by Unknown
I stood up and peeled off every scrap of clothing I had on, discarding it on the floor before reaching down to tug off his pants. His cock lay heavy against his belly, already pulsing with need as he watched me.
I sat between his legs and glided my hands up his thighs, teasing his balls with the pads of my fingers. Ryland’s eyes grew heavy with lust and his cock jerked in excitement.
I climbed over so that I was straddling his body and rubbed myself against him. I was already soaked with arousal, and I glided over his hard flesh with ease, watching his eyes close and lips part as he instinctively bumped his hips up to greet me.
I didn’t let him inside. Teasing him, I positioned him right where I needed him for the maximum amount of friction. There was something incredibly erotic about sliding all over his body like this while he lay powerless beneath me.
His biceps flexed and twitched, an obvious sign he was struggling to maintain his control. Ryland’s nature was to take over and dominate everything, but I knew sometimes he liked it when I took that control away from him too.
I reached up and cupped my breasts and his eyes darkened, growing hungrier by the second. I was moving faster against him now, sliding along his shaft and grinding my hips down onto his. I pressed my hands against his chest and rocked back and forth while he rolled his hips to collide with mine.
“Christ, you’re beautiful,” he grunted. “I could watch you do this all day, baby girl.”
His words sent me flying over the edge, and I closed my eyes as shudders wracked my body. Ryland grabbed me around the waist and pulled me forward, drawing my breast into his mouth with long, deep pulls.
I whimpered while he continued to grind against me, fondling my breasts like a man possessed. He really was obsessed with them, but I loved this newfound kink of his.
The next thing I knew, his cock was throbbing beneath me as he spilled himself across his belly. His lips found mine with a searing kiss before he sat up to hold me in his arms. I looked down at the red marks his ministrations had left all over my chest and he just sat there with a guilty grin.
“Someone’s being very greedy lately,” I teased.
His eyes were already heavy with lust again, and I could feel him swelling beneath me in preparation for another round. We were a hot sticky mess, but I didn’t care. I pulled him against me and kissed my way up the hollow of his throat, tasting his salt and skin.
“I love you,” I murmured.
“Love you too.” He pressed his lips against mine. “So fucking much.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Brighton
The charity gala had finally arrived.
Nicole and I spent two hours doing our hair and makeup, and I was a nervous wreck as I smoothed my dress out in the mirror.
It was a floor length ivory lace gown with a bow around the waist that accentuated my bump and generous breasts. It wasn’t as clingy as the others I’d tried on, and I loved the way it looked on me. Apparently, Ryland did too.
He stood behind me in the mirror, handsome as ever in a black Ralph Lauren tux. He was clean-shaven and sporting a fresh hair cut that swept into a perfect wave away from his forehead. The lines of his jaw were prominent-yet healthy-and the blue of his irises contrasted strikingly with the darkness of his suit. In short, the man was devastatingly beautiful. His eyes filled with so much warmth and tenderness as they roamed over me that the guilt started to eat at me.
I still hadn’t told him about Alex, but he would find out soon enough. And I had every reason to believe he’d feel betrayed. I didn’t blame him, but I just couldn’t find the courage to tell him what I needed to. Especially when he was looking at me like that. Like he loved me so fucking much he couldn’t breathe without me.
I turned towards him and wrapped my arms around his waist, leaning up on my toes to press my lips against his. His fingers brushed over the back of my neck, massaging me lightly.
“Nervous?” he asked. “You look it.”
I gave him a weak smile. “I’m a little nervous,” I admitted. Because I haven’t told you the truth. Please don’t hate me.
He threaded his fingers through mine and brought my upturned palm to his lips. “You’re going to smash it, baby girl. I’ll be by your side the whole time.”
“I know.” I brushed my hand over his cheek. “Thank you.”
I knew Ted was downstairs waiting for us, but Ryland hesitated as though he wanted to say something else. I ran my fingers over the lapels of his tux, waiting for him to find the words.
“I haven’t told you,” he said softly, “but I’m proud of you for doing this.”
Oh, God. The guilt was unbearable. I could barely even look at him. I felt like such a horrible person. He was opening up to me, and I was about to spring something on him that was certain to make him angry.
“Thank you,” I squeaked. “But it’s not necessary.”
“It is,” he assured me. “What you’re doing Brighton, it’s really something special.”
I buried my face against his chest, my eyes burning with tears. Suddenly, I didn’t even want to go to the gala. Why had I ever agreed to dance with Alex Burton? It was just a stupid dance, but Ryland wouldn’t see it that way. Deep down in my gut, I knew Alex had an ulterior motive. I wanted to call the whole thing off now, but I couldn’t. So I opened my mouth to unburden myself.
“Ryland, there’s something…”
“Hey, lovebirds!” Nicole called out as she strolled into the apartment. “Are you ready? We’ve been waiting downstairs for you.”
Ryland reached for my hand, and the opportunity was gone. I gave Matt and Nicole a shaky smile as they led me towards what I was certain would be a disaster.
***
The event planner had really gone above and beyond. The Westin St. Francis’s ballroom was a sea of shimmering lights and white linens. Gold and rose accented the soft lighting, radiating a feeling of warmth and tranquility.
It was designed to make people feel comfortable. To open their checkbooks and donate to a worthy cause. But I felt anything but comfortable as I stood with a churning gut, scanning the room for Alex Burton.
The moment we walked into the room, Ryland had a bulls-eye on his forehead. Men and women were constantly swarming him, seizing the opportunity to shake hands and talk business if only for a mere moment. The lucky ones got a photo with him, which I knew would do wonders for their own business relationships.
He worked the room well, introducing me to everybody that crossed our path with pride in his eyes. I smiled and laughed when appropriate, but I felt like I was going to faint at any second.
I spotted Nicole across the room and gestured to her.
“I have to go to the bathroom,” I told Ryland. “I’ll be right back.”
He gave his nod of approval when Nicole came to escort me before he let me slip away. I barely managed to make it into the privacy of the luxurious powder room before I started to have a full blown panic attack.
“Why did I ever agree to dance with Alex Burton?” I whined. “Ryland’s going to freak out. I just know it.”
“It’s okay, Brighton.” Nicole waved it off like I was being silly. “It’s just one dance. It doesn’t mean anything."
“I know,” I protested. “But I have a bad feeling about this. Why did Alex want to dance with me? He could have just talked to Ryland and gotten a photograph. Wouldn’t that have the same effect?”
“They’re old rivals.” She shrugged. “I doubt Ryland would want to be photographed with him.”
I sank against the counter and fanned my face. Nicole didn’t think it was a big deal, but I had a sick feeling about the whole situation. “I should have told him. He’s going to be hurt.”
“It’s going to be fine,” Nicole assured me. “It’s just a dance, Brighton. In public, at a charity gala. Not just any charity, but your charity. This is what’s expected of you.”
I took a deep breath and let her words sink in. She was right, of cours
e. This was something I would have to do as part of these events. Just like Ryland had to attend dinners and functions he didn’t always want to. It was just business. Right?
“Okay,” I relented. “Freak out is over. We can go back out.”
Nicole smiled and pulled me back out into the sea of people. We didn’t make it very far before a familiar voice stopped us.
“How about that dance now?” Alex asked.
I spun around and found him standing with such an arrogant smile it made me wince. His face gave nothing but charm and sophistication away, but there was just something about this guy that set off all the warning bells inside my head. A deal was a deal though. I told him I was going to dance with him, and I would. Three minutes of my life. That’s all I would give him and nothing more.
“Okay,” I said weakly.
Nicole released me and gave me a reassuring smile, watching as he led me onto the dance floor. He took up the perfect gentleman’s stance and lead without an ounce of discomfort, which helped me to relax a little.
“Ryland seems very happy to have you on his arm this evening,” he remarked.
I wasn’t going to discuss anything to do with Ryland, so I made a point to let him know it. “How are you enjoying the gala so far?”
He smirked as though he were amused I had the guts to stand up to him. “It’s as I expected.” He gave a flippant shrug. “No offense, Miss Valentine, but these things are all the same to me. A couple hours of dreadful music and a dinner that I’ve paid entirely too much for. But at least there’s alcohol.”
I frowned at his words. Nicole had put so much time and effort into planning this event and she’d done an amazing job. For him to dismiss it so easily irked me.
“So you’re really just here for a photo,” I clarified.
As I said it, I felt the flash of several cameras going off around us. Apparently it was a big deal for him to be dancing with me.
“Yes,” he agreed with a dark smile. “Among other things.”
I was about to ask him what he meant when I glanced up to see Ryland. He wasn’t just angry, but furious as he pulled me into his side. And all of it was directed at Alex Burton.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he asked in a scarily calm voice.
“Nice to see you too, Ryland. I was just taking your girlfriend for a spin on the dance floor.” Alex winked at me. “Someone should. A beauty like her was meant to be appreciated.”
The muscle in Ryland’s jaw and his bruising grip on my arm were the only outward signs of his rage. To the cameras around us, I was certain it looked like nothing more than a normal conversation.
“Can you not see the baby in her stomach?” he asked. “Because I fucking put it there.”
The possession in his words told me I’d stepped into something far bigger than just a couple of business rivals. There was obviously some bad blood between them that went much deeper than I’d realized.
The flash of cameras increased around us, and Alex didn’t miss a beat. He tipped his head back and laughed as though he were having the time of his life.
“No need to go pissing circles around her, old pal,” he said cheerfully. “I think the whole world knows she’s yours. A product of your own doing, from what I understand. You know, I have to say it surprises me. You better than anyone ought to realize how vulnerable that can make you, Ryland.”
Ryland’s cool exterior dissolved as he took a menacing step forward, and I glanced around the room in panic. Mick caught my eye from across the floor and nodded as he moved to intercede. Ryland was coiled so tight I was afraid Mick wouldn’t make it in time. And to make matters worse, Alex continued to provoke him.
“You know, there’s only so much money you can throw at a problem,” Alex said in a low voice. “At the end of the day there is still such a thing as honor among thieves. Loyalty will buy you a helluva lot more than money ever can.”
Mick finally pushed his way through the crowd, and just in time. I was clinging so tightly to Ryland’s suit I thought it would rip.
“Get him out of here,” I demanded. “He’s not welcome at this event.”
Mick grabbed Alex by the arm and he shrugged him off before smoothing down his rumpled tux. “No need for dramatics.” His eyes flashed towards mine with malice. “I’ll be glad to escort myself out.”
Mick followed him, and Ryland shrugged me off as he turned to watch. I wanted to ask him what that was about. I wanted to ask him if I was imagining things when I heard the threat in Alex’s words. Was he threatening me and the baby? I didn’t understand.
Matt and Nicole appeared at my side, and I moved to take a step towards Ryland. He held up his hand with a dark look in his eye. Exactly the one I was afraid of. He thought I’d betrayed him.
“Not now, Brighton.”
He glanced towards Matt. “Don’t leave her side for the rest of the night.”
And with that, he stalked from the room.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Brighton
The rest of the charity gala passed in a painfully slow haze. I didn’t see Ryland anywhere, and I tried my best not to think about his hurt expression as I mingled with the guests.
The night was even more successful than we’d ever hoped, raking in tons of cash that would balloon Sophia’s Shoes ability to help kids to epic proportions. I should have been elated. Ecstatic. But all I could think about was Ryland and Alex.
As we stepped outside the hotel, Ted was there to greet us. Just as I suspected, he’d already taken Ryland home. Nicole, Matt, and I piled into the backseat of the car and I wrung my hands in my lap as we drove through the city.
“I’m so sorry, Brighton,” Nicole said sheepishly. “I had no idea that things between them were that bad.”
“Me either,” I admitted. “He’s never even mentioned him to me before.”
“They went to business school together in Chicago,” Nicole explained. “And then they both started up their companies here. But I always thought it was more of a whose is bigger sort of contest if you know what I mean.”
“I don’t think so,” Matt cut in. “That guy gives me a bad feeling. I don’t trust that slimy smile on his face. And I know for a fact the Burton family is involved in some bad shit.”
“Like what?” I asked.
“His father has been accused of racketeering on more than one occasion,” Matt volunteered. “And some of his employees have a bad habit of going missing.”
“Jesus,” I whispered. “I had no idea. Is this in Chicago?”
Matt nodded.
“It kind of sounded like Alex was threatening Ryland,” I said. “Or me. I’m not really sure why, though.”
Matt and Nicole gave each other a worried glance before looking back at me. “I’m sure he was just being belligerent,” Nicole whispered.
But even I could hear the fear in her voice. She didn’t believe it for a second. Alex Burton was a powerful man, and for some reason, he had a bone to pick with Ryland. I would have to ask him about it. But first, I knew I had some groveling to do.
We pulled up at the apartment and Ted escorted us into the elevator. I said my goodbyes to Matt and Nicole as they got off at their floor and then rode to the top by myself.
When I came into the apartment, it was dark. Ryland was sitting on the couch with a drink in his hand, still wearing his tux.
I toed off my heels and walked towards him slowly, like I was approaching a wild animal.
“Don’t, Brighton.” His voice was ice cold. “Just go to bed.”
I didn’t listen. I knelt before him and rubbed my cheek against his thigh as I reached for his hand. He didn’t pull away, but his body was still coiled with explosive tension. I hated that and wanted more than anything to take it all away from him.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I didn’t realize…”
“Do you know him?” Ryland asked, his gaze seeking mine in the shadows.
I squeezed his hand in mine so
he couldn’t pull away. “I met with him last week,” I admitted. “He said he was interested in the charity. I didn’t realize what kind of man he was.”
Ryland released my hand and knocked back the rest of his drink. He was definitely pissed. Trying for another tactic, I moved my hands up his thighs, stroking over the bulge in his pants.
“Please, Ryland,” I murmured. “I need you. Let’s do what we do. Let’s forget this.”
“I can’t forget it,” he yelled. “He fucking threatened you. And I don’t trust myself not to be rough with you right now. Go to bed.”
Even as he said the words, I felt him hardening beneath my palm. He needed this just as much as I did, but he was afraid of hurting me. He would never hurt me, but he didn’t trust himself like I did. He didn’t know himself like I did.
I flicked open the button of his trousers and pulled his shirt away. He hissed in a breath and reached down to grab my wrist.
“Brighton.” His voice was thick with warning. “I mean it. I’m not in a good place right now.”
I shrugged his hand off mine and reached inside his pants to stroke him through his briefs. He was burning hot and hard as steel. When his head fell back against the sofa for a moment, I thought I had him.
Then his hand came down to thread through my hair and tightened painfully.
“You want to make it right?” he asked.
I nodded, my lips parting at the fire in his eyes. God, I missed that fire.
He stood up and dragged me to the dining room table, putting me lewdly on display before he shoved his pants down his hips.
“Open your mouth.”
I did. Reaching under my shoulders, he pulled me down so that my head dangled off the edge of the table. He fisted his cock and rubbed it against my lips, sullying my lipstick the way he liked.
“Suck on it,” he demanded.
I obeyed him in the slavish manner I always did when he spoke to me that way. Grasping him in my fist, I milked out his pre-cum and smeared it across my lips before they parted and accepted him inside. The hitch in his breath and the flare in his eyes told me he liked it, even though he seemed to be at a loss for words himself. He loomed over me, observing with blazing eyes as I drew him in with long, slow pulls. He enjoyed this moment of gentle intimacy before he was rough. I never understood why, but it didn’t matter. I would take Ryland any way I could get him.