by Various
Colleen comes over and slides closer to the plans. I scoot even farther away.
Colleen and Julie dive into the plan together, muttering about moving this table here, that table there, changing this shape to that. When I know they have completely forgotten that I’m even in the room, I slip out to go the bathroom.
Maybe I can freshen up a little while they’re busy. That way, I can get home a little late and still be ready when Ryan shows up. My stomach flutters again. What on earth are we going to do? I was told to pack light and that we would buy what we needed in the city. Mostly I packed makeup, toiletries, and shoes.
The question burning in the recesses of my mind all week is what is he into that should be illegal, and so intense that his ex-girlfriend felt compelled to offer me a shoulder to lean on, yet happens in the city?
I would have gone with Hannah being dramatic, but Ryan didn't deny it. In fact, he said he wouldn't tell me, that he would only show me. What does he not want to talk about? For four days I have wrestled with these questions, and more. Finally, tonight I get to find out.
~~~~~~~~
A black and gold BMW motorcycle comes roaring into my apartment parking lot just as I’m climbing the steps to my front door. I turn and look over the railing just in time to see Ryan's head come out of the helmet. Is he kidding me? Now he brings the motorcycle? All the way to the city?
Leaving the door open for him, I walk in and reassess my luggage. It would work for a car, but not for a bike. Damn, that second case of shoes and makeup are going to have to stay home.
Grabbing all my stuff, I haul it to the bedroom to repack.
"Hello?" Ryan calls from the entryway.
"In the back," I call out. "Keeping up with you is getting harder and harder."
"Huh? What did I do?" Ryan's voice gets louder as he walks toward me.
"What'd you do? You showed up on a bike, Cole. On a frickin’ motorcycle. You said pack light, but yeesh. Do you not know that I am, in fact, a girl?" The irritation in my voice is genuine, the week's tension and anxiety bubbling up.
Ryan's face splits in two and his head falls back as deep roaring laughter falls out of his mouth. "Damn, Young. You’re a site for sore eyes."
I stop and stare at him. "You're laughing at me? You think this is funny?" Irritation is quickly moving to full anger.
"Hey. Hey. Nora. Take it easy." Ryan approaches me like one would approach a wild animal. "Just chill. This weekend is going be great. Look, I thought the bike would be fun in the city. You said before that you wanted to ride the bike. We can take a car."
I cross my arms and stare at him. "No. The bike is fine. I just, I just," I stop because I realize that I am yelling at him.
Ryan encloses me in his arms. "Hey. Come here. I had a shitty week, too."
I take a deep breath and lean into him. He smells so good. Why can't we see each other during the week? It would make my weekdays so much better.
"Hi," I say into his shoulder. "Sorry. You just caught me off guard."
"Look. We don't have to do this. We can stay here, hide in here all weekend." Ryan pulls back and bends over until I look into his eyes. His stare is piercing, his eyes burning into mine.
"No way. Ever since Hannah opened her big mouth I’ve thought of nothing else. You either spill it now, or we go. No more waiting." I match his piercing stare and narrow my eyes for effect.
"Okay. Let's go. You don't need much. We'll go to a hotel tonight, enjoy the city tomorrow, do some shopping. Sunday we’ll do nothing but sleep." He still looks stern, as if he’s still testing me.
"There's a big gap in there, Cole," I say, dryly.
Ryan laughs again and kisses my cheek.
"Yeah, I know. Come on. One bag, we’ll buy what you need. Change into jeans and a warm shirt. Let's go."
I go back to my reorganizing. When everything that made the cut is snugly in one bag, I zip it up and toss it to Ryan. He takes it to the door while I change into jeans and a warm shirt, as requested. I do one last check then lock up, turning off the lights as we leave.
Ryan straps my bag to the back of the bike and hands me a helmet and a leather jacket.
"The leather will protect you and keep you warm. The helmet is the law," he says, without humor.
Okey dokey. The jacket is a little big, but not much, and the helmet fits snuggly on my head.
"There, now you look like a motorcycle chick," he laughs. "Get on and hold on to me. Follow my lead. If I lean, you lean. It's only a little over an hour. But tomorrow it will rock to have this." He flashes that sexy grin.
Without much choice, I wait for him to climb on then do the same. My hands circle his waist and squeeze for dear life. I feel his body lift and shift as he turns on the bike. It roars to life. Just as we start to move, I feel his foot come off the ground and join the bike.
Leaning right then left, we leave the parking lot. At first I can barely see, I’m so terrified. I wanted a ride yes, but a two hour road trip? But pretty soon I get the feel of it, and my shoulders begin to relax. The drive to the city is actually exhilarating!
Windswept and very much awake, we roll into the Saint Francis in San Francisco. The valet looks at us like we’re from Mars.
"Don't worry about it. I'll park it. Just gonna check in first," Ryan tells him as he unstraps our two small bags from the bike.
We walk into the lobby and I take in our new surroundings. My ears are still ringing from over an hour on the bike, and the warm air is soothing to my weathered skin. The hotel is plush and old and as we step up to the counter, it is obvious that we are underdressed to be guests here. Ryan shows no discomfort whatsoever, he steps up, back straight, head held high, helmet in his hand.
I hang back, acutely aware of my jeans, tennis shoes, and too big leather jacket. I try to shake my hair around, but I know after that ride, it will take more than a head toss to control it.
I watch Ryan and admire the way he’s just so—Ryan. The front desk lady hands over the room key and he turns back to me. Grabbing my bag, I follow him to the elevator.
"This is a nice hotel," I say, stepping into an elevator car.
"Yeah, this is one of my favorites," he says with a grin. "We’re on a high floor, so get ready for a nice ride."
"Okay," I say, skeptically. The car whooshes up. I look around and sure enough, there are glass windows on the backside of the car. Just as I start to wonder why, the elevator bursts through the covered walls and we are surrounded by glass. We’re rising high above the city and can see the square below. Tiny tables cover the area, with smaller people milling around. I see Macy's on my right and a three story Nike store on the far corner.
"Holy Cow!" I say.
Ryan comes to stand behind me, I feel him press against me, his breath on my neck.
"I could say the same about my view," he almost growls in my ear.
This gets my full attention and I turn around abruptly to face him. My heart races with the surge of electricity pulsing through me.
"Well, now. Good to know I still trump the elevator view." I smile at the look in his eye.
Ryan is clearly not watching the street below; my heart leaps as his sexy mouth grins. All too soon, the car stops and the doors open. He grabs my hand as we leave the car to find our room.
"Not the best view in town, but it’ll do," Ryan says as he appraises the window. The room is small with a queen size bed, lush with pillows and a desk in the corner with a deep brown leather chair. There is also an overstuffed white sitting chair next to the bed. The armoire across from the bed holds the TV, a game console, and a minibar. The TV slides out and angles so that the viewer can watch from anywhere in the room.
I check the closet and find two terry cloth robes hanging in it. The bathroom is well stocked, and there is a large, elegant bathtub with a hand shower, as well as one overhead. Yep, just enough plush to make the small room seem cozy and intimate.
I realize that I’m nervous about the next 24 hours.
"Hey, I know it's late, do you want dinner? Thought we could order before I go park the bike," Ryan calls from the room.
Taking a deep breath, I join him. He looks up from the menu he’s reading and his eyebrows furrow.
"What's wrong?" he asks.
He looks so perfect sitting there at the desk, T-shirt, jeans, yet still commanding and sexy as hell. My nerves awaken just by the sight of him.
"Nothing. I was just checking the bathroom and my mind was wandering. Do you want to order in or go out?" I don't want to worry him. Or worse, make him think I want to back out.
"Uh—" He looks at me suspiciously. "Okay. I think we can order in. This menu isn't half bad."
~~~~~~~~
The food is amazing. Sitting on our fancy bed, watching a movie, eating delicious pasta, steak, salad, and raspberry mousse pie for dessert is the most fun I have had all week.
"Oh, my God. I am so full." I stretch back on the bed. "I can't believe I ate everything. What was I thinking?" I think I might have pulled a stomach muscle.
Ryan laughs. "Well, at least we know that you liked it." He moves the dishes back on the room service tray. "Come on. Let's take a bath." He walks to the bathroom and turns on the water.
"Okay." Not what I was expecting, but I'll go with it.
I sit up on the bed and stare at the view. It's beautiful, the city skyline shimmering just outside. Ryan comes out of the bathroom naked.
"You coming?" he asks. His voice is soft and seductive. Holy shit, he is one good-looking man. How does he stay so tan while working all the time? Maybe he's a runner?
"Are you a runner?" I blurt out without thinking.
His eyes bulge out a little. "Excuse me?" he asks, looking slightly stunned.
"I'm sorry. It's just your body is so spectacular. And tan. And I was wondering how you stay fit and tan with your work schedule." I get up and wrap my arms around him. Up close, his body is rock hard. I smell his Ryan-scent and immediately feel my body responding to him.
Ryan laughs. "I'll never tell my man secrets." His hands catch my hair and pull it back, exposing my throat, kissing my softly. He starts unbuttoning my shirt.
"Here," I say, and pull it off over my head.
He smiles appreciatively. "Man. I just can't get used to you. You're so unbelievably sexy," he breathes out and works on unhooking my bra.
Unzipping my jeans, I slide out of them. Soon I’m completely naked, just as he is. I feel his cock on my upper thigh.
"Come on," he growls, and leads me to the bathroom.
The tub is almost full now, so he shuts the water off. We slip in, displacing a lot of the water. The warmth feels so good. I hadn't realized how tense I was until just that moment. Ryan unplugs the drain and pulls me on top of him so we are both resting against the side of the tub. We lie like that for a while, listening to the water drain out. When I feel the water slipping past my ribs, I open my eyes.
"Um, Ryan, we’re draining the tub."
"It's okay. We can refill it when it gets cold. You know, unlimited hot water here," he says, grinning.
His fingers take long, tantalizing strokes up and down my legs. His touch sends currents of electricity along my spine. He gets closer and closer to the apex of my thighs with each stroke, spreading heat from deep in my belly to my entire body. Soon I feel it in my toes.
Without thinking, my legs open for him and I lean back, eyes closed, waiting for his next touch. I hear his breath quicken as his body shifts under mine. At first, it's just a soft glance, barely a touch, and then I feel his fingers lingering, then opening me, spreading me. The warm water heightens my sensitivity, my nipples become hard even in the hot water, my breath becomes uneven.
Ryan moves and plugs up the drain. My eyes are still closed; my head tilted back with nerve endings on full alert. I feel Ryan moving around and hear the water running. The sound becomes muted, so I open my eyes and see that he has the hand held shower under the water.
"Thought we might want to warm up the water again," Ryan says, salaciously.
"Okay," I say. Oh! He moves the nozzle head so there is a direct stream of constant warm water right between my legs. My eyes widen a little.
"Is this okay?" He asks, hesitantly.
"Yeah. Just a little unexpected." I relax back into the side of the tub again.
Ryan's hands move closer to me. He opens me and steers the water stream for a direct hit. Holy shit, that feels good.
"Ahhh," I cry out. "This isn't going to take long!" My eyes start to flutter.
I hear him laugh, a delicious sexy laugh, and I open my legs wider as my eyes shut tighter. His laugh abruptly stops. Opening my eyes, I see Ryan looking extremely serious, watching me. His face is as close to my sex without being underwater as he can get.
"You are so beautiful. I love watching you come." Ryan's voice is deep and ragged, his breath coming in short spurts as if he is concentrating hard.
Knowing he’s that close to me, watching me, leaves me with an odd sensation. Not a bad one, in fact, the more I think about it, the more I realize that I like it. My legs open farther for him and I push up off the bottom, getting my pelvis closer to his face.
He gasps, but follows my hips with the showerhead. It feels so good, that warm honey feeling slowly spreading across my midsection. I know it won't be long now.
As my hips float close to his face, the stream is becoming less constant. For a second it's perfect and I think I'm about to come, and then I float a quarter of an inch away and lose the momentum. After losing the connection two or three times, I grab the hand held from him. He looks at me with wonder in his eyes.
"Oh, my God, I’m so close. Give me the damn thing," I yell, laughing at him.
He hands it to me and smiles. Taking control, I lay my back against the tub wall. My hips are floating near Ryan's face, my legs spread as far apart as possible in the tub, and I’m holding the shower head as close as possible in the hopes of a desperately awaited orgasm.
"Jesus Christ, Nora. That’s the sexist thing I have ever seen," I hear him say, feeling his breath on my inner thigh. Opening my eyes, I see his face is almost touching my sex.
That pushes me over the top and I cry out as the orgasm rips through me.
"That's it," Ryan calls to me. "I'm watching you come."
That makes me come harder. Just knowing he’s that close to me, watching me—it opens up something deep inside of me I didn't even know was there.
"Ryan!" I scream out as the orgasm shatters me inside with wave upon wave of pleasure. With the water sloshing around in the tub, I’m in my own tsunami of sensation.
The next thing I know, Ryan has turned off the water and is draining the tub. He hands me a towel.
"Do you mind if we move this to the other room?" He asks, grinning obscenely.
"No," I grunt and reach for the towel, still panting.
I watch him dry off. His muscles ripple with his movements, his abs tight, his shoulders broad, and he’s still hard; the combination is heady and I’m instantly ready for more.
"You okay?" Ryan asks me.
"Yep. Just watching you and getting turned on even more, if that’s even possible," I say.
"Oh yeah, it's possible." He steps closer to me.
He holds my head and caresses my cheek. His lips are soft against mine, nothing too urgent.
"Mmmm. You taste good," he says while tugging on my bottom lip with his teeth.
I kiss him back, urgently, and feel him respond, his cock hitting my pelvis, his tongue opening my mouth, demanding entrance. I fist his hair and tug. He sighs and wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me into him.
"I need to be inside of you," he growls and breaks free.
We stand close together, his chestnut eyes to my green. Our bodies so close, but not touching. Our body heat mixes and radiates off each other, the coil of desire curling inside is red hot and wound up tight.
Something deep inside my chest breaks open. It feels as if warm fluid
is spreading throughout my body. In this moment, I would do anything for this man. I have never felt this way about anyone before. The thought hits me like a ton of bricks, causing my breath to halt.
"Nora," Ryan whispers my name. "It's okay. Trust me."
He pushes my hair away from my face and runs his thumb along my cheekbone. The breath I was holding lets go, but the tension between us grows.
"Ryan. I’d do any—" He covers my mouth with his finger.
"Wait. Just wait," he says, and then his mouth plunges into mine, kissing me as if there is nothing else in the world.
I kiss him back. Now, more than ever, I need him. I need him on top of me, inside of me, I need to feel the weight of his body covering mine. My desire is no longer just carnal; now there is a desperate need that wasn't there before.
His arms wrap around me and lift me up. I wrap my legs around his waist and he walks us to the bed, gently laying me down while straddling me. Looking up, I see his hooded eyes watching me. Even as he looms over me, his impressive cock between us, I feel that other part of me calling for him, yearning for him. I cannot explain this feeling—I just know that it is overwhelming me.
"Jesus, Nora. You are so beautiful, so sexy," Ryan breathes out the words while reaching for a condom.
He leans over me, kissing my shoulder, my neck, and the line of my jaw. His hands reverently caress my body, slowly squeezing my breasts, rolling my nipples, stroking my legs. His knee shoves my upper thigh open and he hovers over me with his cock just at my entrance, pushing in, teasing out, tantalizing me. It's all almost too much. My nerves and my body are so over stimulated I can barely see. My sex is throbbing; my hands reach up and push his buttocks down, smashing him into me.
He moans in my ear. Lifting up, he repositions and this time dives all the way in. His sudden fulfillment is shocking to my system. I cry out and tighten.
"Jesus, fuck. You’re so tight!" he bites out.
His mouth moves to my nipple while his hand squeezes my other breast. I arch my back, thrusting up into him, making him go deeper still.