Beth: Why is a man bleeding to death in my daughter's bedroom?!

So his name is Rio. It suits him. More appropriate than "gangfriend." And now that she knows his name and number, she can give him a piece of her mind about her surprise bloody guest.

Rio: your house 9pm

Beth proved herself resourceful time and time again, so Rio isn't surprised she figured out how to reach him. She left her pearls in his warehouse as her calling card for another job, but he can tell from the multiple exclamation points that this requires one-on-one explaining, with some money to grease the wheels.

He saves her number in his phone under 'Elizabeth.' He heard her friends call her 'Beth' but she wasn't a friend.

Beth: Can you meet at Superstore tomorrow? 11:00 am? We have a business proposition.

The mortgage, bills, Dean's cancer treatments. Just when Beth thinks she's getting ahead something new kicks her back. But she has an idea that's win-win all-around.

Rio: Are you going to wear that purple dress again?

The way Beth looked in that dress at Kenny's birthday party had been so… unexpected. And sexy. It was like seeing her as a different person. Who was the real Elizabeth? He has a sudden ravenous appetite to learn about her.

Beth: What I'm wearing is none of your business

Rio: want to know what I'm wearing?

Beth: No

Rio: black boxer briefs

His message becomes an image in Beth's mind, heats every corner of her body. She imagines him in just those briefs, running a hand over his firm stomach. Her phone pings again, breaking her out of her reverie.

Rio: you pictured me as a tighty whities guy?

Beth: I didn't picture anything.

Rio: let me guess, silk pajamas

Beth looks down at her floral print silk PJ set. How does he know and how dare he judge her choice of practical, comfortable sleepwear.

Beth: We have a problem. FBI came to my house. We can't do this job.

Rio: not how this works.

Beth: We need to talk. Be at me house at noon.

Rio: make sure your lady friends are there. not having this talk more than once.

There are pros and cons to every business relationship. For now, his arrangement with the ladies is working in his favor but his patience is starting to wear thin.

Rio: Palmer Park, 3pm

Rio has perfect timing because not only does he need to pick up the clean money, Beth has to tell him about Agent Turner's visit to her house. And the suspicion she detected from his side of the conversation. She doesn't bother responding. What Rio says goes when it comes to scheduling.

Rio: did you make me sound good to Mr. FBI?

He'd flustered Beth with his suggestion to tell Agent Turner that they were sleeping together. The thought turned him on too, especially now, in his bedroom, alone and dark with just his thoughts. He opens his nightstand drawer and pulls out Beth's pearls. He keeps them there hidden, his secret.

Beth: I figured it out.

She did what she had to get Agent Turner off her back, but there is no way she's repeating the story. And is Rio being…flirty? Luckily, he can't see her blush through the phone.

Rio: what did you tell him? we need to be on the same page

Beth: I was lonely and angry because Dean cheated on me. We met at Lucky's. I invited you back to my house. We had sex on the kitchen table. A one-night stand.

Rio stares at his screen, his brain haywire. Who knew hot, dirty table sex was Beth's wavelength. This might be a new dividing line in their relationship. He can never un-know this glimpse into Beth's fantasies. His fingers curl around the screen, nearly crushing it as he debates the line he wants to cross.

Rio: how many times did you come?

Beth: Don't be vulgar

Rio: details matter

Beth: Blueberry pancakes

Rio: excuse me?

Beth: The breakfast dishes on the table had blueberry pancakes.

Rio's skin sizzles as he brings to life the picture of their bodies crushing sticky, syrupy pancakes. Using their tongues on each other to clean up the sweet mess.

Rio: what were you wearing?

Beth is confused by his line of questions. Is this really about business or is there an undercurrent? If this is the game Rio wants to play, Beth isn't going to back down.

Beth: Black lingerie

Rio drags a hand over his face, lets out a deep breath in an attempt to calm his stiffening erection, and considers sitting in an ice bath for the rest of the night. Things are blurring dangerously now. Practical texting to flirty texting to dirty texting. Beth is a distributor, that's it.

Rio: did he believe you?

Beth: Yes, I think so

Rio: good

Rio: forget about your husband. you can do better

Beth: Thank you

Beth is surprised by the endearment, but accepts it. He might be right.

Rio: 9:00 pm, Rouge Park, by the swing sets

Beth had come to expect Rio's affinity for parks. Neutral ground, innocent enough if someone happens to see them. And she doesn't mind the lateness this time. It gives her more time to figure out her plan for asking Rio for more money.

Rio: You sure you can handle a load that big?

Rio isn't in the habit of checking-in on his distributors, especially after just seeing them, but he can't help himself with Beth, especially with some innuendo mixed in.

Beth: Absolutely.

'Because you delivered.' Rio's words still echo in Beth's mind, fill her with pride.

Rio: you need to be able to finish what you started

Beth: I always finish

Rio smiles. She's dishing it back. He likes it.

Rio: good. this line of work can be long and hard.

Beth: I can handle it

Rio doesn't want to stop the conversation, greedy for more words, but he doesn't respond. He'd become addicted to his phone. It was always an important part of his job, but now he's in a constant state of suspense, wondering when the next text from Beth will light up his screen. It has to stop.

Beth: I have your money

Rio: all real this time?

That response seems better than "do you taste as good as you smell?" Only his gun separated them the other night. He forced her still with his hand around her neck, her citrusy scent imprinted on him, her shudders vibrated through him, he saw the moment her pupils dilated in fear. He teetered between scaring her and kissing her. The line between passion and fear was so fine.

Beth: YES

Rio: railroad tracks, by the ticket station, 10 pm

His meeting times are getting later and later. Maybe there's a correlation between the increasing danger of their work and decreasing daylight. Danger seems to be around every corner these days.

Beth: Where is my money?!

Rio: 8:00 am, Boleros.

Upgrading from back alleys to actual restaurants? Beth ignores the sensation of meeting Rio for a date. He better have a good explanation for her missing money.

Beth: Can you meet me at Boleros in an hour?

Rio: about?

Beth knows she won't be able to pitch Rio on cosmetic drugs over text. She keeps her cards to herself until they can meet.

Beth: Need to see you in person.

For a sliver of a second Rio thinks she actually needs him. Then blinks away the foolishness.

Rio: 2:00 pm, make it quick.

Rio: got a job for you, 9pm. same warehouse as last time.

Ever since meeting Rio, Beth felt they were riding a rollercoaster. Highs and lows, not knowing if they are coming or going, chasing a rush. So even though Beth is shocked to see Rio's text considering the shutdown, she replies immediately.

Beth: Ok

Rio swears he can feel her smile through the phone with her one word reply.