Heartbreaker Read online

  “It’s my favorite!” She tries a few times before her card registers, and then presses the button as the bugs pass by. The goal is to knock them off the conveyer belt with the frog’s tongue.

  “She’s good at this,” Ryan observes.

  “She should be; she’s only played it a thousand times since she’s been here.”

  He leans down next to her and waits until she’s done. Then she encourages him to try, and when he gets the new high score, Olivia screams. A couple of people around us stop to see what’s going on. “Did you see him, Mommy?”

  “I did.”

  “Ryan is the best! Amelia! Ryan got the high score.” She runs between his legs to talk with her friend whose father is looking at me differently than before. He appears angry as he turns his back to me.

  “Doesn’t take much to impress her, does it?”

  I know I have to look at him to answer, but it’s so hard because he’s so damn hot it’s unnerving. “I don’t know. I tried that and didn’t do nearly as good as you did.”

  “That’s not even my specialty.”

  “You have a specialty arcade game?”

  “Oh, yeah.” His voice lowers a few decibels, and he smirks.

  And my jaw drops.

  “Come on.” He grabs my hand like ours belong together and pulls me through the crowd. I link my fingers through his, pretending for a moment that we actually do belong together. It’s a dangerous game, but one I’m brave enough to play while we’re surrounded by a bunch of people.

  After a quick stop at the ticket machine, where he loads up a card one handed, he continues until he reaches a shooting game. I love this one. It’s where the family is on a porch, and the objects move; the chair rocks, the milk bucket opens, the screen door slams. The one I think is rigged because every time I play it, I’m lucky to hit one target. He drops my hand to lift the gun, and as soon as the timer goes, he’s locked in.

  I swear he hits the bull’s-eye before it’s even open all the way. And I also swear I’m getting turned on in the middle of the Family Fun Center watching him shoot fake targets with a fake gun surrounded by screaming kids. But who wouldn’t be? He’s wearing a tight black t-shirt and jeans that hug his ass. The black boots on his feet only add to the appeal. As he shoots, the muscles in his arms flex, and my heart picks up speed.

  When the buzzer goes off, he glances at the score, and his brows draw together.

  “That was really um…” I clear my throat. “Good,” I tell him.

  “Nah. I usually do better than that.” He sets the gun down and turns facing me, a slight tilt on his lips. “You’re distracting.”

  “I’m distracting?”

  “Yeah, dollface, you are.” He stops inches away, and I angle my head up. “Everything about you fucks me up.”

  The noise around us does this weird thing where it fades away, and the only thing I can hear is the sound of my heart beating in my chest. His eyes glued to mine make my knees weak, and I contemplate if it’d be better to collapse on the ground or fall into him. A kid runs past me, bumping into me and making the decision on my behalf. I lurch forward, my hand landing on Ryan’s hard chest to keep my balance.

  He glances down, and I pull my arm away. But he grabs my wrist and puts my hand back where it was. “I like it when you touch me.”

  I want to tell him I do too—I loved it the first time it happened at the restaurant—but that’d give him a reason to continue flirting. Instead, I try to take a step back.

  He uses his free hand and grabs my waist, holding me in place. He doesn’t need to say anything. The flexing of his fingers and the darkening of his eyes say it all. He wants me.

  And when my lips part and my own fingers dig into his chest, he knows I want him too. No matter how much I try to deny it, I’ve wanted him since the moment I saw him walking down the street. Every time I see him, I only want him more, but I know I can’t have him, and it makes every subsequent encounter harder and harder to keep my resolve.

  “Party for Olivia, iiiiit’s pizza time! Olivia’s party, please return to room three.”

  I hear the announcement through my lust, and he must too, because he steps back. Only when I turn around, his fingertips sliding around to my stomach and his pinky dipping just beneath the waistband of my jeans, does he let me go.

  When I get into the party room, it’s chaos. Not organized… or maybe it is. I can’t tell because I feel so discombobulated that everything else does, too. Liv comes to my aid and helps serve pizza while I open juice boxes. It’s a blur which I’m thankful for because I’m able to forget about Ryan for a few minutes, and before I know it, Olivia is blowing out her candles.

  Somehow, I remembered to take a picture. I scroll through my phone to make sure it’s a good one and notice Ryan leaning on the wall. He’s not looking at Olivia like everyone else but directly at me. And when I drag my gaze from my phone to him, he’s still giving me all his attention. Hunger written on his face.

  I swallow past the sandpaper in my throat and work on cleaning up the room as the kids tear out to finish playing. Half of them didn’t eat more than a bite or two of pizza and cake. “I’ve gotta take off with Amelia.” Greg’s voice makes me jump when it creeps up on me from behind.

  He puts his hand on my shoulder. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  I glance behind him where Ryan is talking to Jay now, but I know he’s watching Greg because his hand is in a fist, and even from across the room, I can see his white knuckles.

  Gently and as inconspicuously as I can, I shrug Greg’s hand off. “Thank you guys for coming.”

  “Thanks for inviting us.”

  He smiles and hesitates, but then shakes his head and walks away. Beneath my lashes, I watch the tension in Ryan’s body leave him as Greg walks out of the room.

  I start to lift the trash bag out of the bin to make room for another bag when Jay and Ryan both protest. “Jeeze, damn cavemen. I was just taking it out since it’s so damn full. I still have all that crap to throw out.” I motion to the table piled high with plates and empty juice boxes.

  “I’ll just run it out.” Jay comes over and lifts the bag, then carries it out of the room. Ryan looks over his shoulder until Jay’s gone, his hands now loose at his sides, but his intensity has moved north to his face, because his jaw muscle jumps and his eyes darken.

  “I’m going to kiss you now.” That’s all the warning I get before his hands are on my face, and his mouth is on mine. Strong hands that moments ago were ready to pummel something are gentle as they cradle my head.

  I reach up and grab his forearms, holding on. His tongue demands entrance, and I part my lips, almost forgetting what to do since it’s been so long since I’ve kissed anybody. But the moment he swipes his tongue along mine, I remember. And God, do I love it.

  It’s been years, almost four to the day to be exact, since anybody’s looked at me with desire or wanted me so intensely. I push up on my toes, and he slides a hand around my head to grab my hair. With one large step, he pushes me against the wall, our lips never breaking contact even as my back slams against the plaster.

  I moan against his mouth, my hips swaying toward him, my body desperate for more. He groans, and it vibrates straight through me, but just when I think he’s going to press his hard body against mine, he pulls away from me.

  My chest heaves, and he swipes his thumb across my lips, his jaw lax as he swipes it again, only slower. I close my top lip over his thumb and brazenly suck. “Fuck me,” he growls and drops his hand just as Jay walks back in with Liv.

  I try to cover the flush on my face, but I know it’s useless. I can’t believe I just did that. Oh my God, I’ve never done anything like that in my life. I’m so… embarrassed. And my sister sees it. Luckily, Ryan does a good enough job covering for both of us, and while he and Jay are carrying the presents to my car, I run to the bathroom.

  Liv comes in as I’m washing my hands. “What was that?”

  “
Nothing.”

  “Come on, Opal. That wasn’t nothing. I saw the way he was looking at you. And you, you’re red as hell.”

  I shake my head even though she’s right. That was… everything. It was hot and beautiful and so, so good. “He was just helping me clean up.”

  “What? The cobwebs.”

  I toss my paper towel at her and hear her laughing as I walk back into the hallway. I try to forget about Ryan as all the parents and their kids are saying goodbye. I’m really proud of Olivia because she’s using her manners without me having to remind her. She waves to Jay and Liv through the window as they walk out.

  Once she’s satisfied they can’t see her anymore, I walk to the counter with a very sleepy little girl leaning on my leg. As I’m settling the bill, I feel a presence next to me and know it’s Ryan without even having to look.

  I tuck my receipt into my purse and avoid his eyes. “Thanks for coming.”

  “I’ll walk you guys out.”

  Olivia grabs one of each of our hands, and we swing her through the parking lot; something she loves to do but rarely happens since it’s usually just us two. She’s quiet but happy, and after I set her in her seat and she buckles up, Ryan sticks his head in and gives her a hug. I’m walking around to the driver’s side when he shuts the door. Over the top of my car, he calls my name.

  “Yeah?”

  “What time does she go to bed?”

  “Why?”

  “Because I’m coming over so I can see what that mouth can really do.”

  My cheeks burn, and I contemplate if I should say no. Or if I should say hell yes. Or maybe I shouldn’t give him an answer at all. “That was a—”

  “Don’t you dare say it was a mistake.”

  “But—”

  “Did it feel like a mistake?”

  I simply shake my head.

  “What time does she go to bed?”

  I don’t know why I’m hesitating. He’s leaving, so I don’t have to worry about anything other than one night. People my age do it all the time even though it’s not who I really am. It’s probably a mistake, but without considering any more thoughts about why it’s a bad idea, I say, “Seven thirty.” And then get in my car and drive away before I change my mind.

  My little girl got her second wind when we got home, so it takes longer than normal to get her in bed. I have just put her down, so when the bell rings, I run to the door and yank it open.

  “Please tell me you don’t open the door without looking to see who it is.” Ryan’s angry voice not exactly what I want to hear right now.

  “I just put Olivia down, and I didn’t want—”

  “Is she sleeping?”

  “Not yet, but she will be soon, hopefully.”

  He looks past me, and the hard lines of his face soften before my eyes. “Hey, short stuff.” His voice is quieter, and his hand unclenches the fist it was in. “What are you doin’ awake?”

  “I can’t sleep.”

  Dammit. I knew that extra piece of cake would keep her up. Stupid sugar. I turn around to tell her to go back to bed. “Oliv—”

  “Can Ryan read me a story?”

  I DON’T EVEN ASK OPAL if she cares because after what happened earlier, I’m not leaving until we find a way to work each other out of our systems. “I’d love to.”

  Olivia holds her arms out, and I lift her up, then head up the stairs she came down from. I take in the photos on the wall and listen to her babble on about how fun her party was. When I get to the top of the steps, I go to the first room on the right and am blinded with pink and purple.

  “What do you want me to read you?” I set her on the bed and reach over to grab a couple of books from her nightstand. “Puppy or princess?”

  “Princess.”

  Not surprised, I chuckle and open the page. Before I’ve even started the second paragraph, she’s out. Her thumb is in her mouth, but her lips are open around it, little puffs of air passing through. Quiet as I can, I get up and close her door, standing outside it for a second to make sure she doesn’t get up.

  Then I take a peek inside Opal’s room and hold back a groan at the sight of her bed. Her headboard has slats—perfect for me to cuff her to and play with her body until she screams. I walk back downstairs to the living room where she’s folding laundry. She doesn’t glance up, but her hand shakes slightly, and I don’t like that I’ve made her nervous.

  “Come here, Opal.”

  She shakes her head and continues folding laundry. “Thank you for getting her down. She’s normally out like a light three seconds after her head hits the pillow, but with the excitement of the party and all the cake, she—”

  “You don’t kiss me like you did earlier, digging your damn nails into me and moanin’ into my mouth, and think I can just walk away. Fuck, you weren’t even touchin’ my cock, and the way you sucked my thumb made me feel like I was gonna explode. And you certainly don’t do those things and think I’m the kind of man to leave you wet and wanting.”

  “Ry—”

  Fuck this noise. “How wet were your panties when you got home?”

  “What?”

  “Did you have to change ’em or did you walk around—”

  “You kissed me.” Now she raises her eyes to me.

  “Fuck yeah, I did. And you kissed me back.” I kick the laundry basket out of the way and push her onto the couch, following close. When she lands on her back, her legs fall open, and I settle between them. “And I want more.”

  “I don’t know, Ryan.”

  “No?”

  She shakes her head at the same time as she pushes her hips into mine.

  “If you tell me right now you don’t want me here”—I grind down into her heat, and she bites her lip—“then I’ll get up and walk out. But no joke, Opal. You don’t, and I’ll strip you down and kiss every soft inch of your beautiful body before I sink every hard inch of me inside you.”

  “I…”

  “You what?”

  “I want to but…”

  I bring my hands up to her face and rub my thumb across her cheek. God, she’s so pretty. “But what, baby?”

  She takes a breath as if she’s amping herself up. “I’m nervous.”

  “About what?”

  “It’s been… I’m not.” Another breath before she finally says, “I don’t know how to do this.”

  I lower my head and gently kiss her lips. She has a kid, so it can’t be that. “Don’t know how to do what?”

  “Nothing. It’s been… just never mind.”

  “Are you afraid I’m going to hurt you?”

  “No. I know you wouldn’t.”

  I’m thrilled she knows that and get even harder at her declaration. “Then what’s the problem?”

  “I have Olivia, and I’m busy, and it’s been a while, and I don’t have time for anything else. If we do this, it’s nothing more than—”

  I cut her off by slamming my mouth on hers, I can’t wait anymore. Her mouth is like heaven. I reluctantly pull away to lay it out one last time. “I’m not making promises here, Opal. But if you wanna put us both out of our misery, then wrap your legs around me and hang on tight. You don’t, just say the word, and I’ll walk away tonight instead of in a couple months.” Because yeah, I took another damn assignment.

  She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. Then she wraps her legs around me, and I do exactly what I told her I would do. I kiss every inch. Down her neck. Across her collarbone. Between her breasts and back up. She wriggles beneath me when I take her bra off and cup her perfect tits in my hand.

  I suck a nipple into my mouth, and her back arches. “Oh God.”

  Giving them equal attention, I nip and lick, suck and blow until they’re both hard peaks. Sliding down her body, I stop at the waistband of her pants. She doesn’t say anything, and I pause. “If you don’t want this, tell me. Right now, doll, it’s just me and you. I’ll do whatever you want… stop when you don’t want more. But you’ve gotta te
ll me.”

  “I do, I just…”

  “You want my hands here?” I slide over the material and cup her pussy. “Fuck me, I can feel how wet you are.” Soaked through. “Holy fuck, I want to taste you. You want me to eat your pussy until you scream, Opal?”

  She moans and nods, pressing up into my hand. I push the heel of my palm down and circle it. “What about my cock, baby? You want that in here too, or just stop with my mouth? Been dyin’ to taste you. Dreaming about what your pussy would feel like comin’ around my fingers.”

  “All of it.” She gasps. “All of you.”

  I hover over her, waiting for her to open her eyes and look at me. “You sure?”

  “Yes.”

  She needn’t say any more because I have her naked and her thighs spread open in seconds. “Jesus.” I run my finger between her folds and marvel at how fuckin’ gorgeous she is. Smooth and pink and… “Tight,” I hiss as I sink my finger into her.

  “Ryan.” Her hips shoot up, and I clamp my mouth to her.

  Fuck me. Much as I liked how pretty her pussy is, I fuckin’ love how she tastes on my tongue.

  “Oh, God.”

  I’m gonna need to spend lots of time getting her ready. I can barely fit two of my fingers inside her. “Need you to come, baby.” I tease and suck on her clit, circling my fingers inside to find the spot that makes her gasp. Her thighs shake, and I take advantage of her orgasm and add a third finger.

  “Too much, Ryan.” She tries to push my head away, but I don’t move. Can’t. I want to live right here. I pull my fingers almost all the way out, then slowly slide them back in.

  “Fuck, Opal. My hand is drenched, baby.”

  She thrashes her head, and I dive back in, devouring her pussy and making her come so hard no man will ever compare to me, to this. She’ll always think of me, of my head between her legs and my fingers, my tongue, and pretty soon, my cock inside her.

  A groan slides up through her throat, and she grabs my wrist. I lift my head, watching her hips move. “There you go, baby. Find it. Get nice and ready so I’ll slide in easy.”