“Is that a pang of jealousy I hear from you?”
“You’re damn right it is. I want to be the one you go home with tonight.”
“That won’t be happening.”
His body tenses at my words. “And why not?”
“Because everything I need is at my place, and if I go home with you tonight then it means I will spend tomorrow rushing around before our flight.”
“We don’t need to rush if I come home with you instead. My case is already packed and Les has it.”
“I presume you can’t be trusted not to forget anything,” I say, with a deep sense of amusement.
“See, you already know me so well. So, I think I should just come home with you, to keep you company and to make sure you’re on time for travelling.”
“How thoughtful.”
He tilts his head to the side and smiles with a shrug of his shoulders. “I think so, but before you take me home, I think you owe me a dance or two.”
“Is that so?” I inch my body closer to his, placing my hand on his thigh. He closes his eyes and inhales and exhales slowly. “Well, you’ll just have to wait. I’m not ready to go home just yet.”
Dani laughs, so I can only presume I’ve said the last sentence louder than I should have. Ryan shakes his head before lifting his glass and downing the contents. “You are a bad influence, woman.”
“Me?” I pout.
“Yes. You’re already driving me to drink.”
“And if you play your cards right, I’ll drive you to more than drink.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
Chapter 18
“If you don’t dance with me soon, I’m going to throw you over my shoulder and march out of here all caveman style and get a taxi.” His words make some sort of sense in my near drunken state. There’s no way I want to be seen being carried out of a nightclub over anyone’s shoulders, least of all his because, I’m certain an incident like that would make headlines.
Headlines.
I can’t be seen making front page news with Ryan Jackson. I’m meant to be reporting on the softer side of him. “We can’t be seen leaving here together,” I say softly.
“Why not?”
“My job. I’m meant to be reporting on you, not making headlines with you.”
“Oh! I never thought about that. Don’t worry. When we leave, I can get a car to pick us up at the back exit,” he says, smiling, reassuring me. But my mind wanders to how many times he’s left a building through a back exit to avoid media attention. How many women has he done this with before me?
Doubts fill my head. I’m not sure I’m even capable of making wise decisions anymore. Where Ryan is concerned, all I feel is lust and desire which is alien to me. Dani is now talking to Liam and they look very cosy together.
“Let’s dance,” I say softly, pushing all doubts to the back of my head.
“Thank fuck!” I can’t help laugh at his very honest reply. I pick up my bag and have a quick word with Dani, telling her that Ryan will be coming home with me. All she says in return is to have fun and enjoy next week because she won’t be home tonight. I would usually call her a dirty minx, but I’m sure that’s what she’ll be calling me.
After he has a quick conversation with Dylan, Ryan wraps his arm around my waist and we walk slowly to the dancefloor. The music changes, and I’m not even sure of this song, but it’s much slower than anything else that has been played and a whole load more seductive.
Fuck.
It’s just a dance. One dance. Then we can leave.
But then what?
He spins me around until my back is to his front. His arms snake tightly around my waist, holding me prisoner. I throw my head back and start to sway side-to-side. I close my eyes when I feel his lips press against my neck. He’s holding me where he wants me as we dance together. His body pressed against mine is fuelling me with desire. A warm hand slides slowly up the side of my ribs, stopping just short of my breast.
I’m not sure I’ve got what it takes to hold myself together here, dancing with him. Opening my eyes, I need to see him. I spin around. We’re face-to-face, and all I see in his eyes is a deep need and desire, which I’m hoping is for me and not just sex. Because I already know I can’t do a just sex relationship.
I need and want more.
The question is, does Ryan want the same?
With his hands on my hips, he moves me slowly to the beat of the music. He tilts his head; his lips are in kissing distance. I shouldn’t, but I do. I press my lips to his in a soft kiss. He pulls back and I’m rewarded with his smile and a wink of his eye before he reclaims my lips. His hands slide up and down my back, pulling me, crushing me against him.
I’m lost, so fucking lost to the warmth of desire spreading through my veins. Pulling back from our lust-fuelled kiss, I take him in in the dim light. He’s devilishly handsome. Everything about Ryan Jackson screams power, control, confident, dangerous… my list could go on, but all I really see is a man I want. We’re still swaying, his knee nudging between my legs. My breathing is fast and I’m sure there’s sweat on my brow.
“We should leave,” I whisper against his lips, wanting to be alone with him and not here on display to all around us.
“Let’s go then.” He presses a brief kiss to my lips before tugging me with him as we leave. Ryan speaks to the member of staff who he first spoke to and we’re led through the building until we’re exiting the back door, where there is a black car waiting. Ryan opens the back door for me and I get in before he rounds the car, speaks to the driver and then slides, in beside me.
“Ellie, this is Bob. You’ve already met his wife, Annie.”
“Hi,” I say cheerily, remembering Ryan’s housekeeper. “Ryan, we could’ve got a taxi.”
“I know that but I prefer to have Bob drive if I’m not driving myself.”
“You have issues.”
Bob laughs from the driver’s seat, indicating I’m right.
“Lots of issues, but there’s not many people I trust when it comes to driving, and Bob happens to be one of those lucky, or unlucky, people. Whichever way he or anyone else chooses to look at it.”
“I’ve not made up my mind on that, yet.” Bob chuckles, and his reaction amuses me.
“Remember who pays your wages.”
I elbow Ryan in the ribs at his poor taste of a joke at Bob’s expense. He wraps his arm around my shoulder and I cuddle into him.
“Are we going back to the estate?” Bob asks.
“No. Straight to Ellie’s, please, and then if you could collect us at eleven tomorrow.” Bob nods and pulls away from the nightclub. I don’t even ask why Ryan hasn’t given Bob asked my address; he obviously knows.
I snuggle into his warmth and close my eyes, feeling comfortable in his arms.
“Ellie, that’s us here.” My eyes flutter open and I realise the car has stopped. “Come on. Let’s get you inside, sleepy head.”
“Okay,” I say, stretching. Ryan gets out of the car and opens the door for me. “Thank you, Bob.”
“You’re welcome, Miss Cooper.”
Ryan takes my hands and pulls me to my feet outside the house. He says goodnight to Bob and leads the way to the front door as I take the key from my bag before handing it to him. He opens the door and I kick my heels off as soon as we enter. “You are tired and a little drunk.”
“Yes.”
“Which room is yours?” I point down the hallway to my room at the end. I yawn as we enter my bedroom. How crazy is this; I have Ryan Jackson in my bedroom. “Right, strip.”
“Is that a demand? I’m not sure I want to play games with you.”
“Yes, it’s a demand, and I don’t want to play games either. Not tonight. You undress and I’ll grab you a bottle of water if you have any in the fridge.”
I nod before he leaves me alone to sort myself out.
“Shit! What was I thinking leaving this here?” I almost trip over my damn case as
I make my way to my en-suite bathroom. I do a pee, wash my hands, and brush my teeth. “Bloody hell,” I say out loud when I finally look at my reflection in the mirror. “Mirror, mirror on the wall, I’m not the fairest one of all. Hiccup…” I laugh, leaving the bathroom.
I’m an absolute mess. What the hell does he see in me?
“You should be in bed.” He’s frowning as he watches me cross the bedroom. I decide now is the right time to do a strip-tease. I’m going to regret this in the morning. I dance slowly and what I think is seductively toward him, removing my dress and tossing it across the room, followed by my bra. I’m standing in front of him and just about to remove my knickers when he stops me. “Ellie, bed.”
I huff but do as he says and I climb wearily into bed. He pulls off his shirt and removes his jeans and jumps in beside me, wrapping his arms around me.
“I want you,” I say softly, nuzzling against his neck.
“And I want you, but you’re tired. I might be a lot of things, but I’ll never abuse a situation to get what I want. You can wake me up early tomorrow.”
I yawn, again. “Thank you.”
“Goodnight.” He switches off the bedside light and presses a kiss to my lips.
I jump awake. My heart is racing. “Ssh…” His voice sends shivers down my spine, and as I glance around my room, memories slowly filter through my head of the night before. “How are you feeling?” he asks, softly pressing light kisses along the back of my neck. His arms are wrapped around me and his erection is straining against my arse.
What a way to wake up in the morning.
“Good, all things considering. But I’ll feel better as soon as I’ve been to the bathroom and at least brushed my teeth.”
Ryan pulls the covers from me, laughing at me revealing my almost naked body. My mind wanders to last night. He could’ve done anything to me, yet he chose to be a perfect gentleman. I smile, getting out of the bed and walking across the room, running my fingers through my hair, trying to make it look somewhat presentable.
I glance over my shoulders when I reach the bathroom door to see him sitting back with his arms behind his head, watching me with a smug look upon his face.
“Give me five minutes and you can join me in the shower,” I say.
“But, I’ll need…”
“No, unless you’re not clean. I am and I’m on the pill,” I say before entering the bathroom.
A brave and bold statement, or a stupid and foolish one?
I don’t know.
But I’m sure I’ll find out soon enough.
I switch on the water and wait for a moment until steam starts to fill the room. Stepping in, I moan as the hot water hits my body. Perfect. When the bathroom door opens, my breath quickens and I close my eyes in anticipation.
The shower cubicle opens and I hear his footsteps pad toward me. He wraps an arm around me pulling me back until our bodies are touching. Electricity flows between us, like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.
“You slept well,” he says, running his free hand down my side.
“I did.”
“A few times I had to check you were still breathing.”
“I was obviously comfortable in your arms.”
“You were, and it’s got me thinking.”
“Thinking what?” I ask as he kisses my neck.
“That I should speak to Les about cancelling your room in Monaco.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” I say breathlessly as he continues kissing me.
“I think it is. It’s one of my better ideas.” He runs his hand down my body, stopping at my hip and then turns me so I’m facing him.
The cascading water flows over us. Steams fills the air. We’re naked, wet, and clean. For someone I don’t really know, there’s something is intimate about what we’re about to do. My breath hitches as I look into his deep brown eyes. I see him. Standing before me is the real Ryan Jackson, laid bare, with nothing to hide.
“Have you any idea how incredibly sexy you look first thing in the morning?” he asks, grabbing my arse and lifting me up. I wrap my legs around his body.
“Sexy and morning are not two words that go together where I’m concerned.”
“I beg to differ.”
My body is aching for his touch.
The prolonged anticipation of what we’re going to do is almost unbearable. He positions my body and pushes deep inside me, forcing me to cry out.
“Fuck! You feel like my heaven,” he says quietly. Not allowing him to say another word, I claim his mouth in an urgent, demanding kiss. With each thrust inside me, he groans.
Each groan increases my need.
My need intensifies with each thrust.
Each thrust pushing us closer to the edge.
Closer to a quick and mind-blowing explosion.
Still gripping onto each other, Ryan takes a step forward until my back hits the cold tiled wall behind me without breaking our contact. I reluctantly pull my lips from his because I’m desperate to see the look in his eyes when he falls. His eyes are filled with need and I can’t deny the sexual chemistry pulling us together.
His pace changes, harder and faster. I’m gasping for breath, struggling to keep my eyes open and hold his gaze. Our closeness is something that feels so right, as though we belong together.
I cry out his name as blood pulses through my veins, leaving me quivering.
He thrusts hard one last time before holding me still.
The pounding of my racing heart finally quietens and all I can hear is the sound of the water falling around us and his breathing.
Lifting me down, he places me on my shaky legs, and without saying a word, he leans forward, placing a soft, lingering kiss on my lips at the same time as caressing my back.
“You are the best start to my day.”
Chapter 19
“Where the hell have you been?” Les shouts as we enter the private plane. “I’ve been calling you all morning.”
Dylan is sitting by himself while a few of the crew members are sitting together, looking in our direction. Les is furious, his face red with anger, but I’m grateful he’s not diverted his attention on me. Ryan seems to be getting the brunt of it.
“I’m here and I’m not even the tiniest bit late.” I sit down opposite Dylan, and considering he and I get on, he doesn’t appear to be happy.
“You might have at least changed instead of wearing last night’s clothes,” Dylan grunts before looking outside.
God is everyone onboard this flight in a foul mood? I don’t think I signed up to that. I didn’t sign up to a relationship of sorts with Ryan Jackson either, but somehow that’s what I have.
For the time being.
Until he finds someone else and moves on.
My heart sinks at my thought.
“What the fuck is the point in me trying to sort out your reputation when all you do is put yourself back out there in compromising positions?” Les shouts, throwing a newspaper at Ryan as he takes the seat beside Dylan.
Newspapers. Les has another newspaper in his hand, and I’m certain it’s my article on the front page of that one.
“Ryan Jackson, who is he sinking his teeth into now?” Ryan reads. “Ryan Jackson was looking cosy with a mysterious woman in Oasis last night. But who is she?” He throws the paper across to me, shrugging. My heart is racing because everyone on this plane knows I was with him last night. I couldn’t even try to deny it. The picture on the front page shows me with Ryan on the dancefloor, but only those here will know it’s me. From the angle it was taken, I can’t be seen.
“Les, we were all out last night together. The only person missing was you.”
“It doesn’t make any fucking difference to me who you spend time with.” I close my eyes, cringing at his words. “What bothers me is that I’m trying to clean up your image. Now, whatever is going on between you two…” I open my eyes to see Les staring at me. “… I don’t want to see anymore headlines un
less there’s a fucking marriage proposal on the table. Ryan, get your act together. You fuck up and I won’t be here to try and fix it.”
Dylan covers his mouth as he chokes on his own laughter.
“Now I’ve said that, I have to say this piece of news is so much better.” Les hands Ryan my newspaper and smiles at me. “You’ve done good.” I accept his compliment, even though I don’t know what to say. One minute he’s giving me a telling off, the next a compliment. And Les told me I had to worry about Ryan’s mood swings.
The three of us watch Ryan as he studies the front page. I smile when I see the pictures that have been printed alongside the story; one that Claire gave me with Ryan and the kids, and another with Ryan and just his car that Greg took the other day. It looks as though he’s been caught off guard. It’s natural and fun.
When Ryan finally lifts his head, his gaze is on me. “Thank you,” he says softly. “That is one brilliant story about the charity.”
“That it is,” Les says.
“I hope it provides the charity with extra publicity,” I tell them.
“I’ve already fielded a few calls this morning about this. So I’d say this article will benefit both you and the charity,” Les tells Ryan.
“I think the charity is my priority, not my image,” Ryan tells him.
“How about you make winning this race next weekend your priority?”
“I’ll see what I can do.” Ryan winks at me and goes back to re-reading the front page story before opening it and reading the continued story on the inside pages. A flight attendant ensures we’re all ready for take-off.
I’m not sure I am.
I’m not sure about anything anymore.
I shouldn’t have, but I did. I Googled the name of the hotel we’re staying at, and bloody hell, a room per night costs more than my mortgage per month, and that’s just a basic room. Holy fuck. How the other half live.
The guys have been chatting in the car as we drive to Monte Carlo, while I’ve been daydreaming, looking out the window. I wish Dani was here. She would love it. The sky is a gorgeous blue without a cloud to be seen, and I’m struggling to see where the sky and sea meet as both merge into the other. The buildings are truly incredible, and I’m looking forward to having a day to myself to walk around and get a feel of this incredible wealthy town. The harbour is something else.
Collision: A Driven World Novel (The Driven World) Page 13
