Rian woke up on the roof alone. Someone, probably Rafi, had placed a blanket over her. She headed down to the dressing room. In the bedroom, Rafi was showing off his yoga skills. At the same time, Lily challenged Harry to beat him as she ‘guided’ him with her hands all over him. Rian couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly as she walked by. Harry jumped at her unexpected presence. Rian raised her eyebrows at him and shrugged before heading to the dressing room.

Iona was in the dressing room when she got there. Her face screwed up in disgust. “Harry and Lily aren’t even trying to be discrete.”

Rian smiled, “It’s funny because Lily thinks I actually care, but I don’t. He should just couple up with her.”

“I noticed you weren’t in bed this morning. Where’d you sleep?” Iona asked.

“I fell asleep on the terrace,” Rian grinned. “The view did a lot for my mental state, not so much for my neck and shoulders.” She slipped on a white bikini and twisted her ginger locks into a messy up-do, adding a spritz of her perfume. “I’m gonna get a cup of coffee and head to the gym. Maybe I can stretch and get AJ to rub my neck.”

Iona smiled, “Good call. AJ is amazing.”

Rian was heading downstairs when she heard Lily and Harry in the lounge. She stopped for a minute to listen in. “Sure, she’s super popular on the outside right now. Rian is trending. Why do you want to know?”

It sounded like they were coming closer, so Rian moved along. Seb was waiting with a cup of coffee when she got to the kitchen. “I thought you might need this,” Seb said.

“You’re awesome,” Rian said.

Seb nudged her with his elbow. “I was wondering. Are you okay? I see Lily talking and touching Harry a lot. If someone did that with Viv, I’d have something to say about it.”

Rian shook her head. “Harry and I talked about it last night. I told him to couple up with her. He didn’t seem to take to the idea, though.”

“You don’t care?” Seb said curiously.

“Nope, if they like each other, what am I going to do about it, anyway,” Rian said. “Besides, there are other people in the villa.”

Seb nodded. “I think Rafi likes you. He keeps glancing over at you.”

“I might fancy him too,” She admitted, blushing.

Seb smirked. “Oh, my god! You actually blushed. You do like him. I hope things work out for you.”

Viv came into the kitchen. “Morning Rian,” She gave her an empathetic look before turning to Seb. “Can I talk to you in private?”

Rian waved to them as she left. She saw a group of people at the beanbags and what looked like Harry holding hands with Lily, but she paid it no mind as she pulled out a yoga mat and started stretching. Once she got the kinks worked out of her neck and shoulders, she began her Pilates and stretching routine. It felt nice as she hadn’t done much of it since coming here.

She was in a back-bend with one leg raised high when a shadow hit her. “Nice form,” Rafi said, sitting back on the weight bench. “You work out daily?”

“At home, yes, but since I’ve been here, not so much,” She admitted switching legs. She kicked her leg over and did a back walkover standing up.

Rafi smiled, “Nice, if you wanted to impress me, you have.” Rian smiled, rolling her shoulders and neck. “Feeling a bit stiff?”
He asked, a look of concern crossing his features.

“A bit,” Rian said. “I was going to ask AJ for one of her legendary massages.”

“Let me,” Rafi said, patting the seat in front of him for her to sit. Rian sat as still as she could. His fingers worked out the stiffness in her shoulders. He gently brushed a few wayward strands of hair off her neck before pressing a gentle kiss to her neck. She shivered at the electricity that ran through her. Her quick intake of breath was telling. He smiled against her neck before pulling away.

She turned around to face him, her cheeks slightly tinged pink. “Sneak attack,” she accused.

“Would you prefer I attack head-on?” he asked. Not giving Rian the chance to answer, he pressed his lips against hers. His hand fisted her messy bun as he angled her mouth, deepening the kiss. Her hands lightly rested on his chest as he pressed his body into hers. She melted, giving him the control he was asking for until he reluctantly pulled away. “You are stunning. I’ve been wanting to do that since last night.”

“We should probably get back to the others,” Rian said.

Rafi nodded, and they walked over to the others who were lounging on the beanbags. Harry and Lily were holding hands. When Harry saw her, he tried to disengage his hand from Lily’s. Rian smiled and pretended not to notice

“What you guys up to?” Rafi asked.

“Thumb wars,” Seb explained. “Lily is winning.”

Lily sat down beside Harry as if staking her claim. Rian chose to ignore the overt challenge. Her gaze flicked over to Rafi flirtatiously. “Mind if I join you, babes?”

Rafi smiled. His green eyes glittered with mischief. “Sure, come sit right here.” He slid back on the beanbag and pointed to his lap. Rian smiled and sat where he indicated. Harry gave them a disgusted look but was quickly distracted by Lily’s hand, squeezing his leg.

“We were chatting about strength,” Harry said. “I think my strongest muscles are my triceps.” He flexed his arms as Lily giggled admiringly. Rafi glanced at Rian with raised eyebrows. Rian shrugged.

“I open up my shop every morning, so my arms are strong,” Seb said.

Iona snorted. “Are you kidding me? I’ve bet you never climbed a pylon in a blizzard.”

“Has anyone?” Seb asked dubiously.

“How about you, Rian?” Rafi asked.

“My brain is my strongest muscle.” Rian teased, “You should see me do a sudoku. Fastest in town.”

“Oh, I’ve noticed,” Rafi replied. His words ghosted over her neck, and she shivered. He chuckled lightly and looked over to see if Harry noticed, but Harry seemed to be engrossed in Lily talking about wrist exercises.

“Lily’s thumbs are really strong,” Harry said.

“I’ve never heard that one before,” Lily said, beaming under Harry’s praise. “I’m the reigning champion, so it must be true.”

Rafi smirked, “Why is everyone so worried about thumb strength?”

“Well, it says something about your… manual dexterity,” Lily said. It was obvious she was trying to be sexy. Lily gave Harry a smoldering look and laid a hand on his thigh before squeezing it. Harry’s eyes opened wide. “Yeah… I see what you mean.”

“I don’t know about that,” Rian replied, “I think sexy starts with the mind.” She winked at Rafi, who’s smirk got wider.

“Definitely,” Rafi said, brushing Rian’s hair and tucking it behind her ear affectionately. Harry noticed and gave Rafi a dirty look. Before the moment could get any more awkward. Rian’s phone buzzed.

She read it and smiled gently at Harry. “Isn’t that sweet? I got a date.” Harry’s phone buzzed too. “Oh, you got a date too, hun. That’s wonderful.” There was nothing facetious in her voice. She was genuinely happy for him.

Lily looked at her in surprise. She cocked her head, studying Rian for a moment. “Maybe we should get ready together, babes.”

Rian shot her a smile. “I’d like that.”