by JA Low
“You ready to head out?” I ask, walking back over to where Ariana is standing.
“I can’t come home with you.”
Her words stop me in my tracks.
I thought we were having a great time.
I thought things had progressed.
“Tonight’s been a wonderful distraction, but my life is a mess at the moment.” She sighs. “I’ve just quit my job. I’ve also given notice on my home, and I have to move,” she explains. “And I have to work out how the hell I am going to start my own architectural firm.” She throws her hands up in the air like it’s all too much.
“Sounds like you could use something to relax you.” I bend down and whisper in her ear, “And by something, I mean my dick.”
She laughs and slaps her hand against my chest. “As much as I want to say yes…” those chocolate eyes swirl with desire and lust, “… I have to put me first.”
“I’m happy putting you first.” I grin.
“Stop it. You’re making very persuasive points.” Ariana shakes her head. “Maybe we can catch up next week,” she says quietly, then bites her lip.
This is good.
This is much better than I never want to see you again.
“I’d like that.” Reaching out, I cup her face forgetting myself for the moment. “Also, I’d like to take you home.” She gives me a look. “As in a ride home.”
“I’d like that,” she agrees.
Yes!
15
Ariana
I wasn’t expecting to have fun tonight, but I did.
I also wasn’t expecting to sleep with Rhys again, but I did.
I also wasn’t expecting to want to do it again and again.
Then why did you say no to going home with him? I was trying to be a fricking adult. My life is a mess. I mean, twelve hours ago, I threw a grenade at my life and blew it up. I resigned from my job, and they kicked me to the curb. Emma convinced me to come to this black-tie event, and the guy I was trying to hide from I ended up screwing the moment I ran into him.
No self-control.
Not a single ounce.
But come on, Rhys Davenport in a tuxedo? No one is saying no to that.
Then I find myself at his table. Thanks, Emma.
I know she planned it. Not sure how, but she pulled some strings to get us at his table, but then the most surprising thing happened, we all got along. It was a brilliant evening. Plus, I love his sister, Audrey. She is the cutest, and her naïveté is so endearing. After one too many drinks, the auction started, and when they flashed up the most gorgeous hotel on earth, I mentioned to Rhys how much I have always wanted to swim in the azure ocean of the Turks and Caicos Islands—next thing I know, Rhys is buying the package. The package from his own resort that he would get for free. He paid an astonishing amount to be the winner only to hand the prize over to me.
I’ve never been a girl who’s impressed by grand gestures or showcasing your wealth like that. But Rhys wasn’t doing it for any of those things. He just wanted to do it for me. I’ve never had anyone do something like that for me before.
Buying me something just to see me smile.
His words.
Rhys Davenport is beginning to get under my skin, and I like it, but unfortunately, his life is more complicated than my own. For one, he’s technically still married. From all reports I’ve read online, this battle for his fortune has been going on for a long time and doesn’t look like it’s ever going to end. That’s a huge distraction I don’t need at the moment. Maybe the time isn’t right for us.
Thanks, universe, for sending a great guy into my life when the time isn’t right.
“You okay? You seem lost in your thoughts,” Rhys asks as we walk hand in hand to his limousine.
“Just thinking about how sucky the timing is meeting you.”
“What do you mean?” Rhys looks at me with a frown on his face as the driver opens the door for us to slide in. Rhys lets go of my hand, and I step into the limousine. Moments later, Rhys is sitting beside me, and the thud of the door closing us off to the rest of the world is heard. “Why do you think it’s at the wrong time?” he asks again.
“You’re in the middle of an acrimonious divorce.”
Rhys lets out a heavy sigh and lays his head back against the leather chair. His hand rubs his eyes as if he’s stressed. “I’m sorting it out. It’s become a little more complicated than I would have wished.” He turns and looks over at me. “I do not want my ex-wife,” he tells me honestly.
“I know,” I reassure him. I think her running off with his best friend would put a dampener on all hopes of a reconciliation. “You need to concentrate on saving your business.”
“You’ve googled me, then?” He arches a brow.
“Of course.”
“Not everything you read is true. I never cheated on her for one.” His face falls while talking about his ex. “My father repeatedly cheated on my mother their entire marriage, and I abhor it,” he confesses. “I never wanted that for myself. I never wanted to be divorced. I thought Madison was the one.” I reach out and entwine my fingers with his. “She fooled me. Showed me what I wanted to see, and because I was so desperate not to be like my father in any way, shape, or form, I inevitably became my father.” I can see the pain etched on his face, especially in the lines on his forehead.
“You are nothing like your father, Rhys. Believe me.” This has his attention. “And you are most certainly not like your brother.”
“You know he told me to stay away from you at the office,” Rhys confesses. “He said that the two of you were sleeping together.”
“What! No! Ew.” I screw up my nose at the thought.
He chuckles. “I knew it wasn’t true. Sandy isn’t as mysterious as he thinks he is. He forgets I grew up around his lies. I know how to read him.” I’m glad he doesn’t think I would sleep with his brother.
Eww.
Double eww.
“He just doesn’t want me to have something he desires.” Rhys looks over at me with desire in his own eyes. “Little did he know I had already had a taste and am addicted.” Rhys reaches out and picks me up, depositing me on top of him. My legs fall on either side of his thick thighs, the high slit in my dress exposing myself to him. “He could only dream of being able to touch you like this.” Rhys’ fingers sink inside of me. Oh my God! “Wishing he knew what you feel like from the inside out.” His fingers curl inside, stroking, bringing me to the brink. “How perfectly you come all over my fingers.” His blue eyes are luminous with lust. “The way you bite your bottom lip, the closer and closer I get to pushing you over the edge.” Instinctively I bite my lip which makes him grin. “You are the most intriguing creature I have ever met.”
“I want you, Rhys.” My voice is breathless as I close my eyes and reopen them.
“Oh, I know.” He gives me a cocky grin. “And you will in good time.”
“No.” My voice stills him.
Lust.
Desire
Need.
Have taken me over, and I’m frenzied by it all.
My hands go to the button on his tuxedo pants. He’s so hard against the silky fabric. I want him. I want him like I’ve never wanted anyone else before. My fingers pull down the zipper of his pants, revealing his underwear, so I move the elastic of his briefs down, exposing his delicious length to me. My hand wraps around his velvety skin.
“Shit, Ariana.” He groans.
“I need you, Rhys.” My voice is husky. “I need you to fill me. Fuck me.”
Who is this woman? Rhys doesn’t need me to tell him twice as his hand slips from me, and he pushes his pants down, not before grabbing a condom and sheathing himself. I hover above, our eyes meeting as I am suspended above him. Slowly, I lower myself over him, painfully slowly, and watch his face as inch by inch I sink down on him.
“Fuck,” he curses, but his eyes never leave my own as we connect at that moment.
Once I’m full, his
fingers dig into my hips and hold me there.
“I’ve never wanted anyone like I want you.” This connection between us is powerful and something I’ve never experienced before. It has to be our chemistry. It’s off the charts. We just seem to fit. “Please don’t push me away.”
His vulnerability catches me off guard. But then he begins to move me, his fingers digging into my hips and pulling me up off of him before he slams hard into me again, making me see stars. He does it over and over, those blue eyes never moving from mine.
It’s intimate.
Even though the fucking is dirty as he continues to take control and fuck me harder and harder.
My fingers dig into his shoulders as I meet each and every one of his thrusts. Over and over, we fuck in relative silence. No dirty talking. Just the sounds of our mutual grunts, moans, and groans. The sounds of our skin slapping against each other as we take each other in. I’ve never felt so connected to someone while I fucked them before, and it’s unnerving. The problem is, I don’t know if I’m going to be able to push him away after this. It’s as if each thrust into me, he burrows himself deeper and deeper into my soul, and that’s scary because I wasn’t expecting it. I wasn’t looking for it. And now I’m not sure if I can stop it.
Rhys’ thumb finds my clit, and I’m done for.
Stars, fireworks, unicorns take flight, and I’m soaring through the cosmos as he completely detonates me. He doesn’t let up chasing his own release while I hang on for dear life until he too is soaring through the cosmos chasing his release.
“Wow.”
He kisses me passionately, then pulling back, he confesses, “I don’t ever want to let you go.”
“I know.” Leaning forward, we rest our heads together.
“But I know I have to, don’t I?” Those blue eyes search mine in the hope of finding another answer.
“I’m sorry, Rhys.”
He shakes his head. “You have nothing to be sorry about.” He cups my face and gives me a warm smile. “You’re right. It’s bad timing between the two of us.”
I don’t like this feeling sinking in my stomach at hearing his words.
“We both need to sort things out so maybe we can have a chance.” Hope floats and swirls around me. “Because I can guarantee when we are, I’m never letting you go.”
I don’t think I want him to either.
“I’ll be ready,” I reply, which makes him smile.
He kisses me again, sealing our decision to sort our shit out first.
16
Rhys
Saying goodbye to Ariana after the gala was hard, but as much as I didn’t like her reasons for us not being together at the moment, I understood. I shouldn’t be looking to start a new relationship with the drama of my old one still hanging over us all. I need my divorce finalized, so I can finally get my life back on track.
“You ready?” my lawyer asks as we step into the conference room where we are having mediation with Madison. I take a seat in front of her. She’s dressed in a designer suit, her makeup is immaculate, and her brown hair is pulled up in a conservative bun. She looks nothing like the party girl her Instagram shows her as.
“We all know why we are here today,” Madison’s lawyer states. “My client would like everything finalized, or we will be taking this matter to trial,” he threatens.
“My client seeks for this to be tied up here today. He will not be giving over fifty percent of his company to your client,” my lawyer counters. “He is happy to go to trial.” I can see how furious Madison is as her face turns a nice shade of red. “It’s come to our attention that the clerk who was supposed to file the prenup was an ex of Miss Barlow’s.”
Boom. Letting that bit of information drop into the room. Instantly, there’s a gasp from Madison, who looks genuinely confused by the whole situation.
“I don’t know what they are talking about.” Madison turns to her lawyer, who hushes her. My own lawyer hands over old photographs of Madison and her ex together—pictures that were taken even after we were engaged. This woman has set me up. Madison’s eyes widen in surprise at the images in front of her. I’d hired a top Manhattan security company because I’d heard that his private investigation services were the best. He’s still trying to dig up more dirt on Madison, but this is the start, and it’s a good one.
“That’s not what it looks like.” Madison stares at the images. “I didn’t plan any of this.” She then looks over at me. “Rhys, I never planned any of this.”
Her lawyers are trying to placate her, to quiet her down.
“But you were fucking him?”
My lawyer shakes his head at my statement.
“I think we might reconvene at another date,” Madison’s lawyer adds.
“I think that might be a good idea,” my lawyer agrees.
“Of course, I was fucking him, but…” Madison screams at me as she tries to grab me. Tears begin falling down her cheeks. Honestly, she’s such an incredibly good actress. “I would never ask him to do something like this.” I don’t care anymore. “I’m trying to protect you, Rhys.”
That comment stills me.
Protect me.
Protect me from what?
“Please, Rhys, just give me a moment, and I can explain everything.” There’s something in the way her voice sounds that makes me agree to her request.
“Madison, I don’t think this is a good idea,” her lawyer says through gritted teeth.
“I have to agree,” my lawyer tells me.
“Please, Rhys. Give me ten minutes.”
Our lawyers throw their hands up in the air and leave us to it.
“What is it, Maddy?” I angrily take a seat, losing my damn patience with her.
“I’m sorry this has gone on for so long.” For the first time, she looks scared. “Everything is spinning out of control.” I fold my arms across my chest. “You look good.” She gives me a small smile.
“Madison.” My tone is stern.
“I know… I know.” She huffs. “I’m nervous, okay? I’m worried that something might happen to me when I tell you.”
She’s shaking with fear.
What the hell is going on?
“Start at the beginning, Maddy. Please?”
“Okay, but don’t interrupt me. I want to get it all out before I lose my nerve.”
I nod my head in agreement.
“I was approached by someone to seduce you.” My stomach sinks at the words leaving her mouth. “To get close to you. Make you fall in love with me, so ultimately you would marry me.” She doesn’t dare look at me. “They knew about Dominic and I having an affair, and they used it against both of us. They are powerful.”
Madison begins nervously tapping her long nails on the table. “They paid me a lot of money to make you fall in love with me.” She sighs. “I thought this was great… I could get rich while sleeping with you.” She chews her ruby red lips nervously. “They also found out I was sleeping with my ex, Mikey, the clerk at your lawyer’s firm,” she tells me. “I didn’t know there was any connection until right then when you showed me the photos.”
No wonder she freaked out.
“Anyway, as you know, we got married, and I received a large payout for that from this person,” she explains.
“That night you caught Dominic and me together in The Hamptons was a setup. We were told the exact time you would arrive. We were told everything.” I’m so confused. “Seeing your face that night was horrible. Watching your heart breaking right before my eyes made me feel like shit.”
But it didn’t stop you from taking the money, did it?
“I threatened I’d tell you everything… that I wanted no part of whatever was going on. I wanted to get out, but they wouldn’t let me, especially when they found more evidence to blackmail with.” Who the hell is this woman? “I’m not a nice person. I get it. I’m ambitious,” she tells me honestly.
“I was having fun and enjoying the wealth that came with my p
erverted little games.” Madison twists her fingers together nervously. “I didn’t really have a conscience before that night.” She looks up at me. “Your brother knew my weakness was money, so he used it. He used it to buy me as his mistress.”
What! I double over in pain like I’m going to be sick.
“He used to get off on the fact that he was fucking his brother’s wife. I liked the game. The thrill. He especially liked fucking me over your desk when you had gone home at night.”
Fuck. I stand and begin pacing the room, raking my hands through my hair. What the hell is wrong with these people? I had no idea my brother despised me that much. “Is it him?” I ask her. “Is he the one trying to take my company?”
She shakes her head. “Your brother is not smart enough for that. No, he got off on fucking me, that’s all,” she explains.
“Then who the hell is fucking me over?” Running low on patience, my tone of voice rises.
“I don’t know. I never dealt with them. They spoke on the phone using voice-altering software.” Fuck. It could be anyone. “They threatened to make public videos of Stanford and me together,” Madison tells me. “When I told them I was going to tell you, they also told me that they know some powerful people in the same jail where my brother is currently incarcerated.”
Wait, she has a brother?
And he’s in jail.
“To show me how serious they were, someone sent my brother a message via a broken jaw. I couldn’t risk him getting hurt again.” Tears well in her eyes as she talks about it. “He’s all I have left.” She breaks down.
This shit is seriously fucked-up. But I get now why she’s fighting me tooth and nail over my divorce—her brother’s life is on the line.