The Mating Game: Big Bad Wolf (10 page)

The next morning, Ryker and Daisy went to pick up Paolo, Frankie, and their families, who’d all offered to help Ryker in the stables that weekend. They were very excited to meet Cedar Park’s big celebrity. Paolo’s father, who was raising him alone, had even showed up sober, the first time that Daisy had ever seen him that way.

“You are one pretty horse,” Daisy said to Ryker’s favorite, Lightning, stroking his velvety nose. She’d never been up close with a horse before, and she found it thrilling. Daisy’s mother wasn’t one of those wealthy people who was horsey; she thought that horses were dirty and smelly. Daisy thought they were gorgeous, and Ryker had promised to teach her to ride.

“Not as pretty as me, of course,” Ryker said, handing her an apple to give to the horse. He walked off towards the end of the barn, where Daisy’s two students were brushing the horses.

“Not at all,” Daisy agreed. Then she leaned forward and whispered in the stallion’s ear. “Even prettier.” He flicked his ear appreciatively as he folded his lips around the apple and sucked it into his mouth.

“I heard that,” Ryker yelled back over his shoulder. “Shifter hearing, babe.”

“You heard nothing. Oh, hello, Harriet,” Daisy said.

Harriet been hanging around all morning. She had brought an enormous breakfast out for everybody, setting it out on folding tables outside the barn.

She’d also been acting weird. She’d been exceptionally affectionate, wrapping her arms around Daisy in a big hug. Then she’d rushed off to talk to Marge, whispering in her ear, and Marge had jotted something down on a pad of paper. Strange.

“Hello, dear. Carry on – just ignore me,” Harriet said as Daisy grabbed the brush and began running it over the stallion’s shiny coat.

Daisy felt something just behind her, and turned around and saw that Harriet was standing there with her hands in an odd position, one high up by her shoulder, another down by her waist.

“Harriet, you have been doing the weird hand stuff all morning. What’s up?” she demanded.

“Shhh!” Harriet hissed. “Don’t tell Ryker!” She glanced towards the end of the barn. Ryker, as if psychic,  looked up at that particular moment, and scowled at his mother with deep suspicion.

“That Ryker. He always thinks I’m up to something,” Harriet complained.

“Aren’t you?” Daisy struggled not to laugh.

Harriet grabbed Daisy by the arm and dragged her outside. “Don’t tell him, because I’m not supposed to be rushing you into anything,” she said.

“Well, at least tell me what’s going on, because you’re making me nervous,” Daisy said.

“Me and Marge are just trying to figure out your measurements for your wedding dress. In case you want me to make it,” Harriet said nervously, blushing and looking at the ground.

“Harriet, that is so sweet,” Daisy said. “Also completely insane, of course. But mostly sweet. You do know that we haven’t made any final decisions yet, right?”

Daisy could have sworn that Harriet muttered “Sez you.”

“What was that?” Daisy asked.

“Just clearing my throat. It’s dusty in here.” Harriet sneaked a furtive look at Ryker, who was staring at the two women with deep suspicion. “It would actually be easier if you just came over to my house and let me measure you.”

Daisy called out to Ryker “Hey, I’m going over to your mother’s house to do some baking. Don’t get in too much trouble.”

“What are you guys up to?” Ryker demanded.

“Nothing! Why ever would you ask that?” Daisy blinked her eyes at him and turned away.

After Harriet and Marge took her back to Harriet’s house and measured her from head to toe, they spent the morning making cupcakes. “That way we’re not actually lying,” Harriet reasoned.

“That way I get cupcakes,” Daisy said.

“Works for me.”

All that afternoon, Ryker kept pestering Daisy to tell him what she and his mother had been up to.

“Wouldn't you like to know?” Daisy said with an evil grin.

“Yes, very much.” Ryker gave her a winning smile.

“Is that you being charming?” she asked.

“It's certainly me trying,” he grumbled, looking deflated.

“You're doing a great job,” she assured him. “Really, I mean it. You are incredibly charming. More charming than a Disney prince.”

“Hmm.” He frowned with suspicion. “So what were you and my mother up to?”

“Not quite that charming.”

He put his hand on his broad chest and flashed her a mock-wounded expression. “Wow, you really know how to hurt a guy.”

“You're tough. You can take it.” Daisy blinked her eyes at him innocently.

“I’ll watch the rest of
Crazy Stupid Love
with you.”

She shook her head. “I am standing strong.”

“Ok, how about if I give you a massage?” he asked her. “Full body. Head to toe.”

“You tempt me,” Daisy said. “All right, I will
consider
telling if you give me a massage.”

It wasn't even that she really needed to keep the secret, it was just that it was so much fun torturing him.

Plus, massage.

She let him lead her to his bedroom, wondering what else she could get out of it. Godiva chocolates?

He began by stripping her clothes off. His movements were slow and deliberate, and this time he managed to get her naked without destroying any of her underwear. As he removed each item of clothing, she felt the soft brush of his fingers here and there. With each whisper-soft touch, she shivered.

Ryker guided her to lie face down on the bed. She wriggled on the covers until she found a comfortable position, but tension zinged in every muscle at the thought of Ryker’s hands all over her body. If the plan was to relax her, this massage wasn’t getting off to a very good start.

If the aim was to turn her on, though…

She gave a little sigh of pleasure as he placed his hands on her shoulders and started to knead her flesh, pressing his fingertips and the balls of his thumbs into the muscles. The sigh was followed by a murmur as he bent and kissed the back of her neck, nipping gently with his lips, his hot breath fanning the tiny hairs at her nape.

He slid his hands down her arms, massaging her biceps, her forearms, her wrists, then each individual finger of her hands. She spread her legs slightly, knowing it must look wanton, hoping he’d take the invitation to touch the moist flesh at her core.

Instead he returned to the nape of her neck and moved downward, working the muscles to either side of her vertebrae and peppering fluttery little kisses down her spine until he reached her ass, where he nipped her buttock with his teeth, making her squeak.

He massaged the thick muscles of her thighs and kissed the sensitive hollows behind her knees. He pressed and rolled her calf muscles with the heels of his hands. She gave a contented moan, feeling as if her bones were melting, and rolled lazily onto her back so she could look down at his handsome face. He cocked that scarred brow at her and smiled, and she parted her legs, knowing he’d be able to smell her arousal and see the glistening of her juices on her inner thighs. The thought made her breath quicken, and she squeezed handfuls of the comforter in her fists and forced herself to stay still; not to draw her knees together or cover herself. He greedily drank in the sight, then took a deep, shuddering breath and continued his slow, sensual exploration of her body.

He massaged her feet, manipulating her toes, applying pressure to the arches, grazing her ankles with his teeth. Then he began to move back up her body…slowly. It was agonizing. She wanted to grab him by the hair and haul him up her body and kiss him until they both saw stars. She wanted to beg him to stop torturing her and just fuck her. Her pussy ached with the desire to feel him inside her. Her fingers itched to touch his defined muscles, moving beneath his soft golden skin like oiled pistons.

Ryker nipped and kissed her inner thighs, worked her quads with his strong, clever fingers.

He moved in excruciating slow motion until she was quivering with need and expectation.

She could have cried with relief when his mouth descended on her slick, needy pussy. He gently tongued the slit, then parted the petals with his fingers so he could access the sensitive bundle of nerves that yearned for his touch. He lapped at it, flicking it firmly and rapidly then alternating long, languid licks. As she moaned and writhed beneath his mouth, he slid his finger into her sopping channel, working it in and out and hitting her G-spot with every stroke.

Excitement wound up inside her like a spring, tighter and tighter with every expert touch, until she cried out, arching to meet his mouth as the tension inside her snapped and shudders of bliss radiated from her core and through every muscle of her body. She lay limp and gasping as Ryker lifted his face from between her legs, his mouth and chin glossy with her juices. But he wasn’t done with her yet.

He trailed kisses over the soft swell of her belly, then took her breasts in his large, warm palms. He bent his dark head and suckled on her nipple, circling it with the tip of his tongue, sending quicksilver threads of lust straight back down to her clit. She moaned and threaded her fingers into his hair, holding him against her breast and parting her thighs to allow him to settle more snugly between

He lifted his head and gazed directly into her eyes, his gaze smoldering in its intensity as he positioned the head of his cock at her still-twitching entrance. Her flesh was plump and swollen from his ministrations, but she was slick and ready for him as he slid inside her. She groaned with satisfaction at the feeling of being filled by him. His answering moan thrilled through her.

He began to move, slowly at first but then flexing his hips harder and faster as they moved towards shared bliss. Daisy urged him on with little moans and he replied with hoarse, half-incoherent murmurs of love and desire. The world narrowed until it was nothing more than the feeling of holding Ryker in her arms as he moved inside her, his hot breath on her face, and the pounding of their hearts, so in sync she couldn’t tell one from the other.

Ryker’s gaze never wavered from hers, even as his breath became harsh and choppy and his features contorted into an expression of orgasmic pleasure-pain. His shouts of release hurled her into her own climax, and they clung together, shuddering, as the breathtaking bliss rolled on and on.

Afterwards, as she fell asleep in his arms, she thought smugly,
He forgot to ask me about the secret.

Friday

“Crud, I forgot to tell Jasmine,” Daisy muttered as she hurried up the school’s front steps. She needed to tell Jasmine about how popular her jacket design had been on social media. Ryker had told her that it was still trending, whatever that meant. Jasmine would probably know, and it would make her feel good.

Ryker had also told Daisy lots of other things that morning as he drove her to school. Things like how he missed her when she wasn’t there. How sweet she smelled. How much his mother loved her.

But he hadn’t gone that extra step…he hadn’t asked her to stay after the investors’ meeting. Was there a reason for that? Was Daisy different, or did he sweet-talk all his girlfriends like that?

Mrs. Finster was standing in the hallway, tacking up a bulletin advertising an upcoming PTA night. “Hey, have you seen Jasmine? I need to talk to her,” she said.

Mrs. Finster turned to her with a glum expression. “So you heard, eh?” she said, shaking her head unhappily. “I don’t know what she’ll do now.”

“What? No, I didn’t hear. What happened?”

“She got in a fight with some kid this morning, and she was expelled.”

“No way!” Daisy cried in dismay. “For just one fight?”

Mrs. Finster raised an eyebrow. “No, this was the final straw. You know how she is, Daisy. She gets in fights all the time. Defaces school property. Threatens other kids.”

“But…a big part of that tough act is just survival around here,” Daisy protested. “Kids who are perceived as weak get beaten up and picked on. I’ve only ever heard of her threatening bullies, and she sticks up for weaker kids. And she’s got so much talent, and she really does care about other people and…” She glanced out the window, through the bars, and saw Jasmine walking angrily away.

She hurried out the front door, ran down the steps, and caught up to Jasmine.

“Wait up,” she said. “What happened today?”

Jasmine glowered at the ground and kept walking. “Billy tripped me in the hallway, and I wasn’t in the mood, so I clocked him.”

“Why weren’t you in the mood?”

Jasmine’s reply was an angry shrug.

“Hey, Ryker’s company is getting tons of compliments on your jacket design,” Daisy said, jogging to keep up with Jasmine. “You should be in art school. There’s a private art school in North Cedar Park. Maybe Ryker’s company could write you a recommendation and—”

“Art school costs money,” Jasmine snapped. “We don’t have money. We’re not even going to have a home soon. My grandmother got fired from her job at the nursing agency yesterday. For falling asleep on the job. After they made her work for twenty-four hours straight. And you’re going to be late for class,” she added, glancing back at the school.

Daisy groaned. She didn’t want to leave things like that with Jasmine, but she was about to miss the first bell. “Email me at Ryker’s company,” she said quickly. “We’ll figure out something.” And she turned and raced back into school as the first bell rang.

* * * * *

“So what are you going to do after the investor’s meeting?” Walter asked Ryker. “How are you going to ask Daisy to leave?”

Walter, who was sitting in his living room, heard a sharp, angry intake of breath on the other end of the line.

“Who says I’m going to ask her to leave?” Ryker demanded.

“You mean you want her to stay? But the whole relationship is just a fraud to fool the investors,” Walt reminded him. “You don’t actually like her. You said she’s a spoiled princess and a snob.”

“And then I found out she wasn’t. She’s not spoiled – she’s the strongest woman I’ve ever met. She gave up her inheritance and left everything behind rather than be forced into an unhappy marriage. She works at a school in the worst neighborhood in the city, with kids who are dirt poor, and they love her.”

“But you two have nothing in common.”

“We have plenty in common,” Ryker said indignantly.

“Like what? She doesn’t like sports.”

“She likes horses, and cooking, and skinny-dipping in the lake. And the most important thing that we have in common is –each other. I’ve never felt more relaxed with any other woman than I do with her,” Ryker said. “I can just sit there and be myself, and that’s enough for her.”

“She’s not your usual type,” Walt mused.

“I never had a usual type before,” Ryker said. “I just never bothered dodging any of the groupies who threw themselves at me.”

“And who knows how she’d fit in with your family, coming from such a different background,” Walt continued, as if he hadn’t even heard a word Ryker had said.

“My mother loved her before she even met her.” Ryker’s voice held a hint of snarl. “Why are you so down on her all of a sudden? Have the investors said something?”

“What if they had?” Walter dodged the question.

“I’d tell them to kiss my furry tail. I’m sick of letting them run our lives,” Ryker growled.

“They’re on the fence about her at this point,” Walt said.

“Well, I’m not. I know Daisy hasn’t been here for long, but already I can’t imagine my life without her. In fact, I’m going to tell her that tonight. And if the investors don’t like it, we’ll find new investors, or we’ll pull together as a pack and find a solution. Thanks, Walt. You didn’t mean to, but you’ve helped me see that Daisy is meant to be my mate.”

Actually, that was exactly what Walt had meant to do – not that he’d had any choice in the matter. What the Harrison women wanted, the Harrison women got.

Walt heard a click, then a dial tone.

He turned to Harriet, Marge and Carlotta, who were whooping with joy and dancing around.  He looked at the expansive livingroom with furnishings imported from Italy and cut-crystal vases of fresh flowers.   He was living beyond his means.  One wrong move with the investors…

“Okay, it worked. I hope you women are happy,” he grumbled. “Daisy’s a risk as far as the investors are concerned. She’s got a great pedigree and she’s currently popular with the public, but then she’s rebelled against her family, and she speaks her mind a lot more than they’d like.”

“La la la, I can’t hear you, I’ve got to get ready for tonight, need to make sure he doesn’t blow it when he asks her to be his mate,” Harriet said, hurrying to the door with Marge following.

After they left, Walt glanced anxiously at his wife.  She looked up at him with shining blue eyes, and her silky blond hair rippled like a golden waterfall. “You do understand what it will mean if we don’t get this investment? We won’t be wealthy anymore. We’ll be…” He gulped. “Poor.”

Carlotta reached out and seized his hand. “Walt, I love my lifestyle, but if I didn’t have that, you know what I’d have that’s even more important?”

Please don’t say a good divorce lawyer, please don’t say a good divorce lawyer…

“I’d have you. And your crazy family. That’s worth more than all the diamond bracelets in the world,” she said, and Walt found himself blinking away tears.

He threw his arms around her and pulled her up against him for a passionate kiss.

“Don’t get me wrong,” she added, “I do love my diamonds. But I could be happy without them, and I could never be happy without you. Oh, dear, do you have something in your eye?”

“Damn allergies,” Walt muttered, blinking frantically, and he hurried off to get a tissue.