The day had stretched long, filled with the kind of work that left muscles aching and minds drained.
Riley exhaled, rubbing the back of her neck as she took a step back from the construction area.
The sun had started its slow descent, painting the sky in hues of orange and gold, casting long shadows across the site.
There was still work to be done — the casino was a long way from completion but for today, they had done enough.
The foreman had already started wrapping things up with so of the workers, and Riley found herself wandering a few steps away, resting her weight against the sturdy trunk of a tree near the edge of the site.
From where she stood, she could see Ethan finishing up a task, his movents fluid and efficient.
She was exhausted, but sohow, watching him move — watching the way his body shifted under the weight of the day's labor — made her forget the heaviness in her limbs.
Her gaze followed the way his shirt clung to his torso, damp with sweat, outlining the firm muscles underneath.
The late afternoon sun caught on the light sheen of sweat that glistened along his arms and neck.
'Damn.'
She swallowed hard.
He was talking with the foreman now, nodding as they went over the final details for the day.
Riley wanted to listen.
She really did.
But her mind wasn't cooperating.
Her eyes were glued to the way his lips moved when he spoke, the way his jaw tensed slightly when he concentrated.
She felt ridiculous, like so lovesick fool, but no matter how much she scolded herself internally, she couldn't look away.
Then, as if he could sense her staring, Ethan turned his head slightly.
Their eyes t.
And then, he smiled.
It was an easy, confident grin, one that sent warmth flooding through her chest.
Riley felt her cheeks heat up instantly, and she instinctively looked down, grateful for the creeping darkness that offered her a little cover.
'Get yourself together,' she scolded herself.
Ethan finished his conversation with the foreman, shaking hands before the older man made his way off.
The other workers had started to leave as well, heading toward their cars or waiting for rides and the guards ant for watching over the equipnt were starting to co in.
Ethan turned on his heel and strolled toward her, his steps lazy but purposeful.
"Let drive you ho," he said, his voice smooth, casual — like he wasn't asking at all, but rather stating a fact.
Riley's heart skipped a beat.
She swallowed. "You don't have to. I can just catch a taxi."
Ethan tilted his head slightly, his gaze steady. "I want to."
Her fingers curled slightly against the bark of the tree, grounding herself.
She wasn't sure if it was exhaustion or sothing else entirely, but the idea of sitting beside him in the quiet of his car, of having a few more minutes alone with him before the day officially ended — it sounded nice.
More than nice.
She gave him a small nod. "Alright, then."
Ethan smirked. "Good choice."
He turned, leading the way toward his Porsche, parked at the far end of the site.
Riley followed, her pace slightly slower as she took one last look at the place they had spent the entire day working on.
Ethan walked her to his car, his stride easy and unhurried.
Riley felt her heart beat a little faster when he pulled open the passenger door for her.
"Look at you, being all gentlemanly," she teased, raising a brow.
Ethan smirked. "Don't get used to it."
Riley rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips as she slipped inside. Ethan shut the door and rounded the car, sliding into the driver's seat with effortless ease.
The low hum of the Porsche's engine purred to life as he pulled onto the road, the warm glow of streetlights illuminating their path.
The city looked different at this ti of day — slower, quieter. Buildings that had seed alive in the daylight were now wrapped in the soft hush of evening. Riley leaned back against the seat, stretching out her legs.
"So…" Ethan glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. "You seed pretty busy yesterday."
Riley scoffed, throwing him a side-eye glare. "Busy is one way to put it. Bored out of my mind is another."
Ethan chuckled. "Bored, huh?"
"Yes," she huffed. "Do you know how painfully slow yesterday felt without you there? I an, it's work, sure, but at least when you're around, there's so entertainnt."
He shot her an amused look. "Oh? So I'm entertaining now?"
"Absolutely," she said without hesitation. "It was so quiet without you yesterday. I had to actually listen to the foreman go on about concrete asurents and foundation stability instead of getting distracted by your stupid comnts."
Ethan smirked. "I'll take that as a complint."
"Don't," Riley shot back, but there was laughter in her tone.
The conversation carried on, easy and natural.
It was one of the things she had grown to love about him — the way they could just talk. No effort, no forced topics. Just words flowing like a steady current, making the ti pass by too quickly.
Before she knew it, they were pulling up in front of her apartnt building. The engine quieted as Ethan cut the ignition. He unbuckled his seatbelt and stretched slightly, turning his gaze toward her.
"Well," he said, drumming his fingers against the steering wheel. "Ho sweet ho."
Riley didn't move right away.
Instead, she found herself hesitating. It wasn't that she didn't want to get out — but the thought of the night ending so soon made her stomach twist.
And then, an idea popped into her head.
"Co in," she said suddenly.
Ethan raised a brow. "Oh? You inviting in?"
"Don't make it weird," she rolled her eyes, reaching for the door handle. "I just figured… you probably haven't eaten yet, right?"
He tilted his head, as if considering. "…No, not really."
"Then I'll cook sothing for you."
Ethan smirked. "I'll believe it when I see it."
"Oh, you will," she huffed, stepping out of the car.
Ethan followed her inside the building, and they took the elevator up to her floor. The ride was quiet, save for the soft hum of the elevator.
When they reached her apartnt, she unlocked the door and stepped inside, flipping on the lights.
The familiar coziness of her place wrapped around her, and she set her bag down near the door. Ethan lingered for a mont, hands in his pockets, eyes scanning the place.
Reviews
All reviews (0)