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His mouth returns to mine with a new urgency. He curls his big hand around my nape, holding me steady as he devours my mouth like he owns it. His tongue boldly slides against mine, staking his claim, as his teeth nip at my lips. I moan as the kiss gets hotter and rougher, punctuated by his deep grunts. He palms my ass and urges me against him until he’s hoisting me up and wrapping my legs around his waist.
I don’t realize we’ve moved until my back hits the bed. He follows me down, bracing his weight on his forearm. Instead of taking my mouth again, he simply looks at me. His fingers trace along my cheekbone, then rub on my swollen lips in an achingly tender gesture that I’m coming to love. “Fuck, Stella, you drive me crazy, you know that?”
“So do you. I hate that you thought it was okay to wear those PJs around me.” Granted, he’d not expected me to be awake, and we didn’t at the time know we would feel this way. Still…
He trails kisses on my temple, neck and bends to lick my collarbone. “I know, I’m sorry. It was habit. One you know I’ve broken.”
“Just because you now sleep naked?”
He growls, “Because I’d much rather wear you.”
I try for a snarky retort and fail miserably. I can’t even muster an eye roll for his cheesiness. Instead, say in a small voice. “I don’t want to leave, Ryan.”
His blinding smile is so sexy I feel the impact in the tightening of my core. “I was hoping you’d say that, Stella. I’m so fucking gone for you I can hardly think straight when I’m not around you. I love how smart and brave you are. And I can’t get over how you make me feel.”
“How do I make you feel?” My breath hitches with hope.
“Like I’m ten times better. So much more. I love you, Stella Fairchild.”
A whimper of pleasure and surrender escapes me as he takes my mouth again. My last coherent thought is that Ryan is everything I never knew I needed, and I couldn’t ask for anything more.
We’re perfect together.
But I’m soon to be reminded, and in the most jarring way possible, just how twisted and imperfect life can be.
Chapter Thirty-One
Ryan
I watch my New York top executives—my cousins and uncles, really—as they line the glass wall of the Ocean Gate viewing room, holding champagne flutes. This boardroom is aptly named for its panoramic view of the waterfront and Harbor Island. It offers the perfect vantage point to watch our ships launch.
I don’t need to witness this launch firsthand. The scene has played out in my mind countless times. I’d rather watch them. The awe on their faces and their acceptance, grudging or not, that I’ve again made the right call and secured another piece of everyone’s future. That in itself is reward enough.
Besides I’m burning with a different kind of excitement. I need my wife. Having spent the past week in London and coming straight to work from the airport, I feel like I’m missing a limb. I just need to get through this final meeting and go home to her.
I inhale deeply, forcing my attention back to the New York team led by Don. God only knows what he’s plotting now. If the man devoted even half the energy he spends stirring up corporate drama to actually servicing clients, his performance would be unmatched.
Instead of joining the rest to watch, Don comes to where I’m perched on the edge of the conference table. “Quite the spectacle, boss. I’ll give you that,” His voice drips with feigned admiration.
You’re welcome, asshole. My lips stretch into a semblance of a smile. Don fought me every step of the way on this project.
“It’s almost as grand as the alliances you’ve forged...on and off the boardroom.” He remarks, his meaning clear as day.
Stella.
Marrying her was the best decision I’ve ever made. She’s not just my wife; she completes me. Beyond that, she’s also incredibly smart and talented. Given the right tools for investment, she’s bound to dominate the beauty industry in a very short time.
I can almost taste Don’s envy, and unfortunately, his dark fascination. Whatever he can’t own or copy, he seeks to destroy.
I meet Don’s gaze in the glass’s reflection, suppressing my annoyance. “You should focus more on forging your own achievements rather than fixating on mine, Don.”
If only he could see past his relentless drive to compete with me, he might realize he has everything he needs to outdo me in the coming years, wife or not. New York is Ocean Gate’s hub of innovation, and he’s currently at its helm.
Don gives me a scrutinizing look, shaking his head. “You’re a lot of things, Ryan, but careless isn’t one of them.”
“How so?” I ask, bracing for harsh critique.
“You made a wrong move when you put your fate in the hands of a woman who has nothing to lose.”
