“Who are you and what are you doing in here?” Ari pressed her hand to her thudding heart.
“I’m Cassie. I was here a few months ago and I lost my necklace. I thought maybe it was on the veranda and when I didn’t find it out there…” Cassie gave Ari an apologetic smile. “I wasn’t expecting anyone to be here. I still had my key and I just let myself in. Again, I’m so sorry about this.”
Ari shook her head. “You scared the living daylights out of me. Are you related to Ryder?”
“Am I related to Ryder?” Cassie blanched. “No.”
Ari frowned. “How did you get a ke—?”
“Look”—Cassie took a step back—“I’ve gotta go. If you happen to see a chain with a tiny sand dollar pendant on it, could you leave it at the front desk at The Cove for me? Just put it under my first name. I’d really appreciate it.”
“Uh, okay, but—”
“Thanks.” Cassie spun around and was out of the front door before Ari could say another word.
Ari went to the window and watched Cassie hurry down the walkway, questions running through her mind. She knew the woman’s first name but Cassie hadn’t shared a clue about who she was or why she had a key to the beach house. Ryder had implied the space wasn’t open to regular guests, which meant Cassie was special.
And she isn’t family.
A stab of pain shot through Ari’s stomach as she considered the possibility Cassie was special to Ryder. She and Ryder had never discussed ex-lovers. Ari pressed her fingers to her temples. She didn’t have time to obsess about Ryder’s ghosts of girlfriends past when there was a chick marching through the front door.
Ari glanced around the beach house, picturing Ryder with the willowy brunette. Maybe he’d been seeing Cassie and her at the same time. Mutual exclusivity had not been discussed between them either.
No, because those are things you discuss when you have a real relationship.
Ari blinked back the tears burning her eyes as her words circled faster and faster in her mind. Ryder’s secrecy about his possible new television spot and Cassie’s unexpected appearance was the reality check she needed to put things into crystal clear perspective. She had a deal, not a relationship.
Chapter Eight
Ryder took his carry-on from Trent and thanked him. He turned from the limo, pleased to see the lights on in the beach house. Negotiations for his new celebrity judge spot had gone better than he’d expected. Ryder had signed a contract to be on the music show for one season. He was excited to be immersed back into the music world, looking forward to judging the music competition and hearing budding new talent. Still, one season had been all Ryder wanted to commit to at the moment, much to the producers’ chagrin. His schedule was jammed already with his hosting gig for Celeb Chef and now The Cove to oversee.
The limo pulled away, and Ryder headed up to the bungalow, anxious to see Ari. She’d been on his mind all week, infiltrating his every thought. He’d hated to leave her after such an intense night together, but his trip to California had been unavoidable.
He couldn’t shake the feeling something was bothering her—something other than the stark realization he had every intention of making her uphold her end of their new arrangement. Her text messages had seemed more guarded and he’d been unable to reach her by phone. Ryder stepped onto the veranda and paused when he heard music. He smiled, glad Ari was working on her music.
Ryder listened to Ari sing a few bars of a song he’d never heard. Her sultry voice affected him almost as much as her soft moans. Ryder unlocked the front door then walked inside the cottage to see Ari with her back to him at the piano. His cock thickened as his gaze traveled over her pink mini skirt and a simple white tee.
“Hey.”
Ari stopped playing and turned to look at him, her brown eyes wary. “Hey. Have a good trip?”
Ryder set his luggage down and slipped out of his leather thongs. “It was productive.” He considered telling her about the latest addition to his list of jobs as he set his keys on the table then decided the last thing he wanted to do now was talk shop.
“Good.” Ari glanced down at the keyboard as she tinkled the ivories.
Ryder joined her over by the piano. “How was your week?”
“Productive.” Ari gave him a bright smile as she pulled her twists over one shoulder.
Ryder raised an eyebrow at her copy-cat, sassy reply. “That’s what I like to hear. What were you working on?”
“Oh”—Ari averted her gaze—“just a little song that popped into my head.”
“Sing it for me.”
Ari lifted her face to Ryder’s. “It’s nothing. I’m not good at playing while I sing.”
“I heard a little of it before I came in. You were doing fine.”
“No—”
“Ari, let me hear your song.”
Ari stared at him for a moment then shrugged. She turned back to the piano and began to play a bittersweet melody. “I’m not sure about the beginning.”
Ryder nodded, hearing a more intricate accompaniment in his head as Ari added her voice. Her haunting lyrics about uncertain love mesmerized Ryder. He couldn’t take his eyes off Ari’s lovely face as she sang, experiencing every emotion she expressed with each honeyed note she delivered.
Ryder remained still until she’d finished the last note of the piece then clapped. “That was beautiful.”
“Really?” A genuine smile lit up Ari’s eyes.
“Yes. I’m impressed by your songwriting abilities.” Ryder tapped his finger on the piano. “I mean, I can actually hear that song being played on the radio. It’s perfect. Relatable. Emotional. Authentic.”
“Wow. Thanks, Ryder. I value your opinion.”
“You’re welcome.” Ryder grinned. “And your playing wasn’t awful either.”
Ari wrinkled her nose. “I was hoping it wouldn’t detract from the song.”
“It gave me some ideas.” Ryder pointed to the piano. “Allow me?” He sat down on the bench when Ari got up.
“Maybe we should record this? If it’s good, I’ll wish I had.”
“Great idea. I’ll send you a copy when we’re done.” Ryder took his cell from his pocket and set it up to record. “Oh, and it is going to be good.” He winked at Ari as he started to play the accompaniment unfolding in his mind.
Ryder grinned at Ari as she joined him. He focused on the piano, letting the music inside him—and Ari’s voice—guide his fingers over the keys. Ryder looked up at Ari, captivated by her beauty and talent. She moved him as a woman and as an artist. Never was he more aware of how good they were together than when they were collaborating on a song. Ryder hit the last chord, lifted his hands off the piano and the ending notes reverberated in the room.
“Ryder, that…what you played”—Ari shook her head—“was incredible.”
Ryder shrugged. “It was your melody.” He stopped his phone from recording. “I just embellished it.”
“No.” Ari came over and sat by him on the bench. “You took the song to the next level.”
“Your song.” Ryder touched her cheek.
“Our song.”
Ryder played an arpeggio. “We’re good together.”
“Creatively.”
Ryder turned to Ari. “That’s not the only way.” He slipped his hand into her hair and kissed her.
“Ryder…”
“Yes?” Ryder stared into her eyes, wanting to understand the sadness he saw there before she looked away. “What’s wrong?”
Ari sighed but didn’t answer him.
“Ari?”
Brown eyes met his. “I missed you.”
“Impossible.” Ryder grinned, more than pleased by her admission.
“I know.”
“I missed you too.” Ryder kissed Ari again, soft and gentle, taking his time until she melted into him. He was convinced her lips were made for him, that she was made for him. The startling revelation shocked Ryder as Ari pulled back.
He shifted on the wooden bench as she stood. The sight of her dark nipples peaking beneath her thin white tee stoked his hunger for Ari. He wanted to put his hands on her. He craved the taste of her skin.
“Hmm.” Ari lifted her skirt, revealing her nakedness underneath. “You mean you missed this?”
Ryder rose from the bench, intent on showing Ari exactly what they’d both missed. He took a step to close the gap between them and Ari moved out of his reach.
“You want it?” Ari’s tone was playful and seductive as she swished her skirt, giving him tantalizing glimpses of her bareness beneath.
Rock hard, Ryder unzipped his jeans. “You want it, and you’re going to get it.” He took a small foil packet out of his pocket and opened it.
“You’ll have to catch me first.”
“Ari, don’t you ru—” Ryder swore when Ari pivoted and ran. A smile played across his lips as he gave chase down the hallway. Ryder snagged hold of her before she reached her bedroom, laughing when she squealed. He wrapped his arms around Ari’s waist then lifted his hands to cup her breasts. “I got you.”
“Yes, you do.” Ari moaned when Ryder teased her nipples through her T-shirt. “Are you going to punish me for running away from you?”
The need Ryder recognized in her bashful question made him harder. “Do you want me to punish you, Ari?” Ryder tugged on her nipples, savoring her shocked gasp.
“Yes.”
Ryder released his hold on her to turn her around to face him. “Be sure, Ari. My punishment may or may not be what you want.”
“I’m sure.”
Ryder studied Ari for a moment, amazed and delighted by her bold response. “Very well. On your knees.”
Was she mad? Asking for punishment?
Ari straightened her posture as Ryder stripped, trying to ignore the curls of apprehension and desire making her wet…wetter. Her eyes widened as he came to her with his thick cock in hand.
Oh, God. Not this again.
Ryder chuckled and Ari thought for a second she’d spoken aloud.
“Hold this.” Ryder held out a condom and Ari took it. “Now, hands behind your back. Good girl. Now, open your mouth and take me deeper, Ari.”
Ari parted her lips and flicked her tongue over the tip of Ryder’s cock. She relished his sharp intake of breath as she wrapped her lips around him. Ari concentrated on getting as much of Ryder as she could with each methodical thrust of her head. Her eyes watered as she fought to relax and accept Ryder’s cock even farther.
“Better than last time, but I know you can take all of me.”
Ari mewled in protest when Ryder wound his fingers in her twists. He pressed her head down onto his cock, entered her throat and stayed there. The intrusion made Ari bring her hands up between them. It was too much, way too overwhelming not to try to push him away.
Ryder removed his dick from her mouth and Ari coughed as he angled her face up to his. “Who asked for this?”
“M-me.” Ari’s chest heaved as she fought to breathe normally.
“That’s right.” Ryder reached down and pulled her tee up over head, revealing her hard nipples. “I want you to return your hands behind your back and keep them there.”
Ari did as she instructed, oddly revitalized by Ryder’s appreciative smile. “I’m ready.”
“We’ll see.” Ryder pressed his cock against her lips and Ari opened her mouth.
She stared up at Ryder, concentrating on her breathing as he edged his thick length deep into her throat. Tears filled her eyes as Ryder fucked her mouth, but she didn’t pull away or push him back when he dug his fingers into her twists and set the pace. Ari whimpered around his cock, adding to the elicit sounds echoing in the room as she savored the taste of his pre-cum.
“Oh fuck, Ari.” Ryder’s gruff, pleasure-laden voice thrilled Ari. “You’re doing so damn well.”
Ari moved her hand between her legs and stroked her clit in tandem to Ryder’s thrusts. Her wetness coated her fingers, made her want more than her own touch to get off.
“Are you playing with my pussy?” Ryder pulled his cock from between Ari’s lips.
Ari gulped in air, still strumming her clit with her fingers. “Y-yes.”
“I didn’t give you permission to move your hand.”
Ari undulated her hips, purposefully jutting out her breasts as she fingered herself. “Please, Ryder. I want to come.”
“And you will.” Ryder yanked her onto her feet and guided her into her bedroom.
Ari yelped when he tossed her on the bed. She waved the condom still in her hand as Ryder joined her. He took the condom from her with a wicked grin on his face and put it on. Ryder lifted her legs and parted them into a wide V, making her skirt bunch around her waist. Ari toyed with her breasts, crying out as Ryder guided his cock into her. He gave her no time to adjust, slamming into her over and over again. His possession of her body rendered her boneless, bombarding her pleasure. Ari closed her eyes, falling silent as the erotic sensations consumed her. She clutched at the covers beneath her as her orgasm swept through her, half aware of Ryder’s sharp groan as he climaxed seconds later.
Ari curved her body against his, still trembling from the tiny ripples of bliss fluttering through her as Ryder lay beside her.
“You’re perfect for me.” Ryder’s voice was a rough whisper against her ear.
Ari exhaled as tears filled her eyes again, unable to speak. She refused to tap into the emotions his words stirred up. His declaration couldn’t be real. It was just another strange product of their surreal circumstances.
* * * *
Ari glanced at Ryder over her cup of coffee, almost hating how sexy he made a pair of worn jeans and white T-shirt look in the morning light. She’d thought a good night’s sleep and some strong coffee would help pierce her mind-numbing fog. With Ryder next to her all night, sleep had come easy, but Ari had awakened more than once to see if he’d left her bed. He had, in fact, stayed the entire night.
She’d attempted to seduce Ryder, to get him to take her in a manner reflective of the nature of their arrangement. The goal had been to clarify what they were in her mind, but being with Ryder last night hadn’t cleared up a damn thing.
“What is it?” Ryder lifted his gaze from the financial paper he’d been reading. He cocked his head in her direction and a lock of hair, still damp from showering, fell across his forehead. “What’s on your mind?”
You. You and me. You in me. You. You.
Her mind was a jumbled emotional mess of thoughts which Ari couldn’t bear to share with Ryder. Ari glanced at his lips, curved up in that sexy grin she longed to kiss.
“Ari?”
Ari blinked, focusing on Ryder. “More java?”
“No thanks.” Ryder gave her an accessing look as he took a sip from his mug. “That’s what’s on your mind? Coffee?”
“Coffee and yoga.” Ari forced a bright smile. “I bet you’re surprised at how much I’ve improved.”
“No. I knew you were capable.” Ryder sat his cup on top of the newspaper. “I’m glad you realize it now too.”
Ari sat back in her chair, caught off guard by his response.
Ryder skimmed his fingers over her thigh. “Your form is impeccable. You should be proud. I am.”
His compliment warmed her as much as his touch. Ari cleared her throat. She wasn’t sure she could take another sex fest. Her heart had yet to recover from the last one.
“Yoga is so good for the body.” Ryder slid his hand up her leg.
“I had a visitor last week.” Ari straightened in her seat, trying to ignore the heat of Ryder’s hand on her skin.
Ryder raised an eyebrow. “A visitor here? Who?”
“Cassie. She didn’t leave a last name.” Ari searched Ryder’s face for a reaction, wanting to gauge his involvement with the brunette but face gave nothing away.
“What did she want?”
“She mentioned losing a necklace here.” Ari watched Ryder as he got up f
rom the table.
“A gold chain with a sand dollar pendant?” Ryder took his cup over to the sink and put it in.
“Yes.” Ari attempted to keep her own face devoid of all expression when Ryder turned to look at her. Hearing him describe Cassie’s jewelry was all the confirmation she needed.
“Hmm.”
Who is she? Ari waited a few seconds for Ryder to say more, to answer at least that one question replaying in her head. She parted her lips to ask when the house phone rang. Ari blew out a breath as Ryder answered, half-listening to him talk. She frowned when she heard her name.
“What’s going on?” Ari asked when he ended the call.
Ryder swore. “Ben had a heart attack.”
“Oh my God.” Ari rose from her seat. “Is he going to be okay?”
“Liza said his family is hopeful.” Ryder shook his head. “It happened this morning.”
“That’s terrible.”
“It is. I’ve known Ben since I was a teenager.” Ryder dragged a hand through his ruffled hair. “I’m going to stop by the hospital.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“No.” Ryder reached for his cell off the table. “Thank you, but his family doesn’t want a lot of visitors at this time.”
Hurt, Ari managed to nod her head amicably. “Okay. What about tonight?”
“Tonight?” Ryder frowned then lifted his head. “I’ll play for you until we find a suitable replacement for Ben. Text me the songs you two were going to perform.”
“Do we need to practice?”
“Probably should but we may not get a chance.” Ryder came over and kissed her on the cheek. “Don’t worry. We’ll be fine either way. I’ve got you.”
“I’ll see you later then.”
“Yes. I’ll call you.” Ryder gave her another quick kiss before pivoting and exiting the kitchen.
Ari sighed, feeling guilty for being upset that she hadn’t got to ask Ryder more about Cassie. This wasn’t the time, she knew that. Ari moved from the kitchen to the window when Ryder went out of the front door and watched him leave with a heavy heart.
“Face it, Ari. You don’t have the right to inquire about a damn thing.”
Soul Chance Page 9