Chapter Twelve
Shock shines in Delaney’s pretty sea-tossed eyes at my revelation. “Twenty-five thousand?” she echoes in disbelief. I nod. “That can’t be right. Do you know how big that is?”
“It’s right. And I do.”
“But… How?”
“Because my parents owned the mine.”
“You’re lying.”
“Why would I lie?”
“I have no idea what your agenda is,” she admits, searching my face. “Maybe you want the Phantom Orchid back, and you’re trying to trick me with some crazy story so you can steal it from under me.”
“I wouldn’t do that.”
“Bollocks.”
I lean forward and grin. “Do you have any idea how cute you are when you go all British on me?”
“You’re trying to change the subject,” she accuses.
Letting out a sigh, I decide to tell her the entire truth.
I’ve been keeping this ace up my sleeve, and now it’s time to lay my cards on the table.
Hopefully, it’ll tempt her into accepting my proposition and, best case scenario, it’ll make her stay.
Because I want more time with this woman.
Despite how reluctant she is to trust me, and how complicated our relationship is, I’m not ready to let her go.
“Your father wasn’t the only one interested in the Phantom Orchid,” I begin. “My parents were, too, and they’ve acquired quite a few diamond mines throughout Africa.”
“Yes, Moneybags, I’m quite aware,” she says, tone dry.
“Anyway, they knew the story, but they discovered something even better—the mine where legend claims the Phantom Orchid was originally found.” Her brows wing up. “They believed the Phantom Orchid was only a small part of a much bigger stone.”
I’ve got her full attention. “And?” she whispers.
“They were all rumors, of course, but my parents had money to burn, so they bought the mine. Here’s where the story gets good.” We both lean forward, legs touching. “Before they could find the rest of the diamond, there was a collapse and the mine was deemed too dangerous and closed down.”
“That’s a damn big potential cache to walk away from.”
“Money to burn,” I reiterate. “And there was no definitive proof or guarantee it was there. Even with all their money and influence, they couldn’t convince the authorities to let them reopen it. The locals believed the mine was cursed and no one wanted anything to do with it.”
“And why is this good?”
“Let me give you some backstory on my parents. They’ve always ignored me. Poor little rich boy, right?”
“I didn’t say that.”
I cock my head, pretty sure she was thinking it.
“Yeah, well, after the divorce, they fought over how to split everything. The one thing they were in agreement on? Gift me with a collapsed, useless diamond mine on my twelfth birthday. It got it off their hands and seemed like a grand gesture.” I roll my eyes.
“So, you’re saying we won’t have to steal it.”
“Nope. Whatever we find in that mine belongs to me. Gotta love karma. And if you help me, I’ll split it with you.”
Her eyes narrow as she considers my proposition. “Why? If it truly belongs to you, why give me any of it?”
“Because I think you’d be the perfect partner. We made a pretty good team in Austria.” I send her a crooked smile. “So, what do you say, my little English crumpet? Wanna go on another wild adventure with me?”
“Please, stop calling me that.”
“Then tell me your full name. Delaney…” My voice trails off expectantly.
“Why?”
“Because instead of crumpet, I’ll call you Miss whatever-your-last-name-is.”
“I like when you call me Delaney,” she reveals, voice soft. For a moment, she seems to be debating in her head. I’m pretty sure she’s going to brush me off when she finally says, “Delaney Marquette.”
“French?” Surprise laces my voice.
“On my dad’s side, but I was born and raised in England.”
“Alright then, Miss Marquette, what do you say? Are you going to run away and disappear forever, very likely breaking my heart in the process? Or would you like to accompany me to Africa? And before you answer, know that I have full access to handcuffs and a stun gun, too.”
Her lips twitch. “Are you threatening to kidnap me?”
“If that’s what it takes.”
“And if I disappear instead?” she murmurs carefully. “Why would that break your heart?”
I reach for her hand, lift it and brush my lips against her knuckles. “Because you, Delaney Marquette, have captured my attention in every way possible.”
“Oh, really?” she asks on a husky breath.
“Really. And I’m not above stunning your gorgeous ass if it means keeping you around longer.
” I release her hand and gently cup her face, hoping what I’m about to say doesn’t send her skittering off like a wild rabbit.
“When I kiss you… touch you… something electric happens. Something I’ve never experienced before.
I think that’s worth exploring. Don’t you? ”
Instead of answering with words, she presses her lips to mine. I don’t push or try to take control. Just savor her mouth moving against mine, a little tentative and so very sweet. Her tongue traces my lower lip and then she pulls back.
“I’ll go to Africa with you,” she whispers. “You don’t have to stun me.”
I smirk. “Would you have really stunned me if I’d given you trouble at the gym?”
She gives me an angelic smile. “Yes.”
I huff out a laugh at her brutal honesty. Because, yeah, I believe her.
Dipping her head to mostly hide her smile, she looks up at me through her lashes. “We make quite a fucked-up duo, huh?”
The air between us is heating up fast. Wrapping my hand around the back of her neck, I whisper, “In the best possible way,” before I capture her lips in another kiss.
This time, I take full control. Angling her head, I sweep my tongue inside her mouth and make her acquiesce. Demand her to accept and return what I’m giving. She’s up for the challenge, and the next thing I know, she’s shoving me back against the couch cushion and straddling my thighs.
It turns into a delightful power struggle, but I’m about to win this round. In a quick move, I turn and flip her onto her back. When she reaches for me, I slide out of her grasp, and she sends me a pouty look.
“I want to touch you again.” My finger trails up her calf and to her inner thigh. Her chest heaves, attention locked on me as she nods. “Not just with my fingers.” Bending down, I press a kiss right above her mound.
“God… Ryder…” She squirms, and I smile, remembering how easily these biking shorts roll down.
Hooking my fingers in her shorts and panties, I slowly slide them off.
“Can I fuck you with my mouth, Delaney?” I rasp, baring her pretty pussy to my feasting eyes.
Lowering my head, breathing in her musky scent, I lock eyes with her. “Will you come on my face?”
“I—” She whimpers when I flick my tongue against her clit.
“You what?” I press, spreading her folds with my thumbs. “Fuck, you’re so wet, baby.”
She grabs a chunk of my hair, pulling hard, and rolls her hips. “If I come on you, you come on me.”
“Best deal ever.”
I bury my face between her thighs and start working her with my tongue.
Her body arches and she’s tugging my hair hard, but I like it.
Like knowing how crazy I’m making her. Delaney is always so in control, always holding on so tightly to the reins, but I’m going to make her let go, and revel in that victory when I watch her shatter with pleasure.
Her breathy cries fill the air, and when she tries to twist away, I slide my hands beneath her ass and lift her up off the cushion. She gasps when I toss her legs over my shoulders. Her heels hit my back, and I go to town. Absolutely fucking consuming her.
“Oh, my God! Ryder!”
I keep licking, keep pushing her toward an all-consuming orgasm.
When I suck her clit hard, teasing it with my tongue, her thighs clamp around my head.
Shaking. She’s breathing hard, writhing and pushing against me, and I spear my tongue deep.
She cries out when her release hits, legs trembling as a series of shudders rock through her body.
Then she goes completely limp—unlike my rock-hard cock getting serious abrasions from my zipper—and I lower her hips down to the couch.
She looks up at me through hooded eyes that appear slightly… amazed. My girl looks seriously pleased, and I swipe the back of my hand over my wet face. “You okay?” I ask teasingly.
“I don’t know. No one’s ever done that to me before,” she admits, looking almost bashful. I’ve never seen this woman look remotely shy, and it’s fucking adorable.
But, whoa, wait a second… No one? Oh, fucking hell. My dick nearly tears through my jeans. “Then you’ve been dating a bunch of selfish idiots.”
A pink flush steals over her cheeks. “I don’t date.”
I run my hands down her thighs. She’s still quivering a little. “Maybe we can change that,” I suggest.
“Maybe,” she whispers, pushing up onto her elbows. “I think…”
“What do you think?” I lean over her and kiss her softly.
She clears her throat. “That, um, maybe we should take this to the bedroom.”
Her words are so quiet, hesitant, and I wonder how this beautiful, responsive woman can lack confidence when it comes to sex. Someone must’ve seriously dicked her over. But I’m going to treat her like she deserves—like the damn Queen of England. I can’t wait to absolutely worship her.
Scooping her up, I straighten and look around. “Where’s your bedroom, baby?”
“End of the hall.” She wraps her arms around my neck.
“I hope you’re ready for me,” I warn her.
“Oh, I’m ready, Moneybags.”
I throw my head back and laugh. Once I reach her room, I toss her onto the bed. She scrambles backward, pulling her shirt over her head and launching it across the room. My gaze soaks up the pretty black bra, cups overflowing, and I let out a sharp breath.
What did I do to get so damn lucky?
My shirt follows the same trajectory hers did, my knees hit the mattress, and I crawl forward.
Catching her mouth in a demanding kiss, I reach around with one hand and unsnap her bra.
My attention dips, watching as the straps slide down, and the most perfect set of breasts I’ve ever seen fill my vision.
“Fuck, you’re beautiful.” I press a kiss to the swell of one breast. “So damn gorgeous.” And then the other. Dragging my mouth down, I wrap my lips around a pebbled nipple and suck. She whimpers, arching to give me better access, and I swear I’ve died and gone to heaven.
If I’m not extremely careful, I could fall head over heels for this amazing woman.
Hell, maybe I already am falling, I think as I move my attention to her other breast.
And the truth is I don’t believe I’ve ever been more okay with something.