Ray of Hope (Ray #2)

by E. L. Todd

  “I guess we have a difference of opinion.” He patted the mattress beside him. “Now get over here.”

  I didn’t want to participate in our usual bickering. The fact that he showed me a new level of commitment settled my unease. My jealousy left my body quicker than I could understand, and the ache in my chest was one of the most painful experiences I’d ever felt. Just when I thought things were casual, I realized they were far more serious than that—at least in my heart.

  I stripped away my clothes but took my time, giving him a mini strip show. I dropped the articles of clothing until I got to the bright pink thong around my hips. I played with the lace for nearly a minute, drawing it out as long as possible.

  Ryker’s eyes were glued to my panties, and his fingers immediately wrapped around his shaft and gently massaged it. “Give it to me, sweetheart.”

  I pulled the thong off then kicked it away. I stood stark naked in just my black heels. On a whim, I decided not to take them off. I crawled across the bed and straddled his hips, my heels digging into the sheets on either side of him.

  His hands grazed over my thighs then rested on my hips. He immediately pointed his head at my entrance and shoved himself inside, not bothering to take his time like he usually did. His powerful chest rose and fell with heavy breaths, and his shoulders were tense with desperation. He stared at my tits as they hung right in front of his face. When he slowly slid inside me, he released a quiet moan of satisfaction. “Why would I want anyone else when I have this?” He moved completely inside me until his entire shaft was sheathed. He rolled his head back slightly against the headboard and closed his eyes, enjoying the sensation of our bodies combined together.

  I heard what he said, but I couldn’t process his meaning. Feeling him inside me, so thick and so long, brought a shadow over my eyes so I couldn’t even think. It was a heavy fog, a realm of confusion and pleasure. I’d never been with a man who had such an impressive package. It was worth all the bickering, arguing, and uncertainty.

  His hands migrated to my tits, and he squeezed them in his large hands. “Fuck me, sweetheart.”

  I gripped his shoulders and used their sturdiness as an anchor to take him over and over. I started off slow and intended to stay that way, but heat scorched through me and fueled me forward. I bounced on his dick hard and fast, working up a sweat within minutes.

  He played with my nipples before he moved his hands to my ass. He squeezed my cheeks hard then guided me up and down his length, yanking me forcefully down his cock. The distinct sound of our friction played on our ears, and I knew I was soaking wet without even checking. “You look damn perfect when you ride my cock like that.”

  I gripped the rails of his headboard and leaned forward, my tits in his face.

  He immediately slathered my flesh with kisses, pulling my nipples into his mouth and sucking them. “You make me want to come so hard.”

  “Not just yet.” Ryker had never left me hanging before and he better not now.

  He pressed his face into my neck and gave a slight chuckle. “My woman takes what she wants…fucking hot.” He kissed my neck and the shell of my ear as he pressed his fingers to my clit and rubbed it aggressively, trying to get me off so he could fill my pussy with every ounce of his cum.

  Like always, I felt the sensation burn deep inside my belly before it rushed out everywhere else. Like a scorching fire that seared me to the bone, I turned into an inferno of heat. I tightened around his dick and locked eyes with him as my body crumpled in ecstasy. “God, yes…” My nails dug into his shoulders and my hips immediately bucked.

  He pulled me completely down his length just as he released inside me, giving me everything he had. His cock twitched inside me, and the weight of his seed filled my pussy with substance. He kissed me, sweat from his upper lip mixing with mine. “Call me Ryker.”

  ***

  Jenny held up the phone. “It’s your girl, Kayden.”

  I knew exactly what she was calling about. “Thanks. I’ll take it over here.”

  Jenny put the phone back on the hook then returned to her side of the lab, her white lab coat hanging all the way down to her knees.

  I grabbed the phone and hit Line 1. “Hey.”

  “What happened last night?” She didn’t bother saying hi or anything else. She wanted the dirt, and I didn’t blame her after seeing the fight Ryker and I had at the bar. “I saw the two of you going at it like alley cats.”

  Strange comparison, but whatever. “It’s a long story…” I glanced at Jenny across the lab to see if she could hear me. “So I was pissed at—” I couldn’t say his name because Jenny would figure out I was dating the boss. That was delicate information I couldn’t allow to slip into the ether. When Ryker and I were more serious, possibly living together, then I would come clean about it. “Tom because he didn’t even acknowledge me to his friends—”

  “Tom?”

  “Just go with it.”

  “Uh, alright. But why?”

  “Just because.” I moved past it. “So we argued outside and—”

  “Oh!” The realization dawned on her. “Because he’s your boss. Gotcha.”

  She was a little slow sometimes. “Exactly. Anyway, we argued outside for a while, and he explained that he already told them he was dating me, so introducing me by my name was enough. But we argued a little while longer and had great make up sex later.”

  “Girl, when he introduced you as his friend, I almost went postal.”

  I did go postal. “I was ticked too.”

  “And that skank sitting next to him wanted to jump his bones. I could totally tell.”

  Every woman wanted to jump his bones. I had to get used to it. “I know. But he said I was his girlfriend, so everything is okay.”

  “Still pissed me off. No one treats my friend like that.”

  I smiled at her loyalty. “I know you’ve got my back.”

  “Since you guys worked everything out, I guess I’ll let it go. But I was prepared to knock his teeth out.”

  “I’ve got brass knuckles in my purse so I had it covered. But thanks.” That wasn’t a joke. I really did have a pair for protection. “Sorry I ruined your night. Did you meet anyone?”

  “No,” she said with a sigh. “I left shortly after you guys did. But maybe next time.”

  “Sorry. We can go out again. Maybe Jess can come next time.”

  “So she can steal all the guys?” she asked with a laugh. “No, thanks.”

  “Whatever, Kayden. You’re all that and a bag of chips. Don’t play dumb.”

  “I’m not playing dumb,” she argued. “I just know guys like her dark hair and smoky eyes. Sometimes I find myself checking her out.”

  I chuckled. “Me too. She has the perfect body.”

  “And the prettiest face.”

  I pictured Rex and Zeke listening to this conversation. Their jaws would be on the floor, and their eyes would pop out of their heads. “Could you imagine if the guys overheard us?”

  “Oh god. They would pass out.”

  “They would probably hand us whipped cream and Jell-O.” Maybe not Rex, but Zeke definitely would. “By the way, I asked the guys if they had any friends to set you up with, but they said no. Then Rex said he would love to show you a good time.” I rolled my eyes. “He’s such a sleazy pervert.”

  “Wait. What? Rex likes me?” Her voice suddenly came out high-pitched and squeaky.

  “I wouldn’t say he likes you. He just said he wouldn’t mind giving you a nice hookup if that’s what you’re looking for. So be prepared next time you see him. He might be a bit of a sleazebag.”

  Kayden was dead silent. Her breathing couldn’t even be heard over the line.

  “Kay?”

  “Yeah, I’m here.” Now her voice was back to normal but still rushed. “I need to get back to work. I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Uh, okay.” It was an abrupt end to our conversation, but I needed to get back to work too. The gel electroph
oresis couldn’t run itself. “Talk to you later.”

  “Bye.” Click.

  Before I had a chance to dwell on the conversation, Jenny called me over. “Rae, come take a look at this.”

  The prospect of a scientific discovery masked all other thoughts, and I didn’t think about our conversation any longer. “Coming, Jen.”

  Chapter Four

  Rex

  Even on a Thursday, Groovy Bowl was hopping.

  Most of the lanes were being used, families were in the pizza parlor, and even the bar had a few regulars. I barely had enough workers to man the place, so I immediately began hiring more help.

  My original plan when I bought the place was just to do the books then go home before noon every day, but now that the place had been remodeled, I liked the atmosphere. It was a cool place to hang out, and the laid-back feel made everyone forget their problems. The place even smelled good. I didn’t notice how bad it stank until everything had been swapped out.

  Rae was right. The place did smell like cat piss.

  I had interviews with a few college kids who wanted part-time work, and by the time that was finished, it was almost four in the afternoon. Time flew by, and it didn’t feel like a miserable day at work like it used to.

  It was actually fun.

  When I broke down the register to put cash into the safe, I was surprised we even had cash to stow away. Normally, there was just a few one dollar bills and some paper clips. I wadded the cash into a rubber band then tucked it into my pocket. At this rate, I would be able to pay back Rae and Zeke in no time.

  “Hey, Rex.”

  I looked over the counter and came face-to-face with Kayden. Her blonde hair was pulled in a high ponytail, showing off the pretty features of her face. She had dark makeup around her eyes, and golden hoops hung from her lobes. All the guys in the place immediately turned her way once they noticed her, seeing her perfection just as slowly as I did. “Hey. What brings you here?”

  “I just got off work and wanted to see how the place was doing. It looks great.”

  “Thanks. Rae and Zeke did a great job.”

  “As did you.” She gave me a soft look, almost like she was proud of me.

  I shrugged. “I really can’t take any credit. Without them, this place would have gone under, and I would have lived with Rae for the rest of my life.” Then shot myself in the head because she drove me insane.

  “You’re always so humble.”

  I wasn’t even sure what that word meant. “How did the other night go? Pick up some fine piece of ass?”

  “No. Rae and Ryker got into a big fight, so I just went home.”

  Joy exploded inside me like a firework. “They broke up?”

  “No. They made up later.”

  That happiness disappeared instantly. “Why was he there?”

  “He was hanging out with some friends. He introduced Rae as a friend, and she got upset.”

  “As she should.” I would be on my sister’s side no matter what, even if she was dead wrong. I knew Ryker was bad news, and it was only a matter of time before Rae came home in tears. I wanted to be wrong, but I knew I wouldn’t be so lucky.

  “But they cleared it up. Then I went home solo.”

  “I’m surprised all the guys in the bar didn’t swoop down on you.”

  She quickly broke eye contact and smiled. “There are beautiful women in every bar in Seattle. I don’t stand out.”

  “Yeah, okay,” I said with a snort. I remembered the way she looked in that tiny black dress. I wanted it to rise up a few more inches so I could see what her panties looked like. She got me harder than steel the instant I looked at her—and that was the highest level of hottest. All this talk about her appearance was giving me an instant boner right behind the counter. I needed to change the subject. Otherwise, I would need to go in my office and rub one out so all other functions would continue like normal.

  “So, how’s it going down here?”

  “Good. I hired more people so things will go smoothly. I’m excited that I can actually pay Rae and Zeke back. That was my biggest worry.”

  “We all knew this would be a success. Your stress was for nothing.” She continued to stand at the counter and didn’t seem intent on leaving. And our conversation was normal, not awkward and weird like it usually was.

  Maybe the curse had been lifted. “I’m getting off right now.” I realized how I phrased it, and my hard-on came back. “I mean, I’m clocking out. You wanna get some food? I’m starving because I skipped lunch today.”

  “That sounds like a great idea. Where do you want to go?”

  “How about Mega Shake?” I could eat a burger and fries every single day.

  “That sounds fabulous.”

  ***

  Kayden devoured her food like I’d never seen before. She usually picked at her food like some kind of rabbit, but now she ate like a real person. Her actions reminded me of Rae, and it didn’t surprise me they were best friends.

  “What do you think of Ryker?” Were Rae’s friends just as smitten over him? Or did they see him as trouble too?

  “What do you mean?” She sipped her milk shake, her lips sucking on the straw and making me imagine her sucking something else.

  My mind was seriously in the gutter today. “Do you think he’s good for her? Or is he just going to break her heart?”

  “He’ll probably break her heart.” She said it simply and without any emotion. “But that’s how all relationships end. None of them end happily. I don’t think Ryker is as bad of a guy as you make him seem. Honestly, he’s not any different than you or Zeke.”

  That was offensive. “Zeke and I are totally different.”

  She narrowed her eyes in the form of a challenge.

  “Okay, we’re oddly similar. But I would never date Ryker’s sister no matter how hot she was.”

  She gave me the same look again.

  “I really wouldn’t.” I understood boundaries and I didn’t cross them. If there was anything I respected, it was family. I wished Ryker felt the same.

  “You really shouldn’t waste your time worrying about the two of them. Rae asked you to butt out, and it sounds like you aren’t doing that.”

  I couldn’t deny the accusation. “The only reason why I’m asking is because you said they had a fight.”

  “All couples fight, Rex. Doesn’t mean anything.”

  I just wished it was the last fight they had—and they’d finally called it quits. I knew Rae and Zeke would never have a chance together, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t someone better out there for Rae. I always pictured her settling down with a good-looking nerd. They’d have three kids, and I’d live in the guest house because I never got my shit together. “You’re right. I shouldn’t think about it.”

  She sucked on her milk shake again, her cheeks hollowing.

  I wished those lips would suck me off right now. “So…”

  She pulled her lips away for some air. “What?”

  “Huh?”

  Her eyes narrowed. “You just said so.”

  “I did?”

  “Yeah…”

  I couldn’t even think straight. “How’s the library?” My cock was pressed against the zipper in my jeans, and it was extremely uncomfortable. I would adjust it in front of almost anyone, but I didn’t want Kayden to know I wanted to fuck her right on the table and lick her milk shake off her tits.

  “It’s good. Really quiet.”

  “Must be nice.” I listened to bowling balls crash against pins all day.

  “It is. Allows me to get a lot of reading done.”

  “That’s cool. Getting paid to read.” This wasn’t working either. Every time I pictured her in the library, she wore a black skirt with reading glasses on the bridge of her nose. She was stern but naughty, and she took me into the sea of books so we could fuck against a bookshelf.

  “I love it. I can see myself working there for the rest of my life. But the pay sucks.”


  “Money is just money.”

  “Yeah, but my tiny little apartment won’t be suitable forever.”

  “When you get married, the second income will be enough.” I was jealous of her nonexistent husband. He’d get to fuck her every night while I’d just have my hand.

  “Yeah…maybe.”

  I sipped my milk shake just so I had something to do while I tried to think about something other than my dick between her tits. I was a horn dog, but I’d never been this bad before. I could usually control my thoughts when I was around a beautiful woman, but right now, I was a slave to my sexual instincts.

  “There’s something I wanted to ask you…and it might be a little weird.”

  That finally got me to focus. “Okay.”

  “I’m a little embarrassed to talk about it because…well, it’s embarrassing.”

  “You can tell me anything, and I won’t make fun of you.” I was the most embarrassing person on the planet. I bought a bowling alley, and I lived with my younger sister. I was almost thirty years old, and I hadn’t accomplished anything with my life. I couldn’t laugh at anyone because I was the one people should be laughing at.

  “Well…I’m not very experienced.” She stared at me like that simple sentence explained everything she was trying to say. She searched my gaze for a reaction, looking for something specific.

  “I don’t understand what you mean. Inexperienced? As in, you want to spice up your resume?”

  “No, not my resume.” She held back a chuckle and her cheeks flushed red. “I mean, I’m not sexually experienced.”

  I stared at her blankly, picturing her naked on my bed. Her hands would run up my chest until they stopped at my shoulders. Then she’d cry out when I thrust myself inside her. Anytime a beautiful woman even mentioned the word sex, I pictured myself fucking her. It was a guy thing, so I shouldn’t be judged for it. “Oh…” That was all I could get myself to say. Now my cock was throbbing.

  “I don’t know what I’m doing. I don’t have any confidence. Honestly, I’m clueless.”

  “You’re dead wrong, Kayden. You’re the sexiest woman in every room you walk into. You don’t need to have any moves because you’re hot. All you have to do is lie there, and you’ll get a perfect score.” I’d do all the work if she were on my bed.