by Callie Stone
Shaking his head Ryan goes back to eating. Huh no smart-ass remark, crazy come back, nothing at all? I decide to go back to eating and finish my food shortly after. I take my plate to the sink and head back to the bathroom. I don’t know why he acted all defensive, but it wasn’t something I wanted to worry about now. Hell, the man did act psycho and show up unannounced and unexpected at my house.
I grab the blow-dryer and make quick work of my hair. I plug in the straightener and begin doing the little makeup that I do to my eyes. I have no idea if he is still here or not. He did say he needed to get to work, but without saying goodbye? I finish up my hair quickly and do a quick check to make sure I’m good enough for work. Walking out of the bathroom I gasp as I see Ryan sitting on the bed watching me. He scared the crap out of me.
“What are you doing?” I asked hand to chest.
“Watching you get ready.” He smiles at me
“Why?” I ask really curious about his response.
“Because I wanted to. I was going to come in and talk to you, but you looked like you were lost in thought and concentrating hard on what you were doing. I didn’t want to interrupt you, but I wanted to be near you at the same time. So, I sat here and watched instead.” He holds his hand out for me.
I take it, unsure about what is even going on between us. He’s surely not acting like this is a one-night thing, but I don’t want to get my hopes up either. Ryan pulls me towards him until I am standing between his legs. He wraps both arms around me and puts his nose at my stomach, inhaling. I don’t know what else to do but to run my fingers through his hair. I feel him hum against my stomach. “Don’t you have to get to work?”
“Own my own business sweetheart. I can go in when I want to.” He smiles up at me.
“Well this woman doesn’t, and she does have to go to work. I need to leave now to make it there on time.”
He gives me a nod and reluctantly let’s go of me. I grab my shoes out of the closet and sit next to him to slip them on. He doesn’t say much just watches me. Standing up I ask, “Ready?” He gives me another nod and stands. He seems to be acting really weird. It started with my comment about sneaking around the house and I’m not sure why that would make him change.
We walk out of the room and I grab my stuff on the way to the door, double checking that I have everything. Phone, keys, wallet. Okay good to go. I open the door and Ryan steps out before me. I lock the door and pull it closed as I walk out next. He still hasn’t said a word which makes me a little nervous. What the hell is going on? Is this going to be the awkward goodbye before I never see him again? If he does all that he did for me for every one-night stand than I’m sure he has a lot of women chasing after him. He did say he hasn’t dated in a while. Has he just slept around? Clearing my head, I click the unlock on the key fob and before I can reach for my door Ryan reaches around me and opens it for me.
I glance up and meet his eyes. “Thank you and thank you again for breakfast this morning.” I give a small smile and walk around the door. I bend inside to place my phone and wallet in the cup holders and stand back up prepared to tell him bye. I was ready to get out of there. The weirdness was driving me nuts.
When I stand back up and turn toward Ryan he wraps his arms around me and captures my lips as he pulls me tight against him. The kiss was so unexpected I hesitate for a moment before I slip my hands into his hair again. He deepens the kiss and I can feel myself getting turned on. Again, with just one kiss this man can have me ready to go.
Ryan breaks the kiss and leans his forehead against mine. “I could kiss you all day,” he breathes out.
I give a small smile and say, “Me too.” And release a little laugh. “But I have to go or I’m going to be late.”
Ryan sighs as he gives another nod, plants a quick kiss on my lips and backs up so I can get into my car. Once I’m situated he shuts the door without a single bye or anything. How odd. I’m so unsure what that means. Am I never going to see him again? And why do I keep fretting about it? Giving a slight wave, I back out of my spot and leave.
Chapter Sixteen
My mind wanders the whole way to work. I hate feeling unsure about things. I park my car and look around not even remembering the drive there. Thank god, I didn’t get into an accident. Shaking my head, I get out, lock the car and head inside. I have exactly two minutes to clock in. I’m not a fan of being late either. I walk quickly behind the counter and punch in my code, release a sigh of relief that I wasn’t late and let my body relax.
The night goes by dreadfully slow. I guess that’s what I get for having such an amazing night before. I keep an eye on my phone the whole time waiting for Ryan to text or call while wondering if he ever will. It was eating me up the way he acted, and I wasn’t sure what to do. I begin to resign myself to the fact that it was a one-night stand and I will never see him again. My heart breaks a little which is unusual for me. I didn’t even know him. But then that didn’t stop me from going to bed with him. Who could resist him though?
Shaking my head, I release all thoughts of Ryan. I need to focus on work and worry about him later. Now is not the time. I grab my cleaning supplies and start on the tables. One end of the building to the other, not paying much attention to anything or anyone.
After I finish the last table I grab my supplies and make my way back to the counter. I stop dead in my tracks halfway there. My breath catches in my throat. I stare, unable to move, at the most beautiful bouquet of flowers, all different colors, in a vase on the counter. Forcing myself to breathe I mentally tell myself they can’t be for me and make myself move forward. The closer I get, the more in awe I am of the flowers. A mixture of carnations, sunflowers, roses, lilies and so much more wrapped beautiful, with baby’s breath. I slowly walk up to the vase and spot the card. The envelope has my name on it. Oh no. With a shaking hand, I reach up and grab it. Unsure of why I’m so nervous I slip the card out of the envelope.
You are the most beautiful, sexy, amazing, funny… did I say sexy, woman on this earth.
~Ryan
Holy shit. I’ve never had flowers sent to me before. And this card, I surely wasn’t expecting this after the way he acted when we left this morning. A smile slips across my face, it takes effort to control my happiness. Holding the card to my chest with one hand I wrap my arm around the vase and carry my flowers around the counter. I set them by the back wall and slip the card into my purse. I slip my phone out of my back pocket and send a quick text to Ryan.
O.M.G. Thank you so much for the flowers. They are beautiful.
After hitting send I slip the phone back in my pocket and try to wipe the smile off my face, proving to be impossible. I still have an hour of work to finish and suddenly feel in a rush to get it all done. I tell myself to slow down and get to work on spraying the shoes and putting them away.
After the last shoe is in its slot I hear my phone. Grabbing it eagerly I see a text from Ryan.
I’ll see you tonight.
That’s it. Short, simple, and cocky as ever. I shake my head deciding not to reply. Telling him he’s lost his mind will do no good. He obviously does what he wants to anyway. I put my phone away and begin closing out my register. My mind wanders to Ryan. Do I even want to see him tonight? I am pretty exhausted from working all day. I kind of just want a hot bath and to lay on the couch, maybe read a little. I shake my head. Who am I kidding?
Putting my cash drawer in the safe and placing the closeout papers on the manager's desk I do a quick sweep of the place to make sure everything has been taken care of. Nodding at Don the mechanic and Jen the kitchen cook, I grab the flowers as we head to the doors. I let us all out and lock the door behind me. We walk together to the parking lot giving out goodbyes and ‘have a good night’s before slipping into my car. I feel nervous and excited about going home and am quickly on my way. Practically bouncing in my seat.
Pulling into my parking spot my eyes grow wide as I look at my door. Ryan is leaning up against the wall with a
bag of food in his hands.
I get out and grab my vase before making my way toward him. “So nice of you to drop by, though I don’t remember inviting you,” I say sweetly with a smile on my face wanting him to get the hint that just showing up is not something I’m used to. Some females might love it but for me, it feels a little over eager.
Leaning down Ryan plants a kiss on my lips before removing the vase from my hands. “No problem, sweets,” he says winking at me.
Ugh. How can he be so frustrating already? I unlock the door and step to the side, so he can enter too. Ryan walks to the kitchen and sets everything on the counter. Before I can move away from the door I am suddenly whipped around and pressed against it by a tall hard body. My breaths become erratic in an instant. I look up into Ryan’s eyes, smoldering with need. He takes my keys, wallet, and phone out of my hands and sets them on the table by the door. Grabbing me around the waist he lifts me up and I instantly wrap my legs around him. Still holding his gaze, he leans his head down and takes my lips. The kiss is hot and demanding and I instantly start to gyrate against him. Breaking the kiss Ryan lifts my shirt and pulls it off before reaching back and grabbing his, yanking it off, too.
Leaning down he captures my lips again as he reaches behind me unsnapping my bra with one hand. He slides the straps off my arms and tosses it to the side. Releasing my mouth, he hoists me up even higher and takes my nipple into his mouth. My head falls back against the door as I enjoy the sensations. I continue to hold on to his head and shoulders as he switches to my other nipple. I moan when he makes the contact. Letting it go with a pop his beautiful eyes meet mine.
“Unwrap your legs, baby,” he says gruffly.
I do as I’m told, and he sets me on my feet. He drops to his knees and unties my sneakers taking each one off along with the sock, tossing everything behind him as he does. Reaching up, he unbuttons my jeans and yanks them and my panties down roughly. I can feel myself getting wetter from his eagerness yet unsure of what has gotten into him. I hold onto his shoulders as I step out of my pants and watch as they sail somewhere behind him too.
Wondering why we are still at the door I open my mouth to ask but a gasp then a moan releases instead. His mouth is on me, there. He lifts my left leg over his shoulder and both hands move to my ass holding me against his mouth. I’m panting and moaning now feeling like I can’t get a breath. Suddenly he inserts two fingers inside of me and I quickly clamp down on them. I’m close and nervous about standing while I have an orgasm. I’m not sure my legs, or leg, will be able to hold me up. I tighten my grip on his hair as I’m about to explode and Ryan stops.
Just. Fucking. Stops.
“What the fuck?” I ask breathlessly, as Ryan stands.
He smiles at me before biting my bottom lip and slipping his tongue into my mouth. The taste of myself on him has me ready to explode, again. I feel his hands on my ass as he hoists me up against the door again, I instantly wrap my legs around him. He enters me quickly and pauses giving me a minute to get used to this position and the size of him. I give a slight nod and he takes the cue and pulls out slowly before slamming into me. I gasp. He does it again and I moan. He picks up his pace and begins going faster, in and out. My orgasm was already close and doesn’t take me long before I am spiraling out of control. I scream his name as it rips through my body.
Ryan stills and rests his forehead against mine. Eyes closed trying to catch his breath while I try to catch mine. That was very unexpected yet exciting.
Finally opening his eyes Ryan looks at me and grins.
“What?” I ask unsure.
“Two rooms down,” he says and laughs.
If you can count the entryway as a room. “Ugh, you are a piece of work. Let me down.” I smack his shoulder and release my legs from around him.
Ryan quickly pulls out and sets me down. I take a step away and glance down. My eyes widen at the fact that it is still up and seems to be ready for more but then I zero in on a bigger problem.
“You didn’t use a condom?” I ask as if it isn’t obvious.
“Nope.” He grins at me again, triumphally as if he won an award.
His damn cockiness is going to drive me to the nut house. “What the hell were you thinking?” I ask in shock.
“You’re on birth control so it doesn’t matter,” he says
“And how the hell do you know that?” I ask, disturbed. “And you do realize no birth control is a hundred percent, right? What if I’m that one person that gets pregnant. What will you do then smart ass?” I can feel my blood boiling and I want to scream but somehow manage to stay calm.
“Of course, I know it’s not a hundred percent, but it’ll be fine. And if you happen to be that one percent then I guess I’d have a child to raise.” He smiles at me.
Why the fuck is he always smiling like everything is perfect? I open and close my mouth a few times unsure of what to say when I realize he didn’t answer me. “You didn’t answer my first question. How did you know I was on birth control?” I feel myself begin to shake. This is a little too much for a second date that’s not even really a date. Yeah, we had dinner last night and he brought dinner tonight, which is probably cold now. But this still doesn’t constitute as a damn date.
Without a single bit of guilt on his face or in his voice, he says, “I read some of your journal last night when I came out to clean up dinner.”
“You did what?!” I scream at him unable to control it any longer.
“Calm down,” he says holding up both his hands. “I was cleaning and saw it laying open on the end table. I didn’t realize it was your journal at first.” He still doesn’t look apologetic for doing it.
“And how much did you read?” I ask needing to know and realizing at the same time that we are still naked next to the front door having this argument.
He shrugs his shoulders. “Well, all of it.”
“Do you know what the word privacy means? What gave you the right to do that? Oh my god! You are fucking nuts and have lost your damn mind if you think that was okay. What the hell have I gotten myself into?” I rant and start to pace in front of him. “And to think I was worried you were only using me for a one-night stand, hell I should be wishing you had about now.” I pause as I realize I didn’t mean for that to come out of my mouth. I have no filter when I’m pissed.
“Look it’s not…” Ryan starts to say as he takes a step forward.
I throw my hands up and stop him, deciding I’ve had enough I leave him at the front door and make my way to the bathroom. It’s time for that bath I wanted.
Stepping inside I shut the door behind me and make sure it’s locked so he can’t come in. I start the water as hot as I can and since I have no clothes to remove I stare at myself in the mirror. “How the hell do I find these guys?” I ask myself. Grabbing a hair tie, I throw my hair up into a bun and step into the tub. Leaning back, I try to let my muscles relax. They were fairly relaxed after the sex but after the argument, I’m all tensed up again. Closing my eyes, I try to think about anything but what just happened. My eyes quickly pop open as I remembered how he acted this morning. Is that why he was acting weird? He knew my whole life history by the time we had breakfast. Oh my god, the things I have written in that journal. My hands cover my face as memories run through my head. He knows everything about all my past relationships.
Letting out a low growl of frustration I throw my hands back into the water making a splash and take a deep breath. I am going to enjoy this bath one way or another. I close my eyes again and begin taking calming breaths. I strain my ears to see if he’s still here but can’t seem to hear anything. If I have any luck at all, he will go home so I don’t have to deal with him anymore tonight. I should have told him to leave before I came in here. Sighing I clear my head and let the hot water do its work.
When the water turns lukewarm I decide to get out. Unclogging the drain, I stand and grab my towel, wrapping it tightly around me before stepping out of the tub. I begin t
o feel nervous about leaving the bathroom but what kind of fool would try to stay in here all night. Not to mention, this is my damn apartment and I don’t even know if he is still here. Shaking my head, I resign to opening the door and finding out.
Slowly I crack the bathroom door and peek into my bedroom. No sign of him. I let out a sigh of relief and make my way around my room grabbing clothes and putting them on as I go. Panties, sports bra, tank top and yoga pants. My normal nightly attire except for the sports bra but I don’t want my boobs hanging free if he is still out there.
Once dressed I take a deep breath and leave my room. My house looks dark as I exit the room until I turn the corner and notice my living room is lit up with candles. My heart skips a beat. No one has ever done anything like this for me. But I have to remember I’m still pissed at him, he crossed a damn line. I slowly take a step into the living room and look around. There is a candle on every surface. I’m a little in awe at the way the room lights up with them and they smell amazing.
As I’m studying my living room I hear Ryan approach. My whole body stiffens. So much for that bath relaxing me. I quickly make my way over to the couch and sit down before he has a chance to touch me. Not much I want to say to him at the moment and just because he did something sweet and beautiful for me doesn’t mean I will cave.
Looking at the coffee table I notice that there are plates and silverware laid out. I glance up just as Ryan walks in with a few containers of what I assume is dinner. I watch him as he places a container of spaghetti and one of garlic bread in between our plates. My stomach growls, it smells delicious. I’m still pissed but nothing will stop me from eating.
I don’t say anything as he turns and leaves the room again, coming back with two beer bottles. A part of me is relieved he didn’t bring wine, I can’t stand it. I eye him as he sets the bottles down and starts to dish out food to each plate.
