Slide Read online

  Perhaps he will be a gentleman and offer it to me? I forced myself to think as I tried to shake off the strange moment that had just occurred.

  To my surprise, neither of us took it. Ryan simply opened the back door of the cab, told the busty blond to hop in, closed the door behind her, and then ordered the driver to take her home. Blondie didn’t take it very well, and after giving Ryan a mouthful, she turned her evil glare on me, but before she had the chance to say anything the cab drove away.

  I watched the cab disappear amongst the late night traffic before shifting my gaze back to the guy standing silently beside me. I blinked a few times to try and comprehend what just happened. Ryan merely shrugged as if it were a normal thing to happen.

  “Do you realize what you’ve done? You let the one girl willing to sleep with you go and now she hates you.”

  He snorted, clearly amused by my statement. “I can assure you that there are plenty more waiting, and she’ll come back. They always try…” Who the hell is this arrogant jerk? “Anyway, I wasn’t willing to let a beautiful woman wait out here alone. What kind of guy would that make me?”

  “Oh, so you were thinking of taking the cab.” I raised an eyebrow at him before shaking my head and looking away. With a click of my tongue I muttered, “Whatever happened to the days of chivalry?”

  He tilted his head slightly; just enough for me to see the grin on his face and a dimple that I hadn’t realized was there before. Could this guy possibly get any hotter? “I’m waiting here with you now, aren’t I?”

  “I…” I began but shut my mouth immediately after realizing that he made a very valid point. Damn it. “Yes, I guess so. But you have ulterior motives.” My comment received another grin from him. Ugh. “I’m not going to give you that, just so we’re clear,” I deadpanned.

  “I never thought otherwise,” he replied nonchalantly before looking back out towards the street. “All I’m doing is waiting patiently for a taxi, nothing else.”

  I eyed him warily but he continued staring ahead of him with that irritatingly sexy grin of his, rocking silently back and forth on his heels.

  “Here comes another one. Would you like me to hail it, my damsel in distress?” After almost five minutes of silence passed between us, I couldn’t help but laugh at his comment.

  “I am far from a damsel in―” The ringing of my cell phone cut me off. It was Connor. I answered it straight away, well aware that Ryan didn’t bother hailing the oncoming cab. It picked up a group of three obviously drunk girls instead.

  “Connor? Why are you call―”

  “Evie, he’s gone.”

  “What?”

  “Dad. He’s gone. He passed away a little over ten minutes ago.” No, this couldn’t be true.

  A thick lump formed in my throat. My body felt weak. Sure, I hadn’t known the man for twelve years, but the sharp stab of pain could still be felt in my chest as Connor’s words played over and over in my mind. I should have listened. I should have gone to see him at the hospital earlier just like Connor asked, but no, I was afraid. Too damn afraid! I let my fear take over and now it was too late. I was never going to see the man that once tightly wrapped his arms around me. The man that used to tuck me into bed at night and sing nursery rhymes until I fell asleep. It was too late.

  “I should’ve gone to see him, Con. Just like you said. I could’ve at least said goodbye to him,” I said, my voice almost breaking.

  “Evie, please don’t begin to blame yourself. You’ve been through enough... Listen, if you want to stay with us tonight, you’re more than welcome, you hear me?”

  I fell silent. What had I done? Instead of visiting my sick father, I chose to go out drinking instead. What sort of person did that make me? “Oh, I’m such an idiot―”

  “Evangeline, stop it! You can’t blame yourself. No one had any idea that he was going to leave us so suddenly. After all, he was awake and talking when I left him this afternoon… Just come over, you hear? I don’t care what time it takes for you to get here.”

  I nodded in agreement even though my brother couldn’t see. He repeated his comment about staying the night and then said goodbye.

  I fought back the tears as I ended the call. There went another person that I loved, ripped away from me in a blink of an eye. No matter what, Rupert Montgomery was still my father and the pain of losing him still hurt like hell.

  “Are you… alright?” a concerned voice beside me asked. “You look… pale.” I glanced over to my right and saw Ryan standing there. Shit! I totally forgot about him.

  I slowly turned my whole body to face him, mindful that I was on the verge of breaking down at any moment. I took a deep breath before lifting my gaze to meet his. His cautious, hazel eyes were watching me. He looked uncomfortable; I could tell he was unsure on how to approach the situation but there was concern written all over his beautiful face.

  Why was I suddenly having an urge to want to spill my darkest secrets to this man? What was it about this stranger? I’d only known him a few minutes. He could quite easily find out who I am, if he didn’t already know, and sell the story to media. For God’s sake, I’d almost introduced myself to him as ‘Evie’!

  Before I could do anything else stupid in front of him, I spun around quickly and made a run for it; only I didn’t get very far before a large hand grabbed me by the wrist and yanked me back. “Not so fast.”

  I struggled to balance on the sky-high heels of my Christian Louboutin’s and felt myself begin to fall until strong, steady arms caught me. “Let me go!” I ordered, wriggling free and straightening myself up.

  “Where do you think you’re going to go?” Ryan asked finally releasing me.

  I took a deep breath before finding the courage to face him. “I… I,” I started but stopped. I could feel the tears coming; I was only mere seconds away from making a complete fool of myself. I needed to get out of here before I made the front-page headlines. “I need to leave.” I bit my bottom lip to help fight back the tears but I knew it was already too late.

  “I’m not leaving you alone in the state you’re in. What happened back there?” What?

  “I don’t have to tell you anything, I don’t even know you!” I retorted.

  I could’ve sworn I saw Ryan’s brow arch and a look between stunned and amused appeared on his face, but before I had time to process it, I was crying uncontrollably in his arms. Did I throw myself on him or did he reach for me?

  “Everything’s a mess. I’ve messed up,” I sobbed into his chest.

  “What’s a mess?” To my surprise, he hadn’t let go; instead he held me firmly in his arms and I felt his fingers lightly caress my hair.

  “Everything.”

  I heard a sigh before Ryan pulled me away just enough to see my face, keeping his hands firmly on my shoulders so that I couldn’t escape. “Evangeline, I can’t begin to help if you don’t tell me what you mean by ‘everything’.”

  I stood there silently; searching for what I’d hope would be some sort of answer in his eyes. Random tears were still falling and my mascara was probably smeared all over the place but it was the scorching feeling on my shoulders coming from his touch that was the hardest to ignore.

  “My father just died,” I blurted out, bringing on fresh tears.

  “Oh, babe, I’m sorry to hear that.” He pulled me back into a tight embrace and I was crying all over again.

  “I never went to see him in the hospital. I never got the chance to tell him that although he wasn’t there for me, I still loved him. I just wish I got to feel the way he hugged me, one last time…the way he used too…”

  Ryan remained silent. It was absurd to be crying in front of a complete stranger like this, especially a hot one. I must’ve looked like a complete crazy-person. I waited for the moment to come when he finally realized his mistake of choosing to stay with me instead of going home in the taxi, but it never came. Maybe this made an even greater story for the media? What the hell am I doing?

/>   “Do you work for the media?” I asked abruptly.

  Ryan let out a loud snort and I felt myself bouncing against his chest. He was laughing. Wait, was he laughing at me?

  “Where on earth did that come from?”

  “I’m serious. Do you?” I lifted my gaze to meet his.

  He was staring at me as if I’d just said the most outrageous thing. Perhaps I did? After all, the guy’s face was on almost every billboard in the city, how could be possibly work for the media? Though, stranger things have happened in my life. I had to be sure.

  In my heels I was still several inches shorter than him but with his head tilted down the way it was, it felt like there was no space between us. What am I still doing in his arms? I tried to pull away but Ryan held me there.

  A wide grin appeared, revealing that sexy dimple on his left cheek. “I could ask you the same thing.” He shrugged. I opened my mouth to ask him what he meant by that when he quickly added, “No I don’t, Evangeline. But perhaps we should get off the street, if that’s what you’re afraid of. We could possibly go grab some tequila? After all, tequila makes everybody feel better.”

  I closed my mouth. He had one thing correct: we needed to get off the street. I wasn’t sure more alcohol was the right answer at a time like this, but it sure as hell beat feeling the way I did and letting the thoughts run wild inside my head. Maybe if I drank enough, I’d pass out and have a heavy dreamless sleep. I did end up having the heavy dreamless sleep…eventually.

  ****

  Ryan led me to a hip, little Mexican bar that was still open a few blocks down from the club. It served assorted tacos, frozen margaritas, beer and some of the best tequila you could get your hands on in New York. We sat in a tiny booth that shielded us away from the rest of the crowd, which was convenient, because I really didn’t want anybody else seeing me the way I was.

  Ryan sipped on beer and I drank the margaritas, but even after the fourth one, thoughts of my father still managed to sneak their way in. I needed something much stronger to wash the pain away. I needed those shots.

  “Shots?”

  Ryan smiled at the mention of the word. “That’s why we came here, right?”

  I nodded in agreement and offered to grab the first round but Ryan shook his head, pushed me back down into a sitting position, and marched over towards the bar.

  He came back moments later with a tray containing six shots, a saltshaker and a small glass filled with lemon slices. Jeez, this is going to be interesting.

  We did three shots each, the normal way: lick, sip and suck, but when I returned with another full tray of six, Ryan suggested we play a new game.

  “Okay, this time instead of licking the salt, you have to snort it. Then shoot the tequila and squeeze the lemon in your eye.” He laughed, sounding slightly buzzed.

  I wasn’t far behind him to be honest, but the images of my father were still so clear in my head, which meant there was plenty of room for more tequila. “Eww!” I cringed, pulling a face. “No, I’m not doing that. What on earth is that kind of shot? You just made that up didn’t you?” I laughed a little too loudly.

  “I swear I didn’t,” he replied, holding two fingers up and crossing them over each other. “It’s called a suicide shot.”

  “Well, it’s definitely a suicide mission.” We both laughed at that. “Got another one?”

  A predacious grin spread across that gorgeous face of his. Oh no. I knew that look spelled nothing but trouble, but I was still buzzing from the recent shots and didn’t care.

  “Actually, I do,” he said wagging his eyebrows.

  I leaned over the table to get closer to him. “Well, bring it.” I meant to say it playfully but because of the copious amount of alcohol in my system, it probably came out more like I was trying to seduce him instead. The excitement that lit up in his eyes was enough to tell me that he didn’t seem to mind at all.

  “Put some salt on your neck, hold the lemon in your mouth and I’ll show you.” Huh?

  That should have sounded warning bells but I was having way too much fun and frankly he was getting hotter and hotter after each drink— not that he needed any help in that department.

  I listened to his instructions, giggling as I sat there, trying to hold the piece of lemon steady with my teeth. Ryan got up and moved around so that he was kneeling in front of me. Another sly grin rose as he inched closer towards my face. “Ready?” His voice came out as a whisper. I nodded excitedly, not willing to take my eyes off him.

  Ryan’s face hovered only inches away, his eyes locked with mine and just as I thought he was about to kiss me― even with the stupid piece of lemon sticking out of my mouth― he tilted his head towards my neck. Holy hell!

  When his soft, warm lips touched my neck my whole body went into overdrive. He opened his mouth and let his tongue trail along my skin, licking the salt I’d placed there. I just knew he was going slowly on purpose to torture me and he knew exactly how he was making me feel. I closed my eyes; unable to ignore the tingling sensation that his touch was doing to me. I wanted him. I needed him…

  Before I knew it, it was all over. He’d taken his shot and pulled the lemon out with his skillful mouth, without even touching my lips. I opened my eyes and just blinked up at him. He was standing above me with that sexy grin. What a tease.

  “That wasn’t so bad, now was it?”

  I mirrored his cunning grin. It was my turn. “Sit,” I ordered, pointing to the seat he sat in before.

  His eyes widened with surprise but he eagerly obeyed. Refusing to kneel on the floor, I hopped around to his side of the booth and after finding no available spot to sit on, I decided to straddle him. His hands were balled into fists at his sides, while his eyes remained locked with mine. I refused tear my gaze away. I didn’t even look away to fetch the salt or a new slice of lemon. I simply felt my way around the table until I found what I needed. I eventually did have to look away. I couldn’t just stare at him all night. I had a job to do.

  I licked his neck and applied the salt, and then gently placed the lemon into his welcoming mouth. The heat between my legs was already unbearable and knowing there were only a few layers of material separating us didn’t help the situation. I could feel how excited he was and I knew, that he knew, I felt the same. I deliberately adjusted my hips just enough to make him close his eyes and inhale a sharp breath of air. Somehow, he still managed to hold the lemon in place and his arms remained firmly by his side. I had to admit, I was impressed by the guy’s skills.

  When his eyes re-opened they were dark and hungry. My little tease was working.

  I leaned in closer, tilting my head to reach his neck, but not before deliberately brushing my lips against his cheek first. He shifted underneath me, lifting his hips so that his bulge pressed harder against me― right on the perfect spot.

  It was a small game of cat and mouse, neither of us allowing ourselves to be the mouse for too long. As much as I wanted to have him, I didn’t want to lose this game.

  I slowly licked the salt off his neck, just as he had done to me earlier. A soft groan escaped him. I shot my tequila and reached for the lemon, but when I was close enough, he purposely spat it out and before I knew what was happening, his mouth was on mine.

  His kisses were powerful and hungry, leaving my body aching for more. His strong hands moved to my thighs, sliding up and taking the material of my dress with them. I wrapped my arms around his neck tightly, not wanting to let him go. Everything around me began to disappear, and all I could think about was having him inside of me.

  Suddenly, Ryan pulled away unexpectedly, leaving me feeling a little disorientated. I eyed him curiously. He was breathing heavily; damn it so was I.

  “I think we need to get out of here, before I take you right here on this very table.”

  A smile broke out on my face as I imagined the two of us going for it in front of all these people. Shit, the people! I’d never done anything like this before. Not in public, not e
ven behind closed doors. Sure, I wasn’t a virgin anymore, but this sort of crazy thing wasn’t me at all. My smile immediately dropped.

  I glanced around the room. Thank goodness, the booth protected us from most of the late night customers. I then turned towards the bar. There was a smirk from the bartender who’d served us earlier, indicating he saw everything. It was definitely time to leave.

  I nodded once I turned back to face Ryan.

  “Are you sure? After what has happened, you sure this is what you want? You said before―”

  “Shut up! It’s too late to play the good guy,” I barked.

  Ryan let out a laugh and helped me up. We quickly tossed back the remaining shots and stumbled outside. Luckily for us, there was a cab right outside the front door.

  CHAPTER 5

  I woke up the next day with my head pounding, but that was about to become the least of my worries.

  I immediately realized that I wasn’t in the safety of my own apartment, but in the middle of a large unfamiliar bedroom with a contemporary black and white design. I slowly sat up, taking in my surroundings. The walls were all white except for a black feature wall behind me with a large mirror, the size of the entire bed’s width, hanging up. Oh my… To my left, a tall, sleek black dresser, stood against the wall with a vibrant green indoor plant inside a large, gray, balloon shaped vase on top of it. On the right, a long black rectangular box, almost the length of the bed, stuck out from the wall, which seemed to resemble an electric fireplace. Straight ahead of me were two large, black sliding doors that matched the dresser and the two low bedside tables. It could’ve led to a walk in robe or was the entrance to the en-suite, or both. There were small gaps in the ceiling, which if I had to take a guess, I would say were for a drop down, flat TV screen that came down at the foot of the bed. The room looked quite simple… masculine. Oh no.

  My eyes dropped down to the king size bed I was on and the exceptionally soft, black sheets I was wrapped in. I winced, too afraid to move because it would only confirm what I already knew in the back of my mind, and that was that I went home with Ryan last night. Shit! After I told myself I wouldn’t! Worst of all, I had no idea where I was or how I was going to get out of here.