“What?” I was shocked by her cold threat to me. “Why would you want to do that to me, Amelia?”
“A reporter has called me a few times since news of you and Ronan’s relationship was splashed online, wanting to know more about you. The reporter said her magazine would pay me for any information I could get them about you personally. Stuff like what you were like in college and what you did before you came to New York. They’re offering me $500,000 just for that, but I’m sure I could get more for all I know about you and Derek. It would be pretty juicy gossip for the tabloids.”
My first thought was why would a reporter just reach out to Amelia? My second thought was how would they even know we were friends? Well, now this friendship was definitely over.
“Amelia, if you needed help with your bills,” I replied calmly, hoping to talk some sense into her. “Or getting interviews lined up for Drew, I would have gladly offered to lend you a hand. But to try and blackmail me is really low. Plus, I don’t have that kind of money.”
I do have that kind of money, but I’d be damned if I was giving into a bully.
“Yeah, but your sister does, and I know your new boyfriend does. I just read his net worth on Forbes a few days ago,” she snapped.
“Do you really think you can get away with this, Amelia?” I shot back. My blood was boiling.
“I can, and I will. I need to provide for my family, and I will do anything it takes.” Her voice was cold and flat. “I’ll be at your sister’s office tomorrow at five. Get me the money, or I’m going to the press.” Her demand hit me like a ton of bricks.
She hung up, and I sat there just staring into space. What was I going to do?
Surprisingly, Amelia’s threat did not send me over the edge or cause me to have a panic attack. I called Charlotte and told her what Amelia wanted and about my run-in with Grady. She told me that Lucan could take care of Amelia if I wanted their help. It seemed so simple— if I agreed, in a few short minutes Amelia could no longer be a problem for Ronan and me.
“I don’t know Charlotte. Five million is a lot of money. Can’t I just tell the police she threatened to blackmail me.” I huffed.
“And then what, Holliday? You know they’ll do nothing. If we don’t pay her off, then your secret is out. Derek takes notice and comes after you or worse.”
When I got involved with Derek I’d been intelligent enough to keep as much from him as possible. Part of the thrill of dating Derek was keeping secrets. To my knowledge Derek didn’t even know my last name was Prescott. I’d made sure he never knew that Charlotte was my sister or that Perry Chambers was my step-dad. I’d never introduced Derek to my family, and it wasn’t like he ever came over for Sunday dinner. My mom never knew about my relationship with Derek. She would have ended it immediately and, in hindsight, saved me a lot of pain and anguish in the process. When I was in the hospital I’d told her and Perry that I didn’t know who hurt me. I’d made sure that the cops only talked to me about the incident. I did not want Perry or my mom handling any of that unpleasantness.
The only person in the world who knew everything about me was Charlotte. Ronan knew more about me than anyone I’d ever been involved with romantically. Amelia knew only as much as I’d allowed, which looking back, was way too much. It was too bad her husband knew she was a call girl in college, or I could have used it against her to help my situation. Amelia had nothing to lose, but for me it could mean everything.
“Okay, Charlotte,” I sighed. “I can’t risk it. Tell Lucan to pay her off. Let me know the terms and how we guarantee Amelia never opens her mouth to anyone ever, especially the press.”
“It’s going to be okay, Holliday.” Charlotte’s comforting words soothed my aching mind.
Ronan returned to the penthouse to find me in the middle of getting ready for our dinner date. He seemed agitated, saying gruffly that he needed to shower and change. Ronan didn’t even kiss me when he returned. He was brooding. Wondering what had put Ronan in such a moody state, I finished my hair, quietly just watching him lather up every part of his hot body until the glass had fogged over and I could no longer see him.
Walking to the closet that Ronan had assigned to me, I decided to wear the green Burberry dress. I knew that would please him, and maybe seeing me wearing it would brighten his dark mood. I pulled the dress over my head, and it fell perfectly over my slender frame. The fabric felt light as air against my skin. My new black strappy, ankle-wrapped Jimmy Choo’s were a perfect match. I wore the diamond and platinum bracelet Ronan had bought for me the day of the gala and my favorite diamond stud earrings.
Ronan emerged from the bathroom wearing only a plush white towel. His hair was damp, causing his dark curls to fall loosely around his temples, and his skin glistening with beads of water droplets. He looked totally edible. I caught his gaze as he walked past the bed. He stopped dead in his stride.
“Holliday… wow,” he swallowed hard. “Jesus, my beauty, you look absolutely incredible.”
I blushed as he approached me slowly, his eyes brimming with lust. Inhaling the scent of him, I trailed kisses down his neck. He swept my hair back over my shoulder, smoothing his fingers over my cheek. Slipping his arm around me, a tingling shiver moved through me. I felt my nipples harden as Ronan ran his hand down over my backside. The fabric was so thin it was like he was touching my bare skin. Wetness gathered between my thighs, and I was pretty sure Ronan knew the powerful effect he had on me. I nearly lost my balance when he pressed into me, kissing me deeply.
“My beauty,” he whispered in my ear. “I need you.” The raspy tone of his voice rippled across my already heated skin, sending fire through my blood.
“Ronan,” I breathed. “I love how much you want me right now.” I panted, unable to keep from twisting my fingers through his damp locks.
Hurriedly shoving my dress up over my hips, he eagerly worked my panties down my legs. Ronan bent down and carefully moved my feet so I could step out of the lace fabric that had pooled around my ankles.
“Fuck it, I want you naked… lose the dress Holliday.”
Smiling at his request, I pulled the dress up over my head placing it along with my bra over the back of the chair. I tugged on the towel, quickly freeing it from his godlike body. I was convinced that his insanely hot body could solely drive good girls to commit criminal acts just to touch him. It should be illegal to be this fucking gorgeous.
Leading me by the hand, he sat down on the couch, pulling me into his lap. He teased me madly with the head of his cock— rubbing it against my slit over and over.
“Ahh, Holliday, you’re greedy today. Always ready for me aren’t you?”
I should be asking him that very question— still unable to believe that I have this kind of effect on him. I make Ronan Connolly horny baby.
He gently ran his hands over my thighs, gliding them up my arms and to my face. His long fingers flexed around the nape of my neck, pulling my mouth to his. Ronan kissed me intently with his firm soft lips, brushing his tongue with mine over and over, driving me wild. I returned his kisses, and he tenderly bit my bottom lip.
Holy hell that was hot.
In a rush, he pushed me down by my shoulders, impaling me onto his thick cock, burying himself deep inside me.
“Ahhhh…” My head rolled into Ronan’s shoulder. Sucking in a breath, I needed a moment to adjust to the fullness of him inside me all at once.
“Ride me, Holliday,” he rasped.
His hands gripped either side of my hips as I began moving slowly up and down on the hard length of him. I clutched the back of the couch for support as I began to move faster.
“You feel so good, my beauty,” he breathed after a moment. “You’re so plush and warm. God, you’re a fucking perfect fit for my cock.” He remained still for a moment, and I clenched around him, gasping at the overwhelming feeling of him inside me.
Moving his lips to my breasts, he carefully took each one in his mouth. Licking. Sucking. Rolling his ton
gue around my nipples. My breath caught in my throat, and he slowed again, savoring the moment. Wrapping his arms around my waist, Ronan pulled himself to sit up straighter. Feeling the intense pressure against my clit, I knew I wouldn’t last much longer.
His hands dug into my hips, guiding me to ride his cock. Harder. Faster. Moaning, lustfully craving an orgasm, the pressure swirled in my stomach. I felt a bead of sweat run down my neck. Ronan caught it with his tongue running the length of my chest to my neck. My head fell backwards. Closing my eyes, I spent a few moments just… feeling. Heat climbed up my legs, spreading through my thighs. Ronan’s name left my lips repeatedly, in broken syllables.
Ronan pulled me by the back of my hair, “Look at me, Holliday.”
My eyes darted to his, and a thousand emotions flickered inside me. We stared into each other’s eyes, recognizing the same powerful connection— a bond. This man, a stranger to me just over a week ago, had become deeply etched into my life in a very short time. How can this be possible?
“I want to watch you as you fall apart,” he whispered darkly.
Coming unhinged at his words, I shattered into a million pieces above him. A few more thrusts, my nails dug into his shoulders as I let out a strained whimper. I felt like I was going to combust as he emptied himself into me. My head rested into the crook of Ronan’s neck. He pressed a kiss to my temple. When our breathing became less than heavy, his steady hands grasped my waist, allowing me to move up so that he could pull out of me.
“Ronan,” I said breathlessly. “I love you.”
“Because of you, I know what it means to truly love someone— I love you, Holliday.”
My heart sprang in my chest at his words. Pulling me to my feet, Ronan’s strong arms curled around me locking us in a tender embrace.
“What are you thinking, Mr. Connolly?”
“Can we talk about the dress?”
Pulling from our embrace, I nodded.
“Why did you put it on?”
“I put it on tonight, because, I wanted…”
He waves his hand and cuts me off. “No, I mean the first night. When I asked you to return to your room and put it on.”
“Remember that needing a thrill part of me I was telling you about?” He nodded, and I continued, “Well, I guess in some way, I needed to see how far I’d take it. Honestly, I was expecting you to ask me to be the girl’s nanny or a personal assistant.” I laughed loudly. “I never dreamed you’d want to fuck me.”
Ronan’s mouth dropped open. He started to laugh and then said, “I wanted you from the very moment I saw you look up at me in the lobby with your pretty blue-green eyes.” He cocked an eyebrow at me. “You had seduced me. I couldn’t take my eyes off of you. I thought you were the most beautiful creature I’d ever set my eyes upon. The way your hair fell when you looked at me, it was like time stood still… and then you smiled at me.” Releasing a low growl, he said, “God, I thought I was going to melt into a puddle right there in the lobby.
“Now I have a question for you, Mr. Connolly.”
“Yes, what would you like to know?” He smirked while twirling my hair through his long fingers.
“How serious were you about the wearing no panties rule when you’re not around?”
“I don’t know.” He flashed a devilish grin. Then he leaned into me, whispering into my ear, “Why don’t you try it again my beauty and see what happens.”
I would definitely keep that in mind. I liked the playful and mysterious side of Ronan. Again he continued to surprise me.
Dinner with Ronan was completely fabulous. Ronan had used a fake name for the reservations to avoid someone spilling to the paparazzi. The manager seemed overly pleased that a celebrity was in the house that night ordering champagne for everyone. I felt like I ate my weight in ahi tuna canapé. After the restaurant closed we stayed just gazing into each other’s eyes and laughing. Ronan held my hand, twisting his fingers with mine, kissing me nearly every chance he got and everywhere he could, including the back of my hand and the inside of my wrist, all the while whispering beautiful compliments in my ear. I felt a little lightheaded from drinking a bottle of wine by myself. Ronan and I climbed into the limo. We were both slaphappy. Uneasy, I fell over onto the seat, and Ronan pulled me into his chest. He handed me a bottle of water, instructing me to drink it all. I heard Ronan’s phone buzz. He released his grip on me to check the message. I looked over at him and his mouth hardened, his eyes narrowed and he balled up his fist.
“Ronan, are you okay?” I said softly.
“What is this all about Holliday?” he said coldly while shoving his phone into my face. I blinked and tried to focus on the screen in front of me. There in digital form was a headline that nearly sucked the wind out of my lungs.
RONAN CONNOLLY’S LEADING LADY’S LIP LOCK WITH GRADY JAMES
Fuck! There it was along with several pictures of Grady and I kissing and embracing in the alley from earlier today. My mind raced and I felt sick. I didn’t know if it was from the booze or because of the photos. Ronan removed the phone from my face and drummed his fingers on the armrest of the door.
“Ronan, I can explain.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I… I went to the coffee shop and ran into Grady.” My heart pounded in my ribcage.
“I thought I told you to stay away from him Holliday?” He scolded me.
“Ronan, Grady and I have been friends for a while, and I can’t just cut him out because you take personal issue with him.”
“He’s an ex-lover of yours, Holliday. Not just a friend.” His voice was filled with anger.
“Really Ronan, how about your exes? Let’s see… there’s Emma and Heather. Are there any other lovers that you still associate with?” I snapped. “Should I demand you not speak to them going forward?”
He shot me an annoyed look. “Tell me about this run-in you had with the infamous Grady James, Holliday.”
I explained to Ronan what happened with Grady. Immediately I regretted not telling Ronan about it earlier, and I felt my heart sink a bit. I could have avoided this unpleasantness if I had just informed him after it’d happened. Dammit.
“Ronan, I can certainly understand why you questioned me, and you have every right to. I can’t pretend to know what it feels like to be cheated on, but just know I would never do that to you. Not ever.”
Ronan was angry with me. I had hurt him, and it wrecked me. We pulled up to the private entrance at the hotel. Ronan took my hand in his and led me up the marble stairs. The elevator doors opened. We stepped in and found ourselves alone. Ronan had given Dean the evening off, which I thought was very nice of him.
“I didn’t want… it was an accident. Grady came on to me,” I sputtered out. “I’m sorry I hurt you.”
Ronan gripped my arm. My skin hummed at his touch. “Apology accepted, just be careful; the paparazzi are everywhere. If something like this happens again…” His voice trailed off. Lifting my chin, he said firmly, “You are mine, Holliday. Don’t let this happen again.”
Ronan’s eyes flared narrowly, and I felt my insides churning at the sharp tone in his demand. Yup, I had fucked up, and even though Ronan had accepted my apology, he was not a happy camper. I only hoped I hadn’t lost his trust.
Monday morning dragged on at work. I was still a little hazy from all the drinking at dinner with Ronan. Luckily I didn’t have anything too serious to attend to that day. Ronan called me to ask how I was feeling, and I told him I was a little tired.
“Holliday, I want to take you to The Addison after you get done with work. Can I pick you up?”
“I should be done with work around five-thirty. I’ll call you if anything changes.”
“Okay, my beauty. I cannot wait to show you the renovations, and I have some decorating questions I need your advice on. You have such a keen eye.”
I didn’t know what he was talking about. He was the one with the eye for details. Ronan had had the penthouse completely and tastefully decorated for Ch
ristmas. I didn’t know if I could have done any better.
I closed my door and took an hour nap around eleven. Charlotte and I had a lunch meeting in her office, and Lucan stopped by to explain the contract he’d had his lawyer draw up so that Amelia couldn’t ask for more money or talk to the press going forward. If she violated the non-disclosure, she would be in a world of hurt financially. I received a phone call from Amelia saying she was on her way to get the money around four. I made her aware of the non-disclosure. She remarked that she had already been in contact with Lucan and his lawyers. We huddled around the conference table a little before five, waiting for Amelia to arrive. I listened to the irritating ticking of the clock. After twenty minutes went by, I sent Ronan a text telling him I was running behind and wouldn’t done at five-thirty as I’d planned.
Carrying a fabulous coffee gold Hermes crocodile embossed handbag, Amelia finally showed up. Her appearance didn’t let on that she was hurting for money. Amelia embodied Connecticut suburbia, looking every bit the polished country club wife she was. Her glossy blonde hair was pinned up in a low bun with loose pieces that framed her face. A long-sleeved sheer, cream colored blouse was topped with a two-tone fur vest that perfectly matched her sleek camel colored dress pants and sky-high Louboutin heels.
I sat on the far end of the table with Charlotte while Lucan and his lawyer went over the contract with Amelia. I clutched the armrest of the chair I was seated in tightly, flexing my fingers over the edge. I imagined I was gripping Amelia’s throat. It was all I could do not to get up from my seat and slam her head onto the conference table repeatedly.
Fluttering her grey eyes at me, she said in a low voice, “I am really sorry it had to be this way Holliday.”
I shot her an icy stare. “Yeah, I’m sure you’re really torn up about this, Amelia,” I replied snidely.
With one phone call to the bank the money was routed to her account. Amelia stood up from the table, sliding her black square-framed Prada sunglasses up her pointed nose, and then she turned on her heel, breezing out the door as elegantly as she’d walked through it earlier. Lucan shook hands with his lawyer, and Charlotte escorted him to the elevator in the lobby.
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