Soul Chance

by Nichelle Gregory

Back in the day, Ryder had thought having a big wedding and kids was what she’d wanted the most…just not with him. He was surprised to see she wasn’t married. Besides her shorter locks, she looked the same. Softer maybe, with womanly curves now filling out her once willowy frame.

  “How have you been, Cassie?”

  “I’ve been well. Busy. I’m moving to Arizona in a few weeks.”

  “Arizona? Wow.” Ryder shook his head. “That’s a huge change from Florida.”

  “I know. I never thought I’d leave.” Cassie moved forward to push the button for the elevator.

  “Leave again, you mean.” Ryder regretted uttering the words and bringing up their history when Cassie flinched.

  “Wow. You always went for the jugular.” Cassie shook her head. “You haven’t changed a bit.”

  “No more walks down memory lane, I promise.” Ryder paused for a moment. “I heard about your mom. I’m sorry.”

  “I appreciate that, Ryder.” Sadness glinted in Cassie’s eyes. “I did get your card.”

  Ryder nodded. “I wish you the best of luck with your move. I hope you enjoy living in Arizona.”

  “Thanks. How are you doing?” Cassie gestured at his suit. “From the looks of it here and on television, very well.”

  “I didn’t expect to wind up in show biz.”

  Cassie raised an eyebrow. “No? I always thought you would, but with your music. Do you still play?”

  “I do, but not as often as I’d like.”

  “That’s a shame.”

  “That’s what my mother always tells me. So, are you staying here for the weekend?” Ryder hit the button for the elevator.

  “Uh…no.” Cassie briefly dropped her gaze from his. “I was actually here to see your father about business. Is he here?”

  The elevator doors opened and Ryder stuck his hand in between them. “No.”

  “Oh, well, you don’t have to hold the elevator for me then.” Cassie tucked her hair behind her ear as Ryder moved away from the elevator. “When will Nathan return?”

  “I’m not sure. He decided to scale back some of his business responsibilities so he can finally take my mom on trips he’s been promising her for years.”

  “Ah.” Cassie gave him a bright smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “That’s nice.”

  “You mentioned needing to talk to him about business. Well, there hasn’t been an official announcement in the media yet, but I’ve taken over the day-to-day operations here at The Cove. Is there something I can help you with?”

  “Thank you, Ryder, but no. Take care.”

  Ryder took a step forward as Cassie turned away from him. Engaging in small talk with her felt strange when they’d been so intimate, so in love.

  “Cassie, wait.”

  “Yes?” Cassie asked, facing him again, her gaze guarded as she folded her arms across her chest.

  “It was good to see you.”

  Cassie scoffed. “Was it? We both know you hoped you’d never see me again. Those were your exact words, I believe.”

  “Ah hell”—Ryder shook his head—“now who’s walking down memory lane? That was a long time ago. The past is in the past.”

  Piano music filtered into the lobby from the speakers above as Cassie stared at him.

  “Yeah.” Cassie blew out a breath. “Except for when it isn’t. Goodnight, Ryder.”

  Ryder frowned as Cassie turned and walked away. He watched her go out of the nearest exit, questions popping into his mind. He planned to get some answers the next time he talked to his father.

  Ryder headed toward the dining area as applause rang out. He was anticipating watching Ari perform. Ryder gritted his teeth as his cock stiffened. He regretted not making her come. He’d missed out on seeing that dazed look of passion in her eyes when she did. Ryder walked faster. Listening to Ari sing wouldn’t assuage his need to have her sweaty and moaning beneath him again, but it was the next best thing.

  Ari pulled her mic away from her mouth and closed her eyes as she belted the last note of As Time Goes By. She paused a few moments after Ben had played his ending note for effect. Ari blew kisses at the crowd as the audience erupted into deafening applause. “Thank you.” Ari bowed. “Thank you so much.” She stepped closer to Erica and Ron, embracing them both when they stood. “Best wishes to you two from me and everyone here at The Cove.”

  “That was amazing. Thank you.” Erica hugged her again and Ari was moved by the tears on woman’s face.

  “My pleasure.” Ari smiled at the newlyweds, stepping beneath the spotlight as Ben segued into her final number for the evening, A Tisket A Tasket.

  Ari tapped her foot to the lively accompaniment, swaying her body to the bass line she could hear in her head as she started to sing the jazz classic—one of her favorite songs to perform. Ari playfully engaged the audience as she neared the end, encouraging them to sing with her. She was sashaying across the floor, drawing energy from the people, when her gaze fell on Ryder.

  The pleased smile lighting up his handsome face almost stole Ari’s breath away. She’d missed having him look at her the way he was now. She tore her eyes from him and worked her way back to center stage to finish the ballad. The crowd applauded her as the song ended and Ari took a bow, relishing the familiar thrill of having performed well. She acknowledged Ben, who stood and bowed as well. Ari waved to the people then walked over to her accompanist with a gracious grin. “Ben, thank you for keeping me on tempo with that second number.”

  “You mean you’re sorry for rushing me?” Ben chuckled as he continued to play.

  Ari laughed. “Goodnight. See you tomorrow.” She waved as Ben nodded at her then headed back down the stairs, surreptitiously looking for Ryder. Her heart sank as she made her way toward the bar without spotting him. Annoyed by her disappointment, Ari ordered her usual drink to go from Liza.

  She left the resort with her cocktail in hand. Ari slipped out of her heels before continuing on toward the ranch. She sipped her drink as she walked, becoming angrier with every step she took. Why had she expected Ryder to stay? He was her boss, despite having slept with her last night. Ari clenched the chilled glass in her hand as she paused to look out over the ocean.

  ‘You won’t get your way with me anymore, Ari.’

  Ryder’s cool declaration echoed sharply in her ears. She’d been distracted all day by what had happened between them last night. Her emotions wavered between fury and embarrassment. Ryder thought she was impulsive and spoiled. He had no idea of the hardships she’d faced while trying to make it in the music business the past few years. Ari hadn’t even shared some of her worst experiences with her brother. She had gotten discouraged in Vegas. Add in a healthy dose of disillusionment and Ari had momentarily lost sight of her professional goals. Gambling became the perfect escape and, for a while, things had gone her way.

  Ari pictured the huge amounts of cash she’d won and spent in Sin City. Her carelessness scared her when she really took a moment to think about her actions. Thank goodness she wasn’t a girl who wallowed in her losses. No, she’d always had the knack for moving on to bigger and shinier things.

  Face it. You’re unlucky in love and with money.

  The men she’d dated had always disappointed her in the end. Ari often wondered if every man who approached her could see past their own desires to ever consider hers. So, she’d learned to take what she needed from the opposite sex. Men had been doing that for eons. Did her gender mean she should feel guilty for doing the same?

  Ari sighed as she swatted a dragonfly. Ryder was unlike any other man she’d ever met. His help and generosity in Vegas had stunned Ari. She couldn’t think of another person in her life—other than Jay, if she’d told him the trouble she was in—who would’ve come to her aid. Still, she regretted showing her need for Ryder, hated that he knew exactly how much she’d wanted him to make her come. Showing vulnerability with guys had never done her any good. Ari exhaled as the beach house came into view. She wonder
ed if Ryder was inside. Ari yawned as she approached the bungalow. She’d slept fitfully, replaying the night in her mind. Thankfully, Ryder had already left before she’d gotten up, saving her from having to talk to him.

  Butterflies fluttered in Ari’s stomach as she went up the walkway to the beach house. She noticed the lights were off, which meant Ryder wasn’t back. Ari breathed a sigh of relief, dismissing the disappointment surging up through her. She entered the residence and dusted the sand from her bare feet as the front door clicked closed behind her.

  The place was dark and quiet except for the subtle hum of the air conditioner as it came on. Ari didn’t bother turning on any lamps. She headed to her room, casting a quick glance at Ryder’s closed door next to hers. It had been damn difficult knowing he’d been so close all night long. How many times had she tossed and turned, hoping Ryder would come back and finish what she’d started?

  “Get a grip.” Ari turned on the lamp on her nightstand. She stripped out of her clothing then padded into her bathroom and turned on the shower. She leaned against the vanity and waited for the water to warm. Ari looked at her body in the mirror. She’d lost some weight, and attributed her smaller waistline to living in Florida. It seemed that her nonexistent social life added up to less calories consumed overall. Besides going out with Manuel twice, she hadn’t left the resort. Ryder’s arrival had been the most exciting thing to happen in weeks.

  Memories of Ryder’s possessive touch on her sensitive skin popped into Ari’s mind as she gazed at her breasts. Desire hardened her nipples—much to her frustration—as she secured her long twists in a high bun. She stepped into the shower and worked her favorite freesia bath gel into a rich lather. The soothing scent calmed her nerves and Ari spent more time than was needed beneath the relaxing stream of water.

  Ari shut off the shower feeling more at peace than she had all day. She stepped out of the tub humming a ballad she wanted to perform with Ben. Ari wondered if he’d be able to play it the way she envisioned the piece. Ben was convinced his interpretation of songs was better than hers.

  Ari snagged a bath towel from the linen closet and dried off before tucking it around her body. She moved into the bedroom, eyeing her rumpled bed, her thoughts going back to Ryder pressing her into the sheets. Ari threw her damp towel on the comforter with a dark curse. She spritzed on her perfume then wrenched open her dresser drawer and extracted her favorite oversized T-shirt nightie. Forgoing undies, Ari put on the soft tee then opened her door.

  She walked through the house, comfortable in the dark as she made her way to the kitchen. She wanted something to munch or sip on, anything to distract her from thinking about Ryder. Ari opened the fridge, illuminating the space with the light from inside the appliance. She shook her head, regretting her decision not to go grocery shopping the other day.

  Ari sighed and reached for a small container of red pepper hummus. A bottle of chardonnay caught her eye. She took it out then flipped on the light to read the label. She recognized the local winery, known for its exclusive blends of red and white wines. Ari wondered if the price of the chardonnay lived up to the hype of the brand.

  Ari rubbed her finger over the embossed writing on the label, quite certain Ryder would be displeased by her opening the bottle. A defiant streak of heat zipped up her spine. Ari yanked open the kitchen drawer and pulled out a wine opener. Screw him. She deserved a glass of his expensive vino after the way he’d left her last night.

  Ari uncorked the bottle then took a glass out of the cabinet above the counter. She poured a generous amount of wine then swirled the contents of her glass like she’d seen Ryder do in Vegas. Ari groaned, frustrated that he seemed to consume every other thought, especially after what had gone down yesterday.

  She needed to come. An orgasm would help clear the cobwebs out of her head. Ari shut off the light then exited the kitchen with Ryder’s wine in hand, going back to her bedroom. Closing her door, Ari set her wine on her dresser. She reached for the small box of matches and lit a pillar candle. The flickering flame cast the room in romantic light as she picked up her glass and tasted the chardonnay. Ari nodded appreciatively, savoring the semi-sweet crisp notes of the vino on her tongue. She drank more of the wine, enjoying the way it warmed her blood.

  Ari finished the contents of her glass then set it on her nightstand. She lay back on the bed and closed her eyes. She liked the mellow feeling coming over her as she slipped her hand beneath the pillows and retrieved her vibrator. The chardonnay was as delicious as it was potent. Ari flicked on her slim vibe, settling back against her pillow. The soft hum of the toy seemed obscenely loud in the room, making her glad she had the beach house to herself. Ari parted her legs and moved the vibrator between her thighs. She pressed the tip of the toy against her clit and drew in a sharp breath as the intense pulsations rippled through her.

  Her vibe was small but powerful, spiking Ari’s state of arousal within seconds. Ari moaned and spread her thighs wider. Her nipples peaked beneath her nightie and Ari used her free hand to tease both breasts in turn. The slick sounds of her wetness turned her on even more as she pressed the toy to her clit again. Her pleasure tripled and Ari let out a little cry as she undulated her hips. She turned her head to the side, envisioning Ryder kissing her.

  With her eyes closed it wasn’t hard to imagine him touching her, playing in her wetness. Ari moved her hand from her nipple and trailed her fingers between her breasts the way Ryder had. Her breath hitched in her throat as she fantasized about Ryder’s hard body covering hers. She began rhythmically tightening her pussy walls, recalling how good his cock had felt tunneling in and out of her.

  Ari whimpered with the first blissful shimmers of her climax. She held her breath, every cell in her body humming to the frequency of the orgasm ricocheting through her. It took effort to keep the vibe in place as she called at Ryder’s name. Her limbs trembled with the intensity of her release and Ari removed the toy as her quivering flesh became too sensitive. She opened her eyes, breathless, with her heartbeat roaring in her ears. “Mmm.”

  Ari stretched on her bed with a contented sigh, enjoying the erotic tingles zinging through her body. Her private play session had definitely taken the edge off. Savoring her haze of residual passion, Ari smiled then froze when she heard a noise next door. She sat up in the bed with a frown. Ari jumped when she heard another sound coming from Ryder’s room.

  Oh, my God.

  She hadn’t been alone after all. Ari’s heart skipped a beat as that realization sank in. Her cheeks warmed at the thought of Ryder possibly overhearing her masturbate. Ari stared at the wall separating her room from his. Dear heavens, did Ryder hear me call out his name?

  Chapter Four

  “Fuck.” Ryder took his hand off his stiff cock with a deep groan. He shifted his body beneath the covers then threw them off. There was no way he was going to get any sleep after what he’d just listened to.

  Ryder sat up in his bed, beyond frustrated. He glanced at the clock on his nightstand. Not much time had passed since he’d overheard the muffled sound of Ari screaming his name. His dick twitched with the remembrance of her barely audible moans and the longing in her tone when she’d called for him. It had taken all of his self-control not to go to her.

  The very thought of her playing with that sweet pussy with him in mind was enough to drive him crazy. If she’d wanted to punish him for his actions yesterday, she’d damn well succeeded. He should have been the one making her cry out like that. Ari had told him she preferred climaxing alone but he’d relished the times he’d shown her how much better a climax could be with an attentive partner. Last night, he’d missed another opportunity to show her how sex was with him because as far as he was concerned it was a hell of a lot more enjoyable with her.

  Restless, Ryder got up and pulled on his jogging shorts. He couldn’t take another second in his room. He walked to his door, opened it and stepped out into the hallway. The ranch was darker than when he’d arrived. He’d
taken a cold shower, hoping that would curb his craving for Ari. It hadn’t. He’d made a few phone calls, one of which had been to his dad. As usual, Ryder had got his voicemail. He’d left him a message, casually mentioning Cassie and hung up.

  He found it odd his father hadn’t mentioned any business dealings with her. Ryder frowned as he thought about Cassie’s parting words. He still didn’t get what she’d meant, nor did he understand her tart tone when she’d been the one to break things off with him. Hell, he still didn’t understand her change of heart where he was concerned, but he’d made his peace with it a long time ago and moved on. Seeing Cassie today had truly proved that to be true.

  Ryder walked into the kitchen, went over to the refrigerator and opened it. He reached for his chardonnay, raising an eyebrow when he saw the bottle had been opened. He lifted the bottle, viewing the remaining contents from the illumination of the appliance. Ryder grinned despite being perturbed that Ari had sampled the wine he’d brought back to share with her before their evening had gone haywire.

  Removing the cork from the white wine, Ryder decided to forgo a glass and took a swig from the bottle. He wondered if Ari had enjoyed the chardonnay as he moved into the living room. He walked over to the baby grand in the center of the floor, pulled out the bench and sat down. For as long as he could remember, music had been one of the few things that had always centered his emotions.

  The pull to play the piano prompted Ryder to push open the lid over the keys. The ivory keys seemed to gleam in the moonlight pouring in from the adjacent window, beckoning Ryder to play. He set the bottle of wine on the bench beside him and, unable to resist, he gently played a one-handed melody. He brought his other hand up and started to play a song that had been in his head since meeting Ari in Las Vegas. His fingers flew across the keys, the volume increasing as more of the song unfolded in his mind.

  A creak in the floor drew Ryder’s attention away from the baby grand. He paused from playing when he saw Ari leaning against the wall. She looked adorable and sexy at the same time in a peach nightie displaying double eight notes across her chest. “Ari—”