Emma Riley

Lakeside Apartments

After my um..."special time" in the shower, I finally managed to you know, actually take a shower and get clean. When I got out, I felt one hundred percent better. I had been sweating so bad my hair was practically caked on to my face. Yeah, it was gross.

I stood in front of the mirror with the towel wrapped around me, my hair still wet. Maybe it was just my imagination, but something about me looked...different. Seemed, different. But what was it? I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

I rolled my eyes. Surely it was more than some "after sex glow"....right? I can't actually be that cliche.

I walked in my bedroom and over to my closet, and tried to focus on what I wanted to wear. But the truth is, I was having a hard time concentrating. A goofy smile was on my face, that wouldn't go away.

Realistically, I shouldn't be smiling. I lost my job for crying out loud. I worked there for four years. Not to mention, there was that sex video of me with Ryker floating somewhere on the web. If it gets out it was me and let's face it, eventually it will..my reputation is down the drain.

So a logical person might say, that I should definitely not feel happy. Don't get me wrong, I was stressed about all of the above. I wasn't immune to it. But at the end of the day..I couldn't bring myself to feel defeated. Because I had Ryker, and if a man like that wanted me..I was obviously doing something right. I laughed at myself out loud as I decided on an outfit, secretly wondering when I got so cheesy.

Ryker Fox

"What the hell do you mean it wasn't Maria?!" I stared at Dexter like he spoke in pig latin. He was obviously mistaken. I was so stunned I didn't even notice Gina walk over to the table and set down an omelette in front of me, before going back over to the stove to make one for Emma.

"Dex, it had to have been her. Nobody else has been in the house recently and had an opportunity to plant that camera." I tried taking a sip of my coffee, to calm myself down. He sighed, seeming like I was missing something obvious.

"You're assuming the camera was planted recently. But you don't actually know how long it's been there, do you?" He challenged before stuffing a piece of egg into his mouth.

I thought about it for a moment. Technically...I suppose he was right. I was assuming this was something that just happened, but the fact of the matter is someone could have been spying on me for a while and I just recently found out about it.

The thought sent shivers down my spine. That was so creepy to think about. Someone could have been watching me...day in, day out. What all had they seen? Just how long had it been going on? If it wasn't Maria, then who did it, and why?

My mind just splattered. I was so sure it was her. "How do you know it wasn't Maria, Dex?" He seemed so sure, which made me wonder what he knew that I didn't.

He took a sip of his coffee before responding. He seemed to be trying to act casual but Dexter really sucked at being casual under any circumstances. I knew him well enough to see the stress in his face.

"Maria has an alibi. As it turns out, after you kicked her out that day her boyfriend surprised her with some romantic camping trip. She was out in the middle of nowhere with no service, that's why she hadn't been posting on her Instagram." He took another bite of his food, clearing his plate. Gina walked over and quietly took his dish to the sink. He smiled and nodded, silently thanking her.

She seemed to be trying to stay out of the conversation, but wanting to listen in at the same time. She was more quiet than usual.

I raised my eyebrow at Dexter, completely skeptical of Maria's supposed alibi. On one hand, it would explain why she temporary dropped off the social media radar after she left my house that day. On the other hand, she certainly didn't strike me as the camping type.

Granted, our "relationship" was purely physical and I actually didn't know her too well, but still. She was way too prissy and high maintence to consider a camping trip "romantic."

I cringed. It was amazing how much I had changed in such a short time, but I couldn't even picture having sex with Maria now. I didn't want to picture it. As attractive as she may be, she was nothing compared to Emma Riley. Emma was more woman than Maria would ever be, in every possible way...and goddamn did she know what to do with that mouth of hers.

I found myself getting hard again, and forced myself to focus on the task at hand. But my penis was still on cloud nine from all the attention he had been getting, so we will give him a pass.

"Are you sure Maria isn't making excuses, Dex? Camping doesn't sound like her at all." I said suspiciously.

Dexter shot me a look before taking a sip of coffee. "Eat your omlette." He instructed, his eyes shifting to the untouched plate in front of me.

I rolled my eyes but shoved a few bites into my mouth. It wasn't until then that I realized just how long it had been since I ate, and I quickly took a few more bites.

"Maria posted pictures of the trip on social media this morning. They just got back, apparently." His voice was hesitant, as if he hadn't told me everything.

I thought about it for a moment, and remembered what he said. 'I know who did it.' So once again..if not Maria, then who?

"You obviously have more evidence than that if you claim to know who did this." I observed, anxious for him to tell me.

He took another sip of his coffee before speaking. At this point I was beginning to wonder if he was purposely torturing me by dragging it out.

At last, he set down his coffee and took in a deep breath. "I tracked down the IP address of the person who originally posted the video. It wasn't easy, but while you've been having a sleepover I've been working endlessly trying to get to the bottom of this scandal. " He did little to hide his bitterness at the word "sleepover."

I rolled my eyes, though I suppose I could understand his frustration. I've been having tons of around the clock fun, but I have been slacking in all other areas besides ravishing Emma Riley.

"Could we stick to the subject, please? You tracked down the IP address and..?" I prompted while he tried to quickly chew a huge piece of food he had just shoved from my plate into his mouth. Rude.

Just as Dexter was about to speak again, Gina startled us both by speaking. We had almost forgot she was there, but she was standing over by the sink doing dishes, there was a fourth omlette on a clean plate over by the stove.

She seemed to be looking over my shoulder, a huge smile on her face. "Well good morning, you." She said in a playful tone.

I looked over my shoulder to meet her gaze and Emma Riley was standing behind me. I looked her over from head to toe. She was wearing brown leather boots that came to her calves, tight dark blue jeans with a matching brown belt, a light white top with a black blazer and a gold chain around her neck. Her long blond hair was curled, and she had light makeup on. She looked beautiful.

When my eyes reached up to her face she was blushing and avoiding eye contact with basically everyone. It made her embarrassed that everyone was staring at her. She still didn't realize how sexy she was.

Just as I was fighting the urge to throw her over my shoulder and take her back to bed, Gina broke the silence.

Emma Riley

"Well good morning, you." Gina said with a big smile on her face when she saw me walk in the kitchen.

I flushed as Gina's, Dexter's, and Ryker's eyes were all on me. But none made me as nervous as Ryker, who was still harboring plenty of passion behind his smirk as he looked me over.

Something about him looking at me like that made me feel like I was still naked. Or..made me wish that I was. Gina and Dexter both shot us knowing glances.

Gina looked excited and ready to drill me for details, while Dexter seemed to be biting his tongue..trying to keep his judgments to himself. I don't think he means it as rude or offensive towards me, I think he just worries about Ryker. He has a lot going on and I'm certainly not intentionally trying to keep him from his responsibilities.

"Oh my god, you look beautiful!" Gina said taking in my appearance. I smiled and nodded, silently thanking her. I was feeling very shy and exposed at the moment. I was pretty sure Ryker and I had gotten pretty loud and I was quite sure everyone probably heard.

"You certainly do look beautiful, Miss Riley." Ryker said in a playful voice, shamelessly flirting. Dexter rolled his eyes as he sipped his coffee and Gina pressed her lips together, trying to hide her smile. Ryker kept his eyes on me, grinning from ear to ear.

"T-thank you." I said quietly. Ryker winked at me as he pulled out an empty chair out next to him, gesturing for me to sit down.

Gina handed me a plate with an impressive looking omlette on it. "Sit down, I'll bring you some coffee." She said, still giving me a cheesy 'I know you just got laid' grin.

As I sat down next to Ryker, he brushed my hair away from my neck and gave it a kiss, before resting his oversized hand on my hip. I could feel myself flushing again as I felt the eyes of the room on us.

He put his mouth up to my ear and whispered so only I could hear. "Your ass looks incredible in those tight little jeans." His voice sounded like a purr, and it suddenly felt way too hot for this black blazer.

I put my head down and awkwardly let my hair fall over my face, trying and failing to hide my pink cheeks. I decided to pull off my black blazer and let it rest on the chair behind me, attempting to ignore that Ryker's eyes were now on my boobs.

I felt his grip on my hip tighten and I shot him an annoyed look. Could he be anymore obvious we just slept together?

I had to admit though, I secretly loved it. Sam never looked at me that way or showed me any kind of affection in front of other people. So it was brand new to me. The feeling of being wanted. From a man like Ryker no less, I could barely stop smiling.

That is until I drew my attention off Ryker and onto Dexter across the table. He was staring at us with an impatient look on his face.

"Um, did I..interrupt something?" I asked, trying my best to sound polite. But the look on Dexter's face made me nervous. He looked stressed out and it brought me back down to earth.

Ryker spoke when Dexter didn't, suddenly sounding serious. He moved his hand that was on my hip and began to softly run it up and down my back, as if trying to keep me calm.

"Dexter found out who posted the video." Ryker finally said. My heart sank and they both watched me take in a deep breath.

"Maria?" I assumed, turning to Dexter. She had both opportunity and a motive. More than one motive, actually.

Much to my surprise, Dexter shook his head. "Maria has an alibi." He said plainly, as if he was positive it couldn't have been her.

I sat there staring at him for a while, trying to process what he had just said. I was so positive it was Maria after our unfortunate encounter, that I'd prefer to not think about. Ryker seemed sure, too.

Who else could it be? Given Ryker's history with careless affairs and scorned women, I suppose the answer is..anyone.

It wasn't something I cared to think about. Maybe it's insecure and jealous of me, but imagining him with other women sucked.

"So..if it's not Maria.." I began to wonder the statement out loud but Dexter and Ryker were way ahead of me. Dexter sighed, and Ryker ran his fingers through my hair before speaking.

"Dexter found out who posted it from their IP address. He was actually just about to tell me who when you walked in." Ryker shot Dexter a look, as if to say 'get to the point.' I took a deep breath and tried to prepare myself for whatever it was he was about to say.

We've been in sort of a happy little bubble the past twenty-four hours with each other. Part of me didn't want to know, in fear it would burst that bubble. But unfortunately, you have to come back down to earth sometime.

I looked over at Gina who was leaned against the counter, taking in every word we say. She looked almost as nervous as I felt. Ryker seemed to be trying to be strong and comfort me, but he looked nervous, too.

Dexter folded his hands together on the table in front of him, finally preparing to speak. We were all on pins and needles, waiting to finally hear who was responsible.

Ryker Fox

I tried to be brave for Emma. I thought if I panicked, she would be more likely to panic. But I really had no idea what Dex was about to say, and that made me nervous. He rarely ever came with good news these days.

Dex's brows furrowed with worry and he pressed his lips together, as if dreading this conversation. I rolled my eyes and grunted out of pure impatience. Everyone shot me confused looks.

"Please just tell us, Dex. Whatever it is, just tell us. Rip it off like a fucking bandaid, alright?" I was seriously losing my patience. He scoffed at me and Emma softly placed her hand on my knee, as if silently telling me to stay calm.

"Fine. Have it your way." Dexter said in an annoyed tone, finally ready to get it over with. "It was Sheila."

My heart sank at the name, a sort of lightbulb went off. I will admit..I forgot all about Sheila. She would have a motive to want to hurt me. I could feel my anger rising.

Emma and Gina both gave me confused looks, waiting for me to elaborate on who Sheila is. I looked over at Emma, who was studying my reaction carefully.

She did her nervous tick by biting her bottom lip, and I knew what she was about to ask. "Who's Sheila?" She asked hesitantly, as if trying to decide if she really wanted to know.

I suddenly felt very awkward, I didn't want her to think less of me. She knows a little about my past indiscretions but we haven't really gone into detail. I had hoped we would never have to. I looked over at Dexter, hoping for some kind of back up, but he seemed to be waiting for my response, too. Suddenly, all eyes were on me.

I nervously shallowed, feeling a lump in my throat. I took a sip of my coffee, hoping it would help. It didn't. The lump was still there. Emma Riley had taken her hand off my knee, her body defensively turned away from mine.

"Sheila..was the cleaning lady before you were hired. We..." I trailed off, really not wanting to go into details, but knowing I had to. Her face fell, a knowing look in her eyes. She pressed her lips together, waiting for me to finish.

"We..hooked up a couple of times." I admitted, avoiding eye contact by staring down at the table. I hated admitting my past mistakes, especially to her. I was aware of how it made me look and could already guess what she was thinking.

There was no turning back now. I had to be honest with her. She deserved to know. I took a breath in before continuing.

"It didn't mean anything to me. I..thought we were on the same page. I thought she knew what it was." I said, honestly. Cringing at how much of an asshole it made me sound.

"I realized too late how naive it was of me. I deeply regretted it. So I broke it off with her. I told her that she could continue working there if she wanted, but it would just be as an employee, not anything else. She obviously wasn't okay with that, considering she quit." I looked up at her to judge her reaction, and she seemed to be a bit sad, and thoughtful. But was quietly listening.

Luckily, Dexter took this opportunity to step in. "At some point before she quit, she must have planted the camera in the living room. After investigating the rest of the penthouse, we found one in the ceiling of his bedroom as well." Dexter said in a serious and irritated tone.

My stomache started to turn, and I began to worry I was going to puke up the omlette Gina had just made. I felt so violated. So exposed. I realize my part in all this, and I was willing to accept I did not handle things the right way.

I assure you, if I could go back and do everything differently I would. But I didn't really think about the consequences to my actions, until recently.

That being said, planting cameras in my home was a complete invasion of privacy, and there was no excuse for it. I found my anger rising and I shut my eyes for a moment, trying to stay calm. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I worried that Emma Riley would decide I was more drama than I'm worth.

Suddenly, I had another thought. One that set the panic back in my heart. "Wait..you said you found one in the bedroom?!" I exclaimed to Dexter. He silently nodded, wondering where I was going with this. Emma and Gina seemed confused by my tone too.

"That means she has footage of me with..." I cringed and looked at Emma from the corner of my eye, realizing this was bringing up yet another sensitive subject. "...with Maria." I finished.

He thought about it for a moment, before realizing where I was going with this. Surely the footage of me having sex with Maria in my room is even more explicit footage than me making out with Emma in the living room. "Why would she post one, but not the other?" I wondered, finishing my thought out loud.

Everyone seemed to be processing what I had just said. Dexter's expression changed as he realized I had a point, something in his eyes shifting. "That's a very good question." He said, seeming to be talking to himself more than me.

My heart broke a little as I looked at Emma and saw the weariness in her eyes. I wanted her to go back to the happiness I know she felt this morning, when we were in bed together. But I knew it was my fault she had to go through this drama. It was my mistakes, that was coming back to wreck her life..which was very unfair. Just another reminder that the truth was, she deserved better than me.

We were all startled as Gina spoke up from over at the kitchen counter. She had been quiet a majority of the time, just observing.

"What if Sheila and Maria are working together and that's why the footage with Maria wasn't posted? The whole camping thing could have just been so she'd have an alibi." Gina pointed out. Her eyes were wild as her mind seemed to be going a million miles per hour. "What if..they are planning on blackmailing you with the other footage?" She put her hand over her mouth and stared off into the distance, seeming to continue her theories silently.

Emma's eyes were squinted shut and she shook her head, Dexter rubbed his forehead as if getting more stressed out by the minute. "Fuck..this has the potential of getting a lot worse before it gets better." He finally said.

It sure could get worse, and as far as Gina's theories, I wouldn't be surprised. Maria is ambitious enough to try to be involved in something like this, if it meant a big payday for her in the end. She was always trying to con me out of money but it would never work, much to her frustration.

Sheila..she didn't mention money too often. The impression I got in the end, was she had developed actual feelings for me. This was unintentional on my part. But she strikes me as someone who could be easily manipulated by a girl like Maria.

I once again began to internally kick my own ass for thinking with my dick and not my brain. What I had developed with Emma Riley was something that was very real to me. We were in such a good place before Dexter came in and dropped all this in our laps. Not that I blame him. No..I blame myself. Dexter always tried to warn me to be more careful, but I'd never listen. Now look where we were.

I was broke out of my self-loathing at the sound of Emma Riley letting out a defeated sigh before standing up in her chair. Everyone looked at her, waiting to hear what she had to say about all this. But nobody, more than me.

I stared up at her, silently pleading for her to return my gaze. To give me some kind of a sign that she still wanted me. Though, I couldn't blame her if she didn't. In fact, it would probably be better for her if she cut off contact with me completely. I obviously had a history of fucking things up. But the selfish part of me, wasn't sure I would be able to let her go.

"I need some fresh air." She said, still avoiding eye contact with me. She began to walk out of the kitchen towards the front door and I instinctively sat up to follow her. She turned around and gestured for me to stop. Her beautiful green eyes looked angry, and sad. Her posture seemed as though she was tempted to slap me.

"I need a minute." She said to me coldly before walking out of the room. I shut my eyes and stood there in silence, feeling helpless. I wanted to help her, to make things all better. But I couldn't. I couldn't..because I was the problem.

"I'll go talk to her." Gina said quietly. She grabbed a pack of cigarettes and a lighter that was in her purse on the counter and followed her friend outside.

I sat back down in my chair, feeling two inches tall. I stared down at the table, my mind a million miles away. Though I could feel Dexter's worried eyes on me.

"You know you should leave that poor girl alone, right? She's already in too deep. You have the potential to seriously hurt her." Dexter said remorseful.

I sighed and nodded, not being able to bring myself to admit he was right. He seemed to know by the look on my face I wasn't going to do that, and he put his elbows on the table and covered his face.

"You're not going to leave her alone, are you?" He guessed, shaking his head. I sighed, putting my elbows on the table too.

"She's not the only one that's already in too deep." I admitted. "She's the most real thing I've had..probably ever. It's..different with her." I said, honestly feeling like I wanted to cry. It was all so much to take in.

I had to be honest and admit, I had real feelings this time. Real feelings for Emma Riley. But now..I wouldn't be surprised if she wanted nothing to do with me.

Emma Riley

Standing outside my apartment, I felt silly for crying. I wasn't a big crier. But I felt like it was all sort of sinking in now. It's like I was floating on a happy, sex cloud with Ryker and suddenly the cloud disappeared from under us and I was left splattered all over the pavement.

Just then I heard someone walking up behind me. I turned around just in time to see Gina lighting a cigarette, attempting to look casual.

I wiped my face and rolled my eyes. We both know she didn't come out here to smoke. But I had to admit, I was relieved it was her and not Ryker. I wasn't ready to face him.

"Can I have one?" I motioned to the cigarettes in her hand. Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open.

"You don't even smoke." She said, confused. I shot her a frustrated look, and she took out a cigarette and gave it to me.

Putting it in my mouth, Gina lit it for me and I inhaled the smoke. Coughing ny lungs out, I was reminded why I didn't smoke. But I was stressed out and didn't know what else to do.

Gina puffed on her cigarette and quietly waited for me to stop coughing. When I got my breathing under control, she spoke without looking at me. "Do you want to talk about it?" She asked, trying again to sound casual.

I shook my head and attempted to take a smaller puff. "Not really. " I stated plainly. She shrugged and took another puff of her cigarette. I stared at her waiting for her to push me to talk, but she didn't.

"Am I crazy?" I finally asked, breaking the awkward silence. She looked at me confused, so I reluctantly elaborated, realizing I needed to talk to someone.

"Am I crazy for thinking I'm different than the others?" I asked, feeling like crying again. She looked at me with a remorseful look.

"Am I crazy for thinking last night was...special?" I could hear my voice breaking as I took another puff. I finally gave up and put out the cigarette, deciding it wasn't helping.

"Sounded pretty special to me." Gina said playfully, and I knew she was trying to lighten the mood.

I narrowed my eyes at her, not feeling at all humorous. So she sighed and decided to try another approach.

"The way you two were looking at each other..sitting all close..you were totally coupled up." She said, sounding excited for me. I couldn't help but smile at the fact my happiness brought her so much joy.

"You're plenty special honey..I promise you that." She winked as she took another puff. I sighed, wanting so desperately to believe she was right.

"I bet Sheila thought she was special, too." I said bitterly. She rolled her eyes but didn't respond.

"Look at me and tell me you can promise he won't hurt me?" I said, tears forming in my eyes.

She took another puff of her cigarette. "I can't." She admitted, as the tears made their way down my cheeks."But I can promise you it's worth the risk." She continued.

I sighed again, my mind in a million places. Is it? Is it worth the risk?

Author's Note: If you enjoyed this chapter, please don't forget to vote! :) 💜