Before she opens her eyes, I thrust into her. I can barely breathe as her slick heat clenches around my dick. I’ve never felt anything this good, this right. It’s like she’s been made just for me.
I maintain a good pace, needing to feel her come with my cock in her pussy. I want at least that much if I can’t have any kind of forever.
She’s so primed, she climaxes again almost immediately, her pelvis pushing against me, demanding deeper and harder penetration. I give it to her…feel my balls tighten…
My teeth clench as a titanic orgasm wrings me dry. I feel like I’m one with her in the truest sense, something I’ve never felt with any other woman.
Moments pass, and I can breathe more normally again. I lift her into my arms and take her to my bed. Even though I know there’s an expiration date to all this, I can’t bear the idea of sleeping alone.
“Hey, put me down.”
“Nope. I’m carrying my woman to bed.”
“But housekeeping—”
Placing her on my bed, I put a finger on the tip of her nose. “Don’t worry. They know we aren’t celibate.”
She flushes.
“They expect us to be all lovey dovey, babe.”
The light in her eyes dims. It’s a shitty thing to mention our arrangement, but I had to say it out loud to remind myself of what we’re doing. This is just a year of show.
I pull her into my bed and wrap my arms around her. And I will the odd ache in my heart to go away.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Paige
Ryder’s gone from the bed by the time I open my eyes. It’s not even seven. What is he doing up so early?
My clothes from last night are on a chair by the bed rather than on the floor. Since I highly doubt housekeeping came by while we were sleeping, I know it was him.
I should get up, but I’m not in the mood. My body’s loose and relaxed, and the flesh between my legs tingles. Despite the languorous physical sensations, though, I can’t help but feel that something’s very wrong. It’s the way Ryder keeps holding out on me. If he hasn’t told me everything about Lauren, fine. It’s clearly not a pretty memory, so I can see why he doesn’t want to relive it. But after sex, he grew distant. It wasn’t anything overt, but I’d have to be the most oblivious person ever not to have noticed.
A knock at the door, and I pull the sheet up to my neck. One of the maids comes in with a tray of breakfast.
“Ryder asked me to bring this. He thought you’d be hungry and tired.”
“Thank you.” The unexpected gesture surprises me. “Is he going to join me?”
“I don’t think so. He’s eaten already.”
“Where is he?”
“He went out for a walk about half an hour ago and hasn’t returned yet.”
I nod in acknowledgment, and she leaves.
Ryder sent a cheese egg omelet and a bowl of fresh fruit plus a couple pieces of toast and ginger tea. I take a sip of the tea. I can’t remember the last time I had breakfast in bed, and it is sinfully luxurious…even though I have to be careful not to leave any crumbs on the pristine sheets. As far as I know, housekeeping changes them every day, but still…
Then a thought strikes me. Has he ever brought another woman to this bed?
He seems to prefer hotels for the humped and dumped, but he’s got to have had at least one genuine relationship before, even if the media doesn’t talk about it. Did he bring someone here? Did he—
“Argh!”
I smack myself in the forehead. This is the most unproductive train of inquiry ever. I’m not even a real fiancée. Him calling me the love of his life last night in front of our family doesn’t change that. He said it to salvage my pride and shut his stepmother up.
Then there was the Lauren woman. If Julian knew her, she was probably somebody very special to Ryder. I hurt for him, but I probably shouldn’t say anything. Sometimes talking helps, and sometimes it just reopens the wounds. I suspect it’s the latter with Ryder. It’s been years, and given his personality, he’s moved on—or tried to.
Come on, girl. I’m not letting a jerk like Julian ruin things between Ryder and me. We both know what we’re getting out of this union . Keeping our eyes on the prize is what matters, not reacting to everything Julian tosses our way.
I finish the breakfast and go to my suite to shower and get ready for the day. Stylists are going to be here in the afternoon to help me get ready for the party. It’s our first real social event as a couple, so it’s important that we put on a good show. It would be horrible to go through the charade only to be found out and have Ryder lose any chance at getting his grandfather’s painting back.