Lie Next to Me (15 page)

“You’re so wet. I love how wet you get with me. You have no idea what a turn on that is,” he whispered as his teeth scraped along my shoulder.

My fingers grasped at his waistband. I couldn’t wait any longer. I needed to feel him inside me. He removed his fingers from me and took down his pants, stepping out of them and kicking them across the deck.

“Hold onto the railing tight, sweetheart, because I’m going to take you on a ride you’ll never forget.”

His fingers swept across my slick area one last time to make sure I was wet enough and ready for him. Ian wrapped one arm tightly around my waist as he thrust inside me from behind. Our bodies were connected as mine was pressed up against the railing. He moved in and out of me at a fast pace, pounding into me as if his life depended on it. His skillful finger made its way down and caressed my wet clit, sending me over the edge.

“Ah, that’s right, sweetheart; come for me. I want to hear you scream my name when you do. Can you do that for me?”

I was breathless. My heart was rapidly beating as the pools of warmth between my thighs and the tightening of my body took over. One final hard thrust and he had sent me into pure intoxication. Ian and I let out each other’s name as we came simultaneously. His groan became louder as he slowed his pace, making sure that he poured every last drop of his come inside me. I could feel the swift beating of his heart as his chest was pressed against my back. Ian buried his face into my neck.

“Have I told you lately how amazing you feel?” he whispered.

“Yes, but keep telling me.” I smiled.

Ian pulled out of me and turned me around. His smile was bright and his eyes were dancing. He leaned in and kissed me as his hands cupped the sides of my face. “I need to turn the boat around so we’re back tomorrow morning. Tomorrow’s Thursday; you have your visitation with Stephen.”

“I know and I can’t wait to see him. I hope he’s okay.”

“I’m sure he’s fine,” he said as he kissed my head.

We spent the rest of the day soaking up the sun, drinking a few cocktails, and having more sex than I’d ever imagined. I was in Heaven. There was n
o other word to call it. That was the day that Ian Braxton changed my life forever.

I woke up and Ian wasn’t in bed. I lay there, thinking about this day. Thinking about what it meant. Its pure existence; my and Stephen’s existence. A day that was special for everyone else but me. A day that was meant to be celebrated, but never was.

Ian walked in the room with a smile on his face, bringing me a cup of coffee.

“Good morning,” he said.

“Good morning.” I smiled as he leaned over and kissed me.

“We’ll be docking soon.”

“Okay. I’ll get dressed.”

My phone was sitting on the dresser and it began to chime. Ian looked at me.

“Who would be sending you a message this early in the morning?” he asked.

“I don’t know; maybe it’s Adalynn. Can you hand me my phone, please?”

Ian walked over to the dresser and picked it up. He looked at it and then stopped and stared at me.

“What? Who’s it from?”

“It’s from your friend, Jordyn. She’s wishing you a happy birthday. Is today your birthday, Rory?” he asked sternly.

I looked down at the sheet that I had covering my breasts. “Yes.”

“For fuck’s sake, why didn’t you tell me?” he yelled.

He had no right to start yelling at me. I threw back the sheet and got out of bed. “What did you want me say, Ian? Hey, guess what, it’s my birthday! Let’s go celebrate my shit life,” I yelled back as I grabbed my thong from the floor and put it on.

“Yes, you should have told me!” he spat.

“Why? What difference would it have made? My birthday is nothing.
It hasn’t been acknowledged since I was ten years old!” I hollered as I put my bra on.

Ian walked over and took a hold of my arm. He spun me around and pulled me into him. “It means something to me,” he whispered. “I’m sorry for yelling at you. It’s just that we spent this time together and to find out from a text that it’s your birthday, it upset me.”

I broke our embrace and placed my hand on his chest. “I’ve gotten used to my birthday being another ordinary day. It’s no big deal, Ian. So, please, drop it.”

“The hell I will. It’s your birthday and I always help my friends celebrate their birthdays. We’re going to celebrate tonight, okay?” He smiled as he ran his finger down my cheek.

His warm smile, his seductive eyes staring at me, and the simple touch of his finger on my skin made it impossible to refuse him. “Fine, we’ll celebrate tonight. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to finish getting ready.”

Ian smiled and turned to walk out of the room. “Oh, by the way,” I said. “Do you think that we could stop at the store on the way home so I can pick up an iPod for Stephen?”

“We sure can.” He winked.

I read my text message from Jordyn and responded.

“Thank you, and how did you know it was my birthday?”

“It’s on your application. When I saw the date, I put it in my calendar on my phone. Do you have plans today?”

“Actually, Ian and I are doing something.”

“That’s good. Ollie and I want to take you out to celebrate. How about tomorrow night?”

“Tomorrow night will work.”

“Great! We’ll figure something out and I’ll text you with the details.”

“Thank you, Jordyn.”

“Happy B
irthday, Rory.”

When I finished getting dressed, I went up on
deck to find Ian leaning over the railing and staring out into the ocean. He looked like he was in deep thought. I didn’t want to disturb him because something told me he didn’t want to be. Don’t ask me how I knew that. It was just a feeling I had. I went back downstairs and popped a bagel in the toaster. As I was in the refrigerator, getting the cream cheese, I felt strong arms wrap around my waist.

“Go sit down and let me get that for you. It’s your birthday, after all.”

“Ian, I can make a bagel.”

“It’s not a request, Rory; it’s a command.”

I rolled my eyes as he lifted me up and turned me around, away from the refrigerator. I went and sat down at the table.

“Jordyn and Ollie are taking me out tomorrow night to celebrate my birthday.”

“Is that so? Where are you going? Just a quiet dinner, perhaps?”

“I don’t know. She said she and Ollie will talk about it and she’ll text me with the details.”

“We’ll see,” Ian said.

That struck me as odd when he said that.
What the hell did he mean by it?
“What do you mean, ‘we’ll see’?” I asked.

He walked over to the table, set my bagel down in front of me, and kissed me on the head. “We’ll see. That’s what I mean.” He smiled as he walked away.

I sat there while I took a bite of my bagel. If he thought that he was stopping me from going out with my friends when he consistently did it, he had another thing coming. We weren’t in a relationship and he didn’t control me. I’d spent my life being controlled by people, and I wouldn’t ever let it happen again.

I heard Ian yell my name as I went up on deck. We had docked, and his crew was standing on the side of the dock, waiting for us. Ian grabbed my hand and led me off the boat and over to the limo. One of his crew members grabbed our bags and set them in the trunk, which Joshua already had open.

“Joshua, we need to make a stop at the Apple Store so Miss Sinclair can pick something up, and today’s her birthday.”

“
Sure thing.” He smiled. “Happy Birthday, Rory.”

Smiling, I thanked him as we climbed into the limo. “I wish I could go with you to see Stephen, but I have some business things to take care of since I’ve been gone,” Ian said as he kissed my hand.

“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it.”

Joshua dropped us off in front of the Apple Store. Ian and I walked in and
I picked out an iPod. Ian told the sales clerk just to put it on his account. I told him no and that I was paying for it. He shushed me and then grabbed my hand and hurried me out of the store before I caused a big scene. The minute the limo door shut, Ian crashed his mouth into mine.

“What was that for?” I smiled.

“You turned me on when you started arguing with me. I couldn’t get you out of that store fast enough. If you only knew the things I want to do to you right now,” he said.

I sort of had an idea and I was pretty sure it had to do with that room. He still hadn’t mentioned it to me. Now I was wondering, since we had sex, if he’d take me there.

We pulled up to the house and Ian and I went our separate ways. I went up to my room and downloaded a bunch of songs on Stephen’s iPod; a majority of them being classical music.

“Hey,” Ian said as he slowly opened the door and stepped inside the room.

“Hey. I just finished putting the music on here for Stephen.” I smiled.

“Come here.”

I pushed the laptop to the side and walked over to Ian and right into his arms. “Happy birthday, Rory,” he said as he hugged me.

He held my face in his hands and kissed me passionately. “I have to go now, but I’ll be back later. Say hi to Stephen for me.”

“I will, and thank you.” I smiled.

****

I got into my car, punched in the address to Hudson Rock in my GPS, and drove away. I couldn’t help but think of Ian and our past two days together. God, he was amazing and breathtaking. Not only did he steal my love, he stole my soul. I knew I meant something to him. I could tell by the way he touched me. I was completely head over heels for Ian Braxton, and when the time was right, I was going to let him know.

As I walked through the doors of Hudson Rock, one of the clerks escorted me to the visiting room and handed me a Ziploc bag to put my keys in. She asked what was in the bag and I told her it was an iPod for Stephen. She nodded her head and let me through the door. Stephen saw me and a huge smile splayed across his face. I walked over to where he was standing and wrapped my arms around him.

“Happy Birthday, Rory,” he said.

“Happy B
irthday, Stephen. Let me look at you,” I said as I broke our embrace. “You look good, really good.”

“Thanks, sis. I’m starting to feel better. Come on; let’s go outside.”

Stephen led me outside to a large courtyard that was off to the side of the visitors’ room. There were two security guards standing watch on each side of the courtyard, which was filled with trees, flowers, and small wrought-iron tables and chairs.

“Happy B
irthday, Stephen.” I smiled as I handed him the bag.

“Aw, Rory, you shouldn’t have done that.”

“Just open it. I think you’ll like it.”

Stephen took the tissue paper out of the bag and pulled out the box that held his iPod. The smile on his face was pure bliss. He looked at me with happiness in his eyes.

“I can’t believe it. I can’t believe you bought me this.”

“I put a
bunch of your favorite songs on there.”

He plugged the earphones in, turned on the iPod, and listened as the music started to spill into his ears. Nothing made me happier than seeing my brother like this. He seemed to be calm and content. He was a week into his new medication and in group therapy. I looked at him with a sadness in my eyes. I hated seeing him in this place and I hated not being able to take care of him myself. He was my twin and we had a bond and connection stronger than any other.

“Don’t be sad, Rory. I’m okay. I’m finally getting the help I should’ve gotten years ago. I don’t want you to worry about me,” he said as he placed his hand on mine. “You’re finally getting the life you deserve. That Ian guy seems to really like you.”

“We’re friends.” I smiled.

“Are you spending your birthday with him?”

“Yeah. We’re going to do something tonight.”

An announcement came over the speakers that visiting hours were over. We both stood up and I hugged my brother as tightly as I could.

“Enjoy your music, Stephen.”

“Happy Birthday, Rory. Thank you,” he said as he kissed my head.

“I’ll see you next week. Behave yourself.” I smiled.

He smiled back, and I walked out of the visiting room. When I reached my car, my phone chimed. I pulled it from my purse and there was a text message from Ian.

“When you get home, I want you to get all dolled up because I’m taking you to dinner. Wear one of the dresses in your closet.”

I smiled as I read it because I loved the fact that he referred to his house as “home.”
Did I finally have a home? Could Ian’s home become mine?

“I can’t wait,”
I replied.

When I walked through the door, I headed straight for my closet to pick the dress I wanted to wear. I pulled out a beautiful champagne-colored, A-line, strapless dress that was covered in beautiful beads. I tried it on and turned as I looked at myself in the mirror. It was perfect. A little short, but perfect. I laid it down on the bed while I stepped into the shower. I couldn’t wait to see Ian and spend the night with him. My mind kept wondering if he would want me to stay with him in his bedroom. It would only make sense.
Why would we stay in separate rooms?

I decided to curl my hair and pin it all up so it sat on top of my head, with some curls cascading down. I wasn’t sure if I could pull it off, but once I was done, it turned out nice. Once I was done with my makeup, I stepped into my dress and grabbed the champagne-colored peep-toed shoes with four-inch heels. As I took one final look at myself in the full-length mirror, there was a knock on the door.

“Can I come in?” Ian asked.

Nervousness started to shoot throughout my body because I didn’t know what Ian would think. I was scared that he wouldn’t like the way I did my hair or he wouldn’t like the dress on me.

“Yes, you may,” I replied.

He opened the door and, as he was walking in, he stopped dead in his tracks.

“Well?” I smiled.

“You’re—you’re absolutely stunning. Rory, I—”

“It’s okay, Ian. You don’t have to say anything.”

He walked over to me, shaking his head as he took my hand and held it up, twirling me around. “You look so beautiful.”

“Thank you.” I smiled.

The look in his eyes was one of pure hunger. I could tell he wanted to devour me right on the spot as much as I wanted to devour him in that sexy suit he was wearing. “Jesus Christ, Rory, you have me hard.”

I let out a soft laugh as I kissed him lightly on the lips.

“I have something for you,” he said as he reached into his suit pocket and
pulled out a small box. “Happy Birthday.”

I was elated, but nervous. The last person to give me a birthday present was my mom. I was scared to take it from him.

“Go ahead, Rory. It’s okay.” He smiled.

I took the box from his hand and slowly lifted the top. I gasped when I saw what was inside and tears started to fill my eyes.

“Do you like it?” Ian asked.

“It’s beautiful,” I said with shaking hands.

Inside the box was a silver necklace in the shape of a key with a few diamonds on the blade. The bow of the key was a diamond heart with another heart that sat in the middle. It was the most beautiful necklace I’d ever seen. Ian took the box from my hand and removed the necklace. He held it up to me and asked me to turn around so he could put it on me.