MINE FOR THE WEEK

by Kelly, Erika

  This sexy, strong, fierce, gorgeous woman is all mine.

  She reached for the soap and lathered up her wet hands before setting the bar back on the shelf. With sweeping strokes, she caressed his shoulders, his arms, his chest.

  He trembled with restraint. That look in her eyes was killing him. All sweet and soft and devastatingly sexy. Taking a step back, but never taking her gaze off him, she slid those soapy hands all over her luscious body. She stood before him naked, bubbles streaming down her smooth skin. The sexy flare of her hips, the feminine slope of her shoulders. Jesus.

  Sophie was beautiful no matter what, but turned on she was fucking radiant. And there was no mistaking the flush in her cheeks, the hard beads of her nipples, or the heat in her eyes.

  Taking her hips in his hands, he claimed that mouth he would never stop wanting. He loved the way the soft, wet heat of her kiss swept him in and yanked him under. He couldn’t keep his hands from sliding down her soapy back to grab the firm globes of her ass. Jesus, he loved her ass. He kept squeezing, drawing her harder up against him.

  “Ryan.” She said it with her mouth against his ear, and when her tongue licked the sensitive shell, heat exploded within him. She reached between their bodies, and he jerked when those warm, soapy hands clasped him.

  Both hands tugged, swirling, pulling in opposite directions. Holy fuck, what was she doing to him? He was losing his mind. It was at once wildly sensuous and fucking erotic. He didn’t want to come. He wanted it to last forever. Watching her feminine hands move on him, he leaned forward, bracing his arms on the wall behind her. Electric heat pulsed through him, making his legs tremble.

  She was so fucking gorgeous, so bold, and sexy.

  Her grip tightened on him, and she pulled harder, squeezing the head with each pass. His body burned. He needed release so fucking badly, but he didn’t want this to end. He never wanted it to end.

  And then she let him go. With a hand on his hip, she turned him into the spray, washing the soap off him. What was she doing? “Sophie, I can’t—”

  She dropped to her knees, hands on his ass, and brought his painfully engorged cock to her mouth. In one fluid motion, she sucked him all the way to the back of her throat.

  Every cell in his body exploded in pure, scorching pleasure. “Jesus Christ.”

  Her tongue flicked along his length, as she sucked him hard and fast. His blood hammered in his veins, heat flashed across his skin, and his balls drew in so tightly they hurt. She pulled him in even deeper, as the wet heat of her mouth consumed him.

  His hands went to her head—Jesus God, he needed to fuck her mouth so badly—but he quickly dropped them, not wanting to hurt or degrade her.

  She pulled off his dick and gazed up at him. “Don’t hold back with me.”

  The determination in her voice made him roar. “Fuck.” He’d never let himself go so completely with anyone before. But that gleam in her eye…fuck, yes. He cupped the side of her head with one hand and guided himself back into her mouth with the other. Oh, Christ, she took him so fucking deep. This time, he didn’t hold back. He held her head still, gliding in and out of that perfect mouth, watching to make sure she was all right. But she just moaned, sucking him harder, deeper, and when she gazed up at him, her eyes glittered with pure lust. That was it. He completely lost it. Bliss soared through him, a sensation so explosive his entire body convulsed in pure ecstasy. He came so fucking hard—pulse after hot, shuddering pulse—into her hot, eager mouth.

  When he finally finished, knees weak, body depleted, he helped her to her feet. Pulling her in close, hot water raining down on them, he nuzzled her neck. “Let’s stay here forever.”

  “I’m down for that.” She peered up at him through a tangle of hair. “I’m sorry for overreacting.”

  “I wouldn’t have reacted any differently if I’d walked into your room and found that shit going on.”

  “I hadn’t heard from you, and when I walked in and found you had an orgy going on in your room, I got scared. Scared that I misread you. That you were finally getting caught up in the freedom you’d come here for. I mean, you should’ve done that from the beginning. It’s just I thought…”

  “You thought right. Look, Soph, for the first time in my life, I’m doing what I want. Not what Jake thinks I should I do, not what my coach or my dad or anyone else thinks is right. I’m doing what I want.” It was a revelation to him, and it made him soar. He reached for her hand. “I didn’t know what happy was until I met you. I just want to hold onto it as long as I can.”

  She gave him a funny look. “Ryan, you can have happy. It’s yours to have. You just…you don’t seem to get it. You’re so worried about disappointing the people you care about, but what you don’t get is that your happiness is the best gift you can give them.”

  He kissed her, brushing her hair off her shoulder. “Come to bed with me. I want to make you happy.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  After dinner, Sophie watched Jake pull Ryan aside for yet another private discussion.

  She hated secrets, so she wandered down to the beach. Toward the end of her relationship with King, she’d spent most of her time suspecting him of cheating. He kept making plans, but none of them included her. If snowboarding didn’t work out, maybe he’d work for a merchandising company. Or he’d design sunglasses for one of his sponsors. Not only didn’t his plans include her, he’d often shut down a conversation if she walked into the room. She could never figure out why he wouldn’t want her involved, but it drove home the fact that she was his home base, which was nice, but she wasn’t his partner.

  And, of course, why wouldn’t he want her hearing his conversations if they were just about business plans? It made her wonder if he was talking to other women.

  She didn’t believe he’d ever cheated on her, but still, she’d lived with the constant, nagging doubt. She’d never again live with her gut twisted in knots all the time.

  But Ryan did talk to her. He said he’d shared more with her in four days than he ever had with anyone before. But, while he continued to tell her about his baseball-related issues, he’d definitely stopped talking about his ex. And the way he and Jake kept giving each other looks—it just made her feel like whatever he was hiding must somehow affect her.

  But, really, why was she obsessing over something that would end the day after tomorrow?

  Saturday night she’d be home. And she’d have to face Abby and her brothers. Blocking a hundred million dollar deal meant they’d be geared up for a fight, and she’d have to hold her own against the four of them.

  Anxiety ripped through her at the thought of her siblings ganged up against her like that. Holding her stance would cause an irreparable chasm.

  Of course, she could let this issue go. Just to keep peace in the family, she could back off and—Oh, hell, no. She wasn’t going to sell Crazy Hearts no matter what.

  So, then, how did she handle it so that they didn’t hate her? Maybe she should get Barry to meet her at the house.

  You know what? Just talk to Abby. She needed to hear her voice. Get a sense of their attitude towards her.

  Kicking off her heels, she dug her toes into the still-warm sand and dialed her sister’s number. A few yards away a bonfire popped and crackled, the group around it laughing and flirting. Sophie closed her eyes to let a breeze wash over her. The hiss of waves dragging back into the sea soothed her frayed nerves and the cool water felt good on her bare feet.

  “Hey, Soph. What’s up?” Her sister hadn’t sounded this upbeat in months.

  “You sound good.”

  “Yeah, well, Leslie took Hannah for a few hours so I could nap.”

  “That’s so nice of her. Did you actually sleep?”

  “Not really. I don’t want Hannah around all that craziness. I don’t like how she raises her kids.”

  She was about to say their sister-in-law was a great mom, but the last thing she needed to do was antagonize Abby. “So, my flight gets into LAX
around five on Saturday. Do you want to pick me up?”

  “You want me to drive all the way to the airport? With a baby? No, just get an Uber.”

  Funny, because Abby always asked for a ride home from the airport. “Yeah, I guess so. It’s always nicer to have someone pick you up.”

  “So hire a car. I’ll hire the car. Just give me the flight information. There’s no reason for me to go all the way out there.”

  “Right. Okay, then. So, I’m just checking on you. How’re you feeling?” Crossing an arm over her stomach, she looked out over the ocean.

  “I’m freaking out. All I want to do is go pick up Hannah. I can just imagine her getting stitches when Carson throws a block at her face or shoves a Lego up her nose. What about you? You sound funny.”

  “Oh, I’ve…” Should she talk to her sister about Ryan? They didn’t have that kind of relationship, but she wanted it. It was just that Abby tended to be a little sharp and not hugely sympathetic. But she supposed if she wanted it, she had to make the effort.

  Just go for it. “I met a guy.”

  “At the resort?”

  “Yeah. He’s really great. But he goes to school in Michigan, and he’s going to play baseball professionally. The draft’s in three months.”

  When her sister didn’t respond, she continued. “I like him, but we live so far apart, and our lives are completely different.”

  “That’s right. So, what’s the problem?”

  “I like him in a way I’ve never liked anyone before.”

  Her sister let out a sigh of exasperation.

  “What?” The sound of giggling had her turning around to see a couple making out on a chaise.

  “How many years were you with King?” her sister asked.

  “Over three.” She headed back up the beach toward the pool area.

  “And how many of those did you live in the same state?”

  “Never.” Unless you counted the times he’d crashed at her place, which she didn’t. Because every time he’d done that, he’d been plotting his next big move. She half-suspected he’d considered her family’s company his fallback if snowboarding didn’t pan out.

  “Do you really want to do this again? With King, it was all about boarding. Now, you want a baseball player? At least with King, he never made it, so he always came back to you. But if this guy’s signing with a team right out of college, what hope do you have?”

  She hit the pavement and leaned over to wipe the sand off her feet. “I guess I don’t.” Beer bottles littered the area around the hot tub. The water bubbled and frothed, as people hung out.

  “You live here, Sophie. That’s never going to change. This is where your family lives. Your business. Unless he’s going to play for an LA team…I mean, come on. Why are we even having this conversation? Are you looking for forever? Forevers don’t come out of hookups.”

  “Well, that’s what I’m saying. It feels like more.” So much more. “We have this bond, this connection…it’s different, Abby.”

  “I’m sure it is, but the moment your planes land and you get back to your real lives, don’t you think these feelings are going to fade? And even if they don’t, realistically, as soon as he graduates, he’s not going to have time for you. If you couldn’t make it work with King, imagine how it’s going to feel with this guy. He’s never going to be around. And you know about the groupies. They lurk around these guys, popping up in their cars and breaking into their hotel rooms.”

  Entering the air-conditioned building, she headed for the elevator. Talking to her sister agitated her even more. Not sure if it was because of her sister’s attitude or the truth that rang out in her words. But she really wanted to forge a real relationship, so she’d listen to her sister’s advice. Appreciate the time she was giving her.

  So, she gave a little more. “And he’s just coming out of a six-year relationship.” Three women stood waiting, the button already lit.

  “Six years? Oh, Soph. Come on. He’s your age?”

  “Yeah.” She turned away from the women, keeping her voice low.

  “Okay, that’s his entire dating life. No offense, but he’s probably having the time of his life with you.”

  “Yeah. But he could be with lots of women here. And he’s not. He’s only with me. We both feel it. He keeps telling me—”

  “He’ll tell you anything you want to hear. I know you’re not that naïve. Come on, the guy’s been with the same girl for six years. He goes on spring break…of course he’s going to go wild. I’m not saying you’re not special. I’m saying he’s probably bingeing on a new girl.”

  How could she argue with that? Ryan was absolutely bingeing on her. But it was so much more than that. If he’d only wanted to have sex with her, sure, she could see what Abby was saying. But he talked to her. And the way he looked at her? She knew she affected him.

  “Guys aren’t like us, Soph. He knows he’s going back to school and onto bigger things. I’m not trying to be mean, but I’m on the outside looking in, and I can see things you might not be able to. Go ahead and have fun with him but don’t get your heart involved. And for God’s sake, don’t be someone’s consolation prize again.”

  Mortification burned through her. “What does that mean?” The elevator dinged, and all four women boarded.

  “I’m not saying King didn’t love you. Only you know for sure about that. But he always chose boarding first.”

  “He had to. He was competing.”

  “And when he broke up with you before the Olympic trials? Was it about competing then? Or did he just want to be single?”

  “He didn’t know how long he’d be away. He didn’t want to tie either of us down.”

  “Right. And it was a smart choice. You guys were so young. But you’re older now, and maybe you want more. I mean, don’t you want more than that?”

  “Of course I do.”

  She could tell from Abby’s tone that she was being sincere, but why did she have to be so freaking condescending?

  “Look, I have to go. Hannah probably has a Barbie purse in her mouth right now, and if I leave right this second I can save her from choking.”

  “Anxious much?” Just as she stepped onto her floor, she saw Ryan leaning against the wall outside her room, reading the screen of his cell. He looked up, pocketed the phone, and headed toward her.

  “Hey.” He kissed her mouth.

  Abby laughed, but it didn’t sound real. “You have no idea the scenarios I come up with. I have to check on her every few minutes during a nap because I think she’s smothered in her own spit-up. I’ll see you when you get home. And Soph?”

  “Yeah?”

  When they reached her suite, Ryan pulled the key card out of her hand.

  “Put yourself first for a change, okay?”

  “I am.” Continuing to be with Ryan was a gift she’d given herself. “Okay, I’ll let you go. Give my love to Hannah.”

  “Oh, wait. I forgot. When’s that philanthropy thing again?”

  That philanthropy thing? The mayor of Beverly Hills was honoring her at a dinner. It was a big deal. “It’s Saturday, April third.”

  “Right. Damn. I can’t go.”

  Ryan swiped the card, opening her door. When she just stood there, stunned, he lifted her off the ground and carried her into the room.

  “Abby, you have to go. You’re speaking.”

  “I know, but it’s Lexi’s engagement party that night. I have to be there.”

  “No, Abby, you said you’d come to my event. I can have two people speak about me. You’re one of them.”

  Once inside, Ryan set her down, then turned and locked the door, tossing her key card on the desk.

  “I’m so sorry, but I’m the matron of honor, and I have to be there.”

  “Abby, seriously? You can’t bail on me.”

  “I’ll get someone else to do it.”

  “What’re you talking about? You can’t just hire someone for this, Abby. This is about people
who know me well. Who care.” Why did she think she mattered to her sister? Other than babysitting—and that was for the past six weeks—when had her sister ever even tried with her? Abby was all about Abby. “You know what? Forget it. I can’t believe you’d bail on me.”

  “It’s Lexi’s engagement party.”

  “That she can have any day of the week. But the mayor is honoring me that night. That one night. And it’s a big deal. You committed to me first—months ago.” Ryan had gone out on the balcony, and she appreciated that he’d given her the space because she was absolutely devastated.

  “I know that, and I feel terrible. But there’s nothing I can do. I have to be there.”

  “You mean you don’t want to miss out on the fun. Forget it. I don’t know why I bother. Like I said, I’m pissed that you’d bail on me, but I can’t say I’m surprised. Go get Hannah, and don’t you dare ask anyone to take your place at the ceremony. It’ll just be Laura.” Kat’s family went to Hawaii that week every year to honor her dad, who’d passed away eight years ago. She could ask another of her friends, her brothers, even, but she didn’t have to have two people, so she wouldn’t bother. “Bye.” She stabbed the End Call button and let the disappointment bear down on her.

  “Everything okay?” Ryan came in and sat beside her on the edge of the mattress.

  “No.”

  “What’d your sister bail on?”

  “Oh, just an award thing. No big deal.”

  “Yes, I see that.” He took her hand, engulfing it in his huge one. “Talk to me.”

  “Like you talk to me?”

  He flinched. She didn’t care. She got up, tossed her bag on a chair, her sandals onto the floor outside the closet, and headed straight for the bathroom. “I’m going to shower. Give me about twenty minutes and then I’ll be in a better mood.”

  Shutting herself inside the large, white room, she peeled off her dress, panties and bra, and then turned on the shower.

  Abby always let her down. Sophie considered what she would do if she had to choose between honoring her commitment to Abby and going to Laura’s engagement party. She’d hate to miss her best friend’s big moment, but her obligation to her family came first. And wouldn’t she simply ask Laura to change the date? She assumed she’d be in on the planning of everything—Laura would tell her every detail, so she’d have some kind of say.