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Chapter 8

Beth felt nervous as pottered around her kitchen, preparing for to meet with Rio that evening. She was nervous about being alone with him, she could feel her cheeks flush as she recalled their last passionate kiss. She sighed deeply and rested her back against the counter, drifting off into a daydream.

The sound of the kettle stirred her from her reverie, and she poured the hot contents into a cup with a mint tea bag in. The second thing she was nervous about was selling him the idea of getting Noah involved. She could just imagine his response to that little suggestion.

She took a sip of tea, and then suddenly remembered what she was meant to be doing. She waddled over to the refrigerator, opened it and glanced at the contents.

She sighed again. She'd bought a beautiful piece of beef, baby potatoes and fresh vegetables. But the thought of cooking – something she usually enjoyed – left her feeling weary. Instead, she opened the freezer, in the hopes that a less labor-intensive solution would leap out at her.

An hour or so later, Beth applied some lipstick and sighed at her vision in the mirror. After about three outfit changes, she'd settled for a floaty dress with a blue floral pattern that brought out her eyes. It was hardly mind-blowing, but it was comfortable.

"You look nice" came Rio's lazy drawl as she put her lipstick away.

"Jeez, Rio, you're like a ninja or something" laughed Beth nervously, feeling a slight discomfort at the fact that he'd managed to sneak up on her again. "How do you do that?!"

"Practice" smiled Rio. He looked over at the table, dressed with flowers and candles. "You didn't need to go to any trouble on my account, Elizabeth" he said giving her a wink.

"Trust me. I didn't" she chuckled and produced two frozen ready-meals and a jar of pickles. Rio laughed too and sat down as they waited for the microwave to do its job.

It was strange as they were sat opposite each other, eating their crappy microwave meals. Almost like a normal couple. Small talk, shared jokes, and a warmth she hadn't really felt with Rio before. Beth cautioned herself inwardly. She couldn't lose herself in a daydream like that. They would never be a normal couple. Whatever that was, anyway.

Her thoughts on this made her feel anxious so she decided to take control and steer the conversation towards business matters. "So," she started, grabbing a pickle "how did things go with Turner?"

Rio took a pickle too and smiled at her, "keen to get on to business, huh?"

Beth suddenly felt awkward "No, I mean… I'm just a little tired. I thought we should get to it before I stop making sense"

"Of course," nodded Rio, looking more somber, and wiped his hands with a napkin. Suddenly a fire lit in his eyes, "I got to see my boy yesterday" he beamed.

"Wow, Rio… that's – that's amazing, I'm so happy for you! Did it go okay?"

Rio made a so-so hand gesture "he was very quiet at first… maybe a little shy… or pissed… but we had a real nice time. He'd warmed up to me towards the end".

"That's great" smiled Beth and reached out to touch his hand.

Rio looked at her hand and then up at Beth. "It is", he smiled. "Also cos it shows how desperate Turner is… and kinda backs up my intel"

Beth eyes narrowed "what intel?" she asked curiously.

"That Turner's gone rogue. Rumor has it, this here arrangement is unsanctioned. He's that desperate to nail you he's doing all this on the sly. Below the radar. That would explain how I've been given such a free rein, why I wasn't under active surveillance. "

"My guess is he has some sort of alert on you, in case of any irregular financial activity… and he wants me to get close to you… and set off that trigger."

Beth felt faint, sick and giddy all at once. She felt the worry that Turner was out to get her, but also the excitement at the prospect of giving Turner enough rope to hang himself… to shut him down once and for all.

She realized Rio was staring at her. And that she was still holding onto his hand. She smiled awkwardly and attempted to withdraw. "Sorry" she mumbled.

"Don't be" said Rio, with a smile that lit a fire in her soul. He moved her hand towards his lips and kissed it gently. Beth's breath caught in her throat.

My God, everything he does is so damn sexy she thought to herself. She then remembered she needed to speak to him about Noah "Rio, I - His smile made her lose her train of thought completely. She looked down, feeling flustered.

Beth could feel him looking at her with that intense gaze of his. She looked up and looked back into his eyes for what felt like an eternity, the sound of her heart pounding filled her ears.

Suddenly he broke the spell as he stood up moved over, pulling her up from her seat into an embrace. "Elizabeth… You really do look beautiful tonight" he said, tucking an errant curl behind her ear.

Beth could barely breathe, standing so close to him, drinking in his scent, feeling the glow of the fire in his gaze. She sighed and gave a little moan as he kissed her. He kissed her passionately and deeply. It felt as if her lips and tongue were burning from his touch. His hands moved up her back, playing with the curls at the nape of her neck, not breaking free from the kiss.

He pulled away from her lips and began kissing her neck. Beth bit her lip, and swayed a little, feeling a little faint. She caressed his back and moved downwards, feeling a little tingle in her core as she rested her hands on his hips.

She had flashbacks to the last time were together, imagining his naked body on top of hers. She reached to touch that fabulous ass of his but couldn't quite reach because of her swollen belly getting in the way. She stifled a laugh as his lips found hers again, his hands moving down her body, gently brushing against her breasts and belly.

Rio groaned softly as Beth gently bit his lip, running her hand over his head, feeling the short hair against her, soft like velvet. One of his hands had now moved to caressing her breast, the other at the back of her neck.

Beth gasped with pleasure, it'd been so long since someone had touched her like this. Too long, she thought. Is this really happening? What the hell am I doing?! Rio pulled back, his eyes smoldering. It was as if he sensed her hesitation. "You okay, Elizabeth?"

"Yeah" she almost whispered, and after a moment's hesitation asked "You wanna go upstairs?"

Rio's smile could have melted her to into a puddle right there and then. "I thought you'd never ask". As they made their way to the staircase a phone started ringing. Rio froze.

"That's not mine" said Beth. Rio sighed and closed his eyes. It was his burner phone. "Do you need to get that?" asked Beth, a shadow of anxiety in her voice.

Rio flashed her a reassuring smile, shook his head and moved in for a kiss that left Beth weak at the knees. "Let 'em call back". Suddenly the phone stopped ringing. "See?" he said, confidently, and began following her up the stairs.

The phone suddenly started ringing again. Beth paused on the stairs and turned around "maybe it's important, Rio?" Rio nodded "just a sec, I'll be right up". "Okay…" replied Beth, "don't be too long…" "I won't" he said playfully and gave her a cheeky wink.

Once Beth was upstairs, she let out a muffled cry. What the hell am I doing?! And what the hell is happening downstairs she thought, panic rising in her chest. She stood close to the door and strained her ears, trying to hear what was being said.

Rio sauntered over to his jacket in the kitchen and picked up his phone just as it stopped ringing. A message came through a few seconds later which said I'm outside.

Fuck! cursed Rio, inwardly. This is going to be awkward, he thought.

Beth, listening upstairs grew more and more worried as the deafening silence continued.

Rio had shrugged on his coat and slipped on his shoes. That muthafucker is asking for it, he thought. Across the street in the shadows he could just about make out a figure, roughly same build and height as Turner. He made a beeline for him, trying to keep his temper in check.

"Ah… Rio" said Turner cheerfully. "Looks like you and the missus are having a lovely evening… very cosy"

Rio imagined putting his fist through Turner's face but gave him a cool smile. "What can I say? I'm no saint. If it's on a platter I'm sure as hell gonna take a bite. What gives? She's gonna get suspicious if I'm out here too long."

"Nothin'" replied Turner with a feigned smile. "Just lettin' you know I got my eye on you." Turner made to leave. Rio just gave him a cold, hard stare.

"Oh, by the way… I noticed the lovely Mrs. Boland was looking… a little plumper" said Turner, casually, grinning like the cat that got the cream. "Are congratulations in order?"

Rio had kept his features blank but then gave him that smile that put Turner in mind of a shark. "apparently so" he replied. He took a step closer to Turner, who for a split second had the decency to look intimidated. "It ain't mine tho" Rio said, in a dark, low voice. "Now do you mind? I should get back. I'll be in touch, boss".

And without waiting for a reply, Rio turned and walked back to the house.