by Ali Parker
“That was incredible,” I breathed.
“More than incredible.” He chuckled weakly, running his fingers through my hair. “God, where did you learn how to do that?”
“It’s all natural, baby.”
Ryan laughed, his voice fading quickly into a moan. We were both exhausted, but I didn’t want sleep to come. His body was too perfect to ignore and one round with him wasn’t nearly enough.
When my legs finally stilled, I rolled over to climb on top of him. His green eyes flashed with hunger as I straddled him, rubbing my naked body against his. The moan that escaped his lips was enough to push me forward.
“I want you,” I whispered in his ear, letting my breath wash over him.
He shivered and jerked my face to his lips. Kissing me roughly, Ryan flipped me onto my back and came alive above me.
Our lips thrashed against each other as I wrapped my legs once again around his waist. He slid inside me, burying himself so deep, I thought I would never breathe again. But I didn’t care. I didn’t want to breathe. Oxygen was nothing compared to the high I got from being with Ryan.
We melted into each other until I didn’t know where I ended. His body was my body, mine was his. We rocked together, bringing each other closer and closer to the point of ecstasy. It wasn’t until I came again that I felt Ryan’s thrusts begin to slow.
“Ryan.” I gripped his back, digging my nails deep into his skin.
His thrusts were losing momentum as his own pleasure grew closer. The green of his eyes was almost nonexistent. His pupils dilated with need as they took in my face. I stared up at him, holding onto him with my arms and legs, never wanting to let him go.
Ryan’s second orgasm sent him hurling forward against my body. I moaned and touched my lips to his neck, my hands flying to his hair.
Stroking my way down his back, I enjoyed the shiver that shook through him. He breathed heavily against my ear, his arms wrapped tightly around me.
It was a few minutes before he could move again, but I didn’t care. If he fell asleep on top of me that would have been fine. Just as long as I didn’t have to be away from him anytime soon.
“Oh my god.” Ryan groaned and finally fell to the side.
His head found the pillow, and his eyes fluttered closed. I rolled onto my side to look at his face, my own body still weak from exertion.
This time, I was happy to let the night end. Ryan looked so handsome lying beside me with his eyes closed and his hair a mess. I stared at him until I had my fill and then leaned over to kiss his cheek.
He moaned, turning his head in search of my lips. I kissed them softly before lowering myself to lay down beside him.
My head barely rested against his chest but that didn’t stop Ryan from engulfing me in his strong arms. I moved closer and smiled to myself.
“You know,” I said. “When you said you wanted to help me decompress, I didn’t think sex was part of the plan.”
“Yes, you did.” Ryan laughed. “Sex was always part of my plan, Smart.”
“You’re the devil.”
“You love it.”
We both laughed and settled into each other. Sleep would soon take us both prisoner, but I wasn’t ready to slip out of consciousness just yet.
“I wish I didn’t have to work,” I whispered. “Then we could spend the entire day together again tomorrow.”
“The banquet prep awaits,” Ryan said.
Groaning, I playfully swatted his chest. The last thing I wanted to talk about was that stupid banquet. I couldn’t wait for it to be over.
“Don’t worry.” Ryan kissed the top of my head. “We’ll have plenty of time to be together, you and me. As much time as you want.”
“You won’t get sick of me?” I teased.
“I haven’t yet, have I?” he asked.
I tried to join in with his laughter, but my insecurities were too strong. No matter how many times I tried to squash them, they continued to rear their ugly heads at the worst possible moments.
“I told you, Candice,” Ryan said. “I’m in this.”
My eyes closed. I moved even closer to Ryan, tossing one leg over his waist. He held me against him and I listened to the beat of his heart. It filled my ears like a lullaby, coaxing me to sleep and putting my fears to bed at the same time.
“I promise,” Ryan whispered sleepily. “This thing with us is real. I wouldn’t be here with you if it wasn’t.”
I wanted so badly to believe him, so I did. I squeezed my eyes tightly closed and took in a deep breath. The smell of Ryan’s skin filled my nostrils, and I knew everything would be okay.
I still didn’t know what to do about the banquet or my mother or Leslie. When morning came, I knew it would bring with it a tidal wave of emotions, but for tonight, for just one night, I refused to care.
With Ryan asleep beside me, I drifted off to join him, everything else to be dealt with in the light of the morning.
Chapter 53
Ryan
Candice and I woke up still wrapped around each other. Her brown hair tickled my nose. I exhaled hard to blow it away, but it came right back, making me chuckle and roll onto my side. She sank down onto the bed beside me, her eyes slowing blinking open.
“Good morning.” She groaned and stretched her arms above her head. “How late is it?”
“About seven,” I said, glancing at the clock.
“Shit.”
Candice shot up and threw her legs over the side of the bed. She barely had time to adjust to being awake before she hurled herself into the bathroom and kicked the door closed behind her. When I heard the shower turn on, I thought about slipping inside to join her, but I knew she was late for work.
I’d already taken up an entire day of her time. The last thing I wanted to do was undo all the relaxation from yesterday.
When the shower shut off, I crept closer to the bathroom door. Pushing it slightly open, I peered through the steam.
“Hey,” I called out. “Can I come in, or do you need some privacy?”
“Come on in.” Candice grinned. “It’s your bathroom.”
“Not right now.” My tone was serious. “I learned a long time ago that when a woman is in the bathroom, it is hers. No questions asked.”
Candice nodded appreciatively. “I knew there was a reason I liked you.”
“Just one?”
“Ha. Ha.”
I moved to stand beside her while she wrapped a towel around her body. Looking at her, I stuck out my bottom lip into a dramatic pout.
“I have to get dressed,” she said seriously. “No more playtime, Winters. Back to the real world.”
“The real world sucks.”
“That it does,” Candice admitted. “Like it or not, we must live in it.”
Lunging forward, I grabbed Candice around the waist and kissed her quickly. She pretended to pull away, but when I let her go, she sank back against my chest.
“I don’t accept those terms,” I said. “The real world can suck it.”
“Nope.” She shook her wet hair in my face. “I’m an important woman. I have things to do. People to boss around.”
“I’d like to see that.”
She winked and stepped around me. Looking in the mirror, she groaned and quickly went to work on her hair.
“This is impossible without my stuff.” She groaned and tied her hair up in an elegant bun.
“You look beautiful,” I said. “As always.”
“Whatever.”
Candice rolled her eyes and hurried to get dress. Accepting defeat, I did the same. If we couldn’t spend the day together, I would settle for buying her coffee on the way to work.
“When do you pick up Paisley?” Candice asked as we stepped outside, the sun beating down on our necks.
“In an hour.” I shrugged. “I have time to buy you a quick breakfast.”
She was already shaking her head before I finished talking. “No,” she said. “I can’t. I have a meeting wit
h two investors first thing this morning, and I—”
“Can’t show up without a caffeine fix.”
Her eyes narrowed impatiently. I stared her down, waiting for her to give in to both my charm and her need for coffee.
“Fine,” she snapped. “But we have to hurry.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
We stopped at her usual coffee shop on the way to the Smart Cosmetics building. I ordered her usual cappuccino and a blueberry scone while she frantically checked her watch for the time.
“Did I teach you nothing yesterday?” I asked. “Relax, Smart. It’s good for the soul.”
“I know, I know, I know.”
Yet, the next time I glanced at her, she was once again staring down at her wrist. I reached for her hand, and we hurried back onto the sidewalk.
Only one block separated Candice from her office, but the way she moved, you would have thought she had to run a mile just to get there. I knew she was stressed, so I kept my mouth shut and hurried beside her.
“I’m sorry,” she said when we made it to the doors. “I really do have to run.”
“Hey.” I kissed her once and then pulled away. “No apologies. I’m just happy you let me buy you a halfway decent breakfast.”
She held up the coffee with a smile and darted inside. I watched her as she disappeared across the lobby, heading straight for the elevators I knew were on the other side.
Chuckling to myself, I turned around to head to Max’s. I still had some time to kill, so I decided to walk and clear my head. Spending the night with Candice was enough to occupy me for days, and I didn’t want to be distracted when I picked up Paisley.
On my walk, I couldn’t keep myself from smiling.
Watching Candice hurry across the lobby reminded me just why I liked her so much. She was driven and motivated like no one else. It was like running a business was in her very bones, like it made her who she was. I admired her more than I’d ever admired anyone.
Still grinning, I took a quick left for the nearest subway station. My walk had put me behind time, and I didn’t want Max waiting around for me.
Just before I reached the staircase, my phone rang sharply in my pocket. Thinking it was Max, I pulled it out and answered without looking at the screen.
“Hey,” I said. “I’m—”
“Ryan.” B’s voice floated through my phone, making me jump. “I need you to come in right away.”
“B, I’m on vacation, remember?” I said. “I asked for the week off.”
“I know you did, baby, but this is important.”
Silence fell as I tried to think of what to say. Paisley was waiting for me, and besides, I’d cleared my time off with Beatrice days ago.
“I know you’re in town, Ryan.” B snapped. “You came to the office yesterday. Just get in here, okay? It won’t take long.”
I closed my eyes and grit my teeth together. “I’m on my way.”
***
The Romeo office was empty when I arrived. Not a soul was in sight as I hurried across the room. B’s office door was closed, so I knew she was inside. Before I knocked, I squeezed my eyes closed and hung my head. Whatever this was about, I knew it couldn’t be good.
My knuckles rapped against the wood.
“Come in, baby!” B called.
I squared my shoulders and stepped inside. B was sitting behind her desk, a cigarette already dangling from her lips. When her sharp eyes met mine, I had to fight the urge to look away. Moving forward, I sank into my usual chair and waited for her to speak.
She didn’t say anything right away. Instead, her eyes scanned my face, the tiniest of smirks spreading across her too-red lips.
Finally, the silence was too much. I didn’t have time to sit around and wait for Beatrice to fire me or whatever the hell she wanted to do.
I cleared my throat and leaned forward.
“What’s going on, B?” I asked, keeping my voice level. “I need to make this quick. Paisley’s waiting for me.”
B beamed and put out her cigarette. Getting to her feet, she walked around her desk and bent down in front of me. I couldn’t hide my shock as she took my face in both of her hands and kissed my forehead like a loving mother.
“Ryan!” she gushed and straightened back up. “Oh, my Ryan! My baby! God, you have always been my favorite. You know that, don’t you?”
“What do you need?” I demanded, my stomach churning.
B laughed shrilly. “Nothing.” She clapped her hands together gleefully. “Nothing at all! Baby, you’ve already done it! You’ve fixed everything.”
Nothing Beatrice was saying made sense. I stared up at her, more confused than I’d been before I arrived.
“I don’t understand,” I said, my voice tight. “What exactly did I do?”
“I’m getting ahead of myself.” B put her hand over her chest. “Forgive me. I’m just so excited.”
“About what?”
B smiled again and hurried back behind her desk. She slid onto her chair and fixed her eyes on my face. I still didn’t know what the hell was going on.
“Deborah Smart came to see me,” B said. “She told me all about your new relationship with Candice. I don’t know how you did it, Ryan, but it worked! Deborah said that as long as you secure an invite to that banquet, she’ll be paying us in full.”
“That’s—" I had no idea what to say. It was all happening too fast.
“Amazing!” B squealed. “I know. I didn’t think you could pull it off, but you did.”
My head fell side to side as I struggled to find my voice. This was wrong. Everything pouring out of B’s mouth was wrong.
“I thought the contract ended,” I said blankly. “When Kason couldn’t close the deal, Deborah sent him after Leslie, didn’t she?”
“What?” B blinked, confused. “Oh! Yes, yes. She did, but that’s another issue. The contract for Candice was still open, and we were just getting screwed left and right, but now, everything is okay again. Because of you!”
I shook my head again and sat up straighter. I couldn’t let this happen, not again.
“Listen,” I said quickly. “B, there’s been a mistake, okay? My relationship with Candice has nothing to do with the Romeos.”
B frowned, unable to understand. I sighed and stood up. Pacing around her office, I tried to keep myself calm. If any of this got back to Candice, everything would be ruined. I didn’t know much, but I knew I couldn’t let that happen.
“I don’t care what Deborah Smart said,” I told Beatrice. “But me? I don’t work for her. Not anymore.”
“That’s right,” B said sharply. “You work for me.”
“B, my relationship with Candice is real,” I said bluntly. “And it’s off-limits to the Romeos. Is that clear?”
B’s eyes narrowed dangerously. I wanted so badly to hold my ground, but I cowered under her glare.
Leaning forward, B grabbed her pack of cigarettes and shook one loose. She lit it and sucked in a rattling breath that sent chills down my spine. I hated to see that vindictive look in her eyes, but there was nothing I could do to wipe it away.
“I’m sorry if I upset you,” I said, choosing my words carefully. I slowly sat back down, my eyes focused earnestly on my boss’s face. “But I care about Candice. She and I have something incredible, and I won’t let you or her mother get in the way again.”
B nodded and exhaled slowly. She tilted her head back and blew the smoke straight in the air. When she lowered her gaze back to my face, she was smiling.
“Look, baby,” she said. “I don’t care what you do on your own time, okay? If you want to marry the Smart girl, be my fucking guest.”
It was too good to be true. Her words were encouraging, but her eyes told a different story. My back tensed as I waited what was sure to come.
“But,” she said sharply, “whatever you do, make sure you get an invitation to that banquet. Otherwise …”
She let her words trail off threateningly. We
both knew what she meant, but I didn’t care. There was no way I was going to coerce Candice into inviting me, not when she was already going through so much.
“You do whatever you have to do, B.” I rose to my feet. “But it’s Candice’s decision whether she takes me to that banquet.”
B blinked, surprised but speechless. I spun on my heel and walked quickly out of her office, not stopping until I reached the sidewalk.
The hot summer sun beat down on my face as I turned it upward. I’d finally stood up to Beatrice, and nothing had ever felt better.
Chapter 54
Candice
Kendra was waiting for me outside of my office. An unspoken apology covered her features as I hurried toward her.
“Good morning,” she said nervously. “The investors are waiting for you in the conference room.”
“What?” I snapped my head down to look at my watch. It wasn’t even eight o’clock yet. The meeting wasn’t supposed to start until nine.
“I messed up the time.” Kendra hung her head. “I thought the email said nine, but it said eight and—”
“It’s fine.” I waved her off. “I know you’re really busy right now, so don’t worry about it. But, Kendra?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t let it happen again.”
She nodded and hurried back to her desk. I dumped my purse in my office and quickly grabbed my materials for the meeting. When I stepped into the conference room, it was two minutes to eight.
“Good morning, gentlemen,” I said. “Is everyone ready to cough up some money?”
As always, my little joke filled the room with laughter. The investors and their teams leaned back in their chairs to get comfortable while I went to work impressing them.
Taking the day off yesterday had been just what I needed. I felt revived and excited to work, which was something I hadn’t felt for a long time. While I’d been spending my days dreading meetings and stiff conversations, I walked into the conference room filled with nothing but excitement and energy.
“So,” I said as I finished the presentation. Clapping my hands together, I walked slowly around the room. “I could drone on for another few hours. Trust me, I’m extremely long-winded, but you’ve seen the facts. They’re laid out right in front of you.”
