Chapter 13
Effie Harlow
“Adate? With me?” I asked. I was sitting on the couch and looking up at Ryder, Dakota nipping my neck as a nervous giggle escaped.
“Yes you.” Ryder crouched down and took my hand. “Come to dinner with me. We don’t leave until the morning. We’ve been traveling all day, and you need to relax.”
“Rich coming from you,” Caedmon murmured. Ryder scowled, but I smiled at the banter.
“What about us?” Julian was nearly pouting. “I need food.”
“Same,” Tore agreed.
“You can order food,” Ryder grumbled. “What do you say, kitten?”
“Of course! I’ll get ready.” I jumped up, causing Dakota to complain. I’d been sitting in the man’s lap since we arrived at Ryder’s house in London an hour or so ago, so he was just being grumpy. I wouldn’t tell him, but I sorta loved it.
The train ride brought us into London right as afternoon turned to evening, so I was able to get a glimpse at a city that I was already falling in love with.
Don’t get me wrong, everywhere we’d been so far had been beautiful, but there was just something about London. And Ryder’s house here was gorgeous.
Not overly massive, but right in the heart of the city, a walk-up long, narrow building that looked older on the outside but was completely redone on the inside. From what I could gather, it had six floors and eight bedrooms, as well as four levels of basements, two of which were for cars.
This was a property he had put a lot of thought into.
After such a long train ride, it felt good to take my time getting ready, and once I was freshly showered and dressed in a silk cocktail dress with kitten heels, I found myself staring in the mirror.
I would have never picked this outfit out in the store.
I was hoping it matched…but even if it didn’t, Caedmon’s personal shopper clearly had an eye for what I liked.
I also couldn’t help but notice that I did look different.
My hair looked softer, my skin more vibrant, and the way the clothes fit me, molding to my curves, was most likely because I’d been eating.
I looked good. More than anything, I felt good.
That type of confidence wasn’t something I’d ever experienced before now.
“Lil bit—shit.” I turned to find Tore taking me in from head to toe before he groaned and stalked back out.
Before, I would’ve worried about what he thought, but I was quickly learning that Tore usually got all grumpy like this when he thought I looked good in something. I know, it was slightly confusing.
“What’s he on about—” Julian froze as he stared at me, a huge smile breaking onto his face. “Ryder’s a lucky bastard. You look edible, preciosa.”
“We should keep her here,” Dakota said, flashing a smile as he appeared in the doorway.
“I’m excited to go out to dinner, especially because I want to see more of London. I really like it here. It just feels…right. If that makes sense?” I asked, rambling a little, mostly because I was nervous they wouldn’t feel the same.
The two of them exchanged a look, Dakota’s smile softening. “Yeah it does, little wolf. I completely understand.”
“Now go eat something,” Julian said, tugging my hand and kissing me softly before Dakota did the same.
I could hear them joking about keeping me here as I walked past, and when I got to the door I saw that Ryder had pulled an expensive sports car around and was talking to Caedmon outside.
Tore met me at the door and had me slip on a leather jacket before kissing me hard and possessively, looking more grumpy than ever.
“Be back soon,” I promised as I walked down the steps.
Ryder’s gaze ran over me, his eyes heating as his throat produced a low rumble.
Caedmon turned to see what had caught Ryder’s attention, and his eyes widened on my dress.
I blushed as I made my way towards them, and when I was close enough, Caedmon stepped into my space and cupped my jaw.
“Be safe tonight. I know Ryder will keep you safe, but I still worry.”
I nodded and went up on my toes, kissing him softly. All too soon the kiss was over and he stepped away and walked into the house, Ryder leading me to the car.
“I love this.” I looked around his peaceful block as the street lamps flickered on. “I wish I could see more of London. I was telling the others that this place feels different from the other places we’ve traveled. I’m still not sure why, though.”
“They have several fantastic universities around here for economics,” he pointed out, his eyes filled with interest. As he pulled away from the curb, I peppered him with questions about London.
By the time that we reached the restaurant, I had decidedly fallen more in love with the city.
I was eager to see where he had chosen to go to dinner after talking about all the fantastic food options they had.
I hadn’t known what type of restaurant to expect, but when we pulled up to an expensive but cozy place I gave a small sigh of relief. Sometimes the fancier the establishment, the harder it was for me to relax.
“Bosu,” Ryder said to the hostess, who led us up a small set of stairs to a series of private rooms. The hostess slid open a frosted glass door, revealing an intimate room with a circular booth.
Ryder offered her a nod of thanks as we stepped inside and took our seats, the hostess closing the door behind her as she left.
“I like this place,” I noted quietly.
“One of my favorite restaurants.”
“Ryder!” A man with a thick accent opened the door, offering a friendly, confident smile. “Glad to see you’re in town—and with a woman.”
“Breckinridge, this is Effie. Effie, this is Breckinridge—he owns the place,” Ryder said.
“Nice to meet you.”
“I would say the same, but Ryder looks like he might kill me if I do.” The man chuckled, shooting me a wink as Ryder let loose a rumble. The man flashed another smile, seeming like a sunny person. “I get it, I get it—I’m going to bring you the regular and some extra stuff.”
The door was closed once more, and I blinked, feeling whiplash from his quick departure.
“He’s a character,” Ryder said fondly. “Nice guy, though. Cute family. Has like six kids.”
“Wow, six,” I murmured. I’d never considered how many kids I wanted to have myself, but instead of bringing that up, I asked, “So you come here often?”
“When I worked in town, I’d bring larger investors here to talk. It’s more relaxed than an office.”
“That makes sense.” I moved closer to him and offered a small, almost nervous smile. “I’ve never been on a date before, Ryder.”
His eyes filled with warmth. “Good. I’m glad I got to be your first.”
Ryder’s words caused me to shiver, but before I could say anything, drinks and appetizers were brought. While we ate, I decided to use the time to ask him about his work here, and before long we’d gone down the rabbit hole of talking about economics and, more importantly, the programs around here.
While we’d been talking, though, his hand had wandered on my thigh, his grip tightening possessively before releasing, skimming his fingers further and further up the skirt of my dress.
My skin broke into shivers as my nipples tightened against my bra almost painfully. My head swam with need as he moved even higher. His lips trailed my neck for a moment before coming to my ear. “Stop squirming, kitten, or else I’ll have to find a way to restrain you.”
His words only served to turn me on further, and if his hand traveled any farther, he would realize the effect his slow teasing touch had on my body.
“I can’t,” I said breathlessly. “Y-you know I can’t.”
“I do,” he said with a dark chuckle, his fingers tracing the edge of my panties. “And I love getting you all worked up. You’re so damn responsive.”
“Ryder,” I said on a near-whine, unable to disguise the need I felt. I hoped the restaurant was busy enough that no one could hear us…but if there were shifters, I had no doubt they would be able to scent just how turned on I was.
Finally, his digits skimmed over my panties and he let out an almost feral growl, no doubt seeing just how turned on I was. I wiggled on his lap, and when he tugged my panties to the side, I let out a whimper of relief, his rough fingers sliding against my wet slit.
With how worked up I was, I nearly climaxed on the spot, my eyes fluttering shut as I trembled. Ryder groaned, working a finger inside of me as he caught my moan of his name with his lips before it could echo through our private room.
Though the idea of anyone hearing the effect of him touching me like this wasn’t exactly unappealing…
I actually didn’t know how I felt about it.
But I wanted everyone to know how good my mate made me feel.
Although the reality of their presence had me blushing as my legs almost instinctively closed.
“Spread your thighs like a good girl,” he demanded roughly. “Do not close them for me. Ever.”
“Okay,” I breathed, letting my thighs fall open, Ryder slowly moved a finger in and out of me, the sound erotic in the small space of our private room. He groaned, and when his thumb brushed my clit I could feel the orgasm ready to roll over me, invading everything with pleasure—
Ryder pulled away at that exact moment, making me whimper in pain.
“I know what you need, Effie.” He sounded almost sympathetic. “But I can’t give it to you—not yet. I want you so turned on you can barely think straight before you come on my fingers. I want to absolutely devour this pussy, but since I can’t, I plan on taking my time.”
“I like the idea of your mouth on me,” I whispered breathlessly.
“You would like a lot of what I want to do,” he growled, slowly inserting his finger again. “And there is so much I want to do—namely bend you over this table and fill you with my cum.”
Holy hell.
“I need to come.” I was trembling with need.