Rating: MA/nsfw (smut/bdsm)

Pairing: Royai/Roy Mustang x Riza Hawkeye

Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist.

Word Count: 6312

Chapter Title: It's You

Riza

"Hello?"

"What are you wearing?"

My breath catches in my throat as I curl up on my bed, my elbow settling into my pillow as I rest my head on my hand.

"Riza?" he prompts when I don't answer immediately.

"Your shirt." I reach down and fiddle with the hem brushing my thigh.

"What else?"

"Um, my panties."

"What color are they?"

I'm tempted to ask where this line of questioning is going, but I have a hunch, so instead I play along.

"Black."

"Lace?"

"Cotton."

"Still sexy," he murmurs. "On you anyway."

I feel a flush in my cheeks and shut my eyes.

"If you say so."

"Are they wet?"

I swallow, shifting my legs before I answer.

"They…could be."

"That was a yes or no question, Riza."

"Wait." I frown, sitting up straighter. "What is this?"

"What? What do you mean?" he sounds confused.

"Are you my…boyfriend right now or my Dom?"

"Oh, no. This is just us talking. Not part of a scene. I would've made it clear at the start if it were."

"Oh. Okay." I settled back onto my pillows as Hayate jumps up beside me and curls into a ball.

"But you still didn't answer my question."

"What question was that?"

"Are your panties wet?"

"Roy," I confess softly, "it's pretty safe to say my panties are always a little bit wet whenever you're around."

"Fuck me," he groans, and I bite my lip.

"Maybe tomorrow."

"I'll hold you to that."

Heat floods the place between my legs at his tone, and I debate whether or not to tell him how wet my panties are now.

"This wasn't originally going to be some kind of booty call," he says before I can decide. "When I texted you earlier, I really had just intended to talk."

"Okay. That's what I thought you meant, so the sexy talk was kind of a surprise. Not that I don't like it."

"It's hard to resist going there when I know you're alone in your apartment wearing my shirt, probably in your bed…"

"You're right so far, but feel free to keep going," I coax him breathlessly.

"In my fantasies, you're usually wearing your plug, but sometimes you're not, and I get to listen or watch while you put it in."

I suddenly feel hot all over, stealing a glance at my nightstand where I put my jeweled toy after I took out earlier.

"Riza? You there?"

"I'm here. That was just…more than I was expecting."

"You know I'm obsessed with your ass," he admits, his voice dropping an octave. "And all of you."

"Yes."

"Are you…wearing it?"

"Not right now, but I was before."

"Oh."

"Do you want to hear mine?" I venture carefully.

"Your what?

"Fantasies."

"Do they involve me?" I can hear the grin in his voice.

"Exclusively."

"Then I have to hear them."

"Sometimes you spank me," I start softly, "with your hand or a paddle."

"Hold on, I want to write this down."

"Roy!" I hiss.

"…wants a paddling," he murmurs, and I shake my head. "Go on."

"Other times, I imagine you…going down on me."

"I've been thinking about that," he comments immediately. "Oral isn't usually part of my play, but your pussy is tempting."

"I've also thought about doing it to you."

I hear him grunt sharply.

"Okay," he says after a pause, "if we're not actually going to have phone sex, we might need to steer this conversation in another direction."

"Are we?"

"Are we what?" he echoes.

"Going to have phone sex?"

"I mean…"

"We don't have to if you don't want to," I speak up again quickly.

Clearly, if he was intending on having phone sex, he would've said so.

"It's not that," he counters on a sigh. "I just… If we're going to have an intimate sexual relationship outside of our Dominant/submissive roles, I want it to start in person, not over the phone."

"Okay. That makes sense." I turn onto my back and look up at my ceiling. "So, do you want to change the subject?"

"That might be best."

"Rebecca said something today that I can't stop thinking about," I volunteer. "She said I'd be a great mom one day."

Something crashes on the other end of the line, and I hear a muffled string of swear words before he says anything.

"Sorry," he mumbles quickly. "Dropped my phone."

"Because of what I said?"

"What? No. No, of course not," he sputters.

"I'm not asking you to knock me up, Roy," I assure him gently. "It just made me think, is all. I've never really considered having kids."

"Wait, you don't want kids?"

"No, I mean, I haven't ever thought about whether I do or I don't. I don't necessarily not want them, but I'm also not sure I do. I guess it would depend on who the father would be."

"I want kids."

I blink and sit upright.

"You do?"

"Yes." His voice lowers with emotion. "Someday, with the right woman."

"Of course."

There's a silence, and I feel the urge to change the topic again.

"So, um, do you want to go out this weekend?"

"Oh, uh, sure. When and where?"

"Well," I start carefully. After all the time I practiced this in my head, I have to focus on the right wording. "I have this formal event Saturday night that I can't miss, even though it's going to be a lot of the socially elite mingling and making small talk. I was hoping you could be my date. I know it's a little more public than anything we've done so far, but it would be so much more pleasant if you were there."

"This Saturday?"

"Yes," I whisper.

"Riza, this Saturday isn't–"

"I know it's short notice, but –"

"No, it's not that." He sighs. "I'd love to go, I just…can't."

"You can't?" I try not to let the disappointment leak into my voice, but it's hard. I was really hoping he would be there. "Why not? If I can ask that."

"I have to work this Saturday night."

"I thought you had other people who worked for you. Can't they cover it?"

"Normally, yes. Unless there's too much for them to handle, I can usually pick my assignments, but this job is for an old war buddy of mine, and I can't back out. Believe me, I would if I could."

The regret is plain in his voice, telling me he means it. Not that I doubted him.

"Well, that sucks," I mutter. "I guess we'll just have to make plans for another day, and I can tell you all about how bored out of my mind I was then."

"That actually sounds wonderful, if it's not too cheesy to say that."

"Maybe a little bit."

"Why don't you take Rebecca? Who knows, maybe a night out with you at a fancy party will get her mind off of other things."

"That's not a terrible idea. I'll ask her. Though, she'll probably spend the whole night complaining that she can't drink anything and worrying about what her boyfriend is going to say, if she hasn't told him by then."

"But on the bright side, you can drink, as I'm guessing you'll need to."

"True."

Hayate whines and rubs his nose against my arm.

"My dog says it's bedtime," I announce softly, reaching down to rub between his ears.

"I'm not looking forward to going to sleep tonight," Roy murmurs.

"Why not?"

"My bed feels lonely without you in it," his deep voice rumbles softly. "Right now, I can almost pretend you're here, but when you hang up…"

"You should get a dog," I tell him. "Then your bed will never be lonely."

"That's not exactly what I meant, but you have a good point. Tell Hayate goodnight for me."

"Sure thing."

"Sleep well, Riza. I'll talk to you soon."

"Sweet dreams, Roy. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

I hang up, and set my phone aside. I hate to admit it, but he's right. In the silence, I feel lonely, even with Hayate snuggling against me.

It's probably just because he mentioned it, I decide. It's not like I can get used to him sharing my bed all the time. It's way too early for that.

I'm disappointed he won't be able to come to Grandpa's birthday ball with me, but I suppose Rebecca is a good back up. She might already be going or at least invited. Her parents run in the same circles as many of the governor's friends. Still, if she goes, I'll have at least one person to talk to. That is, if she isn't in a full-blown panic because of Jean and the baby. She's convinced he'll lose his shit completely, so she doesn't want to tell him yet. On the other hand, the uncertainty of not knowing is making him a total wreck, and I think she should put him out of his misery.

I'm drawn out of my thoughts when Hayate nuzzles my hand again and whines.

"Sorry, boy. You're right. Time for bed."

Setting my phone on the nightstand, I turn off the lamp, before curling up with my dog and shutting my eyes.

I take a deep breath and inhale Roy's scent on my pillow. Instantly, I feel calmer, welcoming sleep.

Roy

"Oh," Riza hisses. "Oh God."

I shut my eyes and listen as her whimpers and moans echo around my bedroom. I feel her body go tight, and I know she's holding fistfuls of my sheets. I grin, and I hear her gasp as my lips slide over her sex. I lick at her slit before driving my tongue inside and swirling it around, her walls clenching at me.

"Roy, I think I…"

Reaching around to cup her ass, I pull her more firmly against me, sucking her swollen lips between mine and nipping with my teeth. Her thighs lock tight around my head, and I use my free hand do drive two fingers in at the same time as my tongue.

Fuck, she's delicious.

"Roy, I'm going to come!"

"Don't hold back," I growl.

I'm insatiable and addicted to her taste. I flick my tongue over her clit, and she spasms against me.

"I'm c-coming!" she cries out at the same time wet gushes directly from her pussy into my mouth.

I swiftly move both hands to her gorgeous ass, my fingers digging into her cheeks as I hold her snug against my lips, lapping and sucking at her. I don't let up until her legs go limp over my shoulders and her tremors subside. I run my tongue along her slit one final time before I kiss her lips and move back, climbing to my feet at the foot of the bed.

"Was that what you had in mind?" I ask, breathlessly, wiping my mouth.

"N-not really." Her voice is shaky from her orgasm. "I never would have imagined you could suck so hard," she confesses.

I smirk and climb onto the bed next to her, turning her in my arms.

"It helps that your sex tastes like ambrosia."

"I highly doubt that," she whispers.

"Have you licked the wetness directly from your drenched slit as you come?"

Her already pink cheeks flush deeper, and I feel my already hard cock jerk.

"In that case, I think I'll be the judge of that."

Riza reaches out to touch my abs, tracing the line down the middle toward the strip of hair going into my underwear.

"So, what now?" she murmurs softly.

"Well, that depends on you."

"Me?" She blinks and looks up at me, her fingertip frozen on my lower stomach.

"I thought," I lower my voice, tilting my head closer to hers. "If you wanted, we might try something different tonight."

"More different than what we—you just did?"

"Would you like to have sex, Riza?"

"You mean…"

"As Riza and Roy, not Dom and sub," I clarify carefully.

"I-I mean, I guess so." She licks her lips, and I suppress a groan. "I didn't really think we'd move to this so soon. It feels sort of sudden."

"We can wait, if you want. I wouldn't be upset if you'd rather I tied you up and teased you for a while."

"No," she replies quickly. "I…I like this."

Her fingers move over me again, and I reach out to stroke the length of her side, over her hip and ass and then back up to her ribs.

"Do you want me to…" I start and then pause. "Or you could."

"Wait, you mean, I can…be in charge?"

"If you want."

"I didn't really think you'd let me do that. I didn't think you liked that."

"I trust you, Riza," I murmur, moving to stroke her heavy breast, relishing the way her mouth parts sexily when I brush her hard nipple. "Obviously, it isn't my preference, but I'm willing to make compromises in your case."

"That's really nice to hear," she whispers, "but…I don't think I'm ready for that big of a change between us."

"That's okay," I assure her. "If you'd prefer to still be dominated, I can take care of that."

"Please, Roy," she pleads softly.

Grabbing her hips, I swiftly turn her so that she's on her back with me above her. Her chest rises and falls with anticipation, and I drink in the sight of her beneath me. I slide my thumb over her jaw before I drop my head, sliding my lips across the skin of her ear, kissing along the edge.

"Roy?"

"You're so beautiful," I whisper gruffly.

The words aren't even fully out of my mouth before my lips cover hers. And then I'm kissing her, and it's like I can't get close enough. Or move fast enough. My fingers drive into her hair, holding her to me, as her lips part, and my tongue slides against hers. She moans, her thighs opening allowing my hips to fall through.

She tilts her head, deepening the kiss more, her hands grabbing at my neck and shoulders. Eating her already has me hard as a rock, so when her back arches, pressing her sex against the rigid shaft in my boxer briefs, I feel my balls tighten painfully. Her hands move to my waist, suddenly, desperately shoving at my waistband, trying to get the fabric between us out of the way.

I'm reluctant to break our connection, but I need to be inside of her immediately. God, I feel like I'm going insane.

Tearing my mouth from hers, I move just enough to free my swollen cock before I'm devouring her again, my lips moving over her face, her jaw, her neck… Her knees lift at my sides, and I see stars as her once-again wet slit brushes against my burning erection.

"Fucking hell," I groan weakly.

"Roy," she whimpers. "I…"

Hearing her say my name while she's lying naked beneath me somehow makes me even harder, and for a second, I'm afraid I might come prematurely.

"Are you ready for me, Riza?"

"Yes."

I reach between us and line up with her entrance. The red, throbbing head of my cock brushes against her, and I wince as she gasps.

"Shit!" I bite out suddenly. "I forgot a condom."

"Oh my God," she whimpers, her hips bucking wildly. "Hurry!"

Dammit. I need release so badly my hands are shaking. It takes me three tries to get the foil open, and I almost can't roll the latex on.

"I'm ready," I tell her, leaning back down, my entire body vibrating with need.

If I think about it, it'll terrify me how desperate I am. How badly I want this. In my mind, I know this isn't even half as intense as what we do during our play, but my body doesn't seem to have a clue.

I widen her knees before taking myself in my hand and carefully sliding between her drenched lips. She gasps when the tip hits her entrance, but I don't stop, continuing to push inside, watching as the head disappears into her tight, spasming passage. She moans my name, her hands moving around my neck as I sink in further, inch by inch, until I'm completely filling her.

"Roy," she chokes, her pussy squeezing my pulsing shaft. "Kiss me."

I brush my lips against her softly, feeling my pulse beating wildly in my chest. She arches her neck, her hands sliding into my hair. I drop onto my elbows, and my hips begin rolling and thrusting gently.

"Faster," she pleads against my mouth.

I grab a fistful of her hair as I begin moving rhythmically against her, quickly increasing my speed.

"More, Roy. Harder."

I slide an arm under her back, holding her close as I drive into her, over and over. It isn't long before I feel my balls tighten and my spine tingling. I'm losing control.

"Riza…"

"I'm close."

"Baby, I don't know if I can–"

Her hands slide around my ass, holding me to her. I feel her hips bucking under me, and whatever grip I had slips. I drop my head to her shoulder and groan as I pound into her with fast, short strokes.

She opens her mouth at the same time I feel her walls shuddering around me. I cover her mouth in a kiss, swallowing the sounds of her orgasm. I continue to hammer into her as she comes, my movement growing erratic as I approach the edge. She turns her head sharply, gasping for air as she whispers my name, finishing me. With a final thrust, my cock erupts inside of her, jerking and spurting continuously as I groan long and low into her neck.

When I'm finally spent, I collapse on top of her, trying to catch my breath. After a few minutes, I sit back. Not ready to relinquish her warm heat around my still-twitching cock, I kiss her slowly for a long moment before very gently sliding out of her.

She whimpers at the loss, which makes me smile. Grabbing a pillow, I tuck it under her head before going to the bathroom to clean up. As I remove the condom, I blink at how full it is. I never thought I'd come so much outside of a scene. I discard it into the trash before cleaning off. I flush the toilet and wash my hands quickly before exiting back to the bedroom. When I return, Riza is curled up on her side, watching me as I grab some clothes from the dresser.

"I was under the impression that would be less stimulating than our usual play," she speaks up as I pull on my lounge pants and cross to sit beside her, handing her one of my t-shirts.

"Wasn't it?" I ask as she pulls it on, watching to gauge her reaction.

"Not for me," she murmurs. "I'll admit, it was different, but I liked getting to make a few commands."

"Was that all?"

"No." She licks her swollen lips. "I liked saying your name, and getting to see how I affect you."

"That's good, Riza." I lean in to kiss her forehead.

"Wait."

I pull back to find her frowning at me. "What?"

"Was it not good for you?"

God. If only she knew. I take a breath, trying to figure out how to explain it.

"We can go back to our usual play if you didn't like it," she goes on quickly.

"Actually, I agree with you."

She blinks at my confession, her beautiful brown eyes growing wide.

"You do?"

"I do." I reach out to stroke her hair. "I liked hearing you say my name. It affected me far more than I had expected it to, and I'll admit, I didn't hate your little demands."

"It felt like you came pretty hard," she whispers.

Pretty hard? If I'd come any harder the condom would've split. But I don't say that.

"So, did you." I grin. "Are you ready to go to bed?"

"I kind of want to talk some more."

"So talk."

I reach out and grab her knee her thigh, pulling her leg over my hip. She wiggles to adjust, but doesn't pull away, and I curl my arm around her, running my fingers down her spine.

"Rebecca said she'd go with me tomorrow night," she starts lazily.

"Good. I'm glad you won't be alone."

"I wish she'd tell her boyfriend about the baby. I know she only just found out, but I know him, Roy, and he's freaking out."

"You're a good friend, Riza, but she's going to have to tell him when she's ready."

"But see, if I leave it up to Rebecca, I'm afraid she'll never be ready."

"Well, she won't be able to keep it from him forever," I point out. "Regardless of whether or not she tells him."

"I guess that's true."

"Speaking of tomorrow night, though, I thought of something today."

"What? You can come?" she perks up suddenly.

"No, sadly," I say softer. "That hasn't changed, but I thought of something for you to do to make it less boring."

"Like what exactly?"

"Well, since after our last session, I didn't give you any homework…"

I watch as she bites her lip and her cheeks go pink.

"Yes?"

"I want you to wear your plug."

She blinks at me and then her eyebrows pinch together.

"Wear it where?"

I raise my eyebrows and glance around the room before looking back at her.

"Wait. You don't mean… You want me to wear it on Saturday!" she gasps. "To the event? The fancy, formal social elite event?"

"Exactly," I grin.

"You can't be serious. People will notice something is wrong!"

"Not if you manage to walk normally and sit down without making any telling faces."

"The event will last almost four hours," she hisses. "I've never worn it for that long, much less in public."

"I think you can do it, Riza," I encourage her in a low tone. "And if you don't think so, you know your safe word."

She gapes at me for a moment before swallowing hard. I watch as she struggles with my request. I would withdraw it if I couldn't see the way her thighs are moving restlessly, telling me she's turned on at the idea.

"What happens if I don't do it?" she murmurs finally. "Sir," she adds faintly, making my cock stir.

"What do you think?"

She licks her lips nervously.

"You'll punish me."

"That is generally how I handle disobedience."

"Will you spank me? Sir?"

"That depends." I resume my gentle stroking of her spine. "Do you want to be spanked?"

She looks down guiltily, and I want to laugh.

"If you want it, it doesn't seem like much of a punishment, does it?"

"I guess not."

"The truth is," I tell her softly, "I won't ever reveal what your punishment will be until it's time to carry it out. Not knowing is part of your discipline."

"Okay, Sir," she whispers.

"That said, I'm not ever going to give you a punishment that won't bring you pleasure, Riza. It may not be what you have in mind, and it may feel uncomfortable at first, but you have to trust me. And, if at any moment, you don't like it, you use your safe word. I'm always watching to make sure you're enjoying what we do, but you have that word for a reason."

"Yes, Sir."

I still my hand on her back and wait for her to meet my eyes.

"What is it?" she whispers.

"I'll always take care of you, Riza. You know that."

"Of course, Sir."

"Well then," I say louder. "I think that's enough of that for tonight."

Reaching toward the head of the bed, I pull the cover down and shift us both until we're under the sheets. Immediately, Riza curls into me.

"Thank you for tonight, Roy," she whispers sleepily as she rubs her cheek against my chest. "It was perfect."

I start to tell her she's perfect, but she's already falling asleep.

"Goodnight, Riza."

I crane my neck to kiss her head before I turn off the lamp and shut my eyes. Within seconds, I'm welcomed by blissful sleep.

Riza

"Oh my God. Would you just hold still?"

"I'm sorry," I sigh, giving Rebecca an apologetic look as she glares at me in the mirror.

She's been trying to fix my hair into some complicated up-do for the last half hour, and regardless of her efforts, it keeps falling. To make matters worse, I can't seem to stop fidgeting.

"I almost have it set," she mutters through her teeth. "Just don't move."

I do my best impression of a statue for the next two minutes while she puts every bobby pin known to man into my hair.

"Okay. Done."

I relax slowly and take a deep breath.

"Now, for your makeup," she announces, bursting my moment of peace.

I suppress a groan, but don't fight her as she turns my chair and sits as she begins arranging brushes and palettes on my vanity.

"The ball starts in an hour, Becca," I remind her. "I need to leave soon, and I don't even have my dress on."

"Trust me, Riza. This won't take me a minute."

It takes her twenty minutes, actually, but I don't have time to worry about it because it only leaves me ten minutes to get dressed. Fortunately, I had time to have my dress altered, so it fits like a glove.

"I'm going to go down and wait in the car," Rebecca says when I come out of my closet with my heels. "Jean called earlier, and I want to call him back."

"Have you told him yet?"

She presses her lips together and shakes her head.

"Not yet," she whispers, "and before you say anything, don't," she adds hastily. "I know how you feel, but I want to enjoy tonight before everything blows up."

"What is he doing tonight while you're out with me?"

"Working. Again."

"Really?"

"He's private security for some politician's granddaughter tonight."

I pause at the sentence and look up at her. "Where?"

"He didn't say, and I didn't really care to ask for more details. I had other things on my mind, you know?"

"Yeah. Okay."

"Anyway, I'll see you downstairs."

She slips out the door, and I finish fastening the straps on my shoes. I'm not really looking forward to tonight. Large crowds of people were never really my cup of tea. Plus, I already know plenty of the young men who work for my grandfather will be vying for my attention all evening. Part of the reason I was hoping Roy would come.

It's not that I'm conceited or think I'm somehow more appealing than the other women. I just know from experience that being the governor's granddaughter seems to attract suave politicians. Maybe they think if they can get close to me, I'll put in a word for them with my grandfather. Or that he'll approve of them if they marry me or something. It doesn't matter either way. I would never marry some politician just so he can get a foothold.

I give myself a last once over in the mirror before I start to leave. I pause in the doorway, my eyes darting to the drawer of my nightstand.

He told me to wear it.

I bite my lip for a second, debating. If I don't do it, he'll punish me. I shift as a rush of wet hits between my legs.

And if I do do it…

I try to imagine standing beside my grandfather, shaking hands, fighting to control my temper when one of my many dance partners is pushing my limits…

And then I imagine it with my toy.

"I can't," I whisper.

There's just no way I'll be able to keep my composure if I have that to deal with along with everything else.

Turning off the light, I leave and make my way down to Rebecca who is waiting in the car. I'll probably regret defying him, but then again…

Maybe I won't.

Roy

I swirl the whiskey in my glass and glance around the room. I shouldn't be drinking since I'm working tonight, but if I limit myself to one drink it should be fine, and so far, there has been no sign of the governor's granddaughter anyway.

Not that I know what she looks like.

Grumman assured me he'd let me know as soon as she arrived, but when I asked for a picture of her, he said he didn't have any. I found that slightly odd, but didn't say anything.

"I thought you said no alcohol tonight," Havoc comes up beside me and nods to the drink in my hand.

"That was for you," I tell him, taking a sip. "Considering how distracted you've been lately, I could hardly have you getting drunk on top of it."

"That's probably fair," he mutters. "Damn, I need a cigarette."

"I thought you were trying to quit."

"I was, but my girl still hasn't told me if she's pregnant or not, and it would be nice to take a little of the edge off."

"What if she is?" I glance over at him, still scanning the room. "What are you going to do?"

"Fuck if I know."

"Are you going to leave her?"

"Leave her?" he gapes at me. "She's a fucking goddess. I'd be an idiot to leave her. Well, a bigger idiot, I guess."

"Then what's the issue? If she's pregnant, you come up with a plan together. If she's not, you go back to how you were. Only maybe with a greater appreciation for birth control."

"Well, I mean…I guess, but–"

"Boss," Breda's voice interrupts through the coms we're wearing. "She just walked in. Midnight blue dress, blonde hair."

"Got it."

I look over at Grumman and he gives me a nod before moving through the crowd. I watch as he embraces the woman described and then freeze when she turns, giving me a look at her face.

"Holy shit," I hiss.

"What is it?" Havoc frowns, following my line of sight. "Chief?"

"Get to your position, Havoc," I mutter at him, setting my near-empty glass on a nearby table as I start across the room.

"Boss, what are you doing?" Breda speaks up again. "I thought our orders were to hang back and keep an eye–"

I remove the earpiece and slip it into my pants pocket as I weave between the guests. I'm about to reach her when she's intercepted by some man. I watch as she smiles politely and accepts his request for a dance. I feel a twinge of jealousy before I remember her assignment for tonight. I move where I can see them, and watch, trying to imagine her in his arms while my toy is buried between her cheeks.

After a few minutes, I'm ready to move in when I hear my name.

"Roy? Is that you?"

I blink and turn to see Rebecca on my right, looking surprised.

"Riza said you couldn't make it. Ah!" she gasps. "Are you here to surprise her?"

"What? No, I-I had no idea she'd be here," I say quickly.

"Well, you certainly clean up nice," she grins, giving me a once over. "Though, I can't say for sure that tie is an improvement on your bare chest. Riza will be so excited you're here."

I open my mouth to answer when someone catches me on the shoulder. I turn sharply and find myself looking at Havoc again. I instantly narrow my gaze at him.

"What the fuck?" I growl. "I thought you I told you to get in position?"

"You quit answering," he bites back. "We thought something was wrong."

"I'll tell you what's wrong," I start. "I–"

"Jean?" Rebecca whispers.

"Becks?" Havoc says suddenly, turning to look at her. "Is that you?"

"Of course, it's me, you idiot," she hisses. "What are you doing here?"

"What am I—I'm working. Like I told you." He steps closer to her. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here with Riza. She's…somewhere. And how do you know Roy?"

"He's my boss," he says quickly. "I thought you knew that. Why? Wait. How do you know him?"

"Hold on," I interrupt, looking between the two of them. "How do you two know each other?"

"I'm so sorry, Chief," Havoc says, turning back to me. "This is my girlfriend, Rebecca."

"Your girlfriend," I repeat, my eyebrows rising. "Of course."

Suddenly everything makes sense. I almost laugh when it hits me. I knew his girlfriend was pregnant this whole damn time. Fuck, he still doesn't know. Also, she's seen me half naked, but I doubt he'd appreciate that.

"Rebecca and I met through a mutual friend," I tell him before he can ask. "I had no idea she was your girlfriend though."

"Oh, what friend?" Havoc looks from his girlfriend to me.

"Riza," Rebecca says softly.

"Speaking of, I think I'm going to go find her," I announce. "Havoc, don't forget you're on the clock tonight."

"Right."

"And, Rebecca, it's nice to see you, but I would appreciate it if you'd put him out of his misery already."

"Wait, what?" Havoc frowns. "What does he mean?"

I walk away before I hear any more of that conversation and scan the room until I find Riza on the dance floor again—this time with a different man. With careful strides, I slip between the couples until I reach her, gracefully pulling her out of her partner's arms and into mine.

"Hey!" I hear his indignant shout as I move her away.

"What—" Riza gasps, her eyes round with surprise. "Wait."

"Hello, Riza," I greet her softly, my hand on her waist pulling her closer.

"It's you," she whispers. "But…"

"I didn't realize you were the governor's granddaughter," I explain as we move. "If I had, it would've made things much less confusing."

"How?"

"I told you I was working tonight, and I am. I'm your security detail."

"My what?"

"Your grandfather hired my firm to keep an eye on you tonight. Just as an extra precaution. Grumman and I are old friends, and I had no idea you were the lady in question. Otherwise, I'm not sure I would've accepted."

"You wouldn't?" She frowns.

"It wouldn't feel right, taking money to protect my girlfriend. I'd have done it for free."

"Oh."

"That said, my men need to be paid, and I accepted our fee in advance."

"My grandfather can afford to spare the money, I assure you."

I lean my head down and murmur in her ear.

"You look beautiful tonight, Riza."

She blushes prettily and looks at my chest before meeting my eyes.

"Thank you, Roy."

"Tell me, though," I continue, lowering my head again. "I'm curious. Are you wearing it?"

She falters at the question, but I make up for her misstep, keeping us balanced as we turn again.

"Um…"

"Riza?"

"Roy," she looks at me pleadingly. "Don't do this here."

I raise an eyebrow, and she glances around nervously.

"We're not in a scene," she hisses. "I'll answer your question the next time we're alone, but not now."

"Riza," I say softly, my tone threatening, "I don't think–"

"Checkmate," she cuts me off.

The word hits me like a punch to the chest, and I freeze, releasing her.

She immediately takes a step back, and it's then I notice the anxiety she's hiding. Her eyes are wide, and her hands are trembling as she reaches up to rub her arms.

"Riza," I start slowly, "I didn't mean–"

"I'm sorry," she chokes. "Excuse me."

She dashes off the dance floor, moving way too fast for someone wearing those heels, and I follow right behind her. She starts to disappear into the crowd, so I reach into my pocket for my earpiece.

"Havoc, Breda, do you have eyes on her?"

"Yeah. She's heading for the balcony," Breda responds at once.

"Thanks."

"I don't know what you said to her, boss, but she looked like she was on the verge of tears. I thought we were hired to protect her."

"Your commentary is not necessary," I growl.

I stop outside the entrance to the upper level veranda. I need to catch my breath before I talk to her. I never meant to upset her, but for some reason I don't think my question was what set her off. There's something else going on, otherwise, she wouldn't have been so on edge to begin with. Still, I need to start with an apology.

"I have eyes on her," Havoc's voice breaks into my thoughts. "She's standing in the northeast corner. At the railing."

"Is she okay?"

"Her back is to the entrance, so I can't see her face," he answers with a frown in his voice. "Seriously, I can't believe Riza is the woman you've been seeing all this time. From what Rebecca told me–"

"Shut up, Havoc. Now is not the time," Breda interrupts, saving me from losing my temper completely.

"Is she alone?" I ask, unable to hide the nervousness in my voice.

What if one of her other admirer's found her already?

"Affirmative, sir," Havoc responds with focus. "She's the only one I can see."

"Thanks. You two make yourself scare until I tell you."

If I'm going to have a private conversation with Riza, I don't want my men listening in.

"Hey, but–"

"Boss, wait–"

Removing the earpiece again, effectively silencing them both, I put it back in my pocket and take a deep breath before going to find my girlfriend. Hopefully, I can fix whatever has her upset.