Ashton
Wow! I almost can’t stand. When Ryder reached for me I knew I needed it more than air. He kissed me like I’ve never been kissed before and I never wanted it to stop. I didn’t care who watched, and they all faded into the background as I concentrated on the pleasure he gave me. Maybe it’s time for my pride to take a back seat and for me to give into what I desire most—him.
Then he pulls back and I watch as his eyes turn to watch a woman walking towards us. I’ve never seen her before but I’ll never forget her. She is stunning and I watch along with everyone else as she walks purposefully towards us.
Her clothes are immaculate and her long, dark hair is pulled tightly behind her into a ponytail. She’s wearing a clinging black dress and her 6” heels click on the tiles announcing her approach. Her walk is sexy and suggestive and she walks like a runway model, with precision and intent. Her eyes are focused on only one thing- Ryder.
I don’t miss the impatience in his eyes as he watches her approach. The rest of the club are silent as they look at her and I feel the tension in the air.
She stops before us and fixes Ryder with an intense look. Her lips part and she wets them before saying seductively.
“It’s been a long time, babe.”
Instantly, I stiffen at the realization that this woman is over familiar with him, which can only indicate the history they obviously have. Ryder just watches her, his face devoid of any emotion but his hand grips mine tightly. He nods as her eyes swing to me and I see the curiosity behind them. She smiles and says in a husky voice.
“I heard you had an old lady. Astonishing news travels fast, honey.”
She smiles but I see the hard glint in her eyes as she says softly. “I’m Bella. It’s nice to meet you my dear. You’re just what I would have expected. You have my congratulations for landing such a prize.”
The air is thick with unspoken words and I tense, hating this woman on sight. She has designs on my new husband, that’s obvious and she isn’t about to let the small matter of his marriage get in the way.
Ryder nods and says in a dull voice.
“What brings you here, Bella?”
She smiles sexily at him. “I need a private word, unless you don’t mind our business being common knowledge.”
She smirks as she says it and my heart plummets as he drops my hand and nods towards the door.
“Follow me.”
He turns away, and she flashes me a triumphant smile as she follows him from the room.
I’m left a mess of doubt, jealousy and hatred for the woman who has taken my husband so cruelly from my side.
I feel a hand on my shoulder and Bonnie whispers, “Here, let me fix you another drink. Don’t worry about Bella, she’s purely business.”
Shaking, I sit on the stool and lift the glass of wine to my lips. Business, she says. I know what kind of business she’s after and knowing Ryder he wouldn’t think twice about satisfying the need within him that I have yet to experience. He told me he had whores to satisfy him which is why I could take my time. I fight back the tears burning my eyes and try to shift the lump in my throat as I picture them together. The others won’t know that our marriage is just a business arrangement. I’m left sitting in full view of them, trying to act as if my world isn’t being shattered a heartbeat away.
Lou looks at me with concern. “You ok, honey? Bella isn’t a threat you know.”
I shrug, trying to play it cool. “Who is she?”
I notice the girls share a look, as Sonia says in a bitter voice. “She’s a bitch that’s who she is. In fact, if they cut her open and tested her blood it would be 100% proof bitch.”
The girls laugh and I join in despite myself.
Sonia carries on. “I can’t stand the woman. I had the misfortune to work for her for a while. She had no feeling and just sold me out to anyone who offered the most. She has some cruel men that takes what she offers them with no regard for the mess they leave her girls in afterwards. Money and power line the walls of her establishment and there’s no second thought for the women they abuse.”
Marie nods. “I agree, she’s an evil bitch. Luckily, I never had the misfortune to work with her. The stories I’ve heard though back up Sonia’s words. I think Kitty worked for her for a while too. I can’t think why Ryder lets her bowl in here as if she owns the place as well as him. Do you think she has something on him?”
Lou snorts. “I doubt that very much. Ryder isn’t stupid. He wouldn’t let a woman like that dictate anything to him. It’s my guess she needs him for something. It’s why they all come. He sorts out their problems for a price. The trouble is, the price she usually pays isn’t an option anymore. I would love to see her face when she realizes that.”
The girls laugh and I look at her with interest.
“What do you mean?”
Lou grins. “Women like Bella are used to manipulating men to get what they want. She has a history with Ryder who took what he wanted from her as payment for whatever job she needed him to do. I mean, he’s a man after all and she’s a fine woman who has cultivated her trade to give a man his wildest pleasure. However, she won’t know that Ryder is an honorable man. Now he’s married he won’t want payment in that way anymore. He has a wife now who he swore to stay faithful to. I would love to be a fly on that wall when she discovers what that means for her.”
The others laugh and start chatting among themselves but I feel sick to the pit of my stomach.
They don’t know that Ryder has no such ties to me. He is free to do whatever he wants with that disgusting woman and is probably indulging in her offer right now. I feel the blood rushing to my head as I picture them in his office. I want to scream and throw my glass against the wall before marching in there and slapping that smug bitch in the mouth. My anger surprises me. Where has it come from?
I feel a resolve creeping over me as I look at Bonnie and say softly.
“Bonnie, will you teach me how to fight?”
She grins. “Of course, I will. I thought you’d never ask. Cassie starts school in a couple of days, doesn’t she?”
I nod and she flashes me a determined look.
“As soon as you drop her off, come and find me. We’ll train in the mornings for two hours. By the time that man of yours comes home every night, you’ll be able to surprise him with a few new moves. I wish I could see his face when you use them on him.”
Taking another large gulp of wine, I feel my heart hardening. It’s not him I plan on fighting. It’s the realization that I’m a victim all the time I don’t have the tools to stand up for myself.
Well, that’s about to change. I’m no longer a victim and won’t be thought of as such. These women apparently came here broken and destroyed and they’ve built themselves up again into strong independent women.
Now it’s my turn.