The beverage appeared in front of him and he looked up to thank the server. An impressive cleavage met his eye with a name tag affixed to it, proclaiming the owner of the bosom to be Lucy. Interest stirred low in his body and he moved his gaze up higher. Lucy had full red lips and big baby blue eyes that seemed to be stripping him naked. His body twitched in response to her silent invitation.
Ryne felt his lips begin to curve into a predatory grin and he snaked an arm around her waist pulling the woman down onto his lap. He and Lucy had become well acquainted in the few months since he’d moved to Stump River. Possibly she was the distraction he needed tonight. She giggled and ran her fingers through his hair, wiggling in his lap.
“Is it time for your break?” He rumbled into her ear.
She glanced towards the bar. Armand had his back turned, watching the game; their team was on a power play. Lucy leaned forward and nipped at his ear. “I don’t think Armand will mind if I spend some time with a lonely customer.”
Ryne smirked and stood up, quickly leading the girl down the dark hall towards the employees’ washroom. He barely had the lights on in the small room before she was pulling at his clothing. Reaching behind her to turn the lock, he growled as an animalistic hunger surged through him. He pushed her back against the wall and kissed her roughly.
In no time at all, they were coupling. Lucy legs wrapped around his waist as he grasped her buttocks and thrust into her. The beast inside him wanted out, but Ryne kept a firm rein on himself. It wasn’t safe to let himself go completely, not when this was just a casual relationship that would lead nowhere. There were parts of him that were too dark to reveal to the likes of a girl such as Lucy.
Lucy was digging her nails into his back and sucking on his shoulder, her release obviously close. Ryne moved faster, pounding into her; her bleached blonde curls and large breasts bouncing up and down from the rhythm. She threw her head back, crying out as her orgasm hit. He continued to rock his hips until she was done. Then, with three more hard thrusts, he found his own release, grunting with pleasure as his seed spilled from his body.
He quickly withdrew and Lucy kissed him, gushing about how good it had been. Murmuring appropriately, he turned to the toilet, removing the condom and cleaning himself up. In the mirror, he could see Lucy making herself presentable. Once they were both dressed, she kissed his jaw and whispered in his ear.
“Happy birthday, Ryne. Bryan and Daniel told me what day it was, so I thought I’d better give you something.”
“Why thanks, Lucy. It was the perfect gift for the man who has everything.” He responded with his trademark grin, patting Lucy’s rear and giving her a kiss before she left the bathroom and headed back to work, a satisfied smile gracing her face. Ryne stayed behind, leaning against the wall of the darkened hallway, thinking about what had just happened.
He wasn’t sure if he should thank the other two men or hit their heads together for interfering in his life. They probably meant well, and noticing that he was sitting by himself in a dark corner, decided to cheer him up by sending Lucy over. Usually a romp with the waitress would have raised his spirits and he’d spend the rest of the evening enjoying her company. But not tonight. Sure the sex had been good, the release of tension easing his mood somewhat, but a night of bantering with the blonde didn’t hold its usual appeal.
Running his hands through his hair, he considered what could possibly be wrong with him. Maybe it wasn’t his birthday, or missing the family or the fact that it was spring and he was alone. Maybe it was the phone call he’d received two weeks ago. It had been gnawing at him ever since Kane contacted him, letting him know that some woman was in town asking about a man named Ryne Taylor.
At first, Ryne had laughed. Lots of girls asked about him and as long as she wasn’t pregnant... Kane had cut through his laughter by announcing that she was there because of the picture. His brother hadn’t even had to say which picture. Instinctively, he knew.
Ryne was a photographer and he had no qualms about admitting that he was good. There’d been a few showings of his work and some minor critical acclaim bestowed upon him. Last fall, when he’d needed money, he had instructed his then girlfriend, Marla, to sell all of his pictures with the exception of one. Even though their relationship had turned rocky, he’d had faith that Marla would be professional and do her job. The woman had worked at an art gallery and he thought she’d be able to get a fair price for the photographs. Of course, like everything else touched by the bitch, it had all gone wrong. His pictures had sold, but Marla stole the proceeds. Worst of all, she’d sold the one picture he’d expressly said not to show to the public. Now the picture was out there somewhere, and everyone was just waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop.