The Reluctant Wife: Chapter 16

He squeezes his fingers gently, and I can feel the imprint of each finger against my throat. A shiver pinches my shoulders. My ribcage compresses. My lungs burn, and I’m sure I’m going to burst into flames any moment.

I can’t believe my seduction technique is working. When I saw his reaction to my appreciation for the food, I realized I had to lean into the chemistry between us. The fact that our surroundings are so romantic gave me the courage to follow my instinct. Given he’s made it clear that he won’t cross the line of professionalism, that he’s made it clear he’s not going to be the one to dominate me, I was sure he’d shut me down again but… Looks like he’s reached a tipping point.

‘You’re so fucking sexy.’ His voice is low and hard and sends another burst of sensations pulsing under my skin. He flattens his thumb over the pulse at the hollow of my throat. It’s an act that puts him in control. Which makes it seem like he could get me to do anything with his touch. If he asks me to drop down on my knees, I’ll do it right now. If he asks me to spread my legs for him, I will. My heartbeat spikes in my ribcage. My nipples are so hard, I’m surprised they aren’t tearing through the fabric of my blouse.

‘Slip your fingers into your panties and touch yourself,’ he says in a low hard voice. Goosebumps scatter over my skin. “There are no cameras in the room.”

I flick a glance in the direction of the doorway. “James might enter any moment.”

I turn to find him watching me with an inquisitive expression. “He might,” he acknowledges.

I hold his gaze steadily for a few more seconds. Is that going to stop me from touching myself? A quiver courses through my body.

“How do you feel about that?” His question seems innocent, but that watchful edge to his gaze tells me it’s anything but. “Does the thought of someone finding you in a compromising position turn your pussy into a melting mass of need?”

My core clenches. My thighs turn to jelly. I’m panting. I can hear my heaving breaths, but I’m so turned on, I’m past being embarrassed. When I nod, those green eyes spark. It’s like lightning caged in those beautiful irises.

“Who’d have thought the poised Princess of Verenza was an exhibitionist, hmm? Now”—he eyes me with a hungry look in his eyes— “touch yourself.”

Instantly, I brush my fingertips brush over my throbbing center. I cry out.

“Good girl.”

I whimper. His words feel so very good.

“Such an obedient little slut,” he nods with satisfaction. ‘You’re so wet, I can smell your arousal from across the table.’

What the—? He called me a slut but that only spikes my arousal further. The impact of his words resonates through my mind and ricochets around my chest.

‘I want to lick up the seam of your melting pussy. I want to stuff my tongue inside your slit and taste you. I want to bite down on your swollen cunt so you can feel me all the way to your nipples. I want’—his nostrils flare—’I want you so badly, my balls hurt.’

‘So why don’t you fuck me?’ I tip up my chin, daring him—hoping, wanting, needing to push him past the point of no return. If I dare him, will he oblige me?

He releases his hold on my neck and snaps, “Pull your fingers out and hold them up.”

I want to refuse him. I want to demand that he collar my throat with his fingers, but the glare on his face insists I obey him. I withdraw my fingers and lift them up.

He locks his fingers around my wrist, brings my hand close to his face, then bends and sniffs my fingers. His eyelids sweep down. He inhales one more time. ‘Such a fucking aphrodisiac.’

He closes his mouth around my fingers and licks them off. My toes curl. My pussy feels so bereft. I squeeze my thighs together to stem the emptiness between them. He senses my movement, and his eyes glitter.

Spots of color smear his cheeks. ‘You know why I can’t.’ He lets go of my arm and sprawls back in his seat.

‘Can’t or won’t?’ I grip the edge of the table. ‘I’m tired of your teasing me, tired of your saying one thing and doing another.’

His gaze flicks down to my chest. His eyes widen. What the hell is he playing at? I glance down to find a bead of light flickering over the left side of my chest. What the hell is that? Before I can continue, he throws himself over the table and takes me down.

I cry out. The next moment, the window explodes. The sound echoes through my mind, along with the reverberations when my head collides with something hard and immovable. Then, he locks his arms around my waist and squeezes me to his chest so tightly, I gasp. My ribcage hurts. My pulse rate shoots up. My stomach bottoms out. What’s happening?

More glass shatters. Shards pour over us, and I whimper. Then, I’m being rolled out of the way and to the side.

I hit the wall, and then something heavy and warm pushes me back. My nose is buried in the strip of skin revealed by the lapels of Ryot’s shirt. I breathe in his dark musky scent and focus on the beating of his heart which thuds against my chest. It mirrors the racing of my own. His weight pins me down, and his hard thigh is pushed up between mine. And while I should be in shock, the fact is, I’m too aware of how every inch of his ungiving male body covers mine.

How his hips are fitted over mine. How the hard ridge at his crotch stabs into the sensitive area between my thighs. My pussy turns into a sloppy mess. And despite my sudden realization I’ve just been shot at, despite my intensifying fear that the shooter is probably still lurking out there, I can’t stop myself from straining against him as I try to get closer to his heat. For a few more seconds, I stay pinned down by him. Then footsteps approach.

‘Ryot, Princess, are you okay?’ A gruff voice—Brian’s, I think—asks from somewhere over us.

“Go after him, don’t let him get away,” Ryot barks without taking his gaze off my features.

‘Cole is already in pursuit. I just wanted to check on you first.’ Brian pivots and darts off.

Ryot pushes up on his arms and scans my face. His jaw is hard, and his green eyes have turned almost grey as he stares into my face. He looks pissed off and afraid. Very afraid. ‘Are you okay?’ he growls.

I want to nod but, perhaps, I’m still in shock. Or perhaps, I’m too aware of the evidence of his arousal throbbing between my legs. Either way, I’m unable to say or do anything. His forehead draws down.

His gaze grows fierce. ‘Aura, are you okay?’ He cups my cheek. ‘Talk to me. Are you hurt?’

He called me by my nickname, and oh god, it feels so good. So right. A tear squeezes out from the corner of my eye. His eyes turn stormy. Sparks flare deep inside. Gold and silver, and I can almost see lightning flash in them. Almost on cue, thunder rumbles somewhere in the distance, then the pattering of raindrops against the balcony outside reaches me.

‘Nod if you’re fine,’ he orders. His voice is harsh and bossy, and so insistent. It cuts through the noise in my head. I manage to jerk my chin.

His shoulders relax. ‘Jesus, you had me worried.’ He lowers his head and presses a quick kiss to my forehead. “Follow my lead.”

He begins to crawl toward the open doorway, sweeping aside the glass shards in his way. I follow him. Once we’re through the door and to the hallway, where we’re no longer in plain view of the window, he rises to his feet. He holds out his arm. I take it, and he hauls me up to my feet.

When I stumble, he simply scoops me up in his arms. I should protest and tell him I’m okay. I’m the princess who swore to never become a helpless, sweet, defenseless woman who needs a knight in shining armor to save her but— The truth is, my legs feel too weak to support me, and my head is still spinning from what I know was an attempt on my life. Oh god, the note. They weren’t bluffing. Did they follow us? What do they want?

If Ryot hadn’t been here, I’d be dead right now. He saved my life. Another shudder grips me. I can’t seem to stop myself from shaking.

‘Ryot, I… I’m scared.’ My voice trembles. I’m ashamed that I feel so vulnerable. But right now, it feels like he’s the only unshakeable, strong, secure thing in this world.

‘I am not going to let anything happen to you.’ He looks into my face with his intense gaze. ‘You hear me, Aura? I’ll take a bullet for you.’

‘You almost did.’ My mouth feels like it’s filled with sawdust. My stomach heaves. My features crumple, and I push my face into his chest as the tears flow down my cheeks. Don’t break down. I have no business going to pieces like this. But oh god, as the shock settles into my bones, I feel like I’m going to fall apart. He holds me close and wraps his arms about me, tucking my head under his chin. He lets me hold onto him and weep in big sobbing gulps.

‘There, there, darlin’. You’re safe. I’m not going anywhere.’ He kisses my forehead, then my eyelids. His touch is comforting. It also inflames my senses and turns my nerve-endings into little balls of fire. Damn. I almost died. He almost died defending me. And I can’t stop myself from wanting him in the most carnal of ways.

‘You’re in shock.’ He pulls me closer, then turns to face the man standing in front of us.

‘We need a⁠—’

‘My car’s waiting at the back entrance.’ James’ voice.

I glimpse his shuttered features, then he slips a key fob into Ryot’s pants pocket and hands over our jackets and my purse. Ryot nods his appreciation, his features grim. “Thank you.”

Before the words are out of my mouth Ryot starts leading me down the hallway through the kitchen to what I assume is the fire escape.

I feel discombobulated, like I’m somewhere far above, watching this scene unfold. I cling to Ryot as he descends a set of stairs. Then we’re at ground level. He walks swiftly down the alley. A car beeps, and he stops in front of a Mercedes AMG. He sets me down on my feet, but I cling to him.

‘We need to get you into the car and away from this, baby.’

His voice is gravelly, and the endearment is…unexpected. And the way he threw himself between me and whoever was firing to protect me—while making sure to cradle my head so I wouldn’t hit the floor—was such a tender gesture. He wouldn’t do that unless he cares for me, right? A fresh trembling crashes over me. He pulls me in even tighter, until my nose is, once again, buried in his chest. And the hardness of his sculpted torso is imprinted into my skin. His heat surrounds me and pins me in place.

‘We can’t delay further. I have to make sure you’re away from here. The shooter, whoever is they are, might be lurking around.’

I shudder, then draw in a deep breath, filling myself with great gulps of Ryot-scented air. Then I nod. ‘Okay,’ I say, the sound muffled against his chest.

‘Okay.’ He kisses the top of my head, then steps back and pinches my chin. He surveys my features, which must be tear-stained, and my swollen eyes, and his features soften. ‘It’s going to be fine.’

I nod.

He lowers his chin, and as if unable to stop himself, he presses a hard kiss to my mouth. Before I can respond, he pulls open the door to the car and ushers me inside. Then, he leans over and straps my seat belt, before shutting the door and walking around. He slides into the driver’s seat, turns the ignition, and eases the car forward. He turns onto the main road and guns the engine. Several more turns, as if he’s trying to confuse anyone following us, and then he joins the traffic on the highway.

‘Where are we going?’ I relax into the seat, the tension oozing out of my shoulders and leaving me exhausted. I yawn, nestling my cheek into the soft leather seat.

‘A safe house.’ He steps on the accelerator. ‘Sleep. I’ll wake you when we get there.’