Chapter 18
Hannah
A ll day long, I’d been eager to finish work.
It wasn’t the trainee, who seemed to have little-to-no understanding of what his new job entailed, that made it drag on.
It was the fact that Rhys and I had a dinner date tonight, and when we got back to my place, I was finally going to push him out of this sexless rut we were in.
I appreciated him giving me time and space to figure out what I wanted but wants were out the window.
I needed him with a burning passion unlike anything I’d ever experienced.
We’d kissed, groped over clothes, and the other night, he slipped his hand down my sleep pants and brought me to orgasm within a minute.
I thought that would lead to us finally having sex but when he kissed me good night, stood from the edge of the bed, adjusted his hard length, and walked out of the room, I knew I needed to be more aggressive.
His chivalry was refreshing, but it was time to move past the petting phase of our relationship and into the hot and sweaty stage.
Samuel and I sat at the picnic table during lunch and chatted about our weekend, and I realized he was the only person I would miss when I left at the end of the week.
“So, you stayed over at his house this weekend?” Samuel asked before taking a sip of iced coffee. “Did you finally get some?”
I shook my head as I finished chewing my bite. “We’re not rushing anything, so it’ll happen when it’s going to happen.”
“Girl, you’ve got to take charge with a man like that. Show him what you want and let his natural instincts take over. Then you’ll get all you can possibly want.”
It was nice to have someone to gossip with.
Women my age were more interested in climbing the ladder, getting married and starting a family, or the wild ones wanted to continue living the party lifestyle.
I wasn’t any of those, so besides the few acquaintances I had back home, I didn’t have many friends.
Regan was a friend, but I couldn’t talk to her about my sex life with her brother.
“Explain natural instincts to me, please,” I requested as I finished my lunch and placed my trash in the takeout bag.
“A man like Rhys wants to control his woman and give her everything. So, if you challenge that power structure by being the aggressor, it’s going to flip his switch and he won’t be able to take his hands off you.
” He finished the last of his iced coffee and wiggled his eyebrows before adding, “Trust me.”
I wasn’t sure Samuel’s advice was valid, but I could see his point. Rhys was used to taking care of everyone, and I could see he struggles with letting go of the reins. If I was to approach him, showing the care and devotion he deserved, maybe he would reciprocate.
I wanted to move past talking about sex, so I changed the subject. We sat at the table under the shade tree for another ten minutes, chatting about nothing specific, when I heard someone say my name. We turned to see my trainee walking toward us with a stack of files in his arms.
“Does he even understand how to do his job?” Samuel asked under his breath, and I fought laughter as the man approached.
“Nope,” I replied as he stepped in front of us.
His hair was flopping on his forehead, and I could see his five o’clock shadow was growing back from his morning shave. The look he gave me was of confusion as he showed me a report on the job I’d left him working on.
Taking it from him, I looked up at him. “Did you run the diagnostics report like I told you to when you cracked the site?”
He shook his head and his hair slipped down, covering half of one eye.
His name was Waylon, and he seemed like he was overwhelmed with what should have been simple.
I worried about where he’d studied computers if he wasn’t capable of doing the simple steps required for the basic job I’d left him to work on.
Looking at Samuel, I exhaled. “I’m going to go back with Waylon and see if we can figure out what step he missed. I’ll see you back inside.”
Samuel nodded and pulled his phone out as Waylon followed behind me like a lost puppy. I wanted to question his qualifications, but hiring wasn’t my job, and after Friday, none of this would be my concern.
I’d spoken with James a few weeks ago about what the job would entail, and after hearing the pitch, plus the salary, bonuses, and benefits, I quickly agreed. Anticipation filled me at the thought of the challenges working for Callahan would present me with, and I was eager to get started.
For the next five hours, I worked over Waylon’s shoulder, pointing to the screen so he could do the steps himself. I hoped repetition would help him remember, but today wasn’t the day for me to lose my cool over his inability to follow directions.
Today was about getting home, shaving my legs, and getting ready for my date with Rhys. I was lost in thought about what I wanted to wear to drive him crazy when I heard my name.
“Hannah?” I looked down, and Waylon leaned to the side, looking over his shoulder at me as he waited for my response.
“I’m sorry. What did you say?”
“I asked if this was the last one for the day.”
“It is. Do you feel comfortable finishing up while I speak with Samuel?”
“No problem,” he stated, and as I went to walk away, he said, “Thanks, Hannah.”
“You’re welcome.”
I spent the last thirty minutes chatting with Samuel and occasionally peeking around the wall to see Waylon’s progress.
He was concentrating hard on the screen as he typed in the prompts and waited for the system to process.
When he completed each step, I could see his shoulders pull back with pride as he was one step closer to completing a job on his own.
“Is he going to make it?” Samuel asked quietly, and I shrugged.
“If he speeds up and remembers the steps instead of using notes, he should be fine by the end of the week,” I explained.
When I heard the sound denoting the end of the workday, I patted Samuel on the back and stepped back to check on Waylon. He had a huge smile on his face as he flipped his head to the side to move the hair from his eyes, only for it to fall back in place.
“Did you finish?” I inquired as I walked up and checked the screen.
“I did everything the way you said. I just need you to verify it’s done.”
Looking over everything, I turned and smiled at him. “Good job. Let’s close up, and we can get started again tomorrow.”
Samuel was already gone when Waylon and I turned off the system. He walked next to me as we left the building, and as I turned to walk toward my car, he said my name. “Hannah?” I turned, and he said, “Thank you for all your help.”
“You’re welcome. Have a good night,” I replied and turned to walk away, not wanting to get drawn into a conversation.
My evening plans were running through my head as I traversed the traffic to get home.
There was a wreck on the interstate, so it took half an hour longer to get home than usual.
Rhys was going to arrive in less than an hour, so after unlocking my house and securing the door behind me, I practically ran into the bedroom.
There was a black dress with black lace covering the bust that I loved hanging in the closet, practically begging to be worn.
After pulling out a sexy bra and panties, I took off my work clothes and walked into the bathroom.
The tile was cold on my feet as I turned on the shower and waited for it to heat up.
Thoughts of what I hoped tonight would bring flashed behind my eyes as I got inside the shower and started to shave my legs. It would hurt if he turned me down, but I had a feeling he wouldn’t be able to deny me once I asked nicely.
Hell, after all the teasing he’d done to me the last few weeks, I would get on my knees and beg like a good girl.
My hair was still in good shape from work and my makeup was intact, so I made quick work of washing my body as the minutes ticked away.
After turning off the shower, I dried off and lotioned my body before touching up my makeup a little and fluffing my hair.
I heard my phone ding from the bedroom, so I wrapped a towel around my body and went to retrieve it.
Smiling, I sighed like a silly little girl as I read the message.
Rhys: I’m on my way to you now, beautiful. I consider myself lucky that you’re mine.
I sent a heart emoji and finished getting ready for our evening.
The bra and panties I picked out showed enough to be sexy, but not so much that I felt self-conscious.
When I slipped the black dress on and inspected myself in the mirror, I was amazed at how I looked.
Not that I was the most beautiful or sexiest woman in the world—far from it—but the confidence I’d built since being with Rhys allowed the woman I’d always hoped to be to come out and be loved.
Walking into the living room, I made sure to move my phone, wallet, housekey, and lipstick to my small purse as I waited for Rhys to arrive.
I was a little nervous about how tonight was going to go, and a small part of me feared my reaction, but Rhys wasn’t that horrible man, and he’d never made me feel anything but cherished.
A knock on my door echoed through the house, and before I walked to see who it was, I pulled up the security monitor in the kitchen and checked who was outside.
Rhys was standing on my steps, holding what looked like flowers in his hand, and the suit he was wearing fit him perfectly.
Absently, I rubbed my hands down the front of my dress to remove any wrinkles before walking to the front door.
I unlocked and opened it with a smile. Rhys raised his eyes, and when I felt his eyes running up the length of my body, I stood taller, hoping he liked what he saw.
His gaze was feral as he stepped into the house and approached me.
Trying to play coy, I tilted my head with a smile and looked up at him through my lashes.
“You look fucking amazing,” Rhys said in a husky tone as he handed me a small bouquet of red roses.
“Thank you. Let me put this in some water and I’ll be right back,” I said and turned to walk away.
Swaying my hips more than usual, I glanced over my shoulder just as I walked through the kitchen door and saw Rhys was stalking behind me.
His eyes snapped to mine, and I realized he’d been staring at my ass as I walked.
In the kitchen, I opened a cabinet to grab a vase, and just as I pressed to my toes to grab it, I felt Rhys step up against my back.
He reached around me, and his lips brushed against my ear as he whispered, “Let me get that for you, beautiful.”
I smiled over my shoulder at him and felt his hard length pressing against my ass. He placed the vase onto the counter, and I turned so I could face him. Rhys placed his hands on my hips and tugged me close to him as he leaned over and ran his nose along the side of my neck.
My eyes closed on instinct, and I ran my hands up his chest before holding onto his shoulders as he placed soft kisses under my ear. “I could eat you for dinner and be happy,” he whispered, and I felt chills break out over my body.
Fluttering my eyes, I brought my gaze to him as he pulled back.
I knew I was pushing him, but I was trying to follow Samuel’s advice and nudge Rhys out of his comfort zone.
Stepping forward, I pressed against him and slipped one hand over his shoulder and into the back of the hair at his neck.
His pupils dilated as I whispered, “What’s stopping you? ”
He didn’t say anything in response to my question, but his nostrils flared and his grip on my hips grew in intensity. I placed a soft kiss on his lips. Leaning back, I bit my lip and politely said, “I guess we should go to dinner.”
The next move was a risky one, but if it paid off, I was going to visit paradise with the only man who had ever seemed to understand me.
I stepped back, and Rhys released his hold on my hips.
Shifting, I went to walk away from him, allowing one hand to drag from his shoulder across his chest and down his arm until the last thing touching was our fingertips.
Just before the last point of contact was broken, Rhys lurched forward and grasped my wrist, stopping me in my tracks.
Looking back at him, I raised my eyebrows and asked, “Is there something you want?”
His chest heaved up and down as I saw the war waging inside him. I knew he wanted to be careful and slow with me, but I needed to know he wanted me like I wanted him. With one more push, I’d either see the promise land or his rejection would crush me.
“No?” I inquired, then added, “Let’s go then.”
Instead of releasing me, he pulled me into his chest as he gripped the back of my neck and slammed his mouth to mine.
Our tongues battled as his hand slid down my back and he grabbed a palmful of my ass cheek.
I moaned into the kiss and rubbed against him as he nipped at my bottom lip before licking the sting away.
His kisses moved to my jaw and along my neck before he whispered, “Are you sure?”
“I’ve never been more certain of anything. I need you, Rhys. Please don’t make me wait any longer.”
With no effort, Rhys scooped me off my feet, and with our mouths still connected in an almost feral kiss, he carried me out of the kitchen, through the dining room, and into the bedroom.
He kicked his foot backward and closed the door behind us before he gently laid me on the bed.
Pressing up on my hands, I looked up as he towered over me with his loving eyes.
“If it gets too much, or you—” he started to say, but I interrupted him.
“I’ll say stop and I trust that you will.”
When Rhys fell to his knees in front of me and scooted closer so he could kiss me again, I felt a small twinge of fear. It passed so quickly, I questioned if it was even there to begin with. As his hands found my knees, he slowly began to spread my legs apart, only to be restricted by my dress.
I shimmied a little until the dress slid up my legs, and when it got close to my panties, I lifted my ass and pulled it up. Rhys’s hands found mine as he kissed me, and with expert moves, he raised the dress up my body, exposing my bra before he leaned back and lifted the dress up and over my head.
He looked down at me in my bra and panties, and suddenly, I felt inadequate. His hands found the caps of my shoulders and he ran them down my arms, to my thighs, and down to my knees.
“You’re so damn beautiful, but I’m hungry and you said I could eat.”
He tilted his head so he could look at me through an upward stare, and my pussy grew wet from the animalistic need showing on his face.
I may not have had much experience, and I didn’t know or care about his past, but one thing was for certain. Rhys Weston was about to lay me out to feast on for dinner, and I couldn’t wait for him to start.