by JA Low
When did my baby sister get so wise?
“Well, fingers crossed.”
Once we fight the weekend traffic, we eventually make it out of the city to the exclusive enclaves of Greenwich, which is littered with million-dollar gated estates. There are rolling green hills, and the blue of the harbor with white sailing boats dotting the horizon. It’s idyllic.
Looking around at suburbia, it doesn’t seem so bad.
Oh, shit! Does that mean I am getting old, like Audrey said, seeing as I just thought that suburbia looks okay? A shiver runs down my spine. This is not okay.
We pull up to the gates of Emma and Anderson’s home, our driver gives our names into the intercom, and the large iron gates open. There’s a long sweeping driveway with lush green gardens that meet the dark blue of the Long Island Sound. The car pulls up to the front of the gray stone building. Once the car stops, the driver gets out and opens the door for Audrey. I step out the other side and shake myself out, nerves hitting me as I look at the grand front entrance. Fingers crossed Ariana doesn’t decide to throw me out on my ass.
“Welcome,” Emma greets us at the front door. She’s wearing a Grecian style white and gold dress, dripping in diamonds which makes her look like a goddess. “You made it.” She reaches out and pulls Audrey to her in a friendly hug, then Emma looks over at me and gives me a look up and down. “You have a bit of groveling to do, Mr. Davenport.” Emma grins before kissing me on each cheek.
“Everyone knows everyone’s business in this group of people. Better get used to it if you’re thinking of joining it,” Anderson adds, stepping up behind his wife and giving me a friendly smile before shaking my hand.
Good tip to know.
“Also, if you hurt one of us, you hurt us all.” Emma’s eyes narrow on me. I get the not-so-subtle warning. Don’t fuck Ariana over again. “Now, come and enjoy the festivities.” Emma opens the door wider, and we walk into their palatial home. The happy couple escorts us down a long corridor that leads out to the open-plan entertainment area. I still when I see Ariana sitting on one of the lounges laughing while sipping a glass of champagne. An instant ache forms in my chest when I see her.
“Everyone let me introduce you all to Audrey and Rhys Davenport,” Emma tells the group.
Everyone stops talking and turns their heads in our direction, but all my attention is on Ariana, watching her reaction. Those chocolate eyes widen in surprise as she takes me in standing in front of her. She takes a nervous sip of her champagne, but her eyes don’t meet mine at all. Fuck.
“You can’t be fucking serious,” Logan Stone grumbles from the entertainment area. “You better not be here for Lenna. She’s my wife now.” He glares at me.
Wait a minute, my attention is pulled to where Lenna and Logan are sitting with a baby between them. How? When? What’s going on?
I look over at Ariana, and Logan’s statement has her attention. Well, fuck, she’s friends with Lenna. It’s not like anything really happened between us. It was literally a bit of flirtation.
“Would you stop it?” Lenna swats him. “Rhys, it’s so good to see you again.” Lenna gets up and gives me a welcoming hug. Logan’s attention is squarely on me—he doesn’t look happy.
“Rhys is here for Ariana, not Lenna,” Emma lets Logan know.
This is turning into a damn shit show, and I’ve only been here for five minutes.
“Really?” Lenna turns and looks over at her friend. “I didn’t realize you guys knew each other?” Lenna’s question catches Ariana off guard, and I can see the wheels turning as she tries to work out what the hell is going on.
“I’ve known Ariana for a little while now. We haven’t seen each other in ages.”
Lenna looks back at me then back to Ariana. She grins, gives my arm a squeeze, and sits back down next to her pleased husband.
Ariana gives me a fake smile and a nod, but I can see she’s uncomfortable with all her friends’ attention on her. They are probably going to be asking her all the questions about us.
“Ari, why don’t you give Rhys the grand tour,” Emma blatantly tells her. “Especially the boathouse. I am sure he would love to hear your plans for it.”
Ariana shoots Emma daggers across the entertainment area at her suggestion. She reluctantly stands, placing her glass on the table, and turns on her heels. “Come on, then,” she calls out to me.
I give everyone a small wave and follow after her.
Ariana looks amazing dressed in a long-sleeved red dress that falls to her knees. Her brunette hair is pulled up into a messy bun, and she’s wearing natural style makeup with a shock of bright red lipstick highlighting her plump lips. My mind runs away from me, and all I can imagine is them wrapped around my cock.
But I think we are a long way away from that ever happening.
22
Ariana
What the hell is Emma playing at? Inviting Rhys to her housewarming party and then pushing us together. Can’t deny he looks good, dressed in his jeans and a blue button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up, showing off the tanned corded muscles of his forearms. I watched the way the veins on his arms danced as he stood there awkwardly while everyone stared at him.
The girls are going to have so many fucking questions. Urgh. This group, as much as I love them, also love sticking their noses into places they are not needed. And yes, I’m well aware I’ve done it too, but now I understand how annoying it is.
“How have you been?” Rhys asks. His long legs making him catch up to me quickly as I storm off along the manicured grass of Emma and Anderson’s mansion.
“Good. Busy,” I answer, not giving him anything more.
Rhys remains quiet as I continue to stomp my way across the yard. It didn’t take this long to walk the boathouse last time I was here, I’m sure of it, but right now, it feels like we’ve been walking for an hour, especially with the awkward silence surrounding us. Also, I can feel the gawking eyes of my friends boring into us as we walk.
The conversation we need to have is going to happen behind closed doors.
Eventually, we make it to the boathouse, where we step onto the wooden deck of the building that juts out into the water. It’s absolutely beautiful down here with the smells of the ocean, the gentle lapping of the water against the wooden beams, and the white bobbing yachts docked along the foreshore.
Opening the glass door, we walk into the boathouse’s living room. I take a seat and fold my arms, waiting. Rhys gives me a tiny frown and takes the seat across from me, giving me space I desperately crave at this moment. Silence falls as neither one of us knows what to say.
“Did you hook up with Lenna?” Jealousy hitting me at the thought of Lenna having touched Rhys.
“What, no!” he answers quickly. “We flirted. I may have tried to kiss her. But nothing happened.” My eyes narrow on him as he tells me honestly what happened. “I’m assuming because she and Logan were having a little something. I found her crying on the beach in The Hamptons and took her in. We got on but nothing more happened. I was looking for attention after my divorce, so I guess that’s why I tried to kiss her goodnight. She moved at the last second, and honestly, that was the last time I ever saw her.”
I recall what happened that weekend in The Hamptons between Logan and Lenna, I just didn’t realize Rhys was there too.
“Are you still attracted to her?” The jealous words slip through my lips before I have a chance to stop them.
“No!” Rhys stands and takes the seat beside me, forcing me to look at him.
It’s too close. I can smell the citrusy scent of his cologne, and it’s doing things to my lady bits. I don’t like to trust her. She’s been neglected of the cock for a while.
“I had no idea Lenna was your friend.” He implores me with his eyes to believe him.
“I know,” I answer him quietly. “It caught me off guard, too.” I’m feeling guilty that I’m getting upset over something that happened way before me, and yet, I kissed Jesse
this week. Shit, I’m such a bitch.
“I haven’t been with anyone since you,” Rhys confesses, and now I feel ten times worse.
“I have to tell you something, Rhys.” My stomach twists and turns about what I am about to say. “I was in Montana this week for work, and um…” Shit. “I let someone I’ve hooked up with before kiss me.” There, I’ve dumped the words right on his lap. “It was only a kiss. I didn’t want anything more, and honestly, I feel sick about it because it made me think of you…”
Rhys reaches out and grabs my face. “Take a breath.” Rhys grins as his fingers press against my skin. “You have nothing to apologize for,” he tells me. “Not going to lie, though, I’m jealous as fuck of this guy getting to touch you, taste you like he did when I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind.” Dammit, I’m horrible. “I messed up, Ariana. I pushed you away. You owe me nothing,” he tells me. I look into his turquoise eyes and know he truly means it. He’s not angry with me. If anything, he’s angrier at himself.
“I’ve missed you, Rhys.”
He nods his head. “I’m sorry. So sorry I pushed you away. I’ve missed you, too. It’s as if a part of me is missing.”
We can sort out all the other bullshit later, so I launch myself into his lap and kiss him. I need Rhys. I’ve never wanted someone as much as I want him in this moment. It’s as if I’m crawling out of my skin to get to him.
He stops me for a moment. “Are you sure? I… I…” He stumbles over his words.
“Shut up, and fucking kiss me,” I growl, and he does. His long, thick fingers wrap around my face and pull me to him. Our lips crash together, teeth nipping at lips, my hands roaming all over his body.
“Fuck, I’ve missed you,” he curses into my ear, and all I can think about is how my body reacts to him—it’s as if it is on fire. A rough palm squeezes my breast as deft fingers pinch my aching nipple, making me arch my back at the sensations it causes all over my body. I need more.
“I don’t know how I stayed away for so long,” he whispers against my throat as his teeth nip the sensitive skin. “You’re intoxicating.”
“I need you, Rhys.” My words come out needy as my body becomes lust filled.
“I’m yours,” he growls.
My hands begin unbuttoning his jeans as I lose myself to my hormones. My greedy little hand rubs against his thickening length, feeling how hard it is against the fabric. My fingers move the denim to the side then grip around his length.
“Shit, shit, shit,” Rhys curses, closing his eyes for a moment enjoying the sensations.
“You owe me an orgasm, Rhys,” I tell him.
His eyes flash open, then he sits up straight—I have all of his attention.
“Do I now?” he questions with a sly grin across his handsome face. My hand continues its path of discovery along his length, loving the way it makes him bite his lip.
“Yes. She’s been lonely without you.” Rhys’ left brow arches high on his face at my answer.
“I know the feeling.” Rhys blue eyes swirl with heat as I continue teasing him. Just when I think I have the upper hand in the situation, Rhys completely shatters it. His fingers find the thin line of my G-string and disappear inside of me before I have a chance to realize what he’s done.
“Oh...” My eyes roll back, my back arches, my nipples tingle, goosebumps lace my skin as he fills me completely.
“See… two can play that came, sweetheart.” He curls his fingers, caressing along the sensitive nerves inside of me, the same ones that make me see stars. “You tease me. I can certainly tease you.”
As he hits the right spot, my teeth sink into my bottom lip. My hand grips his cock but is unable to move as my other hand rests on his shoulder. My nails dig into his flesh as he brings me higher and higher.
“Your greedy little kitty has missed me just as much, if not more, than you. Hasn’t she?”
Dirty talking Rhys is out. Damn him.
“Yes,” I huff, trying to control the swirling emotions he’s pulling from me.
“Greedy little thing is taking me all the way in. Using me like its own personal plaything.” I can’t take him lowering his voice and talking to me the way he is. It’s ear porn, and it’s giving me sensory overload. “Use me to get off, Ariana.”
So, I do. I ride his fingers like I’m some damn rodeo queen ho. I’m chasing that edge that he’s so close to pushing me over. I’ve been needing it. Craving it. My body only responding to his touch now, as if it’s found its own life source, and only Rhys Davenport will soothe its cravings.
“You’re so close,” he grunts.
I don’t question his magic fingers anymore. I’m close, so freaking close. Then Rhys bends forward and nips my neck, and I’m done for. He pushes me over the edge, and I tumble down that cliff willingly. Rhys keeps nipping and sucking on my neck while his fingers continue to pull every last drop of orgasm out of me.
I need more.
I want more.
Once I’ve come back down, my hands are pulling and tugging on his underwear like a madwoman. Releasing him from the confines of his briefs, my hand runs along his velvety length, my thumb sliding over the tip, which elicits a deep, guttural moan from Rhys’ lips.
Now it’s my turn to drive him crazy, to push him over the edge.
I line myself up and sink down on him.
“Shit, yes,” Rhys curses. His fingers dig into my ass as I take him in. His hands grip and pull me against him, pushing him deeper inside of me, which hits me in just the right spot. He grins when it’s my turn to curse. “Missed my dick, sweetheart?”
“You know I have,” I reply, meeting him thrust for thrust.
“Good.” His eyes darken. “Because I don’t like to share.”
“Neither do I.”
“I don’t want anyone else,” he confesses, and my heart tingles at his words.
We still have so much to sort out before anything real can happen between us, but so far, it’s looking good.
23
Rhys
“That’s not at all how I thought our conversation would go.” Ariana smiles as she fixes herself up after we practically fucked each other’s brains out.
“Not my fault you find me irresistible.” Grinning at her, I tuck myself back into my jeans.
Ariana’s eyes narrow on me, and she tries to pretend to be upset, but her smile gives her away. “You mean your dick is pretty irresistible.” Her eyes fall back to my crotch.
“Good to know.” I give her a wink, which makes her chuckle and shake her head. “I know we have a lot to talk about, Ariana.”
She fluffs the pillows on the sofa and settles herself in for a chat. “We do.” She leans back against the edge of the sofa. “I understand your life is complicated regarding your divorce, and I don’t ever want to add to it—” I reach out and lay my hand on her exposed thigh to cut her off.
“There’s a lot to unpack over this divorce. Way more than I ever realized. I thought it was a cut-and-dry case of my ex wanting more money. But it isn’t.” Looking down with a frown, I stare at my hands that are stroking her leg. Just being around Ariana relaxes me and takes the bite off the anxiety I’ve been having over the entire situation. Ariana must pick up on this, and next thing I know, she’s on my lap again, grabbing my face and kissing me hard.
“Whatever it is, I can handle it,” she tries to reassure me.
I really hope she can.
“You say this now, but—”
“No,” she stops me. “I’m done with tippy-toeing around things. Do you want something with me?” she asks me honestly. “Then forget everything that’s going on in both of our lives. I’m not asking for forever. I’m not asking for long term. All I’m asking is… do you want this? More than a booty call? I’m fine with it just being a booty call, too, but I need to know.” Her chocolate-colored eyes turn liquid with her honesty. She’s put herself out there for me, and she deserves honesty in return.
“I want you.
Just you. For as long as you will have me,” I reply.
“Okay.” She gives me a bright smile. “Exclusive?” She tacks on the end.
“Yes.”
“Right. So…” she gives me an awkward little shrug, “… we’re doing this?”
“Yes…” I can’t help but smile, “… we are. Now, we need to talk.”
“Nothing good ever happens when you say those words.”
“I need to explain myself… for why I chose to stay away from you instead of leaning on you.” She moves off me and lays back against the sofa. I grab her legs and pull them over my lap, so we’re still connected. I then proceed to tell Ariana everything Madison told me. About her affair with my brother, being paid to marry me, that the paperwork for our prenup was never signed and the extremely suspect way in which that went down with her ex. That someone is blackmailing Madison and threatening her brother in jail.
There, everything is laid out in the open for Ariana. I haven’t held anything back. Honesty is always the way.
“Rhys…” Those chocolate eyes widen as the truth sinks in. This is the moment she will tell me to take a hike, that she doesn’t want to be involved in all this craziness. I would. It’s too much too soon. “Shit.” She sits up, and I can see the concern written on her face in the deep wrinkles on her forehead.
“This is why I kept it from you. Whoever is after me…” I take a deep breath, “… they are dangerous. I don’t want anything to happen to you, Ariana,” I explain.
She shakes her head. “Nope. You’re stuck with me now. We are in this together.” She throws her legs off the sofa.
“Ariana.”
She shakes her head again. “You can’t scare me that easily, Rhys.”
Hope blooms in my chest that there’s a chance she might stick by me through this. That I’m not completely unlovable.
“You can lean on me,” she reassures.
“But you’ve just started your own business, and—”