“Look at her face. Her mind is drifting back to recall a powerful memory. A moment of release, like savoring a decadent piece of chocolate truffle after days of dieting.”
She laughed shakily. God. For some reason, her mind flashed to images of slow, grinding sex.
This man was good.
“Or maybe,” he continued with his voice dropping lower, leaning in a little closer so only she could hear him, “she’s thinking of a lover. Pouring warm chocolate onto every inch of her body. Every luscious curve. He lavishly drizzles it on her, and she lies there, bound to the bed, her body trying to bow up to meet the slow drip of that dark, warm sweetness. Then he slowly slides his tongue over each part of her, taking special care to lap up every... last... drop.”
Chapter 4
OH. MY. GOD.
Her body betrayed her, and before she could catch herself, she let out a strangled sound. To cover it up, she cleared her throat. Her pounding heart felt like it was about to explode from her chest at any moment. Her face was hot, her nipples so hard she swore they could cut glass, and she didn’t think her panties would survive the onslaught of creamy dampness settling between her thighs. Her skin felt hypersensitive, tingly all over.
Yes, this man was good. And lethal. Just as she knew he would be.
Determined to hide her arousal, and embarrassment at his sensual observation of the painting, she took a deep cleansing breath, and said, “Well. That’s certainly an…observation.”
“What’s your name?” he asked, while he looked at her lips, his hand still on the small of her back.
She cleared her throat again. “Ryann.”
“Ryann,” he said, as if tasting it on his lips. His deep voice saying her name sounded like warm velvet. “Where were you coming from tonight, Ryann?”
“My home.”
“And where is that? New Jersey?”
She didn’t feel it was necessary to tell him that she wouldn’t be living there for much longer, so she simply answered, “Yes.”
“Hmph,” he nodded, but looked like he was going to say something else.
“What?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Nothing.”
She broke away from him, and looked at him. Examining his facial expression, she took a guess. “You’re one of those City snobs, aren’t you?” she asked, her voiced laced with amusement.
He barked out a laugh. “City snob? What’s that?”
“A City snob, Jeremy, is someone who lives in the City, and thinks the rest of the world revolves around the five boroughs,” she said dryly.
He thought for a moment, then said. “Well maybe not Staten Island.”
“You are a snob!”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You think just because I’m from New Jersey, that l’m somehow less than you. That I’m less sophisticated, worldly, and worse yet, that I spend my time watching Jersey Shore reruns or something… where most of the cast members, I might add, are not even from New Jersey,” she said calmly, ready to win this argument.
“I don’t think less of you at all,” he said seriously. “But you have to admit that New York City is the greatest city in the world.”
“I don’t deny that,” she conceded.
He patted her shoulder, in what seemed to be a patronizing manner. “Well, don’t feel too bad. New Jersey has many great things to offer. The shore, Atlantic City, if that’s your thing, good produce, some quaint towns peppered throughout the state.”
She stepped out from under his hand. “You’re right, and I don’t feel bad in the least.” Then she cocked her head at an angle, and studied him. “And there must be something there that you’re interested in, since you were coming into the City via the Holland Tunnel as well,” she said with an eyebrow raised.
“I had a late business meeting in Newark,” he nodded.
“Ah, so we can add ‘business ventures’ to your very gracious list of New Jersey attributes.”
He looked at her with a glint in his eye. “Absolutely.” He paused and leaned forward, saying quietly, “And beautiful women.”
Flustered, she looked away and cleared her throat. Again. It was a horrible trait of hers when she was nervous. And this man definitely made her nervous.
“Well, I’m sure women across New Jersey are honored to have made your list,” she said annoyed.
He examined her closely. “I’ve apparently said something that makes you not like me very much. I’m trying to figure out what that was.”
Why was she even having this conversation? She was being so snarky. Her only explanation was that he pushed her buttons. She didn’t want to analyze why.
She sighed, and looked him in the eye. “I’m not usually this argumentative. I didn’t mean to insult you.”
He smirked. “A snob wouldn’t offer a damsel in distress a ride in the middle of the pouring rain. That had to have earned me some points.”
“Is that what I was?”
He skimmed over her body with his warm gaze. “Well, you’re definitely a damsel,” he said quietly, “and you seemed to be distressed. Wouldn’t anyone who was broken down on the side of the road be distressed?”
She gave him a look. “Would you have been distressed? Have you ever even been broken down on the side of the road?”
“Of course.” Pause. “And it’s quite distressing,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.
“I’m sure it is distressing to you, Jeremy,” she said patting his arm, returning the patronizing tone he used with her earlier. “Especially when you have to spend all that time waiting for a tow truck, in a limo,” she said sweetly.
He leaned in close, his eyes glittering. “Ah, now we’re getting down to the nitty gritty. I’ve just figured you out, Ryann. You’re a worse snob than you’ve accused me of being. I work very hard for a living, and I’m not going to apologize for choosing to employ a man to drive me when I need to be driven somewhere, rather than take the subway or a cab.”
“Nor should you. If you have the money, you should be able to use it any way you like.”
“Thank you for your permission,” he said drolly.
She sighed. What was wrong with her? Why was she continuing to act this way? She didn’t hold it against people if they had money. Especially when they used it wisely and to help others. She was disappointed in herself. She didn’t like being a bitch…it didn’t suit her at all. He just…made her anxious. She looked up at him.
“I’m sorry.”
He looked at her in surprise.
“I don’t know why I’m insulting you. I’ve had a very long week, and an even longer day, and I’ve apparently decided to take it out on you.” She looked away and cleared her throat.
With a surprised look on his face, he grabbed her hand and raised it to his lips. After kissing it briefly, he leaned in close and placed his hand on her back again. “Thank you.” He looked at her with warmth in his eyes. “I think we just had our first fight,” he said quietly.
Ryann smiled nervously.
At that moment, Robbie arrived back with his tray of food.
“Here ya go, Mrs. T. At your service,” Robbie said with a smile as he whirled up to her, showing her the newly loaded tray of food. He glanced at Jeremy, at the hand that was now moving away from her back, and returned his gaze to her. “Take as many as you want.”
She felt the loss of Jeremy’s heat immediately as he stepped away from her. Finally, she could breathe again.
“Thanks, Robbie,” she beamed, and grabbed a brie and caramelized onion tartlet, popping it into her mouth, trying to take the moment to compose herself.
Jeremy’s warm expression had turned grim as soon as Robbie had greeted her. Robbie looked at Jeremy questioningly as if he was about to say something.
Jeremy beat him to it. “You haven’t spilled anything on anyone, have you?” he asked sarcastically.
Robbie grimaced at him. “No! Ha, ha.”
Ryann couldn’t believe
her ears. How rude could Jeremy be? “That’s not a very nice thing to say,” she said protectively. “He’s doing a fine job. Especially given the fact that he has to keep a smile on his face for hours, while serving all of the people here…the nice ones and the …snobs.” She said that last word with a challenge.
Jeremy gave her a look.
Robbie jumped in. “Yeah, you tell him, Mrs. T. I’m doing a fine job.”
Was she imagining things, or did Robbie just stick his tongue out at the man. The teacher in her immediately came out, and she jumped back in to resolve the potential conflict she saw brewing with Robbie and one of the very rich guests. The last thing she wanted was for him to get into trouble.
“Ok, stop,” as she put her hand up. “Thanks for the food, Robbie. Why don’t you keep doing what you have to do, and we’ll chat more later.”
With what appeared to be a look of amusement in his eyes, Jeremy said, “Yes, Robbie. And you should watch that tone of voice when talking to the guests. You’re supposed to be respectful at all times. Even when you don’t think the guests deserve it. I don’t want to have to talk to your supervisor.” He gave Robbie a pointed look.
“Whoa! No one needs to talk to anyone’s supervisor. Everyone calm down. Robbie, you get back to work, now. I’ll see you later.” She gave him her typical teacher look that said You know better than to get into this. Just move on.
She sensed Robbie was going to say more, but he smiled at her and said, “Alright, Mrs. T.” Then he turned to Jeremy and said, “I’ll find you later.”
Did she just witness a gauntlet being thrown down by a 19 year old boy, to a 30 something year old man? At a friggin’ art showing in the middle of the art mecca of the world? Good grief. What was it with men?
She turned to see Jeremy following Robbie with his gaze, a strange look on his face. This man totally confused her.
“You haven’t spilled anything on anyone? That’s the comment you choose to make to a young waiter?” she asked in an exasperated tone. “You didn’t need to antagonize him. He’s just a kid, for crying out loud.”
He looked back at her and smiled. However, this smile was wistful, and missing the heat from their earlier moments together. “You’re right. Mrs. T, was it? Please forgive me. I’ve detained you long enough. I won’t keep you from that special someone you’ve been trying to get to all night. Excuse me.” He nodded, then turned and walked away.
She blinked. Hmph. O-kay.
Well, that was abrupt.
She watched him walk away and felt somewhat deflated. Apparently, he wouldn’t be showing her around the gallery after all. Not that she encouraged him, but still. The last time she had been rejected by a guy was junior year in high school, when Jason Cather told Ayanna he wanted to break up with her.
As she saw Jeremy begin to mingle with another group of people, she could almost hear Ayanna screaming at her now. Well, what the hell did you expect?! You haven’t acted interested at all! And you’ve been kind of bitchy to him ever since he approached you. Shit, Ry, I don’t know what I’m going to do with you. You’re hopeless. You’ve got to play a little, be flirty. Are you missing some female chromosome or something?
Maybe she was hopeless. She just wasn’t ready to jump back into the fray. This encounter just proved that her emotions weren’t ready yet. She felt so many things at the moment, she was completely discombobulated by the whole evening. She was aroused, annoyed, disappointed…take your pick.
Now all she wanted to do was get out of here. But not until she did what she came here to do. It was time to pull herself up by the bootstraps. Looking at her watch she realized it was after 11. Time was wasting.
She turned and walked toward Robbie’s parents with purpose, determined not to be waylaid again.
…..
She made her way over to where Mr. and Mrs. Callahan were, and hovered off to the side, not wanting to interrupt their conversation.
While waiting, Ryann glanced back just in time to see Jeremy talking to Robbie. Their faces looked serious. She started biting her lip, hoping Jeremy wasn’t insulting poor Robbie again, or that Robbie was being disrespectful.
A moment later she noticed them both smiling at each other, Jeremy clapping Robbie on the back. Relief swept over her. It looked like they wouldn’t be meeting out back by the bike rack after all.
A second later, she heard the exclamation, “Mrs. Thornton! Is that you? How wonderful to see you! Please. Join us!”
Mrs. Callahan graciously pulled her into the group, and gave her a hug. “How are you? Have you seen Robbie? He’s working the event as one of the wait staff tonight. He’ll be so happy to see you!”
Ryann returned the hug and said, “Yes, actually, he was the one who let me know you were here!” She turned to Robbie’s dad, and greeted him with a smile. “Hello, Mr. Callahan, it’s good to see you again.”
“You too, Mrs. Thornton. Now that Robbie has graduated, we never get to see you anymore!” he said good naturedly. “I’m so glad that I have the opportunity to tell you again what an integral role you played in his education. Robbie has always told us that you were his favorite teacher, and that he learned so much from you. You’re still teaching at the Academy, I assume?”
“Yes...I’m still forming the young minds of Manhattan,” she said jokingly. “And thank you for the kind words. It’s always wonderful to hear you’ve made a positive impact on your students.” Although she was hoping for a job change soon, and she hoped Mrs. Callahan’s sister played a role in that, Ryann wanted to play her cards close to the vest. The high school still didn’t know of her plans, and she wasn’t sure if Robbie’s parents were involved with the hierarchy of the Academy in any way.
“Are you enjoying the showing?” Mr. Callahan asked.
“I’m sure I will once I get around to seeing all the pieces. Unfortunately, I had a little car trouble getting here tonight, and only got here a bit ago. But I can’t wait to finally walk around. As I told Robbie, Ms. Lowe is one of my favorite artists, and I’ve been looking forward to this showing since it was first publicized,” Ryann beamed, already anticipating what they would say next.
Mr. and Mrs. Callahan looked at each other with knowing smiles.
“Did Robbie tell you that Tabitha Lowe happens to be my wife’s big sister?” Mr. Callahan asked with pride in his voice.
“He did! What a small world it is, huh? Or at least a small city.”
“Well then, we must introduce you two,” he said. “It looks like the party is starting to die down, and she’ll have plenty of time to chat now. You would’ve met her at Robbie’s graduation last summer, but she and her son were out of town on a business venture, and couldn’t get back in time for the actual graduation. We’ve all talked about you often enough in the family, so it’ll be fun to watch her connect the name with the face finally.”
Right at that moment, Mr. Callahan looked over her shoulder, and said to someone standing there, “Ah, Jem. You’re just in time. We were about to go looking for your mother.”
Chapter 5
Ryann turned around to see Jeremy standing at her back.
No. No, no, no, no, no. She made brief eye contact with Jeremy, then looked at Mr. Callahan with an overly bright smile plastered on her face. She immediately swallowed, and wanted to crawl under a rock.
Please, please, please don’t tell me that Jeremy is Tabitha Lowe’s son! What were the fucking chances? I mean, seriously. This night could not have any more coincidences, could it?
This gorgeous yet pompous man, who she’d been snippy to for the last 15 minutes was Tabitha Lowe’s son. Great. You couldn’t make this stuff up.
Mr. Callahan continued. “Jem, let me introduce Ryann Thornton. She was Robbie’s English Lit teacher from when he was at the Academy. Mrs. Thornton, this is Jeremy McCallister, Tabitha’s son, and my nephew. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay away from him. He’s a heartbreaker, this one,” he said with a chuckle.
“Oh,
Michael, knock it off. Hi, sweetie,” she said as she turned to Jeremy. “I haven’t had a chance to hug you yet tonight.” Mrs. Callahan leaned in to give him a squeeze and a kiss.
Jeremy hugged her back, then looked at his uncle. “Yes, I just spoke with Robbie, and he explained the connection. And Uncle Mike, your protectiveness toward Mrs. Thornton’s virtue is certainly noble, but completely unnecessary. She is, after all, a married woman and safe from my charms,” he said dryly. “Where is your husband, Mrs. Thornton? Is he here with you tonight? I believe you were looking for him earlier,” he said pointedly.
Mrs. Callahan gasped quietly, while she and her husband turned toward Ryann for her response. At that moment, all of the previous conversations she’d had with Jeremy started to click into place. Robbie had referred to her as Mrs. T when he had come over to them. Is that why Jeremy walked away? Because he thought she was married? Or maybe he just wasn’t interested. See? This is why she hated dating. Too much thinking involved. She was exhausted already.
More thoughts clicked into place, and she felt a little dizzy. That meant that Robbie was his cousin…and that his other cousin was the caterer.
The big jerk had been toying with her all evening. She internally shook her head.
Mr. Callahan was right. She needed to stay far away from him.
All of these thoughts ran through her head in three seconds. She mentally shook herself, and became aware that everyone was looking to her for a response to Jeremy’s question.
She cleared her throat and looked at Jeremy, who had an expectant and confused look on his face. It was obvious he didn’t understand why his aunt had reacted the way she did. “My husband passed away a couple of years ago, Mr. McCallister.”
Release (Iris Series) Page 3