When I enter her bedroom, she is propped up against her headboard, still wrapped in her fluffy towel. I walk straight over to the other side of the bed, put her glass down and lie next to her, immediately pulling her to me and placing my lips back where they belong: on hers.
I pull away from her when things start to get a bit heated again. What I said in the bath was true. I will wait forever, as long as I have her in my arms and on my lips. I roll on my back and pull her so she is once again tucked into my side. She puts a leg over mine and wraps her arm around my waist, holding tight. She places her head on my chest right above my heart. She must be able to hear and feel it racing.
“Goodnight, gorgeous,” I whisper into her head before placing a kiss there.
“Goodnight Ryan. Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Just being you.”
I doze off to sleep with a big smile plastered on my face that night.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Molly
I wake up feeling hot and sticky. I go to move and soon realise why. My whole body is plastered to Ryan’s. Then I remember falling asleep with our towels still wrapped around us after our bath. I look down and realise that at some point in the night I must have taken my towel off and pulled the covers over us.
Shit, I’m laid in my bed, completely starkers, and stuck to a very naked Ryan. I feel myself tense, my heart rate increase, and I can’t help but smile. I’ve dreamt of waking up like this many times, and now it’s actually happening.
I feel Ryan’s arm tighten around me so I tilt my head up to look at him. His eyes are shining bright and he has a smile on his face to rival mine.
“Morning. You look happy to see me,” I say, smiling at him.
“You have no idea how happy I am to be waking up to you. Especially as you are wrapped around me naked.”
“Yeah, about that…”
“Don’t look at me. As much as I wanted to rip that towel off your body, I didn’t. I only just woke up myself. You must have done it in your sleep.”
“What about yours?”
“I think it must have come undone because I’m still laid on it.”
I run my hand down his stomach, I feel his muscles clench as my hand travels lower, but much to his disappointment I move it to the side and over his hip to feel his towel.
“Oh yeah,” I say with a smirk, knowing full well what I just did to him.
“You’re gonna be the death of me, woman!” he says, scowling at me. I can’t help but laugh at him. “Do you want tea?”
“Always!”
“Okay, I’ll go make you tea if you promise to still be naked in this bed when I get back.”
I pretend to think about it for a few seconds before agreeing. I watch as Ryan drags his sexy body out if my bed and I can’t pull my eyes away from his prefect arse as he walks into my bathroom. After a couple of minutes he returns, wearing his boxers, clearly showing me how much he loves the idea of me naked in bed.
“Hey, if I’ve got to be naked then so have you.”
“I promise to take them off when I come back, but you know what the woman next door is like for nosing in. The only eyes I want on my naked arse are yours, Miss Molly.”
“Okay, I’ll let you off then.”
I watch him walk out, then lie back in the bed smiling while listening to him pottering around upstairs.
Before long he is back, carrying two mugs. He places them down on the bedside table before pulling his boxers off as promised, and slipping back into bed. He pulls the duvet over him but only so it just covers his lap, leaving his top half uncovered for me to drool over.
He looks at me looking at him. “I love your body, Ryan. You’re so fucking hot.” I trace my finger between his pecs and over his six pack before running it over his happy trail and off to the side. I know I’m teasing him, but I just can’t help myself.
“So you get to do that, but I have to wait to see your fit as fuck body. Explain to me how that is fair.”
“Hey, you decided to get your kit off in front of me, I didn’t make you!”
“It’s worth it to watch you drool over me,” he says with a knowing wink.
I just shrug him off while I sit myself up against the headboard and tuck the duvet under my arms to keep me covered. I know it’s irrational, but I don’t want all the mystery gone after only one day.
We spend hours sat in bed chatting. Ryan makes regular trips to the kitchen for more drinks and food. He regularly tries lifting the duvet from me while I’m not paying attention, but he only ever gets a peek at my side or my leg. Even that had him licking his lips and swallowing hard, mind you. I can only imagine how he will react when I give in. He makes me feel more beautiful and sexy than I have in my whole life. I feel like I’m on cloud nine right now.
Ryan’s happy and playful mood falters a little when I tell him I think we should still go to the party tonight as planned, with Adam and Holly. I also watch his face drop when I explain that I want to keep what is going on between us just between us for a while. I know people are going to judge us, and I want to make sure we are solid before we get hit with any scrutiny. Although Ryan isn’t happy about either suggestion, I know he understands. Both Adam and Holly were invited to this party weeks ago and both have outfits ready. Plus I need to sit down with Adam and explain, and a stag do isn’t the time for that.
Before we knew it, it was time to get ready for the party. I usher Ryan out of my room so I can do it alone. I want to surprise him with my outfit. I am pretty confident when I bought it last week it was his favourite out of all of them. Not long now and we shall see if I was right.
I’ve just heard the taxi pull up outside five minutes early, so I do some final touch ups to my hair and makeup before slipping my shoes on.
“Molls, the taxi is here. Are you ready?” I hear Ryan should as he comes down the stairs.
“Yes, two seconds.” I do one last check in the mirror before turning around, grabbing my bag then pulling the door open.
“Oh, holy mother of god. You cannot go out like that, I’ll end up punching any guy who happens to look anywhere in your general direction.”
I just smile at him. “I got the right one, then?” I knew instantly that the policewoman outfit was his favourite of all the ones I tried on. His eyes sparkled when he saw me, and he was shifting very uncomfortably in his seat. It was really quite amusing to watch.
It’s a navy blue halterneck that is cut quite low. It has a full skirt with lace petticoat making it stand out, with handcuffs hanging off the belt, a badge on my left breast and obviously a hat. I’ve paired it with a pair of black lace top hold ups that you can see the tops of when I move, and high black platform heels that have silver chains on the back to match my handcuffs. Even I thought I looked pretty hot when I looked in the mirror.
“Yeah, apparently so, although I’m thinking you shouldn’t be allowed out wearing it. It should be banned, for use in the bedroom only.”
“Oh for goodness’ sake, Ry, everyone there will be dressed something like this. No one will even look twice.”
I give him the once over. He looks truly edible in his sharp black suit; even the chain and shiny shoes he complained about look great. I don’t think he’ll be the only one with some jealousy issues tonight. I just know the amount of attention he’s going to receive looking like that.
“Hmm,” he says as he watches me grab my coat. Luckily it’s long enough to cover everything so I won’t look too out of place before we get to the club. Adam and Holly are meeting us there as they both live in the city.
“Come on.” I grab Ryan’s hand and pull him towards the front door. He does not look happy about this at all.
“I’m not going to be able to do anything I want to do to you tonight, because you’re going with your ‘date’.” He sulks next to me in the car.
“That may be true, but you’ll be the one I go home with at the end of the night and if you’re a good boy I might even
let you sleep in my bed again.”
That perks him up a little. He turns his head and leans in to me. “Naked?” he whispers in my ear, his breath giving me goose bumps.
“Maybe.”
I hear him groan next to me.
Before long, we are pulling up outside the club. Ryan pays the driver and we both get out. As soon as we enter the foyer of the club I spot both Adam and Holly. They are talking together in the corner. They must recognise each other from the night at the club.
“Here she is,” Adam says as he spots me. He comes racing over to me and goes to give me a kiss, but I quickly turn my head so his lips land on my cheek, not my lips. I know Ryan is watching because I can feel his eyes burning into the back of my head. Maybe this is going to be harder than I thought. I look over to see Holly watching us as well. Suddenly I wonder if he has already told her something has happened between us. From the way she’s scowling at me, I’d say yes.
The four of us walk over to check our coats in. I watch Holly remove hers first to reveal a sexy little nurses outfit. To my surprise, I hear Adam whistle next to me. Holly looks over her shoulder and gives him a sexy little smile. Adam then looks at me and raises an eyebrow. I feel less confident all of a sudden about showing off the outfit I know Ryan loves so much. I take a deep breath and pull it off my shoulders.
“Fuuuuuuck,” Adam says, looking me up and down.
I fidget, feeling slightly uncomfortable with his perusal of my body. I glance over to Ryan to see his jaw set, the muscle in his neck pulsing, and his fists are clenched tightly at his sides. I watch as Holly strokes his arm gently, trying to get him to calm down.
Once I have handed my coat over, I see Adam’s hand move like he is going to grab mine, so I quickly lift my arm and scratch my nose. The only man I want touching me from now on is Ryan, so until I can talk to Adam I’m just going to have to try to avoid it. He moves his hand to the small of my back instead and guides me to the stairs to join Shane, Chris and the rest of their guests. Ryan and Holly follow behind us. I can only imagine the look on his face.
Not long after we arrive, they announce it’s time for dinner. There are loads of round tables filling the room. Each one has red and black feathers coming out of vases in the centre. It all looks a little burlesque to me, sexual and seductive. I can’t help thinking about how those are the last feelings I need to be having with Ryan and my date at the same party!
We all find our table then take our seats. I’m sat with Ryan to my left and Adam to my right. This should be interesting.
The dinner went okay, I guess. The food and wine were amazing; Shane and Chris did a good job choosing the catering. They look so happy. Every time I glance over to them, they are either staring at each other lovingly or laughing at something one of them said. It’s so lovely to see.
What wasn’t so good was Adam constantly trying to spark up a conversation with me. The conversation would have been fine as I’ve always found him easy to talk to. The problem was that under the table Ryan kept touching me up. That was making my conversation with Adam a challenge, especially every time his hand got high enough to touch the edge of my knickers. I gently kept slapping his hand away but he just kept putting it back.
Just before the dessert plates were taken away, Shane and Chris both stood up and cleared their throats.
“We know it’s not traditional to do speeches at a stag do – hell, it’s not traditional to do a joint stag either, so I don’t know what I’m worrying about.” This makes people laugh a little. “But we just wanted to say thank you to all of you that could come out, get dressed up and celebrate our upcoming wedding with us. We also just wanted to take a minute to think of those who couldn’t be here tonight. Just because they aren’t in the room, doesn’t mean they aren’t always in our hearts.”
I look at Ryan and he swallows hard. We both know that Hannah would have been here with us right now. She was meant to be groomsmaid alongside me. I lift my hand up and squeeze his shoulder. He looks over at me and quirks the corner of his mouth up.
“You okay?” I mouth to him. He just nods gently, then looks down.
Emma was also meant to be here, but she decided against it. Even though she told me she was trying to get back to normal life, she still isn’t getting involved with much.
“Now, we know she is going to hate us for doing this without warning her, but what would be the fun in that? Before the drinking and dancing commences we would like to invite our head groomsmaid to say a few words about how awesome we are.” Everyone laughs and a handful of people look at me. Shit. I must look terrified. “Molly, come on. You’re not usually one to be shy!”
I slowly stand, pushing Ryan’s hand off my thigh as I go. “Uh…yeah, thanks for this, guys. Um…okay…I just want to say that you two are the most perfect couple I know. From the moment you met, all that either of you could see was each other. The love you share is obvious to all of us here for you tonight and for everyone here that hasn’t found that kind of love yet,” I look straight into Ryan’s eyes as I say this. “You are proof that it is out there for everyone. I hope you have a wonderful night and let the celebrations continue well in to your married life.” I raise my glass, “To Shane and Chris.”
Everyone around me does the same and I can’t help but smile as they lean into each other and go at it for a couple of minutes - too long, considering they are being watched by everyone in the room.
“Come on, it’s not your wedding night yet. We got some dancing to do first,” I say, making them pull away from each other.
Shane looks up at me and mouths his thanks. “Right everyone, let’s party.”
People start to get up from their tables and follow the happy couple into the bar area and the adjoining room where the music has just started up.
“I just need to go to the toilet,” I say to my group. “If you go to the bar, could I have a glass of wine please?”
“I’ll come with you. Same for me please, boys,” Holly says, getting up and walking out with me.
Once we are out of view she puts her hand on my arm to draw my attention. “Has something happened with Ryan? He is even more distracted by you than usual.”
I can’t help the smile that breaks out across my face.
“Oh my god, it has. Are you together? Why are you here with Adam?”
I just look at her, trying to work out which question to answer first.
“Yes, something happened. I guess we are together. We haven’t had that conversation yet; it’s only been a couple of days and I’m with Adam because I’d invited him and didn’t want to cancel at the last minute. He’s been really good to me and I want to end it with him the right way.”
“Well you might want to be quick about sorting it out with Adam. Firstly, he will notice something between you like I did, eventually. I mean, he’s a bloke so it will take longer, but he will notice. And secondly, if Adam tries anything with you I don’t think Ryan would bat an eyelid before doing anything to stop him.”
I start walking towards the toilets before answering. “I know, I know. I don’t want anything to ruin the guys’ night. I intend on doing it first thing in the morning.”
“You think tonight is going to go smoothly enough that he won’t know before the night is out?” Holly asks sceptically.
“I hope so.”
We both do what we’ve got to do, then go and find the boys at the bar. They’re stood next to each other but their body language shows their displeasure. “Oh god,” I groan.
“It’s starting already. Molly, you’re gonna have to just do it.” I let out a big sigh before joining the boys, grabbing my wine and gulping half of it down.
“Take it easy, Molly, the night’s still young,” Adam says with a suggestive look on his face. Both Holly and Ryan snap their heads to me at that.
We all stand around talking awkwardly while we have a few drinks. Everyone around us is starting to look a little buzzed and looks to be having a better time than us. We
, on the other hand, are stood with an uncomfortable tension around us. Even people that come over to chat don’t stay long.
“Come on, let’s go and dance,” Adam says with a smile.
If he’s hoping for a repeat of the club, then he is going to be bitterly disappointed. I don’t want to touch him, let alone grind myself against him.
I finish off my drink before getting dragged to the dance floor. Luckily the songs are fast and it’s easy to just dance by myself in front of him. The whole time I can feel Ryan’s eyes on me from by the bar. Every time I look up, I can see him getting angrier and angrier.
Eventually the song changes to something with a slower beat. I see the couples around me getting close and dancing together. I look up to see Ryan shaking his head at me in warning. Adam reaches out and pulls my body to his, but as soon as I get close enough that he can hear me, I tell him I need to use the toilet.
I let him lead me off the dance floor before escaping to the ladies. I lock myself in one of the cubicles, put the lid down and just sit there. What the fuck am I doing? This was my worse idea ever. I should have listened to Ryan and cancelled Adam this morning. I need to stop worrying about everyone else like I always do and make myself happy.
Eventually I get up and go wash my hands to give me something to do to waste more time.
When I open the door to the ladies, Adam is waiting outside for me. He grabs my hand and pulls me around the corner out of sight.
“What is up with you tonight? It’s like you don’t even want to be here. You haven’t touched me all night. Have I done something to upset you?”
“I’m sorry, I’m just not feeling right.”
“Okay, well do you want me to take you home then?”
Angel Series Books #1-2.5 Page 27