Collision: A Driven World Novel (The Driven World)

by Karen Frances

  Our mini bus car comes to a stop. Everyone gets out and I gasp, taking in the glorious Hotel Metropole Monte Carlo. The old cream building steeped in history is stunning.

  “Ellie, are you okay?” Ryan asks.

  “I’m fine.”

  “We’ve had this conversation about the word fine.”

  Dylan waits just a few metres from us. Les has already gone inside with the others while our cases are taken care of by the hotel staff.

  “It’s just, this is a lot to take in. I need to remember I’m here to work.”

  “Yes, you are, but you are also here with me and you will be staying in my suite with me because I want you in my bed. Now, come on. Let’s get inside.” We’ve already had this argument today about me staying with him; it doesn’t sit well with me considering I have a job to do. I don’t want anyone thinking I’m taking advantage of Ryan because that’s not the type of girl I am.

  As we enter the hotel, I gasp, in awe of the large lobby reception I find myself in. The mosaic floor is beautiful, and a chandelier hangs down in the centre of the vast space. The contrast of old versus the new colours just screams elegance to me. I’ve never seen anything like it. Les is at the main reception desk, checking everyone in and cancelling one of the bedrooms, my room. We argued about on the plane and now everyone knows my business, and that’s something I’m not comfortable with. Ryan made his point and I made mine, yet somehow he ended up getting his own way. I’m not sure why I can’t seem to follow my own damn advice when it comes to Ryan Jackson.

  Today, everything seems so full on and I’m not sure how to interpret it.

  “Okay, that’s us all checked in,” Les says, handing out keys. “Liam and Connor, you are sharing. Your room is on the first floor. Dylan, you’re also on the first floor. Ryan, here is your key. I’d like us all to have dinner together tonight. Ellie and I have things to discuss as I’m sure you all have things to talk through.”

  “Dinner is fine with me,” I say.

  “Perfect. Seven p.m., I’ll book a table in the restaurant.”

  Liam, Connor, and Dylan all head off in the same direction, while Les quickly goes back to the desk to book a table.

  “Right, come on, Miss. Let’s go and see what our room is like.”

  He takes my hand and we walk toward the elevator. Mixed feelings surge through my mind wondering where we’re going when everyone else appears to be on the same floor of the hotel. In the elevator, Ryan keeps my hand, and every time I glance at him he looks nervous. That’s not a look I’ve ever seen on him before. He’s always so controlled.

  The door pings and opens, and with some encouragement from Ryan, I finally move my feet. We’ve walked straight into a beautiful private sitting room that has French doors leading to what looks like an outside patio area.

  “Come.”

  We walk through what I can only say is one huge apartment. There’s a separate office, a beautiful, exquisite mosaic bathroom with gold fixtures. And then he leads me to the bedroom. This is all too much. I don’t want to think about how much this penthouse suite has cost for a week. Of course, I appreciate the beauty of not just the suite but the hotel, but I would’ve happily stayed in a Premier Inn, although I’m not sure there’s one here in Monaco.

  “Do you like?”

  “It’s beautiful,” I say, releasing his hand and walking toward the French doors in the bedroom. I open them and gasp, stepping out onto the rooftop patio when I take in the view. Bloody hell. I walk over, stopping at the railings, placing my hands on them, and sigh. I can see for miles. The harbour with all the expensive yachts is before me. I’d love to have a walk there to mooch around. There are more hotels, and swimming pools with sun loungers. I could spend the week here watching the world go by. It’s so peaceful.

  Millionaires’ paradise.

  So why the hell is a British news reporter here?

  A daughter of a junkie doesn’t belong here in the playground of the rich and famous. I frown, thinking about her. She doesn’t deserve my thoughts, but if she could see me now.

  “What are you thinking?” He wraps his arms around my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder.

  “That I don’t belong here.”

  He pulls me around to face him, his eyebrows knitted tightly together as his gaze searches my face. “Why would you say that?”

  “I don’t know.” I don’t want to tell him my thoughts at this moment.

  “Even if we weren’t involved you would be here reporting and I would’ve ensured you had the best room. It’s just an added bonus for me that I get to spend my time with you. So, no more negativity.”

  “I can’t help it. The newspaper and Les’ reaction has stayed with me. I can’t be someone that makes headlines with you. I write headlines.”

  “Ellie, please try not to overthink anything. Christ, I’m doing enough overthinking for the two of us.”

  “Why?” I ask with surprise.

  “Because I’ve never met anyone I’ve wanted to spend time getting to know. You’ve read the headlines; I’ve never been interested in anything else from a woman, yet from that very first night, I wanted to know everything about you.”

  He leaves me speechless, which is just as well when he dips his head and presses his mouth to mine with a soft tender kiss. I melt into his arms, leaving behind all my doubts and negativity. “The bed looks very comfortable,” I whisper.

  He raises his eyebrows, and there it is, his wicked grin. I pull from his hold, removing my t-shirt as I walk back inside, tossing it on the floor. I kick off my gutties and remove my jeans.

  I’m standing by the bed in my matching white lace knickers and bra. “You may as well save me the trouble and just remove those too,” he says, stripping from his own clothes.

  I do, and then lie on top of the bed, unashamed and wanting him completely. My feelings are dangerous because I want him more than I’ve ever wanted anyone in my life before.

  And that scares me and excites me at the same time.

  When he’s fully undressed, I close my eyes. I smile when the bed dips beneath me and I feel him between my legs, crawling up the bed. I gasp and open my eyes when his warm fingers part my swollen flesh.

  “Just enjoy,’ he says with a wicked glint in his eye.

  I close my eyes once more as he explores and teases. He strokes his fingers back and forth, and I wriggle beneath his touch.

  “Fuck!” I can’t help what I say when his tongue slides against me. His fingers still stroke back and forth as he flicks his tongue against me. A chaste kiss and then another flick has me grabbing the bedsheets underneath me.

  Back and forth.

  Tongue and lips.

  Teasing and tasting.

  Exploring and pleasuring.

  Fucking heaven.

  He’s licking and sucking at the most sensitive spot and I feel it all over my body. A tickle and flutter start in my stomach, building into a deep ache preparing me for the orgasm that is about to take hold. With each skilful stroke, I’m being pushed further than I could ever have imagined. My pleasure is building and there’s nothing I can do to stop it from coursing through me.

  His expert touch is sending me to a whole new level of ecstasy I’ve never experienced. I cry out as my orgasm pulses through me as he continues to lick and suck, ensuring every damn nerve ending is standing to attention. My heart is racing.

  I open my eyes and I’m greeted with his grin, that arrogant one he had on his face the first night I met him.

  “You look happy with yourself,” I tease as he crawls up the bed.

  “That I am. And I’ll be happier when I see that look on your face again.”

  “What look?”

  “The look of a satisfied woman.” I don’t get time to think about what he said as he thrusts deep inside me and pulls all the way back out, doing the same again.

  “Oh!”

  “Yes, oh, but I’d rather my name was falling from your lips as you lay in a sex-induced st
ate.”

  I close my eyes and allow my body to adjust to the sensations filling my soul.

  Yes, Ryan Jackson is trouble with a capital T, but I wouldn’t have him any other way.

  Chapter 20

  “I’m sorry about tonight. I promised you a proper date,” Ryan says as he pulls on his shirt.

  “It’s fine. We can go out another night.”

  “I know, but I had plans for you.”

  “And as I’ve said, I’m sure you can save those plans for a later date.”

  I don’t know why he’s making such a fuss. I knew there would be events he would have to go to that I would have to report on.

  Les told us about this event last night; a charity function to benefit kids. The minute I heard the mention of kids, I knew Ryan wouldn’t turn it down. There’s also the added bonus that very soon he’ll come face-to-face with Colton Donavan. And I get the chance to write up an article on the meeting between them. Depending what time this event finishes, I could have something emailed over to be included in tomorrow morning’s papers. An exclusive no other newspaper would have.

  I slip my feet into my red heels and take another look in the full-length bedroom mirror. I’m not sure about this.

  “You look fucking delicious.” Ryan moves my hair gently to the side and places kiss after kiss around my neck. “I could just stay here and keep you to myself all night instead of having to watch strange men leer over you.”

  “I don’t think they’ll be looking at me.”

  “You’re really unaware of the effect you have on men, and tonight, I can’t show the world you’re mine.”

  “No, you can’t. I have a job to do. Please don’t make this any harder for me than it needs to be.”

  “Okay, I hear you, and I’ll try to behave.”

  “You and behave doesn’t sound right.”

  I give him a chaste kiss and grab my small bag which has my phone, should I need to record any conversation if anyone agrees to an interview with me. To say I’m nervous about tonight is an understatement, but hopefully, when we meet up with Les and the others, I’ll feel better. I know it’s silly, but I don’t want anyone to make a connection between Ryan and me.

  Strange as it sounds considering we’re sharing a room at his request, I need to maintain my professionalism.

  “Now, you’ll be okay tonight, won’t you?”

  “Of course I will. Let’s go and get the others.”

  We leave the suite and make our way down in the elevator in complete silence to the bar. There’s tension between us, I can feel it, and it’s all my doing. All because I don’t want to see myself making news headlines as just another woman on Ryan’s arm. He knows this. I made my feelings on this very clear.

  We enter the bar and I see Dylan straight away. He’s just about to order drinks. I walk toward, him leaving Ryan to go and sit with the others.

  “Hey, you,” he says with a smile. “I know what he’s drinking, but what about you?”

  “Just water.”

  “Water?”

  “Yes. I have work to do and I’m hoping I can have an article for the deadline of the morning papers.”

  “Just a water with everything,” he says to the barman.

  “I’ll bring your drinks over.”

  “So, you are telling me that if you write up something tonight or the early hours, it will be in the paper in the morning?” Dylan stares at me, rooted to the spot in disbelief.

  “Yes, if I make the deadline.”

  “Bloody hell. I had no idea,” he says as we walk toward our party. “Do you enjoy your work?”

  “Yes, although I hate reporting on sexual abuse cases, or murder. But it seems that’s what I’m good at.”

  “Honestly, I had no idea. That must be tough?”

  “It is. Sometimes it’s hard to switch off.”

  “A bit like tonight.”

  I stop a few feet from where the others are. “I don’t understand.”

  His eyes dart to Ryan and quickly back to me. “Well, tonight I sense someone is having problems switching off. He’ll get over it. Claire has told me to keep an eye on him. Make sure he’s treating you right.”

  “Oh!”

  “What? I know all this might come as a shock but none of us have seen Ryan caring about anyone, ever. Claire is worried he’ll fuck up.”

  A stupid nervous noise leaves me. “I’m not sure what to say.”

  “Don’t say anything. Come on, we have time for one drink before we go to the other room.”

  I join the others, and Liam stands to give me his seat which just happens to be beside Ryan. “What were you and Dylan talking about?” Ryan asks, leaning close to my ear and placing his hand on my thigh.

  I glare at him, urging him to remove his hand, which he does after a few moments. “Thank you,” I say. “And we were talking about Claire.”

  “Okay.”

  “Ellie!” I turn as Les approaches the table. “There you are. Now, I’ll need you with me when I introduce Ryan to Colton. Colton doesn’t have a PR representative with him so we won’t be able to get a confirmation of a race between the two, but a will they/won’t they speculation…”

  “Will make great headlines.” I finish the sentence for him.

  “You and I are on the same page. Now, Ryan, I want you to try and talk to everyone associated with this charity. Talk to them about the work you do back home with Claire. You never know, there might be an opportunity to collaborate in the future. Colton is with his wife, Rylee, and I’ve been told they will be watching on Sunday. Colton has also expressed an interest in watching the qualifiers on Saturday.”

  “Okay, so basically all I have to do tonight is be nice and talk to everyone,” Ryan says offhand as he leans back in the seat looking as though he wants to be anywhere except here.

  “Fucking hell, Ryan. Get a grip. This is what you do and more importantly what is expected of you.” It’s Dylan who is giving him grief, and to be honest, I don’t blame him. Our drinks are brought to the table and Dylan thanks the bar man.

  “What? I’m not in the mood to be sweet and sincere.”

  All eyes around the table are now on Ryan, who is sitting back, taking a swig of his beer as cool as he likes, without a care in the world.

  “Ellie, can you talk some sense into this dickhead?” Dylan walks away from the table and I want to follow him.

  “Well?” Ryan faces me, taking another drink of his beer, and everyone starts to leave the table except Les, who is watching us.

  “Ryan, grow up and stop acting like a spoilt brat. I’m here to work. That’s what Les hired me to do. If you’re not happy with that, say now, and I can be on the first flight back to the UK.”

  “Sweetheart, I like the bossy side of you,” he says, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

  “Good. Now get your arse out of that chair and we can go and mingle.”

  Les laughs as Ryan stands. “Les, don’t make any plans for either of us for tomorrow,” he says.

  “You two can do what you like tomorrow, I just don’t want to know. Now, if we could make our way to the function room.”

  I walk with Les, with Ryan following us. I glance over my shoulder, hoping he’s back in a better mood, but when I do, the fucking git is licking his lips, watching me. He’s staring at my arse. ‘Unbelievable,” I mouth, and he shrugs.

  Why do I get the feeling Ryan is going to make this a long night?

  I’m surprised when we enter. I had thought it would be a room filled with tables, but it’s not. I was right about the mingling part. Right now, I wish I knew more about sports, although a few actors catch my eye. When Les told me about the event, I did some research into the charity and what they do. They are a world-wide adoption agency. Their aim is to help poor, deprived children find happy families, thus avoiding turning to crime, prostitution, and drugs.

  A waiter approaches us, offering drinks. Les and Ryan take a glass of champagne each, but I decline.<
br />
  “You are allowed a drink,” Les tells me.

  “Yes, I know, but for now, I’m happy.”

  Ryan frowns as we walk farther into the room. I see the man we’ll be meeting before Les and Ryan. He’s standing near the bar with his wife. She looks somewhat nervous, and that’s not the type of woman I had her for, but when I look around the room, the only other females here are staff. Was this meant to be a men’s only event?

  Colton is a man who stands out in a crowd, much like the man beside me. His tall, lean frame stands casually observing the room, with a beer in his hand, and the other is wrapped around Rylee’s waist, holding her tight. She sips on a glass of champagne as she listens to whatever Colton is saying.

  Well, since Colton is with Rylee and no one else, I believe now is the time for these two to meet.

  “Ellie, where are you going?” Ryan asks.

  “If you two would hurry up and follow me, you’ll see,” I say. Les notices where we’re headed and smiles.

  “Ah, Colton, how nice to finally meet you. Les, I’ve spoken with your PR manager,” Les says, offering him his hand.

  “Great, good to meet you. This is Rylee,” he says in his thick accent, introducing his wife. “And you must be Ryan. I’ve heard and seen so many good things about you.”

  “Hi,” he says, shaking Colton’s hand. “I’ve been following you. Good evening, Mrs Donavan.”

  “Please, that makes me sound old. Rylee.”

  Colton and Rylee both have their eyes on me and they must be wondering who the hell I am. “Sorry,” Les says. “This is Ellie. She’s a reporter and she’s with us on an assignment.”

  “Hi, Ellie,” Rylee says, smiling at me sweetly. “What is your assignment?”

  “Cleaning up this one’s image,” I say, nodding towards Ryan. Now I’m nervous, but she laughs, and so does everyone except Ryan.

  “I believe a driver’s image can only be cleaned up with a good woman standing beside him,” she says, and my heart melts when Colton smiles and kisses her cheek. “I think we should leave these three to talk for a bit and we can get a drink”