Finding the Green Room (The Sutter Family Book 3)

by Heather D'Agostino

  He wrapped his arm around me as he hugged me to his side. His head bent as he murmured near my near, “Those fucking boots are driving me mad.”

  I stumbled slightly but recovered as we made our way to the ticket window. “These?” I peered down at the knee-high leather boots I was wearing. They were a favorite pair of mine, and made my legs look so much longer.

  “Don’t play dumb, Jessica. You’re a smart girl,” he gritted out as he handed his credit card over to the ticket taker. He’d called me Jessica. He only did that when he was upset. This made me giggle more.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I mused as I broke away from his side and began wandering toward our theater.

  I’d been wanting to see this new action flick that came out last month. Since it wasn’t a new movie, the theater wasn’t very crowded. There were maybe ten patrons inside. I motioned to the empty seats, and waited for Ryan to pick our spot. Like true Ryan Sutter fashion, he ushered me into the back row.

  “Total guy move,” I mumbled as he moved us to the center of the row. The stadium seats had high backs on them, and reclined. After sitting down, Ryan flipped the armrest up between us, and motioned me to move closer.

  “I’m the one trying to go on a date, while you’re doing everything you can to take advantage of me,” he growled before playfully kissing my cheek. “I like this side of you,” he chuckled before relaxing in the reclining loveseat. We laughed together as we sat there waiting for the movie to start.

  “It’s just that we haven’t had a chance to be alone in months. I was kinda hoping that now that we have the chance, you’d want to.” I leaned my head on his shoulder.

  “I want to. Believe me, I want to,” he mumbled just as the theater started to darken, and the previews began to flash up on the screen. I sighed again, a little louder this time, as I made myself comfortable leaning against him. I placed my palm on his thigh, and felt the muscle tense underneath my touch. I smiled to myself as I came to the realization that this date was going to happen whether I wanted it to or not, but Ryan was fighting the electricity between us just as bad.

  When the previews finished and the movie started, Ryan began to shift slightly. His left arm came around my shoulders as the other rested against the armrest on the other side of him. The fingers on his left hand began to move slowly, brushing against my shoulder. Goosebumps rose on my arm and a shiver ran through me. I glanced at Ryan, but his face remained passive. Slowly, over the next half hour, he toyed with the hairs at the base of my neck, my shoulder, and my ear. He had me strung so tight that I was ready to bust as the seams. “What are you doing?” I hissed next to his ear.

  “Watching the movie,” he whispered back, seemingly unaffected. “Sucks, doesn’t it?”

  I let his words roll around in my head before I responded. “I actually think it’s pretty good.”

  “I wasn’t talking about the movie,” he mused and then I got it. He was talking about his teasing me. “You a little bothered?” His eyes twinkled in the light of the screen as they darted to where I was pressing my thighs together.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I muttered as I crossed my arms over my chest.

  “Sure you don’t.” His breath blew across the shell of my ear as he leaned closer. “Those soft touches you feel right now are the only thing that will be soft tonight.” His voice was strained as he continued to tease me. “I’m gonna spread you open on my bed, and fuck you senseless.” He bit down lightly on my lobe and my eyes closed as I whimpered quietly. “As I was saying,” he leaned back slightly with a satisfied grin, “sucks doesn’t it?”

  I waited a minute as the burn between my legs settled. I was so needy that I was afraid I’d let him win just because I wanted the torture to end, but the competitor in me was fighting against it. “Wouldn’t you like to know,” I whispered right next to his ear before cupping him through his jeans. He was semi hard, but as I began to rub, he climbed to full mast.

  “Ok.” His right hand slammed down on mine, causing me to pause in my movements. “You win. I give up. You win.” He stood abruptly, grabbed my hand, and began dragging me out of the theater toward his car. I laughed the entire way, causing him to growl in return.

  It didn’t take us long to get back to his apartment. Ryan didn’t live far from my parents’ house, and when we pulled into a parking space, I watched him close his eyes and take a big breath.

  “What’s wrong?” I furrowed my brows. It wasn’t like we hadn’t already slept together. I had no idea what he could be worried about.

  “I think you’ve built this up in your head to something that I might not be able to achieve. I just want this night to be about us, and not some fantasy.”

  I pinched my lips together as I attempted to not tear up over his words. “I know it will be. I love you, Ryan. You’re all I want.” I pressed a kiss to his cheek as I waited for his next move.

  ooooooooo

  Ryan

  I mulled her words over in my head as I internally begged my dick to calm down. I’d been fighting this battle all night. As soon as I saw her in those leggings and boots, I knew I was going to lose. She’d done this on purpose, and after her brazen move in the theater, I was second guessing this entire night. I wanted us to enjoy each other, but Jess was working me over to the point that I wasn’t going to be able to enjoy anything. I was ready to explode, and I just knew that as soon as I got her naked all thoughts of taking my time would be gone. “Breathe,” I murmured as I pushed open my door. When I closed it, I thought I heard her laugh, but I just rolled my eyes. This was not the Jess I grew up with, this was a little vixen that was trying to kill me.

  I rounded the car and opened her door, but she sat there staring at me. “You coming?” I leaned down and smiled at her.

  She grinned a naughty grin before replying, “I hope so.”

  “Geez woman.” I shook my head as she stood and I shut the car door. I led her to my apartment door all the while shaking my head at her antics. It was like we’d gone back in time and switched places. Three years ago, I was the one pushing her for sex every time we were alone while she tried to delay it. Now, it wasn’t that I was trying to delay it, but make it better than what I was used to. Jess wasn’t like the other girls. Jess deserved more than what I usually gave and despite the fact that we’d already been together, I still wanted to make it special.

  Chapter 23

  Jessica

  When we stepped through the door, Ryan tossed his keys on a nearby table and flicked the light switch on. The small living spaced was immediately bathed in a soft glow. A slider was across the room, and led out to a balcony that I’m assuming had ocean views. It was still raining out, so you really couldn’t see much of anything. The kitchen overlooked the living space, and was small but neat.

  “So this is it.” Ryan’s arm swept out in front of him.

  “It’s nice.” I smiled, suddenly shy. I’d been waiting for this moment all night, and now that it was here I wanted him to take the lead.

  “It’s lonely.” He sighed. I guess it was for him. He’d lived in a house that was always full of people whether they lived there or not. Now the only people that came into his place were the ones he invited. “Want the tour?” He grinned.

  “Sure.” I shrugged as I peeled my coat off and tossed it over the back of the couch.

  “This is the living room.” He chuckled as he moved to stand in front of me. He placed his hands on my hips and leaned in, pressing his mouth to mine. At first I jumped. I wasn’t expecting it, but when I felt his tongue trace my lips, I gave into him. It was a soft slow kiss filled with yearning. Before I could really respond, he leaned back, breaking our connection.

  He led me into the kitchen, “This is the kitchen.”

  “Really?” I giggled but stopped as he gripped my waist and lifted me onto the countertop. I squealed at first, but it turned into a moan when he pressed his mouth back to mine. This kiss lasted longer, and
was more intense. His hands tugged at my sweater as he stepped between my legs. In one quick move, he pulled my sweater up and whisked it over my head, leaving me in my leggings and bra. When he leaned back, I could see the fire brewing in his eyes. He looked as if he were ready to eat me alive. “This hardly seems fair.” I rolled my eyes as I stared at his t-shirt clad chest. He smirked before reaching behind his head and grabbing the neck. He gave a quick yank, and tossed the shirt to the floor.

  “Better?” He lifted me back to the floor.

  “Uh huh,” I muttered as I watched his arms flex.

  He wrapped his hand around mine and began leading me down the hallway. We stopped about halfway down, and he turned to face me. He stepped closer, causing me to press my back against the wall. “This is the hallway,” he murmured as he leaned in again and kissed me, this time making sure the entire lengths of our bodies touched. I could feel his erection pressing into my lower belly as his bare chest rose in quick successions from his heavy breathing. When he stepped back, he leaned down, and removed my boots one at a time. When he stood back up, he kicked his shoes off and smirked at me again. “We’re even.” He chuckled as he laced our fingers together once again. Heat pooled between my thighs as I followed behind him. He was dressed in only a pair of jeans now. Nothing was sexier than a man who was barefoot and wearing jeans.

  He pushed through a door, and turned on a light in the master bath, illuminating the room just enough to see where we were going. “And this is my room.” His smile turned from teasing to pure want. A large bed stood before me, covered in a navy comforter. It was tidy, and not at all like I remember his old room. A few pictures were framed on a dresser on the other side, and his surfboard was propped up in the corner. It was hard to tell much else in its darkened state.

  I swallowed tightly as he moved closer to where we were almost touching, “You can tell me if it’s too much, you know that right?” I nodded as he stepped closer, causing me to move back. I felt the bed behind me, but as I started to sit down, he wrapped his arm around my waist and crushed me to him. “I love you so much. Sometimes I think this can’t be real.” His voice shook as he buried his face against my neck. His breath caused the small hairs around my ear to flutter. “How did the girl I fantasized about for years finally come back to me? How did I convince her that we were meant to be together? I feel like I’ve been searching for my green room all my life, and it’s always been here just out of reach.”

  “I love you too.” His head lifted at my words, and before he could say anything else, I crushed my mouth to his. This time the kiss didn’t break. We fumbled and pushed at each other pants until we’d freed ourselves, and then tumbled onto the mattress.

  I was trembling with want as I ran my hands over his shoulders and arms. I hadn’t taken the time to truly enjoy him the last time. This time there would be no pain, only pleasure, and I wanted to take advantage of that as much as possible. “You’re so beautiful,” he murmured as he tugged one of the straps to my bra down. His lips followed, making a trail of kisses from the spot where your neck meets your shoulder all the way down to my breast. I arched into him and he used the opportunity to reach behind me and pop the clasp loose. As he tossed my bra somewhere behind him, his head dipped to capture the other nipple.

  “Ry,” I panted as I squeezed my thighs together. I’d been on this roller-coaster of highs all night. I had the female version of blue balls, and Ryan was killing me.

  “We’ll get there,” he whispered against my damp skin as his hips pressed into my thigh. I could feel his hard cock straining to be freed, but he was making him wait. He rocked up on his knees, letting the cool air in the room come between us, as he slowly tugged my panties down my thighs. “Sweet Jesus,” he hissed as he tossed them, giving them the same fate as my bra. “You are so fucking beautiful.” Before I could respond, he scrambled off the bed and tugged me to the edge.

  “What are you doing?” My eyes went wide thinking he was pausing our night.

  “A promise is a promise.” He licked his lip as he stared at me. I watched as he placed one palm on each of my thighs. He pressed lightly until he’d spread me open in front of him. As realization settled in my mind, he dropped to his knees and pressed a kiss right to my center.

  “Oh god,” I moaned as my eyes rolled back and began to arch off the bed once again. His tongue dipped in with subtle swipes at first, but then became more insistent. He groaned, causing a vibrating sensation to send shockwaves right through me before pulling back and looking up at my face. When our eyes connected, he looked feral.

  “Call me god again,” he demanded as he nipped the inside of my thigh. I pressed my lips together, refusing to answer his command. I needed to see what he would do. I wasn’t used to this version of him, and it kinda thrilled me. “Jessica.” His eyes narrowed as he slowly plunged a finger inside me. “You think you’re in charge here, huh?” A wicked grin crossed his face. A second finger entered and as the sensations began to build, he leaned down and sucked… hard. With the combination of his mouth and fingers I knew I was gonna lose it soon. “Call me god again,” he growled as he pulled back but continued to toy with his fingers. Right when I was ready to fall over the edge, he stopped. All contact ceased as his hand and mouth disappeared as fast as they had appeared.

  “Wha?” My head lifted off the bed as I watched him stand up. His boxer briefs were tented in the front, and every muscle was drawn tight.

  “You won the battle at the theater, but you haven’t begun to fight the war.” He snickered as he shoved his boxers down. Despite the fact that I wanted to slap the smirk off his face for doing this to me, I took that moment to truly look at him. He was beautiful. Every muscle was defined and perfect, and the dark tan lines from his board shorts proved how much he loved the water.

  “You may think that, but that right there,” I zeroed in on his cock, “says that I won.” I giggled as I scooted toward the center of the bed. Ryan turned toward the night table and rummaged through the drawer, producing a condom before climbing on his hands and knees toward me.

  “I don’t think so sweetheart,” he mumbled around where he was holding the wrapper between his teeth. He ripped it open and sheathed himself before stalking to me. His smile showed humor, where his eyes only shone love. I could see the tenderness below his teasing. He thought he was hiding it well, but this was Ryan, my Ryan.

  I knew I was pushing him, but I wanted to give him what he wanted so as he stopped and hovered over me, I gave him a ‘come closer’ motion with my finger. He leaned down and I craned my neck so I could whisper in his ear. “Oh god, please fuck me.” The words were breathless and I bit his lobe as he stilled over me.

  When I sunk back into the mattress, a fire began to brew inside of him. I could see it, licking its way to the surface and as he tried to contain it, I stoked it more. “I need you to make me scream.” I let one hand drift down his side before I grabbed him and gave a gentle tug.

  “Jess,” he warned but I didn’t stop. I stroked again as his eyes squeezed shut. “Fuuuuuck,” he hissed as he leaned down and lined us up. I felt him push forward. There was no burning this time, only pleasure, but after a few short seconds he stopped. “Tell me to slow down if you need me to,” he warned and waited for me to acknowledge him. I nodded, but before I could say anything, he slammed his hips forward, causing us to slide up the mattress.

  My eyes shut as I let the sensation that was Ryan filter through me. His hands were everywhere as his hips rocked into me in a punishing pace. This was what I asked for. This was fucking, not making love. I’m sure the walls were shaking with the amount of noise we were making, but I was too lost in all of it to notice.

  The waves of pleasure from before began to come back, but this time it was more powerful. It was like that wave that we dream about riding. The perfect curl, the barrel opening at just the right time; that moment when we’re inside letting all our worries melt away; just us and the ocean… the green room. Ryan was takin
g me there, and as I felt the wave crest, our shouts mingled together in a blissful crash.

  “I love you so much.” His voice was muffled as he buried his face in the mattress beside my head. Our breathing was ragged as we came down from the high. “You have no idea how much.” He lifted it, and pressed a kiss to my temple as he slipped from my body. I watched in a haze as he tied off the condom and tossed it in the trashcan before climbing back in bed with me. He pulled the covers back, and tucked us in as I snuggled into his side. We laid there for a few minutes in the quiet, letting the moment sink in.

  “I’m glad we’re finally here.” I sighed as I wrapped my arm around his middle. I could feel his heart thundering away in his chest. “I didn’t think it would ever happen.” Just then my stomach growled, causing both of us to laugh.

  “You want some food?” Ryan chuckled as his head rolled to face me.

  “You mean you have something other than cereal and pickles in that kitchen?” I tried to be serious, but I couldn’t help it. I remembered what it was like when I spent time with my brothers at their apartments. Most men didn’t keep food around unless they lived with a woman. There were takeout menus and leftover pizza.

  “Well, no.” He grimaced. “I think I have Lucky Charms though.” He sat up and swung his feet over the side of the bed. He knew that he didn’t even have to ask. Those were my favorite. Why he had them, I had no clue. When we were kids he always made fun of me for liking them. According to him ‘they were only good for the marshmallows’. “Be right back.” He stood and shuffled toward the door. I laughed when I noticed that he didn’t bother putting on pants. His hand nonchalantly swiped at the light switch as he passed through door, illuminating the room, and I gasped.

  “See something you like?” he teased, thinking that my sound was from seeing his naked backside.