AR Returns Ch58

Going to Japan was great, but it was also a major hassle. Traveling in-country is easier, and they can do it on shorter notice. The trouble is hotels; hotels are full of people, each of whom might recognize Riley. The solution is free-standing rentals… but not Airbnb because Riley’s scared of hidden cameras. That leaves only respectable places.

And so, a few months after returning from Japan, when Jess not so subtly begins agitating for another getaway by casually dropping lots of travel article links in their group chat, Riley again turns to her bucket list, which includes things like romantic lovemaking on a bearskin rug in the mountains.

Chalets are easy to rent in Aspen, and Jess lights up at the idea of going skiing. A snowy mountain is a tough place to be recognized and ski gear with goggles is even better than hats and sunglasses for the incognito celebrity.

If there’s a downside, it’s that skiing doesn’t go with anything cute like swimsuits or yukatas, and Jess really likes playing dress-up. She compensates by shopping for everyone.

As they soak together in their rental’s hot tub in the icy night air, Riley wonders what she’s in for. She doesn’t doubt Jess’s sense of style, which is impeccable, but Jess can get carried away sometimes. Four fancy shopping bags wait inside the chalet, containing whatever underwear Jess has decided they should all wear.

After plane rides and skiing, Riley’s more tired than horny, but naked time in the hot tub helps with that. She’s a professional athlete and it’s been weeks since they’ve all been together in person; she has to find the strength to satisfy Jess. It’s a holy mission.

Meanwhile, Jess is on her third glass of wine and getting very friendly with her toes under the water. It feels like FUTA’s making Riley do more and more promotional work on top of her soccer duties, so there’s hardly any time for anything else. Jess’s scrapbook is no longer purely sentimental; it’s come in handy several times when Riley’s been stressed out and strapped for time. She smiles at the thought and notices Adella looking at her.

They kiss, for the first time this trip, with no hurry and no agenda.

Jess allows it for a full five seconds before squirming and nudging them under the water.

“OK,” she says. “Time to get changed.”

“Yes, Mommy,” Riley replies ironically, still looking into Adella’s eyes.

“Who’s getting the towels? Or are we all just running inside like dumb, naked sorority chicks?” Stef asks. “Because we didn’t bring any out with us.” She sighs. “Like dumb, naked sorority chicks.”

“Tell me you’ve been fantasizing about CCL without telling me that you’ve been fantasizing about CCL,” Riley says.

“Like you don’t,” Stef shoots back.

“I wonder if we could get invited to those parties,” Jess says wistfully. “What?” she asks, seeing everyone staring at her.