Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
LINK
Rounding my desk, I again asked my guard, Bradshaw, “Is Cassandra back yet?”
He looked up from his tablet screen. “She’s just walked in the front door.
Want me to grab her?” When I nodded, Bradshaw slipped out of my office that was on the top floor of the building I owned.
This was where I held my computer coding business, but it was also where I handled my other illegal dealings from.
It was lucky I had a bathroom connected to my office and spare clothes because I wouldn’t make it home in time to shower and change before my date.
Not that Ryo would call it a date.
Smiling, I glanced at my watch. Soon I would have that feisty man in front of me so I could tell him how she’d been lying. I have slept with people, but I’d never tied myself down.
I’d never wanted to.
Until I saw Ryo standing stonily at Wolf’s back.
He was stunningly delicious, and I wanted a bite before I fucking devoured him.
When the door opened, Cassandra walked in with a sultry smile as Bradshaw followed behind her.
Resting my arse against my desk, I crossed my arms over my chest. “Tell me why you think you’re allowed to speak to anyone about me and my sex life?”
Cassandra stilled, the smile falling away. She glanced behind her at Bradshaw, who’d closed the door and leaned against it.
“I-I don’t know what—”
“Cut the crap. Why did you tell Ryo I’m with many people and ask him to join you and I in bed?”
Instantly, her features morphed from fearful to annoyed before she snapped, “Maybe you’d pay me more attention if I brought him in. I saw the way you drooled over that man.”
“That man?”
“An Asian? Really, Link? I never thought they’d be your type.”
Shaking my head, I smirked. What a dumb, racist bitch. “You don’t know me, and you never will. You’re fired.”
“You can’t—”
Straightening, I snarled, “I fuckin’ can and I fuckin’ will. Shut your goddamn mouth before I staple it closed. Leave, and if I ever find out you’ve violated your NDA, I’ll take your life.”
“But—”
“Leave,” I roared.
Bradshaw grabbed her arm and yanked her back. He opened the door and led her out.
Fucking bitch. I knew I shouldn’t have slept with her, but I’d been lonely that night, and she’d been willing and available.
It seemed my choice had bitten me on the arse and nearly lost me the chance to get to know Ryo more.
It’d been decades since anyone had caught my interest at first sight. Hell, I couldn’t even remember the last time that happened.
Not that it mattered right now, anyway, I needed to get moving.
For my date.
Fuck me, but there was that giddy swell inside me like some lovesick schoolboy with his first crush.
Could I possibly get Ryo to kiss me under the make-believe bleachers?
Snorting, I smiled and rolled my eyes. He’d probably cut my head off if I asked.
I’d have to wait and see what type of reception he gave me after hearing what I had to say.
My phone chimed on the way to my bathroom.
Travis:
Good luck, dickhead.
I used to work for the idiot, but he quit the shady shit for his woman, so that left our friendship as the only thing that connected us.
Link:
Aww, it still touches me, inappropriately, that you care.
Travis:
Fuck off.
Chuckling, I pocketed my phone while thinking and hoping that Ryo would be for me what Vi was for Travis.
Was Ryo going to be special enough to entice me away from all the glorious money I got from trading?
Hell, he could be just as interested in the money and want to run my empire with me.
My cock throbbed at the thought of Ryo guarding and scowling behind me, like he had for Wolf, as I conducted business meetings. Though, I wouldn’t want him behind me. I’d try and con him into being under the table, keeping my cock warm in his cute, pouty mouth.
Christ, I was going to have to wank before I left or I’d probably hump his leg.
In the restaurant’s private room, I twirled the knife through my fingers and stared at the door, waiting for Ryo to appear. I thought this secluded area would be best, since I wanted all his attention on me and not wandering around a busy restaurant.
Besides, this was where we’d first laid eyes on each other.
It was special.
Like he was.
Okay, maybe I was jumping ahead of myself and allowing my lust to take hold, but fuck me, Ryo was sex on a stick.
The door opened, and a waiter appeared first before moving in and stepping off to the side.
Then… there he stood in the doorway with a scowl.
I grinned as my heart skipped a damn beat.
This man stole my breath.
Pushing back my chair, I stood. “Thanks for coming, Ryo.”
His scowl deepened as he stalked across the floor and pulled out the chair opposite me. “Yes” was all he said as he sat. “Half an hour,” he reminded me.
My smile grew, and I nodded. Taking my seat again, I told him, “She lied. I don’t have girlfriends or boyfriends. I sleep with people but have never been in a steady relationship. I fucked Cassandra months ago, and when she wanted back in my bed, I refused. She no longer works for me.”
“All right,” Ryo said.
“All right?” I asked as the waiter approached.
Ryo must have heard him, too, since he didn’t say anything else.
“Can I get you drinks?” the waiter asked.
“Whiskey with cola. Ryo?”
“Water, please.”
Water? Water wasn’t a good sign. It made me think I couldn’t get him to stay longer than the set time.
The waiter nodded and disappeared.
“Do you believe me?”
Ryo shrugged. “It doesn’t matter if I do or don’t. It’s your life.”
I clenched my jaw. I wanted it to matter to him. I wanted to matter.
“It does,” I told him softly as I shifted the fork on the table and then kept my gaze there as I went on.
“I’m around so many fuckin’ people. Some who fear me.
Some who want to use me. Many who want something from me, but it’s all unimportant shit.
I have many in my life, but I haven’t wanted to know any of them.
” I lifted my gaze and met his semi-wide one.
“The only person I’ve wanted to get to know, in a damn long time, is you.
I haven’t slept with anyone in a few weeks, and I won’t sleep with anyone else while we get to know each other.
If you’ll give me time to get to know you.
” I took a breath and watched him swallow.
The waiter walked over with our drinks.
“Are we ready to order?”
The ball was in Ryo’s court. Did he want to stay and have dinner with me, which would take more than half an hour?
I cocked a brow as he studied me.
“Steak. Medium. With vegetables.”
My body hummed as I grinned wide, which he rolled his eyes at.
“And you, sir?”
“Seafood platter,” I said, not taking my gaze from the man who still stared me down. He seemed annoyed, while I was over-the-fucking-moon joyful and hopeful.
The waiter left, and I took a sip of my drink.
“Do you want something else other than water now?”
“No. I don’t drink.”
“Okay. Do you mind if I do?” I’d throw the whiskey over my shoulder if he had a problem with it.
“It doesn’t bother me.”
“Cool. Tell me something about you, Ryo.”
“I work, sleep, and eat. There is nothing else. I’m not interesting.”
I smirked. “If this is you trying to discourage me, it won’t work. I’ll take all your boring days off when you’re not working just to spend time with you.”
He sniffed and picked up the napkin to place over his lap. “Wolf takes up most of my time.”
“I’m sure now that he’s with Ruin, you’ll have more time on your hands.”
“I am not only his personal guard, but also his assistant. I’m very busy.”
“That’s okay. We can work around it. When are you free next?”
“In four weeks.”
“It might kill me to wait to see you again, but book me in for your time, baby.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“Snookums?”
“That either.” Ryo pinched the bridge of his nose as he sighed. It was cute how he did that a lot around me. He dropped his hand. “I’m sure you have many interested parties to fill your time. Don’t feel you have to wait for me.”
“Is that you saying you don’t want to be exclusive? I can’t do that, Ryo. When I wanna date someone, I can’t stand the thought of anyone else touching them.” I picked up my knife to twirl it again. “In fact, the thought really fuckin’ pisses me off.”
His mouth dropped open before he snapped his lips shut. “You don’t even know me. Why are you threatening this imaginary person and worrying about being exclusive already?”
He really did seem puzzled.
Poor guy didn’t know I had a major crush on him.
Placing the knife back on the table, I leaned forward. “If you’re willing to see if we could be a match, I’d like for neither of us to look at, date, or touch someone else.”
Just the thought of someone stroking his smooth skin had my gut burning.
“Are you willing, Ryo?”
“Willing to… what? See each other for dinners like we are now?”
“That and more. I want to cook for you. I want to come to your place. I want to kiss you, hug you, and eventually do all the things with you that could make a baby.”
An abrupt laugh left him before choking it back.
I beamed.
He glared and cleared his throat while straightening the sleeves of his jacket. “Yes, well, are you asking me to make a decision now?”
“Maybe by the end of dinner.”
He nodded stiffly. He was so uptight. I couldn’t wait to see him come undone by my hands.
“Thanks, by the way,” I added.
“For what?”
“For staying to eat with me.”
He hummed under his breath before he picked up his water and took a sip.
“Do you want a soda instead? Or juice?” I offered.
“No. Thank you.”
“I didn’t tell you when you arrived, but you look amazing.”
Holy shit. There was a blush blooming over his smooth cheeks.
Be still my corrupt heart.
He was starting to fall for me.
Smirking, I asked, “What about me?”
His brows pinched. “What about you?”
“Do I look good enough to eat?” Because you can eat me for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Though, I’d much rather do the eating when it came to Ryo.
Christ, the thought of him losing his composure on my tongue was a punch of desire straight to my cock.
His gaze ran over me slowly, and I had the feeling he was trying to make me uncomfortable, but it didn’t work. If anything, his appraisal filled me with smugness.
He really did want me. There was a spark in his eyes. Or he could just want to choke me, which I’d be down for too.
“You look fine.”
Chuckling, I winked. “I’ll take it.”
He rolled his eyes, but I caught the little twitch to his lips.
Yeah, I was worming my way into his heart, and I’d fuck anyone over if they tried to mess this up for me.
Ryo would be mine.