A Reason to Stay

by Melissa Ellen

  He hooked his arms around my waist, pulling me into him, leaving our foreheads touching. “You really drive me crazy, beautiful,” he grinned before planting a big kiss on my lips. “Now get your ass back over there and eat,” he demanded, playfully smacking my behind. I complied. This time.

  CHAPTER 10

  After picking up my car, we dropped it at my apartment. I packed a few things for the weekend before we headed back to Rhett’s home in Boston. We spent most of the day tangled together in his sheets. I could have stayed there all weekend, but Rhett had insisted on taking me on a proper date. While Rhett was showering, I sent a text to Stephen, not wanting to break my promise to him.

  A: Hey. Sorry about the door last night.

  S: All good, pumpkin. Darts, Monday?

  A: Definitely! Call you later.

  Hearing the shower shutoff, I quickly shoved my phone back into my purse, immediately feeling guilty. Rhett’s words from the other night weighing on my mind. His obvious disdain for Stephen had me wanting to avoid another argument. The day had been blissful after our morning disagreements, and I wasn’t going to allow anything to ruin our evening.

  I went back into the bathroom to finish getting ready. While Rhett was toweling off his naked wet body, I couldn’t help ogling him through the mirror. Just looking at him had the heat pooling between my legs. When his eyes locked with mine in the mirror, I didn’t even try to hide that I was watching him.

  “Enjoying the view?” he smiled cockily.

  I rolled my eyes. I didn’t bother giving him a response. His ego was big enough. There was no point in adding to it. He walked up behind me, putting his arms around my waist, pulling me against the bulge beneath his towel.

  He kissed my neck, whispering in my ear, “If you keep looking at me like that, I’ll be taking you back to bed, and we’ll miss our reservation.”

  “Sounds good to me,” I smirked. I tried convincing him earlier that we should just stay in, curling up on the couch with pizza and a movie. But he insisted on taking me out.

  “Finish getting ready, beautiful. We’re going to dinner.”

  I gave him my best pouty face through the mirror. He chuckled, kissing the top of my head and then walked his sexy, towel covered ass away from me to put on some clothes. Pity.

  I curled my long hair into big, loose curls and finished the final touches of my makeup before I put on the dress I’d borrowed from Lizzie’s closet. The dress was one of my favorites. The long-sleeve, navy blue, lace dress hugged my curves with a peek-a-boo hole in the back, making me feel sexy without being too revealing.

  The dress stopped short above my knees and the navy liner was cut with a strapless style, allowing the exposure of skin on my arms and chest through the delicate lace. I slipped on some nude heels before picking up the matching clutch I brought along to put my phone and wallet in. I gave myself one last look in the mirror before heading downstairs where Rhett was waiting.

  As I approached the top step, my breath caught seeing the magnificent man waiting for me at the bottom. Rhett stood there relaxed. A smile slowly stretching across his face as I came into view. He was wearing an extremely well-tailored, dark gray suit that had my heart rate rising. He looked casual with no tie and the top few buttons of his white shirt undone. My lower belly squeezed with lust.

  I took a deep breath, making my way down the stairs, holding the railing tight, praying to God that I didn’t fall. As I got closer to the bottom, Rhett made his way up the last few steps, taking my hand to help me the rest of the way down. He turned me into him, blatantly perusing my body.

  “Ava, you look….sexy as hell. If we weren’t already running late, I’d make you go change.”

  “You don’t like my dress?” I frowned.

  “I love your dress. I don’t love that every guy will be wanting to try and take you from me tonight.”

  I shook my head in disbelief, smiling at his possessiveness. “There’s only you,” I repeated his own words to him, lifting to my toes to give him a kiss on the lips.

  He moaned his appreciation through our pressed lips while grabbing my butt with a squeeze. He broke our kiss, moving to my side, offering his arm to me.

  “Our ride is waiting,” he gestured to the door.

  We walked outside where a limo was parked in front of Rhett’s home, the driver politely waiting for us with the door open.

  “Rhett, this is too much. You didn’t need to get a limo for our date.”

  “You deserve the world, beautiful. Besides, the limo is more for me than you,” he smiled naughtily. “This way I can focus on you, instead of the road. I plan to have my way with you, Ava… whenever and wherever I want,” he whispered into my ear, sending a shiver up my spine.

  As we approached the limo, the driver nodded towards Rhett, “Mr. Blackwood.”

  “Good evening, Jim,” he clapped the driver’s shoulder before helping me into the car, then slid in behind me. The driver closed the door, promptly making his way around to the front of the limo.

  “You know him?”

  “Yes, he’s been employed with my family for many years. He was my driver growing up in New York. I don’t need him much living in Boston. Occasionally, he comes down when I request for special occasions.”

  “This is a special occasion?”

  “Ava, every night with you is special,” he smiled, lightly brushing his fingers down the side of my face.

  I blushed. I didn’t think I would ever get used to the attention and compliments Rhett gave me. I never had that with Chris. The more time I spent with Rhett, the more I saw that Chris definitely didn’t treat me the way I deserved and needed. Rhett was somehow making the hurt I had felt for so long after losing Chris, fade into oblivion.

  Rhett had reserved us a table at one of the finest restaurants in Boston. The maître’d knew Rhett by name, promptly seating us at a booth next to the large spanning window overlooking the Boston Harbor below. The view was overwhelmingly beautiful and inspired a sense of peacefulness in me. The twinkling of boat lights shimmered on the smooth water, creating a beautiful warm glow that danced out into the darker parts of the water.

  After a few moments of taking it all in, letting it relax my body and mind, I turned to face Rhett, who was looking at me with the same admiration as I had of the view.

  “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” I asked like a child filled with wonderment.

  “Yes, the most beautiful.” The tone of endearment in his voice told me he wasn’t referring to the view of the harbor, his smile soft and full of meaning. I flushed with heat, once again. The man had a way of keeping me constantly desperate for his touch.

  “So…do you know everyone in this town?” I asked, needing to change the subject before I crawled across the table of this expensive restaurant and had my way with the devilishly, sexy man seated across from me.

  He chuckled even more amused. “Only the ones that work for me.”

  “That work for you?”

  “Yes. I’m part owner of this restaurant. It was one of the first personal investments I made on my own. And one of the few things I own without my father.”

  I looked around the impeccably decorated restaurant, taking in all the small details of the architecture with new appreciation. The restaurant was chic with a mixture of traditional and modern, giving a very elegant and hip vibe.

  “That must feel really good. Especially with it being such a success. You should be proud.”

  “I can’t take the credit. I’m just merely the investor. The visionary and the one that keeps it running is my partner, Ruben, who is the talented chef.”

  “Well, you still had to know a good investment when you saw it. Regardless of your modesty, I’m proud of you,” I said with admiration.

  “Thank you. You don’t know what that means to me coming from you.”

  The server approached us to take our drink order. Rhett ordered us a fancy bottle of Shiraz, which I wouldn’t even try to pronounce or fathom th
e cost, after confirming what my preference was. I studied the menu, trying to decide what to eat as Rhett studied me. His stare made it hard for me to focus on the menu. When the server finished spouting off the specials for the evening and asked us for our order, I was still at a loss for what I wanted to eat, besides the delicious man sitting across from me. I decided to order the special and Rhett followed suit.

  The evening was filled with orgasmic food, great conversation and endless flirting. The few moments of silence were comfortable and easy. After we ate, Rhett held my hand on the table, lazily tracing the top of it with his thumb. My body was continuously charged by his touch as we talked and laughed, sipping our wine. The buzz from the wine put me in a dreamy state of relaxation.

  I was telling Rhett about Lizzie and Mike when Rhett’s attention was interrupted by a sultry voice calling his name. His face hardened as he looked past me. I didn’t have to turn around to know who was standing there. I recognized her voice.

  Our moment being broken and suddenly feeling uncomfortable, I moved to take my hand from being clasped with Rhett’s, but he gripped tighter, thwarting my attempt. He turned his eyes to me, giving me a warning glare to not try that again.

  “Serena,” he said impassively.

  I turned to look at Serena, who was looking as gorgeous as ever, unfortunately. Her eyes went to our clasped hands, and then promptly moved to me, narrowing with distaste momentarily before she washed the expression off her face to be replaced with an insincere smile.

  Within moments of her interruption, a group of others joined her side. A red-head, who was just as slender and beautiful as Serena, immediately sneered at me upon her approach. I disliked her instantly. The other two were very handsome guys, both with bodies that told you they worked out.

  “Rhett, buddy!” One of the guys clapped Rhett’s shoulder.

  Rhett greeted him with a big smile, “Riley. How’s it going?”

  “Good. I tried calling you about hanging out with us tonight.”

  “Sorry, I’ve been preoccupied,” he said unashamed, grinning at me.

  “I see that. Are you going to sit there or are you going to introduce us?” Riley smiled.

  “Riley, this is Ava. Ava, this loud mouth is Riley.”

  I could tell by Rhett’s face that Riley was someone Rhett respected. Riley had brown hair and eyes with a masculine build that could almost rival Rhett. Almost. He was charming and a gentleman without being too cheesy.

  “Ava, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” he winked, giving me a boyish grin.

  “Thank you. It’s good to meet you, too.”

  I felt automatically endeared to him for some reason. He just had a way of making me comfortable as if I had known him for years.

  Rhett went around introducing the others. There was Adam, who was just as handsome. He seemed to be a nice enough guy, but I didn’t feel immediately endeared to him as much as I did Riley. Something about him was off. Aubrey, the red-head, was a friend of Serena’s, explaining our immediate aversion for each other. Lizzie would be the same way, so I at least tried to be cordial to her for having some loyalty to her friend. Then of course, there was Serena.

  “Oh, Ava!” Serena feigned surprise. “I almost didn’t recognize you without you filling my glass of wine.”

  Bitch.

  “Rhett, would you and your friend, want to join us? We were about to head to the Alley for drinks,” Serena salivated as she ogled my man. That’s right, mine.

  “I think we’re going to have to pass, but thank you for the invite, Serena.” How could Rhett be so pleasant towards her after the two insults she just threw at me?!

  “That’s too bad,” added Riley. “I don’t blame you, though. You guys have a wonderful evening. We should head out.” He looked at the others, giving them the silent signal to move on and let us get back to our date. He was quickly becoming my favorite person.

  “Well, I guess we’ll just have to do a raincheck in London this week,” Serena purred annoyingly towards Rhett.

  London? This week? What the hell was she talking about? My blood started boiling.

  She glanced over at me with her smug face, knowing she had gotten to me. She didn’t stop there, though. She stepped towards Rhett as they started to all walk away, sliding her hand up his arm. She whispered in his ear, intentionally just loud enough for me to hear, “Thanks for last night.” She kissed him on the cheek, letting her lips linger, then turned, smirking at me as she walked away.

  Rhett remained still during the whole thing, not responding to her at all. He watched me with assessing eyes, gauging my reaction. As soon as her back was turned, and she was out of sight, I jerked my hand from his before he could pin it down again.

  “Ava,” he warned in a low voice.

  “London!” I whisper-yelled. “When were you going to tell me you had a romantic getaway to London planned?” I snarled, my heart rate sky rocketing. I took a large gulp of my wine, looking away from him, staring out at the harbor.

  “Ava, calm down. It’s none of those things. I was going to tell you this weekend. I just barely found out this morning. It’s a business trip with my father. We’re working on a joint venture with Serena’s father. I didn’t even know she was going, until just now.”

  “I don’t understand. Why is she going?” I asked, facing him, my irritation still evident.

  “I have no idea, Ava,” he released a heavy breath, exasperated. “She sometimes tags along with her father on business trips to go shopping or whatever other things women do.”

  Yeah, right. I knew exactly why she was going on this trip and it had nothing to do with shopping and everything to do with the naive man sitting across the table from me.

  “She wants you,” I said firmly. It wasn’t a question. I knew the answer.

  “I’m not going to fight with you, Ava. You’re going to have to trust me. Don’t let their interruption ruin our night.”

  There was that word, again. Trust. I looked back out the window at the harbor, trying to calm myself. He was right. Our night had been perfect up to that point. If I ended the night mad at him, then that would be letting Serena win. It still bothered me the way she acted like last night was more than what Rhett had told me. I also noticed he didn’t bother denying my accusation. Even if she wanted him, I was going to have to figure out a way to trust that he wouldn’t hurt me the way Chris did.

  “Okay,” I said softly, turning back to look at his beautiful blues. His shoulders seemed to relax with relief, settling at my response, and within seconds his eyes hooded over with lust.

  “Let’s get out of here,” he said, moving swiftly out of the booth to my side. He helped me up, his hand on the small of my back as he ushered me out of the restaurant to the awaiting limo.

  It seemed my man was on a mission to make me forget those retched five minutes of interruption. No sooner than Jim closing the limo door behind us, Rhett was on me like a tiger pouncing its prey. Thank God for the blackout windows and partition screen between Jim and us.

  His mouth crashed into mine. The desire I had been harboring all night persuaded my body into submission. His kiss was demanding and drugging, and I was a junky, craving his lips. I clung to him as he shifted us, so I was lying on the seat below him. His strong hand pulled my right thigh up, parting my legs, allowing him to position himself between them.

  I felt his arousal at my entrance, only our clothes preventing him from being inside me. My belly flipped with anticipation as I whimpered against his mouth. I was vaguely aware that we were moving in a limo and that this was a first for me. The thought of spontaneity fueled my hunger more.

  He broke our kiss for a moment, pulling back to gaze into my eyes. His eyes were dark and lips bruised from our harsh, desperate kissing. His hand slid up my dress pushing it above my waist. He kissed me softly, sliding his fingers into me, unselfishly bringing me to my release without his own.

  We lay in his bed holding each other after hours of worship
ing each other’s bodies. My head rested on his bare chest, listening to his heart, feeling the rise and fall of his breathing. I closed my eyes as his fingers glided softly back and forth over my skin.

  “Ava?”

  “Hmm?” I responded in a half-sleeping state.

  “Come to London with me.”

  I barely heard Rhett’s request before falling into a deep sleep.

  After having two late nights in a row, we slept through most of the morning on Sunday. We decided to have brunch once we woke, but only after he had his way with me in bed. I didn’t mind. Waking up to Rhett and morning sex was becoming one of my favorite ways to start the day.

  We sat in a little diner, eating a late breakfast, soaking in every minute we could of each other. I hated that he was leaving the country where I couldn’t touch, smell or taste him for a week. It was hard enough at Thanksgiving. This was going to be way worse. Worse because I had started falling hard for him and worse even yet, because she would be in London with him.

  “Beautiful, what’s wrong? You look like something’s weighing on you,” he took my hand in his, resting them on the table.

  “Nothing…I just hate that you’re going to London for a whole week…,” I idly moved my fork around my plate with my free hand.

  “Come with me.”

  “I can’t just go to London with you, Rhett.”

  I could, technically. The semester was over and I had always wanted to go to London. Why the hell was I refusing? It must be the lack of sleep and too much sex…it has turned my mind to mush.

  “Why not? We’re flying in our private jet. I would cover your expenses. We would be able to enjoy the city together when I’m not working.”

  “And what would I be doing while you are working?”

  “Whatever you want. You could shop, see the city….”

  “Oh that sounds fab, maybe me and Serena can shop and get pedi’s together.” My voice dripped with sarcasm. He grinned at me stupidly. “Hell. No!” I recoiled.