The Games We Play Vol. 2 (Riley Grayson) (11 page)

Hilary cleared her throat, causing Ali and Riley to step back from each other, their moment gone. “Sorry. I, uh, yeah. I’m just gonna go to my room.” Hilary laughed after watching her friend completely melt. How could Ali still be so stuck on Pay? Riley was sexy and romantic.

Riley took Ali’s hand and led her toward the door. “I’ll have her home tomorrow,” he said over his shoulder, then led her out into the hallway.

“Tomorrow? I don’t think so.” Ali said, squinting her eyes playfully as they made their way to the elevator.

“I told you I had something special planned.” He ushered her into the elevator.

“We’ll see how this night goes.” Ali squeezed his hand and smiled up at him. Riley read complete comfort in them. She looked like she knew she belonged with him.

As soon as the doors slid closed, he pulled her into his arms again and kissed her. Every notion he had about playing it cool went out the window the second he’d laid eyes on her. Now he was just plain desperate, needy.
Riley, careful. Don’t lose your control.

Riley’s hand coursed down her back and over her nice, firm ass. He jerked away from the kiss and looked at her, eyes wide. “You’re not wearing any panties.”

She smiled seductively. “And I told you I had something special planned, too.”

“So I will be returning you home safely, tomorrow.” He groaned. “I will not hesitate to cancel our dinner reservations, Ali.”

She laughed, but before she fully responded, the elevator doors opened. She stepped out and Riley followed, his gaze on her ass. If he thought waiting all week was torture, trying to make it through dinner knowing the only thing separating the two of them was that flimsy piece of cloth was going to be a test in patience. If he was successful, he should be granted sainthood. Seriously. With his hand on her lower back, he led her toward his car. Or rather, his father’s car. But she didn’t need to know that.

“No bike tonight?” she asked. 

“I thought this might be more appropriate.”

“Oh.” Ali playfully pouted. “But for the record, I really like your motorcycle. I really liked riding it last time.”

“Yeah?” Riley opened the passenger door for her. “Well, I’ll just have to take you for another ride sometime then.”

“You’d better.” She smiled, and brushing her hand down the center of his chest she got into the car and he closed the door.

Oh, he was going to take her for a ride all right. In more ways than one. Smiling, he walked around to the driver’s side and got in. Tonight was going better than planned. He started the car and pulled out onto the road.

He’d intentionally turned off his phone when he arrived to pick her up just so no one would interrupt them tonight. Not Jackson. Not Veronica.

His plan to tell Veronica things couldn’t go on hadn’t gone so well. If he’d read her reaction correctly, it only encouraged her to try harder.

Tonight was all about the brunette bomb shell sitting next to him. God damn she was sexy. Her smells enticing. How in the world was he ever going to get through dinner without somehow managing to relieve the growing pain in his balls. He looked over at Ali, one hand on the wheel, and gave her the most seductive smile.

“So, where are you taking me anyway?” Ali asked.

She has no idea how beautiful she is.
“Well, for starters, dinner. There’s this little, unknown Italian restaurant down at the other end of the shore. By the abandoned pier. After that, if you’re up for it, we can take a walk or,” he pulled a hotel key card from his pocket and handed it to her, “we can just go back to the room. Our own little private
fantasy
suite.” He shot Ali a warm smile.

Ali flipped the card around in her hand, a small smile pulling at her lips. “You’re a little presumptuous, aren’t you? And what kind of
fantasy
do you have in mind? That shit you pulled the last time I spent the night with you isn’t going to fly.”

“What are you talking about?” he asked innocently.

“Ever. I mean it Mr. Riley Grayson.”

“No worries.” He laughed, remembering the threesome he’d brought Ali into without asking. He felt bad about what he had done, and if he would have listened more to his inner self he would have never done it. “Don’t worry. All my secret fantasies only involve you, Miss Ali Ford.”

“Good,” Ali said firmly, looking straight ahead as they raced down the busy street.

He raised a brow and threw her a sexy smirk, returning to the idea of spending the night at a hotel. “I prefer to think of myself as prepared.” He laughed. “I mean, you did send me those scandalous pictures, and you opted for no panties tonight. I don’t think either of us need to pretend we don’t know where this night is headed.”

“Only if you’re good.” She tucked the card into her cleavage. “But I get to decide if you’re worthy of what I have to offer or not.”

Riley glanced at her and almost lost his breath at the sight. Again. He was in some really serious trouble with this girl. No matter what, he had to gain the upper hand tonight. He had to make sure he had her wrapped tightly around his little finger so she wouldn’t ever think about seeing another guy again. And by doing so, he’d regain control. He wouldn’t be so damn anxious to see her all the time because she’d be calling him, wanting to see him. Then, just like all the other girls who did that, he’d become bored and annoyed and his problems would be solved.

“But you agree we are going there?”

Ali smiled and shook her head. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”

Riley smiled, confident of where this night was heading.

The remainder of the ride to the restaurant was made in relative silence. Riley’s mind was dominated by thoughts of what he was going to do to Ali once he got her back to that room.

The first thing would be to tear that dress from her body. Literally. She’d have to wear the hotel’s complimentary robe home when he was finished with her. Then he was going to spend a good hour kissing every inch of her body, making sure no part of her went untouched.

If she didn’t already know how sexually charged he was, she would know after tonight. But first he had to win her over and make sure she wanted to use that key card she had hidden beneath that amazingly seductive dress.

Snapping himself back to the moment, he pulled into the parking lot and shut off the car. He was out and to her door before she could even unbuckle her seat belt.

“Anxious, are we?” Ali teased Riley.

Riley smiled. Yes, he was anxious, but he wasn’t going to tell her that.

He took her hand and helped her out of the car. The best thing about this particular restaurant was that he’d done several paintings for the owner—free of charge—and now got special favors whenever he made reservations. Tonight’s favor from the owner was a private table on the back deck overlooking the ocean.
It can’t get any better than this.

Riley knew he wanted to show Ali his work. He loved hearing her break down the philosophy of his paintings. That one mural analysis from the first time they’d accidentally met still replayed over and over in his mind. It was what had perked his interest in the first place. He loved it then and hoped he would find that same deep flattery once again, tonight, when he humbly bragged about his work displayed for all diners to see.

He escorted her inside and the hostess smiled when she saw him. “Riley,” she nodded, “good to see you again.”

“Hello, Darcy.” He smiled. Darcy was the owner’s youngest daughter. A sweet girl, but not very blessed with looks. At least Riley didn’t find her attractive.

“Your table is ready. Follow me.”

“Are you impressed yet? How am I doing so far?” Riley teased. Ali rolled her eyes. He knew he was doing everything perfectly, and the awe in her eyes only confirmed that she was enjoying it. He could certainly be a gentleman when he wanted to be.

Riley took Ali’s hand into his, lacing their fingers together, and they followed Darcy through the restaurant. “Sorry, Darcy. Can you wait just a second?”

Darcy turned and smiled.

“If you don’t mind, I want to show off one of my paintings.”

“Yes, of course. However long you need.” Darcy turned and walked back to the front of the restaurant, leaving the two love birds alone together.

Riley lead Ali to the far wall where one of his paintings hung proudly. “This is one of your paintings?” Ali asked, impressed.

Riley nodded. They both stood there silently for a minute without saying a word. Riley watched Ali intently as she studied the painting. Her face told him she liked what she saw.

It was a bright and colorful pastel painting. There was this young man on a small bike with his feet kicked forward, racing along the boardwalk. The young man had a huge smile plastered to his face, and the beach grass was a vibrant green, the ocean a complementary bright blue. Between the colors and the man’s smile, it left observers with only one thing to do, smile with him and absorb that happiness.

“So what do you think?” Riley squeezed Ali’s hand.

“I love it.”

“You do?” Riley knew people loved his work but he wanted to hear her break it down like she had last time they’d admired one of his paintings together. Back when she didn’t know he’d been the one to paint it.

“Yeah. It reminds us to never stop being a child. Life doesn’t need to be so hard. It’s easy for us to forget that with all the bullshit we have to put up with daily. But in the end, even if we outgrow our old shoes, we should never outgrow the carefree spirit that every child has.”

Riley loved listening to her talk about his work. He felt like she knew him so well. His smile grew with each word and she looked at him with pride when she finished explaining the painting.

“Shall we,” he said, nodding to Darcy who could see them from the front.

Riley offered his arm and Ali took it, the followed Darcy through the crowded restaurant and out onto the back deck. Per Riley’s request, the railing had been adorned with strands of white twinkly lights, and the massive cast iron fire pit had been lit. In the center of the deck sat a two person table dressed with only the finest china. A bottle of red wind waiting to be opened was in the center of the table. He wasn’t much of a wine drinker, but the owner had assured Riley this bottle would be a perfect pairing with the meal.

“Oh wow,” Ali whispered, turning either way to get a full view of the deck. “This is breathtaking.” She spun around and smiled.

Riley smiled with satisfaction. He loved it when he could impress a woman like this. It made it that much more satisfying knowing that Ali was the one he was impressing. He was in charge and controlling the night again. Exactly what he had hoped to do. He watched as Ali spun around, her skirt lifting above her knees, smiling. He smiled back, feeling great for where he was tonight.

Darcy proceeded to the table, uncorked the wine bottle and poured each of them a glass. Riley pulled out a chair for Ali, waited until she was seated, and pushed her in. Then he leaned down so his mouth was right near her ear. “That’s exactly what I thought when I saw you tonight. Breathtaking.”

He straightened and sat in his chair across from her, noticing the blush that had crept into her cheeks. Damn, she was sexy. And gorgeous. And smart and funny and . . .
Goddammit, Riley, get a grip!

“Your usual appetizer will be out shortly, Riley.” Darcy nodded, then left.

“Your usual?” Ali asked with a faint, teasing smile. “You must come here an awful lot.”

“Not nearly enough.” He laughed.

It’s been far too long since I had someone worth bringing here
, he thought to himself. He usually went somewhere more public as it offered him an easy out should he need it. But when planning tonight with Ali, he wanted to be as far away from everyone as he could get. He didn’t want any interruptions tonight, and had safely assumed there would be no need to alert Jackson to come bail him out.

“So what is your usual appetizer?”

“Bacon wrapped scallops.”

Ali scrunched up her nose and made a face. “Eww.”

Riley laughed. “What? You don’t like bacon? Who doesn’t like bacon?”

“I
love
bacon. You know, I used to be a vegetarian.”

“Really?”

“Bacon brought me back to the meat side.”

Riley let out a deep belly laugh and Ali joined in with him.

“Bacon’s what did it, huh?”

“Yup.”

“Then what sounds so gross about my favorite appetizer?”

“The other half of it.”

“Have you ever tried them?”

“No, but they just sound gross. But don’t worry, I’ll eat the bacon.”

Riley shook his head. “Well, you’re going to have to try one
complete
scallop tonight.”

“No, I’m not.” Ali shook her head. “There is no way I’m putting a scallop in my mouth. I’ve seen those things.”

He grinned slowly as he folded his arms on the table and leaned closer to her. “All right, I’ll make you a deal.”

Ali folded her arms, imitating Riley, and leaned in closer. “Alright, I’m listening.”