by Kaylee Ryan
I nod, letting their advice sink in. “I’m excited too,” I tell them. “This is new for me and something I always wanted to do, just never could.” I stop myself before going on to tell them our money woes and that I worked to keep food on the table, and drugs in my mother. Going to prom like a normal teenager wasn’t even on my radar.
* * *
Staring at my reflection in the full-length mirror, I feel and look like a princess. My dress is dark navy blue. The fabric crosses over one shoulder, leaving the other exposed. The length flows to the floor, with a slit up the side of my leg. I’m wearing strappy silver heels with a thick heel because I’m new at this. Lena assured me a thick heel would make it easier, and she was right. I’m a little wobbly but able to stand and walk without the fear of breaking my neck.
A soft knock at the door pulls me from the mirror. “Come in,” I call out.
Lena sneaks her head inside the door. “Oh, Layla,” she breathes. “You’re breathtaking. Owen isn’t going to know what to do with himself.” She smiles widely. “I have something for you.” She steps further into the room and closes the door.
“Lena, thank you for everything. For shopping and today. I’ve never had these kinds of moments, and I’ve really enjoyed my time with you.”
She nods as her eyes shimmer with tears. “I’ve enjoyed it too.” She hands me a small black box.
Slowly, I take the box from her hands and open the lid. I gasp when I see a pair of diamond stud earrings. “Lena, they’re beautiful.”
“Thank you. I thought they would complete your outfit.”
“I can’t wear these. What if I lose them?”
“Sweetheart, you won’t, and if you do, that’s okay. They’re material things. As long as my family is safe and healthy, losing an earring isn’t going to affect us.”
“I’ve never worn anything so beautiful or expensive.”
“Well, there’s a first time for everything. Try them on. Owen will be here soon.”
My hands shake as I place them in each ear, then pivot to look in the mirror. “Are you sure about this?” I ask, turning to look at her from over my shoulder.
“Positive. You’re beautiful, Layla.” She nods, her own eyes shimmering with unshed tears. The doorbell rings and her smile grows. “That’s him. Stanley told him he had to knock.” She giggles. “Now, I’m going to go down and call for you. That way, you can make a grand entrance.”
“Is this really necessary?” I ask.
“You bet it is. My boys have always had it too easy when it came to women. Please don’t take that the wrong way, but those Riggins genes are strong. I knew that when one came along that made each of them work for it, I was going to enjoy it. Please don’t take that from me.” She bats her eyelashes.
“Oh, fine,” I concede with a laugh.
“That’s my girl. Now, you have a good time this evening. Just be you, Layla.”
“Thank you.” I lean in and give her a hug. “I promise I’ll return your earrings. I’ll take good care of them.”
“Just take good care of you and my son, and we’re all set.” Deep voices carry up the steps. “He’s not going to let us play this game long. Not knowing you’re up here. I’ll call for you.” With another quick hug, she’s rushing out the door and back down the stairs.
Glancing around the room, Owen’s childhood room, I try to picture him growing up here. Trophies are still sitting on top of his dresser and there’s a football jersey framed and hanging on the wall. I would have loved to have known him then.
“Layla! Your date’s here,” Lena calls up the steps.
“Really, Ma?” I hear Owen chuckle.
“Here goes nothing,” I whisper into the quiet room. With one foot in front of the other, step after step, I make my way downstairs. I hear Owen’s intake of breath as our eyes lock. I get lost in an ocean of dark blue as his heated gaze stays on me. Once I reach the bottom step, he holds out his hand, helping me clear it.
“Hey, baby.” He leans down and kisses my cheek.
“No funny business with my girl,” Stanley says. He tries to sound stern but fails miserably as Lena smacks his arm.
“I need a couple of pictures.”
“By a couple, she means a couple hundred.” Stanley laughs.
“You’re— I don’t have the words, Layla. Breathtaking, gorgeous, beautiful, magnificent, Hell, all of it. You’re everything,” Owen says, sliding his arm around my waist and pulling me to his side.
“I’m going to need you all to look at me for a few of these,” Lena announces.
I turn to face her and realize she’s been snapping pictures. I can’t wait to see them. “Don’t worry, sweetheart, I’ll make you copies,” she assures me, reading my mind.
Owen and I pose for countless pictures, and she even has Stanley join us and then has him take a few of her with us as well.
“Mom, we really need to get going.”
“Have a great time.” She hugs me then Owen. We wave goodbye, and with my arm hooked inside of his, we walk outside, and I gasp.
“W-What is that?”
“A limo.”
“Where’s your car?”
“I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands off you tonight, and it’s a special occasion. I took the off chance that you hadn’t ever ridden in one before.”
“We’re going to look silly, pulling up in this thing.”
“No, we won’t,” he assures me. “The majority of those there tonight have their own drivers who will be driving them in their own personal limos. Trust me.”
I nod. “This is like a fairy tale,” I say, more to myself than him, but he hears me.
“Just call me Prince Charming,” he says, kissing my temple.
The driver opens the door for us, and I dip my head, sliding across the soft leather seat. “This is so cool,” I say, looking at Owen. “I’m sorry, I know that’s lame, but—” I start. He places his index finger over my lips.
“It’s cool,” he agrees. “You know what else is cool? You are. You’re also sexy as fuck.”
“Sexy, huh?” I tease to lighten the mood. I like the way his eyes are taking me in.
“So sexy,” he says, sliding his hand under the slit in the side of my dress.
“Owen Riggins!” I scold. “I’m nervous enough. I don’t need to be walking up in there smelling like sex.”
“Just a taste, come on, Layla. You’re killing me here.”
“Tonight. When we get home.”
“Oh, I forgot to tell you. We’re not going home tonight. The gala is held at a swanky hotel downtown. I got us a room, just like we would have if it were prom night.”
My mouth falls open. “You had a hotel room on prom night?”
He shrugs. “Everyone did.”
“And your parents let you?”
“Hold on now, don’t go talking crazy.” He chuckles, the deep sound warming me. “They thought we were staying at a friend’s, and in turn, that friend’s parents thought they were staying with us.”
“You never got caught?”
“Nope.”
“I bet they knew.”
“No way. Dad would have called us out on it. Hell, Mom would have too.”
Before I can reply, the limo pulls up in front of the hotel. “Let’s go have some fun.” Owen grins.
“You trimmed your beard,” I say, noticing just now.
“Had to clean up for my girl.”
“I love you the way you are.”
“I love you too.” He leans in for a kiss, and I don’t bother to warm him about my lipstick. He can smear it. Hell, it can be gone for all I care. I’m not passing up on a kiss from my man over lipstick.
Once we’re outside the limo, Owen offers me his arm, and I slide my hand into the crook of his elbow. He smiles down at me, and I stand tall, keeping my head held high. I don’t want to embarrass him, so I’m just going to have to fake it until I make it. I make a mental note to once again thank Lena for the thicke
r heels.
Owen gives the gentleman at the door his name, and we’re granted access into the ballroom. My eyes scan the room. It’s stunning, and unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed. I wasn’t kidding when I said I felt like I was in a fairy tale. This ballroom is reminiscent of something you would see on a movie screen, not a local hotel that I’m in, as an invited guest at that.
“You good?” Owen asks, leaning in close, his lips next to my ear.
“Yes. Thank you for bringing me. This is incredible.”
“No, baby. That title’s all you.” He kisses the corner of my mouth as a man calls out his name.
I mentally remind myself to smile politely, to stand tall and not to fidget. I want people to see us together and think that we belong together because piece by piece, our hearts are twisted, and for me, there’s no going back.
Chapter 21
Owen
Every man in this ballroom has had his eyes on my girl. I get it. She’s fucking gorgeous, but I can only take so much. I need to get her out of here, and under me, or over me. I’m not picky as long as I’m inside her.
“Mr. Riggins, a picture?” The photographer holds up her camera, and I nod, pulling Layla close. Her hand rests on my chest as she leans into me. The flash goes off, and we’re on the move before the words “Thank you” are out of the photographer’s mouth.
“What’s the rush?”
“I need you out of this dress,” I say, not bothering to lower my voice. I don’t care if all of the fuckers who have been staring at her all night hear me.
She’s mine.
They need to recognize that and focus on their own dates.
“Owen,” Layla gasps, but I don’t stop moving toward the door that will lead us to the bank of elevators that will take us up to our room. Our room where I can strip her out of that dress that’s been taunting me since I arrived at my parents’ place. I place my hand over hers that’s resting in the crook of my arm as we wait for the elevator. Luckily for us, when it arrives, we’re the only one waiting. As soon as the door slides shut, I’m all over her.
Her back hits the wall, and my lips mold with hers. I kiss her like I’ve been dying to do all night. I pull her leg up to wrap around mine, as she buries her hands in my hair. “O-Owen,” she pants, turning her head to the side. That’s fine. My lips trail over her exposed shoulder. I’ve been dying to taste her here all fucking night long.
The door chimes and slides open, and I have to force myself to pull my lips from her soft skin. With her hand clasped tightly in mine, we make our way off the elevator and down the hall to our room. It takes me three tries to get the keycard in the door. Not because I’m nervous; it’s because I want her with an intensity that makes my hands shake as they ache to touch her.
Finally, the light turns green, and I push open the door, allowing Layla to walk in before me. Dropping the key card to the floor, I pull her into my arms and kiss her hard. Her taste, a mixture of champagne and Layla, explodes on my tongue. I can’t get enough of her. Can’t seem to get her close enough.
“I need you out of this dress,” I say, bunching it up around her waist.
“Don’t rip it,” she says, reading my mood expertly.
Stepping away from her, I place my hands on the back of my head. My chest is heaving as I struggle to pull air into my lungs. “I need you naked, baby. I know you love the dress. I can buy you a new one.” I reach for her.
She jumps back out of my grasp. “No. I love this dress. You’re just going to have to wait.”
I grip my cock that’s straining against the zipper of this monkey suit I’m wearing. “I’m dripping with need for you, Layla. I can’t wait.” My words are strained as I try to reach for her, but she’s a tiny thing and fast as she again evades me.
My eyes are glued to her as she turns her back to me. “Can you unzip me?”
I step close, my hands falling to her back as I slowly pull the zipper down. She steps away before I can rip the offending piece of fabric from her body. “I want you,” I tell her.
“I want you too, but I love this dress.” I watch as she carefully slides the fabric over her shoulder and shimmies her hips, letting it slide to the floor. When she bends over to pick it up, her tits look as though they are about to fall out of the strapless bra she’s wearing, and her ass in that thong… I want to bite it.
“What would your mom say if she knew you tore my dress and why?”
“I don’t give a fuck, and can we not talk about my mom right now?”
Soft laughter fills the room as she turns to face me. “I need you naked, Owen,” she says, her hands on her hips.
“Gladly.” I begin to rip off my clothes—jacket, tie, shirt, with my buttons flying across the room. Next, I fumble with my belt as I unclasp it. I make sure to latch on to the waistband of my boxer briefs and remove them with my pants. Letting it all fall to the floor. “You’re next,” I tell her, gripping my cock. I watch in fascination as she walks to the other side of the room, pulling a chair from the small dining table in the corner. She carries it with her, setting it in front of me.
“This is for you.”
“What am I supposed to do with that?” I ask, staring at the chair.
“Sit.”
“Babe, we can talk later. I need you.” I look down at my hard cock gripped in the palm of my hand.
“Sit, please,” she says, batting those baby blues at me. I can’t say no to her, so I sit in the chair. With slow, gradual steps, she comes toward me, stepping between my legs. My hands grip her hips, any excuse to touch her. “I like this,” she says softly, running her hands over my newly trimmed beard. “I like the way it feels against my bare skin.”
Fuck. Is she trying to kill me? “Layla,” I croak.
With a hand on either side of my face, she bends so that our mouths are barely a breath apart. “I love you, Owen Riggins.” Her lips press to mine, and I try to deepen the kiss, but my girl has other plans as she pulls out of my hold, taking a step back.
She stands just out of reach, and I want to go to her, toss her on the bed and have my wicked way with her, but something tells me that she needs this. That she needs to feel in control, and we both know Layla holds all the control, along with every single piece of me. The breath whooshes from my lungs when she reaches behind her and unclasps her strapless bra, letting the tiny scrap of material fall to the floor.
I keep my mouth shut and my hands fisted at my sides as she slides an index finger on either side of the waistband of her thong, and shimmies her hips yet again, letting it fall to her feet.
“Did you know that I can’t think when your hands or your mouth are on me? It’s like you turn my brain to mush. You always get to take the lead, and I thought it would be fun to mix it up a little, but I can’t have you touching me. I’ll lose focus.”
My throat is dry as I reply, “You want to seduce me, baby?”
“Something like that.” She smirks.
Unfurling my hands, I raise my arms and open them wide. “I’m yours for the taking, Layla. Do with me what you wish.”
“There are so many things,” she says, tapping her index finger against her chin.
“Do your worst, baby.”
“Oh no, that I won’t do. I’m thinking tonight is going to be filled with nothing but the best.” She licks her lips, causing my cock to twitch.
“Fuck,” I murmur, making her chuckle.
“That’s the plan, handsome,” she assures me. “Hands behind your head.”
I’ve never been one to take orders from a woman, but this woman I’ll do anything she asks, so I place my hands behind my head, interlocking my fingers. I sit silently and wait for further instruction, but it never comes. Instead, my beautiful Layla drops to her knees, settling between my thighs. She doesn’t utter a single syllable as she grips my cock, strokes me from root to tip, licks her lips, and takes me into her mouth.
“Son of a….” My voice trails off as my eyes roll to the back of my head
from the mere pleasure of having her lips around my cock. Over and over again, her head bobs between my legs. As the pressure begins to build, I need to be inside her. That’s where I long to be. That’s where I belong. “Layla, baby. I need to touch you. I need to feel you.”
Slowly, she lets my cock slide out of her mouth before peering up at me, her blue eyes blazing with desire. She wipes her mouth with the back of her hand and stands. “I was enjoying that.” She pretends to pout. She might have been enjoying it, but I can tell from the gleam in her eye, she has something else planned for us, planned for me. What I didn’t expect was for her to straddle my lap.
“You can touch me,” she says huskily as she removes my hands from behind my head and places them on her hips.
“Tell me what you want, baby. This is your show.” I love her newfound confidence that grows every day. I want her to have this. Hell, it’s not a hardship to let the love of my life seduce me. I win no matter who’s calling the shots. At the end of the night, we both get to find our pleasure in each other, falling asleep in each other’s arms. That’s all that matters.
“This.” Reaching between us, she lifts until I’m aligned at her entrance, and slowly settles back onto my lap, burying me inside her.
Wrapping my arms around her back, I crush her to me in a hug so fierce I’m not sure either of us is getting any oxygen into our lungs. I love this woman with every piece of my soul. Every minute with her only makes me fall further in love with her. There is a spark every time we touch, and I hope we never lose it. I never want to stop feeling the way I do right now in this moment. With her settled on my lap, our arms around each other and my cock buried deep inside her.
Loosening my grip, my hands roam over her back, relishing in the feel of her soft skin against the palm of my hands. My fingertips trail over her spine, and I settle my hands on her ass. My lips find hers in a slow, sensual kiss, that if I wasn’t already sitting would have had my knees buckling. Not breaking our kiss, I lift her slowly off my cock, leaving just the tip, before lowering her back onto my lap. I repeat this process over and over, all while devouring her lips. We settle into a steady rhythm as the tension builds.
