Dom!Rhea Ripley x Fem!Reader
In Collaboration with @herwwegirl
Summary: Working at a small bar in California to provide for yourself and your son, you meet an unlikely stranger on a late Friday night. A drunken hook-up behinds to turn into something more
Yet another heavy sigh passed your lips as you intently scrubbed a stain on the bar counter that just wouldnât come up. You had been at it for five minutes before you looked closer, your eyes squinting before you stood upright with a huff.
âWho put a cigarette out on the fucking bar top. These men are pigs I swear.â
You scoffed, tossing the rag to the side in frustration as you turned to look around the bar. Nobody was at the counter at the moment, most of the patrons were already wasted and standing on the far side by the big-screens and pool tables. You glanced up at the clock on the far wall; it was 11:30, an hour before closing time.
This was your first shift since your night with Rhea, and as much as you hated to admit it, you had spent the first few hours of your shift subconsciously waiting, hoping she would show up. Around the end of hour two you had âgiven up hopeâ, but now seeing that your shift was over in an hour, you had completely abandoned hope. You disappointedly glanced across the bar once more, your mind flashing back to the morning after you met her.
Eddie had woken you up at a bright and early seven oâclock, begging for pancakes. After what you later realized was only about three hours of sleep, you could barely get yourself up. You had been rubbing your eyes as Eddie ran out of the room, babbling about something concerning Cody Rhodes. A laugh escaped your lips as you heard him; you had been into WWE as a kid, and when you absentmindedly put it on for him one time while making dinner he had fallen in love. You had barely opened your eyes as Eddie poked his head back in the door, looking at you like you were crazy.
âMomma. Pancakes please!â
Another chuckle escaped from your throat as you stood up, running a hand back through your hair and leaving your room to make your five year old pancakes.
Your mind returned to the moment as you heard the bar door open, not bothering to look at who it was as you turned to grab the cocktail menu. At this point in the night you really didnât feel like opening a new tab for whoever had just walked in the door, but itâs not like you had a choice.
Both Rheaâs palms pressed firmly into the steering wheel ahead of her, stared out into the parking lot before her with a crinkled brow. She wanted to go in; walk back into the bar and let her heart feel what it had been craving. To feel the butterflies in her stomach that sheâd felt the first time sheâd layed eyes on you. To see your smile, to hear your laugh. But what if you werenât there, or what if you didnât want to see her.
Inhaling a shallow breath as her eyelids fluttered closed for a few brief moments, Rhea grabbed her phone from the center console and pulled the keys from the ignition, slipping out of the truck and locking the vehicle behind her. She had to go in. If you werenât there she could just leave and if you didnât want to see her; she wouldnât fight it. But she wouldnât know until the neon lights of the tiny bar hit her skin once more.
Pausing in front of the door as her palm rested down against the chipped paint, Rhea chuckled to herself. The last time sheâd entered this bar sheâd had the best night of her life, with the most amazing woman and now she was nervous. Oh how a little bit of time apart from you had changed her. Nerves weren't something Rhea felt often, she was an alpha; always had been. Exhaling a short breath, she lifted her head high and slipped into the confines of the bar.
An impish smirk pulled at her lips as she directed her gaze straight towards the bar. There you were, just like you had been the day she met you. You didnât look up, causing a small sting in Rheaâs chest. Were you avoiding her?
Trying her best to keep her foot falls even, Rhea crossed the bar in silence. You hadnât looked up from the menu once, giving her just enough time to reach the bar stool sheâd sat on that very first night. An eat shit smirk claiming her features as she slipped her lengthy fingers across the bar and into your view, leaning forward against the wood as she took her seat.
âYou can put that down princess, I already know what I want.â
You felt your heart stop. That was her voice. The one you couldnât get out of your head. The one that nearly drove you to tears of pleasure the last time you saw each other. Your mouth fell open for a few moments before you looked up, meeting her gaze with a still shocked expression.
You said quietly yet with a smile, trying not to draw attention from the bar patrons or your manager. Admittedly, you also didnât want to let on just how happy you were to see her. How happy you were to see her was a problem, and it stung once again that you knew this couldnât go anywhere
Your chest met the bar top as you leaned over, your face so close to Rheaâs at the moment you could feel her breath on your skin, a feeling you desperately missed. You outstretched your hand to tuck a strand of black hair behind her ear before standing up. If she was here, you were gonna make it worth it.
âYou want a whiskey?â
The slightly flustered expression that claimed your features was enough to pull a small chuckle from Rheaâs chest, her lower lip rolling beneath her pearly whites as you tucked the hair behind her ear and regained your upright posture.
Rhea uttered as she rested her elbows against the countertop. The excitement in your tone youâd tried so desperately to hide had given her some hope, at least you wanted to see her. That much was clear. Grazing her sapphire hues up and down the length of your body just like she had done the night you met, she couldnât help the saliva that pooled on her tongue. You truly were breathtaking, no wonder she couldnât get you off her mind.
Tracing her fingertip in circles against the bar top, Rheaâs gaze wandered around the bar swiftly. Not too many patrons remained at such a late time, which meant she would get more time with you one on one. The corners of her lips twitching into a playful smile as she returned her gaze to look upon you.
She hadnât truly realized how much sheâd missed you until she was here, right in front of you, witnessing your smile again in person. Losing herself in your multi coloured hues as she relished in your features.
And soft smile claimed your face as you ran your hand down Rheaâs arm, shooting her a wink before sauntering over to the far side of the bar, pouring her drink. You couldnât believe she was here. She came back. She wanted to see you.
You couldnât help but smile to yourself as your heart fluttered, once again feeling like a little school girl with a crush. As you finished making her drink you turned around, meeting her gaze from opposite sides of the bar, it drove you crazy how she couldnât keep her eyes off you. As you approached her with the drink, you set it down gently on the counter, using your finger to gently push it towards her.
âYour whiskey on the rocks, Mami.â
You said with an eat shit grin, your arms moving up as you adjusted the ponytail your hair was in. The two of you didnât seem to break eye contact for even a moment. You felt like you had to cherish as much of this time as possible; you had already gone through the pain of possibly never seeing her again, and now that she was here you figured youâd give your heart what it desperately wanted. Every time you reminded yourself you couldnât bring her home it stung. A one night stand had turned into a hurricane of emotions for you.
Waiting until you returned your palms to the bar top, Rhea stretched out her own to take your hand in hers, the pad of her thumb tracing over each of your knuckles as her sparkling gaze remained fixated on your features.
âI wasnât sure youâd want to see me.â
She uttered as she fought back the concern in her voice. One night stands were supposed to be just that; a one night stand and as hard as she had tried to stay away she was relieved youâd welcomed her return with such a positive response.
Releasing your hand to grasp at the tumbler youâd placed before her, Rhea took a large sip before plastering an impish grin upon her lips.
âI hope I didnât get you in too much trouble keeping you so late.â
âOf course I wanted to see you ag-â
You cut yourself off, and fast. Yes, you wanted to see her, but you couldnât let her get the idea that you could keep seeing her. You were already starting to feel like this went too far, past a one night stand and into a tangle of emotions and feelings. You let out a long sigh and shot her a soft smile, hoping she didnât take it the wrong way.
âItâs no trouble, Iâm here until midnight anyway, might as well have some good looking company.â
You smiled nervously, trying to push past the anxiety and enjoy this moment with her. The truth is you just felt guilty, like you were leading her on when you were bound to turn her away. Your gaze shifted from her face to the drink on the counter, watching and listening as the ice moved each time Rhea adjusted her grip.
âIâll stay as long as you want me.â
Suppressing a chuckle at the double meaning to her reply, Rhea brought the glass back to her lips to take another sip. Your demeanor seemed different to the night you met and this concerned her, was coming here a mistake? Should she have stayed away?
Pressing her lips into a firm line, she inhaled a shallow breath. Maybe you didnât want her to show up after all.
âThen stay âtill closing. We can have a drink or two, but then I have to get home.â
You warmly smiled at her, placing your hand on top of hers as you squeezed it gently. You didnât want to hurt her feelings, you wanted to keep her around more than anything. You thought about just telling her straight. Just telling her youâre more into her than anything, but you have a life that wouldnât allow you to be together. You wanted to tell her all of this desperately, but at the same time you couldnât stand the thought of scaring her off.
The flutter in Rheaâs chest as your palm rested down against her own caused a warm smile to tug at her lips. Every interaction you shared gave her hope, stupid hope, that maybe this could be something. The attention she often got didnât make her feel the way you did, it was always directed towards âRheaâ; her persona but never to herself.
Her popularity had increased tremendously as of late and it was still a surprise to her that you didnât know who she was. Maybe you were just playing it cool, not wanting to freak out over a celebrity sighting. Or maybe, just maybe, you didnât care. You saw her for her.
She finally spoke, her gaze cantering back as she intently watched the same male from two nights prior approaching the bar. Motioning with her head in his direction, she mimicked his pet name for you as she raised the glass to her lips.
âYou're up baby girl, I wonât keep you from working.â
Chortling softly, Rhea gave your palm a gentle squeeze before giving you the freedom to do your job. Knocking back the remainder of her drink and hoping from the bar stool. If you wanted her to stay, then she would but not before changing the monstrous choice of music the regulars had chosen from the jukebox.
Shooting you a cheeky wink as she slid down the length of the bar top, she passed the disgruntled male with a roll of her eyes. He was practically salivating as he stared at you, ignoring her as she made her way to the jukebox with a throaty chortle.
As she walked away a smirk claimed your lips, your eyes darting down to her ass for a moment before you snapped back to reality, shifting your gaze to the obviously drunk man approaching you.
âDon't tell me you want another one Charlie. Iâm telling you theyâre gonna start getting on my ass about over-serving.â
You said with a giggle as the man rested his palms on the bar. You raised an eyebrow as he stumbled a bit even with the support, looking up at you with glossy eyes.
âShut up Y/n. Close my goddamn tab.â
The man grumbled, obviously further gone than you originally thought. You would be worried about him driving home, but one of the reasons Charlie was a regular was he lived a few houses up from the bar. Back when you had first started working here he would come in every once in a while, but when his marriage fell apart after his retirement, this is where he spent most of his days.
âSomebodyâs grumpy tonight. Iâll close your tab if you ask me nicelyâ
You said with a soft laugh, sliding his card from his side of the counter to yours, holding it in the air as a tease. The man looked at you angrily for a moment before letting out a sigh, stumbling once again before speaking.
âCan you please close my tab, princess.â
The snark in his voice was evident, but you didnât care. To be honest, you just liked having a little fun with them. Most of the regulars you saw on a near daily basis, and with the absence of any family except for Eddie, this was your family.
âThank you, Charlie. Yes I will.â
You slid the card between your teeth as you picked up a few empty glasses from the bar, including Rheaâs, and made your way over to the register. You set the glasses down beside you as you ran Charlieâs card, pulling the receipt and lying it down for a moment. You took Rheaâs glass, pouring her another whiskey before bringing both the drink and the card back to Charlie. You set the glass down a few stools away before handing Charlie his card and receipt with a smile.
âGet home safe, Charlesâ
As the man walked away from the bar your eyes once again darted to Rhea, whos back was still turned to you at the jukebox. You had to admit you were excited for what she would pick, the regulars had a decent taste in music, but a limited one. Your eyes traced her figure once more, fixated on her every curve of her body.
Sure the jukebox had a decent set list, quite a few of the songs already on Rheaâs everyday playlist but she knew exactly what song she wanted. It had been so obvious, yet sheâd played it cool and browsed the choices first.
Finally pressing the code for the same Nine Inch Nails song youâd chosen the night you spent together, she spun on sneaker clad feet to lean back against the jukebox frame. Her crystal hues finding yours almost immediately as the corner of her lips twitched, Rhea slid her tongue over her teeth before adorning her signature eat shit grin upon her lips.
A drunk heckled from the far side of the bar as Rhea made her way back in the direction of her stool, a small chuckle parting her lips as she paused in front of you to lean against the bar, her palms sliding across the countertop as she brought her lips in line with yours.
Rheaâs fingertips clamped like a vice around your chin, pulling your face a little closer to hers as to cast the warmth of her breath against your skin. Fuck she wanted to kiss you, but with all the watching eyes she decided otherwise. Slowly releasing her hold to stand back upright with an impish grin.
You were frozen in place as soon as you heard the first note. Your mind flashed back to the first time Rhea walked into the bar, moments of the night that led up to you putting on this exact song. You knew she knew what she was doing. As Rhea grabbed your face you were still too flustered to do anything, regardless of the bar patrons watching. It took a few more moments of the song playing for you to fully register.
The song itself sounded like sex, let alone the memories associated with it now. You felt yourself physically shake off the embarrassment, your lips curling into a smile as your eyes met Rheaâs. You looked around quickly for your manager before leaning in closer to her, very quietly whispering in her ear in the sexiest voice you could muster at that register.
âYou tryna make a fool outta me?â
You leaned back behind the bar counter as you watched her face for a reaction. As you placed your palms on the wooden bar top, the strap of your shirt fell to your shoulder. You didnât bother with it, instead letting your eyes wander from her face down her muscular arms, stopping to mull over her tattoos for merely seconds before looking back at her.
I wanna wine and dine you
Oh, I wanna twist, and twist, and shout.
Rheaâs tongue toyed with her back tooth as her gaze caught your strap as it cascaded your shoulder, her lids dropping slightly into a devilish glare. Her features looked like she wanted to eat you alive, her breath catching in her throat as slid her tongue across her pearly whites.
All her mind could think of was what you looked like under your clothes, her focus shifting to the damage sheâd done to your neck as she scanned your exposed collarbone with sapphire hues. Of course youâd covered them in about a gallon of concealer for work, not wanting the stares they would have undoubtedly caused.
âNow why would I do that, princess?â
She purred, tracing her fingertip around the rim of her glass as your gaze returned to hers. There were much better things she could make out of you than a fool. A gaggle of dirty thoughts flooded her mind as she lifted her beverage up to her lips, gulping back a large mouthful as she refused to break eye contact.
You couldnât help but mentally undress her over and over, the memory of her topless form burnt into your memory. You didnât break eye contact, instead leaning down to speak to her once again, this time forgetting to check your surroundings.
I want you hot in my arms
The space between your faces was almost nonexistent, as you had completely forgotten you were even at work at this moment with her, and thankfully most of the bar's patrons were too far gone to notice.
âThereâs no getting in my pants tonight hot stuff, Iâm not the one closing.â
You said with a sly wink, almost nose to nose with Rhea when a loud voice rattled you back to reality.
âY/n! Get your head out of your ass itâs closing time.â
Your manager scolded from the far side of the bar, looking annoyed. You werenât too worried about it, as he had a short temper and this was nothing new. You simply nodded, standing up and hurrying to the other side of the bar to speak with him. It was only at this moment could Rhea fully see what you were wearing; not only a skimpy black tank-top, but a little black miniskirt too, finished off by some studded combat boots. You wouldnât ever admit it to her or yourself, but you wore it just in case she were to show up.
You get the key to my heart
When you wear that sweet dress.
It wasnât that Rhea had expected sheâd get to share another night of passion filled sex with you, but as you closed the door on it being a reality sheâd cursed her luck. Her brow furrowing slightly as your manager had interrupted a moment between you, she exhaled a shallow huff and sat upright on her stool, finishing her drink in a single swallow.
How was she supposed to think of anything else with the amount of skin you were showing? The hem of your skirt barely covered the perfect mound of your ass and once again she found herself staring. If only you were alone, there isnât a surface in the entire bar she wouldnât fuck you on.
Racking her palm through midnight locks with a quick breath, Rheaâs mind began to wonder. Her subconscious picturing things she could only imagine. How hard would she have to spank you for your ass to jiggle beneath her touch? How loud could she make you scream her name as you begged her to keep going?
I want your rough house baby
I want this right in your ear
Swallowing back the saliva that collected on her tongue as she allowed her gaze to drop the full length of your slender legs, her lips twitching into a coy smirk as she remembered just how much they had shook while she punished you.
She didnât want to force anything between you, truthfully all sheâd craved was seeing you. Clothes or not.
It took everything in you to keep a straight face as your manager basically bitched you, but all the noise was drowned out by the sensation of Rheaâs eyes on your ass. You knew she noticed. You knew she was looking. You knew what she was thinking.
As your manager began to wind down you couldnât help but press yourself up on your toes a bit, something nobody would notice except for her, when the panties beneath your skirt were revealed by the angle.
You let me feel your danger
I let you make this feeling clear here.
You let out a sigh of relief when he finally left, your heels touching the ground once more as you rang the bell as loudly as possible.
âAlright boys time to go home to your wives!â
The bar erupted in a chorus of groans and profanity, a laugh escaping from your throat as you snuck a look at Rhea across the bar. You didnât have a moment to do anything more, as the mass of men had already begun lining up at the bar to close their tabs. The redirection of attention sparked an idea in you; why not get more tips, while teasing her?
I want the touch of your arms
As the first man offered up his card, you leaned over the counter on your toes the way you would if you were 3 inches shorter than you actually were. In the position you had yourself, it was more than easy to imagine someone had bent you over the bar top.
You were torturing her, that was clear and it took everything in her for Rhea to remain focused. The lace panties you wore were so similar to the ones sheâd ripped clean off you only a few nights earlier and only made the desire that burned in her eyes so much stronger. How could you keep doing this to her when youâd already closed the door on her ripping your clothes off with her bare hands and taking you where you stood.
I wanna say all those things
That would be better unsaid, no.
Chewing at her inner cheek as she watched you work, her admiration was interrupted by the stumbled sounds of an unfamiliar voice. Not one of your patrons had said two words to her since sheâd arrived, so who was this fumbling idiot and what did he want?
Cantering her head with a quirked brow, Rhea couldnât help the small chortle in her chest as she watched Charles stumble into her view. His palm reaching out for the bar top; and missing, she found herself supporting the booze soaked male to the stool beside her.
âSheâs a hot lil thing, ainât she?â
Charles slurred, the pungent smell of his breath causing Rhea to sit back slightly on her stool to avoid being punched in the face with his scent.
She couldnât justify the feeling that burnt in her chest; as if Charles staring at you was crossing some line that didnât sit right. Was it jealousy?
âDidnât she tell you to go home?â
Rhea practically snarled, the tension in her chest growing tighter as she watched the whites of Charlesâ eyes flow down the curvature of your spine and over the curve of your ass. You werenât her girl, but that didnât give pervy guys the right to look at you like some sex object.
Charles practically choked on his own saliva as he fumbled with his words once more, his gaze breaking from your form to look at Rhea once more.
A loud hiccup cut Charles off, his form swaying on the stool as he attempted to speak again.
âWhat areâ what are you, one of those gays?â
Rhea jaw clenched at his words, her fingertips gripping tightly around the edge of the bar top as she held her breath. She could just hit him. Thatâs how she would have let out her frustration at work, but this wasnât the ring and Charles wasnât exactly in the best shape to take her on.
Flitting her gaze over to where you still perched over the bar so effortlessly, she brushed off the drunk's comment with an aggressive roll of her eyes. She didnât want to give you the wrong idea.
âHow about you just go home, before she catches you and throws you out herself.â
âYou know she ainât into girls. She ainât intoââ
He trailed off, nearly falling asleep on spot before he jolted back up, standing up from the bar stool and stumbling towards the door, still mumbling about how you werenât gay until he had fully left the bar.
By this time you were closing the last customers tab, falling back on your heels and barely waving him goodbye before you walked around the bar, following the patrons out and locking the door behind them. You turned to Rhea with a disappointed look, walking to the stool next to her and taking a seat, legs crossed.
âI canât stay for drinks, itâs already later than I was supposed to close and I still have to catch a cab home. Iâm sorry.â
You felt like your heart was at your feet. You had glanced at the clock while checking the last customer out, and had noticed it was nearly 1:15. You really had closed late, but you had gotten lost in your time with Rhea. The pain of having to leave her behind a second time hurt ten times worse. You knew she was going to offer to drive you home, but the thought of that made you feel so guilty. You had been teasing her all night, now youâre going to let her drive you home and you canât even invite her in?
Rhea had been keeping track of the time ever since your manager had caused a stink about your lack of attention, each passing second taking away from your time together. There was nothing she could do about it, youâd already made it clear that being home on time was something of importance to you and she wasnât going to test that again tonight.
Placing both her palms down onto your knees as you apologized for having to leave, Rhea couldnât help the small smile that graced her lips. Even though sheâd spent the whole night picturing you naked, not crossing boundaries was something she took very seriously.
âYou donât have to apologize to me, princess. Look I donât like you taking a cab alone, itâs not farââ
She paused. The expression that claimed your features felt so familiar, were you going to reject her ride again. Itâs not like driving you home had any hidden ultimatum, it was late and you were a single female getting into a stranger's car alone. Gently squeezing your knees as her thumbs traced against your exposed skin, Rhea released a palm to tilt your chin up and make you meet her gaze. Maybe she wouldnât give you a chance to say no. She just wanted you home safe.
Tracing her thumb against the angle of your jawline, her lips morphed into a playful smile as she hopped off her stool.
âFinish up with the boss man and meet me at the truck. No buts.â
A smile claimed your lips again as Rhea placed her hands on your thighs, trying to hide the heat crossing your face. Right as you were about to turn the ride down she hadnât given you a chance, and if there was one thing both of you had learned in your time together, itâs that you were good at following her directions.
âOk. Iâll meet you at the truck, give me five.â
As Rhea left the bar you took a deep breath, trying to suppress the feelings of guilt that were overwhelming you. Here you were letting her drive you home, leading her on yet again. You felt even worse the moment you realized part of the reason she was driving you home was because she was worried about you. She already cared enough to worry, and there was nothing you could do to change that.
It was about ten minutes later that you knocked on the window of the truck, alerting Rhea to your presence before opening the door and jumping in. You quickly set your bag on the floor and looked over at her with a smile.
âThanks for taking me home. Again. You remember where my house is right?â
Rheaâs fingertips drummed against the steering wheel as you slipped into the truck beside her, a small smile tugging at her lips as you thanked her for the ride home. Of course she was taking you home, she wasn't okay with the idea of anyone else doing the job; especially in the skirt youâd chosen. It barely covered anything and she didnât want wandering eyes checking you out. Not when she wanted to do the same thing so badly. Your bare skin called to her, begging to be touched, begging to be marked.
Rolling her lips between her teeth, Rhea cantered her head to the side to take in your features. Even in the dim light of the moon that shone in through the front window you were breathtaking to her, the light reflecting in your glistening hues as you looked upon each other.
âLeft out the parking lot and follow the street down through the neighborhood.â
Rhea informed you. She wasnât exactly sure how sheâd remembered the way to your house, sheâd taken you home once and yet it was as if the directions were sketched into her mind. She remembered so many details about you that it made sense, but as she spoke she questioned if it was making her sound stalkerish. Turning her attention back out into the almost empty parking lot, Rhea cleared her throat slightly before turning the key in the ignition.
The truck rumbled to life as she peeked over at you through her peripherals. She didnât have much time left with you, she assumed you would disappear into the house in a hurry once again and leave her with even more feeling and so much pain as she watched you leave. Pulling the stick shift into reverse and checking her mirrors, Rhea snook one last peek over at you before hitting the gas.
Inhaling a shallow breath, Rhea contemplated telling you what was on her mind. Sheâd come to the bar tonight because she couldnât shake you, no matter what she did and no matter how hard she tried youâd been on her mind for two days straight. Sheâd barely slept, not for a lack of trying.
The word was almost silent, there was no way youâd heard it and yet Rhea still hesitated. Her gaze remained on the road as she indicated to leave the parking lot, following the road signs even though the roads were empty and the pause wasnât necessary. It was a stupid idea to think and an even stupider idea to say out loud. Her lips pressed into a line as she changed her mind on asking her question.
You couldnât shake the guilt and stayedd mostly silent for the drive home until you reached the house. As Rhea pulled in front of the driveway you felt like you were going to be sick to your stomach. You didnât want to leave her, you wanted to have her come inside and do unimaginable things to you, but you knew once again that you couldnât; you had more important things to take care of. As she put the truck in park you looked over at her, immediately meeting her gaze. You got an overwhelming feeling in your chest that you wanted, no, needed to kiss her.
Your hand slinked over to the driver side, placing down on Rheaâs legs as you traced circles on her skin. You couldnât kiss her, it would only make things worse. You thought about something, anything to say, but you wound up with nothing. You found yourself staring at her with wide eyes, not wanting to leave her but knowing you had too.
Each gentle movement of your palm had Rheaâs heartbeat increasing. Maybe you would want to see her again, you wouldnât be staying in the car and showing her any kind of affection if you didn't, right? Taking a quick glance over your shoulder in the direction of the door youâd so quickly disappeared behind only a few nights prior, she exhaled a shallow breath and returned her gaze to yours.
âIâm so happy I got to see you again.â
Rheaâs palm moved to cradle around your jaw, her thumb tracing against the apple of your cheek as she inhaled a breath. She didnât want to let you go without a proper goodbye, but would kissing you be a mistake? She couldnât keep showing up in your life like this without knowing if you felt even a slight feeling towards her. She felt something about you, maybe too much, but she couldnât help herself. There was something about you that just fit.
Flicking the lock on her seatbelt to release herself from its binding, Rhea leant forward without another thought. The soft plush of her lips finding yours in a desperate and hungry kiss. Your lips hadnât touched in far too long and if she was going to make it through watching you walk away again, she needed it.
Winding her free palm around the curvature of your spine, she let it rest against your lower back as her tongue fought with dominance to enter your mouth. The heat behind her kiss was clear as day. She needed you; even for a moment, because as soon as you stepped out of the truck she had no idea when sheâd see you again.
A small, startled squeak escaped your mouth as Rheaâs lips collided with yours, but you didnât hesitate for a moment to kiss her back. As her hand trailed down your spine you got chills, your fingers digging into the skin of her thigh as your lips moved together in unison. Both of you had needed this, that was clear. You could tell just how much she wanted you, but much she really liked youâ and you couldnât do this anymore.
You pulled away from her grasp, feeling like you were on the brink of crying as your lips parted. You wouldnât meet her gaze, instead looking back towards the house then at Rheaâs dashboard.
âDemi. I canât do this. I canât let you get attached to me.â
You felt like your heart was about to beat out of your chest. You couldnât take the guilt any longer, you had to let her know what she was going to be in for. You had to let her know this fantasy was just that, a fantasy.
âMy life is a mess. Iâm at the bar six days a week, and Iâm a single mom. I have a five year old. My focus needs to be on my child. Iâm sorry.â
You finally looked up at her for a reaction, terrified of what you would find. You had desperately tried to keep from telling her the truth, from scaring her away, but you couldnât let her get attached to you when you knew you would break her heart; and yours in the process.
It all happened so fast as Rhea simply watched you explain your life to her, the ball forming in her throat and restricting her airways, the tightness in her chest as her palms moved to rest in her lap. You were rejecting her and even though sheâd tried to prepare herself for it over and over again, it still tore at her insides like razor blades.
âYouâ youâre a mum.â
She stated as she tried her best to swallow, her palm finally moving to rest on the curvature of your knee with the most gentle touch.
âI didnât see that one coming.â
A throaty chortle vibrated in Rheaâs chest as she gave your knee a soft squeeze, the pads of her fingers trailing against the soft exposed flesh of your lower thigh as she inhaled a long breath.
âThatâs why you left so quickly?â
The reality was that Rhea had played over in her head every situation she could think of as to why youâd left so abruptly the night you met, but a child wasnât even a blip in those thoughts.
Retracting her palm from your thigh to capture the soft cushion of your cheek, Rhea leant forward to press her forehead down against your own.
âAnd thatâs why you have to leave now.â
Rhea didnât see herself as someone who would start a family of her own and the idea of having children in her life was scary, but was that all too late? Youâd become her only focal point. She already cared for you so much more than she should and now she had to decide if she was willingly to sacrifice you over such a small detail?
You said, a small smile crossing your face as Rhea kept the lack of space between you, not pulling away from you, and not telling you to get the hell out of the truck for leading her on. Despite her reaction you still felt a little guilty; a child was not something everybody was ready for, especially for somebody who, originally, just wanted to hook up with you at the bar.
âAnd thatâs why I have to leave. Iâm sorry Demi.â
Your hand found hers, giving it a gentle squeeze as you tried to non-verbally convey just how sorry you were. You werenât just sorry for her, you were sorry for yourself; there really was something different about her, but you had a lot of doubt that she would want to put up with a five year old, regardless of how much she liked you. You yourself were only 24, and although you didnât know her exact age, it was clear she wasnât much older than you, and for a few twenty year olds a child was a lot. You didnât want to tie her down like that. You didnât want to feel even more guilty.
It took a few moments for Rhea to regain her focus, returning the gentle squeeze against your palm as she traced the apple of your cheek with her thumb. She couldnât process why you were apologizing. It wasnât a situation that required one and yet you seemed so disappointed in yourself.
Sitting back to cast her crystal hues over your features, Rhea exhaled a small breath and gave your palm another squeeze before releasing you from her hold. She didnât want to make you late, you had more important things to be dealing with than spending time with her.
âI donât want to keep you.â
She uttered, her lips curving into a soft simper as she glanced over to the clock on the dashboard. It was almost two a.m and she didnât want to be responsible for you returning home late again.
âGo, itâs okay. Kiddo comes first, I get it.â
You smiled softly, almost wincing the second the two of you were no longer in contact. You stared at her for a moment, just in case you had scared her away; she had a face you needed to remember.
You opened the door of the truck, hopping out and beginning to walk towards the house. You told yourself you had to keep it together, there was no use in getting upset. The situation was what it was and at this point you did all you could do. Rhea was amazing, and you hadnât wanted to hurt her or turn her away, but you had no choice.
As you reached the door and pulled out your keys you hesitated, still hearing her truck running behind you. After putting the key in the lock and turning, you looked back over your shoulder once more to look at the truck. What if that was the last time you saw her? What if you really had scared her off? A soft smile claimed your lips, just in case she could see your face, before you turned and disappeared through the door.
The soft smile on your lips caused one to grace Rheaâs own as she watched the door close and you disappear behind it, her attention moving to look out over your street as she inhaled a sharp breath. Once again she sat alone outside your house, but this time it was different.
Buckling her belt and starting up the truck faster than she had the first night, Rhea hit the gas without looking back. You were a mum, you had responsibilities and as much as she wanted you in her life maybe it wasnât wise. She was gone weeks at a time, sometimes months. Her scheduling wasnât something she could control and that left her more concerned than she needed it to. You knew nothing about her; what she did for a living. Perhaps you were doing the right thing choosing your child over her, putting your life ahead of your feelings.
Rhea needed time to think. She cared for you so deeply that being away from you hurt, but maybe it was for the best? She didnât want to add the drama and craziness of her life to the undoubtedly messy situation you already lived with.
It took everything in you to keep it together as you closed the door behind you, going on to relieve the babysitter and sitting on the couch once she left. You had really just turned her away, there was a good chance of you never seeing her again, and you had to come to terms with that.
You heard a little voice behind you, snapping out of the emotional trance you were in to turn around, seeing Eddie in his WWE pajamas clutching his blanket.
âYes hunny? Whatâre you doing up?â
You said as you stood, walking around the couch and scooping him into your arms. As you shifted his weight into your hip you smiled at him, giving his forehead a soft kiss.
âCan I sleep with you?â
He mumbled, his face buried in your shoulder. You could tell he was tired, but with you being gone a lot he sometimes struggled and liked to sleep in your bed.
âYes baby, of course you can. Câmon, let's get some sleep.â
You carried him off to your room, a soft smile on your lips. This. This is why you had done what you did tonight. Every time you saw him you couldnât help but think about just how much you loved him, how much he had saved you from yourself. He was the most important thing in your life, the only thing that had ever made you happy; except for her. That thought stung for a moment before Eddieâs little arms wrapped around your neck. You let out a long sigh as you laid your head on his, sitting on your bed with him still in your arms.
âDo you want music or TV baby?â
You asked him while rubbing your hand up and down his back. He really was just like you in so many ways, including his inability to fall asleep without background noise.
âI want music, Momma.â
He said quietly. You smiled to yourself, laying him down on the left side of the bed as you rolled over to yours. He was so sleepy he was struggling to keep his little eyes open. You pulled the blanket over him, turning off the lamp by your bed so that only the moonlight lit the room.
âAlexa, play Matchbox 20.â
You had a smile on your face, putting on a band you had played for Eddie since you found out you were pregnant. You rolled onto your back, staring at the ceiling. As the song began to play, your heart dropped. Of all songs, it had to be âHand Me Downâ. This song had to come on the one time in your life where the lyrics were relevant.
Someday theyâll find your small time world on a big time avenue
Gonna make you like the way they talk, when theyâre talking to you.
Immediately you felt a pool of saliva in your throat, the familiar feeling of holding back tears starting to build. Thankfully, your toddler was already passed out asleep beside you, oblivious to the conflicted feeling of his mother. Your eyes were still locked on the ceiling as you fixated on the lyrics stinging your heart.
Gonna make you break out of your shell âcause they tell you to
Gonna make you like the way they lie, better than the truth
The nights you had spent with Rhea you had felt like a completely different person. You had never even fathomed feeling a spark with anybody again, let alone a woman. The usual calmness and control you had was thrown completely out the window the second you heard her voice.
Theyâll tell you everything you wish that someone else would say,
Theyâre gonna break your heart, yeah
Youâre just one more hand me down
Cause no oneâs tryna give you what you need
You felt the first tear run down your face, taking a quiet but deep breath in to try and calm yourself. It was already too late.
So lay all your troubles, down
You glanced over at your child, the tears slowing for a moment as you took in the beauty that was him, just sleeping. You had to keep reminding yourself you did what you did for a reason. A god damn good reason. But as the song continued to play, the few tears before-hand were you keeping it together.
Somebodyâs gonna take you in
Gonna make you love again,
Gonna make you like the way it feels
When theyâre under your skin
Holding back the emotions was futile at this point, tears streaming down your face as you silently cried. You had never felt the way you had felt with her in these last two nights with anybody, not even your childâs father. Your arms became crossed over your chest as you tried to catch your breath. You had an overwhelming feeling of regret. Why did you have to send her away? Why couldnât you have figured something, anything out?
Never once do you think theyâll lie
When theyâre holding you
The wonder why they havenât called,
When they said theyâd call you.
All you wanted was to sleep. To close your eyes and forget all about her, but even when your lids did find solace, all you could see was her.
Eddie was your world from the moment he opened his eyes, and yet you found yourself craving more. Someone at your side to raise him with you, to be a family. But it wasnât that simple. You didnât want to punish him with a parade of individuals that would run the moment it got hard.
Rhea was unbelievable. Everything she did, everything she said. The warmth in her smile, the sweetness in her eyes. But was it enough? As much as you wanted her, could she want this or would your reality be too much for her?
You start to wonder if youâre over gonna make it back.
Youâre gonna think you were born blind