Hello lovely readers. My apologies for not updating sooner. I don't have an excuse, I've actually finished writing the entire story, I'm just not sure if you guys are interested with it so I'm kinda debating if I should continue posting or take a breather and think of a new story line.

Anyways, here's another chapter. For those of you who have commented and reviewed, thank you. I really appreciate it. As always, enjoy reading.

PART 5

"Lucas how's your vacation?"

"Luke is it true that you..."

"Mr. Friar, care to comment about..."

Whispers, little smiles of amusement, raised eyebrows. Riley felt her face heat. She knew how she looked. She could almost hear the buzz. Who is she? Why is she with Lucas? What was she doing with a man whose looks put all these other men's looks to shame? It was a good question. A question she can only give half an answer to.

Riley stood silently amidst a sea of chaos. It took every ounce of her self-control to keep from jumping up and shrieking at the people surrounding them to leave them alone. To at least give her just two minutes in which she could stand quietly and try and catch her breath.

Lucas had sensed her discomfort. He studied the woman whose life he was about to change... and who could, ultimately, change his. Though phrased as a request, demand underscored his every word. "Please, give us space. Tomorrow I will be at the Fort for the press-con of my new movie and I promise you guys that I will answer your questions. For now we want to go and rest. Thank you."

With that Lucas pulled Riley's arm and led her towards the exit where there's a car waiting for them. Only when they reached the safety of the car did she start breathing.

Riley knew that Lucas is popular but never did she imagine just how much. Her thoughts and emotions were everywhere. Their trip was a blur. Lucas was saying something but didn't really register, she needed time to think, to reassess her current situation. She was still in deep thought when he tapped her in the shoulder to tell her that they've arrived to their destination. Lucas assisted her out of the car and told her that the driver will bring the suitcases up.

The building looks new and very elegant. They took the elevator to the 21st floor. She doesn't know what she was expecting to see but the place is definitely not what she had in mind. Riley's impression of the condo unit was understated sophistication and simple elegance that probably cost a bundle.

"Very nice."

"I'm glad you like it." He was about to say something else when his driver came in with the suitcases.

"Sir, where would you like me to put these suitcases?" the older man asked Lucas.

"Just leave it there Edmin. I'll put them in the room later. You should head home now and tomorrow I need you to pick me up around two. Thanks again for picking us up."

Edmin. So that's what his driver's name is. She's usually good with names and details but she was pretty occupied earlier. Extending her hand, she took the driver's hand, shook it and thanked him for his help.

Once the driver left, the house became too quiet for Riley's peace of mind. It's not so much as the silence that bothers her rather the man with her. On a swiftly indrawn breath, she literally took a step back. Lucas' intensity overwhelmed her at times. His presence and his ability to command reminded her why so many commented that he's not just good at the acting aspect of his job, but also the star-quality side. What? She started reading magazines that had articles about him. Her Filipina friend and Maya was relentlessly teasing her about her supposedly obsession to Lucas Friar.

They call it obsession, she calls it precaution. She's a Federal Agent for crying out loud. She sees psychos pretty much every day in her line of work. Riley Matthews refuse to become a headline. Young Federal Agent Killed by Good Looking Heartthrob 😱😱😱. So nope. No way is she not going to learn everything about the man she's supposed to be dating.

Riley checked her watch. Ten after nine. Shouldn't he be going on his way? After all it's been a really long day for the both of them. "Thank you for dropping me off. Don't worry about my luggage I'll take care of them myself once I figure out where the bedroom is."

He smiled cunningly, "There are two bedrooms on the left and an office on the right, the kitchen is just through those revolving doors."

She raised an eyebrow. "You've been here before?"

Instead of answering her Lucas picked up her luggage and left the living area for one of the bedroom. He opened the first door and placed the suitcases on the corner of the room.

"Thank you. You didn't have to do that. I could have managed on my own."

"I know you can," he said, "it's been a tiring day. I will leave you to rest. The bathroom is the door on your right. If you need anything just let me know. My room is just right beside yours."

"Please tell me that I didn't hear you say what you just said." Riley knows she's not making sense but she's struggling to think of something to say, her mind was strangely blank. "You can't stay here."

Lucas' brows drew together. "Why not?"

She shook her head, "Because it's not appropriate."

He looked downright amused, "So?"

"What do you mean so? Have you lost your mind? In case you've overlooked a few dots, let me connect them for you." Riley saw his lips twitch. Could a woman's blood pressure rise to the point where she exploded? "And," she said silkily, "what exactly is it that you find amusing?"

"You," he said matter of fact. "You are a twenty six year old woman who happened to be an FBI Agent who goes on dangerous assignments and yet you're standing there worrying about propriety?"

"Of course I'm worried, not with what other people would think but with what my parents will say. If they find out that you and I are sharing the same roof, they are not going to be happy." And that had to be an understatement to end all understatement, Riley thought.

Now he wondered what other things he would learn about her. "I'm pretty sure your parents will understand under the circumstance. Besides I can't leave. This is my house and I'm just being a gentleman by sharing it with you."

"Jack thinks it's best if we live together while you're here. Don't worry, you're safe with me. Unless of course I should be worrying about my own safety with you?" He laughed, a warm throaty chuckle.

With a look of utter contempt, Riley turned her back on him and slammed the door in his face. He took it without flinching.

❤️❤️❤️

The woman definitely has a temper. He likes that. Not the temper itself but her ability to show her feelings to him without reservation. He hated the falseness, the superficiality, the attitude and airs. People in his business were afraid to be real, human.

Most women he knows were afraid of their bodies, their age, their flaws and their frailties. Women around him went to ridiculous lengths to be beautiful, they worked on themselves endlessly to look more attractive in comparison to other women. He missed real beauty. He missed wit and banter. Sometimes he missed his old life - the ordinary life before he'd become a celebrity.

No one and nothing got under his skin, not anymore. He wanted to believe that but since meeting Riley Matthews, she'd live under his skin.

❤️❤️❤️

Riley had lost all her composure. She'd argued. She'd raised her voice. She'd slammed the door on the man's face. Her usual cool and composed self has flown out the window and all because of Lucas Friar. The man had absolutely gotten under her skin.

Riley awakened to the unfamiliar room. She glanced at her watch. 5:15am. With a groan she rolled over and buried her head in her pillow, wishing she could go back to sleep. Or wake up to find she'd just had a nightmare. She'd lie awake half the night. After a few more second of squeezing her eyes closed, she gave up trying to get back to that elusive sleep and decide to sit up to face the early morning.

She took the time to dress in a casual pair of jeans and a pink short sleeved shirt that she knotted low on her waist. Then she made a quick trip to the bathroom to twist her hair into a semblance of an elegant knot and to run a toothbrush over her teeth.

Riley left her room and found her way in the kitchen. If she thought that the living area was amazing, now that she saw the kitchen she thinks the condo is spectacular. She loves to cook and it's been a long time since she's been in a kitchen. 6:00am. She might as well make breakfast.