River's POV
He walked to the chair opposite mine with that same cocky strut, every step reeking of arrogance. When he finally sat down, his posture screamed confidence, the kind that comes naturally to someone who knew the world would bend for him.
"So, what do you want, sweet cheeks?"
I stiffened at the nickname, my brows narrowing instinctively but I reminded myself why I was here. This wasn't about pride, ego, or whatever twisted game Orion thought he was playing.
It was bigger than that.
"You…" I began, my voice louder than I intended. It was confident, firm, like it wasn't taking everything in me not to bolt out of this room and pretend this never happened.
His smirk widened as he leaned into the chair, the dim lighting casting shadows across his sharp jawline. "I don't think you're my speck," he said, voice dripping with mockery.
"Say that to the guy who couldn't keep his hands off me at the club," I shot back, arms folding over my chest as I mirrored his posture. I hated that I still remembered how his touch lingered, how it had burned into my skin even through layers of clothing.
"That was the alcohol, sweetheart," he said smoothly.
I rolled my eyes again, harder this time. "Yeah… Well, that little drunken moment of yours made a ripple through my life."
His grin turned sly. "That's the effect I have on people."
I ignored the flutter that his voice sent down my spine.
God, pull it together, River.
I took a breath, steeling my nerves, and leaned forward. "I need something from you."
He raised an eyebrow, interest piqued. "Go on."
I hesitated for a second, then the words tumbled out. "I need you to pretend to be my boyfriend. Just for a few weeks, maybe a month…..tops."
For a moment, Orion just stared at me like I'd grown a second head. Then he barked a laugh, loud and unexpected. "Are you serious?"
I nodded, my face deadpan. "Dead serious."
Orion leaned back in his chair, arms sprawled out as he looked at me with something close to amusement. "Let me get this straight—you want me, Orion Silverfang , to play house with you in front of your mommy and daddy?"
"It's not like that," I snapped.
"Then what is it like?" he challenged.
I swallowed, heart hammering. "i want to make some pay for what he did to me."
"Ahh, revenge for the broken heart…" Orion smiled.
"Yes, it doesn't have to be real, maybe a few dates, keep your hands where people can see them."
"That last part will be difficult," he teased.
"Orion….."
"Alright, alright." He held up his hands in mock surrender. "Why me, though? You could've picked any boring, respectable dude to be your fake Prince Charming. Why the guy with tattoos, a criminal record, and a reputation for breaking rules and hearts?"
"Exactly," I said, leaning in. "You're the exact opposite of what he would expect. That's the point. I don't want to impress him. I want to show him I don't need to follow the rules. You walking in with me will shatter every expectation he has."
Orion was quiet, thoughtful. For once, he wasn't smirking or throwing a sarcastic comment my way. He was just… staring at me, like he was trying to figure out if this was a joke or a trap.
Finally, he said, "You're not like other rich girls."
"Thank you?" I said, unsure if it was a compliment.
"So what do I get out of this?" he asked, folding his arms.
"A check...and I would personally get your auto shop off the ground." His eyes widen and I smirk. Now that got his attention.
"You know about my shop?" he asked.
"I do my research."
He was silent again. Then slowly, a grin spread across his face. "You're cold, River. I like that."
"This is strictly business," I reminded him.
"Sure," he said, rising to his feet. "Business."
I stood too, unsure if that was a yes.
Then he reached into his jacket and pulled out a pack of gum, popping one in his mouth before speaking again. "You got yourself a fake boyfriend, sweetheart."
I blinked.
"That's a yes?"
He nodded. "Hell yeah, it's a yes. I was getting bored anyway."
I opened my mouth to say something, maybe thank him, maybe warn him but he was already turning toward the door.
"Wait!" I called.
He looked back. "What now?"
I took a hesitant step toward him, heart thudding like a war drum. "There are rules."
Orion arched a brow, clearly amused. "Rules? For a fake relationship?"
"Yes," I said, firming my tone. "No kissing unless we're in public. No touching unless necessary. No calling me 'sweet cheeks,' or anything else that sounds like it came from a bad rom-com and absolutely no falling in love."
He stared at me for a beat, then let out a low whistle. "Wow. You've clearly thought this through."
"I have to," I replied, arms crossing tightly. "This isn't a joke to me, Orion. I need this to work."
He gave me that cocky smirk again, the one that could make a nun rethink her vows. "Fine. I'll behave, princess. Just know I don't do half-assed things. If we're faking this, we're going full performance— PDA, eye contact, the whole deal."
My stomach flipped at the thought, but I didn't let it show. "I can handle it."
"We'll see." He turned again, heading toward the exit.
"Wait, one more thing," I said quickly.
He paused, one hand on the doorknob. "You love dragging this out, don't you?"
I walked over to him, pulled out a small envelope from my purse, and handed it to him. "First half of the payment, cash. The rest comes when the act is over."
Orion glanced down at the envelope, his expression unreadable. "You really are serious."
"I told you."
He nodded slowly, slipping the envelope into his jacket. Then he leaned in close, too close, and whispered, "You know what your biggest problem is, River?"
I blinked. "What?"
"You think you're in control."
Then he was gone, the door clicking shut behind him.
I stood there, breath caught somewhere between my lungs and throat, watching the space he'd just vacated. My carefully crafted plan had just begun, and I already felt the threads fraying.
This was supposed to be simple. A clean break. A fake boyfriend to shake the past loose.
But with Orion Silverfang, nothing would ever be clean.
And definitely not simple.