Release (Iris Series)

by Lynn, Rebecca

  Ryann looked up at him in shock. Well, then.

  Riley laughed with glee. “Ooh, I like you a lot. Don’t let her fears get in your way, lad. The love that you have for each other is worth the risk, I’d say.” She reached back and took Tony’s hand, the big bear of man wiping at his wet eyes.

  “It’s absolutely worth the risk…and don’t you worry. She won’t get away from me. I can promise you that,” Jeremy said while tightening his grip on her shoulders, running his hand up into her hair and then rubbing at her neck.

  She loved how he touched her.

  They all moved further into the living room, where Riley and Tony took a good look around. Riley, having an eye for art as well, cooed over the décor. She and Tony loved the warm atmosphere and told him so.

  “Thanks,” Jeremy said with pride. “I’m hoping Ryann will add some of her touches soon, as well.”

  Ryann looked up at him in surprise again. Then she cleared her throat and said to her mother, “Mom, take a look at this woodwork. This was all done by Jeremy…isn’t it gorgeous?”

  “Yes! That’s right, Ryann did tell me that you were a carpenter. These pieces are beautiful. Do you ever sell any?”

  “Very rarely. I usually only design and make pieces for myself and family.”

  “They’re exquisite.”

  “He made an easel for me…let me show it to you...” Ryann said happily, grabbing her hand.

  They spent the next few minutes in his woodshop, where Tony and Riley continued to heap praise on him for his skill and talent.

  The next guests to arrive were Jeremy’s parents.

  And just as Ryann had predicted, Tabitha and Riley became fast friends.

  By 5:30, all of the guests had arrived, and the party was in full swing, with the stereo blaring, the appetizers being devoured, the grill going, and beer and wine being consumed by all.

  Ryann made her rounds to all of the different groupings, happy to see everyone getting along.

  Well, ‘getting along’ was a relative term, she supposed. Ayanna, who was dressed to the nines in her own version of ‘BBQ garb’, looked gorgeous in her short white shorts, showing off her long tan legs in her high heeled red wedges. She caught the eyes of Michael and Luke early on, and Jonathan looked as if he didn’t notice, but she sensed he did. Emily also looked like she was trying not to appear annoyed, but Ryann noticed she was watching Mike flirt with Ayanna.

  Ayanna however, only had eyes for Jonathan, even though he seemed clueless. Emily, it seemed, watched Michael’s movements a lot, while Tiffany floated from group to group.

  At one point, Michael and Luke left Ayanna to help Jeremy with the grill.

  Emily and Tiffany hit it off, and Janie Callahan, Michael and Robbie’s sister who had catered Tabitha’s showing, seemed to be like a little sister to Luke. It was obvious he adored her. Eventually Janie and Ayanna made their connections in the culinary arts, and discovered they’d both attended Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, only a year apart from each other.

  Robbie and his parents were there, as well, although Robbie left early to go out with his friends. All of the parents sat together and were having a great time.

  When Michael walked in from the deck, Ryann made her way over to get a bottle of water and intercepted him.

  “Hey, Michael.”

  “Hey, you.” He caught her off guard and leaned over to give her a big hug. This family was definitely a demonstrative bunch...always touchy feely.

  He whispered in her ear, “It’s great to finally get to know the woman who has brought down the mighty Jeremy… especially under better circumstances than the beginning of the week.” He winked at her.

  She blushed, then smiled shyly. Just then, Jeremy walked in from outside and stalked over, took her expertly from Michael’s arms, and dipped her dramatically to kiss her possessively.

  Any time he wanted to lay one on her, she wouldn’t complain. She was discovering she loved his possessive side.

  Jeremy looked at his cousin and said, “Keep your paws to yourself, Mike. This one’s taken.”

  “What?” he asked innocently.

  “You heard me. Keep your fucking eyes and hands to yourself.”

  Ryann put her hand up. “Alright. Relax…nothing happened.”

  Michael was enjoying himself, and gave Ryann a once over with his eyes. “Well, she is a sweet looking woman. Too bad I didn’t see her first,” he said wiggling his eyebrows. “I could kick myself for not being at Aunt Tabs’ showing. Because you know, she never would’ve looked at you if I had seen her first.”

  Before Jeremy could respond, Ryann said with a smile, “You know Michael, your father warned me about Jeremy being the heartbreaker at Tabitha’s showing. I think you may be worse.”

  Michael covered his heart with his hand, and said in a mock serious tone, “I don’t break hearts, gorgeous. I know how to take care of a woman. Anytime my cousin screws up, you just give me a buzz.”

  Jeremy smiled an evil smile. Was this seriously happening? What a bunch of Neanderthals, Ryann thought.

  “Keep talking, Mikey,” Jeremy smirked. “It’s been awhile since we had go at it. I can still kick your ass.”

  Michael winked at Ryann. “I love seeing him like this. All jealous and domesticated. Who woulda thunk it?”

  “Well, now ya have. So keep your fucking hands to yourself from this point on.”

  Michael teasingly put up his hands in a show of peace. “I get it, I get it. So when’s the big day? And when are you gonna put a ring on her finger, for God’s sake? You did say she was your fiancé, Jem. You weren’t lying to me before, were ya?” Michael asked, a teasing glint in his eye.

  Jeremy pulled her closer, and smirked at Michael in challenge.

  Ryann decided to jump in. She felt like she had been watching a tennis match.

  “So, Michael. You’re single, I presume.”

  “Absolutely, sweetie. You won’t see me falling for anyone. You have my word on that. I’m perfectly happy playing the field. In fact,” he zeroed in on where Ayanna stood with Jonathan in what looked like a heated discussion, “I’ve been checking out that field over there. Your friend Ayanna’s a looker.”

  Ryann smiled, “Yes, she is. Although, I’m not sure you’re her type,” Ryann said, thinking of Ayanna’s new philosophy of finding a nice guy.

  He turned to her insulted. “Honey, I’m every woman’s type.”

  “Well, it’s nice to know that the men in this family don’t lack in humility,” she murmured dryly.

  Jeremy and Michael said in unison, “We’re confident.” Then they laughed at each other and high fived.

  Good grief.

  Michael chimed in, “Actually, if I’m going to be honest, I prefer my women with a little more meat on their bones… you know, nice curves that I can grab onto. It’s too bad that one’s taken,” he muttered, lifting his beer in Emily’s direction. She had been talking to Tiffany for a while now.

  She looked great, with her wavy dirty blonde hair down her back, her snug jeans, high heeled sandals, and fitted red top. All of the women there at the party looked stylish and pretty.

  Ryann responded. “Really? I didn’t realize she was seeing anyone.”

  “I thought that Jonathan guy was her husband…they’re always together, and have the same last name.” He waited a beat. “They’re not together?”

  Ryann cleared her throat, enjoying his look. “They’re cousins, actually.”

  “Reeallly.” Michael took a swig from his beer, and then grabbed a couple more from the cooler on the floor. “Well, it looks like my day is looking up…’scuse me,” he said with a wink, then headed over to Tiffany and Emily.

  “Wow,” Ryann said. “Should I warn her?”

  “Somehow I think she can take care of herself,” he chuckled. “It would be nice to see him taken down a few pegs, and if she can do it...then we can all sit back and enjoy the show.”

  They watched Michael meet up with the two women,
putting his arm around Tiffany and giving her a big hug and kiss, then offered them both a beer. He looked Emily up and down, all while keeping his hand around Tiffany’s waist. Tiffany laughed. It was obvious she had grown up with him, and knew his antics.

  Emily on the other hand, had the same facial expression on her face as when Michael had questioned Ryann earlier in the week. And it still screamed ‘asshole.’

  Jeremy gained her attention behind her by whispering in her ear, “The only thing I want you to be thinking about is what I’m going to do to you when everyone is gone. Should I give you some hints?”

  Without waiting for her reply, he buried his nose into her hair and whispered in a husky voice, “I’m going to peel off all of your clothes, you’re gonna leave those heels on, and I’m going to put you over the foot of the bed, and take you from behind. I might even spank that sweet ass of yours…”

  She could feel herself swaying toward him, trying not to melt into the floor, sure that everyone knew what he had just said to her. She knew her face was pink, and she quickly cleared her throat to regain some control.

  “That sounds…nice,” she croaked.

  “Nice? Oh, baby, let’s see if we can do better than that.” He took a breath and continued in her ear. “Maybe I’ll tie your hands to the headboard. So you can’t move. That way, I can do whatever… I… want,” he said punctuating each word. “Does that sound…nice?”

  She let out a small whimper, then cleared her throat again to cover it up. She turned her head to glare up at him, “Stop.”

  “Stop what?” he asked innocently.

  “You know what,” she whispered.

  “I’m just trying to prepare you for the evening ahead,” he said kissing her ear. “Or maybe I’ll just surprise you. That might be even better,” he finished, nibbling on her earlobe. “I gotta go check the grill, baby. Luke can’t work it for shit... although it looks like Janie’s keeping him in check, at least.”

  With that, he winked, swatted her on the ass, then headed outside.

  Dear God....that man. Now she was a horny mess. He totally knew what he was doing, too. Jerk.

  Ryann made her way over to Michael’s group just as she heard Emily’s dry remark, “You really do need to work on that self-esteem, Detective...” Emily smiled at Ryann as she approached, and said, “Hey Ryann. I’m gonna get some water. Do you want to join me?” And with that, Emily walked away, leaving a bemused Tiffany, and a casual looking Michael with a gleam in his eye, as he watched Emily walk away.

  “Sure,” Ryann said, trying to keep up with her. When she reached Emily digging in the cooler, she asked, “What did I miss?”

  “Just the detective being his lovely asshole self,” she grumbled.

  Ryann looked back at him, and he saluted her with his beer. She gave him an exasperated look and turned back to Emily. “What did he say?”

  “Basically, that it would do me some good if I took a ride on the Callahan train,” she mumbled.

  “He said that?!”

  “Not in so many words.”

  Ryann looked at Michael again, and he winked at her. He was alone, now that Tiffany was talking to Ryann’s mom, but he looked like he was about to walk over to them.

  Ryann turned back to Emily, just as she was standing up from poking through the cooler. Before Ryann could give her a warning, Michael appeared, and grabbed Emily’s elbow.

  “Ryann, sweetie, would you excuse us? The counselor and I have some things we need to discuss.”

  “Oh, no we don’t,” she said with a slight chuckle.

  “Yeah, we really do…don’t make me detain you, now...I can pull out the handcuffs if you want, babe,” he said in a husky voice.

  “I’m not your ‘babe’, Detective, and if you go anywhere near your handcuffs within two feet of me, you’ll have a lawsuit slapped on you so fast, your head will spin.”

  His mouth kicked up into a semblance of a smile. “Ooh, that sounds like a challenge. I never back down from a challenge. Especially from a feisty…woman…like yourself.”

  Emily let out a sigh, as if she was trying to contain her temper, and said with a sweet smile, “Detective Callahan, let’s get something straight. I’m not interested. Not in you, your handcuffs, or the fact that you see me as a challenge. In fact, that is precisely why I’m not interested. So, now that I’ve made myself clear, in front of a witness, no less, why don’t you run along and find some other little woman to…bless…with your presence,” she said waving her hand in a flourish.

  Michael leaned down to Emily’s petite frame and whispered in a loud stage whisper, “Don’t you see what you’re doing, Counselor? What is it that old Willy Shakespeare said? The lady doth protest too much, methinks…The more you deny your attraction for me, the more you’re just admitting that you can’t wait to get your hands on me.”

  “Oh, I’d like to get my hands on you, Detective…just not in the way that you think,” she said drolly.

  “Mmm, that sounds interesting,” he said, giving her a once over with his eyes. “Anytime you want to have a little…tussle…you just let me know, Counselor.”

  Ryann chuckled, then cleared her throat, embarrassed but strangely aroused at the sexual tension bristling between them.

  Emily looked at her as if to say, Do you believe this guy?, then said, “Which way to the restroom, Ry?”

  “Just back there behind the kitchen.”

  “Thanks.” And with that, she put her water bottle on the counter, and walked away.

  Michael watched the sway of her hips as she left, and said after her, “If you need any help in there, Counselor, you just give a yell.”

  She shot up her middle finger without even slowing, and kept walking.

  Michael chuckled, and turned to Ryann. “She wants me bad,” he winked, as if she were his co-conspirator. “You’ll see.” Then he leaned down and planted a huge loud kiss on her cheek, and walked away.

  What was it with the men in this family? Jeremy’s sexuality was blatant, but Michael was absolutely outrageous.

  She decided to check out Ayanna and Jonathan to make sure there were no wounds that needed bandaging.

  As she got closer to them, she noticed Jonathan leaning down speaking intently to Ayanna, and Ayanna taking on a defensive stance.

  Geez. What was going on today?

  Ayanna saw her and smiled. “Ry, would you please tell Mr. White here, that if I feel like wearing short shorts, sweet high heels, and flirting with half of the male population of Manhattan, then I goddamn have the right to do it?”

  Yikes…so much for turning over a new leaf, Yan.

  “Umm,” Ryann stuttered.

  Jonathan interrupted, and said calmly, “Or maybe you can tell your best friend here, that the more she advertises herself as nothing but a long set of gorgeous legs, and a skimpy top to half the male population of Manhattan, she’s only going to be looked at for one thing?”

  “Whadda you care, Johnny Be Good? It apparently doesn’t affect you! And there’s nothing wrong with a woman wanting to show off her best assets. If a man can’t think without his dick long enough to have a conversation with a woman to see she’s gotta brain in her head, then he’s not worth her time.”

  “Oh, is that what you’re trying to do, then? You’re trying to see if a man can look at your brains? I’m sorry…I misunderstood. When you have on a pair of shorts that barely cover your ass crack, and you’re wearing a shirt that’s practically painted on, I thought maybe it wasn’t your brain you wanted them to look at.”

  Holy shit. Ryann had never seen Jonathan worked up like this. Ever.

  “You are such a hypocritical…judgmental…asshole, do you know that?” Ayanna sputtered. “You mean to tell me that when you first look at a woman, you’re not looking at her face and body first? Of course you are! That’s how the attraction starts. Then as you get to know each other, you realize there’s more to them than just the outer shell.”

  Ayanna took a deep breath
and kept going. She wasn’t nearly finished. “And, for your information, these shorts are a tasteful length, and this tank top isn’t any tighter than any other woman’s in this place. Look at Ryann’s…hers is just as fitted as mine! I don’t see you lecturing her.”

  And just then, the light bulb went off. That’s because he’s not attracted to me, Yan, Ryann thought, but he is, apparently, very much attracted to you.

  However, even as Ryann thought it, she self-consciously covered her chest with her arms.

  Jonathan let go of a huff and ran his fingers through his hair. “Why the hell are we arguing about this, anyway?”

  “You started it,” Ayanna said petulantly.

  Ryann could tell that Ayanna was not only mad…she was hurt. Ryann decided to stick her nose in…she loved Jonathan, but Ayanna was working through this very issue, and she wouldn’t have her hurt for anything. She recalled Michael’s earlier allusion to the famous Shakespeare quote, and realized now how much it applied to Jonathan.

  “Yan, sometimes when a man thinks a woman is incredibly attractive, and sees other men gravitate to her beauty as well, he doesn’t know what to do about it, and instead of just coming clean, and telling the woman that he’s attracted to her, he tries to find ways to sabotage the other men from wanting her, by making the woman feel as if she’s done something wrong. That way if she’s picked up by some other guy, she’ll start to question why the other guy is picking her up, saving her for the man who really wants her, but,” she turned to Jonathan and looked him in the eye, “for some reason is too chicken to own up to it.”

  Both Jonathan and Ayanna looked at her, as if they’d been poleaxed.

  “Shit,” Jonathan muttered, then turned and walked away.

  “God,” Ayanna said, “you are good, Ry. Do you think that’s what he was doing? Man, maybe you shoulda majored in Psychology instead.”

  There was a moment of silence, then Ryann cringed. “He didn’t mean to insult you. I think maybe there’s a story there. Maybe he’s been hurt or something. I should go talk to him…That was completely out of line on my part.” She paused. “He’s always been a good friend to me. I just saw that you were hurt, and my protective instincts took over.”