be here tonight. Too many people are depending on this going right and it wasn't fair to dump all of it on Krystal. Do you want me to leave?"

"Nope. This place needs you."

Beth noted he said the place needed her, not him; the place needed her. 

"Okay."  

Krystal got up on stage to address the audience. She welcomed everyone to the new and improved Sweet P's. She said a few words about the place and the new management. Then she did something unplanned. 

"Before we get the night going, there is one more thing I want to do. There is someone I want to thank for all of this, who put in many many hours to get this place up and running. She deserves a big shout out for all of this. Come up here Beth.”

Beth wasn't expecting this; she was caught off guard. Rio watched her walk up on stage. Her breasts were bouncing just a little; he could see her round ass as she walked. Her lips were red, and he could see the perfect shape of them from where he was standing. He had to work hard at not letting his thoughts go to her sexually. 

The patrons gave her a round of applause, but she also received some whistles and a few shout-outs. One guy in particular yelled to her, "What are you doing later?" He was a young guy maybe thirty years old. 

Krystal was very pleased with herself; she knew Beth would draw everyone's attention, and she did. She watched Rio's face and he was full of pride and jealousy all at the same time. This was exactly what she wanted. 

Once the first dancers started, Krystal walked by Rio.

"If you don't appreciate her, someone else will."  

The night was incredibly busy and Beth got checked out a lot. Rio's jealousy was being tested. 

Beth glanced at him through the night but avoided locking eyes with him. She saw Rio go to the bar and get another drink. This time he headed up the hallway to what was suppose to be her office. She noticed he had been drinking more than he usually does. She ordered food for him and brought it to him. 

She knocked on the door and came in; he was sitting working on his drink.

"I brought you something to eat."

"Don't gotta worry about me, I can handle myself."

"I know, I just thought you could use some food, you are kind of putting them back."

She nodded at his drink. He glared at her.

"What do you want Elizabeth?"

"I don't want anything. I really only wanted to bring you some food. You know, you don't have to stick around."

"Why? you want me to leave?"

"No, but things are going fine and you don't seem to be very happy being here."

"I wonder why?"

"Lets not do this okay? 

"Do what?"

"Rio, I don't want to argue with you, I think we have done enough of that."

"What do you want?

"I left you a phone message telling you."

"I got it but I haven't listened to it yet."

'Why not?"

"Because I am not interested in what you have to say. You quit on me again, and I am not doing this shit with you anymore."

He was not receptive to her at all; she should have left him alone, especially since he was drinking more than usual. 

She came over to him.

"I will leave you alone, but I just ask that you at least listen to it."

"I will listen to it when I am ready to listen to it, and not a minute sooner."

She put her hands up, throwing in the towel.

"Okay, okay. Look, you cant drive like this can I at least drive you home?"

"No, I don't want you taking me to my place."

She swallowed hard, it hurt the way he said it. He knew by the look on her face it did. 

So should I call you a cab? uber?"

"Mick will drive me."

She went over to him. She felt defeated. She took his hand in hers; her eyes were glassed over. She was hurt and didn't know what else to do anymore. This time he didn't pull his hand back.

"I just seem to be making everything worse no matter what I do, I am not going to bother you again."

She turned to leave, pulling her hand out of his. He didn't let it go. 

"Elizabeth, just give me some time okay? I’ll let you know when I am ready.”

She nodded.

"Okay."

She turned to leave and wiped a tear from her eye. He saw it. Fuck, this isn't what he wanted. She was right, there had been enough fighting between them already. 

He pulled her back again; this time he held both her hands. He absentmindedly rubbed his thumbs over her hands. 

"Just let me unpack all this shit in my head first, then I will listen to it."  

"Okay. But, I am was orignally suppose to be here tomorrow night too, I think it would be fine without me here."

"Please come, you should be here."

”Good because I want to be here.”

”Yeah?”

”Yeah.”

She headed towards the door again. 

"Thanks for bringin me somethin' to eat.”

"You are welcome."

He had her so close to him, all he had to do was kiss her; she was right there, but he still couldn't. 

Before he left he talked to one of the bouncers; he wanted to make sure that Krystal and Beth were walked to their cars; they would be the last out. He watched her again for a few moments. It was hard to believe she was the same woman who was a stay-at home Mom leading a very sheltered life and now she was a boss running a strip club. She had come a long way. He was really proud of her despite everything else he felt. 

Rio woke up with a headache; he didn’t often drink like that anymore. She was the first thing that popped into his head when he woke up, but that was what it was like every morning. However, it was the first time since he found out about the hitman that he didn’t feel intense anger towards her. 

Part of what eased it was that she came to the opening of the strip club; she did it on her own; it was her decision. She said she had quit but she came back. It helped him unclutter some of his emotions.

He should have told her what a great job she had done, but he didn’t. He should have said a lot of things to her, but he didn't; he just couldn't, not yet.

If he was honest with himself, he would admit that he missed her. He missed talking to her, texting her. He missed her sitting down beside him at his bar. It was their spot, their thing. Their lives really had really intertwined more and more every day and he was just realizing how much.

As angry as he was at her, he was glad that he did not sleep with Hayley; he would have felt he had cheated on her in some way. They had no commitment to each other; she was still married to that asshole, and they never ever spoke in terms of a relationship in any way. He didn't know what the they were, but he would have been cheating on her in some way. And their physical relationship was really the only way she expressed herself to him. She let him see a part of her that she kept protected every other moment in her life. 

There was just no way to explain what she did to him. How the very moment he touched her in that bathroom, something happened to him. His desire for her was nothing like he had ever felt before, the same with their sex. 

He knew that at the time that she hired the hit man they were in a different place; in a bad place with each other. He thought about what she had told him, how he was the other half of the reason she felt she had to hire one. 

The night she shot him, she was a mess; she was scared; in fact, he terrified her. Why did he put that bag over her head? It was too much and that was all on him. She feared for her life. She did what anyone else would have done.  

He also had never seen the look on her face that he did when he sat down beside her in the bar telling her he was going to take care of her himself. She feared for her life; he knew it. Yet, he was hurting inside so badly, not just because she had shot him but because he knew he should kill her, if she was anyone else Mick would have them taken care of before they woke up the next day if he gave the order. But he didn't want to kill her, and in a strange way, her lying about being pregnant was a good thing; it gave him time to find a way to keep her alive. 

The night he had Lucy shot, Beth fought for all of them. Lucy, Ruby, Annie and herself. She went at him to spare their lives. She was as brave as she was the day she called him an idiot when Mick had a gun held to her head. She fiercely fought for those she loved. She put herself on the line. That was part of why he was so drawn to her; she had guts. She took him on twice in the face of fear. 

He could now see why she felt so threatened. But, she had never fought for him; she had fought against him, and it hurt. She hired Fitzpatrick. 

The second night of their new opening was as busy as the first night. Rio only approached Beth once to ask how they had done the night before. She told him they had done really well and that the feed back was really good from the patrons. It bothered her that he was all business with her, but she had noticed that Rio didn't seem so angry at her. She stayed clear of him, it was what he asked for. Rio appreciated that Beth respected his wishes and gave him the space he asked for. He needed it to clear his head. 

Krystal saw Rio across the room and started heading over towards him. He quickly turned and decided it was time to go to the washroom; he did not want to have to deal with her again. When he came out of the washroom, she was standing there across from the door. 

“Well that didn’t work now did it? If you didn’t come out I would’ve just gone in there and talked to you anyways“.

“Geezus, what do you want now?“

“Apparently I’m not getting through to you. I don’t care about the details of your relationship but I know what I know and I know what I see between you two. Her husband is an idiot, don't you be one too. Swallow your pride. If you don’t get your shit together, I am gonna grab you by your ear and drag you to her and stand there holding it until you get things right. You get me now?”

”For fucks sake....are you riding her ass about this too?“

”God no! She has no idea I’ve even spoken to you. But she’s been really good to me and all of us here and I’m looking out for her. So don’t make me put the hammer down on you!”

She turned and walked away; Rio shook his head. What the fuck!

As the night wound down Beth got ready to leave; Krystal was closing up with some of the guys. She said good night and waved to Rio on the way out. It was just so wierd.

He watched her leave and he didn’t like it. Beth pulled out and left. She hated it.

Rio left after her. When he got in his G Wagon, he decided he was ready to listen to her message. Even though Krystal was a royal pain in the ass, he heard what she said when she told him she saw what was between them, meaning she saw in Beth she had feelings for him. This gave him the validation he needed to hear. 

Beths message was not what he expected at all. It shocked him. 

She acknowledged she had hurt him; she finally told him why she had acted so cold that day in the park; yet it meant something to her that he came and tipped her off. She had never said a word about it, but he remembered what she said in the hotel room; just because she didn't show it, didn't mean she didn't feel it.

Damn, there was a lot to unload in her message. He replayed it again. She had told him she never wanted to quit, and that this was where she wanted to be. Those words meant something to him. He didn't know Dean was the reason she quit and ended things with him.

She had done something else too. She had reached out to him; she said it was her turn. He needed it to be her turn. 

It was almost  2 a.m. in the morning. He drove to her place. He was ready. She said she didn't know what he needed; but her phone message was exactly what he needed….and her.

When he got to her place, all the lights were out. He headed to her yard like he had done so many times before. Her bedroom light was on. He texted her. 

"Elizabeth, I'm ready." 

She was in the bathroom just getting ready for bed when she saw his text. The heaviness she felt lifted.

“Where are you?"

"Out the back."

"I will be right there."

She took off her mom pajamas and left on her sleeper lace bra and panties. She put on her house coat and wrapped it around her. 

She came out and went right to him, right into his arms; she didn't care that Dean was upstairs asleep. They had kissed passionately before, but this kiss was unlike any other time. Rio couldn't get enough of her sweet mouth and nothing felt better than her in his arms. He needed her, he needed that moment when they were one, when he was inside her and she was taking him in like she wanted to keep him there forever. 

He grabbed her hand and took her to the side of the house. He opened her robe with her up against the wall. He wanted her right then; right there, she wanted him just as badly. She unbuckled his pants. He looked at her face; under the moonlight, she was more beautiful than ever. Her eyes were full of emotions, the ones she could never say to him. He pulled up her one leg and wrapped it around his waist. He pulled her panties over to the side. She grabbed his cock and lined him up. There was such a desperation between them.

They kept their eyes on each other. She could see the moonlight reflecting off his eyes. It was strangely romantic, them fucking outside under the clear moonlit sky above. She just wanted him inside her, she missed him, missed his cock, missed feeling him filling her up.

He entered her, pushing right up into her until she let out a moan. She grabbed onto his collar with her hands. They didn’t say a word to each other, they didn’t need too. She kept her eyes locked on his as he thrust into her. She moaned each time. He went deeper and harder, holding her ass with his other hand pulling it in towards him each time he buried his cock in her.

As he fucked her harder, they buried their faces into each other, both panting and moaning uncontrollably. She felt every bit of his cock inside her. She squeezed around him tight, crying out over and over with each deep push into her. He was holding her tight when she came and soon after she could feel his cock tighten up inside her as he let out a long, muffled groan. He released himself inside her, filling her with his warm cum. Filling her with him.

She gasped loudly when he pulled out of her, which she never liked. She could feel his cum starting to trickle on her pussy and legs. She pulled her panties back over wanting to keep it there, like she was keeping him there. 

He hugged her and told her that she gave him what he needed. She touched his face and kissed him.

She didn't want him to go; he didn't want to go. They walked over to the picnic table and sat on top of it; he had his arm around her tightly; she wrapped her leg in his. He kept kissing her. This time she stayed warm; she stayed in the moment with him. 

Neither of them cared if Dean found them because Dean was the catalyst of their downfall and they both knew it. That one afternoon, set them so far backwards, it caused them so much grief between each other. It was compounded by their lack of communication. They were unravelling it bit by bit.

Beth remembered the last time they sat on the picnic table. It was just before the second time she slept with him, before she coldly told him to leave. He was laughing and joking with her. He was so relaxed. She didn’t see that in him again for a long, long time. Now they were back sitting on the picnic table after all of it, like they were going back to where they should have been.

Rio turned her face to his.

"I never told you how proud I am of you, not just what you did with the strip club, but who you have become. I told ya, you could be something Mama." 

Her eyes filled with tears. She could barely talk.

“Thank you.”

She choked up with a sob. He hadn’t called her Mama in a long time. He wiped away her tears, then held her even tighter. He understood how much it meant to her. 

The sky was clear; the moon and the stars shining were down on them. They sat on the picnic table for a long time, just being together in the middle of the night. Just them, no one and nothing else between them. 

Chapter Text

It had been so intense between them that they both needed that time sitting on the picnic table together. There was more they needed to talk about, but for the moment it could to wait. 

Rio walked Beth to the door before he left. 

"I didn't give you a proper thank you for everything you did at the strip club. I gotta do somethin about it."

"You gave me that office.”

"Yeah, I didn't give it to you the way I should have."

"But you still did it."

"Nah, we are gonna do something."

Beth smiled at him. "Okay that would be really, really nice. We will printing that money for you, the next two days while it’s closed. I will be at the club a few nights to make sure things are running smoothly. Actually, the male strippers will be doing their first night on Tuesday and I want to be there to see how that goes. It's the first time it's been done at the club.

"How about Thursday or Friday?"

"Sounds good."

"But I need ya to do one thing for me."

"What's that?"

"Wear that dress you wore opening night."

She looked at him warmly. "I will." 

She was glad he asked her to wear that dress because she had bought it with him in mind.

They had a long-lingering kiss before he left. As Rio got in his car he had a text from Beth.

"I am glad you listened to my message."

"Me too."

”And I am even more glad you came by.”

”Same darlin.”

Beth had not stopped thinking about Rio even though he had only left her 6 hours earlier. Beth was going to pick up the girls from a sleep over. She left about 20 minutes early.

She texted Rio. He was surprised to hear from her so soon, it wasn’t like her to reach out like this.

“Hey, what are you up to?”

“At my gym working out.”

”Can I stop by for a few minutes.”

”Yeah, see you when you get here.” 

When she arrived, he looked over at her. She smiled at him. She didn't know what it was about his body glistening in sweat that got her going, but it did. She never would she consider going near Dean, but she also never considered doing to Dean what she wanted to do to Rio right now. She went right over to him without thinking, she went right in for a kiss, playing with his tongue in her mouth. She stopped and pulled away from him.

"Whoops, that's not why I came."

”No?”

She tried to step back, but he put his arms around her tight.

"This wasn't a good idea for me to come here when you are working out like this."  

He grinned at her. "So is this a thing for you? hot and sweaty guys?" 

"No, not at all."

He took her hand and put it over his cock. She inhaled deeply and closed her eyes.

"You sure? Cause I think it is. "

She looked at him.”Only with you."

"Is that right?" 

She nodded yes, biting her lip but not breaking eye contact, she couldn't look away from him even if she wanted too.

"Good."  

The look between them was intense for a moment, aware of what she had let him know.

"So what did you come here for? because I want to bend you over and fuck you right now."

"Aghhh, I have to pick up the girls in 10 minutes." 

She was tripping all over herself and she knew it. She really didn't think it through; she just wanted to see him. 

"Well, things were, you know, pretty bad, I just wanted to make sure you are okay now." 

He smiled at her. She was way out of her element and he knew it. She just didn't do this sort of thing; she didn't come by just to see him for no reason.

"I'm good now. I understand things better....but I think we still need talk about a few things at some point." 

Rio was referring to Dean; he was a big problem between them, and he was why they went so far off the rails. 

"I know we do."   

Rio walked her to the door and kissed her sweetly. "You don’t want to be late, but I am glad you came."

"Me too." She opened the door to leave. 

"Elizabeth....I work out alot so...."

She gave him a coy smile. "Yeah I know."

As she drove off, she wondered what had gotten into her. She had literally seen him 6 hours ago. Did she really just miss him?  

Beth was very pleased that the club filled up for their first night having male strippers. Rio came near the end of the night; watching male strippers wasn't his thing.

When he came in, he saw Beth talking to a couple of the guys; one was the same guy he saw her talking to her the day of the try-outs. They both only had on g-strings, that just held barely covered everything. One of them put his robe while talking to her.

Beth was checking in with them to get some feed back on the night. One of the strippers left, leaving the long schlong guy talking to Beth. Rio was sure he was flirting with her. He watched his face carefully.

He definitely was, but Beth wasn’t really picking up on it. She never paid attention to this sort of thing; she just didn't really think someone his age would be interested in her, and she wasn't interested anyways. He had a robe in his hand, but made no attempt to put it on. Rio felt a pang of jealousy. Actually, a big pang of jealousy. 

When they were done talking, he headed to the change room, still with no robe on. When Beth walked away; he looked back, watching her ass. 

Beth saw Rio and smiled. 

“This is a surprise.”

”I wanted to check in and see how the night went.”  

“It went well. There was a surprise patron though. She came with a few friends.”

”Dylan.”

Beth looked at Rio. ”How did you know?”

”I didn't, I just guessed it would be her, I am not surprised.”

“Yeah. She was hoping you would be here though.”

Beth paused. “You know she’s got it bad for you right?”

Rio shrugged his shoulders. “Doesn't matter, I am not interested in her that way.” 

“You think Nick told her about tonight?”

“No doubt about it.”

Rio was pleasantly surprised and not expecting that conversation to go so well. 

"Hey!" Both Rio and Beth turned around. Krystal had come to say good night. Beth was closing.

”Hey Beth, just saying good night, everyone is gone. We did really good tonight, I think it was a success.” 

“Me too.” 

Krystal looked a Rio; he was hoping she wasn't going to speak her mind like she usually did.

”Hey Rio.”

”Hey Krystal.”

Beth jumped up. “Oh, hold on, I better go tell security that they can go too. Rio is here.”

As soon as Beth was out of ear shot Krystal had a big smile on her face.

”So, you’re helping her close up tonight.” 

“Yup, I am an owner.” 

She laughed. “Noooo thats not it, and you know it. So….have you two christened her office yet?”

Rio made a face at her. "Where do you come up with this stuff? Does it just pop into your head and you say it?"

"Oh come on, you know are you going to, if you already haven’t.”

Rio shook his head. He was relieved when Beth came back. 

“Everyone is gone but Tony he is waiting to walk you to your car.”

”Okay thanks. Good night you two.”

When Krystal was behind Beth, she turned and winked at Rio and nodded down the hall to where her office was.

Rio rolled his eyes at her, but also wondered how she seemed to know that was exactly what he had planned on doing. 

"I am going to grab my purse it's in my office."

Rio stood up. "I will come with you. 

When he entered her office, he leaned against the desk and pulled Beth over to him. He picked up her name plate. 

"You truly are a boss bitch now, you know that right?”

Beth smiled at him. “Thanks, I kind of like it.”

“So....who was the stripper chatting you up?”

“Mark?” 

“Wasn’t that the same guy you were talking to last time I was here?” 

“I guess so.”

”You know he has been eyeing you right?”

Beth laughed. “I don’t think so he’s like 25ish?” 

“So? Why do you think he was wasn’t wearing his robe and stood there talking to you in his g-string?”

“Because he is a stripper?” 

Rio smiled at her. “Nope that's not it."

“Oh come on. He hasn’t said anything, he only talked about how the night went.” 

“Yet, when you walked away he couldn’t take his eyes off your ass.”

Rio rubbed her ass with his hands. She put her arms around his neck.

”You don’t like me around half naked guys?”

“He was almost all naked, wearing only a G-string, leaving nothing to the imagination. You are his boss he should be covering up."

Beth just looked at him. “Umm, you’ve been here when the ladies are working and there have been tons of tits and asses for you to look at.” 

“None were hitting on me, or came up to me uncovered like Mark did with you.” 

“Well you have seen the girls on stage, with their tight asses and firm tits, the kind of women I have seen you with.” 

“Elizabeth....." 

She looked at him. "Rio, I have seen them. That's exactly your type of woman."

"I told ya, I don’t know who is filling your head with that crap. None of those woman have a better ass or set of tits than yours, it's not even close."

Beth's face clouded over suddenly. She remembered the words Dean said to her about Gayle and how she had a perfect ass and tits. 

"Well, I don't know about that." She looked away.

Rio turned her chin up until she looked at him. Her whole demeanor had changed. “What’s going on?” 

“Nothing. It’s stupid actually.” 

“It’s ain't stupid if you made a face like that.”

”I don’t want to talk about him.”

”Dean?”

”Yeah. It’s something he said a while ago.”

”Well if he said something negative about your tits and ass then he’s a bigger fucking asshole then I thought.”

Beth just looked at Rio, confirming to him he had. Rio brushed her hair off her face like the first time he did with Dean watching him after he shot him. He didn’t understand why she was still with him, but this was not the time to discuss it with her. They were in a better place right now.

“Listen, you have curves, real fucking curves, a real fucking ass and real fucking tits. You are fucking voluptuous. You are beautiful, you just have no idea.”

She still looked so unsure. Rio didn't take his eyes off her. He unbuttoned her blouse, then unfastened her pants and pulled them down. She stepped out of them and tossed them on the chair.

“Turn around darlin."

Rio gently touched her ass.  

“Did you know that when I fuck you from behind you have an upside down heart that starts at your waist and ends at your ass?”

With his fingers on her sides, he traced down her waist, over her hips, and under her ass with his fingers, outlining the heart shape.

He stepped up close to her and moved her hair to the side. He placed both hands on her ass this time.

He whispered in her ear, the soft stubble of his beard grazing her neck. 

”I love it when I fuck you up against a wall and I put my hands on your ass as I pound my cock into you.” 

She closed her eyes, letting out a long shaky breath. 

“And when you are on my lap riding me and I slip my hands under your ass….your perfect ass.”

He brought his hands around her waist, pushing his hips into her so she could feel his hard cock against her. He kissed along her shoulder, stopping right in the crook of her neck; his mouth, his soft beard and warm breath on her. She let out a small gasp.

He took her tits in his hands, holding them.

“God, the way your tits fill my hands and my mouth.” 

He lightly circled his fingers over her nipples; they hardened under his touch. He continued on, slipping one hand down the front of her panties. Both of them let out a small moan when he touched her wet pussy. He slid two fingers between her lips, very slowly until he reached her clit. 

She leaned her head back on him. With his thumb he stroked it from top to bottom at the same steady light pace, he was barely touching her.

He had his mouth to her ear; he talked softly to her.

“How’s that?” 

She put her hand over his, squeezing it.

“You are barely touching me."

“Well your your clit says otherwise, it is swelling up under my thumb.”

She let out a loud moan. “Fuck.”  

She kept trying to push her hips up into his hand, so he placed his other hand her across her hip, pulling her in tight to him so she couldn’t. She touched her nipples, playing with them between her fingers. She sucked in her breath.

“A little harder please.” 

Rio answered in her ear. “Oh no darlin.”  

He was going to make her hold off for as long as he could. 

“You know I am going to make you pay for this.” 

Rio took her ear lobe between his lips and lightly sucked in it before he answered her.

”Good.”

She let out a long throaty moan. 

“Fuck, faster please, please, please.”  

He nuzzled his beard into her neck.

”No, no, no.” 

She was trying to move around; he knew she was getting close to coming. She was making soft moaning noises and her legs were tightening up as she pushed up with her legs. 

“I need to come.”

“Pick one. Faster or harder?”

She let out a long breath. "Faster.” 

He changed what he was doing and started circling his thumb over her clit faster; he let go of her hip that he was holding back. She started moving against him.

”See you got that ass goin’ again, keep rubbing’ it on me.” 

She grabbed his arm with one hand and let out a loud, long moan as she came. She put her other hand over his, pushing on her clit harder until her orgasm subsided. ”Fuucccckkkkk!”

He kissed her under her ear. "Now you know why I wouldn't go faster or harder."

She had her head back on him, catching her breath. “My legs are tingling.”

He wrapped his arms around her tight.“Your legs are as sweet as your ass and tits.”

Beth slowly turned around when she was ready and looked him right in the eyes. 

She pulled out Rio's shirt and unbuttoned it. Rio unclasped her bra, which opened in the front. She slid her arms around him so her tits were on his chest. He looked down to see the fullness of them pushed up against him. 

“You know I love my tits against your chest especially when you are fucking me."

She slipped her hands down between them and unbuckled his pants and pulled them down enough so she could take his cock in her hand. Just like he had done to her, she used the lightest grip stroking him before she rubbed her thumb underneath the head of his cock, on the very sensitive spot. Her touch was feather light.  His breath hitched and he closed his eyes, sucking in his breath. She leaned in, her mouth almost on his.

"Kinda drives you crazy huh?”

He kept his mouth on hers. “I guess I am gonna have to fuck you now."

He pulled off her panties, then grabbed her ass with his hands and lifted her on the desk. She leaned back on her arms. She watched him as he took her tits in his hands, then sucked on each nipple, pulling them out of his mouth slowly. He looked her in the eyes. 

“I am gonna fuck you slowly.”

He lined his cock up on her.

"Fuck, I love this pussy of yours."

He held her hips and slowly entered her. She inhaled deeply. He pulled back out slowly to almost the tip of his cock. It was slick and wet from her. She was looking down, watching.

"Geezus."

He did it again. 

"You going drive me crazy again, cause that feels so fucking good."

She squeezed tight around him. He kept doing it, watching his cock slowly go into her pussy; her lips hugging his cock. He groaned every time he did it. He pushed into her deep and she gasped loudly, gripping the side of the desk. She was feeling it all through her body. His big cock slowly filling her over and over was beyond arousing for her. Both of them watched as long as they could, but the wet sounds of his cock sliding in and out of her, were sending her over the edge. 

"Oh my God, fuck me hard now please."

He pulled her up to him, his cock still inside her. He liked her as close to him as possible when they finished fucking.

Their eyes locked on each other for a moment. “No one has a better ass or tits then you darlin', no one."

He hooked his arms under her knees, pulling them up around him so he could fuck her hard. She put her arms around his neck, her tits, resting on his chest again. She whispered thank you to him, then he started to thrust deeper and faster into her. She started to come almost immediately grabbing his shirt and pulling on him. As soon as he heard her come, he thrust himself into her until he released himself inside her. She held him tight, as he loudly groaned in her ear. When he released her legs, she wrapped them around him, wanting to keep him close a little longer. 

Later, as they were heading out, Beth smiled.

“Now I feel like this is officially my office.”  

Rio put his arm around her. “I’ll be happy to remind you anytime you want.”  

When Rio got to her car, he looked at her, wondering how she just didn’t know how beautiful she was.  But the asshole who was at the root of their issues, was the asshole that made her feel that way. He hated him more.

She looked up at him. “I will make sure Mark wears a robe from now on but the only one I care about being almost naked is you." 

"Yeah huh?"

"Yeah."

As she turned to get into her van, he put his hand on her ass again. "Definately the best ass."  

She smiled at him.

"And the best tits too. Nite Mama.” 

Chapter Text

It was not even a week yet, but the strip club was doing well, they still had line-ups to get in each night. 

Rio had called Beth earlier in the day about their dinner date to confirm Friday night. Beth wanted to check with Krystal, to make sure she was comfortable being at the club alone for the first time. As soon as Krystal arrived she asked her. 

“Hey Krystal, I wanted to see how you feel about me not being here Friday night? Would you be comfortable with it? I know you have a handle on it all."

“Sure. I am good with it. What are you up to? A date?”

Beth didn’t know how to answer her.

“Ummm no, it’s not a date. It’s just dinner.”

Krystal knew it must be with Rio considering how Beth was stumbling all over her answer.

“Just dinner? With anyone I know?”

“Oh it’s just Rio, he wanted to take me out for dinner as a thank you.”

“No worries girl, you enjoy your date, I have got this covered.”

“It’s just dinner, not a date.”

Krystal smiled. “Right, we will call it that then."

Beth was very unconvincing. "It's really just dinner."

Krystal squeezed Beths arm as she walked away with a big smile on her face.

"Of course it is...you have good time, you deserve it."

Krystal thought it was cute that Beth was pretending it was nothing. 'Oh it's just Rio.' Sure Beth. She had her work cut out for her; she was going to have to work on her too, but she was up for it. 

The day was going really well. She told Rio they were good to go. She was secretly excited, remembering their last dinner they had and the night they spent in the hotel. 

Beth’s phone rang breaking her out of her thoughts. She was surprised to see it was Nick calling. What would he want now? If she didn’t answer she knew that he would just come to the club, and she didn’t want that.

“Hey Nick.”

“I wanted to check in and see how the new and improved Sweet P’s is doing?”  

“Well, it's not even a week yet but so far so good. I am really pleased it's going so well.”

”I knew you could do it. Rio must be hanging around there a lot? I haven’t seen him at his bar since he was there last week with Hayley, so I didn’t have any updates on your progress. I think this is great for you.”

Beth swallowed hard. Nick had called just to let her know Rio was with Hayley. Beth downplayed Rio being at the club so much.

“Well he owns the place and it’s just opening so it makes sense right?”

”Oh yes, of course. I am just glad it all worked out and it’s up and running.”

Bullshit. It was all bullshit.

“Yes I am really pleased, it’s doing better than I thought.”

”So, do you plan on working there all the time still now that you have a manager?”

”I just think for right now I’ll be here a lot and then I can cut back. Krystal knows what she is doing.”

“It sounds good, keep me posted, I will have to come by and check it out again sometime soon.” 

“Right. Well, thanks for calling.” 

She was pissed at Rio and Nick. Rio had given her the impression that Hayley was nothing to him. But maybe that didn’t mean he didn’t hook up with her. Maybe with Dylan too. Maybe she was really stupidly naive when it came to these things. He’s single, he’s fucking good looking, isn’t that what guys do? But he was so genuine and sincere the other night at her house and when he told her she had the best tits and ass, he really meant it. He was also deeply hurt over Fitzpatrick but maybe it was just the fact she tried to have him killed. Fuck, she didn’t know. Which was it? She still didn’t even know where he lived and was that because he had other women there? Fuck, fuck, fuck. 

She called Rio.

”I told you I’d let you know whenever I had contact from Nick. So I’m just letting you know that he just called me.”

Fuck. Rio knew what Nick had done.

”What did he want?” 

“Well he was just checking in to see how things are going at the club. Oh and I am cancelling our dinner Friday night.” 

“Elizabeth, don’t.”

”I have to go now.” 

She hung up on Rio. She was hurt. Things never went well between them for more than a day to two. Fuck him. Rio called her back, but she wouldn’t answer the phone. 

When the night was almost over, she wanted to get home and go to bed. Beth was getting ready to leave with one of the security guys who was waiting for her, when Rio came in. Rio told him he could go that he would finish locking up. He went to her office. She didn't even look up; she could smell his scent when he came to the door. The scent that made her want to rip his pants off.

“I don’t really want to talk to you right now.” 

“You never do when there is an issue. So why are you cancelling our dinner?” 

“You know why.”

”Well, I hundred percent know that Nick didn’t call you just to check in about the club.” 

“So why didn’t you just tell me?” 

“Tell you what?” 

“Now whose playing games Rio. You know exactly what I’m talking about.” 

“Hayley.”

”Yup, you got it right. So I guess I know why you didn’t want her to come to the club opening night, you didn’t want her talking to me.” 

“Nope, wrong.” 

"So was it just a regular date night?”

"Nope."

"So again, why didn't you tell me about it?"

Rio just looked at her. Frustrated.

"Why would I do that? I mean how many times have we had this conversation Elizabeth?"

"You told me she means nothing to you. Yet you were out with her again."

"She doesn't mean anything to me."

"Okay I get it. She's just someone you fuck. So I am not fucking you anymore. I mean what do you do? fuck me one night and then her?"

"Do you fuck that asshole husband of yours one night and then fuck me? I mean you are in no position to talk now are you?”

Rio was getting exasperated with her. She was still living with Dean but was grilling him yet again."

“You were at my house the other night, you know he wasn't in my bedroom."

"You are still fucking living with him. You are married to him, therefore there is nothing more to discuss."  

"Well you are single and free to fuck whoever you want."

"Why do you assume I fucked her?"

"Oh please, you have gone out with her several times, I am not stupid."

”Well, if you know all the answers we are done talking right?

Beths jealousy ran away with her. 

"Whose better her or me?"

"Don't do that. Look, until that husband of yours is gone, you have no fucking business asking me a thing....got it? How many times do we have to discuss this??"

"Fine, but I am not going out to dinner with you."

Rio rolled his eyes. 

"We can't even go two days. You know Nick did this on purpose and you fall for it every time."

"So you weren't with her?"

"You know I was. I don’t lie to you Elizabeth and since you are the married woman you are out of line and I have told you that before. I mean maybe I am just someone you fuck on the side?”

”You think that?? Great, fine. No dinner and no more fucking.” 

Rio was getting really angry at her.

“So, let’s mess up dinner right?, because so far everything I have tried to do for you gets fucked up.”

"Well take Hayley instead."

Rio turned on her. 

"I have had enough of his shit. I am not taking Hayley and you say you are not coming with me. FINE. I will cancel the reservations. Good night!"

When he walked away, Beth reacted fast without thinking.

"Rio wait."

He turned on her fast.

"I don't know what you want from me. We have had this discussion over and over. YOU are living with your fucking husband. YOU need to figure out why, now are we done?"

She walked over to him. She knew he was right, she was living with Dean but there was nothing going on. But if it was him living with someone else; she wouldn't like it one bit. She just wasn't ready to deal with things, and she didn't know why. She was frustrated, and so was he.

"No, we are not done.”

"What do you want now!"

She stepped up to him and pushed him against the door.

"I want you to fuck me."

"No."

She got angry. And grabbed his pants yanking him towards her. 

"You don't want me?"  

"I didn't say that."

"Then fuck me."

He stared her down. He wanted to fuck her badly, but she pissed him off again so much with the same problem that was always getting in the way. Her marriage.

She got angrier at him. She pulled his shirt so he was right at her face. She kissed him hard. He was trying not to respond.

“You said two minutes ago you didn’t wanna fuck me anymore.” 

She didn’t know what to say. She was such a mess over this. One minute she’s telling him she won’t fuck him anymore, and the next minute she is telling him to fuck her. What was wrong with her?

“You either do or you don't?” 

"Oh fuck, this again too, you are pissing me off, drop your pants I will fuck you!"

He grabbed her and kissed her back. She was angry at him for dating Hayley; she was angry at herself. He was angry at her for doing this again, he was angry at her for still living with Dean. She started to unbuckle his pants.  

"I am just as pissed off at you, so I want it rough, and I mean rough.”

He put his hand under her chin, holding it to his mouth, his lips right at hers.

"You really want it rough? Cause I am pissed off enough to do it darlin'."

"Do it."

Without looking away from her, he unfastened her pants, then yanked them hard down her legs. 

"Get these off now."

She kicked away her pants. He didn’t break eye contact with her. 

"Your pussy wet for me?"

She didn’t look away from his penetrating eyes. 

"I doubt it."

He laughed at her. He put his hand down her panties, and slipped two fingers underneath her. 

"I already fucking knew this pussy was soaked.”

He slipped his two fingers inside her. She clenched down on her teeth, refusing to moan even though it felt so fucking good.

Rio gave her a devious grin. 

"I saw that Elizabeth, you could barely contain that moan."

"Fuck right off Rio."

He moved his fingers in and out of her. She closed her eyes, trying to stifle the noise sitting in her throat, waiting to escape. He pumped his fingers inside her a few more times until she let out a moan.

"There you go, see it wasn't that hard."

He slowly pulled his fingers out of her. She caught her breath when he did. He pulled her bottom lip down with his thumb, then inserted his two fingers into her mouth. She sucked on his fingers, then he pulled them out of her mouth slowly. 

“See, you’re very wet darlin.”

He stuck his tongue in her mouth as he kissed her then licked his lips. 

"You ready for more now? you still want it rough?"

'"Yes, I meant it.”

He yanked her arm pulling her over to the desk.

"Bend your ass over that desk."

She looked at him defiantly and shook off his arm.

"You want this cock in that pussy, get your ass over that fucking desk Elizabeth."

He grabbed her and turned her around. He put his hand on her back and pushed her down onto the desk. 

"Don't fucking move."

She heard him unzip his pants. She was so fucking turned on by him. She was aching inside. 

He yanked her hips back towards him. He didn't want to jam her into the desk. He pulled her panties to the side. He took his hard cock and rubbed it up and down her pussy then lined himself up ready to enter her. He put the head of his cock in her a few times to tease her, then he grabbed her hips hard and rammed himself into her. 

"Wholly fuuccckkkk!"

"You liked that huh?"  

He watched her ass as he started thrusting into her hard. Beth grabbed the side of the desk and held on. She moaned every time he went deep into her with his cock. Just when she thought he was going to fuck her harder, he slowed right down. He grabbed her shirt, pulling her back towards him. He kept his cock inside her and leaned over her, right in her ear.

"Do you know what a fucking pain in the ass you are?"

She wouldn't answer.

"Okay, darlin', okay, you don’t wanna answer?"

He stood up and pulled her hips hard toward him again, then slammed his cock into her over and over. She moaned more loudly each time. She could barely contain herself. She groaned and yelled out.

"Oh my fuckkkkkking God..."

He slowed down again.

"Fuck, don’t do that, don’t stop!”

"I asked you if you knew what a big pain in the ass you are?"

She still wouldn't answer. He slowly pulled his cock out of her.

"What are doing? Fuck me like you are suppose to.”

“Nah, get up. I am sick of your games.” 

He pulled her up by her shirt and took her over to the wall.  

"You are the one that keeps fucking stopping.” 

He grinned at her. “Yeah I do.” 

She turned and shoved him. “How about you just fuck me rough like I want and don't stop.”

He grabbed her arms. She struggled against him, which turned her on more.  

"Nah, that's no fun. Now turn and put your hands on the fucking wall.”  

When she turned around he smacked her ass.

"Now stick your ass out Elizabeth.”

She stuck her ass out towards him. He grabbed her panties and ripped them off her. He put his hands between her legs, opening them up. He stroked his cock a few times.

”Get ready.”

"I'm ready." 

He pushed himself into her deep. 

“Geezusssssssss...fuck."  

As he pushed up into her, he pulled up her body up as he fucked her. He grabbed her hair.

”That pussy of yours is still so fucking wet.”

She was so aroused, every thrust went right through her body.

He got into a steady rhythm again and she was feeling every bit of his cock inside her. 

"Now, tell me you are coming to dinner with me Elizabeth."

"No!”

He thrust into her so hard she yelled out again. 

"Shitttt!"

Just as she was ready to let it all go, he slowed down again.

'You fucker, don't stop again."

"Then answer me." 

He grabbed her forearms and pulled them back towards him. He pounded his cock into her over and over. 

"Ohhhhhh...fuck...that feels so good."

As soon as she said it, he slowed down and she let out an angry groan. 

She tried to elbow him.

"No, no Elizabeth."

He started to thrust into her a little faster. He grabbed her face and turned it towards his. He put his mouth to hers like he was going to kiss her. 

'You want to me to finish you off Elizabeth?"

"Yes."

"Then you tell me you are coming to dinner with me Friday night."

She pulled her face away from his. He grabbed her arm again, and fucked her at a steady pace. She was gasping and panting.

"Oh fuck Rio.....don't stop, don't stop, don't stop....."

He whispered in her ear. "Tell me you are coming to dinner with me darlin."

He rammed hard into her a couple of more times.

"Answer me and I will keep going or I will pull out and jerk off all over your ass. I am ready to go darlin."

She didn’t respond so he started to pull out of her very slowly.

”You are so fucking stubborn.”

When she felt him pulling out she finally answered him. "Okay, okay...yes, I will come."

"That’s my girl, now I am gonna finish fucking you like you want."

He thrust into her deeper.

"Yessssss, yesss...."

He let himself go and just fucked her hard; her orgasm was non stop. She let out a long moan from deep in her gut. 

He buried his head into her neck. She could feel his cock tighten up in side her. 

She barely got out a whisper. "I want your cum filling my pussy." 

He grabbed onto her tight; he only needed to thrust a few more times before he came. "Geezus, fuckkkk Elizabeth!”

Both were so fucking spent, her legs were done, she was done, so was he. He let go of her arms and reached around and hugged her. He whispered so quitely in her ear she wasn't sure if she heard him right.

"You okay baby?"

She reached back with her arm caressing his head. "Yes, very okay."  

It took them a moment before either of them moved. He slowly pulled out of her, both of their breaths hitching when he did. He turned her around, and he gently touched her face with his fingers, then he kissed her. He moved his hand down over her ass, where he had smacked her. He rubbed it very lightly. She put her arms around his neck and buried her head in him this time. 

Rio always suspected that Dean had cheated on Beth. She had never told him what had happened; they had never, ever talked about stuff like that, but Dean was a slimeball and he knew it, especially when she told him he had said something about her body. He decided in that moment that he was going to tell her he did not sleep with Hayley. He didn’t want her to think he was fucking around all over the place. She didn’t need to feel that way about him too. 

He had also watched her face when Dean showed up at the opening and she wanted nothing to do with him; she couldn't wait for him to leave. But he knew, it also was not fair to him that she was still living with him in their house. She was keeping him there, for a reason he didn't understand. He also knew pushing her about it was going to get her to put up a wall about it, and they had come so far. He had to wait for it to come from her. 

He whispered in her ear; this time she did hear him right.

"Elizabeth, I never slept with Hayley.”

She hugged him tight. "I really had no business asking." 

He hugged her back. "No you didn't. You really are a pain in my ass Mama."

"Are you sure you still want to take me out to dinner?"

"Yup.”

Beths office conveniently had paper towel in it. A convenience she put there for moments like this. After they cleaned up Rio leaned against her desk and pulled her over to him. He rubbed her ass cheeks gently. 

“That wasn’t too rough for you was it?”

She reassured him. "You did what I wanted."

He smiled at her. “Okay good...so, you really like rough sex huh?”

”With you, yes."

He smiled at her warmly.  

"What about you, did you like it?"

"Oh, I think you know I did."

He held her again before they left then he warned her one more time. 

“Elizabeth, keep on your toes where Nick is concerned. Look at how many times has he caused problems between us. If he is saying something there is always a reason behind it.”

”I will, I promise.” 

“Also, you are going to be out late Friday…just giving you a heads up Mama.”

Chapter Text

She arrived at the Strip Club and parked in her spot.  She was leaving her van there and Rio was going to pick her up. She was nervous and didn’t know why. They had gone out before. Maybe it was because last time she insisted it was about business and this time she knew they were just going out.

She checked her lipstick one more time just as he pulled in. He got out and came over to her. 

Why did her heart jump every time she saw him? His eyes were literally sparkling; he always made her feel so beautiful, just by the way he looked at her. Just for a moment they looked at each other with a look they only ever gave each other.

“That dress is perfect on you, hugs those curves of yours, you look beautiful.” 

“Thank you.”

He opened the car door for her. When she got in, he placed his hand on her leg for a moment. She looked down at it. His fucking hands turned her on, especially with the rings he wore. 

When he started driving, she slipped her hand into his, which was always right there, on the console, waiting for hers. 

He took her to a small high end restaurant. Rio actually knew the owner, who gave them his best table. It was away from the main area which was completely private. Beth knew by the way Rio was talking to him, that he knew him well. 

A pang of jealousy swept over her as her mind automatically started to wonder how many other women he had brought here. 

“So do you come here a lot?”

”He is an old family friend going way back, so I do come here.” 

That didn’t make her feel better. It wasn’t an answer.

”Do you always get this private booth?”

“No, only if I request it.”

Her jealousy was getting worse.

”Do you do request it a lot?” 

Fuck, why did she say that? 

“Well I asked for it tonight.” 

“Hmmm.”

Rio knew what she was really asking. She always liked to keep her feelings close to the chest and she was giving a lot away right now. He moved over right beside her. 

“Why do you ask?” 

He looked her in the eyes and she couldn’t look away. Why did he do that to her, why were his eyes so hard to look away from?

”Just curious, you seem to know the place well.” 

He kept looking at her.

”Right…right.” 

Rio didn’t mind jealous Beth; she didn’t show him many emotions; she usually only did that when they were intimate. He had given her peace of mind the other night when he told her he had not slept with Hayley, but he wasn’t going to be an open book to her when she still had Dean in the house. They still were not in any formal relationship. 

She decided that she couldn't ask him any more without showing how jealous she was, although he already knew it. 

“Why do you keep looking at me like that?”

”Like what?”

Now she was all flustered. She didn’t know what to say without incriminating herself.

“Like….I don’t know.” 

Rio put his hand on her thigh again and gently patted it and smiled at her. She was relieved when their waiter came for their drink order, but Rio didn’t remove his hand; in fact; he caressed her leg gently. He felt her squirm. 

When the waiter left she looked at him.

”I think he knew where your hand was.”

He had a playful smile on his face. 

“You say that like it’s a bad thing. Do you want me to remove it?” 

He got her again and she knew it.

”I am just saying he had to notice.” 

“It’s not like my hand was right between your legs on your pussy.”

He felt her leg tighten up.

”Well, we are in a public place that’s all.”

He was enjoying this too much.

”This spot is pretty private, but I could take you to the bathroom instead?”

He still had his hand on her leg, which she didn’t even try to remove. He gently rubbed it back and forth again.

”No, not necessary.”

He moved his hand towards her pussy.

”So, we are good here then, yeah?”

She was getting even more flustered.  

“What? This is far too public....I mean, do you think I would do that?” 

He gave her a big warm smile. 

“Elizabeth….darlin’. Yeah I do.”

He leaned over so his beard lightly brushed her neck and whispered in her ear. 

“Shall I list the places we have fucked?”

She closed her eyes for a brief second. Fuck, he was far too close for her to even think and he smelled too fucking good. He watched her face and could see the pink warm flush on her cheeks. Just as she was about to respond, the waiter brought them their drinks and menus.

Rio moved his hand right between her legs to her pussy before he put it on the table. The waiter listed the specials, but she didn’t pay any attention to him; she was too busy thinking about the wet spot between her legs and the aching deep inside her.

”Elizabeth?”

Rio looked at her, trying not to smile at her, knowing she was so distracted.

”I’m going to get the roasted duck breast have you decided what you want?” 

“Oh, that sounds good I will have that too.” 

“You didn't even look at the menu.”

"It's good, I love duck."

She was being so cute and he loved it. 

The waiter took the menus. She was feeling ridiculously horny, and she was very distracted by it. She decided she better get away from him and go to the washroom and cool down. 

“I’m just going to run to the washroom, I’ll be right back.”

Rio stood up and pointed down the hall.

"There are private washrooms down there."

She was all wound up and he knew it. She got up and pulled her dress down that he had pushed up. Rio put his hand on her ass and gave it a little squeeze. She gave him a look. He grinned at her.

"You know you liked that."

She rolled her eyes at him. She headed down the hall, wondering what the fuck was wrong with her; she was literally all flushed and warm. She didn't hear him following behind until she was in the washroom. He locked the door. She turned to him.

”What are you doing?” 

“You just about ran in here, what’s up?”

”Nothing, I am just going to the washroom.”

He put his face close to hers.

”Nah, I don’t think that’s it.”

She tried to look away from him.

“What is it then?”

“I think you are all worked up. I can put my hand in your panties to check.”

She tried hard to show him she was annoyed by it.

”How about you stop putting your hand on my thigh like that?” 

“Why? you don’t like it? 

”It’s just not the right place.”

He slowly ran his finger down her cheek.

“You sure it’s not? because your face is all flushed.” 

“It's just that dinner will be coming soon.”

“Yeah, you are right.”

He backed her up against the wall and pulled her dress up over her hips. He put his mouth on hers.

“We only have time for an appetizer.”

He watched her face as he slid his fingers down her panties. She let out a gasp.

“Oh I think you need a little relief.”

She spread her legs wider for him. 

“Why are you so hot and bothered darlin’?”

She was not a little wet; she was very wet. He inserted one finger watching her eyes open wide as he moved it in and out of her. She answered him in broken breaths.

“I don’t know.”

He inserted a second finger. She pushed up on her toes.

”Shittttt…”

He kept his face right up to hers. She couldn’t keep her eyes on him despite trying.

”You been thinking about how I fucked you the other day? how I pushed you down on the desk and held your hips while I drove my cock into you?” 

She let out a gasp. “Yes…”

”And how I grabbed your hair and fucked you against the wall?”

He worked his fingers deeper inside her. She put her head back against the wall.

”Ohhhhh…Goddddd.” 

He put his mouth up to her ear.

“So, my girl likes is a little rough huh?” 

He kept pumping into her deep and fast.

”Yeahhh.......shitttttt......shittttt."

'I feel that pussy of your tightening around my fingers."

She was pulling his fingers up inside her, tensing up.

“Yeahhhh….”

She was ready to come. 

“Let it go Mama.”

She let out several deep breaths then long gasping moans. She was squirming on his hand when she suddenly came.

”Ohhhhhhhh shit!” 

She closed her eyes leaning against the wall. She kissed her along her neck, then her mouth. He fixed her panties and pulled down her dress again. 

“That take off the edge Mama?” 

She nodded yes. 

"Good, now let’s go have our dinner."

Rio took her hand and went back to the table. He kept smiling at her during dinner. 

“What now?” 

He leaned over and and lightly brushed her nipple with his thumb. 

“Your chest is all pink.” 

“You can't be touching my tits, people can see that.” 

“You want me to stick my hand up your dress again?” 

“What’s up with you?” 

“Oh I think it’s you. You aren’t done yet. I think you need more."

"Well, you are sitting so close to me, touching me all the time."

He gave her a big smile.

"I can't help it, you look beautiful, you smell amazing, and I can't keep my hands off you."

"How about I put my hand on your cock."

"Well I ain't gonna stop you."

She reached over and put her hand on him, palming him. Just as she did, the waiter came back to see if they wanted dessert. She pulled her hand away. Rio acted like nothing had happened. He ordered their famous home-made vanilla ice cream with a caramel and chocolate drizzle on it. When the waiter was gone Rio started laughing. 

"Oh darlin', you got caught with your hand in the cookie jar."

"Do you think he saw what I was doing?"

Rio leaned over and put his hand on her chin, pulling her mouth to his. 

"Yes."  

"Then why didnt you say no to dessert so he would go away."

He was having so much fun with her, teasing her in every way. 

"Because we need dessert."

 He took her hand and put it back on his cock. 

"Come on darlin' rub me a little."

She rubbed her fingers over his cock up and down.

"Hows that?"

"Oh its good, but I think you like it too don't ya?"

"Maybe….probably…..well yeah.”

As soon as she answered, the waiter came back with their dessert. She tried leaning forward right up to the table, and slowly moving her hand off him. Rio thanked the waiter. As soon as he was out of ear shot Rio laughed even harder.

"How come you have been doing that all night and never got caught."

"Well, it's all about timing. And the fact that from my angle I can see when he is coming and you can't."

Her mouth dropped open.

"That's not funny. I can only imagine what he thinks."

"He probably thinks I am the luckiest mother fucker who has this beautiful woman who can't keep her hands off me." 

He picked up a spoon and put some of the caramel and chocolate drizzle on it. 

"Now, try this....open your mouth a little."

He let the drizzle drip onto her tongue, then he kissed her, slowly, putting his tongue in her mouth. 

"Hmmm, see you always taste good too."  

He gave her the spoon.

"Your turn."

"I am not doing it to you, you know the waiter will come."

"Nah, I am watching, now drizzle me darlin'."

She put some more on the spoon and slowly put it in his mouth. He licked it off. She kissed him, putting her mouth over his and slowly putting her tongue in his mouth. He let out a small moan.

"Fuck that was good."

She closed her eyes for a moment; she could feel the heat between her legs again. Rio dipped his finger in the drizzle this time and slowly traced it across her bottom lip. He gently sucked on her lip before he kissed her again. 

“I think we should go now. I need to be putting this tongue on your pussy.”

Beth looked at him with indignation. “You know you are talking to a mom of 4 kids right?” 

He came close to her face, his lips almost on hers.

“But you still have a pussy, don’t ya?”

”Oh….just….just…..fuck off.”

Rio burst out laughing. He had her all riled up. He loved every minute with her.

As they headed to the G-Wagon, he had his arm around her and his hand planted firmly on her ass. As she got in and sat down, Rio held her one leg back for a moment. He bent over and kissed the inside of it. She hitched her breath.

When he got in his side, he leaned over on the console with his hand on his chin, smiling at her. 

"What?"

"Nothing.”

”You are staring at me. You’ve been doing that all night."

"Because you are beautiful, flustered, and want to be fucked."

He put his hand down on her thigh, again, lifting her dress up.

“You aren’t gonna stop doing that are you? “

”Nope and you don't want me too.”

He pulled out of the parking lot with his hand still on her thigh. He gently trailed fingers on the inside edge of her legs and up towards her pussy. She let out a long, broken breath. She didn’t know what the hell was up with her today, but she was horny as fuck still. He didn’t take the edge off for her earlier; it seemed to make her want it more. Never had she been quite like this before. She suddenly lifted her ass up, pulling her dress up to her hips. She moved her seat back and lifted her outside leg up on the seat. Fuck it, she needed more.

She grabbed his two fingers slipping them down her panties. 

"Wholly fuck Elizabeth, you are so wet."

He kept his eyes on the road. She guided his hand with hers, moving them up her swollen lips to her clit. He started to circle her clit. She kept moaning and making noises.

"Oh my god.....you’ve got to pullover.” 

He pulled into an empty parking lot. He leaned over to her. She pulled him to her face. 

"I think going in the bathroom made it worse, not better. I need more." 

He had his fingers working her clit. She was writhing all over the seat. She was going to come fast and hard. She let out a long moan.

"What do ya need."

"Just what you are doing only harder and faster."

She didn't need anything gentle. He did exactly as she asked. She grabbed onto the seat with one hand and him with the other. She let out a deep guttural moan, a sound she had never heard herself make before; she was rigorously shoving her pussy up into his hand while she came. 

She looked into his eyes; her eyes were still glossy; her face flushed. She kissed him, and pushed him back on his seat. She put her hand on his cock again. He was so damn hard.

”Your cock is going to burst out of your pants, I am going to fix that."

“Shit, you are fucking insatiable, go for it."

She unzipped his pants; he put his seat back a bit and took out his cock. She bent over his console and took him in her mouth. She used her tongue around his head paying special attention to the ridge on the underside of it. She playfully licked the tip and then went down on his cock with her mouth. She was hungry for him.

He leaned over and put his one hand on her ass, rubbing it. She added her hand with her mouth, getting into a good rhythm on his cock. He slid his fingers under her panties, feeling for her pussy. He moaned when he felt her wet lips under his fingers. He trailed his fingers up and down her full lips, then slipped his finger inside her again. She moaned on his cock. He slowly pumped his fingers in and out of her. She tightened up her mouth on him, focusing on him, not his fingers inside her pussy. Her moaning, and his fingers sliding in and out her wet pussy was pushing him to the edge.  She moaned on his cock loudly the more he fingered her. His cock tightened up in her mouth. She went down on him deep. He pulled on her hair with his other hand, uttering a deep groan while he came.  

She slowly pulled up off his cock, very lightly up his shaft. She gently let his head out of her mouth. He kept his head back on the head rest for a moment, rubbing her ass gently. He smiled over at her. 

"Do you think you are good for the moment?, cause my cock is!”

She coyly smiled at him. "I have no fucking idea whats going on with me, but I can't get enough."

"Oh its all good, I love it and we ain't done yet. I haven't even had a go at your tits, fucked you, or buried my face in your pussy and you know I am doing all that."

She shook her head at him, as if the way he was talking dirty to her was offensive. He laughed at her. She was such a goof.

"Elizabeth please....you just sucked me off in my car, with your ass sticking up while I fingered you, so don't ever say that…..’I am a mother of 4’ shit again."

She laughed out loud.

"Fine."

He started driving, he grabbed her hand and squeezed it. They smiled at each other. Beth assumed they were going to go to the hotel again because he said they were going to be very late.  

"I am not letting go of your hand because if you put it on my thigh, we are going to be pulling over again."

He looked at her. "I am so gonna fuck you Mama.”

He drove past the hotel they stayed at the last time.

"Where are we going?" 

"You'll see."

He pulled into a building and parked. He got out and took her by the hand. 

"Where are we?"

"My place."

She turned and looked at him. She suddenly got emotional, and had no idea where it came from. He saw her face and hugged her. He knew this meant a lot to her; it also meant a lot to him. He wanted to get her inside; he had planned on fucking her for a long time.

Chapter Text

This was not what she was expecting; him taking her to his place. She had fun with him the whole night; he had fun with her. The evening had gone so well. No issues, no problems. They just enjoyed being with each other. They had decided the night was just to be fun and nothing else.

He held her hand until they got inside his place. It wasn't totally unfamiliar to her, as she recognized his furniture from his other place. This place was equally as spacious, with a lot of windows on the one side and a private balcony. 

Rio took his own advice that he is given Nick and decided that he would give her what she needed by doing normal things together. It also served another purpose; it would allow her to see what things could be like between them rather than him going after her about Dean. That discussion only ever got her back up.

He also felt it was time he allowed her into his world more. She was right, he knew all about hers; she knew only what he had wanted her to know about his. He had introduced her to Marcus and had also taken her to meet his grandmother and other than that she didn’t get to see him much in his personal life. Nick was a whole different matter. 

They had done a lot of things to each other and he knew they still had to work through them but maybe some of those things were the reason why she hung on to that other world, the world he knew she had outgrown.

However, he was also still going to proceed with caution; he had to protect himself as well.

"So do you want me to show you around, or do you wanna show yourself around like you did in my last place?”

She looked shocked, then laughed.

"Oh please, this coming from the guy who shows up in my house all the time.” 

He gave her one of his smart ass grins, then took her hand and showed her around. The kitchen was the first stop, which impressed her. 

"Do you actually know how to cook?"

"You met my Grandmother, of course I know how to cook. She insisted I learn."

"I like her a lot you know."

Rio smiled at her. 

"Me too. She means everything to me." 

Beth looked at him for a moment, then smiled. She didn't want to ask him any more questions because she knew that discussion would involve Nick and the last thing she wanted was him ruining their evening. 

"I can tell."

Next he showed her Marcus' room, then his bathroom. She turned around, looking at it all. 

"Look at that bath, and shower." She went and touched the bath. She smiled at him.

"I think I am in love."

He laughed at her. 

"Imagine sinking into that tub, no kids, just peace and quiet. And that shower is like a spa. It's huge. This would be my favourite room."

Rio put his arms around her and touched her ass. 

"You haven't seen the bedroom, I will make sure that it's your favourite room.”

His bedroom was so him, so Rio. Neat, stylish, nice and comfy. She stood in the door way, looking around. This was different, this made things different between them. He brought her home to his place. They had only been in her bed, and the hotel. This was a first for her.

It just hit her what she was doing, what they were doing. She wasn't sure what it was she was feeling, but she felt it.

She stood there, just looking around. She wondered if he had any idea of just how little relationship experience she had and that this was the first time in her life she would be in another man’s bed.

For a brief moment she felt like she was so out of his league. Rio looked over at her; he saw her face. He gave her a reassuring look, knowing what sleeping in his bed likely meant to her.

"Come with me Mama." 

He put his arm around her and took her to the balcony. They stood and looked over the city, at all the lights.

"Wow, this is quite the view."

He put his arm around her and looked her over, up and down.

"Yup."

”I meant that view.”

”I like this one so much better.”

Beth leaned in closer to him. She was still trying to believe she was actually here in his place, on his balcony, standing beside him. He had totally surprised her tonight. They stood in silence for a few minutes, just taking in the night air. Rio looked over at her; she was relaxed again. 

"So, dinner was fun yeah?"

She smiled at him.

”The whole night has been perfect actually."

"Even with you getting caught rubbing my dick by the waiter?"

She laughed.

 "I can't believe you did that to me….twice.”

"You should have seen your face. You were a lot of fun Mama."

"I can be fun."

He pulled her even closer to him.

"I know you can, and you can also be so fucking worked up you make me pull over so we can fuck around in my car."

She shrugged her shoulders innocently.

"I just couldn't wait."

"I didn't know you had that in you. "

"Me either, I don't know what's come over me."

"No huh?"

She looked him in the eyes, the look that held him in her gaze. 

“It's not gone yet either, I am just behaving…..for the moment.”

"Oh the night’s far from over."

She kept looking into his eyes.

"Good."

“I told you my list of things I still have to do to you. You realize I have been the one behaving tonight but you on the other hand were throwing yourself at me all night long.”

”Umm, that’s not quite how I remember it. Someone kept sticking their hand up my dress.”

He put his face close to hers.

“Elizabeth, you were squirming your ass beside me all night long and you were all flushed. You didn’t even read the menu, or hear a word the waiter said when he told us the specials. Did you even really want roasted duck? I helped you out and gave you some relief in the bathroom, but that wasn’t enough, you yanked up your dress in my car, then went to town on my dick….you nymphomaniac.” 

She laughed so hard she had tears in her eyes. He had never seen her laugh like that before. 

"I actually thought you would have taken me right into the bedroom when we got here."

He gave her a devious smile.

"You need more already?"

"Well, if you touch the inside of my thigh again I will, but I think I am good for at least 10 more minutes."

He loved this side of her, the playful side he didn't get to see often enough.

"I actually just wanted to enjoy some time with you. When have we ever been alone just spending time together...like this."

"We haven't. Tonight is the first normal night I have ever spent with you."

He didn’t want to push it with her or ruin their night by discussing why again; instead, he was just going to show her. 

"Let's just enjoy our first time having a normal night together then. Come on, I will get us a drink."

She sat down on his sofa as he made them. 

"Well this is another first, sitting on a sofa having a drink, not in a bar, strip club or restaurant.”

She realized just how little they did do normal things together, something she was really liking a lot. She looked around his place more. 

"I can't see you watching a lot of tv." 

“Nah I don’t, mostly just sports.”

“You really love boxing don’t you? I can’t watch it without covering my eyes.” 

Rio laughed. “That’s no fun. I do love boxing I wanted to go pro but life got in the way.” 

“What does that mean?”

He hesitated before answering.

“Maybe one day I’ll tell you about it more, but boxing is my stress reliever and of course my exercise. You know, I could teach you how to box, you might like it."

”So I could punch you?”

”Yup.” 

"Hmmm, I think I would like that."

"If you just wanna keep coming over when I’m all hot and sweaty, I’m good with that too.”

She stared him in the eyes, then got up and pulled up her dress and crawled over onto his lap. She slowly unbuttoned his shirt and took it off him. 

“I mean I do like watching you box, and definitely like it when you aren’t wearing a shirt.”

She gently ran her hand up and down his chest.

Rio reached around and unzipped her dress down to her waist. He slowly put his hands up under it, touching her body as he pulled it up over her head and tossed it on his shirt. He traced his fingers over her nipples; she shivered a little.

He licked his lips, the way he did when he was around her, looking at her lace bra that barely held in her breasts.

"I have waited all night for these."

He kissed each of her breasts, then slipped the lace bra over them so he had full access. He lightly traced around her nipples with his tongue. She closed her eyes, lightly rubbing her thumb along his jaw. She loved the softness of his beard under her fingers.  

He pulled her nipples into his mouth, sucking lightly on each one as they became harder in his mouth; she let out small shaky breaths. He didn't stop until she moaned in his ear.

She was so hungry for him still, she could feel the heat spreading under her skin. She looked at him, her eyes penetrating his.

Her breasts were very sensitive; every touch of his sent a tingling sensation through her body, one she hadn't quite experienced before. She was already aching between her legs for him, but this was different. 

She held onto his arms, gently rubbing her hands up and down on them while he worked on her nipples with his mouth.

"My nipples were rubbing on my dress all night.”

”They need to be rubbing on me all night.”

He held her tits in his hands while lightly thumbing her nipples. As soon as he started, her eyes opened wider, sucking in her breath. 

"Geezus....that goes right through my whole body." 

She moved her hips against him. She had no idea what she was going on to make her like this, but she was just going with the feeling taking over inside.

Her breaths became more shallow. She could only take so much at one time. She squeezed his arm, sucking in a deep breath. She closed her eyes.

"They are so sensitive."

She took a couple of more breaths, wriggled around a bit. 

"More please." 

Rio did the same thing again. She took in a deep breath, and started breathing fast. His touch was so incredibly light, which made her want more.

When it was too much, she would squeeze him, and he knew to stop for a moment, but every time he started up again she was getting more vocal.

She was watching his hands on her nipples; he was watching her, the way she breathed, moved and looked at him. 

This time she gasped, holding her breath, and squeezing her legs around him. She looked at him, like she wasn't sure what was happening.

He knew that look on her face, the look she always had before she was about to come. She could barely keep her eyes focused on him. He traced his lips along her neck to her ear….his beard brushing her skin.

"You gonna come for me Mama?"

She felt like she was going to, but she had never come this way before. 

"I…I don't know." 

He loved watching her experience new things with him. He could tell by the look on her face and they way she responded to him.

"Oh, I think you are...."

He thumbed her nipples a little faster. She suddenly felt the warmth starting to flood her body…she pulled his head towards her and he took one of her nipples in his mouth. She tightened her grip on his arms.

"Ohhhh...keep doing that."

As soon as he started sucking on her nipples again, she felt an intense rippling through her body. 

”Geezus…geezus…geezus....”

A warm rush shot through her body everywhere. She pulled up onto her knees, writhing against him, letting it pass through her whole body, pushing herself on his chest. 

When she stopped moving around, he wrapped his arms around her waist and held her tight.

She looked down at him, and he looked up at her with a look that they only ever gave each other. She never looked at anyone the way she looked at him, and he never looked at another woman the way he looked at her. They said so much to each other without saying a word.

When she sat back down on his lap, she pushed her breasts against his warm chest, then hugged him. She wasn’t sure of a lot of things, but she did know it always felt so right when she could be with him like this. 

He kissed her, long and slow, then took her to his bedroom. They went over to his bed and were immediately wrapped around each other, kissing each other passionately. She pulled off his pants and boxers, then lay down on him with her hand on his cock. She stroked him as he unhooked her bra and tossed it. He flipped her over on her back. He slowly opened her legs crouching between them. He took off her thong slowly. He lightly traced the inside of her legs with his hands starting at her ankles, working up to her thighs; just as she thought he was going to touch her pussy, he placed his hands on her hips and tracing up her body, over her waist and lightly over her breasts.

She hitched her breath. He came up and leaned over her and lightly kissed her shoulder from one side to the other, his beard slightly touching her.

Beth let out a small shiver. She put her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her for another long kiss. He continued their kiss, going down her body, on her breasts, down to her tummy. His lips grazed over her pussy, the inside of her thighs. His soft beard rubbing on her thighs. She pushed up against him, letting out a long gasp. His lips were barely touching her legs.  

"Oh please, don't make me wait…”

His face was right over her pussy. 

"You are still so hungry for more?"

She whispered to him.

"God yes…it’s like I’m insatiable.”

”I like insatiable you.”

She had never been like this with Dean, not even when they first got married.

He spread her legs wider and this time licked her pussy up and down. She put her head back, unable to even make a noise, it felt so good. His tongue followed her wet lips up to her clit. He licked slowly, repeatedly up and down. It was like every fibre in her body was aroused. She started to move her hips around, but Rio put his hands on her hips, holding her still. She let out a long, long moan.

"Fuckkk....you are driving me crazy."  

He started to circle her clit, adding more pressure. She started panting.  

"Please.....please...."

She reached down to push his head into her. He knew by her breathing she was getting close, so he slowed down again. 

"Don’t stop.”

"I could let you come now, or hold you off so you come fucking harder."

He kissed her thighs again. She gasped.

“You want to come hard?”

“Yes.”

He slid his middle finger inside of her. She raised up towards him. He slowly moved it in and out of her, pushing up against the soft spot just inside her. She let out a loud moan.

She could barely keep still. He put his mouth back on her... pressing down on her clit with his soft lips in a circular motion.

“Shit, that feels so good.”

He kept edging her, letting her get close, then slowing down. He licked her clit with his tongue, adding more pressure as he worked his finger up and inside her.

Her legs started trembling. She was coming this time and couldn’t even say anything to him, but he knew. She grabbed onto the sheets.

"Oh my God.... fuckkkkkkk...."

Another orgasm ripped through her body, leaving her breathless for the moment. There was nothing he enjoyed more than making her come, seeing the look on her face. He gently rubbed her legs with his hands until she stopped moving around. 

"You need a break or you ready for me to fuck you?”

"More, I need it badly...."

”You are my insatiable girl.”

He moved up over top of her, looking down at her beautiful flushed face.

“What is it that you need badly Elizabeth?”

“I need….this.”

He pulled his knees up against her ass, then lifted her legs pushing her thighs back with his hands. He watched as he slid his cock slowly into her pussy. She sucked in her breath. He let out a low moan while keeping his eyes fixed on hers. He wasn’t letting her off that easy. 

“What do you need?”

He slowly kept sliding his cock into her, going a little deeper each time. She kept closing her eyes, feeling every bit of him. She let out a long, slow breath.

”You know.....”   

She tightened up right around his cock. He moaned again, but still kept his eyes on her. 

”Do I?”  

"Fuck, you are hitting me deep..."

"You still want more?"  

He thrust into her a little faster. 

"Yesss...."

He leaned right over her face. 

"Then tell me what it is you want."

She didn’t know why it was still so hard to say. She kept her eyes fixed on his, she couldn’t look away if she wanted too. 

She put her hands on his face and pulled him down for a kiss, then answered him.

“You.”

He didn’t say anything for a moment. They just looked at each other while he kept fucking her slowly. His eyes were holding her to him.

”Good darlin’.”

He started to thrust into her harder. Her breath hitched as she spoke.

”It's your turn….what is it you need?”

His eyes penetrated hers again, watching her writhe underneath him, trying to suppress the moans that wanted to escape her, the same ones that wanted to escape his throat too. 

”Elizabeth, you know the answer to that already or you wouldn’t be here.”

He started hitting her deep and fast, causing her to arch her back. She grabbed his face again.

”No, no, no…you made me say it.”

He hooked his arms up under her legs, pushing them back on her so he could go really deep. She was coming, long and slow, since he entered her, and it was building and building.

She grabbed onto his legs, trying to pull him into her. He pumped his cock into her....their bodies slapping together. She let out a long noisy breath. 

"You didn’t answer me. I need to hear you to say it.”  

She moaned in between words. This wasn’t like her to be asking him, like he did with her, always making her take ownership of what she was doing.

He put his mouth right up to hers and whispered to her. 

“You.”

He kissed her again, and slowed back down because he wanted it to last longer. He loved fucking her.

She grabbed onto his ass, making loud noises each time he plunged into her. She held off as long as she could. She closed her eyes. Feeling his hard cock hitting inside her deep. 

He kept thrusting, faster and harder, burying his cock into her.

She suddenly drew in a breath, tightened up even more around his cock, then sputtered out deep moans over and over. He watched her face as she came then let himself go, thrusting hard until he released himself inside her, his own groaning long and strangled.

She put her arms around him, pulling him so tight into her. He put his mouth on hers to kiss her when she let out a small sob, then another. 

He could feel her chest heave against his. She was flooded with different emotions. She couldn't stop them. She had no idea where they came from, or why. She just knew they were intense. She had done this before, and he always just held her. This time she was even more emotional.

She said sorry, but her voice broke as she said it. 

“Nothing to be sorry about Mama.”

He just held her until she settled down. 

She couldn’t even put into words what she was feeling because she didn’t know how to define it. She just knew she felt so close to him.

He was always good about it when this happened and she appreciated the fact that he never pushed her with questions because she wouldn’t even know how to even answer him anyways.

Maybe it was coming to his place, being with him here; maybe it was because it was such a perfect night; maybe it was because she had feelings she didn’t know how to deal with, feelings that scared her.  

He swept her hair behind her ear, holding her for as long as she needed. 

They did a lot of firsts tonight. He loved every one of them with her. She was funny, she was warm, she was horny as fuck, she laughed a lot, she came to his place and she was in his bed. 

She asked him the question going through her head without even hesitating. She looked at him, her eyes still teary. 

“Why did you bring me home to your place?"

"Because I want you here with me."  

She didn’t know why, but she needed to hear him say it, just like she needed to hear him say he wanted her.

Chapter Text

Beth had fallen asleep beside him. Rio was cuddled up behind her as close as he could be to her. She had never cuddled in bed with Dean; she liked her own space, but she didn’t mind this with Rio; she actually kind of liked it.

He knew when she left in the morning his bed was going to smell like her. He loved having her at his place; he loved being able to hold her and to be able to stay together after sex. But he was fully aware that he had to proceed with caution. She was still with Dean. If they came to his place all the time, there would be no push for her to deal with him. It was a balance he had to work out. She needed to see more of his life, his world; and be a bit more part of it, but he also had to draw a line with her.

They were in no man’s land. There was no definition for what they were, so he just took these moments to build on. He knew they had a lot of things to overcome, and it wasn't just her marriage to Dean; there were things between each other too. So for now, he lay there, breathing her in, feeling that softness and warmth of her body against his. The fresh scent of her hair filling his nose.

She had been so responsive all night, from the moment he picked her up, wanting him more and more, and him giving her more and more. It was like she was trying to fill something inside her and opening herself up so that she could.

The way she looked at him all night long totally lured him in, and he could not look away from her. She wanted him, and he wanted her just as much.

He let her take the lead again, like he had before, letting her show him what she wanted. He kept it in her comfort zone and she was open, free, warm, caring, emotional, funny, sexy, horny Beth. All he wanted to do was satisfy her needs.

He finally fell asleep, wanting this night not to end.

In the morning, Rio had made them breakfast. He gave Beth his robe to wear, while he just wore his boxer briefs. He insisted on making her breakfast, so she watched him, but she mostly watched his ass. Every time he turned around she was looking at it.

She wondered what had happened to her; she never really noticed other guys, and she certainly never stared at their ass like she was staring at his. After breakfast, she helped him clean up the dishes. She stood beside him at the sink, touching him.

"So, first you take me out to dinner, and you made me breakfast too.”

"You are forgetting somethin' in between darlin'."

“I am?"

Rio slipped his hand inside the robe and pulled her into him.

"You need me to remind you?"

"I think I do."

He grabbed her hand and took her into his bathroom. He turned on the shower and took her robe off.

"Get in this fucking shower and I will show you."

He was just about to remove his boxers when Beth shook her head no.

"I will do that."

"You like my boxers huh?"

"And whats underneath them too."

She put her arms around him and grabbed his ass. He smiled at her. She had never done that before outside of when they were having sex. She brought her hand around to palm his cock before she slipped her hand inside his boxers and slowly pulled them down off him.

She stepped in the shower with him and leaned against the shower wall. Rio came over to her. They looked at each other, not saying a word. She took his face in her hands and started to kiss him. She gently rubbed her thumbs on his soft beard. The kiss became deeper, and more passionate. Their bodies were tight together. Her body was so soft, he wanted to melt his into hers again. He had her all night long and it still wasn't enough.

She loved his arms around her, holding her so tightly to him. She looked down, her breasts pushed on his chest, where they seemed to belong, where she felt comfortable. He was looking down at them too, thinking the same thing.

She could feel the hardness of his cock against her.

She whispered to him.

"Can you fuck me again please."

She wanted his cock back inside her.

"I will fuck you again any time you want darlin'."

He lifted her one leg up and put his arm under it, supporting her. She took his cock in her hand and rubbed it over her pussy, up and down, slowly. She played with it at her entrance with the head of his cock getting it wet and slick from her. She had her other arm around his neck.

He watched her face as he entered her slowly. She closed her eyes for a moment as she let out a soft moan. Her tits were moving up and down on his chest as he pumped his cock in her slowly.

In between kisses, they talked to each other while they fucked, their eyes full of desire for each other.

“You love my cock inside you don't you?"

He thrust into her a bit harder when he said it. Her breath hitched.

"Yes."

"All you gotta do is ask Mama.”

She let out a soft moan as he kept fucking her.

"You know what I always want to do when I am near you?”

Rio looked into her eyes.

"Fuck?"

She gasped as he pumped into her a little deeper. She smiled.

"Yes, but that’s not it."

He kissed her neck up to her ear and whispered in it.

"Tell me what it is you always want to do."

She gripped him tight, as he kept fucking her.

"Ohhhhhh....shittt...."

She sucked in her breath and continued.

"I always want to.."

She closed her eyes; she could barely keep her focus. He put his mouth on hers.

"Tell me Elizabeth."

He felt her tightening up around his cock. A moan slipped out of his mouth.

'I always want my tits on your bare chest."

He went even deeper. She let out a loud moan in his mouth this time.

"Geezus......."

His eyes penetrated hers.

"Why?

She shrugged her shoulders with a puzzled look on her face. She didn't know how to answer him.

He hiked up her leg a little higher, penetrating her as deep as he could. She sucked in her breath hard, before she let out a long moan.

“Hmmmmmmm."

He whispered in her ear.

"Because it makes you feel closer to me?"

She pulled up tight inside around his cock, tightening more and more, almost sucking his cock up inside her. He let out a loud grunting sound in her ear.

"Urghhhhhhh, Elizabeth."

He kept fucking her faster and deeper. The waves of her orgasm building through her body. She leaned her head down on him for a moment.

"Ohhhh geezus fuckkkkkk...."

She could feel all his muscles tense up. He pushed up her leg more and grabbed her ass with his other hand, pulling her tight into him. He started to thrust into her more vigorously. She had her arms right around his neck, moaning in his ear, quivering in his arms.

She was moving up and down against the wall as he fucked her harder and harder. She took in one last deep breath, before she let it out in one long wail in his ear, as she came.

His cock was pulsing as he emptied himself inside her, grunting out her name again.

He let her leg down, then wrapped his arms around her hugging her. She was still holding him tightly. After they both caught their breath, she answered him, very softly in his ear.

"Yes, because it makes me feel closer to you."

He held her even tighter, neither wanting to let go because they both knew she was soon going home.

As Rio drove her back to her car, Beth thought about their night together. She was holding his hand like they always did when they drove together.

They had that other night together in the hotel, but this night was more special. They were at his place, and that made it feel different, and she knew she was being different.

She couldn't get enough of him. Never once in her marriage to Dean did she respond like this to him, like she was to Rio. He kept bringing more and more out of her.

She was trying to figure out exactly what that was and why.

A random thought crossed through her mind and she didn’t know where it came from.

She had a pang of jealousy shoot through her. She absolutely hated the thought of him with someone else, doing what they did. The jealousy she could feel over him was something new to her. 

He always knew what he was doing in bed and she was still discovering things. What did he think about her? She had only been with one other man. For her, there was absolutely no comparisons between him and Dean. It almost was like they were not even doing the same thing.

She struggled with it because she had no previous experiences to fall back on.

He looked over at her and squeezed her hand; it was almost like he knew what was going through her head. Her momentary bout of jealousy passed.

When they got to her car, he leaned over and kissed her. He put his hand across her breasts for a moment, then took her hand and put it on his chest.

"Any time you need it Elizabeth."

She gave him a sweet smile, feeling reassured, and kissed him back.

"Everything was perfect....thank you."

'Yeah it was Mama, you are welcome."

She needed to figure this out. The night was everything to her; it couldn't have been any better. She loved it and it scared her at the same time. She didn’t even know this Beth existed until she was with him last night.

Beth had not seen Rio since he dropped her off Saturday morning. They texted back-and-forth but he had Marcus until Sunday. Beth went to the strip club on Saturday evening for a couple of hours. She checked in with Krystal.

”How did everything go last night?”

“It went great the club was packed, no problems, no issues.”

“I knew you would be fine.”

“Your sister stopped by to see you though.”

”Oh. She say anything?”

”No just that she would catch up with you later.”

Beth thought it was a bit strange she had not heard from her; but then again it was Annie.

“So how was your business dinner?”

Krystal had a mischievous smile on her face.

“It was good!”

“How was dessert?”

Beth gave Krystal and funny look.

”It was really good, it was homemade vanilla ice cream with caramel and chocolate drizzle.”

”Drizzle huh? You must have had a really good time because when I left here your van was still here.”

“I had one too many drinks, so I couldn’t drive.”

“Awww, because your face just lit up when when you were talking about dessert."

"No it didn't."

'Oh, but it did Beth."

Krystal patted her on the arm, giving her a coy smile as she walked away.

Beth had taken the girls to dance class on Sunday morning, made all the kids lunch, and done a few loads of laundry before she headed over to the strip club, she needed to send in an order of supplies.

As she headed out the door, she told Dean she wouldn’t be long.

“Why would you be working on a Sunday the club isn’t open.”

“I have an order I have to send in today.”

“Hmmmm.”

“Hmmmm what?”

“For a club you told me you didn’t want to open you sure are working there a lot.”

“You know what Dean? when I started working on it I really started enjoying it and it’s really successful. I put a lot of work into it and I’m very proud of it.”

“Is it just the strip club?”

“Okay Dean, I’m not doing this with you.”

”Well, you were out all Friday night and came home Saturday morning.”

”I told you well before Friday night I had a business dinner and that I would be out really late.”

”Really late was actually Saturday morning, like when you printed money or something else.”

”Yeah, and I don’t owe you any explanations.”

She walked out on him.

Was she really going to the strip club on a Sunday to put in an order? Or were they doing something else? Dean decided there was only one way to find out; the more evidence he had against her, the better.

Kenny was old enough to babysit for an hour. When he found out he was getting paid, he was more than eager to do it.

Beth arrived at the strip club just when Rio texted her. They pretty much texted each other every single day and the only time they didn’t was when they were pissed at each other. But of course, this was a fact that didn’t register with Beth as to why that was.

“Where you at?”

“The strip club, I have to get an order sent in today.”

“You?”

“Just dropped off Marcus.”

This time she didn’t even pretend to say anything cute or make up some excuse for him to come by; neither did he.

“See you soon?”

“Be there shortly.”

Beth was working on the computer when Rio came to her office door.

“Hey Mama.”

“Hey.”

She got up to see him. She put her hands around him on his ass again and pulled him into her. He liked this from her.

Rio took her hand and sat on the edge of the desk; she sat beside him.

“So, did you feel I thanked you enough for all your hard work on Friday night?”

“Oh yes, I think you thanked me quite a few times, in fact I lost count.”

Rio grinned at her.

“I wanted to be sure you were satisfied."

"Oh I was very satisfied. I was dragging my ass around all day yesterday though.”

Rio looked into her eyes; his were playful and warm.

“Well that’s one perfect ass to be dragging around darlin‘. But it was worth it yeah?”

They locked eyes. She got up and stood in front of him between his legs.

“Yeah, it was very much worth it, I am thinking I’d like to thank you for thanking me so many times.“

“Would you now?”

She nodded yes, her eyes were very intense.

He unbuttoned her shirt and she unbuttoned his. It was no coincidence she put on her bra that opened from the front. Rio traced his fingers down her cleavage and unhooked her bra for her.

Beth immediately leaned in on his chest. Her breasts were pushing up against him. She let out a deep sigh.

She couldn’t help but think that she was an H-cup and she had married a man who liked small breasts. They were a part of her body Dean largely ignored; and when he did touch them he was too rough despite her telling him a 100 times to be more gentle.

Rio on the other hand, brought her to an orgasm with just his touch, an orgasm different from any other she had ever had. She was always discovering new things about herself with him.

Rio looked down at her large soft mounds pushing up against his chest; he simply loved her breasts, her fair, pale breasts on his tanned chest. When they were pushed up against him, he felt like they were his tits, on his girl. He knew by Beths comments she had made, that Dean didn’t appreciate them, let alone her.

When Rio first laid eyes on her, it was impossible for him not to notice her breasts right away, and when they had sex he was always touching them somehow, he loved them. His face was often buried in them, but he understood exactly what she meant when she said she always wanted to do this with him, just have her tits on his bare chest, body to body, skin on skin. It was another level of intimacy between them and he liked it just as much as she did; the closeness of it, the connection.

She slid her hands down to his pants, freeing his cock into her warm soft hands. He kissed her tits as she pulled his pants down over her hips. She kneeled down in front of him.

She placed her hand under his balls, and licked them gently. Rio's breath hitched. She moved to the base of his shaft, licking around him until she reached his head. She took his cock in her mouth and went right down on him, deep-throating him a few times, getting his cock good and wet.

"That fucking mouth of yours darlin' feels so good."

Her mouth was warm and wet. She looked up at him while he watched her soft lips parted around his cock, her tits up against his legs. He was playing with her hair as he watched her work on his cock. Rio started breathing faster.

"Damn!"

Rio was enjoying every sensation he was feeling from her hands and her mouth. As it got more intense, he held onto her hair, grabbing it at the back with one hand. She loved it when he grabbed it that way. She let out a moan on his cock.

Dean had arrived and headed to her office. He heard muffled sounds coming from it, but he was not expecting to see what he did.

Beth was on her knees in front of Rio, who was totally focused on Beth.

Dean stayed off to the side looking in.

This was a Beth that Dean had never, ever seen, and she was totally into what she was doing. He was taken back by it. 

Beth had started to deep throat Rio again. He put his other hand under her chin; his thumb gently stroking along her jaw line. Dean was shocked, his eyes popped open. 

Rio was getting close to coming, and he knew Beth was very worked up. Rio held her head still for a moment. She pulled off his cock slowly and looked up at him.

"You want to finish me off darlin’ or do you want me to fuck you?”

"I really want you to fuck me hard."

Dean had never ever heard her talk that way. Who the fuck was this Beth?

Rio pulled her up to him, and held her face in his hands while he kissed her passionately. Dean stepped back for a moment. Rio stepped over to the wall with her. Dean could see them, their backs were to him. 

Rio slipped his hands inside her pants and slipped them all the way down. He nuzzled into her neck kissing her. She let out a gasp. 

“That feels so good!”

He whispered in her ear.

“Bent over for me.”

She bent over and Rio rubbed her ass with his hand, then slid his cock up and down her pussy. Beth started to moan. 

“You ready Mama?"

”God yes!”

She had both hands on the wall. Rio knew when she was like this she was ready for him. He held her hips then thrust into her hard and deep. She sucked in a sharp breath, then yelled out.

"Oh fuckkkk..."

He held himself inside her for a moment, she was panting and moaning. He drove into her again. She let out a louder moan. She spoke in a shaky voice.

"God......I love your cock...."

"Ready for me to fuck you hard?"

"Yes..."

Rio pushed into her with an unrelenting tempo. She was moaning on each thrust, muttering out words at the same time.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck.!"

He watched her ass. He let out a loud, long groan.

"Damn this fucking ass of yours..."

He buried his cock into her over and over, as she felt a rush of heat rush through her; she was coming undone. Rio saw her head dip down. He reached under her and pulled her up on the wall, pulling her hand up on the wall, locking his fingers in hers. He held her under her tits with his other arm. She put her other hand back behind her, on his ass trying to pull him into her over and over. She cried out loudly over his groans. 

"Ohhhhhh....Riooooooo...."

He panted in her ear.

"You are so beautiful Mama."

 She started to hit the wall with her other hand as she started to come. She sucked in her breath for a moment, then let out the loudest groan that came from her gut. Rio couldn't hold back any more. He spilled himself into her. 

"Arghhhhhhh.'' 

Both of them were spent for the moment. Rio saw her cover her eyes with one hand and suck in her breath. He turned her around and she buried her face into his chest. 

"It's okay baby."

This time she heard him and held him tighter. 

Rio suddenly saw a movement out of the corner of his eye; he saw Dean hurrying to get by the door. He gave him an evil look. He had Beth in his arms, and she was his first priority. 

When she settled down, they cleaned up. Rio sat back on the edge of the desk, pulling her back between his legs with her tits against his chest again, the way she liked it, the way he liked it. He kept his arms wrapped around her tight.

"That was some thank you."

She smiled at him. He touched her face, pushing her hair behind her ear.

"But I gotta tell you somethin'."

She looked at him; he was looking at her funny. 

"What?"

"I just saw your dumbass husband at the office door, when we were finishing up."

"What?"

Chapter Text

Rio still had his arms around Beth; she was standing between his legs, pressed up close to him. 

”Do you think he was watching us or was he coming to see me?” 

“Kinda hard to tell, it was so fast. Only caught him out of the corner of my eye at the last second.”

”Were we…..done?” 

“Yes, but I don’t know how long he was there.”

“Does he know you saw him?”

”Can’t be sure Mama.” 

"What the fuck was he doing. There’s no reason for him to come here unless he was checking up on me and he did say something about me being out all Friday night but I had told him before hand.”

Rio was playing with her hair.

”Do you think he is trying to catch you with me?”

”Possibly but he knows I’ve been with you I didn’t hide it from him.”

“When did he find out?"

“It was after he took the kids and I think that’s part of the reason he did it. I didn’t deny it and I didn’t lie about it.”

She stopped and hesitated….then looked Rio in the eyes. She didn’t know why, but she felt he needed to know.

”I didn’t break my vows to him, he broke them, and I don’t consider this cheating on him."

Rio picked up her left hand, which had no ring on it. 

“You’ve had no ring on this finger for a very long time. He didn't cheat just once did he?”

“Nope. Several times and our vows were null and void after that.”

This with the most she had ever talked to him about Dean and the state of their marriage and she wasn’t getting her back up about it.

“What are you gonna do about it Mama?”

”Right now, I’m just gonna go home and act normal and see what he says.”

Her phone rang. She looked at Rio.

“Sorry, I have to get this.” 

The call was from Kenny.

“I'm sorry Rio, I’ve got to go, he left Kenny babysitting the kids, which he has never done before. I don’t know what is going on. He said he was only gonna leave the kids with Kenny for an hour and it’s been longer than that. I have get home. The only thing I can think of is that he was stopping by here to tell me something.”

The whole thing did not sit well with Rio.  They walked out to the car and both of them looked around expecting to see Dean. 

”Keep in touch with me, yeah?”

”I will let you know as soon as I find out anything.”

Rio left when Beth did, but turned around a minute later. He went back to the club. He was going to find out just how long Dean was there and what he was doing. He checked the surveillance cameras.

Dean had checked the door to the print room, then came to her office and stood there. He was there the whole time they were fucking.

This changed things. He had to tell Beth.

Rio want to mess up the mother fucker. What a fucking piece of shit Dean was. 

Beth arrived home and Dean still wasn’t there. She decided not to call him because that would tip him off and she just had to wait until he came home. Dean arrived back an hour later.

”You didn’t tell me you had to go to out today Dean?”

”I didn’t know at the time I had a call from Vance.”

”So you left Kenny to babysit which he’s never done before. So why didn’t you just call me I could’ve come back home and then went back to strip club later.”

”I think Kenny’s old enough to start babysitting.”

“Hmm, so if you left Kenny to babysit the first time you should’ve let me know. That we were both available to him if something went wrong.”

”Yeah well, I didn’t think of that.”

“Apparently not.” 

Dean walked away. 

“I've got to take the boys to hockey practice.” 

Dean wasn’t letting on anything, but then again, he had lying down to a fine art, he had done it to her for years. Beth had to wait until the kids were in bed to confront him, which she did. 

She asked him to come into her room. 

“What do you want now Beth.”

Dean seemed annoyed, perturbed like he was earlier. 

”So, I guess instead of calling me to tell me Kenny was babysitting you decided to stop by the strip club?”

Deans face changed. Beth continued on.

“Yeah, I know you were there. So the question is why?”

”Because you have been out a lot and I wanted to see what the hell you’re up to, you don’t tell me much.”

Beth gave him a sarcastic laugh.

”Oh, that’s hilarious Dean you checking up on me?  I have a job, I run a strip club and that’s what I’ve been doing.”

”You weren’t exactly working were you?”

"I did have work to do."

"Is that what you call that?"

”Your hypocrisy is a joke. You are in no position to say anything to me about what I do. You fucked around on me so many times.”

”I can’t believe you’re still with that guy. What’s wrong with you? I went to jail because of him.”

Beth scoffed at him.

'You went to jail because you met with the Secret Service and handed over the books when I asked you not to. That's what you get for continuing to dismiss me."

"What's the deal between you and him?”

”That’s none your business.”

“It is my concern who you’re with because of my kids.”

Beth rolled her eyes at him.

”Our kids have never seen me with him. You had women on the side, and weren't worried about our kids."

”It’s not the same.”

”Oh it is the same. So tell me….how long did you stand there?”

"When I saw you both I turned and left."

”Hmmm. That will teach you for sneaking around checking up on me."

Dean started to walk out, then turned to Beth.

"You know he's just playing you right?"

"You don't need to worry about what he is doing or what I am doing. But don’t you ever follow me again.”

The next day, Rio asked Beth to meet him at his bar in the afternoon. Rio had to get Marcus soon after school and then he was going to head over to the strip club later because they were having a meeting with all the staff for a small celebration of the club's success.  

When Beth came in to the bar, Rio looked her over from head to toe especially when he saw her in the dress she was wearing. She smiled at him, knowing that look of his. She sat down beside him and he put his hand on her thigh, rubbing it.

”You know what that always leads to.”

”Yup.”

He smiled at her then put his hand up inside her dress. Beth sucked in her breath.

”I thought you wanted to talk to me.”

”I do but then you showed up looking like this and distracted me. Come to my office I want to show you something.”

”Your dick? Because I have seen it before.”

Rio laughed. 

“Wanna see it again?”

”Don't you have to leave soon to get Marcus?

”I do, but we got time.” 

They went to his office and Rio locked the door. Beth didn’t hesitate, and kissed him. 

“Listen Mama, before you go any further there is something I do need to show you."

“Is it something about Dean? because if it is, it can wait.”

”You sure?”

”Yeah I am sure.” 

Beth wore a cute dress that buttoned up the front. Rio unbuttoned it be slowly while looking her in the eyes. 

“I like this dress, makes fucking so much easier.” 

“And that was a deciding factor when I bought it.”

She unhooked her bra for him then pulled his head down to her tits. The way he worked on her nipples with this tongue always heightened her arousal quickly.

She caressed his head as he licked each of her nipples. 

She drew in a shallow breaths, letting out soft moans.  

“Ohhh, fuck that gets me going so fast.”

He started to suck on her nipples gently, sucking harder when Beth told him too. Beth reached down and rubbed his cock just before pulled his head up to her face again, kissing him deeply. Rio slipped fingers down her panties, right between her wet lips. 

“That did get you going fast.”

He lifted her ass on his desk…..”because I want to fuck you so badly. Get this cock inside you.”

She looked at him and pulled her panties over to the side. He slipped the head of his cock up and down her wet lips…then circled her clit with it.  

She leaned back on her hands getting ready for him. He played with his cock just inside her. 

She moaned sucking in her breath. She was aching inside for him. He watched her face as he drove himself deeply into her slowly, over and over. 

”Ohhhhh…more.”

He picked up the rhythm. 

“More, more, more.”

She moaned every time she said it.

He watched his cock thrust into her wet pussy. 

“Hmmmmmm damn….”  He let out a groan. 

He grabbed onto her hips and she wrapped her legs around him as he fucked her faster and harder. She tightened around his cock. 

“Fuckkkk” He groaned again.

Squeezing her legs around his waist she let out a loud moan.

“Fuck Rio, finish me off.”

He buried his cock into her as deep as he could go, letting out a louder groan each time he thrust into her. His cock tightened up as he released himself inside her. 

She slowly released her legs from around him and like he always did, he held her for a few moments.

”I think that’s the fastest we ever fucked.” 

“Told ya we had time Mama.”

Once they were dressed again, she asked him to show her what he had. 

"Elizabeth, you said he told you he left when he saw us?"

"Yes.

"I gotta show you this."

He played the video of Dean in the hallway. 

Beth looked at Rio. 

"He saw us the whole time didn't he?"

Rio shook his head yes.

"Sorry darlin'."

"Oh fuck. So he saw everything."

”Yeah he did….you okay?”

”I am just trying to process this in my head.”

She was visibly upset. 

“Elizabeth try not to think about it too much, we’ll talk about it when I see you later okay?”

She agreed, but as hard as she tried she could not get it out of her head. 

Beth headed to her office; she was supposed to do some paperwork. She poured herself a drink. She pulled up the video again that was on her computer.  

She checked when Rio arrived and then when Dean arrived after. He definitely had seen everything between them. 

She felt so violated. It made her feel sick to think that Dean was watching that very private, intimate moment between her and Rio.

It also made her realize how much those moments with Rio meant to her. She felt so protective of them.

They had gotten so close in the last few days, closer than they had ever been and that fucker Dean watched some of it. 

This thing Dean had done, made her think about her and Rio more.

She was deep in thought when Annie arrived with Ruby. 

"Hey stranger."  

Beth smiled.

"I know, sorry guys, its been so busy, but it will settle down." 

“Well, I stopped by the other night.”

"Oh right, Krystal mentioned it.”

”Your van was here but you weren’t.”

”Yes, I was out.”

”With who?”

”Why so many questions Annie?” 

“Well, we haven’t really talked much lately you’re always busy and that’s usually the kind of thing you tell me about.” 

Beth picked up her glass and finished off her drink.

“Well, if it was important I would’ve told you.” 

Ruby and Annie looked at each other; Beth was being very vague.

”Don’t tell me it was him!”

"Annie, get off my back; I have stuff on my mind and I’m not in the mood for this.” 

Ruby’s jaw dropped.

”You were with him.”

Bath looked up at Ruby and gave her the same look she gave Annie.

“Did you guys come here to grill me? Look, everyone is here now, I am not talking about this."

She walked out of her office. Annie and Ruby just looked to each other.

They celebrated the clubs success, and the fact that it was filling up every night. They made several toasts throughout the night, all of which Beth participated in. 

Rio came after dropping Marcus off. Beth had gotten very, very tipsy. She could not shake the thought of Dean watching them, and Annie and Ruby were stressing her out with their comments about Rio. They would never understand what she was doing with him when she was still trying to understand it herself. She was relieved when they had to leave early because Stan had to work.

When everything wound down, Krystal hugged Beth on the way out; then headed over to Rio.

Rio saw her coming.

"Now what?"

"You are driving Beth home right?"

Rio shook his head at her.

"Of course, I wouldn't let her drive like this."

Krystal smiled at him.

"Just checking, I want to make sure you are taking care of our girl."

Rio made a face at her.

"Our girl?"

"Yup until you make her your girl, she is our girl, so get on it."

"Really?"

”Really.”

Krystal gave him a big Krystal smile, pinched his cheek and left. 

Beth had just finished cleaning up and had finished her last drink. Rio came over to her, and rubbed her back.

"Hey Mama. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you drink this much. You okay?”

Rio knew she would be upset knowing Dean stood and watched everything, he just didn’t know how much it would bother her. 

“I don't know. I can't believe what Dean did, and when I go home tonight, I think I will scratch his fucking eyes out."

"How about you come home with me."

Beth leaned back against the counter, not very steady. Rio did not want Beth going home like she was. 

"We can talk about it more, and it gives you a bit of time to think about it before you see him again.” 

“Okay, thanks.”

She texted Dean and told him she wouldn’t be home tonight. He didn’t give her a hard time. 

Rio took her hand. 

"Come on, let's go. Did you eat at all?"

"Not really."

"Well, let's get some food into you."

He walked her to his car, his arm around her. He helped buckle her in, she kept missing when she tried.

She put her hand on his face. 

"Sorry I drank so much, but what Dean did makes me sick. He watched us in a very private moment. Who fucking does that?  That was just between you and me. He saw things he never had before and it wasn't for his eyes. It’s so fucking personal and private and he invaded it. 

Rio kissed her. 

"I know Mama. I didn’t want to show you but you had to know.”

“But he even saw you....and me down on my knees....fuck."

She covered her face. Rio took her hands off her face and held them.

"Elizabeth, I don't care that he saw me, but he saw you and saw me fucking you, and that’s a problem for me.”

"I am sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry for, its not your fault he is the fucking asshole he is."

Rio didn't really care that Dean saw him, but he did care that he saw her giving him a blow job and when she broke down afterwards. He hated Dean even more. He wanted to rip his eyes out of his face for her.

Rio picked up their food and when he got home he took her out on his balcony so she could get some fresh air.

Beth was still distracted. She got up and stood looking over the balcony. Rio stood behind her, and put his arms around her. 

"What’s going around in that head of yours?”

"A ping pong game, so much stuff going back and forth. All this shit with Dean has me thinking.”

"Thinking what?”

"That I don't know what the fuck I am doing. I mean not too long ago you and I hated each other and now look at us.”

"I have never hated you Elizabeth. We know why things went so badly between us. Did you really hate me?”

”No.”

"And things have changed between us lately, for the better right?"

"Yes, but I have never done this before. I mean, I got married out of high school."

She paused for a moment.

”You know don’t you?”

”Know what?”

”That I was only ever with Dean before you.”

”I suspected it.” 

"Dean told me that you are playing me."

"The asshole that cheated on you and watched you having sex with me, said I am playing you? Do you believe that?"

"Well, I just don’t want to be the only one who has  feelings."

It was the first time she had ever said she had feelings for him. He spoke into her ear softly.

"I think you know you are not the only one with feelings. You really don’t know that?"

She let out a long sigh. 

"Well, you have that way you look at me and I think I know."

"What way is that?"

"The way you always do, it is in your eyes."

”Have you ever seen me look at anyone else that way?”

”No. But this is all new to me and things have happened to me I don't even understand. I don’t even know where it comes from."

"What things Mama?"

"Like, I want you all the time. Like, I just sit near you and it happens, you don’t even have to do anything and I am wound up ready to go.”

"Happens to me all the time with you darlin'."

"Maybe this is what lust is.”

"Nope. That ain’t it.”

"Also, when I have sex with you, I can get so fucking messed up.

“And  that right there Mama, is how you know it’s not just lust.”

“But it’s not like me. I get run over by emotions sometimes and I can't control them.”

"Maybe it’s about them feelings you have, the same ones I have for you. So maybe you don't gotta control them. Maybe you just gotta trust a little more in what you feel. And I am telling you Elizabeth; the one thing you don’t gotta worry about is those emotions you show me."

Her eyes filled with tears. 

'No?"

"Nope."

"They scare the fuck out of me."

"I know they do, but they don't scare me."

He turned her around and hugged her tight.

“That head of yours any better?”

”Yes.”

"Now I think my drunk girl needs to get to bed."

"I am a little bit aren’t I?”

He held up his forefinger and thumb close together and smiled.

"Just a little." 

She laughed. 

He helped her undress. He gave her some ibuprofen. She looked in the mirror and saw her smudged mascara.

”Oh shit. What a mess.”

”I don’t got that make up remover stuff you need.” 

She tried to clean up her face, but made more of a mess. Rio took the facecloth and helped her. 

“Can I wear one of your t-shirts? I haven’t gotten used to sleeping naked yet.”

She smiled sheepishly at him. 

“Oh, you will."

He gave her a t-shirt. He took off her bra and helped her in it. Her nipples were pushed so tight against it. 

“Whoa Mama.”

"I could wear this when we have sex?” 

“Yup. But not tonight darlin’.”

“Why?” Beth pointed at her face, in a circular motion.

“Because of this mess? Cause this isn’t pretty.”

Rio laughed hard.

”That wouldn’t stop me from fucking you Elizabeth, you know me better than that. You are still beautiful. But you’ve had quite a bit to drink.”

"Yeah….so maybe in the morning?"

Rio laughed again.

“You are so cute sometimes Mama. Let’s see what your head says about it in the morning."

She got into bed.

”Thanks for taking care of me tonight. No one has ever done that for me.”

”Well they should have.”

He got into bed beside her. She looked at him for a moment. Even though she had been drinking it was that look she always gave him. She leaned over and traced a heart on his chest with her finger. He put his hand over hers holding it there. 

Rio looked into her eyes, and held her gaze, taking in the way she was looking at him, he was a little taken back. She gave him a teary eyed, sweet, warm smile, then kissed him. 

"Goodnight Rio.”

“Goodnight Mama.”

He knew they would never have had this conversation if she hadn't been drinking. She kept things so locked up inside. He didn't even know if she would remember what she had said. 

He thought about how she had been with him since she found out about Dean watching them and not once was her concern for Dean. 

What was she going to do about him now?

There was something in her that held her back all the time. Something that held her back from leaving Dean and something held her back from him.

That’s all he knew.

She had a bit too much to drink and her beautiful loose lips told him she had feelings for him.

He remembered what she said that night in the hotel room….just because she didn’t show it, didn’t mean she didn’t feel it.

She was complicated. He had a hunch her whole life had been too. 

Dean dropped the kids off to school the next morning. When he got home, Rio was standing in the kitchen. He had a smirk on his face and not a nice one. 

”Well, well. Look who it is. The creepy asshole who watches the woman he fucked around on, having sex with another man. That man was me.”

Rio stepped towards him.

“We need to have a little talk."

Chapter Text

Dean didn’t even have a chance to move before Rio had grabbed him and slammed him up against the cupboards.

“What were you doing at the strip club? And why were you watching us having sex you fucking creep!”

“I came there looking for my wife and I left when I saw you.”

Rio slammed him harder against the wall.

”You’re a fucking liar. You watched everything. So tell me why the fuck did you watch us?”

“What are you talking about?

Rio grabbed his shirt and twisted it tight around his neck.

“You stood in the doorway and watched me having sex with Elizabeth. You can't be that fucking stupid not to realize we have surveillance cameras. Now why were you watching us so long?”

Rio refused to call Beth his wife. Dean spoke in a broken voice.

"Stop choking me so I can answer."

Rio loosened his grip a little.

"I came to see my wife to talk to her to find out what the hell she’s been up to."

"You know what she’s been up to she’s been working, she runs the strip club."

It didn't make much sense to Rio that he was checking up on her, unless he wanted to catch them, but she had told him about them already.

"She wasn’t working when I saw her."

Rio slammed him against the cupboards again.

"It's none of your fucking business what she is doing, she is paying your bills isn’t she?”

"She's MY wife."

Rio gave Dean a cold smirk.

"Is she? Because she is sleeping with me.  In fact she’s in my bed right now.”

“You think you know her but you don’t.”

”Actually, I am pretty sure that after you watched us that you don’t know her.”

”Fuck you.”

Rio punched him in the gut. 

"Yeah, I am right and you know it. Now answer me ...why the fuck did you watch us?"

"I didn’t intend to but I couldn’t get by the door.” 

Rio choked his collar tighter.

“Nah. You are still fucking lying.”

Rio wanted to fuck him up, but he wouldn't because of his kids and because he had to give Beth a chance to deal with him.

"You know why you watched us? Because you’re a sick fuck and you were shocked by what you saw. Eat your fucking heart out asshole."

Dean went to punch Rio, who grabbed his arm and twisted it behind his back and laughed at him.

"Now you get something straight.

1. You will never come near that club again, you are banned from it permanently. 

2. I don’t believe your bullshit excuse why you were there, I think you’re up to something and if you are I will find it out. 

3. Don’t you ever do anything to her again, don’t even look at her the wrong way or you will pay for it. Next time I won’t be nice, like I was today.

4. You be very careful when she confronts you about this, because I’ll be fucking back here faster than you can blink an eye.

One more thing, don’t you ever fucking tell her that I’m just playing her. I am not a scumbag like you. She’s my girl, not yours.

Got it asshole?"

Dean didn't answer right away. Rio yanked his arm harder until he yelled out.

"Yeah, I got it."

Beth woke up with a pounding headache, realizing she was in Rio's bed. She lay there and put her hands over her face, wondering why the fuck she drank so much. She was trying to remember what happened, how she ended up at his place, not that she minded. She preferred to be here than at home, where Dean was. She remembered bits and pieces. 

Rio came in to check on her.

So, how are you feeling sleeping beauty?

"Oh that’s not funny you know my head is killing me, I can’t believe I did that last night. I was so pissed off.”

He sat beside her and brushed her hair over her ear.

“A hot shower or hot bath will help and you need to rehydrate.”

“A hot bath sounds good.” 

Rio went and ran the hot tub for her; when he came back she was sitting up. She looked down and saw she was wearing Rios T-shirt, then looked at Rio. He smiled at her. 

“You asked for it.” 

“Right, I kind of remember.” 

“Do you want a cold drink or do you want some tea, what do you feel like?”

”A tea would be so good, my stomach is a bit off.” 

Beth went into the bathroom and looked in the mirror. She was a bit of a mess. She took a clip out her purse and put her hair up, and she cleaned the mascara up using some cream she had. Then she got into the bath and sank down in it. It felt so good.

Rio came to the bathroom door with her tea. He wasn’t sure how comfortable she would be with him there, naked in his tub. 

Beth smiled at him. 

“You can come in....you’ve already seen everything.”

He smiled back.

”Yeah I have.”

“Do you remember very much from last night?” 

“Why did I do something really stupid?”

”No, not at all.” 

“I remember bits and pieces it’ll come back to me. Did we….?”

”Have sex?” 

She gave him a sheepish grin.

“Because if we did, I really don’t remember it.”

"Nope, you had too much to drink."

She looked at him for a moment, a look of appreciation on her face. It brought back a memory of a night she had been out with Dean, and she had a few too many drinks with Ruby and Stan. Dean had sex with her even though she had said she didn't feel like it. She woke up naked. She had asked Dean about it. 

"Why did we have sex last night?"

"Why not?"

"Did I not say I didn't feel like it?"

She wasn't sure at the time if she had actually said it or not.

"Oh come on Beth, if I waited for you to feel like it, we never would have sex. Why are you making a big deal out of this?"

"I am not making a big deal out of it, but if I said I didn't feel like it, that should have been the end of it."

"Oh come one, I am your husband, you are acting like we were dating or something."

"That's not the point."

"Well, when I started you didn't stop me."

"Yeah, because I had too much to drink. I don't remember that part."

Rio was talking to her, and she was deep in thought, remembering that night with Dean.

"Elizabeth?"

"I am sorry what did you ask me?"

"I asked you what that look was for?"

"Just that....you knew I had too much to drink...and didn't do anything."

He looked at her...a flash of anger surged through his body, wishing now he had messed Dean up earlier that day. 

"Elizabeth, that is something that should never, ever happen."

She nodded at him. 

"No, it shouldn't."

She put her hand on the back of her neck, moving it from side to side.

"If you sit up I will massage your neck for you."

Rio massaged her neck gently. Then he took a facecloth and washed her back for her. When she was done with her bath, he held up a towel for her. 

“You’re not even gonna try this morning either are you?”

”Nope, because I’m 100% sure you don’t feel up to it.” 

She put her arms around him and hugged him tight. He hugged her back.

“I don’t feel like it and thank you for taking care of me like this."

"You already thanked me Mama."

"When?"

"Last night before you went to sleep."

She just looked at him. Trying to recall. 

“Don't you not remember anything we talked about last night?”

”I remember certain things, I remember certain details like you buckling my seat belt in your car and me being upset, I remember eating and I remember you helping me put on the T-shirt...but it will probably come back to me when my heads more clear.”

"Well maybe you should start with eating something? toast?"

"Yes, please that would be good and I should head home soon too."

While she was eating Rio told her he went to see Dean. 

”Well you need to know that I went to see that asshole about what happened.”

”When?” 

“This morning when you were asleep. I had thought about it all night long, what he had done. So I went and dealt with it.” 

"What does that mean?” 

“It means that he knows never to do anything to you again.”

”Okay. What else?” 

“He is never allowed at the strip club ever again. I told him that he’s a fucking piece of scum. He also knows that I’m suspicious about why he was there because he really didn’t have a good answer other than he was checking up on you."

“Did you mess him up?” 

Rio looked at her.

”Are you seriously fucking worried I messed him up after what he did?” 

“No, I’m just asking, I mean my kids are going to see him.” 

"I am well aware of that, of course I wouldn't do something the kids would see, are you really worried I touched him?"

“No."

”Okay.” 

"Okay?"

“Yeah okay, what else you want me to say, you almost seem annoyed .”

”Well, you went to talk to him and didn't even run it by me.”

“Hold on a minute. You were so upset last night that you got drunk, so upset that you were going to rip his eyes out, so upset, you were crying, so upset that I brought you home here. Yet you are upset that I went and saw him about it? I wanted him to fucking know that I know everything because I want to make sure he doesn’t take it out on you. Since when do I need your permission to talk to that asshole or anyone?”

”I just would’ve liked to have known.”

”You do know, I am telling you before you go home. I have every right to be furious and pissed off at what he did. He wasn’t only watching you he was watching me as well and you’re acting like it doesn’t matter, like it’s just all about you. So I don’t need your permission to address him with it.” 

“It’s not just all about me and you don't need my permission.”

”No? Yet you’re upset that I saw him.”

”That’s not what I meant.” 

“Right, but thats what you said, so tell me what did you mean?"

"You are taking it the wrong way."

"Nah, I don't think I am."

”I don’t need this right now! I am going home now!”

She got up and went to the bedroom to get dressed. Rio mumbled to himself.

”Of course you are. Running away again.”

The drive to her car was silent; both of them not looking at each other.

Rio's arm was on the console like it always was and hers was beside his; their arms were touching. She finally put her hand in his and he squeezed her hand. When they got to her car, Rio spoke first.

“Are you going to talk to him about this?"

"Yes of course.”

"If there is a problem let me know please."

”You warned him he won’t do anything.”

“He better not.”

"Look, I appreciate all you have done for me. You were really good to me.”

”We’ll talk later yeah?”

”Yeah.”

She lifted up his hand and kissed it, then he leaned over and kissed her on the lips.

They both knew it still wasn’t okay between them. This was not what she needed right now; this was not what he needed right now especially after how good things had been between them. 

Beth got to the club around 9 pm. Krystal headed over to Beth as soon as she saw her.

"Rio got you home safe and sound last night?"

"Yes, he did thanks."

"He took good care of you?"

'Yes, he was a perfect gentleman actually."

"Good. I thought he would be. Is everyting okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"I havent seen you drink that much, you seemed a bit distracted, upset."

"Oh....yeah, well I was very pissed off at my husband. I shouldn’t have drank so much.” 

“Listen, I feel like we have become friends...”

“We have.”

“I just always get the impression you are not happily married."

"You are right, I am not happily married. In fact we have signed divorce papers, its just a matter of time and for some things to change so we can procreed."

"Good, because I have gut instincts about people, and he gives off bad vibes you know? Like he isn't trustworthy....but listen, if you ever want to talk, I am here girl. I mean I am a totally a no judgment zone kind of person."

Beth smiled at Krystal. 

"Thanks, I appreciate that a lot."

Beth went to her office thinking about what Krystal said which was the exact same thing that Rio had about Dean, the exact same words.

She suddenly felt so bad, Rio had taken such good care of her last night and they ended up arguing over Dean, which felt so wrong.

She texted Rio. 

"I hope you can stop by tonight."

Rio hadn't planned on it; he was pissed off at her for her reaction about him talking to Dean. He was even a little hurt.

"Why?"

"So I can thank you properly for last night? 

"You already did."

"Well, not properly."

"Nah, we are good."

She knew he was still very pissed off.

"Then can you come by so we can talk?"

Rio hesitated.

"Sure, I will see you in a bit."

Rio came by about 11 pm, on his way home. Beth went to her office with him. He leaned against her desk. She came over to stand between his legs, like she always did, but he didn't reach out to her. 

"I wanted to talk to you about what I said this morning."

"Okay, I am listening."

"I thought about you said. I get it, and I think what I said came out wrong."

"Which was?"

"You are right, you don't need permission to talk to Dean...he watched us, it wasn't just me, it was you too. And I wasn’t concerned about him when I asked if you messed him up.”

”Didn’t sound like it. He deserved to have his face fucking messed up and I didn’t do that, and that is only because of your kids.”

She put her arms around his neck and brought her face up to his.

”Rio…I am sorry. I know that.” 

She kissed him, but he held back. 

“What’s wrong? I have apologized and I meant it.” 

“I don’t know.... maybe cause you are skipping over somethin’.”

“I am?”

“You went home today and you aren’t going tell me what happened when you saw him?” 

”There’s nothing much to tell.”

He pulled back from her.

"How can that be?”

“First of all I did't see him long and he totally avoided me."

”So?”

“What do you mean so?”

“Yesterday you wanted to rip his eyes out, today you didn't talk to him. What are you doing Elizabeth?“

“What do you mean what am I doing?”

”I don’t understand you. He watched us having sex, you were so upset about it and now today you’re blowing it off.”

”I am not blowing it off. I mean for God sake give me a break. You said things to him I would have said, you’ve banned him from the strip club, he fucking knows he was caught, you warned him about me."

”Is that really it? Is this all you are gonna do about it? You honestly gonna let him walk all over you with this too?”

”Excuse me?”

”That man fucking cheated on you with many women and he is still in your fucking house. He’s still living with you. That asshole is following you, checking up on you, then he watches you have sex with me and you’re not going to do anything? Tell me, what would he have to do for you to kick his fucking sorry ass out of your house? Like why the fuck are you still married to him?“

“You don't know what you are talking about."

"I don't? Tell me one thing I said that wasn’t correct?”

"Just because he lives in that house, doesn't mean we are living together as husband and wife, he does not sleep in my bedroom, he has his own room, we just parent our kids in the same house. When he’s there he’s the one watching them so I can get out and fucking work all these hours.”

”So that’s the reason he still there. Because today he told me that you were still his wife. I mean, does he know what you just told me? because the message doesn’t seem to be clear with him.”

”Are you saying I haven’t been telling you the truth about him?”

”I am saying he doesn’t seem to be on the same page as you.”

“You know what? it’s my fucking marriage I will deal with it the way I think it’s best deal with it. Who are you to suddenly lecture me about it?” 

"Wow, you have completely flipped since yesterday, just when I think you are getting it, you retreat again. Whenever I think we are getting things right, this happens with you. I mean what was it….five whole fucking days we got along this time?"

”Why are you here pushing me so fucking hard? I still feel like shit from my hangover, can I have a day at least?”

"Cause he seems to hold some kind of power over you.”

”No, he doesn’t.”

Beth moved away from Rio. 

“Okay, if it’s not that do you actually love that asshole?” 

“No, I don’t. We have both signed divorce papers.” 

”Then I don’t get what you’re doing. Have you filed the papers?” 

“Not yet.”

“So they are just papers. They don’t mean nothin’.”

“Wow.”

“Not wow, you have completely flipped since last night.”

“No I haven’t.”

”This morning, you were upset I dealt with him, worried I may have messed him up and now you go home and didn't say anything to him. That's completely flipping.”

”I am dealing with it just not in the way you want me to deal with it. This is not just about me there’s more to consider I have my kids to look out for.” 

“You are making excuses and you are doing what you always do. You know...I really was there for you from the moment you found out what he did. Last night I took you home when you were so upset and now look at the way you’re talking to me. I have a question for you."

"Okay."

"If I dropped you off at home last night do you trust that he wouldn’t have done somethin’  with you being so drunk?”

“What?”

”He says you’re still his fucking wife, and he’s right because you haven’t even filed those papers..:.so maybe when you came home drunk like that, he thinks he can treat you like you’re his fucking wife.” 

She just stared at him. She didn’t know what to say. Dean had done it before.

"Yeah, that’s what I thought Elizabeth...you couldn't tell me he wouldn't have tried something, and you might not have been in any state to stop him. Yet that fucker is still in your house."

”I don’t understand why you have to keep pushing me on this, can you just back off and let me work it out in my head. You are pushing me too hard.”

Rio got up and walked to the door.

"Nah, I don't think I am, you do nothing about him. You know what’s funny? You never ever hesitated to deal with me head on, you were a fucking pain in my ass, always doing shit, always caused me problems, never hesitated for a moment to stand up to me, challenged me face to face, yet this asshole can do whatever the fuck he wants to you and you won’t stand up to him...and he knows it. That’s what’s going on here and you need to think about that and why that is.”

She stood there looking at him, speechless.

”Good night Elizabeth.”

When he left she went and sat down at her desk; she put her head in her hands.

"Fuck!!!!"

Rio got in his G-Wagon, hurt and angry. 

"Fuck, fuck, fuck!!

Chapter Text

As Beth drove home from the bar, she became angrier and angrier. The shock of what Dean had done was wearing off and her anger had kicked in.

She went straight up to Deans room. She walked in and stood over his bed. 

“You and I need to talk.”

“I am in bed, it can wait until tomorrow.”

”No it can’t.”

Beth took his blankets and yanked them off the bed. 

”Now.” 

Beth went down stairs into the office at the front of the house. She closed the doors.

“How was your visit with Rio today.” 

“I am sure your boyfriend told you what happened.”

“Yeah he did, however it's still a mystery why you were there.”

”We’ve been through this already I told you both why.”

”Except it doesn't make sense. Rio has already warned you if you are up to something he will find out and it won't go well for you, you've been warned.”

Dean just stared at Beth.  

“What I want to know is why you stood there and watched us?” 

Dean looked at her as if he was going to say something, then he stopped.

”I already told your boyfriend I couldn’t get past the doorway without him seeing me.”

”Yeah I know….and that’s a lie. So you thought it was better to stand there and watch us, because that is what creeps do.”

“Oh please, you and I were married.” 

She looked at Dean with such disdain. She walked over to him, staring him down. 

“This attitide of yours must have to come from your role models growing up….those parents of yours and it’s pathetic. You being married to me gives you no right to do whatever you want to me. It doesn’t mean you can cheat on me and I’ll forgive you; it doesn’t mean that you can lie to me and tell me you have cancer; it doesn’t mean you can watch me have sex with another man; it doesn’t mean that when I come home with you after drinking too much and tell you I don’t want to have sex that you do it anyways. Because I didn’t give you consent. Being your wife is not permission to violate me.

Dean made a face. 

"What night are you talking about?"

"The night we went out with Stan and Ruby and I had too much too drink. I said no to sex."

"You changed your mind."

"You are a fucking liar. Either way I was in no condition to do anything and you took advantage of it."

"What is wrong with you Beth? What is this guy filling your head with?"

"That's just it Dean, he isn't. He just treats me different. When I talk, he listens, when I am too drunk to have sex he doesn't touch me!"

Dean scoffed at her.

"Is that what this is all about?"

"No, but it's a memory that came back to me on top of you watching us having sex."

A flash of anger crossed Deans face.

”If only you had been like that in our marriage I wouldn’t have cheated.” 

Beth's first instinct was to slap him in the face; then she looked at him with a smirk on her face, the same smirk she had seen Rio do.

"You don't get it do you? That's the whole thing Dean, I couldn't be like that in our marriage with you, and it wasn't because of me. It was you. Even with you sleeping with all those women, it didn't help you at all."

Dean put his hands on his hips and looked at Beth. This was a Beth he had never seen before. She had stung him good with that comment. 

”Are we done now?”

”No, not quite.” 

“I see things very clearly now. I don't want you here anymore. Get out and do it fast, and in the mean time, I don't want to see you at all. When I am here, you are not. At night when I am at work you will be in your bed when I get home and we won’t cross paths. If I get up in the morning with the kids and take them to school, I don’t want to see your fucking face. If you take them to school, leave from there. I will see you for 5 minutes when you come and I leave."

“Where do you think I am going to go? You damn well know we don’t have the money for two places. We’ve discussed this before it was your idea for me to stay here.”

“Yeah, I was trying to help you out, it was a mistake, so you get on it and find a new place to live, maybe one of your buddies can help you."

Beth looked back at him before she left the room. 

"And I want my divorce."

"What about the kids Beth, they are going to be upset."

"Yeah, they are, and you should have thought about that before you did the things you did to me and our family, because you are the reason why."

Beth left him standing there.

Beth had just gotten the kids off to school when her phone rang. It was Annie.

“We need some girl time together, I can't remember the last time we had coffee together. Come and meet me and Ruby."

“Is that really why you want to go for coffee or do you want to interrogate me, because if you want to interrogate me I’m not up to it.”

"Come on Beth, we have hardly seen you."

Beth reluctantly agreed, she did miss seeing them. They talked for awhile, catching up and they talked about how successful the strip club had been doing; then Annie asked Beth about her van being at the club the Friday night Rio took her out. 

"So Beth, you never really answered were you out with him the other night?""

"You aren't going to leave this alone are you?"

"Why is it a big secret?'

"Its not a secret, but I know you two. If you must know, I went out for a thank you dinner for all the hard work and extra hours I put in to open the club."

Ruby gave her a questioning look.

"So you two are on good terms now?"

"Wait a minute, you two wanted him to open this club. I didn't. You two were pissed at me when we were fighting and I was going to refuse to print. You both told me to fix things between us, so I did."

"Soooo, you are getting along."

"Yeah, I guess we are."

Annie looked at Ruby.

"So...are you, hooking up?"

"I told you, I am not here for an interrogation. You two told me to get along with him and we have worked out our issues and problems and we’re getting along, just leave it at that."

"Come on Beth...why him?"

"You know what? you don't know him, not that way, not the way I do."

"Wow, you are defending him.”

”No, I’m just telling you what’s going on. I really don’t want to discuss him anymore I have other things to deal with at home.” 

Annie rolled her eyes.

"What did that idiot Deansie do now?” 

“I feel like he is up to something. He keeps asking me about what I’m doing at the strip club. He knows we haven’t been doing anything other than running the club and he doesn’t know about the printing machine we moved into room back. He's been in the kitchen so he knows it's gone. I came to strip club Sunday to send in an order and he followed me, he left Kenny to babysit. I had told him why I was going there."

“So what did he say when you asked him?”

"Well, it gets weirder. He stood in the hallway watching me, and he also checked the door to the print room which he can't get it."

Beth was not telling them that she was having sex with Rio at the time.

Annie's face dropped.

"What the fuck Beth?"

"So when I confronted him he just said he wanted to see why I was going there all the time. It's kind of like he’s trying to catch me at something?”

”Do you think it has to do with Rio, did he know you went out to dinner with him?"

”No, I don’t think it's about Rio, I didn't really hide it from him. It’s just creepy.”

”Beth, It is creepy. I gotta ask, why is he still in that house why does he still live there. Like kick his fucking ass out.”

"I did. Last night, he needs to find a place as soon as possible and I told him I want the divorce to go ahead."

Ruby and Annie were happily surprised.

"You did?"

"Yup, I called him on out on everything."

Annie high fived Beth.

"You go girl."

"Well I had too after what happened the night we had that celebration at the club."

Ruby looked confused.

"What else happened?"

"It's what didn't happen that probably would have. You two left the celebration earlier than me. I had been drinking and had a few shots. Rio took me home that night, I was in no condition to drive or do anything."

Ruby scoffed.

"Oh I am sure he did."

Beth gave them both a look.

"That right there is why I don't tell you guys things.....he did take me to his place, he took care of me, put me to bed and didn't touch me at all. I know what you are thinking but there was no sex whatsoever."

"Okay, okay, sorry."

Annie looked confused.

"Okay, so whats the problem? Deansie?"

"Yes, it triggered a memory for me. Ruby, remember the night you and I drank too much when we all went out?

“Oh yes, I had quite the hangover."

"Well that night when I went home I remember telling Dean I did not want to  have sex and I only remember bits and pieces but when I woke up in the morning, I was naked and we had had sex. I confronted him last night and he said I changed my mind and agreed to it."

“Oh my God Beth. He needs to go now. He had sex with you when you were intoxicated like that? That’s so fucking wrong. Grrrrr, I hate him even more.”

"He is to get out as soon as possible and in the mean time, he is not to cross paths with me at all."

Ruby looked at Beth inquisitively.

”So Rio really did that?”

“Yup, he said he would never touch me drunk like that.” 

“Hmmmm, well that's good to hear." 

"Ruby, that's what I mean, you two don't really know him. If Rio had not taken me home that night, I really do wonder what Dean would’ve done.”

"Wow."

”I know you guys don’t like the situation with Rio, but I’m not jumping into anything with him, we are just getting along and that’s all I want for now. I know you guys think he’s so terrible but I have gone through things with him about went down between us and why they went down."

Annie looked at Beth.

"Beth, just be careful okay? I mean you are just getting out of this shit hole relationship with Dean. There is this thing called dating you know, I mean you have never done it, maybe it's time."

"I am aware Annie."

Ruby hesitated before she spoke.

"Beth remember, we saw Rio with that woman, they were pretty cozy....I mean he is a single, and a good looking guy. I don't want you to get hurt again. Just be cautious please. I don't want you to be a side piece, you deserve to be someone's everything you know?"

"Yeah, I know."

Beth texted Rio asking to see him. She was feeling many different emotions, some of which she didn't really understand. She was feeling some anger towards him. Ruby and Annies words were nagging in her head, causing her to feel unsettled, and for some reason she felt a bit panicky. Maybe it was a combo of everything including her hormones, since she just started her period and they often affected her. He was at his bar, in his office.

"Hey."

"Hey yourself."

Beth was very cool towards him; he was still cool with her.

”What’s up?”

”I just came to tell you something. The first thing is about what you said before you left last night.”

”What was that?”

”You are right, I do stand up to you, I do speak my mind, and I do go head to head with you. It should tell you something about my relationship with you...to Dean I was just his wife, I had no voice whether I said anything or not. He never heard me. That’s not the case with you."

Rio walked over to her and took her hand.

”And you are here standing up to me again. It's a good thing then, I didn't see it that way, my bad.”

Beth pulled it back.

"Yeah, I am, and I also came to tell you that I also stood up to Dean last night and that you had no business saying what you did to me or coming down so hard on me just because I didn't speak to Dean when you thought I should. Do you think any of this is easy?......because it's not. I am very upset with what he’s done, it’s so creepy, and I just needed time to work through it. It really threw me off."

Rio wanted to grab her and hug her. 

"Elizabeth, I didn't mean to push you hard, but he crossed a line there is no coming back from, and it wasn't just him watching us and I think you know that. You and I both know you should of been concerned if you went home drunk the other night...right darlin'?"

“Yes, I know that and it’s another thing I need to deal with because.... ”

Beth took in a deep breath.

"Because what?"

"Because when we were talking a memory came back to me."

"I know Mama, I saw your face. Married or not, he violated you. That's why you need to get away from him.” 

“I know, I told him.”

"You confronted him about that too?"

"Yup."

"Well, I should know better than to ever underestimate you. You were a boss bitch!"

"Yup, so maybe you remember that next time you think I am not doing something. Maybe there are reasons you don't know."

"I will."

Rio came closer to her. 

"No, don't."

"Don't what, touch you?"

"I don't know.” 

"Elizabeth, why are you still so upset with me? I am on your side you know."

She only knew she felt a little panicky and she didn't know why. Ruby and Annie put so much doubt in her head.

"I know that. But you just don't know some things about my life, and my past and my marriage. You have no idea....you just wouldn't understand."

Beth was referring to the fact she had only had one relationship in her life, and still didn't remember what she had told him the other night.

"Maybe I would."

Rio debated whether he should tell them of their talk on the balcony, but he felt it wasn’t the right time. She wasn’t ready; she was so unsettled.

"Yeah, well....maybe, and maybe not. I am not going to open up myself to you about everything yet. It would be stupid of me to jump head first into this."

She was in a panic, and Rio felt it.

"Elizabeth, I am not asking you to jump into anything. Where is this coming from anyways?"

"Where is what coming from?”

"You are all uptight about this all of the sudden. I am not asking you or pushing you for anything am I?"

"No."

Rio hoped this wasn't her backing off after dealing with Dean.

"Then what is it?"

"I...I don't know.”

This was similar to what she had said the other night and Rio knew it definitely wasn’t a good time to tell her their conversation. 

"Nothing has changed other than you kicking that asshole out of your house okay?” 

She calmed down a bit when he told her that.

”Okay, yeah, I have enough to deal with right now."

"I know you do. We are good."

"Well, okay, I should go now, I just wanted to let you know what happened."

"Can I at least have a kiss before you go?"

She gave him a quick kiss on the lips.

"Nope, that's not how you and I kiss Elizabeth."

She knew he was looking at her with those eyes that sucked her in, so she wouldn't look at him; she looked down at his lips, which was no better because his lips were full and perfect and she wanted them on hers. 

He kissed her again, but she kissed him the same way. She was holding back. He put his mouth on hers.

"Come on Elizabeth." 

"If I kiss you, you will let me go?"

"Yup."

She stepped into him, touching him this time.

He kissed her again. He tasted her lipstick before he slipped his tongue in her mouth for a longer, sweeter kiss. His mouth felt so good on hers, she kissed him back this time. He could feel her breasts move against his chest.

”There I kissed you. Can I go now?”

Her body was still pressed against his when she said it. 

“Yes, if you want to go you can, but I want you to know something.” 

“Okay.”

He put his arms around her. She didn’t pull away.

“I am sorry I came down so hard on you yesterday but that asshole husband of yours has violated you more than once, and I don’t trust him to be near you. That's why I was so upset.”

Beth nodded in agreement.

”Okay…I understand now.”

“Do you still want to go? Cause I would kind of like to do our favourite thing.”

He started to unbutton her blouse. She didn’t stop him. 

”I want your warm soft body on mine for a few minutes.”

Then he unhooked her bra and pulled his T-shirt over his head and threw it on his desk.

She moved in on his chest. Her breasts were pushing up on him. He looked down at them, then he looked at her. 

“Nothing feels better than this Mama."

He gently caressed her back. She closed her eyes for a moment. It felt so good having him touch her. She inhaled deeply, relaxing under his touch; he could feel it. She wanted to stay, but she thought she should go.

“I should go now.” 

“Do you really want to go? cause I am likin' this right now.” 

She just looked at him. Confused by what the girls said, confused by what she was feeling. He touched her hair, sweeping it behind her ear. 

"I started my period today."

"So, you don't got to go on account of that."

He reached down and took her hand. He went and sat on his leather love seat and pulled her onto his lap. He kissed her neck, letting his beard brush along her skin gently. She inhaled deeply again. When he got to her ear, he whispered in it. 

"You still want to go?"

Her reply was barely audible.

"No."

He moved his way down to her tits.

"They are super sensitive right now."

Rio kissed them, working his way to her nipples. He licked each of them gently. She squirmed in his lap. She was always super horny on her period. He took one of her nipples in his mouth, and sucked on it very lightly. She let out a long moan... and whispered.

"Ohhhh my god.."

He gently sucked on them, just barely touching her nipples, but enough to get her going. Her breathing became faster and broken. She put her hand on his head guiding him between each side. She wondered how he always knew what to do with her. He was always so in tune to her.

She suddenly grabbed his hands and placed his fingers on her nipples. He gently rolled them between his fingers, slowly. 

She moved back and placed her hands behind her on his knees; her breasts sticking out for him. Her eyes were closed, as she moaned. She started panting, Rio watched her face and knew she was soon going to come. 

"Okayyyyy....faster and harder...."

It was a very sensitive but deep pleasure she could feel, and it was different than when she wasn't on her period. She started moving her hips on him at the same time, when that warm, tingling sensation started to spread through her body. She took in a deep breath and held it in for a moment, then let it all out in a long moan at the peak of her orgasm. 

"Shit..wow."

She sat for a moment recovering. 

"Feeling better Mama?"

"Fuck, not quite." 

She stood up and pulled off her pants off. Her whole pussy was aching. She climbed back one of his legs and started grinding down on him. 

“Geezus."

She was panting and moaning.  

"Fuck I want to come again..."

"Lift up darlin'."

He put his hand on his leg palm up. She moved over top of it. She still had on her panties so pushed down harder so her clit was rubbing on it back and forth. When she found the right spot, she started moving faster, moaning loudly.

“Ohhhhhhh….”

"Keep going Mama..."

She sucked in her breath, grinding hard on him, and then it suddenly hit her. She let out a groan from deep inside, coming hard.

She wriggled on him until it passed. Rio pulled her into him tight again.

”How about now Mama, that better?”

“Almost.”

She slid down off his knee, pulling his pants down so she could free his hard cock.

"I can feel how fucking hard you are."

She started to lick the head of his cock, concentrating on the underside, making him groan. Then she took him in her mouth and swirled her tongue around his head over and over before she gently sucked in it. 

She knew what she wanted him to do. She started to stroke his cock with her hand.

”I want you come on my tits.” 

“You do huh?” 

She breathed in and out deeply, still so turned on. She kept her tits close to his cock.

”It’s making my pussy twitch inside.”

Rio put his head back for a moment. It wasn’t going to take him long to come.

She was breathing heavier and faster like he was.

”Oh my God, I want your cock inside me it’s driving me crazy.”  

He took his cock in his hand and As she slipped her fingers under his balls and gently circled his perineum very lightly. 

“Fuck Elizabeth…..fuckkkkk.”

He stroked himself a few time more times then she saw his cock tighten in his hands.

”Come on my tits.”

She pushed her tits right up to his cock. Her hand over the top of it. He let out several deep grunts when he spilled his cum between her tits. 

He sat for a moment with his head back. 

“Damn Mama. I like it when you are on your period.”

She put her head down on his lap for a moment and he caressed her for a moment before they cleaned up.

He walked her out to her car. 

"Things are still the same Elizabeth, okay?"

"Okay, thanks."

He smiled at her.

"You still need to be fucked hard don't ya?'

"Ummm, yes."

"Why don't you come to my place after work and we will fix that."

"Really?"

"Yup, really."

”Tell that asshole you aren’t coming home tonight.”

Dean never touched her when she was on her period. She smiled at Rio.

"Yeah, maybe, I will let you know."

As Beth pulled out, Nick was coming into the bar. 

Chapter Text

Nick pulled into the bar, just as Beth was leaving. She didn’t see him but he saw her. Rio was heading back to his office when he heard his voice.

”There you are.”

Rio turned around, trying to hide his displeasure.

”Where else would I be?” 

“Maybe at the strip club.”

”Nope.”

”Right, because she was just here.”

”Yeah, she runs my strip club.”

”Is that all she does?”

”For fuck sakes, what da ya want now?” 

“Just checking in, haven’t seen you in a bit.”

"Ain’t nothing you gotta check in about.”

”Actually there is.”

”Spit it out, I am busy.” 

”Do you think she going to be turning things over to that manager soon?”

”The club just opened, and it’s also doing really well, so maybe give it a few weeks huh?”

”Well that company I told you about, you’re fucking lucky I got it passed through and it was a fight. I don't want to bring any attention to my dealings, making it look like I am pushing too hard, get suspicions up. We only won the vote by one person, it was fucking close, we almost lost it all. We can’t afford to run things that way so you might want to consider pushing her to run.” 

Rio had to be careful with Nick, he did not want him focusing on Beth. 

“Chill your ass, she told you she’s gonna get that club up and running and it just opened. Now are we done?"

"Why you got something important to do like play some hoops?'

"Yup."

Rio walked away from him, not looking back; his dislike for Nick was growing more and more.

Nick headed straight to the strip club. He ran into Krystal first.

"Hey Councilman Martin, what brings you here today?"

"Just thought I would pop in for a visit and see how the new strip club is doing now that is up and running."

"Well, there is a line up everynight, so far so good."

"How are you enjoying being manager?"

"I love it so far."

Nick gave her a fake smile.

"I bet you will be running this place all by yourself soon."

Krystal gave him a smile back, as fake as his.

"So where is the boss?"

"She's in her office. I will take you to her.”

No one was allowed down that hallway unless it was one of them. Her, Beth, Rio, Annie or Ruby.

Beth looked up a little surprised to see Nick. 

"Well, look at you."

Nick smiled at Beth. She hated his smile for some reason.

"Yup, working hard. Have a seat. So what brings you here councilman?"

"Well, I have to tell you I am a little disappointed?"

"Oh? how come?"

"I haven't heard a thing since I last saw you….I mean I helped you get your permit."

Beth forced a smile.

"Well it's only been a few weeks."

Nick laughed.

"I am not serious, I just wanted to pop in and see how well things were going."

"We are doing better than I expected it, I was worried it was just maybe the first week of opening that got people‘s attention but it’s been very steady."

"Rio must be very pleased with your work?"

"I suppose he is pleased with the clubs success, but its not just me, it's all of us."

Beth wasn't biting.

"Right, of course. Speaking of Rio, are we ever going to have that dinner with Hayley?"

Nick watched Beth’s reaction closely.

"You would have to talk to Rio about that."

"Of course, but Rio has probably moved onto someone else by now."

Beth gave no reaction at all.

"I wouldn't know."

”Well, he’s single and getting women has never been a problem, a bit of a player. Can't see him ever settling down with a woman.” 

”So, kind of like you?”

Nick didn't miss the dig she threw at him.

“I told you, I am pretty much married to my job, which actually is part of the reason I’m here.”

"Right."

"So, is your manager is doing a good job?"

"Yes, she is excellent."

"That's great, any thoughts on your long term plans here?"

"Actually, I haven't even had time to think about it, between home and here."

"Well, I am just going to put it out there again…the city councillors only work during the day."

Nick smiled at her. Beth smiled back at him.

"When I have time to think, I will think about that."

"Sounds good to me....again congratulations, I will let you get back to work.

Krystal came into the office, and Beth looked contemplative. Nicks words were going around in her head.

"What’s going on everything okay?”

“Ummm, yeah, yeah just lost in thought.

“So whats the deal with him Beth?"

"I don't really know, he wants me to run for city council, but he is pushing really hard for it."

"Hmmm. There is something about him Beth, just be weary of him, I get bad vibes from him."

"Really?"

"He has dead eyes."

"Dead eyes?"

"Yes, cold, dead eyes. You gotta look at him when he's not engaged with you. You gotta be careful with people like him."

"There has always something about him that has rubbed me the wrong way.”

"Take it from me, listen to your instincts girl, you are pretty good at reading people. That guy isn’t what he appears to be.”

”You really picked that up about him?”

“I am telling you Beth he’s got dead eyes…keep on your toes around him.”

When Nick got back to his office, he sent a picture from his phone. Then he made a phone call. Trying to make Beth jealous of Dylan and Hayley didn't work, and she didn't bite at anything he had said today. This was a good time to compound things. He decided to change up his strategy.

”Hey, it’s me. I am calling in a favour. Need you to do something for me, you get her picture?"

"Yup, she's fine looking, a nice rack too. Why aren't you banging her?"

"Eh...I am not fond of her."

"Okay, let me know what I have to do, I don't need to be fond of her, you know me."

"Just turn on the charm with her. Wine and dine her. If you can get her into the sack even better. Hey, you might even get some business with the strip club she runs. One more thing, the owner of the strip club? you need to make sure you run into him and let him know how much you enjoy working with her."

"Got ya....send me the details of what I need. Talk soon."

Beth had texted Rio to tell him Nick had stopped by. He told her he would stop by the club later. He would use any excuse to see her.

When Rio walked into the club, he ran into Krystal, who had just gotten off stage. She was naked except for a small, barely visible g-string. He walked right by her. 

"Hey, that's rude."

Rio rolled his eyes.

'I just can't ever come here and not run into you can I?"

Krystal smiled.

"Nope."

Rio was looking her at her face, he didn't look down. 

"So you need to put on a robe maybe yeah?"

Krystal poked him in the arm.

"Look at you, such a gentleman, you just can't be tempted. You aren't going to look are you?”

"Nope, I don't think its a good idea especially since I own the place."

"Oh come on, that's not the only reason why."

"Do we have to do this again?"

"Yes, every time I see you.....and she's in her office."

Krystal laughed, put on her robe and saundered off.

Beth was just coming out of her office when Rio came to the door. He stopped right up close to her. She couldn't believe that she just saw him earlier in the day and her stomach just flipped seeing him again. She knew her heart was beating faster from the moment she saw him and hoped she didn't give away anything on her face, especially when she breathed in his fresh, clean scent she loved. She told herself to stop it. Annie and Ruby's comments were still stuck in her head and so were Nicks.

But she also thought about her conversation with Krystal about Nicks eyes, and looked into Rio's for a moment. They were not cold, at all, in fact, they were the opposite. They were warm and caring.

He was looking at her too, into her eyes, wanting to kiss her, wanting to touch her again. It was always there whenever he saw her. No one had ever made him feel this way.

They went back into her office. Rio closed the door and sat on the edge of her desk again. She would normally go and stand between his legs.

"So, what did Nick want?"

"I think he was just trying to pressure me about running for city council. He said he was just stopping in to see how things were going."

"Yeah, he stopped by to see me first about the same thing. But trust me with Nick there’s an ulterior motive so just beware.”

”I know, I am. He always mentions you every time we talk.”

”He’s just sniffin' around.” 

“Well I blew him off, told him I was too busy here right now.” 

“Good, good.” 

Rio smiled at her.

”So why are you standing over there?” 

She was thinking about what Nick said.

“I don’t know, no reason.” 

“You gonna do this again?” 

“What’s that?” 

“Tryin' to keep your distance from me like you did this morning?”

“That’s not what I am doing.” 

“Then come over here.” 

She came over and stood between his legs. Part of her wanted to touch him badly. He reached up and played with her hair. 

“What are you thinking about?”

Beth hesitated.

"Come on spill it."

"Well, Nick said more. He asked me if we were ever going to do that dinner with Hayley?"

"That's a no."

”He also said you were a player.”

Rio scoffed.

”Do you think I’m a player Elizabeth?“

She shrugged her shoulders. 

“I don’t think so, but that’s the second time I have heard it this week. First Dean and now Nick.”

”That right there should tell you something, who it’s coming from Elizabeth, if I was a player, how is it I have time to see you every day, usually a couple of times a day? And I am here most nights, I gotta have time if I want to be a player.”

“Have you seen Hayley or Dylan again?”

”Nope. Look darlin' Nick is playing games with you again, I just wish you wouldn’t let him get to you.”

Beth had too many thoughts bombarding her at once. But she believed him when he said he had not seen them anymore. She had never caught Rio in any lie.

”I know he is, and I keep telling myself that but I was cheated on badly by Dean, so maybe its making me cautious."

”Look me in the eyes.” 

Beth looked into his eyes. All she saw was his sincerity. He looked at her like he always did, that there was no one else in this world.

”I am not Dean. I am the very opposite of Dean in every way."

"I know that too."

“I am darlin'....So you comin' to my place later cause that asshole is still in your house.” 

Beth took a deep breath. Rio pushed her hair behind her shoulder, so he could kiss her neck. She closed her eyes. Fuck, he was doing it again to her. Her insides were aching for him still. She really wanted him to fuck her and, she thought about it all day.

”Maybe.”

”Maybe? Cause I know I wanna fuck you.” 

“Even when I am on my period?”

”Yup. I told ya, I would fuck you whenever you need it darlin’."

”I don’t know.” 

“Why?”

”Because, it's just something I think and its probably stupid.”

“Try me.”

”For some reason….that makes sex more intimate, more personal.” 

“Yeah, it does, which is why I want to with you."

She let that sink in for a moment. Her emotions were all over the place and she thought part of it was her hormones which made her feel things more intensely when she was on her period. He put his hands on her ass and rubbed it. 

"If you aren't comfortable doing it, we won’t do it, but I still want you to come over and spend the night.” 

He could see she was thinking about it. He wasn't going to push her too hard because she had finally gotten rid of Dean and that changed everything for her. He got up to leave.

"Think about it Mama."

He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her before he left. She stood there. She always hated it when he left her office. She went and stood in the door and watched him leave. 

Beth got in her van when she was finished working, she wanted so badly to go to him, but maybe she should slow things down. She decided to head home, they had been together so much lately, like he said, every single day one way or another. 

When she got home, she went and checked in on the kids, kissed them and went to her room. She looked at her bed, sat on it for a moment. This isn't where she wanted to be. She picked up her phone and texted him. Fuck it. 

"I will be there shortly."

She put together a small little make-up bag of stuff she needed.

Dean came down the stairs as she was leaving.

"I will be back in the morning. It's your turn to drop the kids off at school."

"You going to your boyfriends?"

"Yup. You need to be worried about getting yourself a place, not what I am doing."

Beth walked out and didn't even wait for Dean to reply. 

Rio came downstairs to meet Beth, he took her hand, walking her into his place. When they got inside his place he closed his door, he grabbed her, and kissed her. She kissed him back, very passionately. She put her hands up under his shirt and made a small moan in his mouth. His body was warm and her hands were cool.

"I am glad you came Mama."

He walked her to his bedroom with his arm around her. 

"You wanna have a shower with me?"

"Yeah, I do.”

Beth got ready for the shower. She put her hair up then turned the shower on. She was removing her eye make up when Rio came back in.

"Ahh so that's the shit you needed."

"What do you mean?"

"The other night when you were getting ready for bed, your make up had smudged and when you tried to clean it up, you made more of a mess. I did the best I could to fix it, but it wasn't great."

Beth smiled.

"Thank you for doing that. I am removing my make up now, so I dont have racoon eyes in the shower."

"You know you could just leave that stuff you need here."

She was caught off guard when he said it. 

"Yeah?"

He leaned over and whispered in her ear.

"Yeah, because I am not a player and you are the only one that comes here."

Rio grabbed her hand.

"Shower time."

She stepped in and Rio stepped behind her. He grabbed the soap and lathered it up in his hands. He looked down at her ass, then massaged it for a few moments.

“God, your ass darlin' I love to feel it shakin' when I fuck you.”

He worked his way around to her hips then over her tummy. Beth was always a little self conscious of it, hers was soft, not flat and it never would be again. When he got to to her tits, he lathered them all up and worked them in his hands. They were covered in soap and slippery when he rubbed her nipples with his fingers. Beth closed her eyes and sucked in her breath.

He trailed one finger down the middle of her tits, all the way down until he was between her legs, stopping at her clit. He pressed down over it in small circles as Beth let out soft moans. She closed her eyes, loving his body tight against hers, feeling his hardness. She reached back with one hand and put her hand on his head, she turned and pulled him down for a kiss. 

He was teasing her clit. 

“Harder please.” 

Rio used two fingers to add more pressure.

“How’s that?” 

“Ohhhhh, it’s good.” 

He wrapped his other arm around her waist as he worked on her clit.

“Oh my God." 

It felt like her clit was tickling her deep down inside. She held onto his two fingers and moved them just above her clit, pushing then in a down ward motion over the hood of her clit. Together they worked her clit harder and faster. A long, low moan was building in her throat. Her legs tightened up. Rio's mouth was at her ear.

"Let it go..."

Beth inhaled deeply, just before she let out a long inaudible sound. 

Rio held her for a moment before he turned Beth around beside the built in shower bench. Rio lifted her leg on it. They looked at each other for a moment.

"Okay Mama, you ready to be fucked?".

"God yes....I thought about it all day long."

"Good."

Beth lined up his cock for Rio. She was looking him in the eyes, watching him, when he buried himself deep inside her. She closed her eyes for a moment as she gasped out loud.

"Fuck, do it again."

 Rio held her close to him and then thrust into her even deeper. 

"Again!"

He pulled back out slowly and drove into her again. 

"Don't stop."

She pulled his ass into her, over and over as he fucked her hard and steady. He groaned in her ear, her which turned her on even more. He loved how unrestrained she was. She tighted up around his cock and moved her hands to his hips, and gripped him tight as she pulled him into her harder. Rio let out a loud groan.

"Fuck Mama...."

"Make me come now."

He put his hands on her ass, and started fucking into her hard. She grabbed him around his neck; they were wrapped tight together. Their bodies moved in perfect rhythm. He let out a throaty, deep groan, his voice almost vibrating against her. She sucked in her breath then let it all go. His repeated grunts, echoed over her impassioned groans. 

They held each other tight for a moment, then Rio pulled out of her slowly. She let out one last gasp. Without hesitation, Rio reached for the handheld shower and rinsed them both off. She looked up at him to see his reaction but there was none.

"See, it's all good darlin'."

Beth was laying in his arms in bed.

"I know you are laying there thinking."

She was thinking about Rio's eyes, how they were full of passion for her, how he made her literally tingle inside. She sat up and looked at him.

“Rio, do you think that saying about the eyes being the windows to the soul is true?” 

Rio wondered where that question came from, he hoped she remembered the conversation they had on his balcony.

“Yeah I do, you can tell alot by looking in someones eyes, why do you ask?” 

“Krystal said that Nick has dead eyes.”

“Hmmm, interesting. She’s not wrong.”

"Your eyes are the opposite."

He smiled at her. 

"Why are you smiling?"

"Cause we discussed this the other night on my balcony."

"What did I say?"

"Basically, that you could tell by looking in my eyes how I feel about you. "

"I told you that?"

"Yup and there is another saying."

"What's that?"

"Drunk words are sober thoughts."

She sat there very thoughtful.

"Do you think that saying is true Mama?"

She nodded.

"I think so…..can you read my eyes?"

Rio rubbed her arm. 

"Yes."

"Good."

She lay back down in his arms, he wrapped his arms around her tight. Her eyes were the only way he knew what she was feeling sometimes. 

Chapter Text

Beth was trying to go to sleep but she kept trying to remember what she said to Rio on the balcony. He was cuddled up close to her.

“Rio are you asleep?”

“Nope."

She rolled over back onto his chest putting her arm across him. 

“I want to know, what else did I tell you on the balcony that night I was drunk?”

“Well, you told me you didn’t know what you were doing and that you had never done this before. You also told that I was the second man you had been with.”

“Oh. So now you know.”

“I know what?”

“How inexperienced I am at all this.”

Rio rubbed her arm gently.

“I know you married young, you’ve been married 20 years to that asshole. You have experience.”

“Not that kind of experience. I mean like what we are doing.”

“Well, like I told you that night, don’t worry about the things that happen between us, the feelings you get, just let ‘em happen.”

“What did I say about my feelings?”

Rio squeezed her tighter. He knew she was never comfortable discussing these things and he wasn’t sure how she would respond when she found out what she told him.

“First you asked me if I thought this was just lust between us, then you told me that you didn’t understand some of the emotions you had when we have sex.”

Beth stiffened up a bit as she lay there, surprised she had actually said those things to him, that she admitted to them. She was silent. She wasn’t sure how she felt telling him that she had feelings. She paused for a few moments before answering.

“So what did you tell me?”

"That I got the same feelings towards you, that you don't got to worry about this being just lust, because it's definitely not.”

“Hmmm.”

“Hmmm?”

Rio knew it was not the time to tell her that she drew a heart on his chest.

“I don’t know.”

“You know, you keep saying that a lot to me about this, that you don't know.”

“I told you this is new to me.”

“Right I get that, but all I have said is that if we both have feelings that we should just let them be, don’t you think so?”

Beth was hesitant again.

“Yes.”

“Good so are we on the same page?”

Beth sucked in her breath before answering.

“Yeah.”

Rio rolled her over onto her back and looked her in the eyes.

“It’s not just a yeah Elizabeth. Who are you unsure about me or you? Because you just told me that you can read my eyes and you’re looking at me now and you don’t know?”

It was really hard for Beth to take that step. She looked at him. She knew what she felt, she was finally admitting it to herself and she could see in his eyes how he felt.

“I’m just….a little scared that’s all.”

Rio kissed her.

“Fair enough. You said that the other night too. But you don’t gotta be scared. Let’s just keep doing what we are doing, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Good Mama, just let things be, let them happen and we will be okay."

Beth was heading to the strip club earlier than usual so that she could come home and take the girls to Janey's soccer game. Dean was taking the boys to baseball. Her mind was on her and Rio the whole drive.

She thought about what she had said to him the night she was drunk. She knew that was the moment that she not only had admitted to herself the feelings she had for him, but to him too, in fact it was the moment they admitted it to each other.

She then smiled at herself, thinking about how she was getting used to sleeping with Rio cuddled up to her all the time. He loved to touch her and truthfully, she loved it when he did. Dean was never that affectionate in all their years together as Rio was in one night with her.

She was also getting used to waking up to his hard cock pushed up against her ass, another thing she liked. Although this morning, he grabbed her hand and put it on his cock which led to her giving him a slow intense blow job, leaving his legs feeling like rubber.  

They made breakfast together and Beth couldn’t keep her hands off him. She was definitely way more affectionate with him, something he had noticed too.

When the finished breakfast they were in the kitchen finishing up the dishes when Rio moved up against her. She had put on one of his t-shirts to wear for breakfast.

“Your turn. Up here.” 

Rio lifted her ass on the counter. He slowly lifted the T-shirt over her tits. No matter how many times he saw them or touched them, they always amazed him. 

He held Beth by the waist and without using his hands at all, he licked around her areola on each of her tits, grazing her nipples, then blew on them lightly. 

Because she was on her period, she could feel everything more intensely.

He licked each of her nipples until she moaned.  She leaned her arms back on the counter, closing her eyes, feeling the sensations of his tongue on her. He took one of her nipples in his mouth and sucked on it. She moved her ass around.

“A little harder please.”

”Not yet darlin’.”

He was going to slowly work her up until she couldn’t stand it.

He did the same on the other side, taking his time.

Beth’s breathing was becoming more shallow and faster.  

He took one of her tits in his hands, holding it as he sucked a little harder.  She let out a moan.

”Oh fuck, that feels so good.”

He did the same on the other side. Beth was starting to feel twinges all over her body. 

Taking a breast in each hand he rolled her nipples between his finger and thumb. She started to moan louder.

She watched him play with her nipples for a moment then put one hand up behind his head and pulled him down to her mouth. She kissed him passionately, seeking his tongue out with hers. 

He increased the pressure on her nipples. She moaned into his mouth. Her body was was tingling all over and her pussy was twitching inside. When she couldn’t stand it any more, she pulled his head down to one of her nipples. He kept his hand on the other one. 

She slid her hand off his neck, down over top of her panties to her clit. She started rubbing herself. 

“Harder now please.” 

She lifted one leg up and wrapped it around his waist squeezing around him. With his free hand he held it up for her. Her fingers worked hard and fast on her clit. She came fast and her orgasm hit her hard, flooding her whole body. 

“Ohhhhh….fuck…. mother fuckerrrrrrr!”

She let out a long groan. She fell back on her hands for a moment, totally spent. 

Rio pulled her up into his arms and she wrapped both legs around him tight. She just loved being in his arms. She sucked in a breath, feeling so emotional for a moment.

Rio spoke in her ear softly.

”So period sex is good yeah?” 

She let out her breath.

”Oh yes.” 

“Just one question though. Did you call me a mother fucker?” 

She started laughing and wiped her eyes.

“I am not responsible for anything that comes out of my mouth when I am coming. I don’t even know what I say actually.” 

“I love it, no matter what comes out of your mouth darlin’.”

Rio pulled her back from him and looked in her eyes. They were teary but she was smiling now. 

They held each other’s gaze for a moment, giving each other the look they only gave each other.

That look was called love.

She had just arrived at the club when a man in his early thirties, tall, dressed in a nice suit had come in behind her. Beth explained to him that the club wasn't open yet, but he introduced himself to Beth, his name was Alex and he was there on business. 

"I thought I would stop in and introduce myself, I understand that this club is under new management and wanted to talk to you about the services my company could offer you. We provide accounting services for smaller businesses and provide you with payroll software that is simple and easy to use. It includes our back up technical support as well. I was actually just on my way to a meeting with another client but thought I would stop in and say hello and see if we could set up a meeting so I can tell you more about what we have to offer."

He handed Beth his card.

"It would be something I would be interested in learning more about, but I need to run it by the owner of the club."

"Of course, that sounds good. I would like to outline everything to you and break it down so you have more information that you can take to the owner. Perhaps we could do lunch?”

“That sounds good. Leave it with me and I will call you.”

Beth had no sooner finished her sentence when Annie came barreling in and saw Beth with Alex. Beth had asked her to stop by.

"Sorry, I didn't know you were with someone."

Alex responded before Beth could. He introduced himself to Annie, smiling at her with his blue eyes. 

"No worries, I was on my way out."

Annie gave him a smile. 

"Well.... it was sooo nice to meet you."

Beth gave her a look.

"Thank you Alex, I will be in touch."

Annie plopped herself down in the chair beside Beth. 

"Geez Annie, you almost drooled over him."

"Well, did you look at him?"

"What about him?"

"Umm, he is very hot and single."

'How do you know he is single?"

"No ring."

"That doesn't mean he is single. Look, he works for an accounting and payroll company. I am going to have a meeting with him to see if we could use their services, which we do need.”

"So when you are out at lunch with him, you can find out. Did you notice the way he smiled at you when he was leaving?"

"Umm, no Annie."

"Just wear one of those hip hugging dresses you have Beth."

"Why? It’s not a date."

"Well, if you wear one of those dresses it may lead to one."

"Who said I am looking to date anyone. Sheesh."

"Come on Beth, you kicked Deansie to the curb, it's time to get out there. Keep your options open okay?"

"Gee, thanks for the unsolicited advice Annie, that’s not what I asked you here for, I wanted to ask you about Ben or you if you are interested, in doing some babysitting once Dean is out of the house.”

"So, like when you go out on a date with Alex?"

"Oh my God Annie...enough."

Beth called Rio once Annie left.

“You know I have the girls tonight, but I wanted to stop by the bar to see you later, there is something I wanted to run by you about the club.

”And you miss me a little too right?” 

“Yeah, I do.”

“I miss you too Mama. I will be with Marcus tonight anyways, so why don’t you text me when you are done?”

“Perfect.”

Beth arrived at the soccer field with the girls. Janey went to warm up with her team, so she took Emma to the park.

Emma hopped on a swing when Beth looked up and saw Rio coming across the park with Rhea and Marcus. Beth had made sure that Janey was not on Marcus’ team this season but they would still play his team and unfortunately this was the week. 

Beth had a bunch of different feelings run through her all at once. She had never felt jealous of Rhea until now, seeing her walk with Rio and Marcus sent a huge pang of jealousy through her. She knew it didn’t really make sense, they were his parents and she knew Rio was devoted to Marcus.

It was clear that Rhea and Rio had an amicable relationship, unlike her and Dean. When she had asked Rio that afternoon in his loft if she was his ex-wife, he never answered her. She still didn’t know and never asked again.

Beth watched them walking. They were talking and acting like parents.  She wondered what Rio had told Rhea about her after what went down the night he was shot. They had never discussed it.

She watched them go over to their team. Janey was at the other end with hers.

Beth decided to stay at the park until the game started but when the other team started their warm up, Janey and Marcus saw each other.

Rio was watching Marcus warm up when he saw Janey running towards him calling his name. He knew Beth was around somewhere since she had the girls. He wasn’t sure how this was going to affect Beth.

He looked around and saw her heading over to where their team was. She had Emma and was not looking in his direction. At the same moment Rhea saw Marcus and Janey who were running over to Rhea and Rio. Marcus was as excited to see Janey as she was to see him.

Beth looked up to see Janey headed over to them. She watched Rhea ‘s face. She was clearly surprised. She was smiling at Janey and talking to her then she looked around until she found Beth. She looked at her, the same way she looked at her the last time she saw her.

Beth looked away as Emma was talking to her. A few moments later Janey and Marcus were headed over to her. She could feel Rhea’s eyes on her. She wanted to look up and see what Rio’s face but she didn’t dare.

“Momma….look it’s Marcus!”

“Hey Marcus, how are you buddy?”

Marcus had a smile from ear to ear like he always did. He was also looking more and more like Rio. She talked to him for a few minutes.

“Momma do you think Marcus can come to our house to play sometime?”

Beth knew that question was coming.

”Well, we will have to check with his parents but you two better get over to your teams, the game is about to start.”

Beth watched the game and resisted the urge to look at Rio. She didn’t know how she felt about it all, or how she was suppose to feel about it. When she saw Marcus with the ball she finally looked over at them because she knew they would be watching him, which they were.

Rio looked over at Beth. He smiled at her. She nodded in acknowledgement but didn’t smile back. Beth avoided looking over as much as she could but she was sure Rhea was watching jer.

When the game ended Marcus and Janey were running around playing with the ball right near Rio and Rhea. Janey accidentally tripped and landed hard. She started crying.

Beth hurried over to her, to where she didn’t want to be. Rhea helped her up. Rio knelt down and talked to her.

“You have a couple of scrapes but I think you are okay Janey.”

Beth said thank you to them both. Rhea only gave her a cold look back. Rio responded. 

“No problem.”

Beth hugged Janey.

“We will put some of your favourite bandages on those when we get home.”

Beth and Janey said good bye to Marcus. She looked at Rio who nodded and smiled at her. Rhea looked away. Beth headed back to her van with the girls, fighting back the feeling of hurt she felt.

Beth got the girls home and settled into bed. Dean got him shortly afterwards with the boys.

Rio texted her.

”Hey darlin’ I had no idea the kids were playing each other tonight.”

Beth didn't respond. The more she thought about it, the more pissed and hurt she became.

She got ready to head out to the bar, she stopped and talked to Dean.

”I want you out of here by Friday night. We need to figure out a time to talk to the kids and to sit down and do a schedule. The less I see of you, the better.”

“By Friday night?”

“Yeah, that’s right peeping Tom.”

”Are you staying out all night again?“

”No, I will home, it’s my turn to take the kids to school tomorrow. Please make sure I don’t see you.”

Beth walked out the door. Annoyed by Deans presence and upset with Rio.

When she got to the bar he was just finishing up a game of pool. Beth sat down and waited for him. The bartender poured her a drink. Rio headed over to her. He knew she was pissed. He sat beside her and put his hand on her leg. Beth removed it.

”Don’t.”

“Elizabeth…”

”Don’t Elizabeth me.”

”Let’s go to my office.”

Rio shut the door and Beth stared him down.

”Okay let me have it.”

”How dare you treat me like that. Like I was a nobody.”

”That’s not what I was doing. Had I known the kids we’re playing together I would’ve brought Marcus alone so that this could’ve been avoided.”

”What could’ve been avoided? You standing beside Rhea all night just barely acknowledging me? Or her cold death stares?”

“Elizabeth, the kids were there, we were in a public place and I really didn’t think this was the time for the three of us to be talking about anything.”

“It’s funny you’ve been all over my ass about Dean, yet you have never mentioned Rhea. Why didn't you say you were going to be with Marcus and her!”

“I am not married to Rhea or living with her. She’s also not sneaking around spying one me. I was suppose to take Marcus to his game but he asked Rhea to come too. I wasn’t hiding it from you.”

“Well, when Dean was around I didn’t ignore you did I?”

“No.”

“There you go, that’s the difference. Does she know about our relationship?”

“She knows we are partners.”

”Working partners or otherwise.”

“Look the one thing Rhea and I don’t do is interfere or question each other about relationships. We have had this understanging since we split. We both agreed to keep people away from Marcus until we are in a serious, stable relationship.”

“Oh I see. So she doesn’t know about me.”

“Elizabeth, I am sure she’s aware that somethings going on between us. But this is not straightforward and it’s going to be complicated because Rhea is not fond of you and you know why. You befriended her, pretending you didn’t know what happened to me. Marcus could have lost his father because of the shooting. Surely you understand that.”

Beth stood there, her eyes now burning with tears. She wanted to ask the next question but wasn't sure she wanted to know the answer.

“You have never told me how much she knows about that night.”

This was a discussion Rio knew was not going to go well. 

“She knows you were there the night I was shot, she knows you left me there. But, she doesn’t know it was you that fired the shots. She believes it was Turner that shot me and she knows that 911 was called to come.”

“I don’t know whatever else you told her, but she knew enough that I should be worried about what you would do wasn’t she?”

“Elizabeth, that was a different time for you and me. We were both in a different place.”

“You didn’t answer me.”

“We have settled this between you and me. We both know how we got to where we did. Rhea does not know all the details of our relationship or what led up to what happened. She just knows about me being shot. And that you were involved in it.”

“But she knew you were going to come after me didn’t she?”

“What you want me to say? That I wasn’t angry, that I wasn’t furious that you almost took my life? That my son almost didn’t have a father? Yes, when I woke up after being shot I wasn’t in a good place! Do you seriously not understand why?” 

Beth stood there, hurt, hearing those words. She stepped towards him. Right up to his face.

“Did you fucking tell her that you put a bag over my head and kidnapped me? Terrified me? That I thought you were setting me up to be your fall guy? That you told Turner things that would implicate me and send me to jail forever? That I didn’t know what you were going to do to me?”

He stared her down. Anger suddenly took over when he answered.

"She fucking helped you lie to me about being pregnant."

Beth watched his face and for a second she saw a look of hurt before it turned to anger again. The same look she saw that night in the bar when she said she had lost the baby.

"It's too bad that you scared me so fucking much I had to lie about it."

“Elizabeth, this is exactly why I don’t want to rehash what we did to each other. We both were wrong. We went through it all already.”

Beth’s eyes clouded over dark. She walked to the door.

“I am out of here.”

“Wait….. where are you going?”

“I’m getting away from you.”

“Oh fuck, run again Elizabeth!”

“I am not running, I’m furious with you. You let her think all this time that I was a horrible terrible person but what about your part?"

"You are wrong, I have told her that things went down that night that shouldn’t have. That they were not all your fault, that I played a big part in it.”

"Is that why you stood there tonight beside her? Somethings fucking wrong here. Maybe you were standing with the person you really wanted to be with tonight. I mean, I watched you two drive off together with Marcus. So damned cute!”

Rio was losing his patience.

“You can’t really think that do you? I was there watching my son play soccer, I was there for him, not you, not her....got it?"

“Well you certainly have kept me a secret from her, which is why you didn't leave her side. You made me feel like I was an outsider, intruding on you two.” 

“I told you, I will not discuss my relationship with her until it is steady and serious.”

“Right so much for all that talk we had last night.”

"What do you mean?"

"Clearly, this isn't a serious or steady relationship for you."

“Hold on.....you have been living with that asshole husband of yours when you were seeing me. You finally dealt with him only the other day and that was only after he did something sick like watching us have sex, otherwise he would likely still be there. AND, he still hasn't left your house yet."

She glared at him.

"Wow! Did you really just say that?"

“Elizabeth ever since you told him he has to leave, you have been hesitant and guarded, pulling back on me. So that’s not the definition of a stable relationship is it? I had to push to get a response out of you last night to see if we were in the same place. Like, why do I have to fight for it so hard for it.”

"Fuck you Rio, I told you why.”

Beth walked out and slammed the door. 

Rio watched her go.

"Fuck!"

Chapter Text

Beth left his office, fighting back her tears. She got into her van and slammed the door hard. She was hurt and angry. If she was honest with herself she was most hurt that Rio stayed with Rhea at soccer and didn’t come over to her. She had just started feeling more like they were something together but that left her feeling like they weren’t. 

She was also angry because Rio thought she wouldn’t have kicked Dean out if it hadn’t been for him spying on them. She knew she had dragged her feet on doing it, but it was because of her fears and she knew she was going to do it regardless.

She started up the van when Rio got in beside her. 

“I don’t want to talk to you right now.” 

“Well before you take off angry at me, I want to ask you something.”

Beth stared straight ahead.

“Are you ready to have a serious relationship with me? Cause this thing between us here, ain’t stable. I never know what to expect out of you.” 

Beth looked at him. There was a part of her that wanted to say yes, then there was that part of her that was scared. The part that kept Dean in the house too long, the part that fought to keep him at arms length. The part she didn’t understand herself.

Rio waited but she didn’t reply.

"Well I guess I have my answer don’t I? You have no business bein’ angry at me over Rhea. Now you know why I haven’t told her nothin yet.” 

Rio was angry and hurt too. He thought they had made such progress, but she sat there and didn’t answer the question.

“Hold on Rio. I told you last night that my hesitation was because I was scared. This is all new to me. And you know what you said to me?….you asked me to just let things be, let them happen and we will be okay. What you are doing, is not letting things be.”

“No Elizabeth, you aren’t lettin’ it be, you are the one who got all pissed about Rhea. You also were just in my office upset with me because I didn’t consider this a steady or serious enough relationship to tell Rhea. This is exactly what I mean. You are all over the place. There ain’t nothing stable here and it ain't because of me. You can't have it both ways."

He got out of her van. 

“You know what else Elizabeth? When you get your mind set on something, there is no talkin’ to you. You can’t see my side of this at all and you will go down with this fuckin’ ship. You know the worst part? It’s never this between us that you have ever set your mind on. That's why we are in no mans land. Maybe you need to figure that shit out.”

Beth sat in her office, working on a schedule for her and Dean. Rio had not contacted her and she had not contacted him. Both were still upset with each other. It was the first time in a long time that a day had gone by when they had not talked to each other. Beth had to admit to herself, it didn’t feel right.

She was working away when Rio came to her office door. She was cool with him and he was cool with her. 

“What brings you here?”

“I need another 50G’s printed.”

“For when?”

“The sooner the better, couple days if possible.”

“Why the last minute notice?”

“Because these things come up fast.”

Beth looked down at her schedule. Well I guess I can scrap this. 

“Scrap what?” 

“A schedule for Dean and I taking care of our kids.”

She glared at him.

"Yeah…. I told him to be out by Friday.”

“Is that right?” 

“Yeah it is and I had told him BEFORE I saw you at the soccer game with your girlfriend.” 

“Girlfriend?”

“I told you, you two looked comfy.” 

“Then you were seein’ things.” 

“Tell me did she say anything afterwards?” 

“We were with Marcus, which is the only reason she was with me. She knows not to interfere in my personal business.” 

She was still angry and Rio was even more annoyed with her now. She was trying to make Rhea something that she was not to him. 

So, should I call the other two?”

“Not necessary!

“Great.”

“You know this is like the third time we have printed you 50G’s and you still have not told me who is washing it for you?”

“And I am gonna give you the same answer as I did before…you don’t gotta worry about it.”

Rio knew he should tell her, he was just pissed at her now.

“So, we are still doing this again are we?”

“What’s that?”

“You are not treating me like a partner.”

“You ain't acting like one.”

“Oh?” 

She got up and walked around her desk. 

“And you say you never know what to expect out of me? That’s funny. You took me out to dinner, you gave me this office and told me how proud you are of me for the work I have done on this strip club. Then, you do this, take it all away and tell me I am not treating you like a partner? Don’t accuse me of being all over the place when you are!”

She was getting angrier. 

“I am takin’ about you and me, not what you actually do here.”

“Okay, if it's not about what I do here, why are you not telling me who's washing the money.”

“Look, you three get your cut.”

“That's not good enough anymore.”

“And you never care about it until you are pissed at me. I don’t interfere with what you do here, I trust you enough to let you run it. This is your part of the business that you take care of.  I take care of the other. And your sister has a big mouth, always saying shit to the wrong person. Right now, you don’t need nothin’ more on your plate. I am dealing with it. You do your thing, I will do mine.”

Beth was so pissed at him now. He turned to walk out. Then stopped.

“By the way, you were stopping by the bar the other night to talk to me about somethin’. What was it?”

“Don’t you worry about it, you do your thing, I will do mine.”

Rio smirked at her. 

“Right.”

The girls started printing the next morning. Beth and Rio had not contacted each other again. Beth looked at her phone all the time but there was nothing. Rio did the same. They were at a stalemate.

The next day Beth had her meeting with Alex. Annie and Ruby had come early to print that day.

“Okay guys, I have that meeting with Alex, he will be here shortly. I don’t think I will be too long. You guys good?” 

Annie couldn’t help herself.

“Oh, you don’t need to hurry back, we’ve got it covered here, you enjoy your lunch with Alex.” 

“It’s a business meeting Annie.”

Ruby looked confused.

“What are you talking about?“

“Oh, I’ll fill you in when Beth leaves.”

Beth rolled her eyes.

“There is nothing to fill you in about.”

Beth had been gone about an hour when Rio showed up. 

He had thought about what she said. She was right. He should have told her about the money washing, she had proven she was trustworthy, but he was being honest with her. It was a small operation to sustain some money flow and he really did not want the other two to have any details and she had her hands full already. But it also irked him to no end that he could come to her but she couldn’t come to him and acknowledge that under their current circumstances, she was expecting too much when it came to Rhea. She had not shown him she was ready for more and that was fine, but she also couldn’t ask him to treat her like they were in a steady relationship. 

“Where is Elizabeth, isn’t she helping you guys?”

Annie jumped in.

“Yeah she is, but she had a lunch date.”

Rio felt like he was punched in the gut. Annie purposely didn’t explain to him that the lunch was about business. He kept a poker face.

“What time is she expected back.”

“Probably anytime now.”

“Will this be ready to go tomorrow?”

“Yup, it will be done.”

He looked at Ruby.

“Text me when it’s ready.” 

Rio turned and walked out. She was out to lunch with some guy. Maybe that was why she was all over the place with him? FUCK HER.

When Beth returned, Ruby told her Rio had stopped by.

“Oh. What did he want?”

“I don’t know, but he asked me to text him when the money is ready for pick up.”

“Text you?” 

“Yeah.” 

Rio headed home from his bar early. He was hurt and pissed. He heard Annie’s words over and over. “She had a lunch date.” He thought they were more serious than that. He made it clear to her he wasn’t seeing anyone.  He opened a bottle and drank. He sat in the dark and drank until he went to bed. 

Because Beth had been in the office early, she picked up the kids from school and spent the evening with them. Once they were in bed she decided to head to his bar to see what he wanted. She was still very pissed about what he said about them being partners. When she arrived, he wasn’t there but Mick was playing pool with Cisco.

“Hey Mick, have you seen Rio?” 

“Nope, he left a while ago.” 

“Do you know where he went?” 

“Nope he didn’t say.” 

Beth left. This was not like him. It all felt so strange now. Beth decided to send him a text. 

“Hey, it’s me. Ruby told me you stopped by the club earlier today? I came by the bar to find out what you wanted to see me about. Call me or text me please. Thanks.” 

When Beth got into bed that night, her mind started to wander. Was he out with someone? Even Mick didn't know where he was. Shit. They had no commitment to each other. SHIT.  

She spent the night tossing and turning. 

Rio woke up with a wicked headache. His phone had a message from her. He read it. Fuck her, he wasn’t going to reply. 

The first thing Beth did was check her phone when she woke up. He had read her message but didn’t reply. What the fuck was going on? He told her yesterday she wasn’t acting like a partner and now he was being a total dick to her. 

The girls finished up the money and packed it up. Beth texted Rio. 

“The money is ready.”

“I asked Ruby to text me, not you.” 

“Why?”

He refused to answer.

“Mick will pick it up.” 

“What’s going on?” 

Rio didn’t respond. He did not want to see her, he was too angry. Beth was really confused now. 

It weighed heavy on her mind all night long. She looked at her phone over and over and he didn’t answer.  She stopped by the bar again that night. He was not there again. She was so angry. If he was seeing someone else, she was going to find out. The very least he could do was tell her. She drove to his place. She could see his lights were on. She called him but he didn’t answer. Rio looked at his phone. It was her.

She sent him a text. 

“Can you stop being so childish? What is going on?” 

She called him again prepared to leave him a long message. Rio answered.

“Stop bugging me Elizabeth.” 

“Can you please tell me what is going on?” 

“I have nothing to say to you.” 

“Well I something to say to you and I came here to say it.” 

“Here?” 

“Yes I am at your place.”

He hesitated. 

“Make it quick.”

He wanted to see if she was going to tell him she was out on a date. Rio opened the door. She looked fucking amazing. She smelled fucking amazing. Damn.

Beth was instantly relieved that he wasn't with someone. 

“What do you want, Elizabeth?”

“I want to know why you came to see me yesterday?”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“You came for a reason. Did something happen?” 

“You weren’t there.” 

“I was out to lunch.” 

“Right. So your sister said.” 

Beth knew by the tone of his voice that Annie must have said something to him. She had been on her ass about Rio all the time.

“What did Annie say?” 

“That you were out on a lunch date.”

Beth shook her head.

“I was not out on a lunch date. I was out on a business lunch.” 

Rio felt like he could breathe again.

“What business lunch?” 

“The one I came to tell you about the night of the kids soccer game.”

“Yeah but you didn’t. You had a meltdown instead.”

She stood face to face with him. She clenched her teeth. 

“I also was going to tell you the other day when you stopped by my office. But you were an asshole to me. You refused to tell me about the money we are printing. You said I wasn’t acting like a partner to you, when I know I am. I have come to you about everything. If anyone should be pissed it’s me! "

She turned to leave but Rio grabbed her hand.

“Hold on a moment. It’s amazing how you do that.”

“What?”

He was looking in her eyes. She could feel that tingling sensation forming in the pit of her stomach but he had hurt her about not being a partner. She should have pulled her hand out from his but she didn’t.

“All this started because of you, not me and you still haven’t addressed it. So don’t you come here telling me you are pissed!”

It was taking every ounce of her willpower not to kiss him. She swore this was like going through withdrawal, she needed him, she wanted him so bad.

He wanted her badly too. They just glared at each other, like they were daring one another to make the first move. Their eyes were full of anger and desire for each other.

His mouth was too close to hers. If she didn’t leave she never would. She was torn between her feelings.

Rio didn’t know how he was resisting her but she started this shit and she could finish it. He knew he could make the first move but he wasn’t going to, not this time. She could be stubborn as fuck sometimes. 

She finally pulled her hand out of his. Rio stepped to open the door but she grabbed him, then put her arms around his neck, kissing him hard. Their kiss was angry and passionate all at once. She could not stop herself and he didn’t want her too.

He frantically unbuttoned her pants, she shoved them down and kicked them off. He went right down on his knees. Her panties were wet. He looked up at her. She was looking down at him, a look of desperation on her face. He didn’t take his eyes off her as he pulled one leg over his shoulder. Then he yanked her panties to the side. He wanted to taste her as badly as she wanted him too. She put one hand on his head. She could not wait anymore. It felt like it had been an eternity since she had been touched by him. As soon as his tongue was on her, she sucked in her breath loudly. Her pussy was aching for him. Her clit was twitching inside. 

“Please….”   

She let out a gasp as she said it. She pushed his head in more. He licked her urgently, there was no build up, like he usually did. She was way past that point. She just wanted to come so badly. She rocked her hips against his mouth. He moaned as he ate her, she was so fucking wet, her clit was swollen under his tongue. She grabbed his head on both sides. 

“Fuck, fuck, fuck…..” 

A groan from deep in her belly built up in her throat, letting out a long guttural moan when her orgasm hit her hard.  

She held his head for a moment before she let him go. She leaned against the wall, her head back. She wanted that cock of his and she wanted to ride it. When Rio stood up she grabbed his t-shirt and ripped it off over his head. 

Rio grabbed her by the waist and pushed her backwards walking her to his bedroom. They both wanted to fuck so bad.

“Get your pants off Rio.”

He took off his pants as she unbuttoned her blouse and threw it off. Rio came over to her, rubbed her ass before he ripped her panties down her legs tossing them on her blouse. 

Rio got on the bed and grabbing her hand and pulling her on top of him. His cock was fucking hard, and Beth almost moaned looking at it. Rio saw her face.

They kissed each other again, their bodies pressed so tight together.

Beth wanted to touch his hard cock. She slowly worked her way down until she was between his legs. She took his cock in her hand and started to stroke him. Her touch was light at first and then she increased the pressure, concentrating around the head. She slipped her fingers under his balls, circling around them until he started to moan.

“You keep doing that and I am gonna come all over you.”

She stroked him with more pressure, still manipulating his balls gently.

“Elizabeth, you better fucking stop or you don't get this cock in your pussy.”

She was looking at him, almost daring him. He let out a few low groans, and just when he thought she was going to finish him off, she slowed down and wrapped her fingers just under the head of his cock, gently squeezing him to slow him back down.

“That was fucking close.”

Beth moved up over him and leaned over him, face to face.

“I am not ready for you to come yet.”

‘Oh is that right?”

She wanted his cock inside her so bad. She pulled up over top of him, played with his cock around her entrance, then went down on him, her insides pulling up tight as soon as she did. She let out a gasp, one she didn’t want him to hear.

She rocked back and forth on him, grinding down on him. She pulled his arms over his head holding his arms down. Her bra grazing his chest. She tried to stifle her moans. The tingling inside her pussy was intense. She kept tightening up around his cock over and over.  

“You look like you want to come. This cock of yours is so fucking hard and I am so wet.”

Rio suppressed a groan.

“I see that face of yours, you don't gotta worry about me, cause you are the one who’s is gonna come fast. You can barely hold it in darlin.”

Rio knew how to fire her up. 

“Fuck you Rio.”

“I am fucking you Elizabeth.”

He pushed up into her hard repeatedly. She closed her eyes, sucked in a breath trying to control herself. Rio smiled at her.

“Start moving that ass of yours, let's see who can last longer.”

She sat up and started to fuck him, riding him up and down. Moaning.

Rio had to concentrate hard because he was on the edge and her pussy was pulsating around his cock. He was glad he had jerked off that morning or he would be done. 

“How’s that working for you darlin’? You’re gonna come any second, and you’re the one ridin’ me.”

She slowed right down, barely moving on him.

”You would be wrong.”

“Yeah? Cause I could eat that pussy of yours again and make you come fast like you did last time.”

Her face was all flushed, so was her chest.

“You think so?”

She was not backing down from his dare.

“I know so.” 

Beth pulled off him and he rolled her over on her back. 

She opened her legs for him. Rio gladly went down on her again. He licked her pussy and she was letting out uneven breaths. She had to stop herself from grabbing his head again and could barely keep her legs still.

Rio looked up at her. 

“Watch me Elizabeth, let’s see how long you last.”

She got up on her elbows. Rio started using his tongue on her again. She bit down on her lip.

“See? I am watching.”

She couldn't help herself; she had to challenge him. As soon as she said it he slipped his two fingers inside her. This time she could not hold back the groan that escaped her lips. He didn’t stop. His fingers slid in and out of her at a faster pace, while he licked her pussy. She could hear the slick sounds of him pumping his fingers in her, which sent her over the edge.

She didn't think she would be able to come that easily or hard again. She lost the battle, laying back and letting her orgasm take over, moaning over and over.

Her eyes were closed when she felt him on top of her. He rubbed his cock over her pussy. 

“Told ya, didn’t I?”

She didn’t open her eyes. She knew his beautiful face, with those dark playful eyes and full lips were right there.

“You are a mother fucker.”

“So you meant it this time when you called me that?”

He held back a laugh.

She wasn’t going to let him win. She reached down and grabbed his cock. Then opened her eyes, looking into his.

“So are you ready to fuck me now?”

“Yup, say the word.”

“Then sit up, I am fucking you.”

Rio happily obliged.

She sat over his lap and unhooked her bra slowly. 

“You love my tits in your face don’t you?”

‘You know I do.”

She got up on her knees, brushing her tits over his face. He took one of them in each hand and sucked her nipples. She closed her eyes, she knew it was instantly a mistake, he was getting to her again. 

She reached down and stroked his cock before she slid back down on him again. She exhaled a long breath, he made a low groan. She slowly started riding him again, squeezing around him. She moved on him faster, when he sucked in his breath.

Then she changed positions, placing her hands back on his legs. His cock was hitting her in a different spot, both of them moaned. His breathing was rapid and he was letting out small groans watching her tits bounce up and down. 

He grabbed her hips, his breathing was shallow. Now she had him.

“Are you close?” 

“Yup.”

She sat back up and slowed down. 

"Just one thing Rio, before you come.  Don’t you ever say I am not a good partner again. Got it?”

She kept grinding her hips back and forth. He moaned.

“Yeah.”

“And if I am your partner you tell me where the is money is going.”

She tightened up hard around his cock and held it. He let out a longer moan.

“Yeah, I will.”

She was about to start riding him again when he grabbed her hips and held her still. He was not letting her away with what she had done. 

"Nah…..I am not ready to come yet.”

She just looked at him, surprised. He moved her backwards until she was on her back. He wanted to fuck her brains out. 

He spread her legs open and he rubbed his cock on her pussy again. 

‘You ready for me to fuck you now, cause you want this cock don’t ya?”

“Yes.”

He put his hands under her hips and pulled her ass up to his legs. He entered her shoving his cock deep into her.  

She let out a loud cry. He pumped his cock into her a steady pace.

"Elizabeth...you don’t get to fucking ignore what you did.”

He thrust into her harder. She groaned. He leaned over her. 

“Look at me."

She looked into his eyes. He thrust into her a bit faster.

“Don't call Rhea my girlfriend again, she's not. There ain't nothing between us except bein' Marcus' parents. You are the one I want...you got it?” 

She moved her ass around underneath him, panting on every thrust.

"Yes."

He was fighting every urge to let go and fuck her. He had held off for so long.

”And you can’t have your cake and eat it too. You can’t expect me to tell Rhea a thing ‘til you figure this shit out with me.”

He kept pushing his cock deep inside her. She could barely focus on him. 

'Answer me darlin', you are so close to comin', I can feel that pussy of yours twitchin around my cock."

"Yes, I understand, now please fuck me.....”

He pulled up her legs on his shoulders and fucked her hard and deep. She grabbed the sheets holding on.

"Oh my fucking God...”

Rio was groaning on every thrust getting louder each time. He looked down at his cock buried in her pussy. He pulled her legs around his waist, she grabbed on to him. He thrust a few more times. She yelled out in his ear, coming hard again, her nails digging in his back. He let out one last loud groan when he spilled himself inside her. 

He was totally spent, his legs were tingling, his body wiped out. So was she. Neither could move. 

After a few moments, Beth whispered in his ear.

”You are the one I want too.”

Rio held her tight.

”Good Mama, good.”

Chapter Text

Rio stepped into the shower with Beth. He had just told her she was the only one he wanted. He had felt that way for a long time but he had not planned on telling her that until he thought she was ready. It just suddenly felt like the right time when he said it. He wanted her to know, hoping it would help her feel more settled about things between them especially since she was thrown off so much by seeing Rhea. She was jealous and insecure. But there was a part of him that needed to hear her say it too because he was also feeling the same way when he thought she was on a date. 

He didn't expect her to say it back and was totally surprised when she did. It was the first time she had said something to him on her own about how she felt, unlike the night she had been drinking and opened up to him. He hoped she wouldn’t get cold feet and back off. 

He was behind her in the shower and put his arms around her. He talked softly in her ear. 

“Listen Mama. I know there’s a lot going on in your life right now, some big changes and whatnot. Plus you are still working hard at the strip club. I think we kinda know where each other stands right?”

She nodded.

“Yes.”

“Then you wanna stick to what we said? Let things happen? Cause I know there is still shit to work out between us.”

He felt her let a big breath out. 

“Yes, please.”

“So let's not label it yet right?”

She turned and smiled at him.

“Yeah, somethin’ like that.”

Beth felt relieved. She did want only him but she was just leaving Dean and that was going to be an adjustment for her. It was her new life. She didn't want to jump into anything too fast.

“We are good now yeah?”

“We are….”

She hugged him.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome darlin’.”

As they got ready for bed, Rio handed her a brand new toothbrush.

Here I got this for you. I thought you might be needin’ it.”

Beth smiled at him. 

“I do thanks.” 

She went to her purse and took out a package of makeup remover wipes she had bought. 

“I ummm, picked up some of these so that I don’t keep getting raccoon eyes.”

Rio leaned over and showed her the empty drawer in the vanity.

“You can put your shit in here, you know anything you need.” 

“Thank you.”

It was a bit of an awkward moment between them. She was leaving stuff at his place, although it was only toiletries. This was another first for her.

“So bed now yeah?” 

Beth had on his robe again. 

“Can I borrow a t-shirt again?”

Rio smiled at her. 

“Well you look fucking hot when you wear it, but I kinda like you naked.”

“I am getting used to it, I mean I am used to wearing pajamas.” 

“Oh your momma pajamas?”

He was teasing her. 

“Yeah those. You don’t like them?”

She gave him a playful smile. 

“Well, they don't quite show all your assets properly.”

He got her a t-shirt.

“Yeah, those tits of yours are lookin’ fine in my t-shirt.”

Beth crawled in right next to him.

“So maybe a I can wear it a few more times?” 

“A few.” 

Rio pulled her over to him.

“So, Mama, about the money I have been washing. I have a guy who works in different states, does long term assignments and shit. So he can wash 50G’s when he is there. It’s just a small scale operation to keep things goin’ until we are up and running again. I was telling the truth when I said you have your hands full here and I just wanted to deal with it. But the main reason I didn’t tell you is because your sister has a big mouth, she says shit she shouldn’t.”

Beth let out a sigh thinking of what Annie had been saying to her about Rio.

“Yes, she has a big mouth at times. She talks without thinking.”  

“So if she asks, let's still keep it from her, yeah?” 

“Yup.” 

“So tell me about this business lunch.” 

Beth explained to Rio the presentation Alex had made to her. 

“I have a company who does it for the bar, but of course the staff is smaller. But let’s find out more from this guy. Never hurts to shop around.” 

“Okay he is meeting with me tomorrow, to show me the program. I told him I wanted to run it by you. So do you want to join us tomorrow? 

“Yup, I do partner.” 

Beth looked up at him, she knew he meant it. 

"You are my partner Elizabeth."

She didn’t even hesitate when when she replied.

'Yeah I am."

She turned off the light and gave Rio a kiss. 

“Elizabeth.” 

“Yes?” 

“Roll your ass back over here and give me a real fuckin’ kiss.” 

She laughed, then rolled over and put her arms around him. They kissed each other long and sweet. 

“That better?”

“Yup, that’s a good night kiss!” 

Rio snuggled up behind her, holding her tight. 

Beth felt better, she actually felt okay about things. She had told him he was the only one she wanted too when he said it to her. It meant so much to her when he said it, more than she had realized. When she said it back, it just came out of her mouth without her thinking about it. She had finally said it in words what was really inside her. But this was a huge step for her and it scared her a bit. Rio must have sensed it because of what he said to her in the shower. In some ways Annie was right, she shouldn’t rush into anything, and he was right, they still had issues to work out. For now, she was okay with just taking it one day at a time. She fell asleep happy, not scared. 

Annie came in Beth's office to pick up her share of the cut.

"Hey!"

"Hey Annie."

Beth reached in the drawer and handed Annie her envelope.

"Hey, who is washing this money?"

Beth looked at Annie.

"No idea."

"Oh come on you are cozy with Rio, don't give me that."

"Annie....Rio takes care of the money right now. I have enough to deal with here, plus we are laying low. You just have to print and keep quiet."

"Sheesh okay."

"I wanted to ask you, why did you tell Rio I was on a lunch date?"

"Because you were."

"No, I wasn't, I was on a business lunch."

Before Annie could respond Ruby showed up. It was obvious something was going on between them, they were both quiet.

Ruby looked at both of them.

“Sooooo, what’s going on?”

“Beth is pissed at me for telling homeboy she was out on a lunch date.”

‘His name is Rio and I am pissed because you are saying things that aren’t even true.”

‘It could be true.”

Beth was getting annoyed with Annie. 

“Will you stop please.”

"What's the big deal anyways?"

"I would appreciate you not telling me who I should and shouldn't see. Your track record isn’t one to brag about."

“Wow, that’s hitting below the belt.”

“No, it’s not, it’s the truth.”

Ruby interjected.

“Beth, I think Annie is just worried about you. She may be right, dating would be good for you.”

Beth looked at Ruby in frustration. She couldn't believe these two couldn’t leave it alone.

“Maybe I should decide what is good for me okay? I have heard you both loud and clear now drop it.”

Beth's phone rang, she was glad for the interruption, it was Rio.

“Hey there.”

“Hey darlin’ Rhea just called, she will be running late from work and asked me to pick up Marcus and meet her at home. So I will be a little late to that meeting. I will only be 15-20 minutes late.”

“He will be showing me the program anyways. I will see you when you get here.”

“Okay….Hey, do you want to go out for dinner after the meeting?” 

“Yes, that would be nice, thank you.

“Okay, see you soon. ” 

Beth hung up and Ruby and Annie were looking at her. 

“What?”

“That was him wasn’t it?”

“Enough.”

“You should have seen your face light up when you talked to him.”

Beth was not engaging.

“You two have your money, I have a meeting.”

As soon as she said it, Alex arrived. Beth introduced Alex to Ruby then they headed out, as they got to the door,  Ruby gave Beth the thumbs up. Beth rolled her eyes at them in frustration.

Alex sat down in front of Beth. He really was a good looking guy, he was well put together, well groomed.

“Rio will be running a bit late but he will be here shortly.”

“No problem, I can show you the tutorial.”

Alex turned on his lap top and pulled a chair next to Beth’s. He sat very close to her, purposely getting into her personal space. 

Alex couldn’t help but notice her breasts, they were huge and she had a fine ass too. He watched her walk away after their lunch together. This wasn’t even a job for him, he would love to bang her. He imagined her tits bouncing around while he fucked her and he was sure she was a screamer. 

“So it’s pretty simple once your software is installed. It will do all the work for you.”

 He went through the program with her. Beth noted he was a bit close to her, but she soon forgot about it when she started watching the tutorial with him. 

“So that’s it, very user friendly and as I said you have our technical support to back you up”.

Alex purposely dropped the pen he had on his hand. He leaned down and made sure he brushed Beth’s leg. He immediately apologized and then looked Beth in the eyes holding her gaze just a few seconds too long. 

“You can play with the program for a minute if you want to try it out.”

He wanted to keep Beth close to him until Rio arrived. Beth clicked around on the program. She had trouble finding something. Alex reached across her pointing at the screen, making sure he brushed her arm. 

“So, you mentioned the other day  that you have four kids. How do you manage to do it, you must have late nights?” 

“Well, I think things will settle down a bit once the club is up and running properly and this program will definitely help me cut down some hours. But I also have a schedule with my kids' father. He comes over on nights I work. I do most mornings with them.”

“So you are divorced?

“Soon, very soon. We are separated.” 

“Well if I may so, I can’t believe you have four kids you do not look like a mom of four.”

“Thank you.” 

Beth thought they were just killing time till Rio arrived.

“What about you? married? kids?“

“Nope, not married, still single, I guess I just haven’t found the right one yet.” 

“Oh, I’m sure there is someone out there for you.” 

Alex smiled at her. 

“So are you back out there yet? Dating?” 

“No, I haven’t had time to date.”

“Well all work and no play is no fun. You need to go out and have a little fun.”

Alex was planting the seed.

A moment later Rio appeared at the door. When he came in he was not the least bit impressed with what he saw. This guy was literally on top of Beth. Rio looked at him then her. She looked beautiful, wearing a knee length dress, showing some of her cleavage. 

Beth got up and did the introductions. Rio and Alex shook hands.

“So I understand you are the owner?” 

“Yup I am.”  

Alex packed up his lap top then went and sat on the other side of the desk, Rio took the chair near Beth. He explained their system to him, the same thing he outlined he did to Beth. 

“I was just showing Beth how user friendly our system is.” 

Alex looked at Beth and smiled, holding his look too long.

“Right.” 

Rio was getting bad vibes from this guy from the second he walked in.

Do you have any questions?” 

“How did you happen to know we would be looking for somethin’ like this?” 

“Well actually, I go by this place all the time and I just saw that it had opened back up under new management and made a cold call.”  

“Cold call huh?” 

Beth looked at Rio, not sure why he was acting the way he was. Beth interjected.

“So, Alex has left me a breakdown of everything and you and I could go over it with you. I tried the tutorial and it does seem pretty straightforward to use.” 

“Sure that sounds good.” 

Rio didn’t take his eyes off Alex, who was looking at Beth far too long. Beth walked him out. After the incident with Dean, anyone visiting the strip club was walked out to the door. Rio stepped into the hallway and watched. Alex was close to Beth, still looking at her. 

 She came back to the office.

“What was that about? You were pretty rude.”

“Maybe he shouldn’t have been all over you.”

“He was showing me the program, he sat beside me.”

‘Elizabeth, he was literally on top of you and he barely took his eyes off you.”

“I have all the information he gave us and he showed me how the program works. He’s legit.”

“Tell me, did he ask you any personal questions?”

“Just general talk while we were waiting for you.”

“Did he ask you if you were married? Had kids?”

“It came up, he was just being friendly.”

“Nah, he was hittin’ on you. I saw how he was looking at you.”

“He hasn’t said anything inappropriate.”

“Elizabeth, he was acting inappropriately. You two were far too cozy when I came in.”

“Oh come on.”

“And you were wearing this dress today.”

“So?”

“When you weren’t lookin’ at him he was lookin’ at your tits.”

“Well it happens a lot to me.”

“Elizabeth, can you just trust me for once on this one? I rarely read people wrong.”

“Are you jealous?”

Rio rolled his eyes.

“Elizabeth…the guy is wanting more than just business.”

“So now what, I am guessing we won’t be using his company.”

“We check out other businesses, which we should anyways.”

“Okay fine, have it your way!”

Rio came close to Beth. Looking her in the eyes.

“This isn’t about me having it my way. Tell me what would you think if you walked in here and you found me sitting here with a woman just like you were with him?”

Beth thought about it and knew she wouldn’t like it one bit. 

“Okay, I get it.”

“Elizabeth, just be careful of him. He ain’t what he appears to be.”

“I will….Are you still taking me out to dinner?”

‘Yup, of course.”

Beth didn’t fight him anymore, because she knew Rio was not often wrong about people.

Alex got in his car and called Nick.

‘Just giving you an update. I met with her today and Rio. He was not happy about my presence, and kept giving me the look. He is aware I am hitting on her and he doesn’t like it.”

“Keep it up, keep working on her.”

“Oh I intend too, I want to fuck that one.”

“That would be ideal.”

Rio was sitting right beside Beth in the booth that was at the back of the restaurant.

“Rio…”

‘Yes darlin’.

‘I wore this dress for you today."

Rio put his hand gently on her face kissed her. 

“You look absolutely beautiful in it. All I meant earlier was that he was really looking at you all the time." 

She kissed Rio back.