He could only stare at her for a second. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” he finally said, getting to his feet. “You want me to get married early so you can compete with some other spoiled rich woman? This is over the top even for you.”
“Ryan Bellamy, don’t you talk to me like that, you’re going to make the engagement official at Christmas, and the wedding will be this spring. I expect you to do the right thing and cooperate, it’s the least you can do after everything we’ve done for you,” his mother said, then opened her purse and pulled out a ring box. “This is your grandmother’s ring; it will make the perfect engagement ring. Give it to Erin when you propose.”
When he didn’t take the box from his mother, she set it on the coffee table between them. “Don’t fight me on this, Ryan. You have a responsibility to your family,” she said. “I would hate for the clan to find out that you’re turning your back on the people who gave you life. They might feel the need to take back your scholarship, and then where would you be?”
***Paula***
Paula slipped into the back door, bracing herself for the chaos she’d come to expect in the frat house kitchen. Many people living together invariably meant a lot of noise, but she’d learned to enjoy it. The silence that greeted her instead threw her off balance for a second, and she wondered if she’d screwedup her schedule or missed a day somewhere, then she saw a note on the table. Crossing the room, she picked it up and quickly read what Hattie had written, a smile spreading across her face at how silly she’d been.
Shaking her head, she put down the note, went back to the door, hung up her purse and coat, then put on the apron she kept there. Crossing back over to the table as she tied it securely around her waist, she began a mental list of the preparations she’d have to make before she got started with the list of baked goods Hattie had left her. Grabbing the note, she read it again, noticing the second time around that she needed to go to the library and print out a couple of the recipes.
Spotting the muffins on the table, she grabbed one, put it on a plate, then filled a cup with the coffee left in the pot and headed for the library, hoping no one would care if she ate in there while she worked. She heard a conversation before she got to the door, but didn’t think much of it; the house was never quite empty, even when it seemed that way. Hands full, she didn’t bother to knock, but wished instantly that she had when she saw Ryan seated by the fireplace, dressed only in his pajama bottoms, while an older woman sat across from him, giving him dirty looks.
Not sure what she’d walked in on, but smart enough to know getting out was the best plan, she tried to whirl around and leave, but a shrill voice stopped her. “You there, girl, don’t you dare leave,” the woman called. “I need a cup of tea, and none of that stuff in the bag. I want a good loose leaf and make sure that it’s good and hot, if it’s not, I’ll just send it back.”
She froze but didn’t turn around for a second, trying her best to control her temper, then pivoted very slowly until she was facing Ryan and the woman. “I think there must be a misunderstanding,” she said, keeping her voice pleasant. “Idon’t work here. I’m sure Ryan would be happy to get you a cup of tea.”
“Nonsense, he will do no such thing,” the woman snapped. “My son doesn’t wait on people. Besides, you’re dressed for it, just pop into the kitchen and do as you’re asked. I don’t know what’s wrong with people these days…no one knows their place anymore…”
“Mother, that’s enough,” Ryan growled, getting to his feet. “Paula doesn’t work for you or for me, she’s Hattie’s assistant. If you want a cup of tea, I’ll be happy to get it for you.”
“I don’t see what the problem is, she’s clearly working here,” Ryan’s mother snapped. “The working class has gotten so picky these days, they won’t do this, they won’t do that. I miss the old days when they knew their place…”
“Wow, I didn’t think you were that old. I mean, you sure do carry your years well. I’d love to hear some more about the old days sometime,” Paula said. “I’ve always wondered what the world was like before electricity and cars and stuff…”
“How dare you? I am not that old,” Ryan’s mother huffed. “I will not sit here and be insulted this way. Did you hear what she said to me, Ryan?”
“Yes, Mother, it was hilarious and you deserved it,” Ryan said. “Now, do you want that cup of tea or what?”
“I don’t think so, I’m not going to stay where I’m being insulted,” Ryan’s mother said, getting to her feet. “Do the right thing, Ryan. I don’t want to have this conversation with you again.”
“I’ll take it under consideration,” he said, following his mother to the door. “Would you like me to walk you out?”
“That won’t be necessary,” his mother said, a look of distaste on her face. “Go put some clothes on; you shouldn’t be running around here half naked.”
They both stood staring at the open doorway long after his mother’s footsteps had faded, but she slowly became aware of Ryan standing next to her, dressed only in his pajama bottoms. Unable to help herself, she looked over at him out of the corner of her eye, then had to quickly look away again when her body began to tingle and tighten at the thought of running her hands over his hard chest. Clearing her throat, trying to push the vision to the back of her mind, she started to step away from him, but her feet got tangled together and she started to fall.
In one sweeping movement, Ryan grabbed her and swung her up into his arms, her entire body suddenly encircled by his. A wave of desire more powerful than anything she’d ever felt suddenly engulfed her as she looked up at him. Her lips parted on a gasp only to find him staring down at her, his eyes mirroring what she was feeling. When he gently set her on her feet, she was forced to cling to him, her legs still wobbly, but this time it was because of the look in his eyes as he slowly lowered his mouth to hers.
Just as his lips touched hers, his hands came up to cup her face, and she let out a long sigh as warmth flooded her body. His tongue slipped through her parted lips and the world faded away as wave after wave of pleasure swept through her, blocking out the world around her. When he finally pulled away from her, she realized she’d closed her eyes at some point and opened them to find Ryan staring down at her, a mixture of surprise and fear in his eyes.
CHAPTER 12
***RYAN***
Not sure what had come over him, but very aware that he’d just made a huge mistake, Ryan backed away from Paula a few more steps just in case he lost control again. “I didn’t mean…I shouldn’t have…” he stammered. “I don’t know what…Well, I do, but I shouldn’t have…”
Paula’s cheeks were bright pink, making her eyes look even bluer, and the dragon inside him started fluttering around, sending waves of desire shooting through his body. Shocked by his reaction, afraid that he was going to act on it again, he took a few more steps away from her, but couldn’t take his eyes off her face. He wasn’t sure how long they would have stood there staring at each other, but the sound of footsteps coming down the hallway broke the spell, and Paula rushed over to the desk in the corner.
“There you are, we’ve been looking everywhere for you,” Jackson said walking in the room, Abby right behind him. “Who was that in the fancy car? I couldn’t see through the tinted windows.”
“That was my mother,” he said, hoping his voice didn’t sound strange. “She made an unexpected visit, then stayed only long enough to issue some royal orders and insult Paula.”
“I probably shouldn’t have said that about her age, but I couldn’t help myself,” Paula said from the other side of the room, her cheeks still pink. “I hope I didn’t make things worse.”
“Oh, hey Paula,” Jackson said, looking between the two of them. “I didn’t see you hiding over there.”
“I came in to print some recipes for today,” Paula said. “I thought I was here alone…”
