The warm, wet contact sent a delicious shock through Ari. She bucked beneath Ryder’s questing tongue, losing herself in the erotic mix of sensations enveloping her. “Ryder.” Her throat felt raw and his name was all but a whisper from her lips.
Ryder slipped his fingers from her pussy, slapped her clit and Ari shrieked. “Seventeen.”
“Stop it!” Ari endeavored to close her legs. She swore when Ryder pushed her leg off his only to place his on top, preventing her from moving away from him. She squeezed her eyes shut, wanting to block out what was happening and the choice he wanted her to make. Ari braced herself for another smack to her clit. She felt Ryder move, tensed, then bellowed when he slapped her inner thigh. The sound of his action shocked her more than the pain, but tears still stung Ari’s eyes.
“Sixteen more.” Ryder’s voice was as husky as hers.
“No.” She met his gaze as she shook her head, hoping her tears would move him, stop him from continuing.
Ryder slapped her throbbing pussy twice. “Yes.”
Ari screeched, panting from the intense tingles reverberating through her. She never would have thought him capable of both arousing and punishing her. “Oh, God, Ryder.” A tear slid down her cheek as she held back a sob. “Please. Spank my ass for the rest.”
Chapter Seven
“Very well.” Ryder sampled Ari’s juices from his hand, his stiff cock getting harder as he stood. He moved behind the chaise and loosened the knot he’d created. “You can now stand and turn over.”
Ari sniffled and rose in her stilettos. Ryder watched her move into position, graceful and sexy as hell with her lingerie framing her pussy and hard nipples. Ryder steeled himself as he listened to her ragged breaths, pushing back the need to comfort her.
“Take hold of the chaise.”
Ari complied, and Ryder tightened his knot, securing her to the recliner once more. He walked around the chaise, pleased by the view. Ari was beautiful, strapped down with her derrière and breasts exposed for his pleasure. Ryder didn’t think he’d ever seen a more erotic sight. He ran his fingers over her hip then pushed her thong down over her delectable ass. “No more gambling while you’re mine, Ari—not even the penny slots. Understood?”
“Yes.”
Her soft voice struck a chord within Ryder as he crouched to help her step out of her thong. He kissed the side leg before rising. “Fourteen more, Ari.”
Ari trembled but didn’t respond as Ryder smoothed his hand over her bottom. He delivered two swats to each cheek then slipped his finger into her. Her wetness thrilled him, assured him she was still turned on despite the spanking. “Do you like this, Ari?”
“I hate it.”
Ryder laughed as he stroked her. “Your pussy betrays you.” He removed his finger, swatted her ass four more times in quick succession and Ari wailed. “Admit it. You do like this.”
“I hate it and I hate you.”
“Now, I know you’re lying.” Ryder gave her four more licks across her bottom, undaunted by her furious declaration. He paused to rub his stinging hand, surprised by Ari’s silence. Her harried breathing was the only indication she was under any duress.
“Four more.”
“Bring it.”
Ryder smiled. His sassy girl until the end.
He gave her three more smacks, taking care not to swat the same area. He admired Ari’s grit when she grunted but didn’t cry out. He caressed her bottom, enjoying the contrast of their skin tones and the blooming rosy hue he’d created. “Last one, Ari.” Ryder delivered it and Ari whimpered.
He moved to untie Ari’s hands as she straightened and faced him. Something twisted in his heart when he saw her lowered face awash with her tears. “Ari, look at me.”
Ari leveled her gaze with his and Ryder swore when another tear slid down her cheek. The need to comfort her overrode everything else. He cupped her face, wiped away her tears with his thumbs then leaned down and kissed her. Ari kissed him back, dialing up his hunger for her.
Ryder reached into his pocket for the condom he’d grabbed earlier. He unbuttoned then unzipped his trousers and his pants slipped to the floor. Ryder shucked his underwear as he removed his shirt. He came over to Ari with his cock in hand. “On your knees.”
Ari stared at him for a moment then complied.
Ryder brushed his cockhead against her lips. “Open your mouth, Ari.” He could see the conflict his words caused as desire and rebellion flashed in Ari’s eyes before she obeyed his command. Ryder drew in a tight breath as he slid his cock between her lips. He worked his rigid length in and out at a slow pace, savoring the warm, wet suction of her mouth.
He inched his cock deeper then tightened his jaw when Ari moaned against his dick. “Keep your eyes on me.” Ryder felt his cock get harder as he held Ari’s gaze and continued to give her more of him. He groaned as he entered her throat, loving the wicked sensations threatening his control. “Oh, yes. You’re taking me deeper.” Ryder looked down at Ari, saw the tears on her cheeks, and groaned again. He pulled his dick from Ari’s mouth, sucking in a breath at the same time she did.
Ryder led Ari back to the chaise, sat down and beckoned her to straddle him as he quickly donned the condom. Ari moved over him, spread her thighs wide over his lap and hovered above his cock. Ryder guided his cock to the entrance of her pussy as she placed her hands on his shoulders. He gritted his teeth as Ari lowered herself onto him. Her low moan of pleasure was the perfect expression of the ecstasy he was experiencing too.
Ryder cupped Ari’s ass, relishing her tight, wet heat. He loosened his grip when Ari winced and she seated herself fully on his dick. Ryder groaned again when Ari remained still and tightened her walls around his cock. He opened his mouth to tell her to move then held back from speaking when he saw her blissful expression. He let Ari take her time, wanting her to get what she needed from him.
Giving Ari the reins was erotic torture for Ryder. He smoothed Ari’s twists back as she began to rock on his lap. Ryder watched her start slowly, testing his resolve to remain still as she found the right angle to maximize her enjoyment. The sweet friction of her movements threatened to send Ryder into sensory overload way before he was ready to come.
Ryder concentrated on helping Ari bounce instead of the heavenly sensations coursing through his body. He slid one hand from under her bottom to strum her clit and Ari gasped. Ryder kept teasing her, savoring her breathy moans and tiny cries as she fucked him. He rubbed her clit faster when she grew quiet, harnessing the climax he knew was close.
Ryder rocked his hips when Ari cried out. He grunted as her pussy milked his cock, feeling each orgasmic flutter that tore through Ari. Ryder wrapped his arms around her as he eased her back onto the chaise. He pumped her hard and fast. Ari’s moans and the look of total surrender was Ryder’s undoing. He held nothing back, slamming into Ari with abandon as he came with a low, guttural groan.
Ryder pulled his cock from Ari with regret a few moments later, conscious of his weight on her. He looked at her, seeing her eyes were closed. Ryder touched Ari’s cheek. “Delicious.”
“Mmm.”
Ryder grinned when Ari sighed but didn’t make an effort to move or look at him. He got up and went into the bathroom. Ryder disposed of the condom and washed his hands. After grabbing a towel for Ari, he walked into the living room, expecting to still find her on the chaise. He lifted an eyebrow when he saw her standing by the window in only her bra. “Ari?”
Ryder grabbed his underwear off the floor and put the boxers on. He frowned when she took her time turning to him. The melancholy glint in Ari’s eyes bothered him as his gaze briefly dipped to her lingerie. She’d fixed her bra to cover her glorious nipples. “Come here.”
Ari took a step, faltered, and Ryder rushed forward to catch her rigid body in his arms.
“L— Let me go.”
“Never.” Ryder held her close, disliking the sadness he’d heard in her wavering request. He brushed his lips against her temple
and Ari began to tremble. She let loose a sob, followed by another and another. Ryder picked her up and carried her to the couch. He sat down, cradling Ari in his arms, prepared to wait until the storm of her pent-up emotions passed.
* * * *
With her eyes still closed, Ari stretched. She smiled sleepily beneath the warm covers then winced at the aches in pains in places she didn’t realize could be sore. Ari sought out Ryder’s body heat then opened her eyes to find herself alone in his bed.
Ari sat up and glanced around the room. “Ryder?” She waited for a response from the bathroom then sighed when she didn’t get one.
Did the man ever take a day to rest?
Ari glanced at the clock on the nightstand and saw a note with Ryder’s bold script scrawled on it. She sat up, grabbed the letter and read it.
Good morning, Songbird.
Don’t forget to do your yoga. Hold each position for at least a minute.
I have to go to California. I’ll be back by next weekend. Be good.
Ari grinned despite her disappointment as she flopped back on her pillow. Ryder had no intentions of letting her be anything but fully committed to their deal. Everything that had happened last night had cemented that fact in her brain. Ari turned her body toward Ryder’s pillow. She snatched it up, hugged it and inhaled his familiar scent. Her pulse quickened as flashes of their evening together popped into her mind.
She still couldn’t believe he’d tied her up and spanked her. Ari couldn’t think of one former lover that would’ve been bold enough to do either. Ryder had brought her to tears and an incredible orgasm she’d not soon forget. A small grin curved Ari’s lips as she recalled how closely he’d held her all night. She had wanted to curse him in one breath and cling to him with the next. The myriad of emotions and arousal she’d experienced beneath his hand had changed her forever… Ryder had changed her forever.
Ari sighed. She didn’t know what to make of the night—or of her whirlwind feelings where Ryder was concerned. Her cell chiming in the other room prompted Ari to release the pillow and get out of bed. She snatched up Ryder’s shirt, yanked it on then raced into the living room. She grabbed her purse off the coffee table and retrieved her cell, hoping it was Ryder calling. “Hello?”
“Hey, what’s up?”
“Jay?” Ari sagged her shoulders as she rubbed her eyes.
Her brother chuckled. “Don’t sound so disappointed. How are you? Haven’t heard from you in a couple days.”
“I’m good. You know, just working.”
“All work and no play?”
Ari glanced at her lime dress in a heap on the floor, her stilettos on the rug and Ryder’s tie still knotted to the top of the chaise. Evidence of play where everywhere. “Well, I’ve got a job to do.”
“All right, who is this? Please put my little sister on the phone.”
“Ha ha. Very funny.” Ari fastened the first button of Ryder’s shirt. “Don’t you work on Sundays?”
“I changed my days so I can spend my weekends with Shannon. Quality time together is tough between her crazy schedule and mine.”
“You two have a lot going on, especially with a wedding in the works.” Ari walked over to the window. She gazed at a hummingbird flitting in and out of flowers near the terrace. “I’m glad you’re finding a way to spend more time with your fiancée.”
“Yeah. Me too.”
Ari frowned when her brother remained silent a beat too long. “Jay? What’s wrong?”
Her brother blew out a breath. “It’s Red… I mean, Shannon. She’s getting antsy as her six month mammogram check-up approaches. I want to reassure her but she’s got valid reasons to be scared. Hell, I am too.”
“Oh, Jay.” Ari placed her hand on the glass as a colorful butterfly fluttered against the window pane. “I think you’re doing exactly what you’re supposed to be doing…being there for her. I know you don’t want to spout false hope in the face of the unknown.”
“That’s exactly it. Even though things have been going really well for Shannon, I can’t tell her everything is going to be all right when I’m not sure it will be.”
“I know.”
“It’s tough, but we’ll get through it.”
Ari smiled. “You will, together, as you two have been throughout this whole ordeal. You’re amazing, you know that?”
“Thanks. That’s the nicest thing you’ve said to me since I suggested you take the job at The Cove.”
“Suggested? You practically threw me on the plane.”
Jay laughed. “I don’t remember it that way.”
“Uh huh. Well, I do.” Ari fiddled with the edge of Ryder’s shirt. “It’s all good though.”
“Is it? Are you admitting that Florida’s been good for you?”
Ari briefly closed her eyes, picturing Ryder kissing and spanking her. “Maybe.”
“I’ll take it.” Jay chuckled. “Say, rumor has it Ryder might be one of the celebrity judges for that music competition show that comes on Thursday nights. Did he tell you he was thinking of taking that gig?”
“He didn’t mention it.” Ari smoothed her hand over Ryder’s shirt.
“Shannon told me he’s been in contract negotiations with the producers of the show.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yup. Try-outs will be held in Florida in a few weeks for the fifth season. Ari, I think you should audition.”
“I’m too old.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Hmm.” Ari turned away from the window and walked over to the piano, thinking of her commitment to Ryder. Ari knew auditioning for the competition wasn’t an option. “I’ve always wanted to try out for one of those talent shows.”
“You should do it. I’ve told you this before but you’re really good. You could take it, Ari. You could win. Hell, do it just for the exposure. Promise me you’ll at least check out the website for the details for when they come your way.”
Ari lifted the lid and played a few keys. “I’ll check out the website.”
“Good. Do you think you’re gonna audition?”
“I just might.” Ari hit an ivory key harder than what was needed. Her brother had no idea of the money Ryder had loaned her or of their deal for her to pay him back. She hadn’t wanted to hear the disapproval she knew would be there in Jay’s voice once he’d learned how much she’d really lost in Sin City.
“Cool. Okay then, I’m off to make peach crepes.”
“Yummy. Shannon’s lucky. I’m jealous. Enjoy.”
“Thanks.”
Ari ended the call with Jay, disappointed Ryder hadn’t mentioned his exciting job offer with the popular talent show. She picked up the living room, erasing all traces of her unconventional evening with him. Ari wondered if he’d held his silence because of their current arrangement. She removed Ryder’s tie from the chaise, thinking about the competition her brother had mentioned. Ari planned to check out the rules just to see if there was one about participating when one of the judges was a contestant’s lover.
Wrapping Ryder’s tie around her hand, Ari walked into her bedroom and stripped out of his shirt. She’d discuss the talent show and her possible audition with Ryder later. Feeling better, Ari dressed for exercise then gathered the yoga mat from the hall closet. She hummed her favorite love song as she made her way out to the terrace.
Ari picked a shady area on the veranda, deep in thought. Auditioning for the competition could be the stepping stone she needed. She wanted to do more with her singing career and although her experience at The Cove was good for her resume, she didn’t want to be just a lounge singer.
A gentle breeze swished sand around Ari’s bare feet as she placed her mat on the porch. Ari got into her mountain pose and reached for the sky. She exhaled, relishing the feel of the stretch and how much easier it was for her to maintain her position. Ari moved into a warrior pose, wincing when her movements aggravated her sore bottom and set off twinges between her legs. She switched sides aft
er a minute, proud of her form.
Ari smiled as she got into her downward facing dog. She might not admit it to Ryder, but she liked yoga, which was a delightful surprise, not unlike the many others she’d experienced since being with him. Ari straightened, pleased with her workout. She gathered her mat and went back inside the cottage.
After putting the mat away, Ari headed for the bedroom. She undressed, padded into the bathroom and turned on the shower. She tested the water then turned to see her backside in the mirror. Her breath caught in her throat as she eyed the dark blemishes, evidence of Ryder’s handprint on her ass cheeks. Spirals of heat spun within Ari as she stared at the marks. She’d never been more humiliated or turned on than when she’d begged him to spank her ass.
Ari tweaked her nipple, drawing in a sharp breath when her action sent a spike of pleasure through her. She would have told anyone before last night that she didn’t find spanking sexy and certainly not arousing. Today? She was getting wet with just the thought of Ryder warming her bottom with his hand. “You’re crazy, Ari.” Shaking her head, Ari got into the shower.
Twenty minutes later, towel-dried and moisturized, Ari exited the bathroom with her towel tucked beneath her arm. She opened the blinds in the bedroom, letting in the sunshine before going over to the dresser. Underwear chosen, Ari went to the closet and selected a turquoise mini sundress to wear. She laid the articles of clothing on the bed, along with her towel, and got dressed.
Ari picked her towel back up and wrapped it around her damp twists. She squeezed the terry cloth on her hair, pausing when she heard a noise. Curious, Ari went over and opened the door. She padded down the hall then screamed when she saw a woman entering the ranch. The lady’s answering yelp made Ari shriek again.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” The pretty brunette waved her hands, clearly as taken aback as Ari to have encountered someone. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I did knock.”
Soul Chance Page 8
