Divorced CEO's Forgotten Wife Strikes Back (Riley and Bryce) novel Chapter 153

**TITLE: Dreams Refuse Gravity by Leo Arden Knox**

**Chapter 153: Good Guy Sebastian**

She blinked, her mind racing.

The reality of their relationship settled in like a warm blanket, wrapping around her thoughts. They were already together, and if she was being honest with herself, she was undeniably drawn to him. A kiss—was that really too much to ask for?

Yet, doubt crept in like an unwelcome guest.

“If you don’t want to, you can stop me anytime. I won’t push,” he said, his tone almost pleading.

There was a vulnerability in his voice, a tremor that caught her off guard.

As his lips moved closer, inching from her chin toward hers, she found herself rooted in place, unable to pull away.

She felt the warmth of his hand resting on her waist, but it trembled slightly.

Is he… nervous?

The head of the Torres family, a man who wielded power over half of Washington, was actually feeling nervous about kissing her? It was an astonishing thought that made her heart flutter.

When his lips finally brushed against hers, it was a featherlight kiss—cautious and tender, as if he feared shattering something precious between them.

And that was all it was—a mere touch, nothing more.

As if anything deeper would somehow tarnish the moment they were sharing.

But just as Sebastian began to withdraw, Riley felt a surge of boldness. She reached up, grasping his collar, and pulled him back down to her. This time, it was her lips that sought his, filled with a newfound determination.

“Open your mouth,” she instructed, her voice steady.

Sebastian froze, momentarily taken aback, but then he obediently parted his lips, surrendering to the moment.

And then, she kissed him—her way, full of unspoken feelings and hidden desires.

When it was over, she noticed the tips of Sebastian’s ears had turned a bright shade of red. He stared at her, utterly stunned, as if the world had paused around them.

“Why?” he asked, bewilderment etched across his features.

“Because you’re my boyfriend. I wanted to kiss you. Okay?” she replied, her heart racing.

His eyes sparkled with surprise and delight, and he tasted sweetness lingering on his lips. A smile broke across his face, transforming his expression into something truly beautiful.

“Okay,” he murmured, still in a daze.

“Then can I go to bed now?” she teased, a playful smile dancing on her lips.

Only then did Sebastian reluctantly release her, his fingers lingering on her waist as if he were afraid she might vanish if he let go completely.

After she left the room, he ran a finger lightly across his lips, still feeling the warmth of her kiss.

“Riley,” he whispered, closing his eyes as he savored the memory of that moment.

“What am I going to do… You give me a little, and I just want more.”

*****

Back in her room, Riley had just finished washing up when her phone buzzed, breaking the silence of the night.

It was Lara.

“Is Sebastian with you right now?” Lara’s voice came through, urgent and curious.

“Another bad dream?” Bryce asked, stepping into her room, concern etched on his face.

Ever since their return from the Anderson Group, Bella had been a shadow of her former self. Nightmares plagued her sleep, robbing her of peace.

“Yeah,” Bella admitted, her voice shaky, drenched in cold sweat.

“It’s probably because Riley attacked you in public. Maybe you should see a therapist before it spirals into something worse,” Bryce suggested, his tone gentle yet firm.

“Okay,” Bella replied with a long, weary sigh.

But deep down, she knew that it had nothing to do with Riley. It was that chilling text message that had shaken her to her very core.

“Murderer.” That one word had sent her spiraling into a pit of fear and confusion.

Who sent that message?

She had tried to trace the number, only to discover it was a burner—a ghost in the digital world. Virtual. Disposable. No way to track it down.

Bryce approached her, gently wiping the sweat from her forehead. “Let me get you some water. Wait here,” he said, his voice soothing.

Bella nodded, grateful for his presence. As Bryce stepped out of the room, his phone suddenly rang. The moment he saw the caller ID, his expression shifted, a shadow crossing his features, and he quickly walked away.

Bella frowned, unease creeping into her heart.

He had never avoided taking calls in front of her before. But just now…

Curiosity and suspicion flared within her. Bella slipped out of bed, her heart pounding, and followed him quietly.

From the hallway, she heard Bryce answer in a low, serious voice, “It’s me. You found a lead on who pulled me out of the river eight years ago?”

Bella, standing just behind the wall, froze, her breath catching in her throat. The weight of his words hung heavily in the air, and a new wave of dread washed over her.