“I can make that happen.” I grinned.
I was still on my stomach when I felt Ryan plant a soft kiss on my backside. I startled.
“Relax, beautiful. You know I won’t hurt you.”
He kissed my other cheek and made his way to my entrance. He touched me there slowly with his finger.
“Relax. We won’t go anywhere you don’t want to. I love your ass, Kate.”
He kissed me all over my ass while gently massaging the entrance to it. Tingles ran up my spine and throughout my entire body. Ryan removed his massaging finger and replaced it with his tongue. The sensation was overwhelming. Rockets of desire were shooting off inside my body. He continued to lick me there and moved me onto my hands and knees. He licked me from my ass down to the opening of my pussy. I was drenched.
“So wet for me, beautiful, always so ready.”
“Only for you, Ryan.” I was breathless.
Ryan flipped around so he was eating my pussy while I was on all fours. “Sit up, Kate,” he commanded. “I want to look at you when you come all over my face.”
I did as he asked. I would do anything he asked. My pleasure was building as I rode his face. He tortured me with his tongue, while his finger massaged the entrance to my ass. I couldn’t hold on any longer.
“I’m coming, Ryan!” I cried out.
I came all over his face. Shivers coursed through me as he lapped up every last ounce of me. When I opened my eyes, he was staring at me with a look of pure delight.
“You’re amazing, Kate Jones.”
With that, he moved me to his side and took my mouth in his. I tasted myself on him, and our flavors mixed together was always intoxicating. My passion rose within me as our kiss deepened. Ryan turned me over onto my back and entered me, our kiss deepening with his every thrust. I felt him tighten and knew he was ready to come.
“Ryan,” I begged.
“Kate, you’re everything,” he said as he let himself go.
I’d never been so happy in all my life. There I was in Charleston, naked in bed, eating breakfast with the man I loved. Thoughts of leaving tomorrow tried to creep in, but I pushed them out as quickly as they came. I would be in this moment with Ryan and enjoy what we had today. We talked easily over breakfast. Ryan had a way of making me giggle over the silliest things. When I was with him I felt lighter. We decided to walk the city and get some fresh air.
“I’m going to shower before we go,” I said as I walked into the bathroom. I looked at myself in the mirror and almost didn’t recognize myself. Who was this woman with the fresh fucked look, tousled hair, and glow to her skin? I had to admit, I looked pretty good. Ryan walked in at that moment and stood behind me.
“You’re absolutely stunning, Kate,” he said as he kissed the top of my head.
I blushed. I didn’t know why. Probably because I wasn’t used to receiving compliments.
“How about a bath, instead?” he asked.
“I’d love one.”
Ryan set about getting the bath ready. I watched his tight body move about the bathroom as the tub filled. I loved his “V.” It made me swoon with desire when I looked at it. The large, deep jacuzzi tub looked absolutely inviting by the time Ryan had it ready. Full of lavender bubble bath, I sank greedily into it.
“This is amazing.”
“So are you,” he said as he climbed in the opposite side.
We sat at each end of the tub, bubbles between us.
“What’s your next step, Kate, now that you are legally divorced?”
“I honestly have no idea. My landlord extended my lease for a few months until I figure out what I’m doing. I don’t know if I’ll buy something for myself or continue to rent from him. It seems like such a waste to keep renting when I could be investing in a property for myself.”
Ryan nodded.
“Captured is doing extremely well. I’m thinking about hiring another photographer to help cover the bookings. Word is getting around, so I’m growing much more quickly than I anticipated.”
“I’m proud of you, Kate. You’ve done so well with your circumstances since we first met last year.”
“Thank you.” I blushed, though I loved his praise. “I never thought I would love my life so much, Ryan. I didn’t realize how much I had lost myself over the years. This year has been one of growth, a rebirth, if you will. Not to say it hasn’t been hard—it has, but I have learned so much about myself. I’ve grown so much as a person. I’m happy for the first time in a very long time. Well, for the most part, I’m happy. During the day when I’m working, I’m happy. I love what I do and enjoy waking up and getting to work every day. But at night, when I’m all alone with my thoughts, I ache for you.”
Ryan made his way to my end of the tub and took my face in his hands.
“I’ve ached for you since the day you drove away. I’ve never felt an ache like that before. It was as if a piece of my soul died that day, beautiful.” He kissed me tenderly. “Don’t leave me again, Kate. Stay here. Make a life with me.”
Tears welled up in my eyes and spilled over.
“Ryan, you know I can’t do that.” I sobbed. “My life is in Tampa. I can’t leave everything I know.”
“I know I’m asking a lot of you, Kate, so I want you to take time to think about it. Don’t answer me now. With your business, you can work from anywhere. Our children are in college and making lives of their own. They don’t need us like they used to. I want to share my life with you, Kate.”
Ryan kissed me again, this time greedily and with more passion. I answered just as passionately as tears streamed down my cheeks. He lifted me up so I was straddling him and entered me gently. We moved rhythmically together, dancing in the bath bubbles, our mouths never losing contact. I so loved this man, yet what he asked of me was simply impossible. I pushed the thought from my mind and refocused on the present. We made sweet love right there amidst the bubbles. We both came and clung to each other. Tears welled up in my eyes again.
“Just think about it, beautiful,” he whispered into my ear.
Chapter Twenty-Five
We spent the day walking around Charleston, enjoying one another’s company. It was so easy being with Ryan. I laughed more with him than I had ever laughed with anyone. The smile plastered across my face was a clear indication of how ridiculously happy I was in his presence. Thoughts of leaving tomorrow morning tried to invade this precious time, and I worked tirelessly at keeping them at bay. It would be hard enough when the moment actually came. I needed to focus on being present, in the here and now. Ryan was scouting out potential locations for his new restaurant as we walked. He saw a few that might be a good fit for their vision and called the leasing agent, who was able to meet us within the hour.
“Do you mind?” he asked.
“Of course not. I think it’s exciting and would love to see inside.”
The leasing agent, Brett, arrived thirty minutes later. He let us into a beautiful old brick building with fifteen-foot ceilings, pine floors, and French doors out to a courtyard. I was completely smitten.
“Wow, this is beautiful,” I whispered.
“It is, isn’t it?” he said as he squeezed my hand.
Brett showed us around the location. I could see Ryan’s excitement as we made our way through the building. It was already set up for a kitchen, so Ryan wouldn’t have to do much work there. The previous owners never actually opened, as they had some immediate family matters that took them away from focusing on their business, Brett told us.
We made our way through the French doors out onto the patio. It was stunning, as if someone picked you up and transported you to an English garden. Lush greenery surrounded the perimeter of the patio, while a beautiful fountain was on full display, built into the outer brick wall. String lights hung above the patio and I envisioned rehearsal dinners there.
“Ryan, this is breathtaking. You’d be booked solid with events at this venue.”
“I think so, too. I’ll have
to call Tim and get him up here to take a peek. Brett, do you have time later this week to show my partner the place?”
“Absolutely. Just give me a call and we’ll work it out.”
Ryan and Brett walked back inside. I stayed on the patio, taking it all in. This place was magical. The pictures that would be captured there would be breathtaking.
“Ready to go, beautiful?”
“Yes. I was just envisioning the pictures that could be captured here. They’ll be pieces of art, Ryan. This place is spectacular.”
“I think so, too. I think Tim will like it, as well. This could very well be our new location.” He beamed.
We left the building and Ryan was happy. He had a pep in his step, and I could tell his mind was racing with all the endless possibilities of what that location could provide his guests. I was happy for him, even though my heart was slowly breaking in two. We only had until tomorrow morning with each other. I felt as though the hours were slipping away at a rapid pace.
“What’s on your mind, beautiful?” he asked.
“Honestly? My heart is slowly breaking. Leaving tomorrow will rip open the wound I so carefully tried to mend. It’s painful. I don’t know when I will ever see you again. I can’t make you any promises, Ryan. My life has always been in Tampa. I don’t think I can leave it.”
He pulled me into his arms and hugged me tight.
“Let’s not think about that right now. Right now, I want to get you back to the room and do unspeakable things to you. If I only have these few hours left, I want to spend every waking minute of them making love to you, Kate.”
Tears streamed down my face.
“You do cry a lot, beautiful,” he teased.
“I know.” I laughed. “It’s all because of you.”
“Please don’t tell me I make you cry, Kate. The one thing I want more than anything in this world is to make you happy.”
“You do make me happy, Ryan. Happier than I’ve ever felt in my entire life. My tears are for what I know we can’t have…a life together. We’re worlds apart. Long distance would never work. We’d never get to see each other. I hate this for us.” I choked back another sob. Ryan wrapped his arms around me again and led me back to the hotel. We didn’t speak a word on our walk back. We made our way up to my room, and before I could even open the door, Ryan had me in his arms. His mouth covered mine with urgency. I kissed him back with the same hunger as he kicked the door open. The door closed behind us as we continued to kiss. Our desire was raw. Ryan tore his mouth from mine.
“Take off your clothes, beautiful. Slowly.”
I looked up at him shyly and started to unbutton the top button of my blouse. I made my way slowly down to the last button and slid the garment down my arms, then stood before him in my bra, skirt, and boots. I unhooked my bra and let it fall to the floor. I kicked my boots off and undid the zipper of my skirt. It fell in a pool around my feet. I looked up at Ryan.
“No panties?” He smirked.
“No,” I whispered.
“You’re a naughty girl, beautiful.”
I blushed. “only for you.”
Ryan circled me as he drank all of me in. I felt extremely exposed and vulnerable. He came up from behind me and grabbed both my breasts in his hands. My head tilted back onto his chest.
“Mmmmmmm,” I murmured as he massaged my breasts. He pinched each nipple hard. I was immediately wet between my legs.
“You’re so beautiful, Kate.”
His hands slid down and cupped me at my apex. Ryan slid one finger between my folds. I was so slick. He brought that finger up to his mouth and sucked it. “You taste amazing.”
I was breathless. Ryan’s hand slid back to my folds. He massaged my clit while taking one of my breasts in his other hand. I was wanton, felt like a goddess in his arms. He continued to massage my clit as the tension in me built. I knew he wanted me to come undone right there in his arms, so I did as he wanted. Those rockets I longed for exploded. I came hard as I leaned into Ryan’s chest.
“That’s it, baby. I love watching you come undone.”
I loved the way he made me come undone. I turned to face him. The look of desire in his eyes was fierce. I leaned up and kissed him. Our mouths melded together. Our tongues danced in each other’s mouths as we explored and took from each other. There was so much need between us. I reached for Ryan’s neck and began to unbutton his shirt, and I heard his breath hitch as I slid his shirt off him. I undid the button of his jeans, feeling the bulge that was waiting for me as I unzipped his zipper, slid his jeans over his hips, and moved them to his ankles.
Temptation took over and I knelt before him. I took his boxers and slid them down his legs. He stepped out of both of his jeans and boxers, and there he was, in all his glory, before me. I looked up at him and made eye contact as I slid my mouth around his hard cock. His eyes closed, and his head rolled back. I began my descent on his shaft, licking and sucking every square inch of it. I held his balls in my hand, massaging them as I sucked his cock. I felt his balls tighten in my hand. I knew he was close.
“Kate,” he whispered.
I didn’t answer. I wanted to taste him. I wouldn’t stop until he released himself in my mouth. I felt the impulse within him and steadied myself to receive what I wanted. Ryan pulled my head back by my hair and came hard into my mouth. Sweet release. The hot liquid slid down my throat. I loved the taste of him. He leaned down and lifted me up to stand before him, taking me with his mouth. We were both hungry, greedy, knowing this was our last night together. Our last night ever.
We lay in bed a few hours later, wrapped in each other’s arms. I’d be leaving in the morning, and the weight of that sat like a boulder between us. I clung to him desperately. I knew he felt my desperation, because he clung to me as well.
“Kate, whatever happens, I need you to know that I love you. I truly love you. I think I fell in love with you the first time you walked into The Pub. Just know that, okay?”
I clung tighter to Ryan and cried. My world had been one big ol’ mess over the past few years, and now it felt messier than anything I had been through recently. How could I let this man go?
Chapter Twenty-Six
I woke up startled. Ryan was gone. I sat up in a panic and searched the room and found him sitting in a chair out on the balcony. He looked sad. I sat there for a few minutes, taking him in. This gorgeous man loved me. That alone should make me happy, but it didn’t. Knowing I was leaving today was breaking me in two. My heart was heavy with sadness. He turned to look at me, surprised to find me awake. As he walked toward me, I could see the heaviness in his eyes.
“Good morning, beautiful,” he said as he leaned down to kiss me.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him down to me. I wanted him. I wanted to feel his body on mine. I wanted him inside me. I knew this would be our last time together, so I was in a desperate frenzy to have him.
Ryan answered my need just as desperately. We couldn’t get enough of each other. We made love quickly, both trying to fill the void we knew was right around the corner. He kissed me tenderly as we lay in each other’s arms, and part of me knew I could stay here forever. Why don’t you? was the thought that popped into my head. Because your life isn’t here, Kate. It’s in Tampa, so stop it now. Enjoy this moment and then get on with your life.
Who was I kidding? I’d never get on with my life after Ryan. I’d merely exist, like I did all those years with Daniel. I’d be a mere shell of the woman I was when I was with Ryan.
“Stop it, Kate. I can feel your mind racing. Just be in the moment, okay?”
I couldn’t be in the moment any longer. This moment was absolutely and utterly painful. I tore myself from Ryan’s arms and got up from the bed. I made my way to the balcony, wrapping myself in a blanket. Ryan came up behind me and hugged me to his chest.
“It’s painful, beautiful, but it’s worth every ounce of pain. What we’ve shared has been the best time of my life. I don’t
regret it. I won’t regret it.”
I turned and hugged him.
“I don’t regret it either, Ryan. This time has meant more to me than you’ll ever know. You’ve awakened a piece of me that I didn’t even know existed. Thank you for that. The thought of not having you in my life—” I choked back a sob. Tears welled, and I let them fall. He’d seen me cry a million times, so what would one more time be?
“This hurts more than last time, Ryan.” I sobbed.
“I know.”
I tried to be in the moment while I was gathering my things, but my heart wasn’t into it. I struggled to smile and with finding any joy about leaving this man and going home to my real life. Instead, I felt resentful toward my real life, as though it held me hostage from the man I loved. It actually was, if I thought about it long enough, but I wouldn’t let myself go there. My life was in Tampa, not there with Ryan. My kids grew up there, it was their home. They needed their mom to be there when they came home from college. I let the tears fall and stopped trying to hold them in. It was useless anyway. I was a leaky faucet.
We walked downstairs together. I knew what I must have looked like to the staff and other guests. I didn’t care. My eyes were red and swollen from crying most of the morning. I didn’t bother putting on any makeup. It would have streaked down my face if I had. I checked out and Ryan carried my things to my car. He placed my camera equipment carefully in the trunk, as well as my suitcase. I couldn’t bear to look him in the eye. He must have known, because he lifted my chin with his hand so I had to look him in the eye.
“Please don’t,” I begged.
He leaned down and kissed me tenderly. I opened for him like I always did. Our mouths were tender yet pleading. Both of us not wanting to let go, but knowing we had to. I wrapped my arms around him, as he did me. We stood there hugging for a long time without saying a word. Finally, I broke our embrace.
“I have to go.”
“I know.”
“You’re a man of few words this morning.” I tried to make a joke, but it fell flat. We were both in pain.
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