Unworthy Heart: The Donnellys, Book 1 (25 page)

Chapter Thirty-Three

Ryan managed to get through their dinner without losing it. But the movie with Jacob was a little harder to sit through without getting up and working off some of the damn nervous energy racking his system. He couldn’t wrap his head around the fact these people were already challenging him on visitation. At least they weren’t seeking custody again.

By the time he got Jacob settled into bed, restless nerves had taken over his body and he was crawling out of every inch of his skin. He took Maiya by the hand, pulled her into his bedroom and then shut the door.

Overcome by the tension devouring his system, he turned and pressed her against the door, kissing her as though he was a drowning man, and she was his life raft. “I need you.” He gasped for a breath before capturing her mouth again. “I need you now.” Not giving her a chance to answer, he pulled up her skirt and hoisted her off her feet. “Wrap your legs around me.” He carried her away from the door to the other wall, and ran one hand up her thigh, finding skin. “Goddamn. Thigh highs? I fucking love these on you.”

“I know.” Something sounding like a growl rose up from her throat and she grabbed his shirt and ripped it open, sending buttons flying in all directions. She licked a line from the top of his chest to his throat and then bit his neck.

Ryan let out his own growl, and his need to be inside her went into overdrive, rumbling through him. He tugged her panties to the side, and somehow managed to get his pants undone. With his dick free, he stroked through her moist, hot slit with the tip. “Jesus, you’re wet.”

Pushing his shirt over his shoulders, she gripped the flesh and dug her nails in. “I’m always wet for you.”

“Fuck yes, you are.” Gripping her full ass in his palms, he positioned himself at her entrance and then slid into her heat in one thrust.

Bliss.

Heaven.

God help him.

Ryan pressed his forehead against hers and held still a moment, allowing her time to adjust, and giving himself time to breathe. Maiya pressed her lips to his with a whimper and rocked her hips.

He took it as his cue to get his ass moving. He pulled his length out, leaving the head nestled inside her, and then slid back in again, pressing her harder against the wall. Mindless with the sensations of her channel gripping his cock, he needed to pound into her. Pound her through the wall if he had to. “Eager little slut, aren’t you?”

She tilted her pelvis forward. “I’m
your
eager slut.”

Ryan came undone. With relentless strokes he slammed into her. Aside from his torn shirt, they were both still clothed, but he needed to feel her skin beneath his hands and mouth. He grabbed at her top, and tore it open, revealing lace-covered breasts.

Taut nipples stood at attention through the thin fabric. He kept a tight grip on her ass with one hand and gripped one full breast in the other. Tugging the fabric down, he ran his thumb over the hard tip.

She bucked against him and dug her nails deeper into his shoulders. “Oh, fuck. Yes! Pinch it, please?” She rocked her hips forward, meeting his relentless thrusts.

Ryan rolled the solid peak between thumb and forefinger and then pinched, as she’d so sweetly begged him to do. “I can’t stop thinking about how your pussy grips my prick. I need to fuck you every day, Maiya.” He dipped his head and sucked the entire areola into his mouth.

She gasped and ran her fingers through his hair. The taste of her swept through him, overwhelming his senses. He loved how she tasted—how she felt. He couldn’t get enough of her—wanted all of her, and more.

His. She was his.

“I love how you feel inside me.” She raked her nails down his back and buried her face in his neck, running her tongue along his skin.

The sounds of their lovemaking—his groans, her whimpers—resonated around them, driving his desire to make her mindless. He slowed his movements and with shorter thrusts, ground against her clit. “I want to hear you scream my name.”

Her channel clenched in little spasms, and he knew she was on the verge of climax.

“Whose pussy is this?”
Thrust.
“Whose?”
Thrust.

“I’m coming, Ryan. Oh. God.”

He thrust harder. “Whose? Tell me!”

“Yours!”

Ryan clamped a hand over her mouth, quieting her, leaving her to breathe and moan through her nose. “That’s. Fucking. Right.” His voice was low and gravely. Each word said in time with the drive of his hips. “Come for me, my dirty slut. Come all over my dick.”

Seizing in his arms, a low guttural cry emerged from Maiya’s chest, vibrating in the palm of his hand still clasped over her mouth. Her orgasm crested, her body trembling in his arms.

“Jesus. Yes, yes!” Ryan pulled his hand from her mouth, gripped her ass tighter and threw his head back. Bucking against her, wild with lust, he gave in to what his body was aching for. The clenching of her tight channel around his throbbing prick sent Ryan flying right over the edge after her. Over and over he spurted inside her and spots formed behind his closed eyes.

Ryan held her tight to his body, resting his head on her shoulder. Thank God for the wall supporting them, otherwise he’d have fallen with her to the ground. Ryan didn’t care. All he wanted was to stay buried deep inside her.

Soft whimpers escaped her with each breath she took, and she trailed featherlike kisses over his shoulder and neck. Raising his head, he sought her lips, sucked her tongue and once again, basked in her taste. When he was finally able to pull them away from the wall, he carried her to the bed and laid her down. He tugged the blankets down beneath her, and then removed his shirt and undressed her. “I’m not done with you.”

When they were both naked, he climbed back between her welcoming thighs. The heat of skin-on-skin contact seared him to the bone and Ryan sucked in a breath. She was so warm, so willing; a playground of delight he couldn’t wait to explore a thousand times over. When he’d left no part of her untouched by his hands or mouth, he fucked her again.

This time, a little slower.

Maiya lay with her head on Ryan’s chest, listening to the smooth, steady beat of his heart. He stroked his fingers up and down her spine as they basked in the post-coital bliss that came after incredible, mind-altering sex.

The sex had been out of this world. Then again, when hadn’t it been that way with him? Fast and furious, biting and scratching, a complete tornado of sexual desire and release. Downright intense is what it was.

What happened after he laid her on his bed was no less intense, but was…different.

His movements had been slow, calculating. He’d made her mindless with each touch, kiss and stroke he delivered to her body. However his words, falling in whispered tones, had sent her to a place she’d never been before.
“You just don’t understand. You don’t get it. Being apart from you isn’t an option anymore. I need you, baby. So badly.”

He’d said these, and many other things to her, several times while he possessed her body. His words shocked her and all she could say in response was,
“I’m right here, I’m right here with you.”
Anything more wasn’t possible.

This was so much more than sex. It was making love.

Ryan had been making love to her body, her mind
and
her heart. The emotions his words and movements conjured within her were almost too much to bear, and she was powerless to stop any of it.

She could no more hold back the tidal wave of his feelings than she could her own. And she drowned in all of them.

“Do you need anything?”

“No, I’m fine.” She traced the contours of his ribs and snuggled closer.

Kissing the top of her head, he ran his fingers through her hair. “You feel so wonderful.”

She raised her head to look at him. It was dark in the room, and she could barely make out the contours of his face. “You want to tell me about the call from the attorney?”

“You sure you want to hear about all that mess?”

She kissed his chest, and then laid her head back down. “Only if you want to tell me.”

“They already have visitation.”

“Okay, so then what more do they want?”

“The deal right now is they get to see him two weeks a year, but they have to come here to do it. It has to be on my turf, not theirs.”

“Let me guess, that’s not good enough for them anymore?”

“Bingo.” He squeezed her closer. “Have I told you how smart you are?”

“I wouldn’t go that far. Just coming to the obvious conclusion.” Tracing his exposed nipple with her nail, she watched while it tightened to a peak.

“Hey now, I say you’re smart, so you are. You’re beautiful too, and if you don’t stop toying with my nipple I’m going to flip you over and show you just how much I appreciate you.”

She pinched his nipple. “Is that a threat?”

“One I’ll follow through on later.” Ryan grabbed her hand. Raising her fingers to his lips, he kissed them.

“In that case, I’ll consider it a promise.” She smiled. “It’s going to be fine, you know that, right?”

He kissed the top of her head. “Yeah. Because there’s no other option.”

She had no doubt he’d hit the visitation request head on, and win. Closing her eyes, Maiya let out a sigh and snuggled closer, his heart beating a steady drum beneath her ear while he played with her hair.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Maiya woke to the sound of the shower running. She rolled to her side and the usual soreness from spending the night with Ryan made its presence known.

The water shut off and she sat up and smiled. A few minutes later, he emerged from the bathroom with a blue towel wrapped around his waist. Beads of water clung to his chest and his hair stuck up in several directions, the obvious result of a run-in with the towel.

“Morning, baby.” He stepped into his closet.

Managing a glance around the room, she noted the sparse furnishings. There were two dressers. One, a tall chest of drawers, stood between the entry and bathroom door. The other, its mate, was wide and stout, sat across from the bed. “Morning.” She stretched and then flopped back on the pillows. “Do we
have
to go to work today?”

Ryan crawled onto the bed and hovered over her. “You think we can both call in sick?” He nuzzled her neck.

“Doubtful.” Yawning, she cupped the back of his wet head. “What time is it?”

“Six thirty. Jacob’ll be up soon. I’m surprised he isn’t yet, actually.” Ryan got up and walked over to the tall dresser. He dropped the towel to the floor and pulled out a pair of boxer briefs and socks.

Maiya clenched her teeth at the sight of his firm ass and thighs. “Fabulous view in this place.” Smiling, she drew the sheets and blankets aside and sat on the edge of the bed.

“You like?” He wiggled a little before he bent to pull his underwear on.

Standing, she gave her own little wiggle. “Very much.”

Ryan dropped his socks
and
his jaw.

With hands planted on her hips, Maiya strode past him into the bathroom. She peeked her head back out. “When you’re dressed can you get my bag from downstairs?”

“Damn. Um…what?”

“My bag?” Shaking her head, she laughed. “Close your mouth, Ryan. They’re just tits.” She turned away and stepped into the shower. With her eyes closed and her hair full of soapy shampoo, Maiya heard the shower door slide open.

“Yes, I will get your bag. And no, they are not ‘just tits’. They are
your
tits, and amazing ones at that.” He swatted her ass.

She yelped. “Hey!” Cracking one eye open and risking the suds, she looked at him.

The man wore a grin the size of Europe. “Never mind all your ink too. Hot stuff.”

Bending her head back, she let the water wash over her hair, sending the bubbles down her body. He groaned.
Got him.
If he was going to stand there she may as well give him a show
.
“Close the door, you’re making me cold.”

“I know, and your nipples are getting nice and hard. I want to bite them. Like, right now.”

“There’ll be none of that, Mr. Donnelly. Your sweet little boy will be awake soon, and jeez, don’t you think you bit them enough last night?” She covered her sore areolas with her palms.

He ran his fingertip down her arm. “A nipple a day keeps the doctor away.”

“Clever. Now shoo. Let me finish.” She gave him a quick kiss and then slammed the shower door closed.

“Cold. Real cold, Maiya.”

“Yeah, yeah. That’s what I was just saying.” She couldn’t help herself and laughed. “Go get my bag, will you, please?”

“Yes, dear.” Ryan exited the bathroom, laughing too.

Good thing he left when he did. His lust-injected compliments and his light touches had riled her up enough to pull him in the shower with her.

Maiya dried off with the two towels he’d left for her.
Aw, how thoughtful.
Most guys couldn’t remember women needed two towels after the shower. He’d also brought her bag like she’d asked and left it by the counter. When she poked her head out of the bathroom to thank him, he was nowhere in sight. Probably getting Jacob ready.

They were simple things he’d done for her, yet they filled her with a level of joy she’d rarely experienced. Shutting the door, she glanced around his bathroom. It seemed weird, but in a good way, to be in his personal space alone. The temptation to explore filled her mind, but she resisted. The clock was ticking and they had to go to work.

Ryan held her hand while they drove to work. The morning at home with her had been easy. Jacob had been his normal chipper self at breakfast, eating his cereal and chatting Maiya’s ear off. Ryan marveled at how his kid had no issue with her being there with them. As if she’d always been there for breakfast. Maybe the reason Jacob had no issue with Maiya was because she made people want to be around her. His son may not have been this accepting of another woman.

She was the epitome of softness with hard edges in the perfect spots. Jacob seemed to see only her softness, which was amazing, while Ryan saw the softness and the hard edges. He wasn’t sure which he liked more, but he didn’t have to decide. The beauty was, he got to have all of her sides. At least he hoped to have them.

“What are you thinking about?”

He stroked the top of her hand with his thumb, glanced at her and then back to the road. “You.”

“Hmm.”

“I’m allowed.” He squeezed her hand.

“Of course you’re allowed. Is there a porno playing in your mind right now?”

“No, but now that you mentioned it, there probably will be all day.”

“Fabulous. Make sure you tell me all the dirty details later.” She leaned over the center console and kissed his cheek and then her soft breath feathered over his ear. “I get to be on top.”

Sucking in a breath, Ryan stroked his hand through her hair before gripping the strands between his fingers. “I’m holding you to that tonight.”

She ran her hand up his thigh to his groin and cupped him through his dress pants. “Meee-owww.”

“Maiya, if you get my dick hard right now, you’re going to be sucking it, so I can focus at work today.”

“Whew! Now,
that
is one hell of a visual.”

“I’m so spanking your ass for this tonight. You just wait.”

“Yay!” Smiling, she clapped her hands. “Promise?”

“You do realize it’s not really a punishment if you enjoy it?” He gripped her thigh. “I’ll have to make you beg, then.”

She moaned and narrowed her eyes at him. His cock twitched in his pants. Damn, would she ever
not
turn him on? Ryan didn’t think it was possible.

He’d successfully managed to get them to work, park and walk inside without taking her in the truck, the garage stairwell, or a wall along the way. Not easy though. When the elevator doors opened to their floor they stepped off, hand in hand, and damn near smacked into her boss, Tony.

Fuck. They were holding hands too. Letting go of him, Maiya gave Ryan an “oh shit” look.

He nodded at Tony and walked away. Glancing back before turning the corner, he saw Maiya heading in the other direction, talking with her boss. He hoped she wasn’t going to catch hell over them being involved. Some companies didn’t allow office romances. He wasn’t sure what their company policy was regarding the matter. There’d never been a reason to look something like that up. Turning down the aisle toward his cube, he ran into Jodi. Perfect.

“Good morning, Ryan.”

“Good morning, indeed. Just the person I need to see.”

Jodi shifted the folders she held in her arms. “Oh yeah? About?”

He looked around to be sure no one was close enough to hear and lowered his voice. “What’s the company’s policy on office dating?” Jodi’s eyes widened, and then she smiled. A big-ass smile too. He chuckled. “Okay, you can stop grinning at me like that.”

“So, it’s official?”

Reluctant to answer the question, Ryan blew out a breath and tilted his head to the side. Maiya hadn’t yet agreed to exclusively being his, which pretty much sucked, but beside the point now since her boss clearly saw them.

“Hmm. Follow me to my office.” Jodi stepped past him.

He dropped his laptop case in his cube and then made his way to Jodi’s office. On his way, he passed Rahul’s office and nodded when the guy looked up from his laptop screen.

Jodi and Rahul were Maiya’s closest friends in L.A. He should invite them both to dinner or something this weekend, assuming he could get her to stay for the weekend. He’d have to work on her about it tonight. He stepped into Jodi’s office.

“Close the door,” she said without looking up from the screen.

“You’re bossy.” He laughed.

“Hey, I got two kids, a husband and a full-time job. Being bossy comes with the territory. Sit.” She motioned to one of the chairs in front of her desk.

“Not going to argue that.”

“Believe it or not, I already looked this up a week or so ago. Watching out for my girl, you know.”

“Quite nice of you.” He took a seat and leaned forward. “So what does it say?”

“Basically, it’s common sense stuff. Like, if you worked for her or her for you, then it’d be a no-no, but that’s not the case, thank the Lord.”

Relief washed over him. Letting out a breath, he sat back. “So, we’re good?”

“I think so, but it also says something about discretion of management.”

“Meaning?”

“I think if your relationship compromises the company in any way, then management reserves the right to either move one of you to a different group or terminate one of you. Not sure which.” She frowned at the computer screen.

“That’s like two completely different ends of the spectrum.” Bending his head forward, he rubbed the back of his neck.

“Yes, but I think you’re okay for now. No one knows except us, right? And Rahul. Of course Rahul knows.” She tapped her fingertip to her lips.

“Who told Rahul?”

“I did.” She leaned back in her chair, regarding him. “Did something happen?”

“Does Maiya know you told Rahul?”

“Yes. We’re friends, Ryan. That’s what friends do. Now, did something happen?”

“Tony saw us stepping off the elevator. We were holding hands.” Leaning forward again, he rested his elbows on his knees. “He didn’t say anything, but Maiya walked off with him.”

“Tony is a really great man to work for.” Jodi pursed her lips. “I’m betting it’s going to be fine.” Slapping her hand down on her desk, she stood.

“You think?” He hated the sound of his own voice, a mixture of fear and doubt tainting each word.

“Hell yeah. Don’t worry. Come on, you can buy me a cup of coffee downstairs.” She smiled and opened the door. “We’ll invite Rahul too.”

Shaking his head, he followed her out. “Okay, great. Sure.”

Maiya sat in Tony’s office feeling a whole lot of nervous. Her palms were sweaty and the breakfast she ate threatened to make a reappearance. With her luck, if she puked, it’d land all over the top of his desk.

Tony glanced at her over the top of his laptop screen. “You look like you’re about to be sick.”

She forced a smile. “I’m fine, really.”
Please don’t fire Ryan. He has a child to care for.

“Is it serious with him?”

“Define serious?” She crossed her legs.

“Come on, Maiya. I’m a reasonable guy. These things happen.” He leaned back in his chair. “Honestly, I’m asking more out of curiosity than anything else, though it’s none of my business.”

His statement shocked her and she sat up a little straighter. “I… I don’t know.” She fiddled with the cuff on her sleeve. “I don’t want him to get into trouble. I mean, I know better, Tony. These things can sometimes get messy. But, I won’t let that happen.” She stood, unable to sit still any longer, and walked to the window in his large office.

“Bah, I’m not concerned about that. I’m sure you’ll remain professional, Maiya.”

“I appreciate your trust in the matter.”

“If he worked for you, or vice versa, we might be having a different discussion. I have to admit, as selfish as I know it might sound, he may be the thing that finally gets you to move back to L.A.”

Turning, she paced the area next to his desk. “Can I speak openly?”

He linked his hands over his stomach. “Please do.”

“You asked if it was serious. Well, he wants it to be.”

“But?”

“But… Ugh, I can’t believe I am telling you this.” She pivoted and faced him. “Don’t take this wrong, but I think I need some fatherly advice.” She sank into the chair again, wringing her hands in her lap, quite overwhelmed with the whole situation.

Tony leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk. “Maiya, look at me.” When she did, he continued. “I’m honored, and to tell you the truth, I’ve always looked upon you like one of my daughters.”

“Well, I— Really?” She’d never expected to have him return those feelings. It made sense though. He’d always taken care of her at work. Encouraged and mentored her even before she worked directly for him. He’d been a stable figure in her career for years now. “That means a lot, Tony. Thanks.”

“So, speak freely; you’re in good company.” He settled back in his seat again.

She took a breath, letting herself relax a little and began again. “He wants it to be serious and to be truthful, I’m terrified.”

“Of what?”

“Not being good enough.” There. She’d said it. Maiya blew out a breath and wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. Damn, she was sweating.

“
Not being
…? Maiya, in all the years I’ve known you, that has got to be the dumbest thing I have
ever
heard you say.”

Shock blasted through her mind so fast, she couldn’t process. She squared her shoulders and her jaw dropped.

“Well, it is. Don’t look at me like that. You listen carefully to me.” He pointed his finger at her. “
You
are an intelligent, beautiful woman. You’re full of energy and have more to offer the world than half the people I’ve met in the last ten years. You are more than good enough, in fact, probably too good for him, and if Ryan Donnelly doesn’t treat you as such, then you better dump him right now.”

She laughed then. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so serious, Tony. Knock it off, you’re freaking me out.”

“Psshaw.” He waved his hand at her. “I mean it.”

“I appreciate your kind words. They mean a lot.” She relaxed further and crossed her legs. “I think Ryan is a good, kind man. The problem would be me, and yes, maybe my perception is a bit…
off
,
in regards to this. Either way, I have a lot to think about.”