by Catori, Ava
"You can say that again," Ryder said before getting lost in his own thoughts. He snapped out of it after a few minutes. "You said that was this morning, did something change today?"
"Yes, a fire is always bad news. People wonder if it caused any invisible damage to the structure but when it's arson it's worse." I piled up our dirty plates to take everything in. "If you look at it from an investor's point of view, it makes you wonder about the town and that's where Brad's at. He has not taken his offer back but he hinted he probably would. He's put the entire project on a back burner." I winced when I realized how inappropriate my image was. "The content of the fire department report will probably be a decisive factor for him. And if it is arson, the arrest of whomever did it would help put his mind at ease."
"But if not Brad, do you think someone else could set this up?"
"Of course, but Brad is perfect because he has the cash to refurbish the entire building and the connections to tempt new businesses to come in." I sighed.
Warming up to the idea, Ryder said, "A further incentive could be to ask city hall for a tax break and maybe get some state aids."
I smiled at his enthusiasm. "Yes, that's the idea. When it works, it's one of those win-win situations, things can snowball pretty fast when synergies are created."
We finished cleaning and when we were done, Ryder took my hand and silently led me up the stairs.
With each step my heart sped up a little more and by the time we reached the landing, I was out of breath. I rested my hand on his chest and found his heart was beating as fast as mine. He followed me into the bathroom while I searched for an airline toothbrush for him and we bumped hips over the tiny bathroom sink while brushing our teeth.
We were laughing like kids until we stepped into my bedroom. I went to turn off the lights but he caught my hand and stopped me.
"Lights on," he said with a voice filled with lust. "I want to watch you come undone this time.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
I could lose everything - my sanity, my security, and my friends. And yet, I still wanted her. I needed her, even if it meant losing part of myself. The urge was stronger than anything I'd known. I called the shots when it came to women, always reminding them not to get too attached. Only now, I'd broken my own rule and grown attached to a woman who was a temporary fixture in town. She'd be leaving soon, without me. I needed to consume her, entice her to stay, and give her a damn good reason to reconsider Ocean Crest as home.
How could somebody so new in my life beckon me in ways that had my brain circling on domestic thoughts? That wasn't the plan. I was in trouble. I was falling fast. I knew I'd be burned in the end when she walked away. She'd go back to the comforts of her fancier life, and I'd be left alone. Sure, I could provide warmth and attention, but I couldn't offer her the lifestyle she'd grown accustomed to.
I took Barbara's hand and led her up the stairs to the bedroom. We stood in the doorway, my body pressed to hers, my fingers tangled in her hair. I needed a kiss, to taste her, to take charge. She accepted my kiss, parting her lips and opening her mouth to mine. My heart beat faster, my breathing grew deeper, and my cock strained against the denim of my jeans, aching to be inside the voluptuous woman before me.
We somehow managed to disengage for a moment, only long enough to shed our clothing and climb onto the bed. She'd reached for the light to turn it off, but I protested, demanding we keep it on. I wanted to see her come undone.
Our limbs tangled. Our arms and legs wrapped, embraced, connected with an overwhelming need to touch one another. Pressed skin to skin, body to body, we came together as one.
"I don't know what this is," I started. I wasn't even sure what I wanted it to be.
"Does it have to be defined?" It was an honest question. "I'm happy to spend time with you. I don't need promises of the future."
I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I guess I'm trying to figure it out for some reason. I'm not used to getting attached."
"I like our time together," Barbara whispered.
I pressed my lips to her neck and tasted the salt on her skin. Her soft purrs filled my void inside, the one that told me it was nice not to be alone. I wrapped her in my arms. I wanted to hold her a little longer. Normally, I'd work at breakneck speed to get my rocks off, but there was something tender here, something I wanted to cherish.
My protective nature pushed to the forefront, and I ached to pull her under my wing to keep her safe. What was this? This wasn't about my ego or pride. This wasn't about only me, but about Barbara.
I enveloped her as my lips moved across her chest, just under her neck. Goose bumps erupted on her skin as I whispered her name. Her full, luscious breasts called to me. Her nipples puckered, ready for my mouth. I wrapped my lips around her areola and suckled, then gave her a small nibble. Desire pulsed through my veins. I sucked harder, listening to her soft coos turn to moans. I took her other breast in hand. I playfully squeezed it and watched her reaction. I wanted to be able to read her like a book so I knew every tiny thing that turned her on. I wanted her to crumble with desire, to let go of her inhibitions.
She reached out for me, but I pinned her wrists to the bed instead. I hovered over her, careful not to press too hard, and continued my journey of wet nibbles and kisses across her skin.
She mumbled my name. "Ryder, mmm, please, I want to feel you inside me."
I grinned and held off. I'd make her wait. I'd take her to the edge and push her buttons over and over until she begged me to penetrate her. She wasn't ready yet. She only thought she was.
My fingers glided over her skin as I stroked her tender thighs, with an occasional dip close to her naked and waiting sweet spot. Barbara arched her hips and tried to reach my hand, but I wouldn't let her win. Not yet.
"I want you to ache for me, to need me so desperately, that you beg," I whispered, my hot breath close to her wetness. I slid a finger down the length of her opening. The soft gasp she let out told me I was right on target. "I need you, Barbara. I need you so damn badly."
"Ryder, please, fuck me. I want to feel you," she begged. She needed release. She longed to have me inside her. Still, I made her wait.
I dipped a finger inside her and then drew my finger across my lips. "Like sugar," I growled. I rolled and moved closer, inhaling her sweet fragrance before parting her lips. I traced the fine slit that sat between her full lips. Leaning in closer, I consumed her, drinking her in like honey nectar.
Her thighs wrapped tightly around me as she bucked and moaned. She squirmed beneath my touch.
"Come for me, baby," I beckoned. "I want to feel you orgasm."
The sexy moan that came up from her belly said it all. She let out a low, long sigh of relief as she finally released.
"Oh yeah, that a girl. Good girl," I encouraged, my face now slick from her juices.
"Please," she begged, "fuck me, Ryder."
And so I did.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Opening my eyes to Ryder's handsome face was a treat. Propped on a shoulder, head tilted, he was studying me with a tender look on his face. The vision brought a delighted smile to my lips which faded when I stretched. I was sore. Ever so deliciously sore.
"You're okay?" he asked with concern.
"Yeah." I laughed. "It's just you may have worn me out for a bit."
He grinned proudly. Well, he could, I was going to remember that night forever. Ryder was going to make one lucky woman very happy the day he decided to settle. I kicked myself mentally. I was going to enjoy the ride while it lasted and not dread the end in advance.
Easier said than done.
"What are your plans for the day?" he asked pulling me to him until his shoulder replaced my pillow. I inhaled his sent. If it were up to me, I would spend the entire day in bed with him.
"I'll go to the factory, check on the damage, and take it from there," I said lazily watching the perfect blue sky through the window. The early morning sun was lighting the room. With
Ryder around I couldn't postpone getting new black out curtains. I only loved getting up early after a full night sleep. "What about you?"
"I have stuff to do at the shop and then I'll go see my father," he said ruffling my hair. "Did I tell you he called my brother?" I shook my head. "He must have scared the crap out of him since Hunter is arriving tonight. We'll probably have a family reunion of some sort."
"Don't worry about it," I said. "I understand you have a busy life and all." I hesitated a bit and then continued. "About your father, I have a favor to ask." I felt him tense. "If you think he's well enough, can you ask him to call me? I know you want him to rest but I have a few questions to run by him."
Gently but firmly pushing me aside, Ryder turned away from me and sat on the edge of the bed. Shit! The mood was dead. If this was to continue we would need to figure out how to be compatible in the morning.
"I won't," he said. I could see he was struggling to answer me in a civil manner. "Do you realize he gave all his life to your company? Without him the place would have collapsed years ago. Did he ever get a raise? No! A thank you? No." Ryder paced in my tiny bedroom like a lion held in too small a cage and stopped to glare at me. "The only answer he got to all his pleas for help is you."
I winced as if he had slapped me. For one night, I had forgotten I was the enemy. Picking up his clothes and getting dressed, he continued.
"I realize you're not the one to blame and you can't be held responsible for all that mess. But you're the one they sent to hammer the nails in the coffin and it's the final betrayal of a blood thirsty employer to devoted employees." I blinked faster and faster to fight back the tears coming to my eyes. What he was saying was true and yet so unfair to me. "You drove him over the edge. And you know what? The biggest irony of them all is that he's being buried by the daughter of a woman whose ass he saved more times than he can remember."
There was nothing to say. His rage was such that it had probably erased our entire conversation about Brad's project and the way it could possibly revitalize the city.
But for all I knew, the project could be dead already and Ryder was right to concentrate all his energy on protecting his father. The man had his loyalties in order and I couldn't even find it in me to blame him for not including me in them.
Pulling my knees to my chest, I wrapped my arms around my legs and watched him put his boots on. When he was done, he remained immobile for a minute, his back to me and silent. Losing my battles against tears, I lowered my head against my knees to hide my face from him. I would not use them as a weapon. With my mother, I had taken so many guilt trips. I would not make him travel down that road.
I felt a shift in the mattress as he stood.
"I'll call you," he said. His tone was such that I thought he wouldn't. Well, except maybe to return my keys and give me his final bill. Hearing the door slam behind him, I wasn't sure keeping the house in Ocean Crest was such a good idea anymore.
To wash all traces of our night away, I stood under the scalding water until I ran out of hot water. When I got out, I felt more ready to tackle on the day ahead of me.
It was not so much the day's work that I feared, it was the evening. But then again, if I managed to tidy up early enough, maybe I could drive back to Manhattan and spend the weekend in the comforting cocoon of my studio. The very fact that I had a choice gave me courage.
On automatic pilot, I dressed and packed my work bag. Just in case I did decide to go home for the weekend and Ryder came back to collect his bill, I left cash on the kitchen table. I hoped it was enough to cover the balance of what I owed him. After locking the door behind me I stared at my car. The tagging was gone. It had to be Ryder, who else? I thought about sending him a text to thank him and decided against it. I would do it the next time I saw him. Whenever that was.
I reached the factory an hour before the clock-in time for the remaining shift. After the security agent checked my identity, I opened the gates and went to check on the inventory warehouse which was actually a pompous name for a small shack almost adjacent to the main building. The fire had been caught early but the part of the production left intact by the flames had been ruined by the water. Nothing would be salvaged.
In the main building, I kept my sweater on and opened all the windows to let fresh air in. It would be chilly but at least the smell of smoke would be gone. I started my computer in the foreman's office and worked alone for a while. The silence in this usually noisy place was unsettling.
At eight, people came in. They looked strangely at me as I came out of Dylan Bishop's office. I explained he was home sick. They clearly thought I was lying and had already chopped off the man's head, but no one dared call me a liar to my face.
I braced myself. This was going to be a long day. The only thing good about it was that I had so many things to do, I wouldn't lose time brooding over Ryder. Hopefully.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Hunter was home for a visit. Dad's health issues got to him. Having lost our mother early, there was always fear of losing Dad, too. Thankfully this time it had just been a scare. Hopefully we'd have him around a lot longer. He was a sturdy and strong man, but stress took its toll.
I walked into my father's house and found my brother stretched out on the sofa. Hunter was taking care of himself and it showed. It was good to see him thriving. His flight must have got in right on time. He'd rented a car, even though I offered to pick him up. He said he was too old to have people running him around. "Look at you! Dad, must have scared the crap out of you? You got here pretty fast."
"Yeah, well, we only have one old man." Hunter stood almost six feet tall, but I knew it wasn't his size that people noticed, it was his smile. It was warm and genuine, and I was really glad to see it up close again.
My father stood to give me a hug and glared at my brother. "Who are you calling old?"
"Man, you've got to take care of yourself. You nearly had a heart attack. What's been going on?" he asked. "You mentioned stress, but what kind?"
We all settled down to talk. Dad started. "They're about to close the plant. They were sneaky and trying to be clever by sending some broad, I mean woman..." He paused to rub that point home. "Anyway, a woman from corporate is here and it's been bad news all around. To top it all off, your brother is sleeping with the enemy."
My shoulders tensed. I looked away. "It's not what it seems. It's complicated."
Hunter grunted. "Where's your loyalty, Ryder? What the hell?"
"Tell us how you've been. You didn't come all this way to discuss my personal life." I redirected the conversation back to him. I didn't need a spotlight on an uncomfortable situation. I had enough to deal with. Besides, I hadn't kept up with Hunter as much as I should have. I was anxious to hear what he'd been up to.
We talked and ate. I manned the grill. Dad always overcooked the burgers, and if my brother didn't want to eat cardboard it was best to do the cooking myself. I served up a plate of juicy burgers on bagged hamburger buns. With dinner out of the way, I decided to quickly call Barbara and check in with her.
Hunter and Dad were caught up in a conversation, so the timing seemed right. I stepped outside and dialed her number. There was no answer. I didn't bother leaving a message. I'd just try again later. Only, when I tried a second and third time, she still hadn't answered. I hated not being able to reach her, but I wasn't her owner and keeper. She had her own life to live. Reluctantly, I let it go and figured I'd check again in the morning. It wasn't my business to know what she was doing when I wasn't there.
It was good to have my brother home. What struck me was how much he looked like Dad. I never noticed it before, but sitting watching them talk, I noted their almost identical profiles. We caught up and reminisced. A few too many beers kept us up later than I was used to. We laughed and trash talked. I decided to crash at Dad's since I'd been drinking. My old room offered a bed, so I made use of it knowing it wasn't a good idea to drive.
I woke crumpled up on my bed, b
arely out of my clothes. I had way too many beers last night and was feeling it. I shook off the feeling the best I could and went to hydrate. A couple glasses of water would help. My brother was still asleep, but my father was at the kitchen table, sipping coffee.
"Decaf," he said, before I mentioned he'd just been to the hospital with chest pains. "It was fun to have both of you here overnight, like old times."
"Yeah, it was a good visit.” I thought a minute and for the life of me I couldn’t figure out why I had been so adamant about not letting Barbara talk to Dad yesterday. If all she had for him was a few questions, well, he should be able to answer them without his blood pressure shooting up to the sky. Surely she would be careful not to aggravate him.
“Hey, Barbara wanted to talk to you. She said she had a few questions about the factory and I guess about the inventory. I told her you wouldn't take calls during your sick leave, but now I'm not so sure. Maybe it's stuff that could help. I'll leave the decision up to you if you want to call her or not." I stretched and bent, trying to work out a kink in my neck. "I need to shoot home first, grab a shower, and run a few errands. I'll stop back later. Do you need anything from the store? I don’t mind running by later."
"Nah, I'm good, thanks. Hunter can pick stuff up if we need it. You go take care of yourself. " He paused. "Look, I know that somehow you've got yourself tangled up in something with that woman, but just remember your loyalties. And fine, I'll call her."
I watched as he dialed, but she didn't answer. He left a message, letting her know he'd made an attempt to reach her.
“Here, I called her, are you happy now?”
I shifted uneasily. What I really wanted was to go to her house and figure out why she wasn't answering her phone after she'd asked him to call. Maybe it was too early. Maybe she was mad at me for lashing out at her. Maybe I had been overprotective of my father. Whatever her reasons, I hated that she wasn't picking up.
