Chapter 6
Claire
My brain is totally scrambled. I can’t believe this man, who I just met, is holding me against my will and threatening to spank me.
Except, another part of me hopes he never lets me go and makes good on his promise. My face heats at the thought, and I’d never tell him what I’m thinking, but holy hell, this is hot.
I don’t have a ton of experience with men. I dated a few guys in high school, but the pickings were slim in Wilde. Everyone knows everything about everyone. My graduating class consisted of the same small group I went through every grade with. It’s hard to feel anything toward a boy you watched pick his nose in kindergarten.
After high school, I made the mistake of agreeing to go out with Smith Winston. He was three years older than me, so we didn’t have as much history. Like many of my peers, he stayed in town to help his father run the garage. Smith treated me nicely for a few months, but then he got handsy and started pressuring me to have sex. I never let that man into my pants, mainly because it turned me off that he seemed to feel entitled to fuck me. I broke things off with him over two years ago, but he acts like we’re still an item every time he gets a chance.
I shudder and shake any thoughts of Smith out of my head.
Ryder is not a boy. He’s twice my age. I still haven’t even asked him how old he is. I’m kind of afraid to.
I’ve never felt half what I feel standing here in the Wilde mansion’s kitchen in Ryder’s arms. My blood is pumping. My panties are soaked. My nipples are going to rip a hole in my bra and pop out.
I have no doubt Ryder has noticed the hard peaks, and I’m pretty sure he’s staring at them now. I kind of like that I affect him. I’m not even hiding the firm tips from his heated gaze. I’m actually glad I came straight here from the bakery without changing my clothes. I’m casual, and Ryder likes how I look.
I’m also playing with fire. I may have argued that I’m a grown adult several times, and I may be filled with piss and vinegar, but he has no idea how inexperienced I am. He’d probably toss me out on my ass if he knew.
I’m having the most exhilarating day of my life, and I’d like it to last a while longer before he finds out enough about me that he’s turned off, so I’m not going to tell him. It will happen. I have no doubt. But a girl can enjoy herself before reality sets in.
When I run out of steam and stop squirming so hard, Ryder does not relax his grip on me, but he does start stroking the undersides of my breasts with his thumbs. “Done cussing?”
“Not a fucking chance.” I’m on fire. I can’t think with him touching me. I want to turn around in his arms and pull my shirt off. I want him to touch me everywhere, and we just met. I’m not sure we even like each other.
“Tsk… That’s four swats. I’m so going to enjoy watching your ass turn red.”
My breath hitches. He says it like he intends to pull my jeans down right here in the kitchen. What if he does?
The thought of him spanking me has my heart racing. I will continue to argue that he can’t possibly do so, but a part of me hopes like hell he does. I’m so intrigued. I hope he pulls my panties down when he spanks me, but I’m definitely not an exhibitionist. I wouldn’t want Gretchen or Ryder’s brother to see.
I’m sure if either of them has come anywhere near the kitchen in the last fifteen minutes, they turned and walked away, which I’m glad about. I really don’t want to be interrupted.
I’ve nearly forgotten what we were arguing about when he whispers against my ear, “Are you going to open your phone for me like a good girl, Claire?”
I smirk at the same time my pussy clenches. How does he affect me so strongly? “Fuck no.” He can’t do anything without my password or facial recognition. I suppose he could hold it in front of me and force me to open it with my face, but that would be taking things a bit too far, wouldn’t it?
Why do I hope he will do just that? I don’t want him to stop. I want him to follow through on every threat he’s made. I’m going to be disappointed if he doesn’t.
His damn thumbs are driving me to distraction. My breasts feel heavy and tight. I kind of wish he would lift his forearms an inch so they’d rub against my nipples.
Madness. I’ve taken leave of my senses.
His lips come to my ear again. I like it when he does that. I’m fascinated by how calm he keeps his voice while he reprimands me and torments me. “You’re horny from thinking about me spanking you.”
I shake my head and lie, “Don’t be ridiculous.”
He chuckles, his breath hitting my ear. “Do you think I’m bluffing?”
I hope not . “I think you’re certifiable.”
Another chuckle. “One of these days, you’re going to ask me nicely to spank you. It’s up to you how many swats my palm will land on your sexy ass.”
My breath hitches once more. He keeps shocking me further. “Not a chance, old man.”
“Mmm. I think you like that I’m older and experienced enough to know how to make you hum. I think you’re hoping I’ve spanked a few other women, so I know what I’m doing.”
“Have you?” I blurt out before I can stop myself.
“Mmm,” he repeats before kissing my neck.
I want his lips on my mouth. I want them on my nipples and lower. I suddenly arch and squeeze my legs together.
“Baby, I’d give my entire inheritance to know what thought just went through your head to make you arch your fantastic tits and press those thighs together so tightly.”
Maybe I should take him up on that. It would be worth telling him I want him to eat my pussy for a cool million or two. I have no idea what he’s worth. I might even get the pleasure of having him actually get me off for my trouble.
“Please tell me your parents were kind of old when they had you,” he murmurs in my ear.
It’s an odd question and an abrupt change of subject. “Why?” My voice is breathy.
“Because if you were the product of a teenage pregnancy, and your father is younger than me, it’s going to be pretty awkward when they come to dinner this weekend. I just want to be prepared.”
“They were thirty-two and thirty-five when they had me,” I tell him. “How old are you?”
He lets out a relieved breath. “Thank fuck.”
“Hey, why do you get to cuss?”
He laughs. “Because I’m not as pretty as you. People expect it from me.”
“I’ll have you know people expect it from me, too. I’m not as sweet and innocent as you seem to think I am.” That is a baldfaced lie, but it’s too late to retract it.
“Is that so? So, you’re telling me when the four of us sit down to dinner in the formal dining room that I bet we’ll find somewhere in this ostentatious estate, you’re going to drop F-bombs throughout the meal in front of your parents?”
I inhale slowly. Damn him.
“I didn’t think so. Have you ever cussed in front of them?”
I don’t answer. He chuckles again. I’m glad I provide him with so much humor.
“I think we might need a jar for lying, too. Such a naughty girl.”
His words should infuriate me, but instead, I grow hotter. Ugh . I sigh. “You seriously want my parents to come here for dinner?”
“I do.”
I drop my shoulders and blow out a breath. “Fine. Give me my phone. I’ll tell them.”
“Okay, but I’m only going to release your arms. And you’re going to let me watch while you type, so I’ll know you did as you were told.”
A shiver races through my body. I had no idea I had such a kinky side. I’ve never met a living soul who spoke to me like Ryder does. My face is so heated I’m nearly sweating. “Fine.” I kind of hate agreeing and putting an end to this charade. It’s rather enjoyable.
Ryder releases his grip on me just long enough for me to pull my arms out from where they’re trapped against my sides. Less than a second later, he has one arm anchored around me again, resting below my breasts.
He reaches back, retrieves my phone from the pocket of his jeans, and hands it to me.
I’m trembling as I unlock the screen, revealing what I sent before.
Talking to Mr. Wilde. I’ll be a while.
He tsks me again. “That’s not what I told you to say.”
I sigh and start typing.
Mr. Wilde says to thank you for the pastries, and he’d like to have you over for dinner soon.
Before hitting send, I twist my head to look at him. “Happy?”
“Nope. Change the Mr. Wilde to Ryder. It sounds too formal. I intend to marry their daughter and father their grandchildren. Don’t mislead them.”
I stare at him yet again. “You cannot be serious.”
He points at the screen. “Totally serious. Change it.”
My fingers are shaking as I erase Mr. Wilde and replace it with Ryder. “ Now, are you happy?”
“I’ll be happier after you hit send and turn around and ask me to kiss you.”
I snort. “You’re definitely certifiable.” I manage to hit send, wondering what my father is going to think when he sees my weird message.
Mr. Bossy takes my phone out of my hands, pushes the button to darken the screen, and sticks it back in his pocket. My head is spinning as he turns me in his arms and holds me chest to chest. “See? That wasn’t hard, was it?”
I roll my eyes.
“Do I need a third jar for eye-rolling?”
“Or you could just put all my perceived transgressions into one jar and make it easier,” I suggest.
“Good idea. Let’s do that. I think we’re up to about ten with all the eye-rolling, lying, and cussing.”
I shake my head. “You can’t make new rules retroactively. That’s not fair.”
He shrugs and tucks his fingers into the back pockets of my jeans. “I’m older. I make the rules. My decision stands. Now, ask me.”
“Ask you what?” For a second, I’m honestly uncertain, but then I remember and shake my head. “Not a chance.”
He smiles and pulls me closer, if that’s even possible. Apparently, it is because my breasts are pressing against his chest. This man does not play fair. He tips his head to the side and kisses my neck.
Like a lovesick fool, I angle my head to give him better access and moan when he nibbles a path to my ear. “Ask me, Claire.”
There’s no way I’m going to ask this bossy man to kiss me. For one thing, I have my pride. I don’t need to beg a man to put his mouth on me. There are plenty of guys in town who would gladly kiss me without being asked. I could make a list of everyone who comes into the bakery for no other reason than to flirt with me and try to get me to go out with them. They follow me with their gazes and don’t try to hide their lust when they stare at my chest or my ass. I can feel them looking even as I walk away.
Of course, none of them turn me on. None of them make my blood race like Ryder does. I’ve never wanted any of them to touch me, let alone kiss me. I want Ryder to do everything to me.
Ryder bites down gently on my earlobe, making me shudder. Damn, he really does not play fair. “Ask me,” he repeats.
I shake my head, breathlessly trying to hold my ground.
He licks along the tender skin behind my ear. I didn’t even know I was sensitive there. No one has ever kissed me like this before. All my kisses have been sloppy, with no buildup and no foreplay.
Ryder is the master of foreplay. I want him to rip my clothes off and take my virginity right here in the kitchen. That’s how far gone I am for this man. “How old are you?” I ask, trying to focus on anything but his lips.
“Forty,” he mutters. “Not nearly as old as your father.”
Thank God. I think I’m more relieved than he is, though I’m not sure it would have changed anything. I’d still be standing here in his arms, no matter how old he was. It just would’ve been more awkward when he met my parents.
And what the hell am I thinking?
Meet my parents? That’s madness. Surely, his goal is simply to talk to some people from the town and get their take on the state of affairs. It’s lunacy to think he has any intentions toward me.
As if he can read my mind, he answers some of my questions, whispering right into my ear, “I’ll see if Gretchen can cook for our little dinner party on Friday. What time do your parents get up on Saturday mornings? I bet I need to plan for something early, like maybe five?”
We’re apparently having this discussion. “That’s probably best. We get to the bakery at four in the morning,” I breathe out, struggling to focus because his lips are pure heaven against my neck and ear. God, I want him to kiss me.
“By Friday,” he continues, flicking his tongue over my earlobe, “you’ll be so totally gone for me that you’ll hold my hand and kiss me in front of them.”
I gasp. “That’s not going to happen.”
“It will,” he insists. “Now, are you going to ask me to kiss you, or do you want to start exploring the mansion first? I can wait if you’re not ready to feel my old-man lips on yours.”
A strangled giggle escapes my mouth. “You’re so full of yourself.”
“Yep. Which will it be?” He brings his face in front of mine, so close that his lips hover a hair’s breadth away from my mouth. When he licks his lips, his tongue flicks my bottom lip, sending tingles down my entire body.
“Oops,” he says. “That was an accident.”
“Liar. You get to lie and cuss?”
“I get to roll my eyes, too.”
I sigh and give up the fight. I’m too desperate for him to keep up this charade. I need to know what it will feel like to be kissed by this man. “Please kiss me, Ryder.”
The words have barely left my mouth before his lips are on mine. He wastes no time angling his head to one side and licking along the seam of my lips.
I open for him, needing to tangle our tongues together as badly as he seems to. And damn, but the man can kiss. If my eyes were open, they would roll back into my head.
I grab the front of his T-shirt and fist it, holding onto him. A whimper escapes my lips as I grow dizzy from the potency of his kiss. He doesn’t just kiss; he devours me. He ruins me for all future kisses.
For a moment, he makes me believe it won’t matter because all future kisses belong to him.