“Stop worrying, baby girl. Everything is going to be fine.”
“How did you…”
“I can feel you tensing. It feels pretty fucking good for me, but…” He pulls back, forcing me to meet his gaze. “This doesn’t change your role here. I can separate church and state going forward if you can.”
“Forward?” I moan as Ryder pulls out of me, and I still want more of him, but I reach for my dress.
“The next time I fuck you.”
“There’s going to be a next time?” I attempt nonchalance, but I can’t hide the excitement in my voice.
“You think just a taste of you would be enough for me? I’vecravedyou since the first night you moaned for my food. There’s going to be a next time, and a next, and a next. I’m going to fuck you in here, in your bed, in my bed. Hell, I’m going to fuck you on every surface in my apartment. Are you okay with that?” A thrill courses through me.
“I could get on board.”
“Oh really?” he says with a panty-melting smile, if I were wearing any. He leans in, pressing his lips to mine. “What do I need to do to convince you?” The scent of his cologne invades my senses, leaving me spellbound.
“Fuck me again.”
“Oh, my girl is greedy.” His lips crash down on mine, and I’m lost to the sensation of his hands caressing my body as he takes me to the edge of ecstasy again, and again, and again. I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of Ryder.
Tonight is dragging, my mind constantly going back to the other day with Ryder. I long for his touch, which makes tonight all the harder.
“Are you okay, love?” Paul reaches across the table, taking my hands in his. “You seem distracted.”
“Sorry. How was your day?”
“Back-to-back meetings. Every client wants my undivided attention.” The irony of this moment is not lost on me.
“You should be at home relaxing after such a long day.” I extricate my hands from his.
“Well, if you want to come home and relax with me, I’m happy to grab the check and have my car brought round.”
“I can’t.”
“Then I guess we’re staying here because I wanted to see you after a busy day.”
“You’re very sweet. I’m happy you called.” That’s a lie, but I have my eye on the prize. The nights I’m not working at Venom, I’m thinking about it. The food. Ryder. Intrigue over what goes on in the club.
My mind wanders, contemplating whether or not Ryder would give me a tour now that we hooked up. He was definitely in charge, but that’s his personality even when his cock isn’t buried deep inside me. Even the thought of it has me clenching my thighs under the table, wishing the man across from me were six foot three, blond, with blue eyes I could get lost in for eternity.
“Here’s to us.” Paul holds up his glass to clink against mine, and I gulp down my wine, trying to block out the man who consumes my every waking thought.
Dinner arrives, and as usual, Paul picked a great restaurant with top-quality food that I can appreciate, but it has me itching to be back inside the walls of Venom, cooking and learning from the best chef in Manhattan.
Conversation is easy as we skirt the edges of anything personal with small talk and feigned interest on my part. When the night ends, he offers to drop me home, but as always, I prefer to walk.
“I’ll see you soon, love.”
“See you soon, Paul, and thank you for a lovely evening.”
Tonight, I need the walk home to clear my head. Ever since Ryder and I had sex on the kitchen counter, I can’t think of anything else. The only time my brain switches off from being a sex pot is when I’m cooking, and even then, I’m with Ryder.
I pull out my phone as my heels click-clack on the sidewalk, a winter chill setting in.
Me: I was just thinking about you. Thought I’d say hi.
Within seconds, I can see the pulsing three dots that let me know he’s typing a reply.
