Ryann cleared her throat, and felt the sexual charge build with their banter. “Now who’s making up words?”
Still at her ear, he said, “It makes me think of every teenage boy’s fantasy. Those boys you taught probably didn’t do their homework, just so you would give them detention. That’s what I would’ve done if you were my teacher.”
She shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Are you ready?”
There was a pause, then Jeremy gave her a heated look. “Are you?” She could almost hear him holding his breath.
She gave him her sexiest smile, then nodded slowly.
Jeremy let go of his breath, and pulled her in for a short, hard kiss, right there in the lobby. He was looking like a bull who was about to charge.
“And don’t think for one second that I didn’t see you wink at Paul before he left,” Jeremy growled. “Stop. Winking. At men.”
She giggled. “Yes, we all know that Paul is going to switch teams just because I winked at him...and maybe I like winking at men,” she teased.
“Do you? You haven’t once winked at me.”
She still had that sexy smile on her face, and gave him her best Marilyn Monroe wink.
“Let’s go,” he said no longer smiling, and pulled her along behind him. Moving his hand to her back, he led her through the rest of the lobby to the outside door.
Just before he opened the door, he dragged her to the corner next to a potted plant, and plastered her to the wall. Within a split second, he was devouring her mouth, biting, sucking, licking. She was in a fog of arousal again, and began whimpering, while his hands rubbed up her arms to cup her face. She steadied herself by putting her hands on his forearms.
“Jeremy, someone might see!” she whispered furiously, while he continued kissing her.
“You’re a naughty girl, Ryann, do you know that? Merciless tease, is what you are,” he said in between kisses. “You like teasing me? Wearing your hair down..and those sandals…God, woman.” He continued kissing her.
Her brain still in a fog, she began smiling, then giggling, in effect stopping his kisses.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. And what is it with you and walls?”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about. I’ve been waiting for you for nearly four days, and I’ve been counting the minutes until I’m going to be buried inside you.”
She continued to giggle. “What minute are we up to now?”
“All I know is that I need to make it through approximately 90 more, then I’m going to have you in my bed, spread out like a feast for me to devour. And I like you against walls...trapped so you can’t escape,” punctuating his last statement with a hip grind, nailing her to the wall.
She gasped, then let out a breathy moan. “Geez, Jeremy, someone could walk by.”
“And your point is?”
“Jeremy...” she whispered, exasperated, her eyes darting around to make sure the security guard couldn’t see them.
He pulled away, ran his fingers through his hair, and mumbled, “Sorry.” He shook his head. “What the hell are you doing to me?”
She looked up at him with an innocent smile. He growled, grabbed her hand, and dragged her outside to the waiting car and driver at the curb.
The driver opened the door, and said, “It’s good to see you again, ma’am.”
“You too,” she smiled. “What’s your name?”
“Manny, ma’am.”
“Please call me Ryann. And thank you for being so sweet the other night.” She put out her hand to shake his. He seemed taken aback, but then shook it.
“It was my pleasure, Ryann,” he said, his face breaking out into a grin. “And It will be my pleasure to drive you any time you need a ride.”
Jeremy watched, amused.
Jeremy put out his hand to direct Ryann into the car, but before she got in, she stopped and smiled, saying, “Thank you for driving us tonight, Manny,” then punctuated it with a wink, causing Manny to smile even wider, and look at Jeremy.
Jeremy cleared his throat and gave a slight eye roll, and started gently shoving Ryann into the backseat of the car. “Stop. Winking,” he said under his breath.
While getting in the car, she said, as if speaking to a five year old, “People in the service industry deserve -“
“I know, sweetheart,” he said with a mildly exasperated tone. She thought she could hear Manny chuckling, and saying, “I like this one.” Jeremy mumbled a comment but she couldn’t make it out.
Jeremy came in right behind her, forcing Ryann to move to the opposite side of the car. She noticed immediately that there was champagne waiting, and the privacy screen was up.
Jeremy settled in, practically in the middle of the bench seat, forcing her up against the opposite car door, with him seated in very close proximity. Her heart was beating so fast, she thought it was going to pop out of her chest. She was witnessing Jeremy a little out of control, and she loved it. She couldn’t resist teasing him some more.
“Champagne? Are you planning on getting me tipsy before dinner, so you can have your dirty way with me?”
He leaned forward until he was only inches from her face. “I don’t need to get you tipsy to have my dirty way with you, Ryann.”
She could feel herself blushing, because he was so right. But she cleared her throat, trying to keep the upper hand. “Once again, Mr. McCallister. Very presumptuous.”
“Not presumptuous. Confident.” He was still close to her face, looking at her lips, then back up to her eyes, that handsome face slipping into another lazy grin.
“I like seeing you like this,” she said cocking her head to the side looking at him.
“Like what?” He matched her look.
“Like someone,” she began, searching for the right word or phrase, “who’s on the edge.” She looked at him boldly, and the electric current in the car shifted.
“I won’t be on the edge for long, Ryann,” he said with promise in his voice. “Keep teasing, woman. You’ll see what happens.” He said with a glint in his eye, and a warning smirk on his lips.
She couldn’t wait.
He leaned farther forward, and she thought he was going to kiss her, when instead he grabbed the champagne, and poured her a glass. She didn’t hide the disappointment very well, because he gave her a cocky grin, and tapped his glass to hers. “Here’s to ‘taking the edge off’… very soon.”
She swallowed her champagne nervously. How had she lost the upper hand in this? He had shifted their positions so seamlessly.
He put his champagne in the cup holder then reached down and grabbed her feet, putting them in his lap, causing her skirt to rise several inches above her knees. His heated stare snagged hers, and he began to take her high heeled sandals off one at time. “I love your footwear,” he said with a grin. “They’re just screaming for me to fuck you, and they make your legs look fantastic. I hope to see more of them…they play a huge part in my dreams, as you already know. Maybe we’ll enact one of them tonight,” he whispered.
Ryann began to squirm, trying to find a comfortable position to relieve the throbbing between her legs, as Jeremy leaned back to the side console to get, what looked like...baby wipes?
She raised her eyebrow at him in inquiry.
“They help with the city grit...among other things.” He took one foot and used the cool wet cloth to soothe her feet.
It was such an intimate gesture, that at first Ryann was stunned. Then when he discarded the cloth, he began kneading the instep. His rough calloused hands felt wonderful. She’d have to ask him where he got those calluses from… but not now. Now, she allowed herself to float on the sensation. He continued to watch her, and she could feel her eyes roll back into her head.
Foot rubs were equal to orgasms in her book. She could feel herself sinking, and gasped when he pressed just below the ball of her foot.
A moan escaped, and she closed her eyes, nearly dropping her glass. Jeremy rescued it, and put it in
the cup holder. His hand went to her calf, stroking lightly, tickling just behind her knee. With her skirt on, and one leg lifted slightly in the air, she was sure he had a quite a view. Occasionally, his eyes would drift to between her legs, and she knew he could see her panties. Her very. Wet. Panties.
“This is a tasty appetizer before dinner...doing exactly what an appetizer is supposed to do...whet my appetite for more,” he murmured, then paused “How about you, Ry? Is your appetite wet yet?”
She couldn’t answer, because as he talked he continued to rub her foot, and she was so aroused at that moment, she couldn’t put a coherent thought together.
“Maybe I should see for myself,” he said in a whisper. His hand began its climb up her leg, from her inner calf, to the side of her knee, then the inside of her thigh. When he reached the crease at the top of her thigh, he stopped, his beautiful green eyes burning into her own hazel ones.
“I think I’ll wait a while longer,” retrieving his hand from beneath her skirt, and softly kissing her instep.
He lowered her foot back to his lap, then proceeded to give the same attention to the other one.
“So, tell me about your day,” he said.
“It was great. Paul is wonderful,” she said, her eyes taking on a slumberous quality from the relaxing massage.
“He is. He’s usually the mentor for most of the interns in the program.”
“Did you know he used to be a hypnotherapist?”
Jeremy chuckled. “Yeah. It makes his interpretations of art very insightful.” He gave her a pointed look. “Which is why his opinions on Jennifer should be listened to.”
She sighed. “I just don’t want you to become involved with it. I really can take care of the situation.”
“No doubt, but nonetheless, it brings out the caveman in me, I must confess.”
She was blushing furiously, but didn’t seem to care, as she sizzled having his hands on her feet. Every time he pressed, she whimpered.
“I love watching how responsive you are,” he said huskily. “Your eyes glaze over, and take on a sleepy look, you get a gorgeous flush to your cheeks… and your scent.” His eyes drifted to the view of her panties, and he continued to look there while inhaling deeply through his nose. He rubbed at her pinky toe, looked her dead in the eye, and began to slowly lick his lips.
Putting her foot back down in his lap, he allowed his hands to lightly skate up her thighs under her dress, raising it higher and higher, coming close to her thong. Then back down again to her knees. He did this several times, while watching her. She felt like a quivering mass of sensations, on the verge of climaxing.
She looked at him, and repeated his question from earlier in a whisper, “God, Jeremy, what are you doing to me?”
A powerful look settled in his gaze, “I’ve already told you. Making you addicted.”
“More often than not, the things you become addicted to are bad for you.” She finished with a whisper, “Are you bad for me, Jeremy?”
This time he leaned forward and cupped her face, stroking his thumb over her mouth. “No, baby.” His look made her feel so warm. “I promise you. I’m going to be nothing but good for you. So good, baby.” He leaned down and kissed her, just as the car began to slow to a stop. He released her lips.
“Where are we?”
“Dinner,” he said with a smile.
Chapter 14
Ryann wasn’t sure if she could stand and make it out of the car without help. She was so completely overwhelmed at the moment, and she needed a sec before she could be seen in public.
Thankfully, she got that moment when Jeremy took a little time to put her shoes back on her feet, just as Manny opened the door. Jeremy got out, then reached back to help her.
“Thank you, Manny. We’ll see you after dinner,” she said flashing him a smile.
Manny smiled back. “Enjoy your meal.”
Jeremy led her into the well known Three Michelin star French restaurant, located on the West Side in Midtown and was immediately met by the maitre'd, who came forward to lead them to their seats. He continued to walk until he reached a private alcove by the fireplace. The table for two felt secluded in the earthy room, decorated with wood, marble, and granite, with rough copper flooring.
Jeremy directed Ryann to sit in the back corner, and Jeremy sat next to her, nearer to the main dining area. After they sat, Jeremy ordered some wine for them both, then sat back and looked at her.
“What are you in the mood for tonight, Ms. Thornton?” he asked with a teasing smirk.
You, was her first thought. He must have read her mind, because he said with a gleam in his eye, “From the menu, that is.”
She smirked back. “Well, I love French food, so I know I’ll love everything. Ayanna and I have talked about this place often.”
“It looks like I chose well, then.”
“You did,” she smiled. “Why don’t you order for both of us.”
“Will do,” he said then leaned back to call over the waiter.
Jeremy ordered the Chef’s tasting menu along with the different wines that came with it. Once the food was ordered, the wine was brought over. A few moments later, Jeremy raised his glass and sat forward, closer to her. “To tonight. And many more like it, I hope.”
It would be so easy to fall for this man, she thought.
They drank. Then it was her turn to sit back and look at him.
“Uh, oh. I’m not sure what that look means.”
She sighed. “This is...nice.”
He looked up in surprise. “I wasn’t expecting that.” He took her hand in his, and began playing with her fingers. “You’re right. This is nice. But why do I feel like you were going to say something else?”
She looked at him, and paused. “I guess since Friday, I’ve been wondering why you find me so...interesting. I can’t believe that someone like you wants me so much.”
“What do you mean someone like me?” he asked, curious.
“Someone so...worldly. I mean I’m just a school teacher from New Jersey, Jeremy. I’m not saying you’re better and I’m less, and it’s not an insecurity thing. I guess I’m just curious what it is about me.”
He looked at her. “First of all, there is nothing ‘just’ about you. And second of all, I need you to define ‘worldly.’”
“I know we’ve gone over this already.” She paused, because she felt like such a ninny. Eventually, she said, “Just trust me when I tell you, you have a ton more experience than I do.” She added in a whisper. “I don’t want to disappoint you... and I’m afraid that I’m going to come up woefully short of your expectations.”
“Are we talking about sex here, Ryann?”
She looked around to see if anyone heard him, then nodded.
“You need to really hear me when I say this. There is nothing that you can do that will disappoint me. I promise you. When I make love to you tonight,” he took her hand, and cupped it to his face, “it’s going to be perfect. I don’t want you to be nervous. I want you to be excited. And I want you to let me make you feel good, baby.” He kissed her fingers and thought for another moment, then said, “You asked me what it was about you. If I was going to analyze it, I would say...you have a charm about you that draws me to you. A sexy innocence. It makes me want to claim you and protect you at the same time.” He nibbled on the pad of her finger.
She melted a little.
“And you don’t take my shit,” he smirked. “You’re a brilliant compassionate woman, a talented artist. You make me laugh.” Then he continued with his earlier musings. “Sometimes it’s just chemistry. We both feel it when we’re around each other.” He began to kiss her fingers. “When you’re drawn to someone and you can’t explain it. You just feel it.”
He paused, then thought some more. “And I find that I can’t seem to...not want you.” Pause. “That might not be the explanation you wanted, but it’s the only explanation I have for you.”
God, she wanted this man.
There was something else that she’d been wanting to ask him since the morning. Thankfully, she had a moment to compose herself because the tasting had begun.
He threw her off when he turned the table on her and asked her the same question she had asked him not moments earlier.
“Why do you find me interesting?” he asked.
She laughed. “Well, if you really need to know, first, I thought you were the most gorgeous man I’d seen in a long while, which I’m sure you hear all the time,” she said waving her hand. “I’d already given you a nickname,” she said, letting that comment hang, while she ate her food.
He raised an eyebrow. “Which was?”
She smiled. “Hot Limo Man.”
He chuckled, then reached for her hand. “What else do you find interesting about me?”
She examined his face for a moment or two. “You’re incredibly sexy. You’re funny. You’re smart. You come from a great family. We have a lot of the same interests.” She paused. “You’re tenacious, and don’t take no for an answer, which I’m not sure I like just yet,” she said in a wry tone.
“You will,” he said with a glint in his eye.
And then before she could think, she blurted out, “You make me feel safe.”
As if realizing she said too much, she cleared her throat, and said, “But I shouldn’t have to answer what I find interesting about you anyway... you’re the one who started pursuing me. So it was natural for me to ask the question. I wasn’t even interested in you at the showing, in case you need me to remind you,” she teased, then grabbed her wine with the hand that wasn’t trapped in his, and took a huge gulp.
He looked like he was still processing her earlier admission about him making her feel safe, and she felt like smacking herself upside the head for her unguarded comment.
He played with her fingers, then squeezed so she looked at him. “You have no idea how happy it makes me, to know that I make you feel safe,” he said quietly.
Then he added with a teasing smile, “And I remember the art showing differently. I think you were very interested. I think that my sparkling personality, the fact that I pissed you off, along with me being Hot Limo Man, made you realize what a great catch I was. It just took a little convincing. And I think I was able to do that when I had you up against your foyer wall...and your front door,” he purred.
Release (Iris Series) Page 15