The inside of the mansion was just as beautifully decorated as the outside. The large ballroom looked like a winter wonderland. Crystal snowflakes hung from the ceiling. The tables were set with pale blues, silvers, and whites. Servers passed hors d’oeuvres, and champagne flowed freely, while a man in a white tux played soft music from behind a grand piano.
Jamie followed dutifully behind as Jared worked the room. It was a who’s who of Seattle government. Jamie’s hours of research had paid off. She recognized most of the men and women in attendance. She was witty, charming, and able to keep up conversation with ease. On more than one occasion, Jared flashed her a proud smile, an action that should have comforted her, but didn’t. Jamie never wanted to be a good housewife, but with Jared making things official tonight, her fate was sealed.
Jamie spotted Kensie across the room. She looked gorgeous in a floor-length satin gown. Kensington was built for this kind of thing; it was in her DNA. Her family was Washington State’s equivalent to the Kennedys.
“Excuse me,” she whispered.
Jared nodded at Senator Wallace, before turning to Jamie.
“Kensie,” she said by way of explanation. Jared scanned the crowd and spotted Kensie standing next to her grandfather.
“Go ahead, sweetheart.” Jared’s eyes ran the length of her body. His perusal made her skin crawl. She’d avoided his advances for months, but something in his posture told her tonight that would change. “You really are the most beautiful woman in the room,” he added darkly.
Senator Wallace grinned, and Jamie realized she wasn’t going to be able to skate through the ball as easily as she’d hoped. “And you’re the most handsome man,” she said, returning the compliment with a kiss. She felt their eyes on her back as she retreated and a shiver ran through her veins.
“Jam!” Kensie squealed, barreling towards her. “Oh. My. Gosh. You look amazing.”
“I feel like an imposter,” Jamie confessed, scanning the crowd. Everyone else seemed to be having a good time, yet Jamie was ready to peel off her skin. “Come to the ladies’ room with me?”
Kensie nodded and the women linked arms, making their way through the maze of tables. Once inside the restroom, Jamie checked each stall, one by one, to ensure they were truly alone. She needed a minute to be candid with her best friend and didn’t want to have to worry about any fallout.
“I hate this dress,” Jamie moaned.
“It’s gorgeous and you look amazing in it,” Kensie smiled.
It was comforting to have her friend there. Kensie and her family had been coming to these things for as long as Jamie could remember. Her plan was to latch onto her best friend for the rest of the night, and let Kensie’s quirky charm do the work for her.
“Jared says pink makes me look innocent, and that I need all the help I can get,” Jamie said, rolling her eyes.
“It does,” Ken giggled, “and you do.” Kensie dug into her clutch and presented a baby-pink lip gloss to Jamie. “Gloss?”
“Please.” She took it happily. Jared tended to keep his lips to himself when she wore the stuff. She planned on buying a year’s supply.
“How are things with Jared? Ken asked, fixing her mascara.
“I think I’m going to have to have sex with him soon,” Jamie shuddered. “When he came home from Tokyo he tried, but I told him I had my period. I don’t think he’ll buy that tonight.”
“I’m sorry, Jam,” Kensie said, finding Jamie’s eyes in the mirror. All primping ceased and the two women stared at each other. Their relationship over the last few months had been strained, but tonight that all disappeared. When one of them hurt, the other hurt.
“It’s fine. I’m fine,” she lied. It was pointless. Kensington knew her better than anyone else, but the only way she was going to make it through this was by donning the mask. “Anyway, where’s Trey tonight?”
“He’s back in Seattle. It’s his parents’ wedding anniversary. They’re having a party.”
“But you guys are good, right?” Jamie asked.
“We’re great. He’s so much like my daddy, and you know all I’ve ever wanted was to marry a man like him.” Kensie was lucky enough to have parents who didn’t subscribe to the whole arranged marriage thing. She could marry whoever she wanted and her folks would accept it, so it blew Jamie’s mind that her best friend chose Trey. He was fundamentally wrong for her. Kensie was a free-bird, but Trey wanted to clip her wings.
“Are you happy?” Jamie pressed.
“Yes,” Kensie said, smiling a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. It was a lie. One Jamie didn’t call her on.
The party wore on. Archer and Caroline arrived and pretended to be the proud parents of a daughter so beloved by Seattle. It was maddening. Archer took from Jamie’s body, he placed unfair expectations on her shoulders, expectations that Jamie carried in stride. His burdens became hers to bear, and yet he treated her like a chore, doling out bits of love and acceptance when it suited him.
“You’re doing great, sweetheart,” Jared whispered in her ear. His hand rested firmly, possessively, on her ass.
“Thank you,” Jamie’s cheeks were sore from all the fake smiling.
The party congregated towards the stage as Governor Johnson thanked everyone for attending. They had entered the posturing portion of the evening. The politicians were looking for donations to upcoming campaigns, while the lobbyists sought to further their interests. At the end of it all, Jared would announce his bid with a special introduction from Representative Hudson himself; a blessing that would have the entire party rallying behind the young tech entrepreneur.
“We’ll leave after my speech.”
“I’d like that,” she said as the governor made a toast to good health and a prosperous new year.
“You’ll stay at my place tonight,” he added pointedly. Jamie eyed the exit, wondering if she ran now, would he let her. “I think I’ve waited long enough.” The hand on her ass flexed, letting her know it wasn’t a request. He was a man who took what he wanted, and he wanted Jamie, officially and in every capacity. Jared got off on exerting his power. Money afforded him a lot of it and tonight, he’d have his first taste of political power, a high he’d planned on taking out on Jamie’s body.
As the governor droned on, a familiar figure hovered near the west stairwell. Ryder. Could it be? She thought. Craning her neck, Jamie looked again. Nothing. He was gone, or more likely, he was never there. Disappointment racked her body. She imagined it, just as she’d imagined it many times over the last three months, hopeful for a hero that would never come.
“I thought we were waiting for marriage,” she said, clearing her throat, and her mind.
Jared pulled her to him, her back to his front, facing the stage. The governor introduced Rep. Hudson. Jared would be speaking soon, and then everything would change.
With his erection grinding into her ass, he snorted, “Try again, James.” Jared’s breath was hot on her neck. “I like you. I didn’t think I would, but I do. I did my research when I chose you. Perfect on paper, a party girl, but that stuff is easy to bury. I was expecting a spoiled, little brat, vain and vapid, like your mother. Imagine my surprise when you showed up on Easter Sunday, smart, and confident, and witty. When you told your dad to shove that trust fund up his ass, I think I fell in love.”
“I can’t say the same,” she gritted, resting her head on his shoulder, always aware of appearances.
“It’s a good thing I don’t give a fuck,” Jared flicked her earlobe with his tongue, sending a shiver down her spine. Ominous goosebumps erupted across her flesh like a volcano, hot, violent, and devastating. Her heart pounded.
A blond flash caught Jamie’s attention, this time by the ice sculpture. It couldn’t be him. They were an hour away from Seattle and the place was crawling with security. Even if he’d managed to track her down, they’d never let him through the front door. Jamie was losing her mind, and after tonight she’d lose what was left of her freedom. “I n
eed to freshen up a bit,” she said, wiggling out of Jared’s arms. She needed a break. The Ryder hallucinations were making her head hurt, making her heart hurt.
Caroline and Kensington turned in her direction. “You want me to come with?” Ken mouthed. Jamie shook her head and held up five fingers, indicating she’d be back in as many minutes.
Jared gripped her elbow in warning. “I’d hate for you to miss my speech.”
Jamie pressed her lips to his gently, “Five minutes,” she reiterated before slipping through the crowd. She scurried towards the ice sculpture, where a few of the caterers stood, laughing and sipping on half empty bottles of champagne. The hallways were quiet now. Everyone was gathered in the ballroom, listening to Hudson wax poetically about his time in office. After spending the last couple of hours with all eyes on her, Jamie relished the isolation.
“Can I have one of those?” she asked the caterers. They grinned and handed her a bottle. Jamie nodded her thanks and turned, making a beeline for the west stairwell. She sat on the concrete stairs and lifted the bottle to her lips. She didn’t have much time. Jared would be speaking soon, but she needed a minute away from everyone to sort out her shit. She was losing her damn mind. Ryder hated her, she made sure of it. He wasn’t there. She was only hallucinating. The trauma of what was to come was affecting her brain.
Somewhere in the distance, she heard Hudson introduce Jared. Her alone time was up. Her place was at the front of the stage, watching adoringly as Jared pledged to bring change to Seattle. Steeling herself, she pushed through the doors and slammed right into a wall of muscle. Strong, tattooed hands encircled her, pushing her back into the stairwell, and up against the wall. Ryder’s mouth crashed onto hers as he lifted her, hitching her legs around his waist. “Mine,” he growled, as he tore through the delicate fabric of her pantyhose.
“Ry,” she panted, pushing him back. “Why? How are you here?”
“Why was his mouth on you?” Ryder’s gruff voice echoed throughout the quiet space. He trailed hot, wet kisses up her neck.
“What are you doing here?” she repeated. If anyone found them like this, while Jared was on stage, it would ruin everything, but fuck, she missed him.
“I’m here to take you home, wash all that ridiculous make-up off, then fuck you until you can’t walk straight,” he seethed. “I can’t believe you let him kiss you.” Ryder bit into her neck, hard, marking her.
“He’s my boyfriend,” she mewled, clawing at him. She missed the out of control feeling Ryder inspired. This was stupid and reckless and throwing away everything she spent the last three months creating, but it was Ryder. He was there, claiming her. If they only had one last stolen moment, she would bask in it. He could hate fuck her in the empty stairwell for all she cared. She needed him, one last time.
“I’m your boyfriend,” he declared. “I bet if I pushed these panties aside your pussy would be wet and throbbing and it ain’t because of that tool on stage.”
“But nothing’s changed.”
Ryder stabbed two fingers inside of her, causing her to yelp at the intrusion. “No,” he said, waving the wet digits in her face, “it seems it hasn’t.”
“Fuck yo—” she started but was cut off by his fingers returning to her core.
“I know you still love me. I know you’re only with him because you think you’re protecting me. I know why you said what you said and I’m pissed at you for not telling me the truth, but I fucking love you, James. You put me through three months of agony, but I need you like I need air. Like I need music.”
“I need you too, but my dad. I won’t let you throw your life away,” she panted as he pumped in and out of her.
Ryder kissed her, hard. “Your mom is as big an asshole as you are, but like you, she protects the people she loves. And like you, her methods are ass fucking backwards, but effective.”
Jamie’s breath caught. Caroline did this? “Are you sure you trust her?”
“I’m sure. She’s on our side. How do you think I got past security?” he asked.
Jamie took him in, his hair was pulled back into a low bun. He wore a sleek black tux and shoes so shiny she could see her reflection in them. If he was handsome in skinny jeans and loose fitting tanks, he was downright sinful in a tuxedo.
“If you keep eye-fucking me, I will be forced to pull out my dick, right here in this stairwell.”
Jamie wanted nothing more, but it was too risky. Jared’s speech would be done soon and she wasn’t foolish enough to think her absence would go unnoticed. “If you say we can trust my mother, then I believe you, but what about Archer? He won’t stop until you’re in jail.”
“I’ve got that covered too.”
“How?” she asked as he set her on her feet. She felt like she’d just been hit by a train. The Ryder Express.
“I’ll explain everything later, let’s just get out of here before someone sees my broke ass leaving with Seattle’s Princess.”
Jamie nodded, and they bounded down the stairs two at a time, busting out of the door and sprinting across the empty hall to the kitchen. The backdoor was open. The staff, who were outside smoking, barely gave Jamie and Ryder a second glance.
The cold December air assaulted Jamie’s senses. “Please, don’t tell me I have to ride all the way back to Seattle on your bike,” she asked through chattering teeth.
Ryder pulled off his jacket and slipped it around her shoulders. “No, I’ve got CT’s Mustang.”
“Thank God,” she said, clutching the jacket closed. They walked through the courtyard, past the fountain, and made their way to the parking lot. Rows and rows of cars were lined up neatly. The ground was cold, and hard, and near impossible to walk on in heels, but she trudged on, wanting to put as much distance between her and Jared as possible.
“Not so fast, James,” a dark voice called from behind.
A chill ran down her spine as they turned to spot a seething Archer hot on their trail. There would be fallout, of that she was sure, but she trusted Ryder. If he said he took care of it, she believed him. Whatever the future brought, they’d face it together. It was them against the world.
“James, get your ass back inside right now,” Archer boomed as the wind howled.
Ryder took a step forward. “No, we’re leaving.”
Archer had interfered enough in his life and it took every ounce of self-control he possessed not to knock his fucking teeth out. Ryder was patient. After living in hell for three months, he waited another two weeks in purgatory while he and Caroline gathered enough information to bury the motherfucker. Now that he had it, he wasn’t backing down.
“Like hell you are,” Archer said, rising to the challenge. “I’m calling the police.”
“No!” Panic laced Jamie’s tone as she sidestepped Ryder. “Baby, I love you too much to let him send you away.”
“It’s okay, Kitty Cat,” Ryder promised, resting his hand on her cheek. “He can’t hurt us anymore.”
“Can’t I?” Archer pulled a cell phone from the inside pocket of his jacket, leveling his gaze towards his daughter. “One last chance, James.”
Jamie’s eyes darted back and forth between Ryder and her father. There was fear there, fear of the unknown, fear of releasing control and finally letting go, but there was also trust. She turned to Ryder, green eyes wide-open for the first time. “I trust you. Whatever you say, I’ll do.”
“Your dad can go fuck himself.” Ryder grinned triumphantly.
Jamie was his, totally and fully. He fought for this, for her. He scaled the walls of her heart, and though he came out on the other side bloody and battered, he made it. He wouldn’t trade a second of their journey, because it was theirs. Their love was imperfect, but it was pure.
“They’re going to love you in prison,” Archer seethed. His salt and pepper hair blew in the wind. His eyes were so dark they looked like coal. He was a demon in the flesh, but Ryder was fully prepared to vanquish him.
“Not as much as they’
re going to love you.”
“Sure,” Archer chuckled. His phone glowed in the dark night. His fingers stabbed the screen in rapid succession.
“Irony is a funny thing,” Ryder said. “Here you are, this solutions mogul with access to the most advanced technology in the world, and yet, a housewife and guitarist hacked into your private email, and from a Starbucks, no less.”
Jamie’s head swung around. “You and my mom hacked his email?”
“Yup,” Ryder arched a brow. “I spent two weeks with your mom. If that ain’t love, I don’t know what is.”
“I don’t believe you,” Archer said, lowering his phone.
Ryder took a step forward. The urge to throw a punch was strong, but he was more calculating now. Instead of fists, he’d throw facts. “On April twenty-fifth, you received an email from the head of your development team, saying the motherboards your company was working weren’t ready for market. They were hazardous to users, even resulting in a minor injury to one of the developers. He told you they needed at least six more months to perfect the technology. Two hours later, you replied saying they didn’t have six months, and if he couldn’t workout the glitches, you’d hire someone who could.”
“Daddy is this true?” Jamie asked.
Archer didn’t respond, but Ryder didn’t miss him slipping his phone back inside his pocket. “May sixth, that same developer resigned, citing ethical misconduct from management as his reasoning. He refused to have his name on a faulty product. June eighteenth, Jared was no longer interested in dismantling the company and instead, was looking to merge. You sent him an email telling him the motherboards your team created would change the landscape of cellphone technology. The motherboards, along with your daughter, is what saved your ass, but you failed to mention they weren’t ready for market.”
“Daddy,” Jamie said, stomping towards him. “Jared just got back from Japan. He sold those things to Tokyo Gijutsu. Their new model is going into production next month.”
“And you wanted me to get a smart phone,” Ryder snorted.
Lithium Waves: A Lithium Springs Novel Page 27
