Chapter 13
ASPEN
My mind is all over the place as I lie in the tub.
Ryder disappeared to get food, and I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m famished.
Sex with Ryder is exhausting in the best possible way.
I really thought what we just did was kinky.
I’ve never had a guy use ice on me before, and my ass—I thought I would never be into something like that, but with him, I want to.
He appears in the doorway looking impossibly handsome in his faded gray jeans. With a plate of food in hand, he perches on the edge of the tub.
“Open.” I lean forward, taking a bite.
“Oh, I’m good. This is good.” A soft smile creeps at the corner of his lips as he picks up a forkful to taste.
“Holy shit. You’re not kidding. This is amazing. We’re putting this on the menu as a special.” I pull my knees up to my chest as the bubbles begin to dissipate. Holding out another bite for me, I accept, but I can’t take my eyes off him.
“Aren’t you going to come in?”
“No. I’m going to finish feeding you, wash you, and tuck you in bed.”
“Are you going to stay the night?” My voice is so quiet I barely recognize it.
“Of course. Do you really think I want to go home after fucking you?”
“I don’t know. It’s uncharted territory for us.”
“I’m staying.” He leaves no room for discussion, which is fine by me.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Depends.” His brow furrows.
“What?”
“You’re going to ask me about the club.”
“Why don’t you want to talk about it?”
“Because I was pulled into this lifestyle, Aspen. I vowed I would never do that to a woman.”
“But you love it, don’t you?” His silence speaks volumes. “I’m asking you to tell me what you need from me in this relationship, Ry.”
“Did you enjoy what we did tonight?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, then we can do more stuff like that. Can you just trust me that I’m doing what’s best for you?”
“What about you? Don’t I get to worry about you?”
“No.”
“Ry—” He cuts me off as his lips find mine.
“I want you, baby girl. Now eat up like a good girl so I can take you to bed.”
I do as I’m told, letting Ryder care for me, and it feels really good. By the time he takes me to bed and slips in beside me, I’m more content than I’ve felt in a long time. I could get used to falling asleep in Ryder Stevens’ arms, and that scares me.
Life is good. The restaurant is ready to open in a week, and things with Ryder and me are great. He seems content with what he describes as ‘vanilla kink,’ and I love the way he can make my body sing.
I’ve gotten used to his eyes on me, opting to leave the sheets off after we have sex, and more often than not, I’m rewarded with another round of toe-curling pleasure. In truth, I feel completely different about myself. I get to see myself through Ryder’s eyes, and I like what I see.
“You’re sure you’re okay to meet with Eli about the wine list?” Ryder’s voice snaps me out of my heated daydream.
“Yes. You’ve got enough to do. I have the notes you gave me. You have a million other things to do before we open.”
“You’re cute when you take charge.” He slinks up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. “Do I need to show you who’s really in charge?”
“Maybe,” I whisper as his lips find my neck.
“Oh, my girl is feisty today. I’m sure I can show you tonight. My place?”
“Sure. I need to stop home and get some clothes if that’s okay.”
“I’ll order some clothes and toiletries for you to keep at my place.” Did he just say what I think he did?
“You’d be okay with that? Most guys aren’t. Not this early.”
“I’m not most guys. I insist that you’re comfortable in my apartment.”
“Okay. If you don’t mind, then that would be great, but you don’t need to buy anything. I can bring everything I need.”
“Do you have to fight me on every little thing?” He turns me to face him, his lips brushing against mine.
“You love it.” I wrap my arms around his neck.
“That I do. You’d definitely be a brat.”
“What? I’m not a brat.” I move to extricate myself from his arms, but he holds tight.
“Not what I meant. It’s a term Doms use for certain submissives.”
“And it’s a bad thing.”
“No. Not at all. I’ve always enjoyed a woman who pushes back. It was a term of endearment.”
I relax back into his arms. “Maybe I would make a good submissive. If it’s what I want, can’t we at least try?”
“And when you don’t like it, we split up? I’m not willing to risk losing you.”
“Or you get everything you want.”
“Will you stop asking questions if I agree to think about it after the restaurant opens? This isn’t the time to be making big decisions.”
“Really? You mean it?” I push up onto my tiptoes and capture his lips with mine.
“Yes. I’m a man of my word.” His hands slide up into my hair. “You’re going to be the death of me, Aspen Struthers. But first, I need you to promise me something.”
“Anything,” I whisper, my voice thick with desire.
“That you won’t walk away if there’s something you can’t or won’t do.”
“Yes.”
“That means one hundred percent honesty.”
“Ryder…”
“Promise me.”
“I promise.”
My stomach does somersaults at the thought of Ryder introducing me to the lifestyle. I know I should just come out and tell him that I’m serious and want to try, but he seems so against it, and I don’t know why.
When we’re done for the night, Ryder drives us to my place so I can grab some clothes. “I’ll park and come in with you.”
“Don’t be silly. I’ll be five minutes. Just wait here, and I will be quick. I promise.”
“Really? Or are you going to say five and be back in fifteen?”
I lean over and kiss him. “I’ll be back in ten.” He smiles against my lips.
“If you’re going to kiss me, I’m going to come up there and fuck you seven ways till Sunday.”
“As delicious as that sounds, my roommate is home. But, when we get to your place, I might take you up on the offer.”
“That’s a given. I don’t even know why you need clothes. I plan on you being naked all night, tied to my bed, and screaming my name.” It’s amazing we ever get anything done. I want him, every minute of every day.
“Promises, promises, Sir.”
“Seriously, if you need stuff, you better get out of the car right now because my dick is hard as a rock and all out of patience. I fucking want you, baby girl.”
I kiss him once more before jumping out of the car and hurrying inside to the elevator.
I can hear Jude singing as I approach our apartment. I told her I wouldn’t be home tonight, so I guess she’s enjoying having the place to herself.
“Hey, girl,” I say as I step inside. She just about jumps out of her skin.
“Holy fuck! You scared the crap out of me. I thought you weren’t coming home.”
“Is that why you were strangling a cat? That’s what the noise was, right?”
She shoves my shoulder. “Very funny. Why are you here?”
“Just grabbing some clothes and my makeup.”
“When am I going to meet the man himself?”
“Soon. I’m still just feeling it out right now.”
“That’s the fun part.” She runs her hands up and down her body. “All the feeling.”
“You know what I mean!” She follows me down the hallway to my room.
“Have you told him yet?”
“No. And I don’t need your opinion on that.” She holds her hands up as I grab my overnight bag and start throwing things in it.
“I said nothing.”
“I thought you’d be riding a Tinder hookup already.”
“The night is young,” she says with a wicked grin.
When I finish packing, I hug her. “Call me if you need me. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t.”
“I can work within those vast parameters.”
“Yeah. Yeah. I’m off to fuck my boyfriend all night long.”
“Boyfriend?”
“What else would I call him?” We’re dating. I’m dating a Dom.
A thrill courses through me as I head for the door.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Enjoy your fuck fest.”
“Will do.” I throw the comment over my shoulder as I step out into the hallway.
The elevator is still on our floor, so I slip in and press for the lobby.
My phone buzzes in my pocket.
Ryder: Time is ticking. Do I need to come up? ;0)
Me: No need, Sir. I’m in the elevator.
It’s not until the doors ping open that my smile drops.
John is walking toward me with a sneer on his face. I haven’t seen him since the day he left a handprint on my arm.
“Whore,” he mumbles under his breath.
“Excuse me. What did you just call me?” I can’t let it slide.
“You heard me.” He reaches for me again, tugging my wrist so hard I drop my overnight bag. “Whore.”
As I try to break free, Ryder comes barreling in the lobby doors before grabbing John by the throat and pinning him against the wall.
“Who the fuck do you think you’re touching?” He looks at my wrist, red where John was holding tight.
“You’re the fucking guy who left bruises on her. I’m pretty sure she told you never to do that again.”
He jams John’s neck against the cold marble tile with his arm, his face full of rage I’ve never seen before.
“There’s CCTV in here. I’ll call the police.”
“What, don’t want to fight someone your own size?”
“She’s a fucking whore.” It’s a red rag to a bull.
He slams John’s head against the wall and sucker punches him. I hear his nose snap. It’s definitely broken. “If you ever so much as breathe in my girlfriend’s direction again, I will fucking end you. Do you understand, little man?”
He nods, unable to speak with Ryder’s arm on his throat. When he finally releases him, I’ve got my bag in hand and make my way over to the concierge.
“Hi, Bruce. I’m wondering if the CCTV cameras are working tonight?” I say with a conspiratorial smile. He looks at John with disgust.
“I don’t believe they are, Ms. Struthers. I think I forgot to switch them on. I’ll be sure to do that in the future.”
Ryder wraps his arm around my shoulder, his body tight as we walk out to his car. “Are you okay? Your wrist is red.”
“I’m fine. Don’t let him ruin our night.”
“I should go back in there and beat the shit out of him. That’s what he deserves.”
“Don’t. He’s not worth it.”