Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven: Delaney
Ryder’s kiss isn’t sweet or slow. It’s positively predatory. Utterly consuming, and entirely possessive. It’s the best damn kiss I’ve ever had in my life.
Throwing my arms around his neck, I open my mouth, meeting his tongue with mine, and moan. I don’t know what’s happening or who I am in this moment. All I know is I need more.
Crawling over the console, my body on fire, I scramble toward him. But it’s awkward and tight in the car, so Ryder grabs my waist, lifting me up and over. At the same time, he shoves his seat back, giving us a little more room.
Wrapping a hand around the back of my neck, he pulls me even closer.
My breasts crush against his firm chest, and the kiss becomes so much more.
All twisted limbs and tongues. Desperate and white-hot.
There’s no missing his hard erection pressing against me.
The biking shorts don’t hide much, and when I pivot to straddle him, I nearly knee him in the groin.
“Careful there,” he rasps, shifting his hips and guiding my leg over his thigh. He nips my bottom lip, and our tongues race to meet each other.
“Sorry,” I murmur between kisses, clutching onto his shoulders. Impatience and the desire to be closer wash through me, and I let out a frustrated hum as I grind down against him.
“Take whatever you need, baby.” He guides my hips in a roll, rubbing my pussy right against his cock, and I whimper.
I don’t know what I need. Never in my life have I needed a man. But at this moment, the urge to take Ryder deep inside me is overwhelming. It’s a fierce craving that catches me off guard, ignited by the way he’s making me feel so wanted. So desired.
He toys with the edges of my shorts, sliding deft fingers beneath the waistband then rolling down the front.
Anticipation makes my belly swoop and my pussy throb.
I’ve never reacted this way before with a man, and it’s exhilarating.
When he slides a hand down inside my shorts, trailing his fingers along the seam of my panties, I bite down on my lip—or maybe that’s his lip—and let out a breathy sound.
“Mmmm,” I sigh, rocking against his hand. He rubs up and down my slit, through the satin, not even touching my flesh yet, and I’m on fire.
“You like that?” God, his voice is so husky. So deep and sexy.
“Yes,” I manage to answer as he slides the scrap of material aside, sinking a finger inside me.
I suck in a sharp breath, dropping my forehead against his shoulder. God, it’s been so long since I’ve let a man touch me. When he begins moving it in and out, I’m a goner.
“How about this?” He adds a second finger, stretching me and plunging deeper. Faster.
“Mmm-hmm…” My hips jerk and, holy hell, I’m about to have my first real orgasm delivered by an actual man, not one of my synthetic toys.
As if he knows exactly what I need, his thumb swirls and presses down on my clit, his fingers continuing to glide in and out. In seconds, I fracture, letting out a muffled cry against his shirtfront, riding his hand like a damn racehorse and coming hard.
His warm lips drift over to my temple, and he presses a lingering kiss there. I’ve completely melted, all my anxiety and tension from the heist gone. All I can focus on is Ryder and the epic orgasm he just gave me.
So. Damn. Good.
Refusing him in my bed is getting harder and harder, but that’s a problem for later. Right now, I know we need to get going.
I pull back and dare to meet his dark eyes, not sure what to expect. They’re bright and carnal. When he pulls his hand out of my shorts and licks his fingers clean, I let out a shaky sigh and start to climb off him.
“Wait.” He tugs me closer and kisses me again. This time slower, but no less deep. Our chemistry is off the charts, that sizzle between us undeniable. “Tell me we’re going to continue this back at the safehouse. Because you’re the sweetest thing I’ve ever tasted.”
Do I want to keep kissing him and maybe get another orgasm out of it? Yes, for sure. But is that wise? No, absolutely not. And it’s time to start thinking with my head, and not my lady bits, who, at this very moment, are singing hallelujah.
“I need you to verify the gem’s authenticity.” I do my best to sound all business even though my pussy is still pulsing, practically screaming at my mouth to shut the fuck up and let him do what he wants. Anything he wants.
Sliding away, I sit down in the passenger seat. And even though I’m not that far away from him, the distance suddenly feels huge.
“Okaaay,” he drawls. “And then what?”
“We got the diamond, and the jet will be waiting to take us back to Denver.”
I notice his shoulders slump slightly, but he doesn’t say anything. Just nods and pulls the car back onto the road. “I’ll verify it back at the safehouse.”
Sadness washes through me, but as the adrenaline wanes and my common sense and need for self-preservation take over, I know what I have to do. And it means leaving Denver and leaving Ryder. Forever.
It’s real. Absolutely one hundred percent authentic.
I have the Phantom Orchid.
And yet, as I watch Ryder pack up his gem equipment, I’m not as thrilled as I thought I’d be.
“You’re sure you want to leave now?” he asks.
“Yes. It’s best we get back as soon as possible,” I insist.
“So you can deliver the goods and get a hefty pay day, I presume,” he surmises.
I force a fake smile. “Yep.” A white lie. The last thing I plan to do is hand the diamond over to Adam Voss, but I’m not letting Ryder know that.
After quickly packing up, we leave our little country cottage and head back to Vienna. Once we’re aboard the jet, I touch base with Voss and text him I didn’t find the diamond. Of course, he isn’t happy, but he knew the risks. And this isn’t about him anyway.
Both Ryder and I are quiet, but I sneak glances at him throughout the flight. He looks so lost in thought. A little sad, too. We barely say two words to each other, and I end up curling my legs beneath me and dozing off.
Once we touch down in Denver, I grab my bag and flee from the plane as if it’s on fire. I know there’s nothing I can say to change the dark, contemplative look on Ryder’s face. So I don’t bother to try. Our time together is over.
“Hey!” He jogs up behind me, taking my duffel in his other hand, and we walk over to my Vanquish. “I hope you’re not just leaving me here.” His voice is teasing, but I’m not in a playful mood. It really would be much easier if he took the hint and just Ubered home.
“Of course not,” I say stiffly. “Get in.”
Starting the car, doing my best to ignore the tumult in my heart, I exit the airport and head toward Ryder’s house.
I’m expecting him to start chatting me up, but he remains quiet. I don’t know how I can be so relieved and hugely disappointed at the same time. When I finally pull up to his Wash Park house, he turns to face me.
“So this is it, huh?” he asks in a low voice.
Clenching my hands tighter around the steering wheel, I wonder why I feel guilty.
And like the biggest jerk in the world. “I’m not sure I understand.
We found the Phantom Orchid—for Voss,” I add, even though I have no intention of delivering it to him.
“The job is over.” He seems to mull over my words a little too long, and I let out a sigh. “Ryder—”
“Right. Gotcha.” He opens his door, and my face falls as he gets out.
Fighting the urge to call out to him, I clamp my mouth shut. It’s for the best. This was always the plan. Let him go. I keep repeating the mantra in my head, attempting to force myself to believe it.
Ryder props an arm on the car’s roof, leans inside and gives me a crooked smile. “Thanks for the best adventure I ever had, Delaney.”
I almost correct him and tell him to call me Bella, but what’s the point? Besides, I really like the way he says my name. I’ve missed being Delaney Marquette, and the idea of him knowing who I truly am behind all the false layers gives me a strange sort of comfort.
“Guess I’ll see you around.” He pats the top of the car and closes the door. Swinging his duffel over a shoulder, he starts up the walkway.
“Dammit,” I whisper, unable to tear my gaze off his broad shoulders and firm ass. The way he moves with such ease.
I hope I didn’t just make a huge mistake by letting him walk away.
Suddenly, my mantra isn’t helping. Not even a little. I gun the engine and drive away far too fast. I have no idea why my eyes burn with tears, or why my heart thinks we could’ve had something together. I need my brain to enter the picture and set everything straight.
“Don’t be a fool, Delaney,” I scold myself. Because that’s exactly who love is for—fools.
Back to Denver. Back to reality.
I drive straight home to my small downtown apartment and park in the underground garage.
This is my permanent place of residence, but no one knows I live here.
My legs feel like lead as I trudge up the two flights of stairs, unlock my door and slip inside.
Dropping my duffel bag, I swipe my stupid tears away, momentarily squeeze my eyes shut then shake it off.
Right then. Time to disappear.
Turning the lights on, I reach into my pocket and pull out the small velvet bag.
Tipping it upside down, I drop the diamond into my palm.
The light catches its facets, and it sparkles a gorgeous pinkish-purple.
I suck in a breath, awed by its unique hue, and marvel at the fact that I’m holding the Phantom fucking Orchid in my hand.
“I did it, Dad,” I whisper reverently, holding the gem up. I’d like to think he’s watching me from a very happy place and smiling so hard his cheeks hurt.
The weird thing is, I thought I’d feel… I don’t know. Happier? As amazing as it is to finally have this treasure, I have no one to celebrate with me. I should be popping open a bottle of champagne right now with Ryder. Then inviting him into my bed.