Chapter 34
Chapter Thirty-Four
Did he change his mind?
Between the phone and the lake, my eyes muscles were getting lot of exercise darting back and forth.
I’d arrived a few minutes early to a candlelit gazebo dressed in a yellow maxi dress and sheer star covered long sleeve crop top.
That was twenty-two minutes ago, and Rylan still wasn’t here.
I checked my phone for the thirtieth time, then hit call on his name. Like the previous attempts to reach him, it went straight to voicemail.
He arrived at the castle an hour ago. Imogene caught up with me on my way out with a big smile, and two thumbs up. She said he was looking mighty fine tonight.
Too bad I couldn’t see for myself.
I stared over the lake, and my face grew hot. Putting myself out there like this wasn’t easy. Rylan and I had become close, and I didn’t like how his absence picked at my insecurities.
Did he change his mind?
Am I too boring for him?
What if he wanted someone younger?
Or prettier?
Less gray hairs that didn’t get touched up?
“Oh hell, Tempie. Enough.” I stood and blew the candles he set up with more force than needed. With my clutch and phone in my hands, I marched up with path to the castle.
I was a grown-ass adult and could get to the bottom of things. There was no reason to let my mind go into self-loathing territory when I could confront Rylan and get the truth.
The shiny armor at his door waved and I didn’t bother knocking. I was pissed and had a key. Fuck it.
The room was empty as I entered. Even Russel wasn’t on his tree in the corner.
“Rylan?” I called out, trying to keep the bite in my voice to a minimum. He didn’t respond but I noticed the bathroom light was on.
Something inside me softened. Maybe he was sick.
“Rylan? Are you okay in there?” I asked, walking slowly toward the open door.
“Temperance.” He groaned.
There’s a plethora of outcomes I’d find inside his bathroom. All required the caretaker in me, which wasn’t how I saw this night going but that’s what being with someone was like. Sometimes you got the rainbows and sunshine, and sometimes you had to deal with the messier side of things.
“Rylan, I’m here for—”
“Temperance.” He moaned as cum shot from his cock onto the bathroom tiles.
I stood there, mouth wide, gaze stuck on his hands pumping up and down his dick as he came.
Out of all the things I thought I’d see happening in this bathroom, him masturbating wasn’t one of them.
When his eyes found mine, his expression fell, as did his hands.
“Temperance. Fuck. I’m so sorry.” He washed himself off and stepped out of the shower, keeping as much distance from me as he could.
His dick was still hard and jutting out like a compass needle in my direction.
“Uh.” What else was I supposed to say? He stood me up to fuck himself, something I was ready to help with, but wasn’t included.
“You need to go.” He wrapped himself with a towel, his lustful gaze following the lines of my body. He didn’t look like he wanted me to go at all.
“Rylan, what’s—” I didn’t get to ask what was going on because his lips slammed against mine. His hard body pinned me against the wall. He bit my lower lip, and I gasped. Taking the opportunity, his tongue darted into my mouth while his hands pulled me against his cock.
“I was on the way. Then Imogene gave me cookies, and I’ve been so…” He groaned, his hips flexed into me like he’d fuck me right here.
“Rylan, slow down. Tell me what happened.” I pushed him back and he growled then stomped into the bedroom. My heart raced in my chest as I stood there, lips swollen, and soaked panties.
“Fuck!” He cursed and I found the will to search for him.
His hand was against his cock again then he saw me, eyes widened and stopped.
“Stay over there. I’m not in control of myself right now,” he warned, and I narrowed my eyes. Something was off, I just didn’t know what.
Then I saw them.
A tray of heart shaped pink cookies on the coffee table.
I didn’t doubt that Rylan had a sweet tooth, but something about those cookies had my red flag radar going off. Then I put together what he said and that sneaky old woman’s thumbs up.
Ignoring the wafting come fuck me energy radiating off Rylan, I strode to those cookies and sniffed.
These weren’t normal cookies. They were made with the aphrodisiac tonic I created for Imogene’s “friend.”
Unbelievable.