The dressing room was quiet as the girls nervously got ready. Rian went to pick out a dress. She fingered a yellow jumpsuit when a hand reached over her and tapped the red dress beside it. “Go with that one, babes.”  Iona smiled at her. “You’ll be stunning.”

“Thanks, Iona,” Rian returned her smile.

“I feel like no matter what decision I make, I’m stepping on someone’s toes,”  Rian said. Her heart was heavy, but her mind knew that she needed to stay in the Villa if she wanted to win this.

“Well, you are,” Miki stated, a sneer crossed her face. “You could always go home.” Viv gave her a sharp look.

“That’s how I felt, too,” Iona patted her shoulder. “You have an idea who you are going to pick?”

Rian shook her head. “I’ve no idea.” She would figure it out when she got there.

“You’ve talked to all of them,” Miki said, looking at her curiously. “How can you not know? “

“No,” Rian smirked, “I flirted with them all equally.”

Viv looked at her thoughtfully and then threw her head back and laughed. “She’s not wrong! She went on a date with each of them.” The other girls giggled nervously.

“That made things so awkward.” Rian said, “Honestly, I know you guys are probably all nervous. I am too because it made the decision hard. I got to get to know them, and each boy has outstanding qualities that I like about them. “

“I hadn’t thought about it that way,” Iona said, looking at Rian with new respect. “I came on the same day swooped up Camilo because I thought he was hot. But you’ve spent time with them now. That is much harder.”

“Rian’s been on all sides of it,” Elladine said. “She’s had her guy taken, been single, and in the position to hurt someone else.”

“I suppose you’re right,” Miki said.

“Let’s agree to be supportive of each other and honest,” Viv said.

“I like that plan,” AJ said. Rian smiled.

“Everyone is ready, so I guess we should get out there,” Iona said.

They headed out to the fire pit. The same nervous energy was pervading here as well. The boys tried not to be too obvious, but Camilo gave Rian a double-take. Harry glanced over and mouthed, ‘wow.’

“Looking good, Rian,” Bill said.

“I told you the red one was the ticket.” Iona grinned.

“Alright, lads! Excited for this?” AJ asked.

“Of course,” Harry forced a smile to his face, but he’s worried. It’s apparent everyone is nervous about this recoupling.

“I’m nervous too. How about a group hug before we start?” Rian asked. She held open her arms to the girls and boys. “Bring it in, you guys.” The islanders crowded in for a hug, laughing.

“This is nice,” Harry said, looking a bit more relaxed.

“I won’t lie. I actually do feel better.” Bill said.

Camilo smiled. “You big softie, Rian.”

Everyone returned to their positions for the recoupling as they waited for the text.

A phone buzzed. “It’s mine,” Rian said, looking at it.

Rian stood up and walked over to the boys. “Ok, I want to couple up with this Islander because they have great chat, and every time I talk to them, I learn something new, or if not, I least get a good laugh, and I can’t wait to spend more time together getting to know them better. The Islander I want to couple up with is Bill.”

Bill’s eyes widened in astonishment for a moment, but as he walked over to Rian, he smiled and reached for her hand. She stood on tiptoe and gently kissed his cheek. They sat down and watched as the rest of the Islanders chose their partners. Miki wasn’t chosen…

As everyone stood up to leave Rian, saw Miki walking toward the pool. “I think we should go talk to her.”

Bill nodded. “I think so too.”

They walked over to Miki, who seemed lost in thought. She jumped as Rian sat down beside her. “Oh! Sorry, you scared me.”

“That wasn’t my intention.” Rian said, “We wanted to come to check on you. To see if you were all right.”

Miki smiled. “You guys… That’s really sweet. Thank you.” She looked out over the pool. “I didn’t want to cause a scene and ruin things for you. But now I know how you felt. I’m sorry I was an ass earlier. I could have been nicer to you about it, Rian. Friends?”

Rian shrugged, “I had already forgotten about it.” She reached over, giving Miki a one-armed hug, which Miki returned. “I’ve been where you are so I can give you some advice. Have fun with it and be patient.”

Miki smiled. “Thanks, Rian. I’m trying to see it as a positive thing. I’m free to get to know somebody new.”

“That’s the spirit, Miki,” Bill said, smiling.

“It’s nice knowing that you both are supporting me,” Miki said, standing up. “It’s been a long day. I think I’m going to get ready for bed.”

Bill looked at Rian. “That was nice of you. What did she do earlier?”

“Nothing really she was just worried about what was going to happen… and honestly, she had a right to be worried,” Rian explained. “I didn’t pick you to get back at her, though. In fact, I didn’t pick until I got there.”

He smiled. “You were winging it?”

Rian nodded, “yea.”

He took her hand. “So, what made you pick me?” They started walking.

“Everything I said was the truth,” Rian replied. “I enjoy talking to you. I do want to get to know you better. I think part of what Love Island is about is getting to know other people.”

“If I had  to describe you in a word, it would be… fit.” Bill said, “No, banging.”

Rian smiled. “Thanks. If I had to describe you in one word, it would be… Bill.”

He looked at her curiously. “Like my name, Bill?” Rian nodded. Putting a hand to his chin, he thought it about it.  “Yea, I like it. Straight to the point.”

“Like you,” Rian added.

Bill laughed. “Makes sense.” They stop walking once they reach the roof terrace. “I’d like to spend more time with you tonight.” Rian nodded and sat down on a bench overlooking the Villa. “This is blatantly the best place in the Villa to be alone. ‘Cause in the bedroom you’re bound to be overheard. And there’s always a chance someone will look out a window and spot you.”

Rian stood up and walked over to the balcony, enjoying the summer breeze that was gently brushing over her. Bill walked up behind her. “You’re so beautiful. When you first walked into the fire-pit, I thought you looked too good to be real. Like you were the cover of a magazine or a painting, or something. Except you’re right in front of me.”

Rian turned to him, cupping his jaw. “I’m quite real.”

His lapis eyes searched her golden-sienna ones. He leaned closer and brushed his lips gently against hers as his arms slid around her. He kissed her again and again.  He wanted to drown in her, her smell was spicy like incense, and she tasted slightly of cinnamon and honey tea he noticed she seemed partial too.  

She pulled away to run the tip of her tongue down his neck, sending tingles through him before nipping his pulse point.  He groaned, dropping his head into the crook of her neck. Bill’s hands travel down her back and over her bottom, drawing her toward him as he stepped back and sat on the bench.  “Come here.”  He muttered huskily as he pulled her to straddle his lap. Her dress bunched up over her hips. Reaching around her, he unzipped the dress, pulling it over her head. Her skin felt so smooth against his hands. He leaned back, wanting to see her fully. “You’re beautiful.”

Rian smiled as her hands slipped under his shirt. Bill, taking the hint, pulled his shirt off. “I was feeling a bit at a disadvantage.” Rian teased.

“We can’t have that now, can we?” He bantered, slipping out of his pants.

Skin to skin, her hands roamed hungrily over him. If she was going to be coupled up with fit guys, she might as well enjoy it. A soft moan left her throat as his mouth found her breast, and she ground into him, seeking some friction. Finding her lips, Bill kissed her almost desperately before gently pulling away to take a condom from the pocket of his trousers. Rian stepped back to slide her lacy underwear off as Bill ensured their protection was in place.  

He guided her toward him, and his lips captured hers, consuming her in their heat. She hovered over him almost teasingly. He wanted more, but he deferred to her. For what seemed like forever, she gradually enveloped him until he was fully seated inside her. “Are you ok?” He asked.

Instead of answering, Rian pushed him against the backrest of the bench, her hands pinning him down as her hips moved. Bill’s mouth dropped open as sensation hit him. Searing heat ran through him. He wasn’t exactly sure what Rian was doing, but god damn she felt good. He knew he was losing all sense of control when… she stopped. “Rian…” He pleaded.

“Not just yet,” She whispered in his ear before trailing her lips down his neck. When she got to his shoulder, she nipped him gently as she began moving again. One of her hands that was pinning him slid between her legs.

Fuck, she was hot. A girl who didn’t mind taking matters into her own hands. Between how delicious it was to be between her thighs and the show she was giving, he soon felt himself lose starting to lose control a second time. But a sudden pain in his shoulder stopped him. “Don’t you fucking dare!” Rian commanded. She had bitten him. The shock that coursed through him and stopped him in his tracks was quickly swallowed by her kiss, which he was lost in. A few minutes later, Bill felt a stutter in her movements, and she pressed her lips against his again, muffling her sounds of pleasure, which sent him tumbling over the edge as well.

Rian rested her head against Bill’s shoulder as they caught their breath. Bill circled her with his arms. “That was some fantastic sex.”

Rian huffed with amusement. “ Always so matter of fact.”

“Of course, I am.” Bill smirked, “That’s what you like about me.” He pulled her into a cuddle. “I’m glad you picked me.”

Rian smiled at him but then dropped her gaze to lean against him. She knew already how this was going to play out. It was already starting to sting.