Chapter 30
RYDER
Tonight is a big moment. Aspen and I may have been living together for a while now, but going into business with someone seems more intimate in some ways.
When you mix business with pleasure, there’s always the potential to fuck everything you hold dear.
I know Aspen has been saving to buy her own restaurant since she was a kid, and I want something amazing to come out of the business I lost that night at Dulip.
It was my baby, and I want her to know the joy of achieving your heart’s desire.
I saw the premises earlier today, and it’s perfect for a high-end restaurant like Dulip. My clientele will come flocking to the new location, but it’s more than that—I want Aspen to speak her dream into a reality.
“Where are we going? I told Helena that I would meet her, Nad, and Freya for drinks before I get ready for you to tie me up and have your way with me.”
“I have something I want to show you before we have a depraved night at Venom.”
“I like the sound of that.”
The dynamic between Aspen and me has never been better.
She’s really come out of her shell. Being a twenty-four-seven submissive has boosted her self-confidence.
She trusts me, and that means everything to me.
She knows I would never abuse our relationship, but having the space to cast her worries and insecurities aside has made her stronger.
She’s the fiercest woman I have ever met in my life, which can be challenging at times as a Dominant, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I spend the entire car ride going through every outcome in my head, but I won’t let my apprehension take hold. By the time we reach our destination, I think Aspen has an idea of what we’re doing here, but she doesn’t say anything.
“Wait here.” I jump out of the car and round the hood to open her side. “I’m about to put a blindfold on you.”
“Kinky,” she quips. “I’ve never had sex outside before.”
“I’ve turned you into a shameless exhibitionist.”
“Just the way you like me, Sir.” Fuck, I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of hearing her call me that. I force myself to stay focused on the task at hand.
When I’ve secured the blindfold, I guide her a block over to where the new premises will be, if she likes it.
“Where are we going?”
“Has it ever turned out badly when I’ve blindfolded you?” She bites on her bottom lip, and I know she’s remembering the last time I took her sight and asked her to trust me. It ended with an O ring and her swallowing my cum like a good girl.
“No, Sir.”
When we reach our destination, I take a deep, steadying breath, slowly untying the blindfold, her eyes adjusting to the streetlights.
“As you know, I’ve been looking for new premises for Dulip since the fire.”
“Oh, Ry, it looks great.”
“Wait until you see the space.” I hold up a set of keys before taking her hand in mine, venturing across the street.
“Have you bought it?”
“Not yet. I know the realtor, and he gave me the keys so I could show you first.” A soft smile creeps at the corner of her lips.
“You care about my input? Could you be any cuter?”
“No Dom wants to be called cute,” I say as I unlock the doors and usher her inside.
“You can be a Dominant and still be cute on occasion.”
“Anyway.” I change the topic of conversation. “What do you think?”
“Look at those crown moldings. They are so elegant. I can see this place being amazing when you fit it out. It’ll be just as beautiful as Dulip was.”
My pulse is racing as I take her hands in mine. “It could be when we fit it out if you want.”
“Sure, I’ll give you my opinion, but it’s your restaurant.”
“What if it were our restaurant? I know you’ve been saving for a place of your own, and if that’s still what you want, then I am one hundred percent behind you. But, if you wanted to own half of this new restaurant, then I would love to go into business with you.”
“Ry…”
“I know. It’s a big decision. You don’t have to answer now. Take some time to think about it.”
“I don’t have to think about it. I’ve been dreaming of opening my own restaurant my entire adult life. It’s important to me.”
“I understand.” My heart sinks, even though I knew this would likely be the outcome.
“I don’t think you do. The only thing better than owning my own restaurant would be owning one with you. You’re the love of my life, Ry. I want it all for us. Where do I sign?”
I pick her up and twirl her around in the wide-open space. “Seriously?”
“Yes. I’m in this for keeps. Let’s build our restaurant.”
I don’t think I’ll ever tire of knowing you’re mine.”
When I set her down on her feet, she wanders the space, a wry grin on her stunning features. “This place is going to be beautiful. We can have the bar over there. The tables should be similar to the ones at Dulip. They were so sophisticated.”
“We can do that. Best of all, do you want to see what will become our kitchen?”
“Yes!” She’s giddy, bouncing up and down as I guide her to the back, where she squeals in delight. “This is twice the size of the kitchen at Venom. Holy shit!”
“The dining room has a higher capacity than the old place, so we’re going to need the extra space for kitchen staff.”
“Are we really going to do this? You and me? This place?”
I consider her carefully, looking for any hint that this isn’t what she wants. “If that’s truly what you want. You’ve had a vision for what you wanted all these years. I won’t be offended if you still want to do it that way. I get it. So, don’t say yes because you feel you have to.”
“Ry, stop talking and kiss me. That’s an order from your future business partner.” I don’t need to be told twice.
I pull her into my arms, my lips crashing down on hers.
We lose ourselves in this simple embrace, everything around us fading into the background.
There’s only us in this moment, standing on the precipice of our future, and it’s all I can do not to lay her out on the floor and feast on her for hours.
“Does anyone else know?”
“No. You’re the only person who matters.” She scrunches her nose, and it’s so stinking cute.
“What about Flex and the others? You’re in business with them for Rooftop. You didn’t want to do this with them?”
“I love Rooftop, mainly because it’s where I’ve watched you progress in your journey, but I want this to be just you and me.
We both made it out of Dulip that day, well aware that we could have lost each other.
What better way to celebrate than building back bigger and stronger together?
I believe we can have something really special here, and it will mean so much more with you, Aspen. ”
“What did I do to deserve you?”
“Something really good,” I quip.
“That’s one of the things I love about you, Ryder Stevens. Your humility.”
“Are you looking to be hogtied tonight?” Just the thought of it has me hard.
“Private room or voyeur?” God, I love this woman.
“Your choice, baby girl.”
“I’m going to go with option number two.”
“That’s my good girl, but before we get to that, I want to show you the rest of this place.”
“Lead the way, Sir.”
We spend the next hour walking around the premises, talking through ideas for the décor and the menu, and it has me more excited than I was the day I signed the papers on Dulip. The possibilities are endless, and I’m confident that it’s going to be amazing.
By the time we head for the club, I’m ready to get Aspen naked, hogtied, and on display for everyone to see as she falls apart beneath my tongue. My girl is so animated on the ride over to Venom, and as soon as we hit the bar, her friends descend en masse.
Since Aspen and I put on a show up at Rooftop, she’s been more open with our friends.
Nadia, Freya, and Helena have been awesome, letting her pick their brains about anything and everything to do with the lifestyle.
Everyone loves her, so I can’t be mad when the girls commandeer her before I get the chance to take her up to the voyeur floor.
Instead, I order a drink and join my friends.
Flex has a shit-eating grin on his face as I take a seat. “So, what’s with the cloak and dagger today?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Roger called.” Flex put me in touch with the realtor. I should have known he’d find out.
“We found a location for Dulip.”
“We?” Dalton asks. I can’t hide the smile on my face.
“Aspen and I will be joint owners of the new restaurant.”
“Wow. That’s a big step. Are you sure? Business and pleasure…”
“Are fucking awesome,” Flex interjects. “I’m excited for you.”
“Have you really thought it through?” I know Dalton is all business when it comes to this sort of thing, but I’m choosing to lead with my heart over my head.
“Would you own a company with Nadia?”
“Of course, she’s my wife.”
“And someday, Aspen will be mine. She is it for me. I wouldn’t put everything I’ve worked for on the line for a passing fling. When people say their relationship has been forged in fire, it is literally true for us. We’re bound in ways that go far beyond a marriage license.”
“Fair enough,” he says with a smile. “Congratulations!”
Everyone lifts their glass to congratulate me, but I’m scanning the room for Aspen.
“Where’s the new location?”
“Same block as the Waldorf Astoria.”
“Perfect. Just the clientele you’re looking for. Not that you need to make a name for yourself. The minute word spreads that Dulip will be making a comeback, you’ll be booked solid for six months.”
“That’s the plan. In the meantime, I’m going to take a back seat here at Rooftop and let Aspen get a feel for running the kitchen. Her food is second to none, and I’ve taught her well.”
“The place wasn’t the same without her.” Pierce only has good things to say about Aspen. He and Freya spent some time with her while she was in the hospital. I will never be able to adequately thank them for watching over her. I would have been a wreck without them.
“Don’t I know it.”
“You handled the situation well with her. Burns are a tough recovery, and to see her shine here at Venom, confident and happy, it’s an amazing thing. You became the Dom she needed you to be, and you seem happier than I’ve ever seen you.”
“I am. There’s a peace with her that I’ve never experienced before.”
“She’s your person.”
“Yes.”
A year ago, I looked at all the guys at this table, wanting what they had, and believing it might never happen for me. To be sitting here now after everything that’s happened feels nothing short of a miracle.
We shoot the shit for a couple of hours before the girls come in search of us. From the wicked grin on Aspen’s face as she stalks toward me, I can tell she’s a little tipsy and a whole lot of horny.
Genevieve follows close behind Aspen as she sidles up beside me, her hands roaming before I get the chance to say hi. “Your girl is getting restless. She mentioned something about hogties.”
“On your knees, baby girl. You will wait until I’m ready to use your body tonight.”
She drops into the position with a knowing grin on her face. She knows exactly what she’s doing, which is why I didn’t bother giving her an excuse to get on her knees for me. She wants it, and that is hot as fuck.
“Yes, Sir.”
“Tell me, baby girl. What do you want me to do to you tonight?”
“I want you to take me upstairs so everyone can watch as you strip me, hogtie me, and fuck me so everyone knows I’m yours.”
I fist my hand in her hair before yanking her head back, forcing her to look up at me with those doe eyes. “Then ask nicely.”
“Please, Sir. Show everyone that I’m yours.”
“I can do that.” Without hesitation, I reach down, hauling Aspen up and over my shoulder in a fireman’s lift before smacking her ass.
I turn my attention back to my friends, “Come and join us if you want to see my baby girl scream my name until she’s hoarse and thoroughly fucked.”
As I stride for the staircase, Aspen’s body relaxes over my shoulder. She’s content as a submissive. As my submissive. I don’t know what the fuck I did in a previous life to have found her, but I thank my lucky stars every damn day.
She giggles as I jostle her up the staircase.
Her squeal of joy is music to my ears as I step out onto the voyeur floor.
I don’t bother with a quiet corner. My girl likes to be front and center these days.
I navigate my way to the center of the room before setting Aspen down on her feet.
If she wants to put on a show, I’m more than happy to oblige.
“Get on your fucking knees, baby girl.”