Joss has a look of pure pride as she thinks about her son. "Ry has been something to behold since the day he was born. I'm the one who's been fortunate... not the other way around."
After leaving Joss in the kitchen, finishing her tea, I head back to Ryker's room. I find him dressed in a T-shirt and shorts, leaning against the headboard of his bed and reading.
When he glances up, I see his worry. I can tell how hard it's been for him to stay secluded in his room while his mother and I talk.
"I hope you haven't changed your mind about me being in here," I say shyly, touching my chin to my shoulder
Ryker's grin widens, and he shakes his head. "Not at all. Actually, I was just about to drag you in here kicking and screaming so I could go to sleep with you in my arms."
I put my finger up. "Let me go put on some pajamas, and we can both get some sleep. I'm going to need to leave here by seven thirty so I can make it to work by nine."
I run into the bathroom and quickly change into a pair of the more conservative pajamas I brought. A pair of shorts and a T-shirt similar to Ryker's sleep attire.
After I climb into bed with him and he nestles me into his chest and has my head resting between his neck and shoulder, he says, "Do you have to go to work tomorrow? We have so much to do to get you set up in a place of your own."
I tilt my head and look up at him. "Yes, I do." I laugh, thinking about what I'm about to tell him. "And your mother told me I could drive one of your cars to work. What are my options?"
I expect to see a look of horror cross his face, like he would balk at me driving one of his very special cars. That's not what I see as he shrugs his shoulder and says, "You can drive the Bugatti if you like. I have lots of cars I love driving in that garage. I don't have a preference."
I roll my eyes. "I'm not driving that Bugatti, ever. I couldn't live with myself if I scratched it."
Ryker squeezes me tight and, with a lopsided grin that is pure heaven, says into my ear, "Funny. I got the distinct impression earlier that you didn't mind scratching it."
Scrunching my face at the thought of the valet parker's note passing, I petulantly say, "I just thought it was rude for the two of you to flirt with me right there."
Ryker puts his hand under my chin and tilts my face up until he and I are staring into each other's eyes. I feel his every breath on my cheek, and I swear I can hear his heart beating.
"You have nothing to be jealous of. I can honestly tell you that I've never brought a woman to my bed for anything other than sex. Don't get me wrong. We're going to make love... soon, but right now, I know that I sleep better with you near me."
Ryker leans over and kisses me. It's soft and gentle and warm. He's not demanding anything of me, and I have to agree with him that right here, right now is not the time or place for us to make love.
Unfortunately, my head doesn't speak for my hormones. The more we kiss and touch each other, the more of them pump through my body and demand that I throw this gorgeous man back and take complete advantage of him.
Way too soon, Ryker pulls back. He's breathless and hoarse when he gulps and says, "I-I think we should stop. I don't want our first time to be like this, Bay."
The hormone-drunk woman inside of me screams, NOOO! while her logical and slightly prudish counterpart preaches, It's too soon and you've been through too much over the last three days.
Eventually, the preachy prude wins out, and I snuggle back into Ryker's chest, basking in his glorious cucumber melon scent and appreciating the way his presence warms me all the way from the outside where he touches me to the inside where I'm beginning to care for him. Deeply.
CHAPTER 14
THE BOSSIEST OF BOSSES
Baylee
The next morning, I'm awakened by a very chipper Ryker. Sweating and dressed in running clothes, he looks exhilarated, energized, and full of adrenalin. A tiny part of me hates him for being everything I'm not.
"Holy cow! Don't tell me you're a morning person," I groan, covering my head with a pillow.
"That I am," Ryker says, jumping onto the bed and bouncing up and down like he's a teenage boy.
"Ugh! You are so getting on my nerves right now." I laugh, muffling it with the pillow that's over my head.
Ryker gently lifts the pillow and kisses my forehead.
"While I'm tempted to stay in bed all day long doing very, very naughty things to you and with you, I distinctly remember you telling me that you wanted to leave here at seven thirty. It's six thirty, and you and I still have to pick out a car for you to drive... though I personally think you should take the Bugatti."
I sit up and blink my eyes a few times. They're heavy, and I'm beyond tired. Still, I'm sure most of my symptoms can be cured with a cold shower and a piping-hot cup of coffee.
"You're right," I say, scooting past him and over to the edge of the bed, getting out, and heading toward the bathroom.
I hesitate outside the door. "Do you need to shower before I take your bathroom over? I might be a while."
Just like he did in San Antonio, he's lying on his back with his arms behind his head, watching me... intently.
"Feel free to take as long as you need. There are lots of other bathrooms I can use, if I chose not to use that one, with you," Ryker says with enough seduction in his voice that I envision a cartoon-like situation where my inanimate panties come to life and drop for him.
Feeling mischievous, I slide the door until it's nearly closed.
If Ryker wants to come in here with me, he's more than welcome.
I, teasing him, stand directly in front of the door's very large crack and undress, making sure to give him a show that most men would pay good money to see. I start by pulling my T-shirt up and over my head in as seductive a way as possible, revealing my braless status.
Once I'm sure he's had time to take in that sight, I begin shimmying out of my shorts and panties. I slide them down, inch by slow inch, before bending over to pick them up and giving him the view of my breasts that Ms. Flirty in San Antonio tried to give him. The difference is that he's taken notice of me.
After I'm completely naked, Ryker slides the door open, leans against the jamb, and watches me like he can't get enough of the view. His stare is so heated that I can't help but gulp. I'm waiting for him to take advantage of what I've silently offered, but he doesn't make one move toward me. He just studies every last inch of my naked skin.
His breath audibly hitches when his gaze makes its way down to my completely bare pubic area. For the first time since I had it waxed, I'm glad I did it. The look of pure lust on his face makes every humiliating minute worth it, and I'm confident that I will—for him—do it again.
"Goddammit, Bay! I'm harder for you than I've ever been for anyone in my life. Tonight, you and I are going to stay at my hotel, and I'm going to do to you everything that I want to do to you right now. When we do finally fuck, I'm going to make you scream and moan and beg for more. Since Joss's bedroom is next door, I think it might be rude to do all of those things to you here," Ryker says as his eyes follow every curve of my body.
I want Ryker so much right now that I could care less that Joss is next door. I don't move a muscle. I just stand in front of him, letting him memorize every last inch of me and mentally willing him to take me in the shower, on the counter, bent over the bed... anywhere and everywhere.
Finally, he says, "Get in the shower. I'm going to watch you."
I nod, turn around, and bend over—purposefully—to grab a towel off the lowest linen shelf. After I stand and turn to open the shower door, Ryker attacks me.
Thank God!
I want this man unlike anything or anyone I've ever wanted. He pushes me into the shower, turns it to the coldest setting, and presses his completely clothed body against mine. He kisses me everywhere all at once before sliding his legs between mine and grinding me against the shower wall. Instantly, I wrap my legs around him and reach down to unsnap and unzip his shorts.
A
s soon as I do, he puts his hands over mine, grabbing them tightly and lifting them up until the backs of my hands are above my head and pressed against the walls of the shower.
Ryker—cold water dripping from his nose and matting his eyelashes—rubs his nose and lips along my cheek before stopping next to my ear. "The hardest thing I've ever done in my life is to not to fuck you right now. I can tell you when I start, I have no intention of stopping. Since we have places to be this morning, right now isn't going to work for me. I'll pick you up at five o'clock, take you to dinner, and bring you to my hotel. How does that sound to you?"
I shake my head. "If you're not going to fuck me right now, you can pick me up at five o'clock and we can go straight to your hotel. You should keep in mind that I may have spontaneously combusted by that point."
Kissing my nose again, Ryker laughs a beautifully musical laugh. "That sounds like a perfect plan. Pack a change of clothes so you don't have to come back here tonight."
"Okay," I say as he pulls himself away from me and I'm made to stand up (holding on to a shampoo shelf for dear life) on shaky knees.
"Don't you even think of touching yourself after I leave you," he whispers before he backs away from me.
My eyes snap toward his and my mouth drops open in shock. He winks at me before stepping out of the shower and closing the door behind him. I want to tell him that I'd never considered masturbating until he ordered me not to. Now it's all I can think about when I'm not thinking of him and the way he stared at me... the way he wanted me.
It takes a few minutes after Ryker leaves for me to really begin getting ready for work. Focusing on one task at a time, I shower, brush my teeth, put on my makeup, blow-dry my hair, and put it up in a tight ponytail in less than thirty minutes.
I'm disappointed when I go—butt naked—into Ryker's room and see that it's completely empty. I find the red high-waist skirt, black T-shirt, and black-and-red Christian Louboutins I'd picked out yesterday and put them on.
After I'm dressed, I go into the bathroom and give myself a quick onceover. If I didn't know the kind of weekend I had, I'd never suspect it. The clothes are perfect, and my skin is glowing. I know everything about how I look and feel right now has to do with Ryker.
I grab my purse and overnight bag and head out in search of my knight in shining armor. In the kitchen and preparing breakfast, I find Joss. As soon as she sees me, a giant grin spreads across her face.
"Baylee, I'd have never thought you could be more beautiful than you were last night. Now I know I was wrong. You look stunning. The men at your work must be putty in your hands," Joss exclaims.
I groan to myself. "Oh... I only wish. They give me a hard time because they don't think I've earned my position. That it's been given to me. No matter how many hours I work or how many projects I complete before the deadline and significantly under budget, they discount me. I keep plugging along and thinking eventually someone is going to have to notice my contribution. Until that day comes, I'm going to keep working hard and doing the best I can."
Joss pats my shoulder. "If you keep doing what you're doing, you will one day run that company. When that happens, you can tell them all to screw themselves."
Joss and I laugh. Me more so than her because something deep inside of me can almost imagine telling Alex, Falan, and Gabe their services are no longer required.
I shake my head and say, "Yeah. Maybe one day." Then I look around, trying to seem like my next question is just casual curiosity. "Where's Ryker?"
Joss waves her hand like she's frustrated with her son. "That boy can't sit still for a minute. He already left. He told me that the two of you had a dinner meeting and would be staying in Houston tonight."
I nod. "We do. Will you be okay here by yourself?"
"Heavens, yes! I have so many things to do and people to check on that I barely have two minutes by myself." She grins at me. "But I wouldn't have it any other way. My son has given me the greatest gift in the world—the chance to help people like me, the people most often pushed to the curb and ignored. Because of Ryker and his generosity, I'm able to help them."
At the mere mention of Ryker and his liberality, a grin as big as Dallas crosses my face. Joss notices it and asks, "Do you like Ryker, Baylee?"
I nod shyly. "I hope you don't mind, because of what I'm going through, but... I do. Our meeting could only be considered meant to be, and every single time I've needed him since that moment, he's been there helping me and supporting me. I have no intention of always being a woman in need, but it's good to know Ryker's morals and ethics. If he'll stick with me through all of the things I've been through this week, I can't imagine what our relationship could be like in the good times."
Relieved, Joss's shoulders relax. Based on her response, I suspect she's been worried that Ryker was nothing more than a rebound relationship for me.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
"I'm glad. I-I'm not sure I've ever seen Ryker this happy or this attentive to another woman. That damned James has gone out of his way to try to teach Ryker that women are there to be used as leverage to get what you want. James helped me when I couldn't help myself, and I don't want it to seem like I'm not grateful. Still, I want to pinch that male chauvinists pig's head off every single time he tries to undo all the things I taught Ryker when he was growing up. Even worse than that damn James is his daughter. She jerks Ryker around so often that I want to step in and kick her ass myself, but I don't. I stand back and let Ryker fight his own battle," Joss says, gritting her teeth the entire time she's telling me about James and his daughter.
"Let me tell you what I know to be true. Neither James nor his daughter have had any negative impact on the Ryker I've gotten to know. He couldn't be a better person. You've taught him well, and you should be proud."
Joss lightens up and bobs her head. "You're right, sweetie. I know you are."
When she glances at the clock, she says, "Oh my goodness! It's almost time for you to go. I'm going to make you a sausage and egg bagel. You can eat it on your way to work."
"Perfect. Did Ryker tell you which car he wanted me to drive?"
With her back to me, Joss mindlessly mumbles, "Yeah. He told me you'd be taking the Bugatti. He said you love it, so he wanted you to drive it."
"Holy cow, Joss! I can't drive that thing. I would get physically sick if I did one thing to scratch it."
Joss laughs. "Baylee, he likes his cars, but he keeps things in perspective. He always puts people before things. If it got a scratch on it, he'd get it fixed. It's that simple for him."
I swallow hard when I think about driving the Bugatti to work, weaving in and out of traffic and drawing the stares of the people I work with.
What would Alex, Falan, and Gabe think?
I have a new opinion on the subject when I wrinkle my nose after Joss turns toward me. "I suppose driving up in that car today would be a fun way to mess with the heads of the guys who insist I have my job because of who I know instead of what I know."
Joss slowly nods her head, approving of the direction of my plan. "I like that. So would Ryker."
After she gives me my breakfast—one I know now I'll never eat in Ryker's car—and slides the car's keys into my hand, I head toward the front door.
On the porch, I stare at the intimidating car before deciding to drive it like I would any other car in the world and pretend I don't know it cost two million dollars.
As soon as I hear the purr of the motor, gingerly back it up, and head it down the road leading me out of this forest, I know the Bugatti is not like any other car in the world. It is the best car in the world.
Holy hell... it's amazing!
I follow the driving instructions Joss gave me, and in no time flat, I'm on I-45 heading toward Houston. Ryker's car is so smooth riding that I accidentally creep my way up to ninety miles per hour several times without realizing it. It takes me a minute to find the cruise control, and when I do, I set it. I'm sure if I don't
, I'll have at least one ticket before I can make it to work.
Soon, I'm comfortable enough with the car to push the radio button. When it comes on, I see that I'm listening to an iPod, one that must be plugged in and hidden somewhere within the car. Ryker's taste in music is alternative, eclectic... and wonderful.
Imagine Dragons' "Radioactive," my favorite, is the first song on his favorites playlist. I make a mental note to jot down each and every one so I can listen to them long after he takes his car back. There's something about knowing Ryker's favorite songs that makes me feel closer to him somehow.
After listening to a half dozen more songs (each one better than the last), I make it to work. I wave my badge in front of the detector at the garage's gate and wait while the red-and-white striped arm lifts for me. After passing under it, I circle my way through the garage and head in the direction of the spot that's been assigned to me.
Alex hired me after Wyatt made him. He passive-aggressively retaliated by giving me the most out of the way and secluded parking spot in the entire garage. Every single time I've had to walk to my car late at night, I've sworn he picked my spot with the hope that one day I'd be mugged on my way out.
After I'm parked and out of the car, I realize I'm a few minutes early, so I inspect Ryker's car, making sure I haven't caused any damage. Satisfied it's intact, I take a picture of the Bugatti and send it to Ryker.
Me: Rest easy. Your precious car is still in mint condition.
Ryker: I don't give a shit about that car. I can't stop thinking about you... us... this morning. Five o'clock can't get here quick enough for me.
Me: Me either.
I'm standing in the parking garage, giggling like a teen-aged girl who's texting with her first pimple-faced boyfriend when Alex drives past. Coming to a screeching halt in front of me, he rolls down his passenger-side window, slides his sunglasses on top of his head so he can get a better view of the Bugatti, and whistles. "Jesus, Baylee! Did Colt buy you a new car?"
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