Chapter 29: Chapter 29

Ryan was certain he’d committed no less than four traffic violations while getting from the gym to his place.

Make that five, he added silently as he stepped on the gas, the Jaguar responding with a throaty growl as he drove into Greenwich street, going past the speed limit and silently thanking his stars he hadn’t been pulled over by the cops yet.

He glanced at the clock display on the dashboard. Five forty eight pm, forty minutes since Sam had texted him to say she was on her way and he’d done a speed run that would make the game developers of Need for Speed proud. It was still cutting it close though, since he didn’t know exactly where her friend lived, but hopefully, there’d be enough time to get home, maybe grab a quick shower and change out of his sweaty gym clothes before Sam got there.

Driving past a convenience shop, he slowed, hit by a mental picture of his nearly empty fridge. He seldom cooked since there was little point of going to all the trouble of cooking for one, but what would Sam have for dinner and breakfast? It was too late for grocery shopping, but he could order something from one of the restaurants in the area and have it delivered. That raised another issue. What did she even like?

He sighed and passed a hand over his face, wondering why he was so worked up over the prospect of a sleepover. Okay, he knew the reason, the thought that the woman who’d featured prominently in every erotic dream he’d had for the past couple of weeks would be sleeping only a few feet away was enough to send his senses into overdrive.

Sure, she would be in a different room and completely off limits, but that did little to dampen the need that surged within his body, leaving him in a heightened state of nervous arousal.

Fuck! He was going to need several cold showers before the night was over because there was no way in hell he was breaking her trust just to steal a few moments of bliss. That Sam trusted him enough to accept his offer of a place to stay and rest was a monumental step in their relationship, and he would cut off his dick before giving her a reason to regret it.

As though to mock his resolve, an image of Sam from this afternoon, bent over on the floor, tempting butt in the air filled his thoughts. That pose had nearly been his undoing today, and he’d spent more time than he wanted to admit thinking about how if things were different between them, he’d have walked up behind her, cupping that sexy bottom and…

His phone rang, mercifully cutting off the thought. A quick glance at the screen showed Hailey’s number and he picked up.

“Sup?”

“Are you on your way over?” Hailey’s voice filled the car. “Remember to swing by the liquor store and pick up Mom’s favourite wine for dinner.”

Shit, he’d forgotten he’d promised to eat at Hailey’s place tonight. “Can you get Adam to do it? There’s been a change of plans and I won’t be able to make it tonight.”

“Everything okay?” Concern tinged his sister’s voice.

“Yeah,” he sighed, raking fingers through his hair. “It’s fine, just a friend coming over.”

There was momentary silence over the phone and he winced, practically hearing the wheels turning in her head.

“This friend,” she finally said. “By any chance, is it the woman Mom’s been yapping about all week? The one Dad hired?”

He cursed under his breath. Damn his mother and her fish trap of a mouth. “Yes, but it’s not what you’re thinking. She needs a place to sleep and I offered her my spare room. Not that it’s any of your business.”

“Hmm,” she didn’t sound convinced and the worry was back in her voice. “You know, if Dad finds out…”

“He won’t, because there’s nothing for him to find out.” The words were forced out through gritted teeth. “I’ll talk to you later.”

She sighed. “Sure. Be careful okay? I don’t want you to get hurt like last time.”

He ended the call without saying anything and gripped the wheel hard till his knuckles whitened, jaw tensed. Even though he didn’t want to admit it, Hailey’s words bothered him more than it should. He’d realized weeks ago that a relationship with Sam was out of the question, not if they both wanted to avoid the minefield that was sure to explode if word got out to his father and that had been one major reason he’d backed off. Much as he’d initially despised Sam’s intrusion into his business, he’d come to appreciate the effort she was making in helping them get the department back on track.

Another major reason being that he wasn’t mentally ready to commit to a relationship with anyone, not with the trauma of the previous one still very much a real thing, and a part of him knew having sex with Sam again could shatter the walls he’d built to protect his heart. And he could end up getting hurt.

Again

Pushing the thought from his mind, he pulled over in front of a small restaurant and parked. Picking up his phone, he dialled Sam’s number and she picked up almost immediately.

“Hello,” her voice sent waves of soothing balm over his troubled mind.

“Hey Sam,” he said, his tone light. “Where are you now?”

“Umm…hold on.” He heard the rustle of leather. “We just turned into Greenwich.”

Damn, she was already practically at his doorstep. Putting the car into drive, he pulled back onto the road, scanning ahead at the oncoming vehicles. A grey sedan pulled up in front of his building and he saw Sam get out, phone cradled between ear and shoulder, a small overnight bag in one hand. She’d changed into black skinny jeans and a light green top that hugged her delectable curves.

Yep, tonight he would set a new record for cold showers.

“I see you,” he said softly, and in the distance, her head jerked up, scanning the faces around her. He chuckled at the mild panic on her face. “Six o’ clock, black Jaguar.”

She spun round just as he pulled up behind the sedan. He waved and beckoned her over, grinning when she seemed to hesitate and look longingly at the sedan as though contemplating making a run for it. Leaving the engine idling, he stepped out, the heat of the evening washing over him and walked to her.

“Hey you,” he reached for the bag, effectively making sure she didn’t bolt. Eyes, slightly reddened and puffy, probably from exhaustion, skittered about like a wild deer, cheeks two spots of heightened color,

“Umm…hi,” She murmured, meeting his gaze for a second before looking away. She bit her lip and cleared her throat softly before continuing in a steadier voice. “Thanks for having me, I’m sorry for the last minute notice and for disrupting your plans.”

He waved the apology away. “It’s fine, Sam. You didn’t disrupt anything and it was promising to be a mind numbing evening alone anyway, so I’m glad for the company.”

She looked only slightly assured, but nodded and leaned down to speak to the driver. “How much is the fare?”

Placing a hand under her elbow, Ryan tugged her upright and pulled out his wallet. “I’ve got it.”

“No, it’s fine.” Her hand closed over his wallet and she shook her head. “I’ll pay.”

He considered protesting, but with a glance at her tired face, he relented and nodded. “Okay.”

The sedan moved off and he returned his hand under her elbow to guide her to his car.

“Aren’t we going in?” Sam nudged her head towards the building, a puzzled look on her face.

“We are, but I need to park first, then we’ll take the elevator from the underground parking. It’s better than leaving you to wait in the lobby.” He explained, opening the passenger door. She nodded and got in, taking the bag from him.

He rounded the hood and got in then noticed her rubbing her temples. He recalled the last time she’d done that and worry swamped him. “Migraine?”

“The cousins were loud.” she replied, the corners of her mouth lifting up in a smile. “But I’ve already taken my pills, so there’s no fear of me passing out on you again.”

He chuckled, steering the car into the parking space. “That’s a relief. I still get nightmares from the last time.”

“Don’t tell me you’ve never had a woman faint on you before?” Her eyebrows rose in disbelief.

“No one I care about.” The reply slipped past his lips before he could think.

An awkward silence descended and he swore internally.

Way to go making her uncomfortable, dude.

“Oh.” She looked down at her hands and visibly swallowed. Then seeming to reach a decision, she looked at him, shoulders set in determination. “Ryan, about tonight…”

“Nothing out of the ordinary is happening tonight, Sam,” he cut in. “You’re going to get some much needed rest and that’s all there is to it.”

Hearing the sincerity in his words put Sam’s fears to rest and for the first time since leaving Dee’s apartment, she let herself relax.

“Thank you,” she shot him grateful smile, pulse settling back to normal. They both got out of the car, and she waited while he retrieved a black gym bag from the backseat and locked up. His lips quirked in a smile and he reached for her own bag which she relinquished willingly and they walked to the elevator side by side, with Sam stealing the occasional glance at his profile, while he looked deep in thought.

He was now dressed in what she assumed to be workout clothes; a faded navy t-shirt and grey basketball shorts, the laces on his sneakers loose and trailing on the floor as he walked, bags slung carelessly over one broad shoulder and her heart skipped a beat.

Ryan glanced her way just then and she quickly lowered her gaze, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.

“So, they were still at it?”

“Huh?” she looked up at him in momentary confusion.

“Your brother and Dee,” he clarified, grinning.

“Like fucking rabbits,” she muttered, shuddering at the lewd sounds she’d had to drown out by listening to music at full blast while she hastily packed an overnight bag. Ryan’s surprised laughter echoed around them.

“Must be bad since you’re cursing.” he chuckled, bumping her shoulder sympathetically. “I remember this one weekend back in college, one of the guys had a girlfriend visiting all the way from London and they spent the entire weekend locked in his bedroom. They were so loud, none of us got any sleep until the frat president threatened to kick them out if they didn't quit.”

"Did they stop?" She asked, intrigued.

"Well, they were quiet," he pressed a button to summon the elevator. "But I don't think they stopped."

"Where do they even get the stamina?" Sam shook her head in wonder. "I mean, I get that good sex is enjoyable, but I can't imagine wanting to do it nonstop."

She'd enjoyed having sex with Zahir and yes there had been times they'd done it two or three times in the course of a day, but even then, her muscles and lady bits protested the vigorous workout afterwards.

She became aware Ryan had fallen silent and looked up, to find him watching her, eyes glittering with an intensity that took her breath away.

"I can." Was all he said and instantly, her mind filled with images of possibilities.

Sweat slick bodies sliding together in an endless rhythm, touching, licking, tasting…

The elevator doors opened with a ding and he stepped in, but Sam stood rooted to the spot, hit by the realization of the real reason she'd come here tonight. Sure, she'd rationalized it as simply wanting a place to rest, but the truth was simple.

I want to have endless sex with him tonight. Damn the consequences. I want to do it until we're both too exhausted to move.

"Hey, you okay?" Ryan noticed her standing g there and concern washed over his expression. "Is it the headache?"

She gulped, heat spreading over her skin, turning her into a boiling mass of barely leashed lust and shook her head.

"I'm fine," she forced her feet to move and joined him inside. Mercifully, the interior was wide enough so she could stand as far away from temptation as possible. "I...just remembered something important I forgot to do."

"Okay." He looked unconvinced but nodded and hit the button for the top floor. “Have you eaten yet?” he asked, as the car began to ascend. “I didn’t have time to get groceries, but I can order in anything you’d like for dinner.”

Right now, food was the last thing on her mind and she wasn't sure she could muster much of an appetite anyway, not with another kind of hunger burning a hole in her stomach. Still she nodded. “Sure, if it’s not too much trouble.”

Setting the bags down, Ryan pulled out his phone and began scrolling through his contacts.

“What’d you like? There’s a really good Thai place a few blocks from here, or if you fancy some gourmet cooking, I know a restaurant that delivers nearby. There’s also Italian, Chinese, Indian…”

“Indian please.” Sam cut in. “Do they have a menu selection?”

“Yeah sure, hold on,” he tapped the phone screen a few times and handed it over. She quickly made a choice and returned it to him just as they reached his floor.

Her eyebrows rose in surprise when she realized where they where. "The penthouse? You actually live in a penthouse apartment in Greenwich? Just how rich are you?"

It had been a surprise to know he lived in the same area that boasted a few famous celebrities like Trevor Noah and astronomical prices, but she pegged that down to him being the heir to the Silvercorp fortune. But a penthouse that probably cost the same as the GDP of a small country?

He gave her a sheepish grin and unlocked the door, ushering her into the foyer. "I may or may not have inherited some prime real estate from my filthy rich maternal grandparents, plus major shares in several large companies and uhh...a few lucky investments of my own."

By the time he was done speaking, Sam's eyebrows were practically in her hairline. "So, you don't really need to work at your dad's company, do you?"

"I enjoy the job," he shrugged. "Building has always been something I'm passionate about and I like the challenge of working my way up from nothing. Anyways, come on in. Let's get you settled in."

He stepped aside and she brushed past him, getting a lungful of his scent, spiced with cedarwood cologne. She wanted to stop and bury her nose in his neck, to inhale more of that heady smell, but she walked past and into a living room that easily twice the size of hers.

Cream walls, full length windows with a stunning view, dark wood floors, two comfy looking cream couches with light blue and red throw pillows and a brown coffee table, piled with books in between. One wall boasted a fireplace and the prerequisite giant flat screen, with a console that looked like something from a SciFi movie. The place was surprisingly warm and inviting, with a lived in look.

"This place is amazing, Ryan." She gushed, spinning around slowly to take it all in. "You have a great taste."

"Thanks," he blessed her with his signature smile. "Can't take the credit though, Hailey is the one who handled the furnishing."

"Well, she did a great job."

"Let me give you a quick tour, and show you your bedroom."

The food arrived while Ryan was in the shower, so Sam met the delivery guy at the door and took charge. Carrying the bags to the kitchen, she began pulling out plates and cutlery and dished out their respective orders; chicken tikka masala and mulligatawny soup for Ryan, baingan bharta with shrimp curry for herself and everything smelled divine. Humming along with the song playing softly in the background, she set the table, swaying slightly to the beat.

"Looks good," Ryan's voice sounded behind her. With a gasp, she whirled around to find him leaning against the door, watching her intently. And from the heat in his eyes, he wasn't talking about the food.

He'd changed into yet another t-shirt, this one sleeveless and loose sweatpants, hair still damp from the shower and pasted on his head. Sam's gaze hungrily devoured him - why was she so obssessed with his arms and her fingers itched to wrap themselves around those sculpted biceps and explore upwards, to inch up under the hem of that t-shirt and get reacquainted with his abs. This time she'd explore with her mouth too, there hadn't been a chance for that last time but, oh god was she longing to taste all of him.

He sucked in a ragged breath at the desire clearly displayed on her face, raw need oozing from every pore in his body. "Sam, don't."

She knew what he meant, but at this point, her brain was tuned to only one frequency.

"What if I don't?" Her voice was hoarse with need.

Her stomach did a full somersault as he came towards her slowly, intent glinting in his eyes giving her enough time to run if she chose, but all she could do was stand there and stare at him, heart in eyes as every nerve waited with bated breath.