My husband and I were worthy adversaries.
"Left the hall light on for you. If you bring a woman home, don't wake me—I rise at eight. Make her leave by seven," I yawned into the phone.
"Ridiculous. Do I seem that unthoughtful?" Promise Hollow laughed, his tone infuriatingly smug. "I booked a hotel. Isn't it the weekend? Won't your treasure come to see you? How awkward if we crossed paths."
I glanced at the digital clock on the wall and took a sip of water. "He's busy tonight."
"Find another. It's not like you only have one—" His voice dripped with malice.
I cut him off. "You're exhausting. Go charm your women!"
Before I hung up, he rushed to add, "Darling, clear your schedule for our anniversary dinner at the old man's place the day after tomorrow."
"Noted."
---
1
"Sister, when will you overhaul your aquarium? I'm practically being squeezed out," River South's half-teasing complaint crackled through my phone. I blew a smoke ring and chuckled, "Sweetheart, aquariums are filthy. If you want to play in water, come to my pool."
"You know that's not what I—" His words dissolved as the phone was plucked from my hand. Marsh Frost stood behind me, bare-chested with a towel slung low on his hips. His slender fingers gripped the phone with distaste. "Don't come today. The pool's occupied."
Silence. River South hadn't expected company. His face froze on-screen like a JPG. Finally, he spat, "Why is he there?"
Marsh Frost sneered. "Why shouldn't I be?"
He returned the phone to its stand, sat beside me, and kissed me—slow, deliberate. River South's eyes burned crimson through the screen, watching unblinking. Guilt pricked me, but before I could speak, Marsh Frost pulled me against him. Fresh from the shower, he smelled of my favorite bergamot-scented soap. His damp hair slipped through my fingers like silk. I sighed, surrendering.
I never saw River South end the call. When Marsh Frost carried me to bed, the screen was dark.
---
The Next Morning
"Why are you still here?" I blinked at Marsh Frost, who lay beside me twirling a strand of my hair. Panic jolted me awake. The clock glared: 10:30 AM.
Promise Hollow's flight landed at eight. He should be home by now. Had Marsh Frost not seen him?
Reading my terror, Marsh Frost snorted, tugging me back down. "He texted while you slept. Flight delayed. He'll be back tomorrow."
Relief washed over me—followed by irritation. I kicked his shin. "Since when do you check my phone?"
He shrugged. "It lit up on its own."
Not truly angry, I wrapped myself in a thin blanket and headed to the bathroom. "I'm showering. Be gone when I'm out."
He raised an eyebrow. "No shared shower? We've got time."
I shook my head. Last night's distraction made me neglect River South. That tender boy was likely sulking somewhere. Time to soothe him.
"You're going to him?" Frost's voice turned arctic.
I sighed. These two are insufferable.
Clarity Deer had countless lovers—a queen navigating gardens without snagging her silk. Yet lately, my two favorites despised each other.
River South and Marsh Frost weren't merely at odds. They were rivals long before me: same university, same department. By cruel coincidence, both became my kept men. The tension peaked when I picked up River South only to find Marsh Frost already in the car. Their eyes met—two scholars turned gold-diggers, enemies recognizing enemies.
River South claimed Marsh Frost bested him academically. Their rivalry, now tangled with jealousy, was explosive.
---
Reconciliation
"River South, where are you? Join me for lunch." After relentless calls, he finally answered.
"Why call?" His voice was thick. "Busy. Assignments."
Liar.
So transparent. If he truly wanted silence, he'd have shut off his phone. He *wanted* me to chase him. I softened my tone. "I need to see you. Yesterday's glimpse wasn't enough."
His breath hitched. So easily flustered. I smiled. "Remember that high-slit qipao you wanted to see me in? I'm wearing it now. Waiting for you to... peel it off me."
A pause. Then, rushed: "Come. Now." Click.
After confirming Promise Hollow's delayed return, I left. Into my bag went a box of condoms. Men always had them, but I preferred my own.
River South's apartment stood near campus. My message pinged instantly:
Wait in the car when you arrive. Don't step out.
I laughed. So possessive.
He waited at the curb, trench coat in hand. Seeing me, he swathed me in it. Admiring the view?" I teased.
He looked away, jaw tight. "Don't fish for compliments."
"So I do look good?" I hooked my finger with his. He resisted, then laced our hands together.
At his door, he pinned me the moment it shut. River South had never been this urgent. He tore off the coat, kissing me while fumbling with his collar.
I pressed a finger to his chest, holding him back. He stared, panting, eyes crimson.
"Tell me," I murmured, sliding my leg up his ankle. "How do I look?"
"Like heaven," he buried his face in my hair. "Enough to kill me."
I kissed his throat. "Then show your sister exactly how heavenly I am."
...
After the storm passed, River South slept soundly, arms locked around me. I traced his spine, studying his boyish profile. Memories surfaced—the first time I'd seen him.