Chapter 10
RYDER
The second Aspen disappears through the doors to her building, I peel away from the curb at breakneck speed. What the hell am I doing? I shouldn’t have confirmed her suspicions. It’s not difficult to connect the dots, but I should have lied.
I couldn’t.
And I don’t know why.
I drive around the city for over an hour, weaving in and out of traffic. I’m going to kill Flex. He all but confirmed that I’m a Dom when he mentioned my private room. I think Aspen already figured it out, but telling her outright is something else entirely.
Where do we go from here?
Our relationship has to be strictly business, but I feel like we’ve already blurred the lines. Or at least, I have. I don’t see her the same way I do the rest of my staff. She’s different. And God, do I want her.
Having her at Venom was a fresh kind of torture, knowing my private room was an elevator ride away. Every time she calls me Sir, my cock stands at attention. I don’t know what the fuck I’m going to do working so close with her, but I won’t ruin this for her. She’s too talented.
By the time I head home, I know what I need to do—find a new sub.
I have to channel my desire for Aspen elsewhere.
I’m not talking about a serious relationship, just a little fun between a Dom and sub.
There’s a tightness in my chest as I contemplate bedding a woman who isn’t Aspen.
It’s sheer stupidity on my part, but she’s the only woman I want beneath me.
Those hips would be so fucking sexy riding my face, and those lips of hers—perfect for wrapping around my cock. I’m so screwed.
As soon as I unlock the door to my penthouse, I head straight for the shower, my cock aching at the mere thought of Aspen’s naked body laid out like my own personal feast. Staring at myself in the mirror as the room fills with steam, I can see the war waging inside me.
The second I step under the rainfall showerhead, I run my hand down my stomach to fist around the base of my growing erection, slowly working the length as I close my eyes and imagine Aspen on her knees. I bet she’d beg for it like a good girl.
It doesn’t take long for me to shoot my load, my cock still hard after I come. It’s going to be excruciating to work so closely with Aspen. There’s just something about her that has me totally captivated.
Dulip is running seamlessly, just as I know it will while I’m at Venom.
Today, Flex called to let me know the kitchen is ready to go, and I’m both excited and apprehensive.
Every time I set eyes on Aspen, my cock is hard as a rock.
She’s been at work for a few hours, and I’ve yet to see her.
We’re about to be in very close quarters at Rooftop, so I gave myself a break until Flex called.
I can’t wait to get over there and see my vision come to life.
I sling back a Scotch neat before heading for the kitchen. Leonard is hard at work with Aspen on his left.
“Hey, Leonard. Can I borrow Aspen for a few minutes?”
“Sure thing. But I need her back fast. She’s found her groove in here, Chef.”
As I look at Aspen, she gives me a conspiratorial wink. Sassy little thing.
She follows me back to my office.
“What can I do for you, Chef?” My eyes drop to her perfect, pouty lips. There are so many things she could do for me, and none of them involve the kitchen.
“Flex just called. Rooftop is ready. You and I will start putting the menu together tomorrow.”
“Really?” A radiant smile spreads across her face, lighting up the room.
“Yep. As of tomorrow, you’re officially my sous chef.”
She squeals before throwing herself at me, her arms wrapping around my neck. “Thank you so much. I won’t let you down.” I drink in the scent of her perfume, letting my hands rest on her waist. When she pulls back, my pulse is racing at her proximity. One move and my lips would find hers.
Aspen doesn’t move, frozen in place as her eyes find mine. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” I whisper, searching her eyes for confirmation that the feeling is mutual, even though we can’t act on it.
“I should get back to the kitchen.” Her voice is barely above a whisper as tension crackles between us. I’m reluctant to relinquish my hold.
“Probably.” I watch, enraptured as she bites her bottom lip. Fuck, I want to kiss her.
“Okay.” She hesitates for a moment before releasing my neck from her hold, and I’m left bereft as my hands slip from the small of her back.
“Meet me at Venom tomorrow at noon.”
“I’ll be there.” She looks up at me through hooded lashes, a sudden shyness in her demeanor. “Thank you, Ryder.”
“You’re welcome, Aspen.”
She disappears out the door, and I heave a sigh. What the fuck was that? I should have shut that down immediately, but feeling her soft curves pressed against me—fucking hell. My dick is straining in my pants as I drop into my chair, dragging my hands through my hair.
There’s no going back now. I’ve committed to Aspen being my sous chef at Venom, and all of a sudden, the club takes on a different vibe.
I go there to unwind. It’s where I play.
Tomorrow, it becomes my own personal torture as I get up close and personal with Aspen in the kitchen—all work and no play.
I avoid the kitchen for the rest of the night, opting to busy myself with paperwork and another Scotch or two before closing. I won’t be driving Aspen home tonight, but I still won’t let her go alone. The Dom in me is protective of her, even though I have no business imposing rules.
Aspen appears at the door to my office at the end of her shift like a good girl. Fuck. “Are you ready to go?”
“Yeah. Are you okay if we walk tonight? I’ve had a few drinks.”
“Sure,” she says with a soft smile.
I grab my jacket and keys to lock up before I walk her home. When we get outside, there’s a bite in the air.
“So, are you ready to start tomorrow? Do you need time to say goodbye to the staff at Dulip? Sorry, I didn’t even think of that.”
“I’m fine. I see Rick all the time. He’s the only person I’m really close with.” My brow knits at the thought of her seeing some guy ‘all the time.’ It must show on my face, because she quickly clarifies. “You’re more his type than me.”
“Oh, cool.” We’re getting into murky waters here, and I know I need to shut it down.
“Wow, it’s cold out here tonight.” Aspen is wearing a short leather jacket and visibly starts to shiver, so I shrug out of mine and wrap it around her shoulders.
“You need to be wearing heavier clothes. Winter weather has arrived in Manhattan.”
She smiles up at me as she drowns in my jacket. “Thank you. I thought we’d be in your car, so I opted for style over function.” I guess she finally decided not to fight me on taking her home anymore—such a good little sub.
“Well, it looked really cute, but I’d rather you don’t freeze to death on my watch.”
I shove my hands in my pockets as the crisp night air sends a chill right through me.
“What about you? You must be freezing.” She moves to give me back my jacket, but I shake my head.
“I’m fine. I’ll just carry the jacket if you don’t want to wear it,” I joke. Her tinkle of laughter is music to my ears, so melodic it makes me grin ear to ear. She wraps it tight around herself and casts her eyes to the ground as we fall into companionable silence for a few blocks.
When we round the corner to Aspen’s building, she keeps her eyes on the ground as she speaks. “So, do you have a girlfriend?” I try not to smile, but my attempt is woeful at best.
“Not right now. My last relationship didn’t end well.” I don’t know why I just blurted that out.
“What happened?” she probes.
“She cheated on me.”
“I can’t imagine any woman wanting someone else when they had you to come home to.” Her cheeks blush, and it’s all I can do not to pull her into my arms and kiss her. “Did you love her?”
“I thought I did, but it was all a lie.”
“I’m sorry.” I ignore the pity in her voice.
“What about you? Do you have a boyfriend?” Please say no. Please say no.
“No. I keep pretty busy with work, and I’m just focused on that right now.”
“About what happened earlier in my office.”
“You mean me giving you an awkward hug? Sorry about that. I’m just so excited to work with you.” She glides straight past the almost kiss. “I need to pinch myself to know that it’s real.”
“It’s real, Aspen.” There’s more to my statement than I want to admit. I’m feeling something for this woman, and I know I can’t have her. She’s not a submissive.
We come to a stop outside her building. “Thank you so much for this opportunity, Ryder.”
“You should go inside before you catch your death.”
She shrugs out of my jacket before pushing up onto her tiptoes and kissing my cheek, lingering a moment too long, and not enough. “Thank you for giving me your jacket.”
“You’re welcome,” I growl as the scent of her perfume intoxicates my senses. I can’t pull away.
“I should go.”
“You should,” I whisper, knowing if she stays another second, I’m going to cross the line. My heart is hammering in my chest at her proximity.
“Goodnight, Ryder.” She turns on her heel and disappears inside, leaving me wanting so much more.
“This looks phenomenal.” Carter, Flex, and Dalton have all come to do the final walk around Rooftop with me before Aspen arrives.
“Welcome to the team, bro.” Dalton claps me on the back. “Did you ever think you’d be part owner of a kink club?”
“I can honestly say it never crossed my mind when they asked us in middle school what we wanted to be when we grew up.”
Carter is the only one of us who’s not in the lifestyle, but his little sister is.
I’d have cashed out if that were the case.
Anyone dating my sister would get a grilling from all us boys, but if a Dom came sniffing after her, I’d put him six feet under.
It’s so fucking hypocritical, but no one ever said being a big brother is rational.
“Am I going to be able to bring Addi up here?” Carter asks. “It’s stunning, and you know she’s already a huge fan of your food.”