“I’ll call them back…”
“You should see who it is. It could be important,” Aurora tells me.
I groan again, because I know she’s right. I go to get my cell phone off the kitchen counter and I notice it was my dad, I quickly call him back.
“Hey dad, what’s up?” I ask.
“You need to tell Aurora Branch that we need her next book by Friday!”
“Dad, it’s Tuesday!”
“So? We want it Friday!” he hangs up the phone.
Aurora notices my worry. “Everything okay?”
“That was my dad, he wants book two by Friday!”
Just like that the mood evaporates. “I haven’t even started fucking writing it yet! And…” I see Aurora’s entire body tense up with fear. I know she’s scared, hell I’m scared for her. Who the fuck does my dad think he is? How am I supposed to help her in less than seventy-two hours? I go to my office and grab a laptop and hand it to her.
“You can log in to the app from here.”
Aurora
Okay Aurora, don’t panic. It’s just your contract you could lose, your job, your livelihood, no big deal! I start feeling my heart beating faster, my breath is harder to catch. I feel these big strong arms wrap around me and squeeze. Within thirty seconds I feel the tension releasing and it’s easier to breathe. How can one hug put the pieces back together so quickly? “Breathe Aurora,” Ryder soothes me. I finally calm down enough to sit and log onto the computer. For the rest of the day I sit there typing, I stop and delete and repeat. I’m so dead!
“What’s wrong?” Ryder asks.
“I can’t. I’m not in the mindset.”
“Mafia writing has a mindset?”
“Oh, hell yeah it does!”
“What kind of mindset?”
“Angry seems to work wonders.”
“So, thinking about Bethany fucking your ex should do it?”
“Except that’s nauseating, not maddening!”
“You aren’t mad about finding them together?”
“IN my childhood room yes?” I watch Ryder pick up his hoodie. “Hot date?” I ask him referencing his hoodie.
“Yeah, Barb and I have a meeting.”
I feel the bile rising from my stomach from dinner. “At this hour?” Looking at the clock I see it’s a little past eight.
“Yeah, we see each other on Tuesdays.”
“You have special days of the week to entertain?!” I’m disgusted by his revelation. He walks out of the house and a few moments later I hear the car start and backing out of the driveway. I shouldn’t be angry, mad or upset. Ryder isn’t mine, but jealousy gets the best of me and I start pounding away on my key board on harming this chick…
I wrap my hands as tightly as I can into her long blonde hair and pull hard. I slam her up against the wall so hard it leaves a hole along with traces of blood. “Don’t FUCK WITH ME BITCH!” Whitley seethes at her.
I go from a zero-word count to over two thousand in the two hours that Ryder’s gone. Not that I’m watching the clock or anything. How could he be ready to jump into bed with me, but then go play with Bimbo Barbie? UGH! MEN! Such a fucking prick! I start seething, so I start pounding away on the keyboard.
I’m surprised that my fingers aren’t smoking on the keyboard with as fast they are going.
I hear Ryder’s car door close and a few moments later he opens the door and walks in. “Honey, I’m home!” Ryder says jokingly.
“Honey?! You are such a fucking PRICK! You can’t…” I take a deep breath.
“I can’t what?”
“Be almost bedding me and then going to play with Bimbo Barbie!” I yell at him.
“Go play with Bimbo Barbie?” Ryder asks sounding confused. “Oh yeah, she wasn’t available tonight.”
“Where did you go for two hours?”
“Were you watching the clock?”
“Dream on!” I retort covering my ass. “Men like Ryder, they like their women not on the finer side of life. Although…his lifestyle, could be advantageous to my writing. Ugh! Aurora, stop. You can’t use him. Why not he used you.” I argue with myself. “How exactly did he use you?” I ask myself. “For starters, playing house with you and then going to see Bimbo Barbie. He fucking used me to get his dick hard then he went and fucked someone else! Why do you even care? Not yours. But he’s like a big brother and these women aren’t good enough for him. Who is? You? That’s laughable! Aurora, you need HELP! You’re sitting here in front of a computer arguing with yourself over a guy that will NEVER be yours. He’s emotionally unavailable FOREVER. Currently he’s your boss.”
“Earth to Aurora!” Ryder says waving his hands closer to me.
I snap out of the argument with myself, “What!” I snap.
“I asked how the book was coming along?”
“I don’t want to talk about it!”
Ryder hands me a bag, “Go put these on and meet me in the garage,” he instructs. Reluctantly I do what he told me. As I put on the leggings, he gave me, I start mumbling under my breath, “You just think you can tell me what to do and how to do it. This is fucking bullshit! You decorate the house for Christmas with me, get me all hot and bothered, feign some bullshit and his dad calls him and then you drop a bomb on me and then go play with Bimbo Barbie!” The more I think about the events of today, the more pissed off I find myself becoming. I walk out to the garage after pulling my boots on. I walk over to Ryder and my mouth hangs open at the car he’s standing in front of. “This is a 1967 Pontiac GTO!!” I exclaim.
“You know your cars!” he says in complete shock.
“Wow! This is in immaculate condition!”
“It wasn’t always though.”
“What do you mean?”
“It was my grandmom’s first official car. It was a pile of junk when I turned fifteen. My granddad said that I could have it if I mowed the lawn all summer long. I did that and he handed me the keys and the title and he said, “have fun.” I rebuilt the entire thing through shop class at school. It was in immaculate condition by time I turned sixteen. I used it to take my driver’s license exam. She’s been with me ever since.”
“YOU CONSTRUCTED THIS FROM SCRATCH?!” I’m astonished.
“I did! I’m proud of this car, and up until this point I have NEVER EVER let ANY female drive it. Would you like to drive?”
“You are shitting me, right?” I ask in shock.
“Do you have a valid driver’s license?”
“Of course, I just can’t afford a car on my salary,” I half joke.
“Here.” He tosses me the keys.
“You’re going to let me drive your car?!” My face felt lit up like the town square Christmas Tree on Christmas Eve as I slip into the driver’s seat.
Ryder gets into the passenger seat, which has to be weird for him to ride shot gun in his own car. We take off onto the wide-open road.
Ryder
I can’t believe that I actually let a woman drive this car! It’s just not something that I do! If only this woman knew what she’s doing to me. Going to go play with Bimbo Barbie as she calls it? It’s not even like that. My buddy texted and asked if I could fill in for one of the guys who couldn’t make it into the club until after ten. I agreed knowing that Aurora needed quiet to work on book two. One thing I love most about my buddy’s club? It always helps build confidence. I tried to release some tension, and failed miserably because I kept picturing her and I felt like I was cheating so I left. This is insane! She’s not mine! She has made it quite apparent that I won’t stand a chance! Although talking with my buddy tonight I may be thinking things I shouldn’t be.
I’m sitting in an office at the club, with my business partner. He’s also my mentor and friend.
“Let me get this straight, she doesn’t physically answer her phone for three days and you fly to see her?”
“I know! Fucking crazy right? Something just told me to check on her, see for myself that she’s okay,” I co
nfess.
“Look, you get no judgment from me, you know that. As your mentor and business partner, I get that sometimes you need to take risks, try something new. You said it yourself, she isn’t like this.”
“You ever have a feeling about someone? Like they just haven’t been shown what they like yet? A late bloomer if you will.”
“Yes, I’ve had feelings like that before. Probably why my wedding got called off!”
“Trent. I’m serious!”
He lets out a chuckle, “Look man, as your friend, I personally think it’s worth looking into. BUT…”
“I knew there was an ass in there somewhere,” I deadpan.
“As your business partner and mentor, you can’t introduce her to any of this until she’s ready and I mean TRULY ready.”
“I know all this!”
“Glad we had this talk! Can’t wait to hear what vanilla thinks.”
“She’s not vanilla, her writing says NOT my flavor.”
“Please tell me she isn’t cookies n cream.”
I laugh recalling the container of Toft’s in her hand when I met her yesterday, “She’s more the Brown Butter Bourbon Truffle type.”
“Whoa! You DO have it bad for this girl if you remember her favorite ice cream after less than twenty-four hours. You’re going to have to ask yourself if a woman like her is worth pursuing.”
“How would one know that?”
“What if she’s exactly what you need? Someone who isn’t going to give into your every move. A challenge.”
“Women shouldn’t be conquests!”
“That is NOT what I meant when I said that. I said A CHALLENGE there’s a DIFFERENCE. Because from where I’m sitting Ryder, this can go either way, there will be no in between. Would you give up the lifestyle if she weren’t into it?”
“I’m telling you Trent, she’s into it…she just doesn’t know it yet.”
“If she’s a guest of yours, she is always welcome here at Python’s After Hours, as long as she signs the NDA,” Trent tells me.
“Thanks bro, I appreciate it.”
“This girl must be pretty damn special.”
“She is.” I tell him as I open the office door. “I’ll see you soon.”
“Have a good one,” Trent tells me as I walk out the door.
Back to the current moment with Aurora in my car. “What do you think about some research?” I ask her.
“Research?” she questions
“I need to make a stop, but what you’re going to see is never to go anywhere.”
“ARE YOU SERIOUS?! You really will take me?!” Aurora exclaims.
“Yeah, but you have to sign the NDA before I do. Club rules.”
“I can’t believe you’re serious.”
“Yes, Aurora. I’m serious. You’re the only person that I have ever met that I feel would understand what you’re about to see without passing judgment, without ridicule, without thinking the very worst,” I explain.
“It’s not my place to judge.”
She signs the NDA and I switch places with her in the car and place a blind fold on her so that she doesn’t see where the place is located or how to get there. We get to the club and I stay right by her side guiding her through the club. Her eyes full of shock and wonder. I find myself wishing I could read her mind to know exactly what she’s thinking.
Aurora
I’m looking around this club and I am mesmerized by the beauty! The dark walls, the stage, the lights, it’s all so beautiful. Nothing like the underground holes that I’ve read in books. Along the sides of the rooms are darker areas that have sheers surrounding them. I can’t help but to be curious about what goes on behind them. Just as I think that, I see two silhouettes in a rather friendly embrace. I don’t have to wonder anymore; I’d definitely say that it’s playtime. Looks like fun too. I glance at Ryder; I think he’s expecting me to say something or have some sort of reaction. He takes me by the hand and leads me up the stairs to the VIP area. He uses a key to go inside.
“This is my VIP room”
“What?!” I ask in shock.
“This room is exclusively mine here at the club.”
“What do you mean exclusively yours?” I ask.
“Me and my partner that’s it. My club, my room. My office is through that door,” Ryder says. I’m so taken aback by him being so open and honest.
I scan the room. I see the bed, the couch, I see a wall with see through cabinets. I walk over to it with caution. I see a spreader bar, some crops, blind folds and more items that I have no idea what they are or what they’re used for. I’m just taking this all in because I have only ever seen pictures on-line or visuals in movies. “Are there a lot of partners?”
“No, Aurora. Contrary to your popular belief, I do NOT have a new flavor every night.”
“So, you come in here with people who pay for VIP treatment?” I ask.
“I do.”
“So, you’re attached to someone at home, and you go to work and play with someone else and that isn’t cheating how?”
“It’s not even like that Aurora. Just because I engage in scenes does not make it sexual for me. It’s much more about what the other person needs.”
“What’s in it for you then?” I ask.
“The satisfaction of knowing that I have complete control of a situation,” Ryder answers me honestly.
“What about your needs Ryder?”
“What about them?”
“How are YOUR NEEDS met?”
“Lots of different ways Aurora, just trust me.”
“I’m sorry that I’m probably coming across like a virgin, I…” Ryder steps closer to me and places his hand on my cheek, and gently moves my head so that I’m looking directly into his toffee brown eyes.
“You are NOT coming across like that. I appreciate your being open and honest and for asking and not just assuming.”
“Okay, but what does one get out of it?” I ask him. I find myself secretively wishing he’d ask me if I want him to show me. “This is a dangerous road to travel on Aurora,” I warn myself. Fuck it Aurora! All of your life you did the vanilla thing and look where it landed you. There’s nothing wrong with a little mischief, right?
“Would you like me to show you?” Ryder asks.
I bite my lip and flash him a shy smile. “Yes,” I answer him honestly.
“Lay down on the bed on your belly Aurora,” Ryder demands. Something about his voice growling like that is hot! I do as I’m told. I lay down on the bed on my belly and his hands find the waistband of my leggings and panties and he slides them downwards. Not completely off, just to my knees. His mouth dives forward on my legs and he bites my thigh, alternating sides on his way up. I can’t explain the butterflies in my stomach. I’ve never been handled like this before, I love it. His mouth reaches my butt cheek and takes a big bite, hard enough to make me feel it, yet gentle enough to not hurt. I feel a wetness pool between my legs. I let out a moan when his teeth sink into the opposite side. Just when I least expect it, he cups his hand and cracks his hand across my butt. It stings but, in a good way. I feel a bigger pool of wetness escape me. I shouldn’t like being spanked, it’s a form of punishment. I bite my lip as I look back at Ryder standing there and he asks, “Sapphire, are you okay?”
“Yes!” I reply honestly.
He spanks me a few more times. I bite my wrist to keep my moans quiet.
“Aurora, this room is sound proof, you can scream all you want, nobody is going to hear you!” He gives my ass one more firm smack and rubs it gently before replacing my leggings. “Stand, face me!” he demands. I do as he tells me to, my eyes meet his. The hunger to devour is raw and the thirst I have for him is real. He takes me by the hand out of the room locking it on his way out. What the actual FUCK?! I’m so wet right now I feel like I peed myself.
We get back to his place and go inside. “Are we going to talk about that?” I ask him.
“Nope,” he replies coolly. He then
vanishes into the hallway. I grab the laptop and just pound away at the letters on the computer. “Stupid fuck just turns me on like that and just cut…UGH!” I bury myself into writing and the next thing I know the sun’s coming up and Ryder is coming down the hallway and disappears into the kitchen.
“That’s it! We hash this out or I’m gone!” I declare marching into the kitchen. “Who the fuck do you think you are?!”
“I’m sorry, what?!” Ryder feigns innocence.
“Last night, you’re just going to do that and then NOTHING?!”
“Do what?”
“Last night?!”
“Refresh my memory?” I hit him on the back of the head.
“Anything? Cause I can do it harder!” I seethe at him.
Ryder looks like he’s hiding a laugh. “Aurora, how’s the book coming along?”
“I’m three quarters of the way done with it.”
“Go write, I’ll make breakfast!” Ryder instructs.
“But I’m tired, I want to go to bed!” I whine.
“I hate whiners Aurora, go write!”
I end up falling asleep on the couch near the laptop.
Ryder
I put the finishing touches on breakfast, walk out to the living room with the two plates and I see Aurora fast sleep. I cover her up with the blanket I keep draped across the back of the couch and I kiss her temple softly, careful not to wake her. This woman finds out that I’m doing all of this to help her along with the book, one of two things will happen. One, she’ll get super pissed and not talk to me ever again, or two, she’ll thank me and be mine forever. “Whoa, Ryder, forever? What the fuck is that talk?”
I need to hash out last night with her. I sigh. Then I have to piss her off again to get the rest of the story.
Mistletoe Mischief Page 4