32 - "I don't think I will ever get enough of you."

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Make sure you've read chapter 31 first xx

"I'm going to strangle you."

Rhys had given me less than an hour to get ready for some mystery date that he'd organised. I had worried about what that could be, seeing as he'd told me that he'd never even been on a date. I should have listened to my instincts.

Here I was, standing in a $25 dollar summer dress because Rhys told me I didn't need to dress up. I should known better than to listen to a boy giving me fashion advice.

We were currently standing, waiting to be seated at the most elegant, most expensive restaurant in New River. A restaurant I had never even bothered to glance at, knowing one meal would cost more than my entire wardrobe.

"That doesn't sound so bad," he smirks, his hand resting on the small of my back.

I glare at him, "of course you would make this sexual. I can't believe you."

"What have I done now?" he keeps his expression nonchalant but I don't miss the sparkle in his eyes. Jerk.

I sigh, eyeing his attire. When he'd arrived at my house, he had only been wearing a white shirt. Once he'd gotten into the car, I'd seen the blazer lying on the backseat and I'd blanched.

"You told me I shouldn't change," I grit, "but you've made a reservation at Arabesque. I thought it was going to be a beach picnic or something. Not dinner at the poshest restaurant in town!"

"I didn't want you to change. This is my favourite dress," my stomach flips when his gaze sweeps over me entirely, lingering on my lips. His hand moves lower and I suck in a breath.

"This is your favourite dress?" I frown, looking down at it. "Why?"

"You wore it the first time we kissed," he whispers, his head dipping to brush my ear with his lips, "and it gives me easy access to a lot of skin."

My toes curl and I clench my jaw. This boy would be the death of me. "You're infuriating," I muse, biting my lip to hide my smile.

"I try," he shrugs, his hand tracing circles on my hip.

"I'm still mad at you, though," I glare. "You could have told me."

"I'll make it up to you later," he says smugly, resting his arm around my shoulders. I can't help but blush, knowing exactly what he was implying.

A waitress comes over to walk us to our table. I was sure even her uniform was worth more than my entire outfit.

I clench my hands, keeping my chin high. Since when had I cared so much? I shouldn't. No opinion in this restaurant mattered to me except Rhys's.

I couldn't help but feel, even if I didn't want to, that Rhys hadn't told me to change because he'd known that I wouldn't have anything fancier to wear. That I didn't have the money to own such a thing. I felt even worse, because even though Rhys had told me that it was his shout tonight, and that I could pay next time if I really wanted to, that he was only warning me beforehand because he knew I wouldn't be able to afford even the water on this menu.

The restaurant is bustling. I could see nearly every influential person I knew from New River just in the first room alone. I don't linger on any faces long enough for them to notice me. I'd never been one to want to blend in, but it was easier for that to happen tonight. I knew people would start snickering if they saw me here, like someone trying too hard to be something they're not.

Imagine if my friends saw me here. My stomach flips at the thought of running into any of them tonight. I still hadn't even told Teagan that I was with Rhys now. I was sure that she was getting suspicious. After all, I was staying with her and there was only so many excuses that I could give her.

"Here you are, Mr Laderman," the waitress says pleasantly, "enjoy your evening." She hands over two menus and tells us that she would be back to take our order soon.

"What made you choose Arabesque?" I raise my eyebrow, my palms already sweating at the prices on the menu.

$200 for a steak? I could buy a week's worth of groceries for dad and I with that. Not that I'd be buying any groceries for us anytime soon. He'd be going off to rehab soon and I'd be living with Teagan full-time.

"I wanted to take my girl somewhere special," he winks over the menu.

I look away first, back down at the menu. I wasn't really reading it, though. I couldn't when my thoughts were elsewhere.

This wasn't like Rhys. The Rhys I knew took me to diners outside of town with the best burgers. The Rhys I knew liked staying up late, talking on the phone about everything and nothing, only hanging up when I fell asleep. It was as if he was trying to impress me. Didn't he realise that he didn't need to? I loved diners. I loved the simplicity and just being able to talk to him. I didn't need fancy dinners and packed rooms. I just needed him. The Rhys I knew. Not the one he pretended to be.

"Rhys," I sigh, "everything is so...expensive. I can't let you pay for any of this."

He gives me this look that I've come to know so well. His eyebrows crease and he bites the corner of his lip. I know that he's heard exactly what I've said and chosen to ignore it.

"Rhys..."

"Cora," he mimicks, tracing circles on my outstretched hand as we sit opposite each other. "I wanna do this, alright? Please let me do this."

I nod apprehensively, offering him a small smile. I didn't know why this meant so much to him but I would allow it, even if I felt terrible for how much tonight would cost. Not that Rhys's bank account would really feel it.

"I know you love food, but what's your favourite?" he asks me, tracing patterns on my upturned palm.

"You couldn't have asked me a harder question if you tried," I scoff. "Probably burgers. Or pasta. I don't know, I'm pretty basic. I'll eat anything. Within reason."

"How about snails?"

"I'd rather not," I retort, noticing that escargot was indeed on the menu. For the small price of $100 for five snails. They better be pretty fucking nice snails for that price.

"I think I'm leaning towards the venison meatball and wild mushroom ragout," I state, the fancy-sounding dish sounding foreign on my lips. What happened to good old spaghetti and meatballs?

"I'm going to go for the thyme and pepper-crusted beef with horseradish crème," Rhys grins, like he's also aware just how ridiculous this place was.

The waitress comes over to take out orders just as Rhys finishes speaking. I mumble out the words, offering her a small thanks before she turns towards Rhys, smiling widely. He obviously came here often. They seem friendly enough.

As I watch their polite exchange, I realise that I've never truly felt like an outsider in my own town. Until now.

I'd always known about the gap between rich and poor in my town, but I'd never associated with anyone who was well off until Rhys. I'd never cared to. It was so strange, knowing that if I wanted to be with Rhys, that it was something that I would have to learn to get used to.

"You okay?"

I realise with a jolt that I had been staring right at Rhys, lost in my own thoughts. He gives me a concerned look which I brush off with a pleasant smile. "Of course."

"Food won't be long," he smiles, his long legs resting between mine under the table.

"Great," I say, genuine this time. Food was food. I love food. Even if it was overpriced.

"So, how's Rebecca? Ready for the election?"

"She was born ready," Rhys laughs. "She'll win. She's way ahead in the polls, anyway."

I thought about what my friends had said about Rebecca and swallowed it down. It was hard having conflicting ideas. Hearing Rhys and hearing my friends. I never knew who to trust more now.

Trust yourself. Trust what you know. Trust what you believe.

Easier said than done. I couldn't just shut out all my thoughts. I feel like I have a devil and an angel on my shoulders. Only I wasn't sure who was who.

"I'll need to find something to wear for that," I say, more to myself than Rhys. "Can't have a repeat of tonight."

"You're beautiful, Cor. It doesn't matter what you're wearing. In fact, you really don't need to wear anything, if you don't want. I wouldn't complain."

I give him an exasperated look but I can't deny the dip in my stomach, and not just from his kind words. He'd called me Cor. He'd given me a nickname. For some reason, that felt more special than any compliment he could ever offer me.

"Cor, huh?" I smile widely. "Does that mean you're my friend now? Seeing as you've allowed yourself to give me a nickname?"

"Oh, I'd like to think you're a lot more than my friend," he grins. "Boyfriend, maybe?"

"Duh," I roll my eyes. Rhys snorts, just as the food arrives.

I had to give Arabesque some credit. They knew how to plate a dish. Without even smelling it or tasting it my mouth began to water just staring at it.

It takes me less than five seconds after the waitress has left the table for me to delve into my food. I try to overlook the fact that Rhys would be paying over $300 for both our meals and just enjoy it. It wasn't too hard. This shit was delicious.

"Oh god," I moan, "I can't deny it. This— this is amazing."

The dangerous look in Rhys's eyes gives me pause. "Not everything I say needs to be turned into an innuendo, you know," I grumble, my skin heating.

"You're the one who makes it sound that way," he bites his lip, his eyes darkening. "You're words affect me. I won't deny that, baby."

Baby.

"Did you just..."

"Too much?" he smiles, cocky. He takes a sip from the drink he ordered, his smile only growing as he watches me falter.

"Actually...no," I whisper, my breathing increasing, "I didn't mind it."

"Hmm," he acknowledges, "that's good to know."

It was crazy how Rhys affected me. Hearing his voice was enough to make my stomach drop. I was losing control, but when I was with him, it didn't even seem to matter.

We finish the rest of our food, chatting about absolutely nothing. But I laugh. I laugh so much that my stomach hurts. I hadn't laughed this much in a long time. It was strange to hear it.

"You ready?"

"To leave?" I question.

"No," he grins, "for phase two of tonight."

It doesn't take me long to realise where he's taking me.

All the windows, including the sunroof, are open in Rovey. My hands are out the top, my fingers slipping through the wind as Rhys speeds towards Rebecca's office.

I close my eyes, breathing in the summer heat. I could smell the water, even from the distance. Ribs by Lorde plays softly on the radio as we pull up into the car park, the sun ready to set for the evening.

Rhys takes my hand as we walk towards the front doors, my dress blowing in the breeze behind me. "I should have guessed," I whisper.

"It's mum's only night off this week. She said we could use her office to watch the sunset."

I feel giddy all over. I'd dreamed about what the view would look like at night for weeks now. I loved a good sunset, especially when you were high above everyone else. Like the only two people in the world.

"Thanks for bring me here," I bump my hip against his. "I'm excited."

"You know what's cool about you? You find joy in the smallest fucking things," he laughs. "Like watching a sunset."

"Not just a sunset," I point out, "a sunset from the best office in New River."

He squeezes my hand twice, pulling me towards him as he wraps an arm around me, hands still linked.

"I have this one really distinct memory of you," he speaks softly as we walk towards the doors. "Not from school. But this time I saw you on your own at the beach. Just after everyone had found out your mum had disappeared."

I'd spent countless nights by myself after mum left. It was hard to know when this had occurred, but I had no recollection of seeing him when I'd been alone on the beach.

"You were standing to the side of the pier. I wouldn't have seen you if I hadn't moved towards the moon. You were just sitting there, in the sand. You weren't crying. You weren't doing much of anything. I just remember the way you looked. So— so lost. I don't know what I was going to do, but I was walking towards you, just ready to stand next to you. Then Ryan appeared and I decided it wasn't my place to comfort you. That we didn't know enough about each other."

The beach had always been sacred to me, but it became calming when mum disappeared. It was usually my favourite place to escape when things got tough at home with dad.

"I probably would have cussed at you," I laugh quietly, wrapping my arm around his waist. "But I wish you had done it anyway."

"Me too," he agrees, sounding dejected. "Maybe then I wouldn't have had to wait over 17 years to realise just how much I fucking needed you in my life."

"You've got me now," I whisper, lightly kissing his neck.

He smiles softly, but I notice the slight edge of sadness in his eyes. He pulls away momentarily, opening the door with the automatic key he has.

Once we're inside, the motion detectors turn the lights on, guiding our path down the hallway.

"It's so quiet," I observe. Our feet are echoing off the floor, the only sound I could decipher.

"I think Kevin and Xavier might still be in their office. Just making sure everything is in order. We won't see them, though."

Just as Rhys speaks, an office door clicks further down the hallway and Kevin Winter walks out, Xavier Franklin trailing a few steps behind.

"Evening, Rhys," Kevin's veneers almost blind me when he smiles. His hand is outstretched and Rhys shakes it firmly. Kevin glances at me, giving me a small nod before turning towards Xavier, who's watching us with narrowed eyes.

"You're mother isn't here," Xavier says gruffly, raising an eyebrow in question. He clearly wanted to know why we were here.

"I know," Rhys says, his voice restrained. His hand tightens around mine, and I notice the change in his stance as he eyes Xavier up and down.

"Why come then?" Xavier quips.

"She said I could use her office," Rhys grits, "to watch the sunset."

Xavier smiles at him condescendingly, before walking off down the hallway, without a second glance.

"Ignore him," Kevin lets out a hearty laugh, clearly trying to ease the situation in his professional manner. "Lucas tells me that you boys will be taking the yacht out for the day tomorrow?"

"If that's fine with you, sir," Rhys's tone shifts entirely. He sounds like he respects Kevin, which makes me less apprehensive of the father of Lucas Winter.

"Of course," he grins. "I don't use it enough. Take it out for as long as you wish."

"Thanks, Mr Winter."

"Anytime, Rhys," he glances at me, smiling tightly before walking off the way Xavier had departed.

I let Rhys pull me further down the hallways, his shoulders tense, before I ask him what all the tension was about.

"Xavier's been after mum for years," he seethes, "always trying to make a move on her even though he obviously knows she married to my father. I would have just fired him by now."

"Why does she keep him then?"

"He's one of her best workers," he grunts, opening the door to her office. "He's the biggest prick I know but she isn't wrong. He does help her a lot with the campaign. Doesn't mean I respect the guy, though."

"Does your father know about Xavier?"

"Yes," Rhys nods, "but they trust each other. Mum wouldn't do something like that, no matter how rocky their marriage can be. It's not just Xavier, though. It's that pig Dylan Doncaster, too."

"So your mum's being harassed by not one, but two of her employee's and yet she's kept them both?"

"Mum's always been generous," he sighs, "despite how strong she is, she gives people too many chances."

"I can tell you like Kevin, though," I comment, stepping inside Rebecca's dark office, waiting for the lights to turn on automatically.

"He may as well be my second father," Rhys appears again, the lights bringing out the green orbs of his eyes.

We walk up the flight of stairs, entering the second level of her office. My breath instantly gets stuck in my throat and I feel the weirdest sensation in my stomach.

This. This was beauty. The orange tone of the sky blending with the soft pink and light purples. It was a cloudless night, the moon beginning to break the horizon as the sun blinked slowly away, ready to rise again tomorrow. The stars were beginning to show now and I feel as though they were right there, right above my head, ready to touch.

"I've never really felt grateful to be alive," I say, hoarse. "But this brings me close to it. Realising just how much the world can offer you. Even the dark can bring out the most light."

Wordlessly, Rhys slides behind me, his arms engulfing me as he wraps them around my waist, resting his chin atop my head. I lean into him, my fingers grazing his arm. He shivers, gripping me tighter.

I'd never felt entirely safe in this world, not with the thought of mum disappearing so easily. But right here, right now, Rhys made me feel like I was invincible. Like he'd always be here for me.

"I'm more grateful for the view standing right in front of me."

I laugh quietly, my shoulders shaking. "You're an idiot."

"Nah," he clears his throat and I can hear the smile in his tone, "I'm just a man who is extremely whipped."

"I didn't think guys actually admitted that type of thing," I snort.

I turn my face to watch him. He's already looking right at me, his pupils entirely dilated. He licks his lips, his chest rising and falling against my back as he leans in to kiss me.

I wrap and arm around the back of his head, my finger tangling into his brown locks. He grunts quietly and I smile against his mouth, my

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