by L. P. Dover
“Trust me, Mamaw. It was hard on me too. I should’ve never left him.”
“Well, child, you can’t worry about that now. You’re here and that’s all that matters. My concern now is making sure Ryley doesn’t kill his brother. I don’t want him doing something he’ll regret later. I can see it eating away at him and it’s not good. If he keeps his anger bottled up, he’s going to blow.”
“It’s a good thing he’ll get to release it at the title fight. What can I do until then?”
Before she could answer, Ryley marched into the house, breathing hard and sweaty. The conversation was over, but it only took one look to know he was a ticking time bomb. The energy around him crackled like fire and it made my skin prickle. He kept it together pretty well in the hospital, but now everything had changed. He had a new focus . . . revenge.
For the rest of the day, I watched him from the back deck as he pummeled his punching bag and worked his body to exhaustion. Even then, he didn’t stop. I didn’t know if I should try to talk to him or leave him be. I was about to go down when the sound of car doors slamming shut echoed in the air. Ryley obviously couldn’t hear from the incessant pounding of the bag.
By the time I made it inside, I looked out one of the windows and saw it was Danny, along with a woman. Almost instantly, I knew who she was. The bright blue eyes and blonde hair gave her away.
Before they came up the steps, I opened the door wide. “Hey, Danny. I didn’t know you were coming.”
He got up the stairs first and folded me in a hug. “Ryley’s going to need me this week. Where’s he at?”
When he let me go, my smile faltered. “He’s out back, absolutely murdering the punching bag. He hasn’t stopped all day.”
Danny groaned and hung his head. “All right, I’ll go out there. I hate it when he gets like that.” Reaching behind him, he took the woman’s elbow and helped her up the last couple of steps. The way he looked at her was a little more than friendly. Ryley never mentioned Danny and his mother were seeing each other.
“Ashleigh, this is Ryley’s mother, Terry. Terry, this is Ashleigh. I’m going to leave you two to get acquainted while I deal with Mr. Rage.”
Terry lifted her brows and crossed her arms. “Now don’t be too hard on him, Danny. He’s going through a lot right now. I can’t imagine what he must be feeling.”
“He’ll be fine,” he retorted. “He’s just angry.”
Once Danny left, I stepped aside so Terry could enter. Her eyes grew misty when she looked around. “You’ll have to excuse the waterworks, it’s just been so long since I’ve been here. I had hoped Ryley would move up here one day. We all miss him.” She glanced back at me and smiled.
“I wondered the same thing when he first brought me here. It’s so much better than Los Angeles. I guess with Danny and his brother being back there, he felt like that was where he needed to be.”
I wanted to go back outside and she followed me to the porch, taking a seat beside me. “I know it was because of Camden,” she confessed. “After their father died, they were inseparable. Now with things being cross between them I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
“Neither do I,” I murmured regretfully. From where we sat, we had a good view of Danny and Ryley inside the garage, as the double doors were open.
“I’m glad I finally got to meet you, Ashleigh. I wish it was under better circumstances. Although, I am happy to hear I’m going to be a grandmother and that my little grandbabies are okay.”
Instinctively, I ran my hand over my stomach and grinned. “If they’re anything like their father, they’ll be okay. He’s strong.”
Terry giggled. “Well, so are you, darling. If you can put up with one of my boys, I’d say you’re a saint.” Her gaze landed on Danny and she smiled, but not before catching me looking at her.
“Does Ryley know about you and Danny?” I asked boldly.
Sighing, she looked down at her hands and shook her head. “Is it that obvious?”
“To me it is, but I look for that kind of stuff. I don’t think men are that perceptive. Do you not want Ryley to know?”
“It’s not that exactly,” she said, meeting my stare. “It’s just, Danny was their father’s best friend. I wouldn’t want them to think ill of me for being with someone other than their father. Danny’s been there for me and the boys. He loves them. It tore him apart when Camden let him go.”
“Yeah, well, Camden has a knack for hurting people,” I grumbled.
“Maybe once the fight is over, I’ll tell Ryley what’s going on. Right now he needs to concentrate on his fight and winning the title. And I do hope Ryley teaches Camden a lesson. It’s unforgiveable what he did to you both.”
We watched Ryley for another hour before his mother had to get up and walk away. She didn’t have to worry about Ryley teaching Camden a lesson. There would be no mercy shown.
TERRY HAD MADE a lasagna and put it in the oven before she and Danny left. It was closing in on seven o’clock and Ryley still hadn’t said one word to me. I didn’t know how long he planned on staying outside, but I wasn’t going to let him do it alone. Taking a deep breath, I quietly walked down the patio stairs and tiptoed across the walkway to his garage.
When I peered through the doorway, Ryley was seated on his weight bench with his head in his hands. In that moment, my heart tore wide open. Men really were from Mars—they handled things so much different than women. However, I didn’t want him to shut me out. Maybe that wasn’t what he was doing, but I needed him.
His body glistened with sweat and his hair was drenched. It didn’t stop me from running my hands down his arms and getting to my knees in front of him.
“What are you doing out here?” he asked. Lifting his head, he stared down at me, his eyes tired.
“You’ve been out here all day. I’ve missed you.”
Sighing, he looked down at his wrapped hands. “I’m trying, angel. Every time I close my eyes or my mind wanders, I can see him touching you. It’s driving me in-fucking-sane.”
I flipped his hand over and gently started undoing the tape. “I know this is hard for you, but don’t let your desire for vengeance come between us. I’m here and I’ll give you your space, but don’t forget that I need you too.”
Once I had his hands free, he touched the side of my head and stroked my temple with his thumb. “I’m sorry. What can I do to make it up to you?”
With a sly smile, I licked my lips and ran my hands over his groin. His cock jumped at my touch. “If you want to stay in here all day and work yourself ragged, that’s fine. Do what you have to do to get ready for the fight. But once that sun disappears, I want you to spend the energy you have left with me. Make love to me, fuck me, do whatever the hell you want. I just want you to be with me.”
Eyes darkening, he gripped my arms and lifted me to my feet. He wasted no time in ripping off my pants and tearing off my shirt, then getting to his feet and doing the same with his own. Once he sat back down on the weight bench, he grabbed my ass and made me sit on his lap, his dick nestled between my legs.
“I don’t think you know what you’re asking of me, angel. I’m pissed off and angry, but I’m also fucking turned on. It’s a lethal combination and the last thing I want to do is hurt or scare you.”
“Oh, I don’t know . . . I think I’m ready for what you got,” I teased, playfully squeezing the bulging tip of his cock.
Jerking into my hand, he tilted my body back and roughly closed his lips over a nipple, sucking hard. The stubble on his chin started to rub me raw. When he bit down, I cried out and rocked my hips against his length.
His fingers dug into my hips as he lifted me up and slammed me down. Once he was fully seated within me, he lifted me up and pushed me down onto him over and over. My movements weren’t my own. I was in his control and I fucking loved it. Even with me on top, he dominated and took what he wanted. Fisting his hands in my hair, he tilted my head back and bit my neck, marking me.
/> “Oh, yes. Ryley . . .”
His low rumble of satisfaction vibrated down to my core. I was so close to orgasm I could barely think straight. Over and over he dropped me down on his cock with punishing force. He licked and sucked my nipples, pulling them with his teeth. Wrapping an arm around his neck, I arched my back to give him better access. Reaching behind my ass, I cupped his balls, massaging them.
“Holy fuck, I’m going to come,” he growled, shortening his thrusts. Grunting, he pulled my body into his and dropped his head down to watch where we were connected.
Screaming with pleasure, I sat down on him as far as I could go and pressed down on his taint with my finger. He groaned and squeezed me tight, but I kept my finger pushing down on him as I rode wave after wave of my release. It all intensified when I felt him blast inside of me. I loved the feel of his cock pulsating. Catching my breath, I let my head fall to his shoulder while his fingers loosened on my waist.
“Now that’s what I’m talking about,” I marveled.
Brushing my hair to the side, he gently kissed my neck and wrapped his arms around my waist. “Just remember, angel. You asked for it. Every day at sundown, I’m going to find you and take you in any way I please. There’s no turning back.”
I pulled his bottom lip between my teeth and moaned. “I’m counting on it.”
Five Days Later
TOMORROW RYLEY WOULD fight his brother. None of us knew if Camden was aware I had gone to the hospital after the incident, or that I was definitely pregnant with his brother’s twins. He’d disappeared without a trace. I half expected him to show up at the cabin, but nothing—no sign from him or any of his friends.
I could smell the approaching rain and thunder rumbled in the distance. The sky over the mountains began to fill up with gray clouds. This time, I wouldn’t be alone during the storm. When I left to go to Aspen, I dreaded the rain. It brought back too many memories. Now, I welcomed it.
“What’s wrong?” Ryley asked, sitting down beside me. Brows furrowed, he watched me cautiously as he handed me a cup of hot chocolate. Even though it wasn’t cold outside, I craved the chocolaty goodness.
Forcing a smile, I held the cup in my hand and looked down into it. If I lied, he’d be able to tell in a heartbeat. Why was I such a terrible liar?
“Thank you for this,” I replied, lifting my cup. “I was just thinking.”
My mind hadn’t totally been on the fight with Camden, but in helping him find some level of peace. For the past five days, Ryley had manhandled me into submission, literally making me tap out. He hadn’t lied when he said he was going to take me any way he wanted. He needed the release and I was happy to give it to him—even if it provided just a small shred of bliss underneath all of the hostility. Looking at him now, he appeared relaxed, but it only lasted for so long before his thoughts plagued him once again. I was ready for the fight to be over.
“What have you been thinking about?” His piercing blue eyes bore into mine, like he was searching for something.
I blew on my hot chocolate and took a sip. “You. The fight. Our babies. This rain. Sex in the rain. You name it, it’s been on my mind. Mostly, I don’t have a good feeling about tomorrow, Ryley. My gut is telling me something bad is going to happen.”
Sitting back in his chair, a small smile splayed across his face. “You have nothing to worry about, angel. I’m not going to let anyone near you, and you sure as hell are not going to be alone at any point in time.”
I loved how he was so protective. He was a true alpha male, fighting for what he wanted in life. However, even alphas weren’t invincible. “I’m not worried about me,” I confessed. “I’m worried about you.”
Chuckling, he leaned over and slid his hand up my thigh. “Trust me, the only person who needs to be worried is my brother. I’m ready to end this too and I’m not giving up until he’s down.” Thunder rumbled again overhead and we both looked up at the sky, a raindrop falling onto my cheek. “There’s something I want to talk to you about,” he murmured, pulling my chin to face him.
Once I focused on him, he let go of my chin and slid his fingers down my neck making me shiver. “What is it?” I whispered breathlessly.
“You like it here, don’t you? Up here . . . at the cabin.”
“Of course, it’s amazing,” I stated wholeheartedly. “If we could live here, I would. Why do you ask?” More rain started to fall, but it didn’t faze us. I was used to sitting in it, hoping it would take away the pain.
Ryley helped me to my feet and put his arms around my waist, the droplets of water soaking through our clothes. “Because I think we should live up here. I don’t want our kids growing up in Los Angeles. We both grew up in the mountains and there’s so much more to offer them here.”
“What about your training? Everything you have is in L.A.,” I stated incredulously. “Not to mention I start a new job next month.” Was he serious? Would he leave it all, for a quiet life hidden away?
Brushing the wet hair off my face, he leaned down and kissed me gently, lingering with just his lips pressed to mine. When he pulled back, he held onto my face and looked deep into my eyes. “I would leave it all for you, angel. Besides, I told Danny last night about this. He mentioned moving up this way too. The point is, nothing out there compares to the life I want here, with you,” he said, glancing around him. “You can get a job out here if you want, but you know you don’t have to.”
A sly smile spread across his face. “Besides, once February comes we’re not going to have any more alone time for a while. But if we move here, I’m sure my mother would be happy to babysit.” We both laughed, and then he turned serious. “Would it really be so bad to spend all of our time together, getting to know each other?”
“No, but I want to contribute, Ryley. I want to provide something to this instead of it all being on you.”
“You will be contributing. You’re going to be the mother of my children. That in itself is going to be the hardest job of all. Well, that, and keeping up with me. I’m probably going to have to start paying you to put up with me.”
Sliding his hands down my neck, he kept his eyes on me while he unbuttoned my shirt, one button at a time. Once all were undone, he brushed it open, exposing my bare breasts. I didn’t even bother with a bra today since no one had been by. Ryley seemed excited by my lack of clothes.
“I think I like you not wearing a bra,” he murmured gruffly. Once out of my wet shirt, it flopped to the deck with a smack. Ryley’s breath fanned across my heated skin as he lowered his lips to my neck and trailed them down to my breasts. I almost buckled in his arms, but he got down on one of his knees, and held me firm with his arms wrapped around me.
My clit throbbed with need, especially when Ryley set me down on his bended knee and rocked me against him as he pulled my nipple between his teeth, biting gently.
Unbuttoning my jeans, I slid off of him and had to work my way out of them since they were wet. Ryley got to his feet, doing the same, and then pulled me back to him, both of us glistening with rain on our bare skin. I wrapped my hand around his cock.
Closing his eyes, he moaned and bit my lip, thrusting his tongue inside. I melted in his arms, but all too soon he moved away, my hand sliding off of his length. “Give me one second,” he remarked with a wink of his eye. Just inside by the patio door was the sleeping bag we used the last time we were out in the rain.
“You had this planned, didn’t you? You sneaky little bastard.”
Smiling, he spread the sleeping bag out and grabbed my hand. “When the clouds rolled in, I knew I couldn’t pass up the chance. But at least you won’t get splinters in your ass.” Which had been my concern when we did it two months ago, right in the very same spot.
Gently, he lowered me down and covered me with his body, shielding me from the pouring rain. Taking my hands, he held them over my head and clasped his own with mine. Holding them tight, he opened my legs with his knee and settled in, slowly thrusting inside.
His lips brushed across my skin and my breasts so smoothly as he pushed in slow, deep. As soon as he let my hands go, I wrapped my arms around his neck and stared into his eyes. The last time we did this very same thing, he’d demanded I keep my attention on him. Right now, I didn’t want to look at anything else.
“I love you so fucking much,” he murmured.
Wrapping my legs around his waist, I rocked my hips slowly against his and held on tight, trying to keep him deep. He groaned in my ear as my insides clenched. When I let my climax take me, my body trembled. It came from the very depths of my soul, from the part of me that absolutely yearned for the man inside of me. He too let go and filled me with his release, breathing heavy in my ear. Never had I felt so connected or loved by anyone in my life than in that moment. Ryley was mine and I was never letting him go again.
“I love you too,” I whispered.
I don’t know how long we laid out there, staring at each other with him still inside of me, but when the rain stopped, it was like everything went back to normal. It was almost like I’d been in a trance. I missed the rain already. Slowly, Ryley pulled out of me and got to his feet, lifting me up in his arms.
“As much as I would enjoy making love to you all night, we have plans.” He carried me inside, straight up the stairs to the bathroom.
When he set me down, I got a good look at him, all tattoos and muscles with his semi-hard cock protruding from between his legs. “Oh, yeah? What are we . . . I mean, um, what are we doing?” Holy hell, get it together. If he ever wanted to get me flustered all he’d have to do is get naked. The boy was seriously sex on a stick—or, I guess the more accurate term would be sex with a stick. I giggled at my thoughts.