Arranged Love

by Lacey Wolfe

  Leave it to his mother to gossip.

  “Have you told my daughter how you feel yet?”

  He didn’t want to have this conversation with Kayla’s mother. That damn rabbit—it was her fault. When he caught her, he wouldn’t feel bad about locking her in that cage. If she’d just come to him, he wouldn’t have had to call Mrs. Ames. “I did, and it confused her a lot more. So I let her go away with me.”

  “Let me guess...she told you not to come?”

  “Yeah.”

  “You dumbass man. Get yourself to that cabin now, or else you’re going to lose her forever.”

  “But she—”

  “Doesn’t know what she’s going to lose, and you’d better not let her.”

  “What about the rabbit?”

  “I’ve got a spare key. I expect you to be gone when I get there.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  * * * *

  Kayla looked everywhere for something she could use to hang up the sheet in front of the large sliding glass door. It was pitch black outside, and she’d scared herself. Her heart raced and she was certain someone was out there watching her.

  If she wasn’t alone up in these woods, she’d go to her car and leave. Every horror movie she’d ever seen played in her head and she imagined what she’d be telling the actor right now.

  You dummy, don’t go out the door, he’ll get you before you get in the car.

  Why are you staying in the house? There’s a murderer out there waiting to gut you.

  Which one did she listen to? Neither. She was being silly.

  There was nothing to hang the sheet up with. No tape, no thumbtacks, and no curtain rod in front of the door. Kayla decided the best thing to do was watch TV in the bedroom and turn off all the lights in the main house. Oh yeah, then you won’t see your murderer creeping around the house.

  “Enough!” She was leaving tomorrow as soon as the sun was up—if she made it out alive.

  She switched all the lights off except the one over the stove. She turned a lamp on in the bedroom. Before turning the TV on, she decided to change into her pajamas.

  As she pulled her shirt over her head, she swore she heard someone knock. Maybe it was the cabin shifting, but as she pulled on her sleeping shorts, she heard it again.

  Her murderer was knocking on the door. What the hell should she do?

  “Kayla.”

  He knew her name!

  The knocking started again.

  “Kayla, it’s Ryan. Let me in.”

  Ryan?

  She ran through the cabin and quickly unlocked the door. She’d never been more happy to see him in her life. Once he was inside, she slammed the door, dead bolting it again.

  “Are you okay?”

  She shook her head. “No. I’m freaked out being in the woods alone.”

  Ryan laughed and she wasn’t sure why. This wasn’t funny. “Calm down. No one is out there. I’m here now to protect you.”

  “I’m glad.” She sighed. “I was just about to watch a movie.”

  “Got anything to eat? I’m starved.”

  “There’s pizza in the fridge.”

  He went into the kitchen. Kayla leaned against the back of the couch, and it finally dawned on her that he was there. “Why are you here?”

  “Funny story, actually. Your rabbit wouldn’t listen to me, so I called your mom, who then told me to get my ass up here to you.”

  “Bunny was being bad? I don’t believe that.” How was a rabbit a bad listener?

  “Your pet was shitting all over the living room.”

  Kayla waved her hand, not believing him. “Oh, please. She was not.”

  “I don’t care if you believe me. She must’ve been mad you were gone or something.”

  Kayla supposed that was possible. “My mom knows I’m here without you?”

  “She knows everything.”

  “How?”

  “I told my mom, who told yours. You’re a woman, you figure it out.” He came back over carrying two slices of pizza. “Why is there a sheet on the floor by the back door?”

  “I didn’t want…” She needed to word this carefully. “Anyone to see in.”

  “It is odd there are no blinds or anything.”

  “Thank you.” She laughed, happy that he understood. “Mom wasn’t mad?”

  “No, but she said if I didn’t fix this I’d be in big trouble.”

  Her mom probably said a lot more than that. “How can you fix it?”

  “Kayla, I know you love me as much as I love you. I don’t care if you want to hide it or whatever it is you’re doing. It’s time to give us a chance.” He took a bite of his pizza, then said, with his mouth still full, “A real chance at love.”

  Her emotions were running high, and she didn’t want to discuss it right now. “Let’s go to bed and talk about this tomorrow.”

  “No complaints from me. That was a long drive. I’m tired.”

  If things were different, she would’ve put the moves on him to see just how tired he was. But that was the past, right?

  They headed into the bedroom. He undressed down to his boxers and climbed into the bed with her. She wanted to speak and tell him she was glad he was there, but didn’t. Instead, she put a movie on and tried her best not to think about how him being there with her felt right. Perfect.

  * * * *

  Ryan rolled away from Kayla. The last thing he thought she’d want was to wake up to his hard-on pressing against her ass. He happened to like it—a little too much.

  He climbed out as bed as softly as he could so he didn’t disturb her. In the kitchen, he searched for coffee, but came up empty-handed. Other than the pizza, there was no food. Squeezing the top of his nose, he sighed. She obviously hadn’t went shopping when she got there. Knowing Kayla, she assumed a cabin was like a hotel room and would be stocked with coffee. Wrong.

  Ryan headed back into the bedroom and slipped on his jeans and shirt. He’d run out and get them some coffee and something to eat.

  “Ryan,” her sleepy voice said.

  “Yes.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “To get breakfast.”

  “Don’t leave me.”

  God, she was tempting. He’d love to crawl back in bed with her. “I’m sure you’d like a hot cup of joe when you crawl out of that big, comfy bed.”

  “Yeah.” She rolled over, eyes still closed. “I miss you.”

  Damn, the woman was toying with his heart. “Let me go out, and when I get back, we can talk.”

  She didn’t say anything, so he assumed she was fine with that or she’d fallen back to sleep. He gazed at her a moment; her brown hair was a mess, but she looked beautiful. If Kayla didn’t return his love, he was certain that he’d never love again.

  Twenty minutes later, he came back through the cabin door. He’d found a doughnut shop and had bought a dozen doughnuts and a container of hot coffee. Kayla sat at the small bistro table with her face in her hands.

  He set the items down in front of her, then went in search of the coffee cups. He took two out of the cabinet. After pouring them each a cup, he scooted one toward her and took a seat.

  “Thanks.” She grinned.

  “I know how much you need your coffee.”

  “It’s crazy how you know me after such a short time.”

  He shrugged. “You happen to be very interesting, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know you.”

  “Why?”

  Thank God he had a cup of coffee already since she was ready to talk. “Why what?”

  She reached for the box and took out a chocolate frosted pastry. “Why are you here? I’m a nut job.”

  Ryan chuckled. “I’d have to agree with you on that one.” He sipped his drink. “Eat, then freshen up. We’ve got the whole weekend.”

  “Maybe with you here, I’ll actually stay.”

  If he had his way, they’d spend all weekend in bed. He knew Kayla was teetering on the edge of giving into her fe
elings. He also knew she had a hard time resisting him. Too bad he couldn’t convince her the same way he did when he wanted to move in with her.

  “I’m going to go shower.” He stood and joking asked, “Care to join me?”

  She set her doughnut down and stared at him. He hadn’t meant to actually ask her that out loud. But when she nodded, he wondered if he was still asleep. He held his hand out to her and she took it. Was he dreaming? Wasn’t she mad at him?

  He led her through the cabin and to the bathroom. “You sure?”

  “I told you earlier that I missed you.” She pulled the tank top up over her head, revealing her breasts.

  Ryan chewed his lip and fisted his hands. This was a sick, twisted dream. “Yeah, but we haven’t talked. Is that what you wanted?”

  “Talking is over rated, Ryan. I’m sick of fucking talking about everything. I have missed you more than I can express.” She pushed her tiny shorts down. “I love you. You love me. What else is there to talk about?”

  His heart rate picked up from her words. “You love me?”

  “Shut up. Get your clothes off and get in me. We have the rest of our damn lives to figure this out.”

  He didn’t have to be told twice. With every ounce of his control, he tore his eyes away from her magnificent body to turn the shower on. In record speed, he had his clothes off and his arms around her waist.

  His lips stole hers as he spun her around and pushed her into the shower. He reached behind him, searching for the curtain. Finally, he found it and tugged it shut. Damn it, he wanted to consume every part of her. His lips left hers as he bent down, taking a nipple into his mouth. Her fingers held his head there as her body arched into him. He bit down and her body shivered.

  He placed his hands where his mouth had been and kissed further south until he found her moist pussy. Waiting no time, his tongue darted out and circled her clit.

  “God.” She bit her bottom lip.

  She was on the edge, as was he. This would be quick for both of them. Taking one of his hands, he spread her folds apart and traced his finger from front to back, teasing her.

  “More.”

  Oh, he’d give her that. He pressed his finger deep inside her and moved it back and forth in a medium rhythm. Lightly, he blew on her sensitive nub as her hips squirmed. He wanted to tease her so when his mouth touched her sweet flesh again, she’d come right then.

  From her breathing, he could tell she was beginning to get frustrated. He licked the area he knew she desired and in return, she grinded into his face. Her hands tightened in his hair, pulling. Fuck, he was so damn turned on right now; he had a feeling he was going to take her hard against the wall.

  She cried out as she released his hair. Warm, salty liquid coated his fingers. He couldn’t wait to slide his cock in the moist heaven. Standing, he did as he had fantasized. He spun her around so her back was to him.

  “Touch your toes,” he commanded.

  She did as he said, giving him a mouth-watering view of her ass. Wasting no time, he grabbed her hips and brought his cock to her opening. Thank God she was on birth control, because he’d have taken the risk right about now anyway.

  As her pussy slid over his cock, he groaned. Holding her body still a moment, he took several deep breaths.

  “You feel so good.” He slowly thrust.

  “I think I’m gonna come again. Oh. My. God.”

  Music to his ears. It did a man’s ego good to know he could give a woman multiple orgasms. But he couldn’t hold back any longer. His release was pending and hers as well. He began to pump into her, harder and faster.

  She moaned her approval. But he needed more. He needed to go faster. Fuck, he hoped he didn’t fall down in the shower. Reaching one hand out, he tried to grip the shower wall as he thrust quicker.

  “Shit,” he cried out as his release hit. It felt so damn good as her walls clenched around his dick, milking ever drop of cum out.

  Once his release was over, he slipped out of her and leaned back against the wall as he caught his breath. Kayla turned around, a satisfied grin on her face. She wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned in for a kiss. He’d expected a small peck, but she nudged his lips open and turned it into a sensual one.

  Ryan squeezed her ass as her hips pressed into him. She wanted more.

  “Let’s take this to the bedroom,” she whispered.

  Chapter 18

  Kayla pushed her empty plate across the table. That had been the best tortellini she’d had in a while. It seemed like each day she discovered a new hidden talent from Ryan.

  She sipped her white wine. “This is real, huh?”

  Ryan laughed. “I thought you said we weren’t going to talk about this.”

  “I’m a woman, if you believed that, you’re stupid.”

  “Oh, trust me. I didn’t.” He leaned back in his chair. “To answer your question, yes, this is real. I knew from the moment I met you, we clicked. And it didn’t take me long to fall for you. You showed me what love is again.”

  “I think we can make it. There will be ups and downs.” She cleared her throat. “What about Abbie?”

  “Hopefully she got it through her thick skull we are done. Can’t make any promises, but the last time I spoke to her, I got the impression she was going to make things work with Taylor. But that woman is so damn wishy-washy and mental. I can’t tell you if she’ll bother us again.”

  “We’ll deal with it if the time comes.” She set the wine glass down. “And just so you know, I’m mental too. Have you taken a good look at me? One moment I want love, the next I don’t. And let’s not forget about last night. I convinced myself a murderer was in the woods and coming after me. I’m a basket case.”

  “You’re my basket case.” He smirked. “But seriously, we’re going to do this. If you want me to move out—”

  “No.”

  He laughed again and held a hand up. “If you’d let me finish. If you’d rather I move out until you’re sure—”

  “I’m sure, damn it. Do you need your hearing checked?”

  He shook his head, laughing. “Okay, I’m not moving out.”

  “Good.” She stood and began to clear the table. “I’ll clean up. How about you go check the hot tub out?”

  “I didn’t bring my swim suit.”

  She winked. “Neither did I.”

  “Maybe I should make the rule no clothes this weekend. I never tire of seeing you naked.”

  Kayla rolled her eyes. Life was going to be interesting with Ryan, that was for sure.

  As she washed the dishes, she had no idea if they’d be forever. Of course she hoped they would be. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. Have kids, grow old, and such. Obviously there were mysteries to marriage she didn’t understand, but as she entered deeper into this relationship with Ryan, she could understand now why her parents didn’t want to share the details of their split to her. Their relationship was just that—theirs. She was their child; they loved her, raised her, and stuck their nose in her business every day. But they’d shown her a marriage was between the husband and wife, no one else.

  She closed the dishwasher and went in search of Ryan. The sliding glass door was cracked open. On the back porch, she found him in the hot tub already.

  “You waste no time.”

  “Hell no. And I plan to sit here and watch you strip.”

  She laughed and wiggled her hips. “Looking for a show?”

  He nodded.

  Kayla shook her head and glanced around at the greenery. Sure, chances were no one was around to see her in her birthday suit, but she sure as hell wasn’t taking that chance. “How about a rain check?”

  “You’re no fun.”

  She undressed quickly and climbed into the hot water. Crawling up on his lap, she wrapped her hand around his shaft and stroked. “Excuse me? Who isn’t fun?”

  He laid his head back and closed his eyes. “You’re the best damn thing that’s ever happened to me.�
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  Kissing the crook of his neck, she guided him inside her. “Damn right I am.”

  * * * *

  “Do we really have to go?” Kayla walked up the steps to her childhood home.

  “Yes. We’ve been over this. The parents want to celebrate.”

  Kayla shook her head. “It just feels weird.”

  He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Get used to it. Heck, if it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t be together.”

  “I do recall meeting you in a bar, Doug.”

  “Yes, but Tatiana ran out on me. I thought I’d never see the woman who rocked my word again.”

  Kayla laughed. “Too bad for you.”

  As they entered the house, the sound of laughter greeted them. In the kitchen, they found both sets of parents huddled around the island. Kayla noticed her dad’s hand on the lower half of her mother’s back. But she bit her tongue. It wasn’t her business.

  “Yay, you guys are here!” Mrs. Newell hugged them both.

  “How was the trip?” her father asked.

  “They’re touching, how do you think it went, Bob?” Her mom poked him.

  Kayla glanced up at Ryan and the look he give her told her they didn’t even need to speak.

  “Oh look, they spoke with their eyes,” Mrs. Newell said.

  They had, hadn’t they?

  “You two go have a seat. We’re going to be putting all the food on the table.” Her mother ushered them toward the dining room.

  Kayla took her seat and Ryan sat next to her. “What’s up with your parents?”

  She shook her head. “No idea. But to be honest, I’m not worried about it.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “You’re not?”

  “No. The only relationship I need to worry over is ours.” She laced her fingers with his and squeezed.

  Ryan kissed her cheek. “No need to worry. We’re going to be fine.”

  Kayla believed him.

  A few minutes later, everyone sat around the table, passing bowls of food from person to person. Laughter filled the air, and smiles were shared. This was her new life, her new family, and she was happy. She was certain her future in-laws were as crazy as her parents, which meant there was a good chance she and Ryan would be nutty as well.