Kissing his cheek, she offered softly, “Babe, I want you inside me.”
“That's where I want to be.” Panting, he pushed into her, fighting the natural resistance of her passage. Giving her time to adjust to his size, Keir lay still for a moment, deeply embedded within her. Then he slowly began to move, withdrawing several inches before sliding deep within her.
The hot tide of passion raged through both of them, and he pumped into her hard and fast. Keir's hand lifted her hips off the bed. Meeting his thrusts, she wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him deeper into her. Ryan moaned as her orgasm hit, sweeping away all coherent thoughts. She clenched her muscles around him, holding him tightly within her hot, liquid walls.
Keir gasped, burying his face against her neck. She felt his release as his body trembled over hers, triggering her third orgasm.
Floating back to earth, Keir wrapped his arms around her and held her close, saying, between shaky breaths, “Thank you.”
Barely breathing, she muttered, “You're welcome.”
Chapter 9
The bright morning sun peeped between the slit in the drapes, crept across the bedroom, and stroked Ryan's cheek, nudging her to wakefulness. Her eyes fluttered open, and she remained quiet, listening to the steady, strong beat of Keir's heart against her ear as she lay across his chest.
Last night had been wonderful. They had shared a beautiful evening, which had culminated in hours of fantastic lovemaking. For Ryan, it had meant so much more. This had been her first sexual encounter since her husband died. She couldn't have been more pleased.
Because of that, Ryan felt a bit awkward waking up in another man's bed. She eased from under Keir's possessive arm and rose from the bed, making certain she didn't disturb him. Moving quietly and swiftly around the room, she grabbed her clothes and headed out the room, closing the door softly behind her.
Now what?
Ryan wondered, standing nude in the hallway before checking out the first empty bedroom. Beyond the bed, she made out a bathroom.
Ah
, she thought.
A shower! Yes!
After turning on the water and stepping under the showerhead, Ryan took the soap between her hands and lathered her body. She sighed, eyes drifting shut as she enjoyed the warm water and relived the glorious moments spent in Keir's arms. Her skin still tingled everywhere he'd touched her.
Without warning, the shower door slid back, and Keir stood, large and naked, staring at her. “Why didn't you wake me?”
“I didn't want to disturb you,” Ryan answered feebly.
“No bother.” He stepped inside the stall, behind her, and shut the door. His hands settled on her hips, pulling her back against the hard planes of his body, as his lips sought the shell of her ear, tracing the shape with the tip of his tongue.
Water cascaded over them, showering the pair with gentle, pulsating wetness while Keir stirred a fire in the lower regions of her body. She scooted against him, feeling the hard outline of his erection against her butt. He wrapped his arms around her waist and held her tightly. Ryan tilted her head to the side, inviting his kiss. He accepted her offer, kissing her lips and allowing his tongue to slide between her lips. He tasted of toothpaste and the sweet essence of Keir.
This was wonderful. Being here with Keir was exactly where she wanted to be.
Keir released her lips, trailing a hot path down her neck to her shoulder. Turning her to face him, his hands moved lower, fingering the brown tips. After a moment of this delightful torture, his mouth replaced his hands. He kissed her taut nipples, rousing a melting sweetness between her legs.
The sensations were too intense, and Ryan trembled. Moaning, she tilted her head back against the tile wall as she breathed his name.
One hand left her breasts, skipped over the tight muscles of her stomach, circled her belly button before dipping between the slit between her legs. His fingers toyed with the nub, causing her passage to grow wet.
“Here, let's try something different,” Keir suggested in a husky, tempting whisper while urging her to face the tile wall, with a gentle hand. “Hold on a minute.” He stepped out of the shower and returned a few seconds later.
Ryan turned her head to see what he was doing. Keir shook a foil packet at her before covering his erection in latex.
Anticipation shot through Ryan, palms flat against the wall. Her legs barely held her upright. The thick head of his erection brushed against her entrance, causing fire, hot and intense, to spread through her.
“Ohmigod!” She felt her passage grow wet, readying itself for Keir's invasion. His hands holding her in place, he pushed his thick, hard shaft into her waiting wet sheath, inch by delicious inch.
Ryan gasped. Her muscles clenched around him, enjoying the feeling of having him throbbing inside her.
Keir withdrew the barest breath before thrusting completely inside her, over and over, filling her with his flesh. He took a long slide in and then a slow withdrawal, leaving enough of his flesh inside her to make her scream for more. Nothing mattered except the feel of Keir inside her.
Nerves dancing, body quivering, Ryan matched the primitive beat of his lovemaking. Their labored breathing rose above the pulsating head of the shower. Eagerly rocking back against him, Ryan met each thrust of his hips. The first tremor hit her, followed by another and another as she drew closer to the inviting oblivion of completeness.
His arm came around her waist, hauling her back against him as he began a steady rhythm of intense movements. “I love being inside you,” he muttered, changing the tempo of his strokes.
“I love having you inside me,” Ryan admitted, pushing against him to meet each thrust of his hips.
Small explosions radiated through Ryan's abdomen and down into her legs. Collapsing slightly against the tile wall, Keir followed her, relentless in his thrusts. Another, more urgent, wave swept through her.
“Come on, babe. Give it to me,” he pleaded in a hoarse whisper.
Her body shuddered in the throes of a tsunami of sensations. Before Ryan could form a single word, her orgasm overtook her, and she screamed her release.
Keir stiffened, groaned, and made a series of fierce strokes. Pulsating, he swelled within her canal, and then he toppled toward the wall, pressing Ryan into the cold tile as his hips made a few additional thrusts.
Trembling, Keir slid over the edge into bliss and came inside her. “Ryan!” he cried, pouring himself into her.
Â
Â
Hours later they stretched across the bed, gently caressing, stroking, and kissing in the afterglow of lovemaking. Head resting against his chest, she drew miniature circles around each nipple while listening to the steady beat of his heart. It reassured her and made her feel safe.
Unfortunately, she couldn't spend the rest of her life in this bed. Although it was a delightful idea, she needed to get up and get going. Monday was a workday.
Sighing contentedly, Ryan turned on her back and snuggled against Keir's side. “I guess we should think about moving.”
“Probably.” His hand glided over her breast and caressed the nipple.
“I mean”âshe paused, lifting her head and squinting at the clockâ“it's after two. I do have to go home sometime.”
“Why?”
She kissed his lips. “The only clothes I have are the ones I wore last night. I can't wear that dress to work tomorrow. Plus, I don't have any underwear. I'm pretty sure nothing you own will fit me.”
He growled, licking the side of her neck. “Clothes are our enemy. Let's stay in bed a while longer. Do a bit more exploring and then get up and have some breakfast.”
“Breakfast! Honey, look at the clock. I'd say lunch or dinner is more appropriate.”
“Okay. Dinner.”
Ryan lifted her head and gazed at him. “That has possibilities. Don't forget you still have to take me home.”
Keir grinned. “I've got another option. You can stay the night, and I'll drop you at home in the morning. You can go into work a little late.”
No, that idea didn't work for Ryan. Glo's disapproving expression and ugly words flashed through Ryan's head. Wandering into the studio later than expected would stir up a hornet's nest of new problems. “I don't think so. But I don't have a problem with exploring some more before I head home. Maybe next time.”
“Woo! I like the sound of that. You want to get together next weekend?”
Grinning up at Keir, Ryan said, “With the right incentive, I might be persuaded to consider it.”
“That works for me. I do need to tell you that my kids will be visiting next weekend. Maybe we can get together so you can meet them.”
Ryan stiffened and then calmed herself, willing her body to relax. She didn't want to do this yet, and staying the night while his children were in the house was impossible. Keir and Ryan were just getting to know one another, and adding children to that mix didn't seem the right thing to do. They needed time together alone and a chance to get comfortable with one another.
“Are you sure, Keir?”
“Mm-hmm. Why?”
“Us as a couple is pretty new. What if you and I don't make it? Wouldn't it be bad to introduce me to your kids and then I disappear?”
“First of all, I don't see any reason why we won't be getting along. Do you?”
A little embarrassed, she answered, “No.”
“Glad to hear it. They're part of my life, and so are you. So, I feel you should meet.”
“You have a point,” she answered. Keir's explanation didn't make her feel any better. Ryan didn't want his children to get too attached to her. If they broke up, it would be like losing a parent again. Their lives had been disrupted enough.
“Don't worry about that. My kids will love you.”
I don't want them to love me, and I don't want to love them
.
At least, not yet
, she thought.
Ryan made one final attempt to convince Keir. She didn't know how to make him understand her anxieties. “I really think we should wait.”
He turned her to face him. “Why?”
She didn't want to cause a rift between them. But the words had to be said. “I need to get used to having you in my life, and now you want to add in children. Don't get me wrong. I want to get to know them. Maybe later.”
“Honey,” Keir began, drawing her into his arms. He gently kissed her lips, saying, “You'll be great together. Trust me on this.”
Holding him close, Ryan pleaded, “It's not about trust.”
“Tell me what it is,” he said.
“I'm scared.”
He frowned. “About what?”
She felt so uncertain about their relationship. Her whole life had been turned around with the start of it. She didn't know how to add children, and she didn't have any confidence in her abilities to work with them. “I need a little more time to get used to us.”
“I'm still lost.”
“You and me together.” She swallowed loudly. “And then kids.”
“How much time are you talking about?”
“Not long. Keir, you have to remember, this is all new to me. Bear with me.”
Sighing, he bit his lip and studied her. “Okay. I can do that.”
Grinning, she answered, “Good.”
“But remember this. Any relationship I have comes with two kids. If you can't accept that, then we'll both need to rethink our situation.”
“I understand.”
With a sigh of relief, she turned to him. All she needed was a little more time before the intrusion of children changed their lives. In a few weeks, she'd be ready to take on the added responsibility of Keir's family. But not yet.
“When you take the man, you take the family,” her mother had always said. Ryan knew her mother had been right, but she wasn't sure she wanted to add Adam and Emily to their relationship just yet.
Chapter 10
As the weeks passed, the relationship between Glo and Ryan went from bad to worse. Each time Ryan tried to explain how she and Keir got together, her boss refused to listen, changed the subject, or found a reason to disappear. No matter what Ryan said, Glo remained obstinately opposed to listening to Ryan's explanations.
The anger and mistrust radiating from the older woman made it almost impossible for Ryan to work in the tight little space they called an office. Consequently, Ryan found excuses to escape the oppressive environment and stay on the studio floor.
Unfortunately, the stack of paperwork requiring her attention grew daily as it sat untouched on her desk while she waited for a quiet moment and an empty office away from Glo's accusatory glare. Those times were rare. Glo nested in the office, barking out orders to the staff, including Ryan, which explained Ryan's off-hour visit to One Leaf Studio on this Saturday afternoon.
Soon after they became lovers, Keir began to talk about introducing his children to Ryan. Tiptoeing around the issue, she gently declined, stating that they needed time to get used to the relationship before adding children to the mix.
The truth be told, Ryan didn't want to meet the kids yet. Although it had been a while since their parents' divorce, Ryan felt certain the kids still held on to a spark of hope that their parents would work through their issues and get back together. She didn't want to confuse the children by having Keir introduce a woman into their small world.
Dressed in a comfortable pair of denims, a white long-sleeve sweatshirt, and white sneakers, Ryan strolled past the empty set toward her office. There was an eerie quality about the silent sets. She smiled.
Obviously, I like it when things are jumping
.
There are certainly more interesting goings-on to catch your eye when the studio is busy
.
As she approached her office, a sliver of light from under the closed door caught her attention. The guard hadn't mentioned anyone being here when she signed in. Maybe the cleaning crew forgot to turn out the light last night. Shrugging, Ryan removed the office key from her purse and inserted it into the lock.
The door swung open. Keir stood in the center of the small room, shaking a finger at Glo. “Just do it,” he commanded in his sternest tone.
“Oh!” Ryan muttered.
Surprised, he grabbed Ryan's arm and drew her into the room. “Hi,” he said.
“Hi yourself,” replied Ryan.
The tension in the room was thicker than fog in London. Ryan glanced from Keir to Glo.
What's going on here?
Ryan wondered. Powerful emotions were bouncing off the pair. Had they been arguing? And if so, about what? She felt as if she'd just stepped into the movie theater in the middle of a film and was trying to figure out the plot.
“I'll come back later,” Ryan said. Pointing a finger at the hallway, Ryan retreated a step.
“No,” Keir objected, taking her hand and leading her into the office. “Come on in. We're almost done.”
“Are you sure?” asked Ryan.
“Of course. This is your office,” said Keir. Smiling down at her, Keir brushed a finger across her cheek. “What are you doing here? Isn't this your day off?”
“Yes,” replied Ryan.
Beyond him, Glo, who sat at her desk, scoffed and turned away.
Great
. There went any peace Ryan expected to have today.
Ryan headed across the office to her desk and dropped her straw bag on the surface. “I thought I'd get some paperwork done today. How about you?”
“I came to pick up next week's script,” replied Keir.
Nodding, Ryan turned to her boss. “Glo, how are you?”
“Fine,” Glo answered curtly, immediately turning toward the window and away from the couple.
The sound of feet pounding against the concrete floor drew Ryan's attention. Before she asked who else was there, two children pushed into the office and gazed at its occupants.
“I thought I told you to stay in the cafeteria until I got done,” Keir admonished.
“We got tired,” the boy answered.
The little girl added, “It's scary.”
“The movie ended,” Adam added.
“Okay. Give me a minute,” said Keir. “We'll get the DVD player on our way out.” With an arm stretched across the shoulder of each child, Keir added, “Let me introduce you to a friend of mine.” He pushed the boy forward and said, with pride, “This is my son, Adam. Mrs. Mitchell, this is Adam. Adam say hello to Mrs. Mitchell.”
“Hi,” Ryan said as she held out her hand. The boy shook it after a moment's hesitation. His direct gaze unnerved Ryan.
Adam was a handsome kid. He shared the same wavy hair, green eyes, and skin coloring of his father. “Hi, Miss Mitchell.”
Keir lifted the little girl into his arms and tickled her tummy. “This little munchkin is my daughter, Emily. She's five. Say hello to Mrs. Mitchell.”
Avoiding direct eye contact, the youngest muttered, “'Ello.”
Ryan tried to catch her eye. “Hi, Emily.”
The child stubbornly gazed beyond Ryan's shoulder, refusing to look at her. After a moment, Ryan gave up. She didn't want to make the little girl feel uncomfortable.
Emily was a beautiful little girl, with dainty features that must have come from her mother. Dark hair feathered across her shoulders, thick and curly. She didn't have Keir's green eyes. Instead the child's were a light brown, with a hint of gold sparkling from their depths.
Keir better get prepared.
Emily Southhall was going to be a knockout when she hit her teens.
“We're on our way to lunch. Why don't you join us?” Keir suggested to Ryan, placing Emily on her feet and taking her hand.
“Oh no. I don't want to intrude. Besides, I came in today to work.” Work would have to wait. Ryan didn't want to get stuck in the office with her boss. She planned to make her escape as soon as Keir and his family left the building.
“I insist.” Keir took her arm. He leaned close and added, “This is a good opportunity for you to get to know my kids. Come on. Come with us.”
Ryan took another quick peek at Glo, noting the sour expression on her face. Ryan's stomach twisted into knots. She didn't want to be left behind with Glo.
Smiling, she grabbed her bag and started toward the door. “You've convinced me. Glo, see you later.”
“So long.” Glo waved.
Â
Â
After much debate and a volley of suggestions, Keir, Emily, and Adam settled on Red Lobster. Emily and Adam wanted to go to Bob Evans. Keir vetoed that idea within seconds of the request and suggested they have lunch at a place where everyone could find something they liked. During this major discussion, Ryan remained silent. She didn't want to call attention to herself, or make any demands that might put the kids on edge.
Once they arrived at the restaurant and were seated, their server brought paper place mats and crayons for Emily and Adam. Ryan and Keir relaxed in the busy nonsmoking section, with glasses of Piesporter wine, and talked about their plans for the rest of the day.
The kids ordered chicken fingers, french fries, and sodas. Keir and Ryan decided on grilled trout, baked potatoes, and salad. As they waited for their meals, Adam talked to his father about his baseball league team and the playoffs at the end of the season.
Ryan spent more time listening than talking. She was the interloper, and she wanted to remain silent and neutral.
Once the server placed their food in front of them, Keir tried to draw Ryan into the conversation. He asked if she'd ever played softball on a league. She shook her head. The one thing she knew about baseball was that she enjoyed listening to the Los Angeles Angels on the radio as she cleaned her house.
Throughout their meal, Emily and Adam stole quick glances at each other whenever Ryan made a comment. Each time Ryan asked a question, they were always polite but never initiated any discussion with her. She understood neither child felt ready to let her into their lives or wanted to share their father. The only person that didn't seem to notice the uncomfortable situation was Keir. He prattled on about things as if they were one big, happy blended family. Keir set the tone, giving her an opportunity to keep her low-key profile.
Over dessert Emily dropped a forkful of chocolate cake on her dress. Crumbs and chocolate icing stained the bodice of the white sundress. Ryan rose from her chair and held out her hand. “Come on, Emily. Let's take care of that before it stains your pretty outfit.”
Ignoring Ryan's outstretched hand, the little girl skirted the edge of the table and skipped ahead to the ladies'room. Sighing heavily, Ryan followed at a slower pace, keeping a sharp eye on the child's location. It seemed Emily didn't plan to make this easy for Ryan.
Ryan pushed open the ladies' room door to the sounds of running water. “Emily?”
“Yeah?” The little girl sat on top of the vanity, twisting the faucet handles. Water sprayed the entire countertop, soaking the front of her dress.
“Emily, what are you doing? Honey, your dress is wet.”
Ryan lifted Emily off the marble counter and planted her on her feet in front of the vanity. Ryan reached for the faucet handles and turned the water down to a steady trickle.
“Here, let me see,” Ryan said as she considered the front of the dress. “You're going to be a little wet for a while. But we need to work on the stain. Hold still.” Ryan snatched a paper towel from the dispenser, added a drop of liquid soap and water, and then dropped to one knee in front of the child. She gently dabbed at the spot on the delicate white lace.
Shifting from one leg to the other, Emily brushed a hand at the dark smudge.
Ryan caught Emily's busy fingers in her hand. “Honey, wait. You'll have water everywhere if you don't keep still.”
The angelic little person morphed into a demonâclaws, horns, and more. “You don't tell me what to do. I don't have to listen to you. You're not my mother.”
Stunned, Ryan rocked back on her heels as if the child had struck her. “I just want to help.”
“My mommy said you'd probably pretend to be my friend. I don't know you, and I don't want to.”
This was why Ryan hadn't wanted to get involved with Keir's children so soon. They weren't ready to befriend her, and she wasn't certain she wanted to get to know them, at least not yet. Standing, Ryan softened her voice. “I'm only trying to help you.”
“My mommy says you'll act nice because you want my daddy to like you.”
Shaking her head, Ryan stated, “That's not true. We need to get to know each other before we can become friends.”
“You don't want to be my friend. You're just pretending.”
Ryan let out a hot puff of air. She hated being put in this position. Grimacing, she massaged her temple. This encounter wasn't going well.
“Emily, why would you say something like that? I just met you and your brother. I don't know you very well yet. But I don't have any reason to trick you.”
“My mommy told me to watch you. That all you want is my daddy. That you'll act real nice so he'll think that you like us. But you don't.”
Ryan wadded up the soggy paper towel and tossed it in the trash. “So far, I do like you.”
“Adam and I don't need you.” With the air of defiance that generally belonged to teenagers, Emily stuck her nose in the air and left the ladies' room.
Dumbfounded, Ryan stood there watching the child leave like a royal diva.