Slide (12 page)

“So, what’d you think?” Ryan asked once we were in a cab and headed back to his place.

My face lit up. Somehow, I’d managed to enjoy the evening with Ryan.

“I loved it, thank you for taking me. Those guys are so amazing! But the Lakers are better.” I threw him a cheesy grin.

“You enjoyed that a little more than I expected you to. I was getting hard watching you bounce up and down while you cheered. You have a love for the game, don’t you?” he asked. “I want you to come to a few of mine. Who knows, maybe you’ll like baseball better.” He gave a little wink.

“Already counting on this date going so well that you’ve planned a second one?” I arched an eyebrow.

I thought he blushed but if he did it was quickly covered it up with a casual grin.

“I told you only one.”

“But what if I play my cards right? And I give you mind-blowing sex? Then will you let me score that second date?”

I shook my head and rolled my eyes earning a chuckle from him.

“Are you hungry?” he asked still smiling.

“Starving, actually. I thought this date would entail an expensive dinner somewhere, but
no
, you left your date hungry and ready to wither away.”

He laughed and nudged me playfully with his elbow. “I’m sure I’ve got some canned soup or spaghetti in my pantry for you,” he teased.

“
Very funny
.”

He threw an arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer to him. I allowed my head to relax against his hard chest. The scent of his cologne filled my senses. It smelled fresh, like the ocean mixed with exotic spices and some floral tones. It made me want to bite into him.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked, combing my hair gently with his fingers.

I lifted my gaze to meet him, wondering whether it was a good idea to admit the truth or make something up on the spot. If I told him that I wanted to bite him, he’d probably take me inside the cab. That was something I wasn’t ready for― not now, not ever― so I opted for a semi-lie.

“Why did you take me to a sports game and not a dinner or somewhere most people take others on dates?”

He let out a rich throaty laugh. “I thought that’d be simple. You’re the daughter of
gazillionaires
. I thought you’d be sick of all that fine dining by now. And plus, basketball is a great sport… to watch.”

I laughed, nodding in agreement. “Fine dine restaurants are so cliché.”

“Exactly.”

As soon as we stepped inside his apartment, Ryan grabbed me and pinned me up against the wall, pressing his bulge right against my sensitive spot. Was this guy horny all the time? A hand slowly travelled down my chest, down my stomach, then cupped me between the legs. I sucked in a sharp breath as a cunning grin spread across his face.

“I can’t wait to get inside here,” he whispered, giving me a gentle squeeze. My insides burst alight. The area between my legs throbbed, begging for his bare touch. He let go and pressed himself harder against me. My legs parted willingly, eager for him to be closer.

“Touch me,” I whispered, arching my back to close the small gap between us.

Ryan ran his fingers gently along the top of my jeans, lightly grazing my bare stomach. I tensed every time he past my most sensitive parts.

He leaned over and kissed my cheek, then trailed smaller kisses down to my throat, all the while still running his fingers lightly across my skin. I let out a breathless moan.

“Mr. Fox?”

Ryan immediately stilled, dropped his hand and took a step back, looking over his shoulder to see who’d interrupted us. Staring up at him was a petite, white-haired lady wearing a white apron.

“Ahh, Rose, I almost forgot you were here. I think we should buy you a small bell so that I can hear you approaching,” he teased, turning his whole body around so that he was facing the woman.

I looked curiously between the two of them but Rose showed no sign of taking offense to his comment.

“I heard you come home. I just wanted to let you know that everything is ready and waiting.”

“
Thank you
, and is it all as we planned?”

“Yes. I think she will be very pleased.” Rose shot one look at me and offered me a polite smile. Was
I
the ‘
she
’ she was referring too?

“Brilliant, Rosy. You are magnificent. Oh, and yes, this is the one and only Evangeline Montgomery,” he said to her. Then turned to me, “and Evangeline, this is the fabulous Rose Hernandez, my housekeeper and tonight, the most fantastic person alive.”

Rose and I shook hands and nodded politely at one another while questions floated around inside my head. What on earth had Ryan so ecstatic? What had he asked his housekeeper to do?

“Isn’t she just beautiful, Rose?” Ryan said in a barely audible whisper as we began following the housekeeper down the large hall. Ryan held my hand as I listened to their quiet conversation the entire way and stared at the amazing apartment Ryan owned. I wondered if he’d decorated it himself or paid someone do it. Maybe he’d gotten Rose to do that too? A tiny smile crept up as I pictured Ryan asking his housekeeper to decorate his place. The interior design would have Amelie drooling in awe.

“You are very lucky to have her, Mr. Fox. I can see that she has a very gentle and precious soul. I just ask that you take good care of her,” Rose replied in almost a whisper but it was so quiet in the hallway that I was able to hear it. Ryan gave my hand a squeeze.

“I am very lucky indeed,” Ryan mumbled as we stopped in front of a doorway.

The room in front of us was dark. Only the flickering of orange candlelight filled the room. Ryan stepped to one side so I could get through.
Wow
. It was just beautiful.

One side of the wall was made completely out of glass, overlooking the surreal New York City skyline. Sparkling white marble covered the floor, while in the center of the room sat a large, dark wood dining table with two white high-back leather chairs on either end. A funky art-deco light hung from the ceiling above the table but it was switched off, instead the only glow came from the candles sitting on top of the table. Two places were set with large round plates, cutlery and two oversized empty wine glasses. Two large silver cloches sat in the middle, while three smaller ones, ranging in size, were organized around them.

It felt like I’d walked into our own fancy restaurant.

“
It’s beautiful
.” The words barely escaped me. I couldn’t stop ogling at the sight that lay before me. Not only was the room stunning, but I was also amazed by the effort Ryan― well Rose ―had gone into making it special. Ryan squeezed my hand again, reminding me he was right by my side.

“I hope you like it. Come, let me sit you down.”

Very gentlemanly-like, Ryan pulled my seat out and carefully pushed it in once I was sitting, and then turned back to face Rose.

“Everything looks wonderful. Thank you, Rosy. I hope you made extra servings like I’d asked you to so you can take home and enjoy with your family.”

Rose thanked him and politely waved the both of us goodbye. Ryan followed her and closed the door behind her.

“She must really adore you.” I smiled, watching him make he way back over and take a seat opposite me.

“Rose? Yeah, she’s great. I’d be lost without her.”

“Why? Do you get her to cook romantic meals for all your other dates as well?” I teased.

Ryan frowned. That wasn’t exactly the response I was expecting.

“Actually, I haven’t done this whole
thing
before,” he replied pulling a face and waving a hand at the table setting. “No other girl has ever been further than the first guest bedroom before.”

I stared at him for a moment, needing time to mentally process his comment. “You’re kidding, right?”

“Nope,” he answered simply, propping his elbows on the table and resting his chin on the back of his hands. His eyes gleamed in the candlelight. If I hadn’t already known how wicked his thoughts were, I’d think they were all innocent.

“But how do you know they don’t just go snooping after you leave them to go to training in the morning?”

He laughed then. “I’ve never done that before either.” He adjusted in his seat and scratched the back of his head with his hand. “I don’t really know what made me trust you,” he added with a shrug. “To be completely honest, I wasn’t even worried about coming home and finding my place ransacked.”

It was my turn to frown. “So what, you just usually kick the girls out in the mornings?”

“If they stay the night… Mostly, they leave the same night.”

I threw a look of disgust. How was he able to say that so casually?

Ryan waved his hand dismissively in the air. “Let’s not talk about that, I’m trying to impress you with my home cooking skills.” He smiled that sexy grin.

“You didn’t cook,” I pointed out dryly, determined to extinguish his cocky attitude.

“Yes, well… Fine. The cooking skills of my house keeper.”

That made me laugh.

Both the food and the wine were fantastic and soon we were standing by the glass wall, bellies full, and staring out at the stunning panoramic view of the city holding our large glasses of vintage red.

“Dinner was delicious. Remind me to thank Rose if I see her again.”

“Oh you will,” Ryan replied, standing directly behind and trailing quick soft kisses down my bare neck to the tip of my shoulder.

It was enough to make my heart flutter. I tilted my head to the side, so he had a better angle.

“
Evangeline?
”

“Hmm?” I said dreamily, with eyes half closed.

“Can I ask you something? But you promise not to get mad?”

A smile rose to my lips. What did he have on his mind now?

His kisses turned into tiny nibbles. I closed my eyes, savoring the moment.

“This is so wonderful. If it’s something you know that is going to make me angry or upset, please don’t say it. Not yet. I don’t want to ruin this moment,” I whispered.

“Okay,” was all he replied.

Soon his kisses stopped and I felt him pull away, shortly followed by the sound of a crystal, wine glass being placed on top of a small glass table. Before I knew it his lips were back, only this time his hands were free to roam. I took a large sip of my wine.

He pressed himself up against me and swayed me gently from side to side. I followed, mindful of the growing ache between my legs.

His hands travelled up and under my shirt, cupping my breasts, and began drawing circles through the material of my lacy bra with his thumbs, while continuing to nibble on my neck. My body went weak.

Soon I felt his fingers reach into the inside of my bra, popping out both my breasts so that my nipples were exposed over the top, and he gently tugged on them. They responded immediately, standing to attention after his firm but smooth touch. He began rubbing them, round and round, sending electric currents shooting right down to my core. The heat between my legs felt like fire.

“Put your glass down,” he whispered into my ear, nipping my earlobe with his teeth. It was an order— not a request.

I obeyed, stepping sideways to place it on the table beside his. He didn’t stop what he was doing; even as I bent to set my glass down, he slowly rocked his hips from side to side, pressing his growing swell into my backside.

“Turn around.”

“Are we going to do it in here?” I questioned without turning.

He tweaked my nipples, the sharp pain somehow furthering my arousal. “Yes, why not?”

“Because the wall is made of glass, anyone can see right through.”
People with cameras.

“Afraid to give them something good to watch?” he said teasingly, tugging at my nipples a little harder this time. A soft cry escaped me.

“Look what you do to me, Evangeline.” He pressed himself against me. Through the material of our jeans I could feel his excitement.

One hand moved away from my breast as he guided me carefully backwards a few steps. He bent over to pick something up, while still caressing me with the one hand still on my breast. I heard a short beeping sound and suddenly the entire glass wall frosted over.

He spun me around and his mouth instantly devoured mine. They were hungry, greedy kisses, wanting more with each passing moment.