Chapter One #2
Callie was still spent, but Ryan was still inside her.
He pushed deep again, and she gasped as her fading shudders started to intensify again.
Pleased with her reaction, Ryan pushed again.
Callie was still so sensitive that she knew if he continued, she would be crying out again.
He stood up straight while she was still lying on the desk.
She cried out as her orgasm returned, and he continued with a newfound energy.
His one hand was on her breast, sending heat through her upper body as well.
She was soon shaking again as she lost control.
Every touch sent waves of pleasure that quickly became unbearable. She thought she might back out.
“Oh, please stop,” she begged, still climaxing, and he quickly ceased his movements.
“I’m sorry,” he said with concern.
“Trust me,” Callie replied. “That’s not something that requires an apology. I was just worried I’d pass out.” She laughed with embarrassment, and Ryan grinned at her.
He didn’t move for a long time, and Callie was grateful for that.
Even as he pulled out, she yelped. He grinned at her again, and that look of accomplishment was back in his eyes.
He pulled on his clothes and then offered her his hand.
She wasn’t sure she could walk yet, but he helped her sit up and redressed her.
Then he led her to the sofa and pulled her into his arms again.
They sat quietly, neither having the strength to speak and Callie thought her earlier concern was unfounded.
Ryan wasn’t turned off; instead, he had found a new, raw way to satisfy her.
“I’ll have Marco take you home,” Ryan said eventually and Callie’s heart sank.
“You aren’t coming over?” she asked, disappointed.
“No,” he replied. “I have an early morning tomorrow, and you deserve a good night’s rest.”
His concern was genuine, but Callie couldn’t help but feel that her momentary assurance was false and that something was still off.
Callie woke alone in her bed the next morning.
It felt strange. Ryan had stayed over with her every night he wasn’t traveling for the past few weeks.
She had assumed it would continue. She realized she had no idea where his city accommodations were.
She had never been there. They had always stayed in the condo he had bought for her.
When she arrived at work, she tried to visit Ryan in his office, but his assistant confirmed he hadn’t arrived yet.
Confused, Callie sent Ryan a quick text, but she didn’t have time to wait for a response.
George was asking for her. Edward Kline was coming to the office to sign a stack of documents, and George asked Callie to prepare them.
She quickly started formatting the files and sending them to the printer.
But when she got there, the printer was out of ink.
She searched the cabinets for the replacement.
When she couldn’t find it, she called the mailroom to bring her a cartridge.
What should have taken thirty seconds took ten minutes, and when she arrived in the boardroom, she found George and Edward waiting for her. George looked at her, frustrated.
“I’m so sorry,” Callie started. “There was an issue with the printer.”
George looked as if he were about to reprimand her, but Edward spoke first.
“Technology is never our friend,” Edward said, winking at her. “I’m sure your hard work is appreciated here. And if it’s not…”
“Very much so,” George said quickly, remembering that Edward had offered Callie a job at his investment firm not long ago. “Callie was one of Ryan Grant’s best hires.”
“Ryan Grant?” Edward questioned, looking at Callie.
Callie’s heart raced. Ryan had been at Edward’s party, where she and Damian had been hired to perform a private erotic show.
Edward was a smart man and realized that, despite the masks, Ryan would know Callie had been the one performing.
Callie blushed and wanted to leave the room as quickly as possible.
She didn’t want to explain her relationship with Ryan in front of George.
Not that she needed to hide it from either of them, but they knew her in very different ways.
Then George’s phone buzzed with new messages. He glanced at it quickly and frowned.
“I’m so sorry, Edward,” George said. “I need to attend to something related to this deal; otherwise, I would not be leaving you.”
“Everything’s fine, I hope?” Edward asked.
“I think so,” George replied. “Their lawyer has requested a call. Callie, please stay with Edward while he signs the papers, then come straight to my office.”
Callie could see that George was hesitant to leave her alone with Edward. He had already warned her about Edward’s “reputation,” and she knew he wouldn’t leave her alone with Edward unless he had to. He left the boardroom door wide open.
“I assume you are still happy here?” Edward said as he began reading the contracts.
“Lawrence is gone,” Callie said. She knew Edward had correctly guessed that something terrible had happened between her and Lawrence.
“Ryan Grant has a reputation very similar to his father’s,” Edward cautioned. “I don’t believe he abuses women like his father, but he can certainly be an ass.”
He slid the first set of documents back to her, signed, then paused to gauge her reaction to what he had said. She tried not to react, but she knew she was blushing, and a smile spread across Edward’s face.
“You and Ryan?” Edward grinned, and Callie nodded. “You know he was at my party. Did he recognize you?”
“Yes,” Callie confirmed. “It’s been a complicated start to our relationship.”
“So he knows about your previous employment?”
“Yes,” Callie repeated.
“Does he know about us?” Edward asked, suddenly concerned, looking past her toward the door.
Callie never had a chance to reply. Ryan was walking down the hall when he saw them alone together in the boardroom and quickly joined them. Both Callie and Edward were on their feet.
“Mr. Kline,” Ryan said as he entered, extending his hand to Edward.
“Ryan, it’s good to see you again,” Edward replied politely.
For a moment, there was an awkward silence as Ryan stared Edward down.
“So that’s a yes. He knows.” Edward concluded to Callie.
Ryan and Callie were stunned by the bluntness of Edward's comment. It revealed everything openly, and they didn’t need to be cryptic or secretive with each other. Ryan glared at Edward, who just smiled and laughed.
“I’m happy for both of you,” he said. “Ryan, I’m glad you’re open-minded enough to recognize how wonderful a person Callie is.”
“She really is,” Ryan said. He had moved close to her, wrapping an arm around her waist and drawing her in.
Edward returned to his seat and began reading and signing the remaining papers.
Ryan joined them at the table and waited while Edward finished reviewing.
Edward asked a few questions, which Ryan answered, and they fell into a deep conversation about the deal.
Eventually, Edward was satisfied with the contracts and returned the signed papers to Callie.
“I’m hosting a gathering on Friday,” Edward said as he left. “I’d love to have you both there.”
Callie could see Ryan was conflicted. He politely thanked Edward for the invitation and said he would check their schedules.
Edward told Callie directly that he wanted them to come, but Callie was reluctant.
It was one thing to be paid to attend Edward’s party, drunk and having sex with Damian.
It would be another to be in the audience for something like that.
When they were alone, Ryan turned to her.
He closed the door to the boardroom and approached her.
“I missed being with you last night,” he said, drawing her close and kissing her.
Callie wrapped her arms around his neck and returned the kiss, but she was confused.
He was the one who hadn’t stayed with her, saying he needed to be at work early.
Yet he wasn’t even in the office when she arrived.
She felt his hand on her ass, and he pulled her close.
She could feel him half-hard as they continued their kiss.
“God, you turn me on so much,” he said, letting her go. “I want to bend you over this table right now.”
“I can tell,” Callie grinned. “But considering the walls are only frosted glass, I don’t think it’s a good idea, even if you are a named Partner.”
“Maybe a storage closet?” Ryan suggested, and Callie laughed. “OK, how about dinner at my place tonight?"
“Your place?” Callie asked. “This is the first time you’ve invited me to your place.”
“I know,” he replied. “I’m sorry about that. Let’s remedy that tonight.”
He pulled her in for one more kiss before opening the door for her. She went to return the paperwork to George. She wondered if she was being paranoid. Ryan seemed as affectionate as ever toward her. But she still hadn’t tried to talk to him about Damian.
Damian had slept most of the previous day.
He was exhausted when he left Callie’s apartment.
He had messaged Callie to see how they felt about what had happened, and it was clear Ryan wasn’t OK.
Callie had suspected as much, but it was confirmed when Damian began receiving messages from Caleb, the junior lawyer, about his case instead of from Ryan.