“A little much for a business dinner, huh?” He smirked.
“It’s breathtaking, so whatever business needs to be discussed, I’m sure it will go over smoothly.” I giggled.
“My mother has lavish taste and goes overboard at every function. I’d hate to see what she would do to my wedding.” He squeezed my hand, and I felt the urge to look away.
Was he hinting? Thoughts of what our wedding could be like flashed through my mind. Seeing him waiting at the end of the aisle for me was something I wanted in our future.
“I can imagine,” I said.
“Ryder! My baby boy.” An older woman with short dark blonde hair came running toward Ryder. She threw her arms around his neck. Her long navy blue dress flowed so elegantly to the floor. It sparkled under the low lighting and looked amazing on her. Her face showed age, but it also showed she took care of her skin. Liv had her smile.
“Mom, I can see you’ve had a few cocktails.” He laughed.
She playfully smacked his chest.
“Oh stop it. We’re having too much excitement in talking a merger with Core Growth Insurance. Who wouldn’t want to celebrate just a little?” She took a slow sip of her champagne.
Her eyes met mine, and her smile faded.
“Ryder, I see you have brought your friend tonight.” She stood there looking at me without any comforting gesture to welcome me.
“Hello, Mrs. Bennett. I’m Adilyn Archer.” I extended my hand out to greet her.
She took it with hesitation and gave me a gentle shake. She held tight to Ryder’s arm. It was as if she was separating them from me. Her eyes scanned my body.
“Adilyn, I’ve heard so much about you from my Ryder.” She straightened his tie and brushed his jacket with her fingers.
If she had heard so much about me, why did she call me his friend and not Adilyn to begin with? I thought.
“Did you just buy this, son. It looks amazing on you.” She tightened his tie.
“Yes, Mom. It’s new.” He moved her hands from his jacket.
She gave him a pleasing smile. She seemed like a nice mother, but she didn’t give me any warm, comforting feelings. Her kindness felt forced, which was the total opposite of how my mother would have been with Ryder. She would have taken him in with open arms and cracked a few jokes to warm him up. It made me miss her more.
“Adilyn, please come meet Jack. He is right over here.” She pointed at the large table behind her.
Ryder held my hand as we walked to the table.
“She’s a little distant at first, but once she warms up to you, she won’t shut up,” he whispered in my ear.
I just nodded because I didn’t need an explanation for how she acted because it was who she was, and I would just have to accept that if I wanted to stay in Ryder’s life. A large man with dark black hair and a mustache was sitting at the head of the table. He had a cigar hanging from his lips and a large belly. Nothing at all like Ryder. The thought of Mr. Deckland and Ryder’s similarities crossed my mind again, but I shook it away. I was going to meet Mr. Bennett with an open mind and not think this family had a closet full of skeletons before I officially got to know them. My mom had a way of predicting people and their actions, and I think she passed that down to me. My suspicions were making me feel uneasy, but I didn’t know how I could bring them up to Ryder without him hating me. It was his mother and father, after all, and who was I, but only a girlfriend to him. The large black haired man was finishing a joke with an older red-haired man, and I felt like I was intruding on his space. I stood next to Ryder as he waited for his father’s joke to end.
“My boy!” The large man jumped up from the table and grabbed Ryder up in a bear hug, lifting him off the ground.
Ryder smiled, but it wasn’t his relaxed smile. He always had with me.
“Dad, this is my girlfriend I was telling you about, Adilyn Archer.” Ryder’s hand rested on the small of my back.
“Nice to meet you, sir.” I extended my hand to him, but he took me into a hard hug.
“Nonsense, call me Jack. You’re beautiful, but that’s not surprising because my son has impeccable taste.” He wiggled his eyebrows and a few men around the table chuckled.
I took the compliment with a smile, but I still felt disconnected. He released me from his stronghold and looked at Ryder.
“Son, come sit and talk with Mr. James. He has some amazing ideas for some new projects with Bennett Life.” Ryder shrugged.
“Sorry, Dad. As much fun as that sounds, no business for me tonight. I want to show Adi around.” He nodded at Mr. James.
Jack smiled and quietly sat down with disapproval on his face.
“Ryder, if you have to discuss things, I don’t mind sitting at a table until you’re finished,” I whispered in his ear.
“No, I’m not interested in anything they have to say tonight.” He turned to face me.
I looked away as Ryder excused us from his father’s table. Holding tight to his hand, we walked over to another round table that was closest to his parents’ table. He pulled a chair out for me to sit down and grabbed us two more drinks before he returned to the chair next to me. He looked at bit pale.
“Ryder, are you okay?” I rubbed my fingers on the top of his arm.
“Yes, I’m fine.” He took a couple drinks of his amber liquor.
“You seem tense.” I looked around at everyone beginning to come in.
The dinner tables around us were filling up, just as a couple sat down at our table.
“Mr. Stonefield, it’s nice to see you again.” Ryder stood up and shook his hand.
“Ryder, what a pleasure to have you at my table, and how is the legal world treating you?” he asked.
Ryder made small talk with the older bald man as my thoughts settled on his parents. This didn’t feel anything like my family at all. I studied Mr. Stonefield as he helped his wife take off her jacket. His wife was much younger than he was but looked like she was bored out of her mind sitting next to him. However, her flirty attention shifted to Ryder a couple times, but he didn’t look at her once. Her champagne glass was refilled twice in the past five minutes. I couldn’t imagine living this life of a businessman—fancy dinners and void conversations. I’d never trade the cheap wine, beer and board game parties I had with my family. Ryder rubbed my back as he talked about prenuptials and life insurance policies with the bald man. I was bored out of my mind but sitting next to Ryder was enough for me.
“Mr. Stonefield, this is my girlfriend, Adilyn Archer.” Ryder tapped my hand.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Stonefield and Mrs….?” I smiled and looked over to his wife. He laughed.
“Oh, you’re too kind. No, she’s not my wife. Just a date for this event. Her name is Piper,” he added.
I smiled awkwardly as her name stung me.
“Well, Piper, it’s nice to meet you, as well.” I felt so embarrassed at my assumption.
But that name was like nails on a chalkboard to me ever since I saw it on that check in sheet at Ryder’s apartment. Ryder didn’t look at her as he took another drink. Looking between Ryder and Piper, something felt off. She was gazing at him more than just a stranger attraction. It bugged me, and I needed to know more.
“I’m sorry, Piper. I didn’t catch your last name?” I asked.
“It’s Harlow.” She smirked like she knew it would burn me.
That fucking name.
“Piper Harlow, it’s nice to meet you. Your name sounds familiar, but I don’t believe we’ve ever met.” My blood was boiling the longer Ryder sat there in silence.
I began to think every woman I saw with every older man here was just a date for the evening, and it made me uncomfortable. There were some sugar daddy relationships all around me. Great, that’s what people must think I am too.
“It’s nice to see you again, Ryder. What’s it been, a week since I last saw you?” She smirked and looked from me to Ryder.
He cleared his throat, and
I could tell he was uncomfortable.
“Piper.” He nodded as he looked away from her.
She took another sip of her champagne, but I could see her smirk through the glass. The bald man whispered something in her ear, and she turned to him and kissed his cheek. I wanted to smack her and make a scene, but I thought that wouldn’t be good for my reputation. Ryder’s hand rested on my thigh, and I felt claustrophobic by his touch, so I moved it off my leg just as the waiters began to bring plates of food to our tables. They placed a filet and scallops dish in front of me and chicken with crab meat in front of Ryder.
“Are you good with that or do you want to switch?” he asked.
“Sure, if you don’t mind.” I was never one for scallops, so I was relieved he asked.
“Of course not.” Ryder switched our plates and gave me a quick kiss.
I could feel Piper’s eyes on me as I cut up my chicken.
“Well, aren’t you two just adorable? I see you are still very smooth with the ladies, Ryder. Not much has changed since our last date.” She giggled and took a bite of the salmon that was in front of her.
Her obnoxious grin made me want to throw my plate of food in her lap. My head spun quickly to look at Ryder. I was once again surprised by new information, and it was starting to annoy me. Was this just a week ago?
He swallowed the bite he was chewing and wiped his face.
“No, Piper. See the difference is Adi is my girlfriend, which you never were, you were just a date... just that.” His eyes shot over to Mr. Stonefield, who was too busy cutting up his filet to notice any conversation existed.
Her eyes narrowed on Ryder, and I was internally cheering Ryder on.
In your face, bitch! I thought.
Ryder rested his hand on my thigh, and it comforted me knowing he was mine and I was his, but I wanted more answers. Dinner seemed to go smoothly after Piper was put in her place by Ryder. I still needed to know why she visited Ryder’s apartment, though. I couldn’t fully feel comfortable with him until I knew for sure this crazy woman wasn’t part of his life.
People started to fill in the dance floor when “At Last” started playing. This night was exhausting me, so I leaned into Ryder and rested my head on his shoulder.
“Do you want to dance?” he asked.
“Yes,” I responded.
We walked to the middle of the dance floor, and Ryder held me as we danced. His arms held me tight against him as we swayed to the music. I needed to ask him without letting him know that I saw her name on the paper.
“Ryder, did you really date her?” I asked.
“Yes, once. It was a dinner for my dad’s charity event.” He sighed.
I nodded.
“Did you sleep with her?” I took a deep breath, part of me didn’t really want to know, but her name burned into me for more information. The thought that he was just with her the same day I was made me want to run far away from him.
“I won’t be mad, but I just want to know the truth,” I added.
“Yes,” he answered.
I felt like I had been punched in the gut. I knew there were women before me, but I wasn’t planning ever to come in contact with them. But she was just at his apartment making this feel off, so I had to say something.
“It was a few months ago, and I regret it.” He interrupted my thoughts. “She stopped by my apartment the other day too. I didn’t tell you because she didn’t get past the elevators.” The tears that were beginning to fill my eyes stopped.
“I saw her name,” I whispered.
“I have nothing to hide about her stopping by. I could have told my doorman to erase her name but nothing happened between us, and I would never hide that from you.” He moved my hair from my face.
I rested my head on his shoulder.
“Adi, she came over to invite herself to this dinner with me, but I shot her down and told her I was involved with someone.” His voice was stern.
I looked up at him, and I saw truthfulness in his eyes. It wasn’t like I didn’t have a life before Ryder because I gave myself to a few other guys before him, but I just felt disappointed he would be with a woman like her. She was disconnected and just a piece of jewelry to these men. The thought made me sick to my stomach that he paraded around these same people with her clinging to his arm.
“Adi, it wasn’t like what we have. I had sex with her once, and it was just that...nothing.” He rolled his eyes.
“That sounds wonderful.” I shook my head.
“You know what I mean. She is nothing, and I’m ashamed I was even associated with her.” He was annoyed.
“I know, I can tell.” I glanced over at her. “But why do these men find her so intriguing?” I asked.
“Well, I don’t think intriguing is the right word for her.” He cringed.
I watched her as she sat on Mr. Stonefield’s lap, feeding him bites of food from his plate.
“Yeah, easy is a much better one, I guess.” I nodded.
He kissed me and rubbed his hand down my back to my ass.
“I can’t stop thinking about you and what’s under this beautiful dress of yours,” he said through each small kiss he planted on my lips.
I smiled against him because I knew he was telling me the truth. What he might have had or not had with someone else wasn’t important now. Since I met him, he has become my world, and I’ve become his.
“Well, take me home, and you’ll find out.” I reached down and briefly touched the hardness that pressed against me.
“Let’s go. I’m ready now.” He pulled back from me.
“Right now? Don’t you want to wait until it’s over to help your parents?” I asked.
“They won’t even know I’m gone, and we can come by for dinner again this week sometime to talk more with them privately.” He kissed me again.
“If you say so, I can’t disagree with that plan.” I laughed.
He grabbed my hand, and we sprinted through the crowds of people for the exit.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The water from the shower hit my back as I kneeled on the shower floor and took Ryder in my mouth. We just made love in his living room, bedroom, and decided to jump in the shower before bed. I honestly thought we were just going to shower, but once Ryder started kissing my neck as he washed me, I couldn’t help myself.
As I took him deeper into my mouth, he let out a low growl. My tongue massaged the tip of his cock as I slid my mouth up and down his long shaft. He was throbbing against my lips and his ass felt tight against the palms of my hands as he rocked his hips back and forth into me.
“Adi, I’m going to come, baby.” I sucked harder and faster to bring him to his release. I moaned as I felt his cock stiffen inside my mouth. Pulling him from me, I stroked him until he released all over my breasts.
“You’re so sexy. I love seeing your nipples hard for me.” He played with my wet hair as I licked the tip of him.
Standing up, I washed my body off under the spray of the shower. Ryder lathed up some body soap in his hands and washed my chest off.
“You’re so beautiful. I can’t get over how you’re all mine. I just can’t get enough of you.” he said as he massaged my shoulders.
“Well, your body is a work of art,” I said with a cheesy grin. “That I can’t stop looking at,” I added, and he laughed.
“Is that so? Well, that explains why you can’t keep your hands off me.” He smirked.
“Speak for yourself.” My eyes widened, and I smacked his chest.
“Hey, I’ll admit that I’ll never keep my hands off you.” He put his hands in the air.
He held me against him as we washed the soap from each other.
“I love you, Ryder.” I breathed.
It just felt right. This moment we were so relaxed and open, and I couldn’t keep it in anymore. Looking up at him in awe, I was amazed by him. This man was everything I could have wished for, and I wasn’t afraid to tell him any longer. His eyes looked right into me, t
he same way they did when I first saw him. He had always been the best distraction. He took me from the sadness that was overwhelming me. His love had replaced that.
“I love you too, Adilyn Archer. I’ve loved you for a while now.” We kissed each other until the water turned cold.
***
“So you just have to bring the multiplication down.” I pointed to the board as I yawned through my math lesson with the kids.
My energy was dwindling away as each hour passed today. I wasn’t used to having such a social life for a weekday, and I couldn’t keep up.
“Okay, kids, let’s put our books away and head to lunch.” Walking the kids to the cafeteria, I felt like a zombie.
I was thankful for the coffee that Janie brought in this morning, or I wouldn’t have made it to lunch. I will have to talk to Ryder about getting to bed earlier during the week so I can function.
“Adi... are you busy?” I looked up from the overflowing test papers that were just waiting to be graded to see Janie. Distracted by the thoughts of last night’s events, I was moving at a snail’s pace. Janie was standing over my desk holding two snack bags filled with dried fruit.
“Yummy, for me?” I reached out for the bag, but she pulled it back.
“Sorry, Ads, not today.” She frowned.
“Who’s the lucky lunch buddy?” I asked.
“Well, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” She looked away. I put my pen down on my desk and motioned for her to sit down.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“So I wanted to ask you if you were okay with me talking to Trent?” Her cheeks blushed pink.
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