Chapter 25 #2
A voice message came through a few minutes later.
“As much as I would like for you to not be dressed, good. Grab your keys.”
The sun glared off the windshield right into my eyes as I drove along the street toward the address Ryan had texted me. I didn’t recognize it, and he forbade me from Googling it. I almost did anyway, but I decided to just go with it, something I was doing more of lately.
I plugged it into my GPS and was enjoying the drive.
I wasn’t in a rush, and the traffic was flowing easily since it was late morning.
I couldn’t remember a day when I wasn’t hurrying around to get as much done as possible.
Taking my time was proving to be quite nice, and I had a flutter of excitement at not knowing what to expect from the day.
When I pulled into a shopping center, I looked around for suite 705. When I found it, I was met with a used book and music store.
A smile tugged at my mouth, as the elder emo side of me jumped for joy.
I was transported to my teenage years when I would spend whole Saturdays in the music store down the street from our house listening to music.
I didn’t have the money to buy all the newest CDs or an iPod like the kids at school so I listened in the store.
It was my favorite use of my free time aside from curling up with a book at the library.
Having access to a music and bookstore in one place would have been my best dream come true.
I picked up my phone and clicked play on the latest voice message that came through while I was driving.
“I’m going on a lot of whims today, but I’m betting you like music.
I know you like books, so I luckily don’t have to guess at that one.
I like the spot, so I thought you might, too.
It’s one of the few places I leave the house to go.
They have a nice area to read and a fairly large selection of old and new novels.
I’ll be here when you’re finished. No rush. You have as long as you’d like, babe.”
Staring at my phone like it was going to grow legs and walk away, I wondered how Ryan knew me so well. We had texted about mundane things, but I didn’t divulge as much as he seemed to know. I hadn’t told him about my childhood, or—
A chill ran through my bones. No, it couldn’t be possible, right?
Ryan couldn’t have found anything about my past. It was a different time, a different place, and I had distanced myself from the situation, and there was no way anything was linked to me.
I hired private investigators under a guise to be sure once I had made enough money to spare on the expense.
Taking a few deep breaths to steady myself, I pushed the worry from my mind.
I was going to enjoy the day Ryan had planned for me and not question it.
I was finally beginning to realize that I did deserve some me time every now and then, and it would start with going into that store and enjoying my afternoon.
Three hours later, my stomach grumbled, the muffin from that morning long forgotten.
I browsed the aisles of music, then moved to the books section, plucking one from the shelves and settling into a soft chair by the window.
The book was old and the faded cover had drawn me in.
It had been well-read and loved by someone.
I hadn’t heard of the author or title before, but it was in the romance section so I knew I’d enjoy it.
I hadn’t realized how much time had passed before my body yelled at me for food.
Paying for the book, I stepped outside, searching the strip mall for anything to satiate my hunger until I could have a proper meal that evening.
I still had no idea what the evening held for me, but it was likely a safe bet that food would be involved.
A shiver ran down my spine, and the familiar feeling of being watched was back. The same one I got in the garage. I smiled to myself as I thought of Ryan sitting in a car at the edge of the lot somewhere watching my every move.
After a quick sandwich from the deli on the corner, I settled back into my car and texted Ryan.
“All right, what now?”
I tapped the steering wheel as I waited for the response that came a few minutes later in the form of another voice message, Ryan’s sensual tone filling the car.
“Goddamn, Raven, I’m going insane for you. I can’t stop thinking about that mouth and what you can do with it. Fuck.”
The voice message ended, and heat flooded through my body. The way his words were laced with desire had me clenching my thighs together. His voice was always sexy, but he could flip a switch and make your panties wet with one fucking sentence. No wonder he was so successful in his career.
Another message popped up, and I tapped play.
“Sorry, I had to take a sec. I’m a little on edge after last night. Go back to your apartment and run a hot bath. Text me when you’re in it.”
A few minutes passed, and when no more messages came, I started my car.
Forty minutes later I turned the hot water on in my excessively large tub and adjusted the temperature until it was only mildly scalding.
I placed my phone in the basket fixed to the front of the tile to the left and dropped my robe.
Once comfortable, I grabbed my phone and hooked my finger in the ring on the back.
“I’m in the bath.”
When the text was sent and the tub was full, I rested my head on the rolled-up towel at my neck. Hot steam filled my lungs and I was as light as a cloud.
My phone buzzed in my hand jolting me back to reality. Of course, he was calling.
“Hello,” my voice cut into the quiet room.
“Hey, baby. Having a good day?”
I drew in a breath before answering. Could he get any better? “I am. It’s been a great day. Thank you, Ryan. I really appreciate all the effort. It wasn’t necessary, but I’m grateful all the same.”
He chuckled, but when he spoke, his voice was serious. “I’d run through fire for you, Raven. Convincing you to have a day of self-care is the least I can do.”
My stomach fluttered. Was this what people meant when they said they got butterflies?
I shouldn’t be getting butterflies for Ryan.
He broke into my apartment, for fuck’s sake, and I knew he was following me around.
But at the same time, I should’ve stopped being delusional.
Everything he had done turned me on more than anything ever had.
Ryan’s voice floated into my thoughts. “Are you all right, baby?”
I cleared my throat. “Yes, I’m fine. Wonderful, actually.”
“Good. You’ve been such a good girl for me today.
Now, it’s time we begin with your rewards.
Here is how the rest of the afternoon is going to go.
After your bath, you’re going to get dressed for a date.
Wear a formal dress. Do your makeup or not.
I don’t give a fuck because you don’t need it.
Wear your hair however you want. It’ll be beautiful regardless.
” He dropped his voice and I could hear his smirk on the other end of the line.
“But first, you’re going to get yourself off to my voice, while I relish your whimpers. ”
And that’s exactly what we did.