Release (Iris Series)

by Lynn, Rebecca

  …..

  What in the world...? Ryann lifted her heavy head off of her pillow, trying to decipher the noise she’d heard. She was exhausted from going to bed so late and not being able to sleep soundly because...that’s right...she’d let a man she’d practically known give her a toe curling orgasm up against her foyer wall.

  Ryann rolled over and put her pillow over her head trying not to remember the night before without blushing. The thought of Jeremy sent a warm shiver down below, and she knew she’d never be able to forget that moment.

  The noise jolted her up again...a loud banging coming from the front of the house. Ryann looked at her alarm clock. 10:57am.

  Oh, shit! She’d just realized what the banging was, and jumped out of bed to sprint to the front door, nearly tripping over boxes in her path.

  Ryann opened the door without looking out the window. She knew exactly who was on the other side.

  “What the hell took you so long?! I’ve been banging on this door for 15 minutes! Did you just wake up?” Ayanna yelled in shock.

  Way to state the obvious, Yan.

  Ayanna Sarin had been Ryann’s best friend for 17 years. When they were 10, she had told off Marcy Sherman for making fun of Ryann because she had no father, and they’d been like like sisters ever since.

  Looking fresh as a daisy, and sexy as hell in her black leggings and long bright blue off the shoulder shirt, Ayanna strode in, her long silky black hair swinging indignantly in a ponytail, and her sparkly light brown eyes drilling into her. Despite the fact that her Indian American parents had wanted her to live up to the meaning of her name, Ayanna was anything but sweet and innocent, and was unapologetically flirty and flamboyant, the complete antithesis of her best friend since grade school.

  Living in the City with her two gay roommates, Chad and Steve, she’d just recently got back from studying at a famous culinary institute abroad, and much to her overachieving parents’ disappointment, she was currently working at a well-known restaurant in Manhattan as a sous chef, hoping to one day achieve her dream of becoming the best food critic in the City.

  “Yikes,” Ayanna said sarcastically, as she walked through the door. “Rough night?”

  Ryann gave her a dirty look, then flopped down on the sofa with a deep sigh, and dropped her face down into the throw pillow. Ayanna flopped on the stuffed chair opposite her.

  “Didn’t you go to the art showing last night?”

  Ryann nodded.

  “So why do you look like death warmed over? Did you get home that late?”

  “You have no idea.”

  “Wow. That late? You dirty stay-out, you. I hope you at least got lucky,” Ayanna snorted, obviously joking, using Ryann’s Scottish mother’s favorite phrase for whenever the girls had stayed out past curfew... which more often than not, was Ayanna’s fault, thank you very much.

  Ryann averted her eyes, not knowing yet if she was ready to tell Ayanna about what happened with Jeremy.

  “My car broke down in the City and I had to take a cab home from the gallery last night. I didn’t get in until late. I must have slept through my alarm.” Ryann explained.

  “You shouldn’t even bother getting it fixed. You won’t need it in the City.”

  “It’s on craigslist. Somebody will make an offer soon, so I won’t have it for much longer. I need to pick it up from the service station later.”

  “Well, lucky for you, I got you a latte and an ‘everything’ bagel with cream cheese...because, you know, I’m awesome.” She dug everything out of the bag and put it on the coffee table. “How much do you love me right now?” she asked not waiting for an answer. “I left my key to your place at home because I thought you would’ve been up hours ago.”

  “Why are you so good to me?” Ryann asked, as she sniffed her caffeinated beverage, wishing she could shoot it directly into her veins.

  She snorted, shaking her head. “I have no idea.”

  Ayanna had always been her rock. When Brent died, she hadn’t left her side for a month, practically moving in, even when Ryann begged her to leave. They had been through everything together and Ryann couldn’t imagine her life without her.

  “It looks like you made a pretty good dent in packing. What do we have left?” Ayanna asked.

  “The kitchen is the last room to pack and then the movers come early tomorrow morning.”

  Ryann couldn’t believe she would be leaving the home she’d shared with Brent. The move was bittersweet; she was excited about beginning the next phase in her life, living in the Big City and starting her dream job. But, she also knew what she was leaving behind. This house and all of its memories would always be with her, but she knew she had to move on.

  “How was the art exhibit last night? Were you able to meet the artist like you wanted to?” Ayanna asked as she walked into the kitchen, and began taking the glasses out of the cabinet.

  Ryann had to pinch herself to realize last night was not a dream. She still couldn’t believe what she’d done. Who was that loose woman last night and would she ever come back? God, she hoped so. She had never felt so free and liberated in her life.

  Her sex life with Brent had been healthy. But she sensed with a man like Jeremy, she would discover a new and exciting side to herself. She had a feeling he would demand it. Which made it all the more exciting.

  Not that she would have the opportunity to see if her prediction would come true. The thought depressed her.

  But really, who wouldn’t enjoy a man who looked like Jeremy, talked like Jeremy, and most especially kissed like Jeremy. And ending the evening with a climax to beat all climaxes, while pressed up against her foyer wall wasn’t too shabby. All from a kiss, a touch, and a grind.

  Even though she wanted the excitement, it was so unlike her. The rational side of her, the side that always won these arguments, told her she needed to focus on her career and not get involved with someone who could distract her from her goal. Especially someone who may pose an ethical dilemma given her new career path. No matter how beautiful, sexy, arrogant, presumptuous, dominating and confident Jeremy was. Right? Right.

  What other adjectives could she think of? Had she mentioned sexy?

  She sighed. She knew getting involved with him while he sat on the board of the Institute couldn’t happen. Shouldn’t happen.

  Seriously, what were the friggin’ odds?

  “Well, funny you should ask,” Ryann said, finally answering her question about the art exhibit. “I ran into a former student of mine who was on the wait staff at the event, and get this...he’s the nephew of Tabitha Lowe.”

  Ryann explained while wrapping glasses in bubble wrap. She knew soon she wouldn’t be able to avoid mentioning Jeremy, and began biting her lip. For some reason, she was nervous about telling Ayanna.

  “Small world!” Ayanna exclaimed.

  “Yeah,” she laughed breathily. “So, I was able to meet Tabitha Lowe and she was amazing... her new pieces are wonderful. She made me feel very at ease and even said she would be interested in seeing some of my work.” Ryann began to clear her throat, and her eyes darted around.

  “That would be great if you did that!” she said looking at her. “So,” she returned to packing, “a City cab drove you home last night all the way from Manhattan? They never want to drive this far out unless you pay them for the return trip.”

  Ryann realized she couldn’t keep the secret much longer.

  She cleared her throat again, and began to fidget. Ayanna was watching her like a hawk.

  “I know you, Ryann Thornton. You’ve cleared your throat twice now, and you’re all nervous and fidgety and shit. What’s going on? If I didn’t know better, I’d think you did get lucky last night.” Ayanna guffawed loudly.

  Ryann stared at her, and let the silence draw out. Ayanna blinked, then practically threw the glass she was wrapping into the box. She put her hands on her hips, and glared. “You totally better start talking, Ry, because if you got lucky, I’m absolutely g
oing to scream right now.”

  “Hold on, Yan... let’s sit,” Ryann mumbled.

  Ayanna grabbed her hand and dragged them to the living room, flopping them down onto the sofa. “We’re sitting. Talk,” she said.

  “I may have forgotten to mention that I got picked up by the most infuriating man…pompous, arrogant, presumptuous,” she began sputtering, “jerk who thinks he’s God’s gift to women, and…” Ryann took a breath, but Ayanna saw the opportunity and dove in.

  “Whoa – slow the fuck down. You got picked up by a guy? I’ve been here for 10 minutes, and you’re just now getting around to telling me this?! What does this guy look like?” Ayanna was smiling and rubbing her hands, settling in for the details girlfriends always wanted.

  Ryann sighed. “He’s friggin’ gorgeous. You’re typical tall, dark, and handsome, entitled… asshole,” she muttered.

  Ayanna let go of a gut laugh. “I want details! And if this part of the story doesn’t end well, I’m going to beat the shit out of you.”

  Ryann gave her a look, and said, “Would having a mind blowing orgasm while he had me plastered up against that wall right there 10 hours ago, constitute as ‘ending well’?”

  “Holy shit!” Ayanna smacked her hands to her head. “Are you fucking kidding me?!”

  “Hold on, I’m getting there! Where was I?”

  “Just get to the mind blowing orgasm already! And don’t scrimp on the details!”

  Ryann sputtered again. “He was gorgeous and hot, and,” her voice began to take on a panicked sound, “arrogant and presumptuous, and … he pissed me off multiple times which led to an embarrassing moment when I found out that he...wait for it...is Tabitha Lowe’s son!”

  “Wait. Shit! Was this before, during, or after the orgasm?”

  “This was at the showing right before I met Tabitha Lowe, who is really so wonderful.”

  “Don’t get distracted!!” Ayanna said before Ryann could start talking about Tabitha again. Then she smacked her head, muttering, “I should a had a V8.” Ayanna looked back at her. “Then what?!”

  “Then, to top it all off, I discovered at the end of the night, that he’s going to be the new vice chairperson... at the FUCKING MANHATTAN INSTITUTE FOR ART AND DESIGN!!” she screamed.

  Ayanna was trying to clear her head and understand, “Shit! Wait, was this during the orgasm part?”

  “No! This was at the showing!”

  “Get to the orgasm part!”

  Ryann groaned, and covered her face, then whined, “When I found out he was going to be taking his mother’s place on the board, I snuck out of the gallery even though he had offered to drive me home, and I took a cab instead, and lo and behold, who pulled up to the house after I got here, but him. He paid for the cab,” she said in a smitten tone. “He followed me home, Yan,” she added quietly.

  “Oh, Ry. That’s great, sweetie.” Pause. “I mean, he’s not a stalker guy, is he?”

  “No.”

  “What happened sweetie?” she asked gently, and then moved closer to her on the sofa. “This is kinda big, ya know?”

  “It’s huge,” Ryann mumbled.

  Ayanna snorted again, loudly. “That’s what she said,” Ayanna said wagging her eyebrows, while Ryann shook her head and rolled her eyes. Ayanna got serious again and grabbed Ryann’s hand. “Talk to me.”

  And she did. Ryann proceeded to give her the intimate details of the night before, not withholding any information. She told her about how they first saw each other in traffic, then how the rest of the night proceeded, with all of the multiple arguments, disagreements, and coincidences.

  When she finally got to them in the foyer, Ayanna was riveted to the edge of her seat. “I mean, he barely touched me, and I just exploded right there. I was so embarrassed, Yan,” she said covering her face again. She mumbled through her hands. “I mean, really. He must think I’m such a country bumpkin. And you just know he’s really experienced, probably screwing a different model girl every night, or something. I’m not going to be another one of his floozies, I’ll tell you that right now,” she huffed.

  “Of course you’re not. And listen to me, Ry. Don’t be ashamed to feel! You’re a woman. A beautiful, passionate, horny woman,” she laughed teasingly, pushing her down on the sofa trying to lighten the mood. Then she quoted their favorite Bridesmaids line, which was often said to the other whenever one of them was feeling insecure. She used her best drunken slurred speech, and said, pointing her finger at her, “You are more beautiful than Cinderella, you smell like pine needles, and you have a face like sunshine!”

  Ryann chuckled, then sighed.

  Ayanna got serious again. “Maybe he doesn’t think of you as another one of his women. I mean, he followed you home all the way to Jersey, Ry. He wouldn’t have done that if he wasn’t interested. I mean obviously he’s interested. And, remember what your student said to everyone? How he’d never seen a woman stand up to him? I’m sure you’re nothing like the other women who he’s used to falling at his feet. Trust me, you’re refreshing.”

  Ayanna took a deep breath, and looked into Ryann’s eyes.

  “Sweetie, you need to fuckin’ enjoy this,” she said. Then she took a deep breath, “How did it end?”

  Ryann sighed, and looked down. “He basically told me when he wants something, he doesn’t allow anything to stand in his way…and that I should be warned.” Pause. “Pompous son of a bitch,” she mumbled, disgruntled.

  Ayanna laughed again. “I have never heard you curse this much in one sitting…ever. And the fact that you’re pouting only proves how much he’s really gotten to you. And I, for one, am thrilled.”

  Ryann smirked and shook her head.

  “What am I going to do, Yan?”

  “Well, you can sit back and see what he does. He’s either going to end up being a dick, or he might just end up being a gorgeous, yummy guy who happens to have a lot of the same interests as you, and something might actually happen with him. Don’t overanalyze, honey. Maybe the fact that he’s at the Institute won’t be an issue. Just be yourself and let things happen. Either way, you’ll find out soon enough if he’s worth it or not…. But between you and me? He sounds dee-lish.”

  Ayanna looked at her with all of the many years of love and friendship they had between them, and said, “It’s been awhile for you, I know. But you know what? It’s time.” She put up her hand as if to stop the protests before Ryann could utter them, and continued. “I understand you feel guilty, but Brent would want you to move on. You know this. So, when are you going to see him again? Did he say?”

  “I don’t know!” Ryann flopped back on the sofa. God, when did she turn into such a whining, sniveling thing?

  “Well, I’m telling you right now. The next time he does see you? You’re going to be ready.”

  They both looked at each other a moment, then Ayanna reached forward and hugged her. “You’re going to be ready, Ry.”

  Chapter 10

  Sunday, Ryann woke up at 6am, wanting to be ready for the movers arriving at seven. She had slept much better than the night before, and she could only credit Ayanna for talking her through the situation…actually it was more like yelling, she thought wryly.

  By seven, she was in her cutoff jeans, coupled with a white V-neck t-shirt and sneaks, and her hair clipped up in a messy topknot. She had stripped her bed, made a full pot of coffee, and had bagels ready on the table for the movers. She’d learned having food for the moving men was always a good idea.

  The day progressed, and several hours later as she closed up her house for the last time, she allowed herself a moment of nostalgia. This was the first home that she and Brent had bought together. It would always be special to her. The moment gave her time to reflect, and then, a few moments later, allowed her some closure. She was not only ready to move, but move on as well. She hopped into her car, and followed the movers into the City.

  Although many buildings with doormen in the City didn’t allow peopl
e to move in on the weekends because most of the residents were home, her friend who had discovered the unit for her sat on the co-op association and worked it so she could move in on a Sunday. Considering there wasn’t a ton for her to move in because of her significant need to downsize, it wouldn’t take the movers long to unload everything into her new 700 square foot home.

  By late afternoon, she had her car in the garage below the building, and was buried under boxes in her new apartment on the West Side, and couldn’t be happier. She absolutely loved her new place. With an open floor plan, it had only one bedroom, but a large living room, and an adorable kitchen. She couldn’t wait to paint and decorate.

  It was a fresh start, and she was feeling the excitement for this next chapter in her life to begin. She took a deep cleansing breath and allowed herself to embrace this new feeling of happiness and contentment. Smiling, she opened the first kitchen box and began to unpack.

  …..

  About an hour into her unpacking, Ayanna arrived and began helping her put the place to rights.

  A knock sounded at the apartment door at around 6:30pm, startling both Ryann and Ayanna, since no one had called on the intercom for them to buzz someone up to her place. One of the things that Brent’s life insurance money had guaranteed was a spacious place in a safe area of the City to live, and her favorite part, a doorman at the door. Wondering who it could be, she walked to the door and looked out the peep hole. She smiled and opened the door wide.

  “There better be pepperoni on that pizza, Mr. White.”

  “Of course there is. What kind of New Yorker do you take me for?”

  Ryann chuckled, and gave him a quick one armed hug. She stood back to let him in.

  “Hi yourself, Mrs. Thornton. Welcome to the neighborhood,” he said with a twinkle in his eye. He walked in and looked around, then stopped when he saw Ayanna.

  Ayanna herself began preening, as only Ayanna could. She was looking at Jonathan as if he was a popsicle she wanted to lick all over.