by Layla Hagen
“Besides, you should keep a closer eye on Ryker from now on,” Skye told Cole. “He wanted to cheat—make me rig Heather’s raffles so he always won.”
I placed a hand on my hip, turning to Ryker, who was glaring at his sister.
“Ah, wasn’t supposed to say that to Heather, right? But I think it counts in your favor. Shows your commitment to dance with her,” Skye said.
“I thought you said it was worth buying all the tickets,” I teased.
“Yes, but there’s always a risk of someone placing a bid before me and then being picked.”
I brought a hand to my mouth but still wasn’t able to mask the guffaw escaping my lips. Ryker’s siblings were merely smiling or shaking their heads. As soon as Ryker left, they immediately started singing his praises—even Cole.
“He’s smart, hardworking. Are we missing something?” Tess asked.
“Loyal,” Skye added.
Cole held up a finger. “I have one. Fun.”
“You’re really giving this praising thing all you’ve got,” I said.
“That’s the family motto,” Cole informed me.
“Just so you’re warned, Mom is here tonight,” Skye said. “Don’t know where she is now, but she and Avery talked a lot during the dances.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yeah. She’ll find you eventually,” Tess said.
They were such a delight that I wanted to linger with them during the entire break, but I needed to check on Avery. I almost left the table barefoot before remembering that I’d taken off my shoes. Damn, I’d only spent a few dances with Ryker and was already losing my head? How was I going to fare at the end of the evening?
Avery paid exactly zero attention to me. She was already sweaty from playing so much, but there was nothing I could do about that. I hadn’t thought about bringing a second dress for her. She was grinning and jumping up and down in excitement, along with two other girls. I felt about as old as her right now. It occurred to me that I hadn’t felt this childish joy in such a long time. I’d missed it, and I had Ryker to thank for making me feel that way again.
I was lost in thoughts, watching her, until a woman walked up to me. Her gray hair was pulled up into a high bun. Her smile was warm and vaguely familiar.
“Heather, I’m Amelia, Ryker’s mother.”
“Amelia! It’s great to meet you.”
Her smile widened as she looked between me and Avery.
“I’ve already had the pleasure of meeting your daughter. She’s lovely.”
“Thank you.”
“I miss the time when they were all little,” she murmured, looking at the playground.
“Wasn’t it hard though?”
She shrugged. “It was... especially once I was on my own, but there were so many good memories.”
“How did you do it?” I asked suddenly. Crap, this was too personal.
“Honestly, I don’t know. It somehow all worked out, though it often seemed like it wouldn’t. I was stubborn though, not wanting to let anyone get too close to me. Poor Mick had to fight his way to me, and we lost precious years because of that.”
Hmmm... that was a pretty heavy-handed hint. Had Tess told her about our conversation? All signs pointed to yes.
“You’re happy now, that’s what matters,” I said.
“True. My boys gave Mick such a hard time when he first asked me out. But they were just protecting me.”
She launched into story after story about her kids, painting a picture so vivid that I felt right there in the moment with them. Damn, she was even better at praising Ryker than the rest. I wasn’t certain if she was doing it on purpose, but it worked like a charm.
When Ryker went on stage to deliver his speech, Amelia headed to her table to sit down, but I stood where I was, leaning against the wall.
Ryker commanded the attention of the room effortlessly. He spoke with passion and conviction, and he exuded this je ne sais quoi that made you look his way no matter how crowded a space was. In my case, it was also impossible to look away. I was rooted to the spot, eyes on stage. Ryker shifted his focus through the room during his speech. Every time our gazes crossed, I involuntarily looked at the red curtain, then at my girl, who was currently laughing at something one of the sitters was telling her.
Once the speech was over, Ryker moved off the stage. He stopped to chat with some guests. I headed to the playground, catching up with my daughter just as she was about to climb on the slide again.
“Avery, I’m going out of the room for a while. I need some air, but then I’ll be back, okay?”
“Sure, Mommy.”
I laughed as she just plowed down the slide. Guess she won’t miss me.
I turned to one of the sitters next. “I’m stepping out of the room for a beat, but I’ll be back. I’ll have my phone with me, so you can call if Avery needs anything.”
“Of course. We’ll be here,” she said, handing me her phone. I typed my number in it.
“Okay, then.”
After picking up my small bag from the table, I headed toward the red curtain before I could talk myself out of it, aware of the heat in my cheeks, the wild beat of my heart.
Holy shit, how could I be so nervous?
Oh, Heather. You’re looking for trouble.
Past the red curtain was a door. My palms were a little sweaty when I pushed it open. I felt as if I was at a clandestine meeting.
Chapter Thirteen
Heather
There was a long corridor behind the curtain and then a staircase leading to the next level. I came face-to-face with a door. I opened it, stepping into what seemed to be yet another changing room, but larger. There was a leather couch, as well as a huge mirror with a counter on one wall. I set my bag on it, checking my phone to set the ringtone to loud, not just vibrate. The second I shoved the phone back in the bag, the door opened. My stomach tightened. Ryker stepped in, closing the door behind him, hovering in front of it for a few seconds before striding toward me. He stopped right behind me. Our gazes were locked in the mirror.
“That was an excellent speech,” I said.
“Thanks.”
“This whole evening is amazing.”
“I’m glad you’re having fun.”
“It’s all so surreal. The ballroom, the music, the whole vibe.”
“So I’m not contributing at all?”
“Maybe. Not sure yet. I’ll let you know at the end of the evening.”
His eyes flashed. “I’ll make sure the balance tilts in my favor, Heather.”
I smelled his cologne for the first time tonight—wood and citrus. Had he tilted closer? I didn’t think so, but it was as if now that I’d been close enough once, I could smell it no matter how faint it was.
“What are we doing here?” I asked.
“I wanted a few moments alone with you. Out there, there’s always a guest chatting me up.”
I felt his fingers against the bare skin on my upper back. I shuddered lightly, the contact zinging me. He snapped his gaze up the next second, locking it with mine in the mirror again. God, how he looked at me. He was still touching my upper back, trailing his fingers from one shoulder blade to the other. I shivered again, biting my lower lip.
“Want me to kiss you here?” he asked in a low, dangerous voice.
I nodded slowly, unable to reason or think. I just needed his mouth. Needed him. When his lips made contact with my skin, I gripped the counter for support. When I felt the tip of his tongue, my knees buckled.
He brought one hand to my right hip, possibly attempting to steady me. His touch had just the opposite effect. I was now so jittery that I could barely stand.
“Where else do you want me to kiss you, Heather?”
“Everywhere.” I couldn’t reason, couldn’t think past how much I wanted him—needed him. I’d thought for sure Ryker would whirl me around, kiss me. Instead, he brought his arm around my waist, stepping so close that I could feel his hard-on pressing again
st my ass cheek. His mouth explored my neck, and he was bunching the fabric of my dress, lifting it higher and higher... I moaned when his fingers brushed the bare skin of my thigh.
“Ryker, the door....”
“I locked it.”
Those three words unleashed an inferno inside me. I was so aroused I couldn’t even breathe. He’d locked the door... because he’d come here for this. For me.
“You’re so beautiful, Heather, so fucking perfect.” He brought his hand higher until he reached the rim of my panties... and then he rubbed two fingers right along the center, pressing the damp fabric against my sensitive skin. On reflex, I buckled forward, gripping the counter even tighter when I felt him rub his erection against me. Tiny needles speared me everywhere.
“Fuck, baby. You’re already wet.”
With every rub of his fingers, I came apart more. OhGod, OhGod. “Ryker. Ryker!”
Abruptly, he stopped touching me. I moaned in protest. He turned me around, capturing my mouth. I fisted his hair with both hands, demanding all he had, but Ryker kissed me slowly. So damn slowly.
I tugged at his shirt and managed to undo one button before he captured both wrists in one hand, smiling against my mouth.
“Why the rush?” he murmured.
“I want you.”
His eyes flashed. He pulled me closer until his erection pressed against my belly. “You feel this? It’s all for you. I want to savor you, Heather. Everything about you. The way you look at me. The way you feel against me. I’ve wanted you since that first evening I saw you.”
I lost my trail of thought when he captured my mouth again. He pinned me to the wall with his hips. I parted my legs, wanting him closer, needing him closer. His erection pressed right between my thighs. The tip nudged against my clit with every lash of his tongue. When we paused the kiss to breathe, we both laughed. He looked at me with heat and unexpected tenderness.
“I don’t know what you’re doing to me, Heather, but I want more of it. Of you.”
He skimmed his hands down my face, the sides of my neck, and then my shoulders, as if he wanted to memorize my body.
When I felt his hand on the zipper, waiting, silently asking for permission, I drew in a sharp breath before nodding.
Ryker lowered the zipper the next second, pushing the dress off my shoulders, letting it drop to the floor. The dress had sewn-in cups, so I wore no bra, just panties. Ryker’s eyes were hooded with lust. Hooking an arm around my waist, he lifted me onto the counter, bringing my breasts level with his mouth.
I wasn’t sure how it was possible to affect me so much just by looking at me.
He cupped one breast, teasing the nipple with his thumb until it was so hard and sensitive that every stroke was pure torture. I moaned, pushing my hips forward, gripping the counter tightly. Pushing my thighs wide, Ryker kissed a path downward until he reached my panties. His mouth teased at the hem, setting me on fire.
“Lift up your ass a bit.” His voice was low, rich, and so commanding that I instantly became even more aroused. I focused my weight on my palms, lifting my ass just enough so he could lower my panties. He watched me hungrily, drawing one finger along my center before putting his mouth on me. He sucked my clit between his lips until my vision faded... and then he slid one finger inside me.
“Oh, fuck.” I swallowed hard, leaning against the mirror, hoping to cool off. It had just the opposite effect. Feeling Ryker’s hot mouth and the cold surface of the mirror at the same time overwhelmed me.
The rhythm of his fingers and his mouth was maddening. It was too much. I could barely breathe past so much pleasure. My orgasm formed in slow motion. I felt every pull, every cell wiring to my center. When my inner muscles clenched, Ryker came up, pressing his fingers on my sensitive spot, claiming my mouth while I gave in to my climax. I squirmed and moaned and even though I was still light-headed from the aftershocks of the orgasm, I reached for Ryker’s belt, desperately needing him.
He watched me with hooded eyes as I unclasped it, lowering his zipper. He tugged at his buttons, removing his shirt. My hands trembled a little as I pushed down his pants, then his boxers. He was just beautiful. Every part of his body was defined and so damn sexy. I cupped his erection, flattening the heel of my palm on the tip.
Ryker buckled forward, slamming his hands on the mirror behind me. His mouth was in the crook of my neck. His hot breath tickled my skin.
He pressed his fingers into my waist. “Heather! I want to fuck you tonight.”
“Yes, please. Please.”
I’d just climaxed, but I was so hungry for all the sensations he spurred, everything he made me feel. I was so desperate for him that I couldn’t even see straight.
“Fuck. Have to bring a condom,” he said.
“I’m on birth control and healthy,” I whispered.
“I’m clean.”
He swallowed hard, lifting me off the counter the next second. I hung onto his neck, awkwardly pressed my knees into his sides. He sat on the couch. I was on top of him, pressing his erection between us.
He teased my clit with his tip in little circles. He was driving me crazy! I was still so sensitive from before that my inner muscles pulsed. I couldn’t wait any longer.
I lowered myself onto him slowly. This felt delicious. Our gazes clashed, and I smiled, not feeling self-conscious in any way. How could I, when he looked at me like that?
Bracing my palms on his shoulders, I moved my hips back and forth, drinking in every sensation. When Ryker pressed his thumb on my clit, I cried out, unprepared for the flash of heat coursing through me.
The next second, Ryker took control. He lifted me off him, placing me on my back on the couch. I cried out in protest, feeling empty and cold until he slammed inside me. I lifted my legs a little higher, taking him in as deeply as possible, loving the pressure of his pelvis on my clit with every thrust. We both moved in a fast and desperate rhythm... right until Ryker changed the rules again. He stilled, touching every part of me he could reach, kissing me. Knowing he needed to savor me like this was doing unspeakable things to me.
I ran my hands all over his back and arms, kissing his neck and shoulders—everywhere I could reach. I loved having those steel muscles against me, feeling the perspiration forming on his skin. When he started moving his hips again, I felt everything at a different level, as if we were even more entwined than before. I dug my hips firmly into the cushions, gyrating them, following his wild rhythm.
A loud, guttural sound pierced the air as I felt him pulse inside me, chasing his climax.
Next thing I knew, he pressed his thumb on my clit, and I was done for. Where my last orgasm built up slowly, this one slammed into me so fast that it left me breathless. The aftershocks lasted longer this time. We were both fighting to regain our breath.
“I’m crushing you,” he said after a few minutes, sliding off me. He drew the tip of his nose from my shoulder up the side of my neck.
“Yeah... but I kind of like it.” I couldn’t believe how earth shattering this had been. Ryker had made it so. He chuckled, sitting up straight. “You okay?”
I nodded, smiling. “Better than okay. Just not too sure I can get up right now. Or even sit.”
Ryker took my hand, kissing it. It was the third time tonight my heart felt about to explode, and I was certain it wouldn’t be the last time.
“Come on, let’s clean up and head back out there,” he said.
Holy shit! I’d completely forgotten about Avery and the ball and everything else. Adrenaline kicked in. I bolted upright so fast that my vision swam. I tightened my grip on Ryker’s hand for support.
“Oh God, how long were we gone?”
“Heather, relax. We’ll go out in a few minutes.”
“It’ll take me a bit longer to put myself together.”
“Okay. Let’s clean up, and then I’ll go out first while you finish touching up. There’s a small bathroom in that corner. How does that sound?”
“Like
a plan.”
Ryker gathered his clothes off the floor and went first into the bathroom. I hurried to the mirror, checking my phone. The sitter hadn’t called me. I exhaled sharply, then assessed my appearance. There was no hiding what had just happened. My hair was rumpled, and there was no way I could style it back in the elegant do from before. My cheeks were flushed, my lips a little swollen. There was also no erasing that smile on my face. I didn’t even try.
Ryker came out of the bathroom the next second, fully dressed. He walked behind me, kissing my bare shoulder, looking at me in the mirror again. His eyes still smoldered.
“I’ll wait for you outside.” He spoke against my skin, feathering his fingers up my arm. I simply nodded.
After Ryker left, I hurried to finish cleaning up. My body was still humming from his touch. What would his love feel like? I smiled just thinking about it, even though I had a small knot in my throat. I’d set rules for myself, and I’d already broken them.
The ball was still in full swing. I searched the kids’ corner for Avery, but she was nowhere to be seen. Then I noticed her curled up on one of the couches, sleeping. One of the sitters was next to her, along with Tess, who was speaking with Ryker. I headed their way.
“She just fell asleep a few minutes ago,” the sitter said.
“Thanks. Did she ask for me?”
“Not at all. Just came directly to the couch and lay down on it.”
“Thanks a lot.” She went back to the kids’ corner, which was when I realized Tess’s gaze lingered on my rumpled hair, and her lips curled into a smile. Could she tell what had just happened?
“I’m taking her home. She does this when she’s excited. Plays until she’s exhausted, then immediately falls asleep.”
“I’ll take you home,” Ryker said.
“We can just uber.” My face heated up just at the sound of his voice.
“We have a car service for our guests waiting outside,” Tess said.
“I’m coming with you,” he repeated in a tone that brooked no argument.
“But you still have to mingle with the guests,” I said.