Release (Iris Series)

by Lynn, Rebecca

She waved her hand, as if telling her not to bother. She put down the food on the coffee table and said, “I just mean that I’m trying to take a look at my approach, and perhaps alter it a bit.” Then she turned to her and put her hands on her hips. “Speaking of slutty, I am dying to hear about last night. I want to know everything, so don’t you dare scrimp on any details.”

  Ryann fell back onto the sofa and let out a wistful sigh. Ayanna flopped down next to her. “Was it as good as I think it was?”

  Ryann looked her dead in the eye. “Better. Better than anything I’ve ever experienced, Yan. I’m talking off the charts.”

  Ayanna blinked, then her eyes began to sparkle. “Holy shit. Did you…?” She let the question hang in the air.

  Ryann nodded slowly.

  “I’m talking about during.”

  Ryann nodded again. “Several times.”

  “AHHH!” Ayanna let out a scream, and tackled her back on the sofa giving her a huge hug. “I’m so happy for you!!”

  Ryann giggled. She couldn’t have this conversation with anyone other than her best friend.

  “I’m sooo glad you’re doing this, Ryann!” she squealed. “You’re having a fucking hot affair with a gorgeous guy...doesn’t it feel awesome?!”

  Ryann continued laughing and shook her head. “It’s definitely something.”

  “Tell me everything.” She settled in and grabbed one of the takeout containers. “Wait, we need forks and wine. Hold that thought. I feel like I need popcorn or something,” she muttered as she got up to get the things they needed.

  …..

  They spent the next hour talking, and any time Ryann would digress into some negative or insecure feelings, Ayanna would pull her back out of it.

  “Ry, just because he’s more experienced than you, doesn’t mean he’s gonna end up being a douchebag. Just enjoy each other’s company, and see where it goes. But so far, it sounds like it’s off to a great start. I mean, I think he really likes you, Ry. I can’t believe he’s never brought another woman to his place. That’s pretty telling, don’t you think? And I don’t think he’d lie about that. It’s too easy to verify since you know the women in his family.”

  Ryann hoped so. She never thought of herself as an insecure woman. In fact, she’d prided herself on being a confident and independent one. After talking to Ayanna, she was beginning to discover that the area she didn’t feel confident in was her sexuality. And knowing that Jeremy was such a sexual and experienced man, her lack of experience in that department made her feel inferior to him.

  Well, as Ayanna pointed out, it didn’t make her anything. She was allowing her lack of experience to feed into her insecurities, and only she could stop it. However, Ayanna also pointed out, that the more she slept with Jeremy, the more experienced she would become, and therefore the less insecure she would be.

  This was exactly why she had needed to talk with her. She was her biggest champion, and her best counselor. After Ryann had told her about her first two days at the Institute and Jennifer, Ayanna simply reinforced what she’d already said, but in stronger terms.

  “That fucking bitch. Listen Ry, you’ve dealt with spoiled mean girls for years, and their rich snobby parents. You can take this girl. Just remember that. Don’t take her shit. She’s just jealous because you have what she wants.”

  “I know. That’s pretty much what I keep telling myself. I just have to...get out of my head,” she said, remembering what Jeremy had said to her that morning about overthinking things. She had never thought of herself as repressed. She assumed her hesitations came from her insecurities about Jeremy’s sexual experience, but maybe she just needed to let go some more.

  Ayanna left about an hour later, giving Ryann some much needed time to decompress and think about some of the work she had to do on her thesis, and for the week. At around 10, she started settling in to get ready for bed, when she heard her text go off. She smiled when she saw it was from Jeremy.

  JM: What r u wearing?

  She smiled even bigger and decided to play a little.

  RT: Nothing.

  She waited and the text came back almost immediately.

  JM: Mmm. Thinking of me, my little sex kitten?

  RT: Tsk. There’s that presumption again.

  JM: R u touching yourself? If u r, call me. I want to hear u come.

  She blushed furiously, and rolled her eyes.

  RT: Is that all you think about?

  JM: Umm. Yeah?

  She giggled.

  RT: Pervert.

  JM: Only with u, baby. Did u have a good day?

  She sighed wistfully.

  RT: Yes. How was ur flight?

  JM: All is good. I’m going to dream of u tonight, and all of the things I’m going to do to u this wknd.

  She was wet just thinking about it.

  RT: I’m looking forward to it, Mr. McCallister.

  JM: Good. I’m not letting u get out of it. Sleep well this wk baby, b/c u won’t be getting much when I get my hands on u again. I have a busy day tom, so I’ll text again before I go to bed.

  She sighed again and rested her face on her palm.

  RT: Sweet dreams. :)

  JM: Oh, they definitely will be. U have them too, then we’ll compare on Sat. XO

  She flopped back on the bed, and hugged herself. She wasn’t ready to fall in love with Jeremy McCallister. But she was afraid she already had.

  Chapter 18

  Thursday passed quickly, and fortunately with no run ins with MG. She made it home by seven, having stopped at the local home improvement store on West 23rd Street to pick up some paint for the living room. She was hoping to get a start on it after work on Friday.

  She had a nice long talk with her mom, catching up about the move and the Institute. She didn’t tell her about Jeremy yet. She wanted to keep him all to herself for a little while longer before she started sharing him. Besides, her mom would have 101 questions about him, especially since it was no secret that this was the first man she had dated since losing Brent.

  She was able to get a lot of work done, and was getting ready for bed, wondering if and when Jeremy would be in touch with her. She decided to take the bull by the horns and text him first.

  RT: Hey. I’m heading to bed. We’ll catch up tom, ok? Hope u had a great day.

  She hit ‘send’ and then looked back over her message, and wished she had said something more sexy, or at least something a little more interesting. She sighed. Well, it was too late now.

  Her phone pinged, and she looked to see a return text from Jeremy.

  JM: I can call u in 5. Wait for me.

  She felt butterflies in her stomach while she waited for him to call. Ah, the memories of sitting on her bed waiting for a boy to call. She shook her head at how giddy she felt, reverting back to her teenage years.

  ‘I feel like makin’ love...’

  She jumped, forgetting about his ring tone. She giggled and answered her phone.

  “Hello, Mr. McCallister.”

  “Hey you. I was hoping to call you earlier, but dinner with my clients is going later than expected.”

  “Oh. Are you still out with them? You didn’t need to call! We can talk tomorrow...I just wanted you to know I was going to bed in case you texted later and I didn’t respond.”

  “Thanks. I wanted to hear your voice before you went to bed,” he said in a low voice.

  “Well, now you’ve heard it,” she said with a smile in her voice. “Now get back to your clients, Mr. McCallister so you can keep living the lifestyle to which you’ve become accustomed,” she chuckled.

  “I want you to sleep naked tonight, Ryann,” he continued in his low sexy voice. “I want to picture you there on your bed ready and wet for me. It’ll get me through my dinner so much better.”

  She blushed, and laughed lightly. “You’re impossible. Get back to your clients.”

  “Not before I know you’re going to get naked for me,” he said huskily. She could hear the s
mile in his voice.

  She sighed and rolled her eyes. “Fine, I’m taking off my nightie right now,” she said, even though she hadn’t moved.

  “I don’t believe you. Take it off, and lie down on the bed, Ryann.”

  “Jeremy…” she said with exasperation in her tone.

  “Come on, baby,” he cajoled. “I’m not getting back to my clients until you do.”

  She let out a harsh exhalation of air, put down the phone and yanked off her nightie. She couldn’t believe she was doing this. She picked up her phone again. “There. It’s done. Now go. Pain in the ass,” she mumbled.

  He chuckled. “Lay down on that bed of yours, and think of me touching you, baby. Because that’s what I’ll be doing. All through the rest of this meeting, I’ll be thinking about that. Nibbling on your nipples, sucking on your pussy. Oh, yeah. I can’t wait to get you all to myself this weekend,” he whispered. “Don’t come tonight. If you need to touch yourself, give me a half hour. I want to be on the phone with you when you do,” he said, his breath coming out in huffs.

  She moaned. “Jeremy, go. I need to get some sleep. You’re killing me here,” she muttered.

  “Only two more days. Can you wait for me?”

  “Yes,” she groaned. “Now go.”

  “Night, baby. Think of me.”

  “How can I not?” she muttered, exasperated. “You made sure of that.”

  “Yes, I did,” he said. She could hear his smugness.

  She rolled her eyes again, horny and unsatisfied. She refused to touch herself. She didn’t want to give him the satisfaction. Then a thought popped into her head. Two could play at this game.

  “Jeremy?” she said breathily.

  “Yeah, baby.”

  She continued in her breathy voice. “When you go back to the table, think of me too, ok? Think of me on my knees under the table, taking all of you into my mouth, sucking and licking. You taste so good, Jeremy,” she murmured in her sexiest voice.

  “Ryann,” he hissed. There was a long pause, as if he was trying to gain some control. “I swear when I see you on Saturday, I’m going to fuck your brains out. I’m not going easy on you, you sex kitten,” he growled.

  She felt a thrill go through her, and she laughed nervously. “Promises, promises. Have a good rest of your meeting, Mr. McCallister.” Then she disconnected.

  Her body was humming. She couldn’t believe the woman she was turning into. Almost immediately, a text came in.

  JM: U have no idea what I’m going to do to u.

  She smiled and felt a flutter course through her. God. She was so hot at the moment, she needed to go get some water. It was going to be a long two days.

  …..

  Friday ran smoothly, as she got to know her responsibilities and students more. One student in particular was a little flirty, but she remained professional and continually deflected him.

  As she was cleaning up for the day, she was hanging out with Paul, and had a chance to meet his partner, Pete, who was an adorable fun loving man, who had come by to pick Paul up for dinner. They were so cute together, like an old married couple. She and the guys all headed down in the elevator together, and Ryann said goodbye as she headed into the Admin offices to drop off some papers.

  When she came out, MG and Armand DiCarlo were standing near the entrance. There was no way to avoid Jennifer, so Ryann took a deep breath and walked toward the doors.

  MG looked up, and said, “Ryann, have you had a chance to meet Armand DiCarlo?”

  Ryann plastered on a professional smile and walked over. “No.” She put out her hand in introduction. “Hi, it’s nice to meet you. How are plans going for the big event next week?”

  He was very handsome, and had a sexy Dracula thing going on. Dressed in gray slacks, and a silk black dress shirt, he wasn’t hiding his interest in looking her up and down. It was obvious he appreciated what he saw, because instead of shaking her hand, he raised it to his lips, and kissed it. Slowly. All while making eye contact with her.

  “Beautifully,” he murmured in his Italian accent. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ryann.”

  She immediately became flustered, and she could feel the blood heat her face. Damn her blushing! She took her hand from his, and stepped back a bit. She smiled politely, trying to extricate herself from the conversation so she could head home.

  Before she could say anything, Jennifer jumped in with, “There’s no need to wait on making your move, Armand. Ryann will be available for the taking very soon. Won’t you, Ryann?” she purred.

  God, she tried not to hate anyone, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself with this woman. She couldn’t believe how unprofessional she was! In front of a man who didn’t even know her. Ryann was quickly trying to come up with a response, but Armand beat her to it.

  “It was good to talk to you again, Jennifer,” he said smoothly. “I’m sure I can handle my amorous ambitions without your help,” he said dryly.

  “Of course,” she smirked. “If you two will excuse me.”

  Armand watched her walk away with an annoyed look on his face, all while Ryann was trying to figure out how to remove herself from the situation.

  “You’ll have to forgive Jennifer. She can be somewhat catty at times.”

  Ya think? Ryann thought.

  She wasn’t interested in becoming his next amorous ambition, so she blurted out, “Well, it was nice to meet you, Mr. DiCarlo. I was just heading out.”

  “Please, Ryann. Call me Armand,” he smiled intimately.

  Oh, boy. If Paul hadn’t have already warned her, Ryann could have easily figured out this guy’s number. He was all sensual charm, and made it very easy to see that he was interested. Her “man” radar didn’t have to be working to figure him out.

  Geez. She hadn’t been picked up by a guy in years, and now in the last two weeks, there had been Jeremy, a flirty student, and now Armand. When it rained, it poured.

  She nodded. “Armand, then. Like I said, I was just heading out…”

  “It’s completely inappropriate, I know, but I asked Jennifer to introduce me. I noticed you the other day when I was introduced to the faculty.” Pause. “I make it a point to meet a beautiful woman who catches my eye,” he murmured with a sexy smile.

  I bet you do, buddy. Although his smile didn’t have the same effect on her that Jeremy’s did, a woman couldn’t help but be flattered when a gorgeous man who looked like him paid her a compliment.

  She cleared her throat, “Well, thank you.” She knew she sounded flustered.

  “I would say I’m sorry to hear about your divorce, but I’m not.”

  Huh? “Divorce?” she frowned.

  “Jennifer said you would be ‘available’ soon. I assumed that meant you were going through a break up?”

  Ryann gritted her teeth, while smiling. “I’m not getting a divorce. I’m not married. That was just Jennifer’s way of making a joke.”

  “Ah, I misunderstood. So,” he looked at her intensely, “you’re not seeing anyone then?” He took a step closer.

  Shit. How was she supposed to respond to that? She wasn’t sure how to characterize her relationship with Jeremy. She would hope that she could say they were seeing each other, but they never really had that conversation. She had a sick feeling in her stomach. Would Jeremy think they were exclusively dating? Or was he still playing the field while sleeping with her? She didn’t think he would do that. At least, she hoped he wouldn’t.

  She apparently took too long to respond, because Armand broke through her thoughts and said with an amused look on his face, “You’re not sure if you’re seeing anyone?”

  She stuttered, her face blushing, “I have a special friend who I spend time with. So, as much as I’m flattered by your attention, Armand…”

  “Hmm. So, it’s a man who hasn’t necessarily put a label on your relationship,” he interrupted. He tsked, “He’s not a very smart man, then.” He remained where he stood, but managed to make his next comm
ent sound like he was whispering it in her ear. “If I had you all to myself, I’d make sure every man in the City knew who you belonged to.”

  Even though his words caused a flutter of butterflies in her stomach, she took a step back and put up her hand.

  “I would belong to me, Armand.” She looked him in the eye, so that he understood she was no pushover. “Again, I’m flattered, but you don’t even know me. And I’m perfectly content with my ‘special friend’, so –”

  He reached his hand out and stroked her elbow as if to soothe her. “I’ve offended you, and that’s the last thing I meant to do. I would like very much to get to know you better, if things don’t pan out with this friend of yours,” he smiled intimately. “But until then, I will be the perfect gentleman, and try to convince you that there is one other man who would very much like to be more than your ‘special friend.’”

  He reached down for her hand, and kissed it again, this time turning it and planting his warm, soft lips on her palm. He released her hand, and bowed slightly, then turned and walked away.

  …..

  Ryann returned home, still flustered over the conversation with Jennifer, then with Armand. She wanted to tell Jeremy about it, but knew that he wouldn’t take it well. However, she did decide that they needed to discuss what exactly their relationship was. Perhaps it was naïve of her, but she didn’t think it was unreasonable for her to make sure he knew she didn’t want him to see other women while sleeping with her. She felt sick again. Was he seeing other women right now? On his trips? He was an extremely sexual man. Would he be seeking out women while he was away from her?

  Her stomach began to hurt. Why hadn’t they discussed this? She would end it if he was seeing other women. She couldn’t sleep with him if he was. Not only was it a deal breaker, but it would kill her to know that he didn’t think she was enough for him.

  She sighed. Now she was depressed. She decided to start painting the living room. It would distract her, and keep her mind off of Jeremy.

  After eating the leftover Thai from the night before, she moved the few living room furniture pieces to the middle of the room, and put a tarp over them, to finish prepping the room for the paint. She had chosen a deep wine color for the walls, which was completely out of her comfort zone. But this was a new chapter, and she wanted to do things she had always wanted to try. Her motto was, it was just paint. If she didn’t like it, she could always paint over it.