“Put your seat belt on.”
“How did you find me?” I ignored his seatbelt request, narrowing my eyes, trying to give him my best angry glare. It didn’t seem to have the affect I hoped for.
His mouth tightened, “Ava, put your seat belt on.”
“No, I’m not putting it on until you tell me.”
“Put it on or I’ll do it for you.”
Seriously? He wouldn’t, would he? The look in his eyes told me he would. I clicked the seat belt into place before looking back up at him, a smug grin on his face as he put the car in drive.
“This doesn’t mean you’re out of answering my question. How did you find me?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“It does.”
“No, it doesn’t. What matters is that I did find you before something bad happened to you,” he said through clenched teeth.
“I was fine. Nothing was going to happen to me.”
“Then why were you locked in that room?” I didn’t bother answering his question. We both knew it was rhetorical.
“Why were you giving Stephen the death stare?”
He slid his eyes to me, studying my face momentarily before turning back to the road.
“Because he wants you, Ava.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. He doesn’t want me. We’re friends. Nothing more.”
“That doesn’t mean he doesn’t want more. He needed to know you were mine.”
Oh. I am? What does that even mean? I stared at the road ahead. I didn’t know what to think about either of the two declarations Rhett just made. Before I could process, I realized we were headed the opposite direction of my apartment.
“I thought you were taking me home.”
He turned his head, giving me his devilish smile. “I am. To my home.”
“What if I don’t want to go to your house?” I do. There was no denying it.
“Are you always this argumentative and defiant when you drink?”
I folded my arms across my chest in a huff, staring out the window. He reached across the car, placing his hand just above my knee. I felt the electric charge between us. I glanced out of the corner of my eye at his smirking face. Arrogant man. I rolled my eyes, laying my head back against the seat before closing them - my head spinning from the alcohol and everything that just happened.
I woke up to a pounding headache and strong arms curled around me. I looked over, finding Rhett still asleep. I didn’t remember how I got to his bed. The last thing I remembered was riding in his car. Shit. I lifted the covers and was relieved to find I still had my panties, bra and one of his t-shirts on. My clothes had been discarded on the floor.
I lay there, staring at Rhett’s beautiful face as he slept, feeling content in his arms. I would have stayed there forever, if I didn’t have the sudden urge to go to the bathroom. I moved slowly, trying to free myself from his grasp without waking him. As I made it to the edge of the bed, I felt his strong arms wrap back around me, pulling me back down.
I squealed with delight, landing back on the pillow, looking over at him.
“Where do you think you’re going?” he asked in a gravelly voice, his eyes still closed with a smile on his face.
“The bathroom! You, crazy man! Let me go!” I laughed while trying to wiggle free from his arms. He raised to his elbow to tower over me, gazing into my eyes, making my heart skip a beat. He was breathtakingly handsome, even with bedhead.
“Be quick. I want you back in my bed, pronto,” he gave me a quick kiss on the lips. I scurried to his restroom, closing the door behind me. I made quick work at relieving myself before stepping up to the vanity to assess the damage. I washed my face and found the toothbrush from my last stay, waiting by the sink with a bottle of water and ibuprofen. His thoughtfulness made my heart melt more.
I walked out of the bathroom to find Rhett lying on his back with his hands behind his head. The bed covers sat low at his waist, exposing his shirtless, defined chest, revealing the coveted “V” shape. Oh. Dear. God. His beautiful blue eyes were locked on me and the smile that spread across his face had heat rising through my body.
I moved slowly to his bed aware of him following my every move with his eyes. My normal self would have been nervous and self-conscience, but Rhett’s attention had a way of making me feel sexy and confident.
He lifted the covers for me to crawl in beside him. As I lay back down, he placed himself between my thighs. He rested on his forearms as he stared down at me with his deep blues. His desire and need for me obvious as it pressed between my legs.
I lightly traced the muscular curves of his upper body with my finger. Watching its path as it went. I was mesmerized, and I could feel my own need for him building. First, I needed some answers.
“How did you find me last night?” I asked quietly, still watching my idle tracing. I knew I was taking a risk of breaking the contentment I was feeling with my question. I needed to know, though.
“Ava,” he groaned. “Does it really matter?”
“Yes. It matters to me.”
He sighed heavily, rolling to his back, pulling me with him to straddle his hips.
“You told me you were at a friend’s. That meant your apartment that you share with Lizzie was out. The only other friends you have mentioned were Mike and Stephen, who happen to be brothers. It wasn’t that hard to figure out. I had our security send me their address.”
Oh. “Security?”
“Yes, the security team that my father employs. I’ll always find you, Ava,” he brushed the back of his hand tenderly down my cheek. His words should have scared me. They didn’t. Oddly, they made me feel safe.
“You were mad. You broke down Stephen’s door,” I said, knowing he was without question.
“Yes. I was… not at you, though,” he clarified. “Just at the situation you were in and the fact you were making it difficult for me to get to you. I was more worried than mad. I was afraid I wasn’t going to make it to you, before….” He paused. A frown line deepened across his forehead and I could see the stress on his face as if he was reliving the moment. “I didn’t like what I heard in that guy’s voice. When I couldn’t find you at the party….” He hesitated not wanting to say what he thought. “I spotted Lizzie and she helped me find you. With the door locked, I was afraid I was too late.”
“I’m sorry.”
I felt regretful I didn’t just tell him where I was. He sat up so our chests were pressed together. He pulled me into him, gently kissing my forehead, accepting my apology. He leaned back, looking me in the eyes. I could see and feel where this moment was going. I still had more questions for him, though.
“Where were you last night?”
He hesitated answering, his expression changing from desire to something else. Stress? Worry? Regret?
“I was with Serena,” he carefully watched my eyes as he said the words.
The anger and jealousy swarmed me, instantly. What the hell? When he said something came up, I assumed it was business related. I couldn’t believe he cancelled on me to be with her, especially after our conversation from that morning. I abruptly moved, trying to remove myself from his lap, but he held me in place.
“Let me go,” I demanded, looking away from him, struggling to free myself. It was pointless. I knew he was stronger than me, even at his weakest.
“No. Look at me, Ava. It’s not what you think.”
I didn’t want to look at him. He would just make it impossible for me to think clearly. His touch was wreaking enough havoc on me, right now. I needed space. I continued to struggle and look away.
“Damn it, woman,” he growled. He moved swiftly, rolling us, so I was on my back pinned to the bed by his body, my hands pinned above my head by his own. I couldn’t move anything except my head. I turned it to the side, closing my eyes. He may have me pinned, but he couldn’t make me look at him.
I was breathing heavily from our struggle and was annoyingly aroused by him pressed so tightly a
gainst me. My damn body was a traitor. His breathing had increased also. It wasn’t from the struggle, though. I could feel his arousal that seemed always present to remind me of our need for each other.
“Ava,” he groaned. “Look at me.”
I did my best to ignore his husky voice and the lust building inside me. He moved one hand to my face, still holding mine above my head with his other hand. He lightly dragged his torturous finger from the corner of my eye, down my chin and throat, tracing a path down the length of my body. I took a deep inhale, trying to control the urge that was growing. I couldn’t resist him much longer.
“Open your eyes, beautiful. I need to see you.”
My fight was useless. If I didn’t give him what he wanted, he would just continue torturing me with his touch. I turned my head and opened my eyes to his captivating gaze.
“There’s only you, Ava,” he reminded me once again, drilling the words in as he pressed his hips into mine. My breath hitched, my lips parting, wanting so badly for his lips to be on mine.
He instantly crashed his mouth to mine, our tongues colliding. I wiggled my hands in his grasp, wanting to touch him. He released them, knowing I was going nowhere. I clung to his shoulders, pulling him closer to me.
He broke our kiss, pulling the shirt over my head before unhooking the clasp of my bra with ease. I wasn’t oblivious to how talented he was at that. As if it was second nature. I didn’t care. He gently moved back over my body, nipping my ear with his teeth with a guttural growl. He showered me with kisses from my neck down my body, looping his thumbs into my waist band, slowly dragging my panties down my legs as he sat up on his knees.
He took his time, once again, perusing over every inch of my body in appreciation. It made the urgency for him to be inside me grow stronger. He slowly moved over me, pushing inside of me, working us into a rhythm that would bring us to a simultaneous release.
Tangled in his arms, he stroked the hair on my head, putting me in a deep state of nirvana. I closed my eyes, feeling sleepy and sated. My body limp from satisfaction. He shifted below me, kissing my head.
“We should shower, beautiful.”
“No, I’m comfy,” I whined in a sleepy voice. I felt his chest rising and falling as he laughed quietly to himself.
“Are you going to always defy me at every turn?” he asked with humor in his voice.
I lifted to my elbows, looking over his striking face. “Depends, are you always going to demand you have your way?” I challenged him.
He moved quickly. I squealed with laughter as he flipped me to my back, pinning me below him once again, a boyish grin on his face.
“Only with you. I’ll always have my way with you, Ava.” His lips brushed mine as they instantly opened, letting him in. His kiss was demanding, driving home his point. I moaned my pleasure and he pulled back, knowing he’d succeeded at the task at hand. I frowned my displeasure at the loss of his lips. He smiled, giving me a chaste kiss on my mouth.
He sat up, pulling me with him. “Up you go. I want you in the shower with me.”
Visions of his wet, naked body in the shower where I would get to lather him in soap, filled my mind. A shower didn’t seem like such a bad idea, after all. My face flushed with my wayward thoughts. I moved my eyes up his naked body that was eye level and was greeted by his smirking face - confident and unashamed.
“Deep in thought?” he teased me, knowing what I was thinking. It obviously written all over my face.
I was completely embarrassed. I refused to give him the satisfaction. I hopped out of bed, sauntering past him to the shower. “Arrogance is not an attractive look for you, Mr. Blackwood.” I tossed behind my shoulder. It was a blatant lie. He laughed his burly laugh, following behind me.
After our lengthy shower, Rhett went downstairs to pull us together something to eat. I worked my hair up into a messy bun on top of my head and threw on the clothes I had worn the night before, wishing I had fresh clothes to wear. At least, I had the forethought to change after work and was not having to put on my uniform from Christopher’s.
I entered the kitchen where Rhett was sitting at the island with two prepared plates of food and two coffees. He was scrolling through his phone, his forehead furrowed deep in thought about whatever he was reading.
“Everything okay?” I asked, taking a seat next to him.
He had prepared us each a bagel with cream cheese and some fruit. I looked at my coffee. It appeared to be the perfect color, signaling the right amount of creamer. I took a sip, moaning my appreciation. He had prepared it exactly how I liked it.
“I thought that noise was reserved only for our bedroom,” he gave me a mischievous smile, “And yes, everything’s fine.”
His use of the words our bedroom did not go unnoticed. It brought the fact that he said I was his, last night, to the forefront of my mind. I hadn’t broached the subject during my interrogation this morning. After the distraction of Serena and the mind numbing sex that followed, I didn’t get a chance to.
“It’s reserved for great sex and great coffee,” I smirked.
He gave me one of his sexy laughs, kissing the top of my head, amused by my response. “I hope you’re okay with a light breakfast. I figured with it being close to noon that would be best.”
“Is it really noon?”
“Yes, it seems we spent the whole morning in bed, not that I’m complaining.”
“I need to call Lizzie. She’ll be worried.”
“Already taken care of.”
“What do you mean?”
“We exchanged numbers at the party, so if she found you before me, she could call me. I texted her this morning to let her know you were fine and spending the weekend with me.”
“Oh…Wait. What? We never discussed me spending the weekend with you.”
“That’s because it’s not up for discussion.”
“It most certainly is! I have to work, Rhett! I can’t just spend all weekend with you.”
He looked at me confused, as if I had just told him the earth wasn’t round. His presumptuous attitude infuriated me. I couldn’t believe he would think he could just schedule my weekend for me without even asking me. I had completely lost my appetite.
I could see the cogs turning in his brain, trying to figure out how to get his way. “Can you not call-in or have someone pick-up your shifts?”
“No,” I said defiantly. I could and part of me wanted to, but it was the principle! I needed to hold my ground, so he didn’t think he could just march into my life, trampling over all of my independence.
“Why not? I’ll make a call to Christopher and ask him to give you the time off.”
“You will do no such thing, you arrogant ass!”
“Watch your mouth, Ava,” he reprimanded me. What the hell? Was he going to act like my father, now? This was too much. I pushed my plate away, standing to leave.
“Where are you going?” He surprisingly was not making a move to stop me as I marched out of the kitchen.
“Home!” I tossed over my shoulder as he remained still, seeming unusually calm by my proclamation.
“And how do you plan to get there?” His faced turned up into an amused expression.
Shit. I forgot I left my car at the party. I stopped in my tracks, trying to figure out my next move. I faced him, giving him my best don’t mess with me tone which wasn’t too hard to do at the moment.
“Take me home.”
“No.”
“What’s your plan, to hold me hostage until the weekend is over?” I guess he could technically. He had taken care of subduing the one person who would know if I didn’t ever come home. “Why are you so impossible?”
“Why are you so unreasonable?”
He stood from his stool, slowly stalking towards me with a look of seduction. Oh. Shit. He knew exactly how to get me to submit to his demands.
“Don’t even think about it!” I warned him while walking backwards to move away from him.
�
��Think about what?” he feigned innocence with a naughty grin.
“You know what! Manipulating me with sex.”
My back landed against the wall. He was too close now to run away without any chance of him catching me. He closed the gap between us as my body annoyingly responded. If only I could trade it in for a new one. This one, obviously, was not on my side.
I pressed my body against the wall as if that would get me any further away from him. He didn’t touch me. He left only inches between us. His hands were pressed on the wall on each side of my head. I could feel the static electricity charging between us like two magnets being pulled together. It was almost more torturous than him putting his hands on me. It only made me want his hands on me. He looked down at me with hooded eyes.
“Ava,” he drew out my name, his voice rolling across my body, making my temperature rise, “Answer me.”
I couldn’t think. My body was taking over, holding my brain captive. What was his question? As if reading my mind, he unleashed that sultry voice on me, “Why are you so unreasonable?” His question reminded me I was supposed to be angry with him, not panting like a love sick puppy, damn it.
“You can’t just come into my life and order me around. My job is important to me,” I pleaded for him to understand. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes, processing my words.
“Fine,” he responded, not looking at me. He was struggling to release control.
“Fine?” I questioned, shocked he would relent so easily.
He looked back down at me, moving his forehead down to touch mine. “Yes. Fine. I still want to spend the weekend with you when you’re not at work. When are your shifts?”
“Sunday night,” I said nonchalantly. I was well aware that most of my weekend I was available, and I had already spent half of today with him. Like I said, it was the principle. He looked at me with disbelief, knowing I had only provoked this fight to prove a point.
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