“Sorry, I had to take a sec. I’m a little on edge after last night. Go back to your apartment and run a hot bath. Text me when you’re in it.”
A few minutes passed, and when no more messages came, I started my car. Forty minutes later I turned the hot water on in my excessively large tub and adjusted the temperature until it was only mildly scalding. I placed my phone in the basket fixed to the front of the tile to the left and dropped my robe. Once comfortable, I grabbed my phone and hooked my finger in the ring on the back.
“I’m in the bath.”
When the text was sent and the tub was full, I rested my head on the rolled-up towel at my neck. Hot steam filled my lungs and I was as light as a cloud.
My phone buzzed in my hand jolting me back to reality. Of course, he was calling.
“Hello,” my voice cut into the quiet room.
“Hey, baby. Having a good day?”
I drew in a breath before answering. Could he get any better? “I am. It’s been a great day. Thank you, Ryan. I really appreciate all the effort. It wasn’t necessary, but I’m grateful all the same.”
He chuckled, but when he spoke, his voice was serious. “I’d run through fire for you, Raven. Convincing you to have a day of self-care is the least I can do.”
My stomach fluttered. Was this what people meant when they said they got butterflies? I shouldn’t be getting butterflies for Ryan. He broke into my apartment, for fuck’s sake, and I knew he was following me around. But at the same time, I should’ve stopped being delusional. Everything he had done turned me on more than anything ever had.
Ryan’s voice floated into my thoughts. “Are you all right, baby?”
I cleared my throat. “Yes, I’m fine. Wonderful, actually.”
“Good. You’ve been such a good girl for me today. Now, it’s time we begin with your rewards. Here is how the rest of the afternoon is going to go. After your bath, you’re going to get dressed for a date. Wear a formal dress. Do your makeup or not. I don’t give a fuck because you don’t need it. Wear your hair however you want. It’ll be beautiful regardless.” He dropped his voice and I could hear his smirk on the other end of the line. “But first, you’re going to get yourself off to my voice, while I relish your whimpers.”
And that’s exactly what we did.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Ryan
The beepfrom the microwave sliced through my brain like a knife through butter. I had pulled all-nighters before while working, but today, my body wasn’t cooperating.
I opened the door and pulled out the lukewarm coffee. I could have made a fresh cup after this one went cold while I was on the phone with Raven, but even that was more effort than I had energy for.
The past twenty-four hours were a pipedream and were the best of my life. As soon as she was in a deep sleep after the nightmare woke her up, I set about her apartment to see what sort of breakfast I could round up with the ingredients she already had. The original plan was to pay her a little visit then leave. I was already going to take her to dinner, but once she showed her vulnerable side, my brain re-wired itself. It was clear she needed a break, so I wanted to plan a whole day for her. She worked too much.
The only sleep I had was the short nap I had gotten at her place since I went straight to the studio to record after leaving. Craig had sent the next project early and with a deadline. Theproduction timeline had moved up and if I didn’t get started right away I would miss it. I could cancel the date, but I wasn’t going to sleep until I wined and dined Raven, and finally felt her soft body around mine. Pounding coffee would have to suffice until I could pound her instead.
Leaning against the counter, I ran a hand through my hair. I had a few hours until I was supposed to meet her, but my dick was screaming at me to go to her apartment and bury myself deep inside her. The night before was glorious, but I craved more. I would always crave more from her. Her moans as she came to the sound of my voice in the bath were playing through my mind on repeat.
A part of me was surprised when she texted that morning saying she was actually going to take the day off. I didn't know which route she would take, assuming she would probably go to work, but Raven seemed to be enjoying being told what to do for once. My suspicions that she longed for someone else to make decisions for her seemed spot on. Some of the women I had been with were leaders, but they didn’t want to lead in the bedroom. I took a chance Raven would be similar, desiring authority from a partner.
It was becoming clear this was more than physical attraction with Raven. At first—after I got over my issues surrounding possible rejection—I thought I might be satiated after having her, but there was always a thought in the back of my mind that knew that wasn’t the case. Even before I met her, Raven had infiltrated my very being, and I hadn’t seen anything except her since.
Last night when I was holding her solidified that. I didn’t think I’d ever been in love, and I wasn’t sure what love looked like in a healthy situation. But what is love if it's not thinking of a person every waking moment and going to the ends of the earth for them? Maybe that’s infatuation and obsession, butisn’t that how most relationships begin? All the books and stories I’ve narrated are exactly that—obsession that grows into love.
Of course, books weren't real life, but the unconditional love the characters always had for each other was what everyone wanted, right? Each person had a different story, but overall the desired result was the same. A person who would stand beside their partner and support them even if the world was on fire. I’d found the woman I wanted to be that person for. Even if I was shattered in the process, one hour with her would be better than none.
I downed the rest of the coffee and sat the plain white mug in the sink. In the living room, I got in a quick workout of push-ups and other cardio I didn’t need equipment for. After I was a sweaty mess, I showered and dressed in the only suit I owned. It wasn’t designer, but it was nice enough. Hopefully nice enough for the woman who had everything. I was all in for her, and I figured she preferred a well-dressed man as opposed to a slouch in sweatpants and a hoodie.
That was the reason I was taking Raven to the nicest restaurant in the city. I wanted to show her that I could be refined like my parents had always wanted me to be. For Raven, I’d be anything she wanted. No ordinary guy would suffice for this perfect woman, so I pulled out all the stops. Luckily, the restaurant was within walking distance of the place I wanted to meet her.
After driving downtown and parking, I counted the paces from Raven’s office to the park when we first laid eyes on each other. By the time I settled on the same bench I was sitting on that day, I saw the limo was close on the company’s app. Within a few minutes, Raven sent a text.
“Why am I at my office?”
I smiled at her questioning everything. I quickly typed thenumber of paces and turns she needed to take that would bring her to me. When the limo arrived at her apartment, she lost her shit, saying it was ridiculous and that she could drive herself. She was practical while still living comfortably. I liked that about her since I didn’t like to spend money, either.
