A Night of Desire

Seth Quinn knew River was drunk, but he still felt he was taking it too far. ’She’s just a designated driver. Does she really have to swear an oath or something?’

His gaze fell on River Sterling, and he said his name in a low, warning tone, "River."

The female driver glanced at Seth Quinn, ignored River Sterling, and her eyes asked where the car was.

Chase Childs, who was supporting Linden Jennings, said to her, "Follow me."

The female driver started to follow, but River Sterling piped up again. "Fine, no oath necessary. Why don’t we set a time and compete, see who’s really the better driver? I’ll have you know, I’m a veteran driver!"

The female driver stopped in her tracks. She turned around, gave him a flat, head-to-toe look, and said, "I can tell. Lifeless eyes, scrawny physique, mentally drained, and legs like jelly. You’re a veteran driver, all right."

With that, she turned and hurried after Chase Childs without a backward glance.

It took River Sterling a long moment to process what she’d meant.

’She was actually mocking him for being the kind of "veteran driver" who’d worn himself out with debauchery! That’s not the kind of "veteran driver" he meant!’

’Besides, when had his eyes ever been lifeless, his body scrawny, his mind drained, or his legs like jelly? How could his eyes possibly light up looking at a boring old maid like her?’

’He might be lean, but he was all muscle, okay?’

’Mentally drained and legs like jelly? That was complete bullshit!’

’Damn it, if that woman had even an ounce of feminine charm, he’d haul her to a hotel and ride her for three hundred rounds straight. Then we’d see if she’d still dare to call his legs jelly!’

Seeing River Sterling’s flustered and furious expression, Seth Quinn raised an eyebrow, clapped him on the shoulder, and started walking toward Linden Jennings’s car.

River Sterling took a deep breath. Following the principle that a real man doesn’t fight with a woman, he suppressed his anger and followed him over.

Linden Jennings had already been stuffed into the back seat, and the female driver was in the driver’s seat.

Seeing Linden Jennings with his eyes closed, looking completely passed out, Seth Quinn said with some concern, "Why don’t we go back with him? There’ll be no one at home to look after him like this."

River Sterling said nothing, and Chase Childs nodded. But before the three of them could get in the car, Linden Jennings, whose eyes were still shut, spoke up. "Are you... kidding? I’m a grown man, can’t I take care of myself? Don’t follow me. Nobody follows me. Anyone who follows me... I’ll... get... mad."

As he spoke, he slapped the car seat. "Drive."

The female driver was already eager to get away from River Sterling. Hearing the car’s owner give the command, she started the engine, stomped on the gas, and took off with a VROOM.

"Hey!" River Sterling coughed, getting a face full of exhaust fumes. He sounded utterly disgusted. "Seth, you don’t think that old... that female driver is going to take Linden home and, you know, take advantage of him, do you?"

Seth Quinn shot him a look but didn’t say a word. River Sterling rubbed his nose, abashed.

Seth Quinn watched the car disappear into the night before turning back to look at him. His gaze lingered on the right corner of River’s mouth for a good while. "So," he finally said, "how does it feel to make yourself a living target? But if Linden can understand what you were trying to do and get back on his feet, then that punch you took for deliberately provoking him was worth it."

He wasn’t blind to it. Back in their private room, River had deliberately provoked Linden, probably thinking that if Linden beat him up and vented his feelings, he would be able to pull himself together again.

Having been found out, River Sterling looked uncomfortable. He reached up, rubbed his nose, and said defensively, "Who did it on purpose? I really was angry..."