A Hollywood Bride (Billionaires' Brides of Convenience Book 2) (16 page)

It makes the world seem hopeless, and I start crying again.

Ryder walks in without knocking. He plucks a few Kleenexes and hands them to me. I wipe my eyes and stand there, apparently unable to do anything but weep.

He pulls me closer and sits on the edge of the bed. “Paige, don’t. You’re going to make yourself sick.”

“I’m fine,” I croak.

“Then why are you crying like this?”

I shake my head since, of course, I can’t answer him and I’m not really fine.

“Just listen to me, okay?” He rocks me gently without waiting for a response. “Do you really think your baby deserves a lesser chance than Bethany’s because you aren’t married or I’m not the father or…whatever?” He shakes his head. “You have no idea how much I wanted that baby when we were at the doctor’s and I heard its heartbeat. Who the father is wasn’t even on my mind. The only thing that matters is that it’s your baby—a part of you. That is more than enough for me to want it.”

A lump bigger than both of my fists combined lodges in my throat, and I can’t breathe through the hot emotions swirling in my heart.

“Being related to someone biologically doesn’t guarantee you’ll be a good parent,” he continues, tightening his hold on me. “Just look at my folks. They’re so busy with their lives and making snide jabs at each other that they don’t care about us at all…except when we can be used to make a point. You’re going to be an awesome mom, Paige, and your baby deserves the best, just like every other baby in the world.”

My lower lip trembles. My gaze is wet as I lift my face to look at him. “You shouldn’t say stuff like that.”
If you keep on like this
,
I may fall in love with you
,
irrevocably and forever
.

“I know.” The smile he gives me is rueful, like he’s reading my unspoken thoughts. “But I’ve never wanted to say the words before. I never felt what I felt back in that doctor’s office, Paige.”

Something breaks loose inside me. This man, outwardly perfect and wonderful, inwardly flawed and struggling and all too human…this exhilarating, exasperating man who could have anyone and is wanted by everyone…this man is saying the sweetest thing anybody has ever said to me, and he’s saying it like it’s the most obvious sentiment in the world. He has faults—and issues—and he may be letting his past destroy his future, but he’s really trying to connect with me despite it all.

His words burn through my fears and worries until all I know is that he has my heart. He’s had it for a while now. I just didn’t want to admit it because I knew our relationship would end a year after we exchanged wedding vows.

Why am I wasting what little time I have with him? Demanding explanations is an exercise in stupidity. Assistant, fiancée…who the hell cares? I should cherish every moment we have together and make as many good memories as possible before it ends…because that’s all I’ll have of him.

I lean forward and kiss him. My mouth is clumsy, and my hands are shaky with emotion, but I have to taste him right now.

He hesitates as I move my lips over him. But it doesn’t take long before he parts his own and pulls me to him. And even though it’s only our lips touching, it’s so intimate and sweet it makes my heart pulse with longing.

We continue kissing until I’m light-headed with want and something more…and with every second that passes, our kiss deepens until I don’t think we can ever untangle our mouths. Every cell in my body is fully attuned to Ryder. I sense his every shudder, every contraction of his muscles, the way he holds me, as though I might vanish if he isn’t careful. Liquid heat spreads through me; my whole body feels as if it’s bubbling and melting, like sugar over fire.

He slowly runs his hand down my back until he reaches the end of my navy blue top. His fingers move underneath, and he gently caresses my bare skin. “You’re so soft,” he whispers.

His gaze focuses on me, and I lean back slightly to pull my top over my head. I want him to see me exactly the way I am because I know I’m beautiful in his eyes.

He lays me back on the bed and sighs softly as he looks me over, his face etched with admiration. He kisses me again, then drags his mouth along my jaw, his lips as light as a butterfly on a flower. They travel down my neck, and he licks the particularly sensitive spot over my collarbone until I’m quivering. I’m already soaked, and he hasn’t even touched my breasts.

He dips his head until he can bury his face between my cleavage. The sight of his dark head against my pale skin is intoxicating. We haven’t been together in a while, and I want him inside me
now
—even though at the same time I want to prolong this as much as possible.

His hand moves up, cups a breast, bra and all. When he turns his head to the other one, I shrug until the bra strap falls and the cup pulls away. He kisses the underside, his breath tickling my nipple until it hardens. I move my legs restlessly. “Please,” I beg, shoving my hand into his hair and guiding him toward where I want him the most.

He goes without any resistance, pulling the tip of my breast into his mouth. I cry out at a pleasure so sharp it almost hurts. He scrapes his teeth along the soft flesh, then traps the nipple between the roof of his mouth and tongue and sucks, his cheeks hollowing.

I buck, my hips leaving the matress. “Ryder…” I sob out. My nipple’s never been this sensitive, and desire has tightened its grip to where I can barely breathe.

He merely hums in response. The vibration travels all the way to my clit, and I squeeze my eyes shut at the most exquisite sensation. I arch my back, silently begging for more.

And he obliges.

He is relentless, a conqueror on a mission. It’s not just his tongue, but his teeth, lips, beard stubble…everything working together to drive me insane. He doesn’t neglect my other breast, making sure to massage it, priming it. To anchor myself, I dig my hands into the mattress, each arm tight and straight by my side. The position also arches my back and pushes my tits forward, but I don’t care as long as he keeps going.

When he finally lets my nipple go with a pop, I can barely think, my body is so close to shattering. He undoes the front clasp on my bra and pushes it out of the way.

“You’re so fucking hot,” he says. “Beautiful.” His hand glides down my torso, then he yanks my skirt and panties off in a sudden motion, making me gasp. “Wet.” He cups my soaked pussy and groans. “Mine.” He then takes his glistening fingers to his mouth and licks. “Sweet.”

He’s still wearing clothes. I lick my lips. “Get naked,” I say.

He stands, smiling slightly. “Come help me.”

My eyes narrowed, I get up. My knees are a little wobbly from the pleasure singing through my veins, but I manage to keep my balance. Besides, I know he’s going to catch me if I fall.

I push his shirt over his head, revealing the gorgeous, rippling muscles. Hair sprinkles his thick pectorals. I place a hand over his heart and feel it thundering a hundred miles an hour despite his cocky smile. I let my fingers glide lower. Every square inch of his stomach is defined, not an ounce of fat anywhere. “Your abs should be framed and hung on a wall,” I murmur.

“Nobody would be able to afford it.” Despite his light tone, there is need coloring his voice.

As I reach lower to unbuckle his pants, he plays with my nipples and squeezes my ass. My blood is back to boiling, and I give him a stern look. “If you do that, I can’t focus.”

“Never said I’d let you focus,” he whispers hotly against my neck.

I shiver. My concentration is shot, and he knows it. He lowers himself until he can take my other nipple into his mouth and suck.

My mind spins away. Another layer of syrupy pleasure settles over me, and I don’t even care that now my inner thighs are slick as well. He settles me back on the bed. The suction of his mouth suddenly increases, and he runs one long finger along the wet flesh below, then circles my clit.

I scream as a sudden orgasm jolts through me like lightning. He gives me a wicked grin. “That sensitive, huh?”

I pant. When I can get enough air to speak, I say, “Pregnant women tend to be more responsive.”

The grin widens. “Oh
really?
This is going to be even more fun than I thought.” He glides down my body, stroking my breasts tenderly. “Now I can eat you up like I’ve been thinking about,” he murmurs, “make you come over and over again.”

He spreads my thighs, his hands gentle but firm. He takes his time, licking my inner thighs, inch by torturous inch. His tongue must be magic because everywhere it touches, I feel nothing but searing desire. It’s as though he’s branding me as his.

When he finally takes my clit in his mouth, I’m so close that I clench my hands to keep from climaxing. “You can come again,” he whispers, uncurling my hands. “You can come as many times as you want.” Our hands link as he dips his head back down…

…and I let go.

He isn’t finished. His glorious, greedy mouth keeps sending thunderclaps of pleasure through my body. My spine bows until it feels like it’s going to break, but he is merciless. I no longer know the number of times I’ve screamed his name. After a while, I can’t even do that because my brain is fried.

When he finally untangles our hands, I’m a puddle of spent flesh. The mansion could collapse on us right now, and I wouldn’t care.

Ryder gets rid of the rest of his clothes with remarkable economy and returns to bed. His cock is thick and hard, its head almost touching his belly. He positions himself between my legs until the tip is pushing slightly into my dripping, swollen pussy.

His mouth is back on mine, his kiss savage but no less sweet. “My god, I love—”

My heart stops for a moment.
Is he…?

A quick pause, then he continues, “I love what you do to me. I love what I can do to you. I love the way you lose yourself with pleasure with me.” His whispered words fan against my ear.

A small thread of disappointment knots around my heart. Of course he wasn’t about to say, “I love you.”

But when he cradles my face between his big, strong hands and pushes into me, while looking into my eyes, disappointment is the furthest thing from my mind. Bone-deep pleasure begins to crest, each thrust pushing me closer and closer to the peak.

The connection I feel with him leaves me breathless. My heart swells with emotion, and tears leak from the corners of my eyes. But still, I don’t look away. I spread my legs wider and welcome him into me.

When the orgasms barrel through both of us, we cry out and hold on tight, as though afraid of losing each other in a tempest sea.

Ryder

I clasp Paige’s naked body tightly to mine. Having her like this feels so right. This, right here, is exactly how we should be.

Her beautiful lips curve into a satisfied smile. Euphoria surges through me, knowing I’m the one who put it on her face.

I press my forehead against hers and breathe in her scent. My heart is still drumming, and I’m relieved I didn’t slip up.

I love you
.

Where did that came from?
It just popped into my head, rolling out of my mouth as I kissed her.

It’s better that I say nothing. I doubt she would’ve gazed back into my eyes and told me, “I love you, too.” Paige is smart and practical. She would never do something as unproductive as falling in love with a guy she’ll ditch in a year. Being with me hasn’t been easy for her, and she wouldn’t be bothering if it weren’t for what I can offer for her baby.

As I let my hand wander over her curves, I remember the ugly things people said about her and how hurt she was. I never want to see her shed tears over a bunch of assholes’ comments again. After a beat of hesitation, I say, “Paige, do you want to go overseas?”

Sleep weighs her voice until it’s languid and mellow. “You mean for the honeymoon?”

“No. Until the wedding. It might be good for us to get away from all this…pressure.”

She shifts until she can look me in the eyes. “I thought you wanted to put on a good show for everyone?”

“We don’t have to be here for that. Besides, I’m tired of being hounded… Aren’t you?”

“Oh god, yes. But…I worry about Bethany.” Small lines form around her eyes and mouth. “I can’t leave town until I know she’s okay.”

“Of course.” Paige is too sweet to abandon her stepsister, even if leaving might give her some peace.

“We can talk about it later when we’re sure she’s going to be okay. But do you really want to go overseas now? We have so little time before the wedding.”

I pull her closer. “That’s why I hired a team to handle it. So we don’t have to worry over every detail. Like I said, all we have to do is show up and say our vows.” I try to keep my voice light, but somehow I can’t. The one-year period starts the moment we say, “I do.”

She snuggles against my chest and falls asleep. Her breaths tickle the spot over my heart. I study her face. Her long lashes fan over her cheeks, and her nose wrinkles as she rounds her mouth and mutters something that I can’t quite catch.

I don’t break the deals I sign. Despite my wild-boy reputation, I take my career seriously, which is why directors and studios love me. Only idiots think they can be high maintenance divas and have a long, flourishing career in a town as competitive as Hollywood.

But a horrific urge to rip up the prenup and tell Paige she can leave when I’m dead and buried pulses through my veins. Instead, I lie back and stare at the dark ceiling until the sound of her soft breathing lulls me into a restless sleep.

* * *

Paige

Ryder’s gone by the time I wake up. Maybe he couldn’t rest well and just gave up. I felt him toss and turn a few times during the night, but I was so tired that I faded back to sleep just as quickly as I was jostled out of it.

The room is meticulously clean, all my clothes neatly folded and placed on a chair. Did Ryder do that?
If so
,
he might actually be ill
, I think, laughing to myself.

The bedside clock reads nine. I stretch lazily and grunt at the satisfying soreness between my legs. I check the phone. A text from Oliver is waiting for me.