CHAPTER 3
Ryan
I couldn’t stop thinking about Brea all night. I took a cab home to my place and pictured her emotional eyes as she talked about her dad. She had some baggage, but who didn’t? I had my own experience with alcoholism, so I understood her. I understood the pain of growing up with that, though she had a definite edge with the death of a parent.
There were days when I wished mine would die, but seeing her sadness had made me take all that back last night. My parents frustrated me so badly, but I didn’t want anything to happen to them. I just had to extricate myself from them and get married.
I thought about Brea and how I’d love to be married to her, even if it was fake. I could laugh and talk with her more than with other women.
I laughed as I opened my eyes and looked around my large bedroom. My penthouse was at the top of a building in Manhattan and had a stellar view and three bedrooms. I thought about how I could fit Lucy’s entire apartment into my living room as I played the party back through my mind. I could still see Brea, and I glanced down at the tent in my sheets. “She’s pretty, and I know you’re there for more than just your morning greeting. You want her too, don’t you?”
I pushed the sheets back and walked to the bathroom, kicking off the boxers that I’d worn to bed. I took care of business and looked around for some sweats to wear, even though nobody could see me in here. I had surprised a maid a time or two, though, so I tried to always have clothes on now.
I made some coffee and looked over the city as I thought about my date later. I was looking forward to it. Brea made me feel so comfortable. I was hoping for a kiss at the very least, and I grinned at the thought of her lips against mine. Her body had felt good when we’d been dancing, and I felt something stir deep inside me. It was like I was coming to life.
I enjoyed another cup of coffee and checked my emails from the bank out of obligation. Dad was such an asshole that he kept pushing me and I did shit like this. I didn’t want to work to make money. I wanted to help people somehow. I ran a hand through my hair as I sucked in my breath.
Brea could help me fix all of that. Maybe I could fix whatever was broken in her too.
Jesus, I was losing my mind. I turned to wash my cup and make some breakfast, hoping to distract myself from these thoughts. I knew it was the age issue that had me freaked out. There was no reason to think about any of this with Brea. Tonight was just a date with a pretty girl.
I sent her a text at noon to get her address and feel her out about later. It took her some time, but she sent it to me and I realized that she lived very close to Lucy. I thought about her walking home last night alone and had to fight the urge to ask her if she had or not. Lucy wouldn’t make her do that if Molly was out of town. She wouldn’t do that even if her roommate was home since there was a nice couch to sleep on.
I sensed surprise in her return text. Maybe she’d thought I’d blow her off, but there was no way that was going to happen. I wanted to go on this date more than I had any before. Something about her stuck with me, and I imagined the way she had felt against me as we’d danced. My body hardened in response. I was going to play by this girl’s rules and peek into her world. Who knew? Maybe I’d like what I saw.
I took my time showering and glanced down at my hard cock as I shook my head. If this was how it was going to be around Brea, then I was in for some pain. I slept with a lot of girls, but they were all willing to do so without an official date. I felt like Brea needed a little more effort. No. She deserved a lot more effort. She wasn’t one of the empty socialites who hung around with Lewis and my other friends. She wouldn’t do anything we wanted just because we wanted it. I had known Brea was different from the start, though my erection told me I was attracted to her. I reached down to grip it, groaning at the feeling. I’d been aroused since last night and hadn’t jerked off yet, so fuck it. I would now as I imagined the feeling of her body pressed against mine. She was curvy, but it was sexy. I remembered how her perfect tits had moved under that long shirt she’d worn, held in only by what had looked like a cotton tank top. God, I had wanted to rip it off and suck her between my teeth. I hardened in my hand as I jerked harder.
I’d gotten bored with easy women a couple of years ago. They did nothing for me, and in part, that was why I didn’t even want a fake fiancée. The girls I knew would want the huge ring, the announcement in the paper, a wedding to top any celebrity’s ceremony, and maybe even forever. They might not let me go, and if they did, they would go for every cent of my money when they did. That was probably what Dad wanted: another perfect couple to run the bank.
I jerked harder as I remembered Brea smiling and swaying before me. God, my cock was throbbing with need, and I groaned her name as I shot my cum all over the shower tiles, feeling it leave me with a rush I’d never experienced. I wonder what it would be like to feel her wrapped tightly around me when I came. I leaned back against the wall and took a deep breath before rinsing the shampoo out of my hair. I had agreed to pick her up at seven, and I considered my closet before getting dressed.
Any of the socialites would want to go to a five-star restaurant where we’d be photographed. I’d get in on my name alone because everyone wanted to please the banking heir. I could do anything I wanted, but Brea wanted to go to a place in Brooklyn. It was mind-blowing to me.
I picked a pair of black slacks and a button-up shirt in a light gray. Lucy always told me that color brought out my deep blue eyes, and I wanted to impress Brea without looking like I was trying too hard. This was a classy look, and I wondered what she was going to wear. I styled my wavy hair into the mess that it always was since Lucy had told me to keep working that look.
I wondered if she knew about the date tonight. She and Brea were best friends, so she must. I got the vibe that Lucy had been playing cupid last night, so I was happy she supported my seeing her best friend. I knew Lucy, and she cherished those who were close to her. I’d heard about Brea before and how she was like a sister to Lucy. It was odd that we’d never met before last night, but she was busy with school and work. If I had met her before, I probably would have tried to hook up with her and then just carried on with my life.
Was it that different now?
I went down to my car and started the engine, thankful my assistant had gotten it back to me after last night. I punched Brea’s address into the navigation system and headed out into the thick traffic to pick her up. It was good that I was giving myself some extra time since there always seemed to be traffic in this damn city. I needed a plane, and the irony of that was that I could probably afford one once I got my inheritance.
My father had a plane. He flew my mother to exotic locations so they could charm the media. It was disgusting, and I had been glad when I’d been old enough to stay home by choice. I had a nanny, so someone was always taking care of me. I just wanted my inheritance so I could help others and live a happy life. I had never wanted all the luxuries.
I listened to the voice tell me where to go, glancing at the clock to see that I was making great time. I might even be early and could get her some flowers from one of the street vendors. That was a sweet gesture and perfect for Brea. I found a parking place near her building and glanced around for flowers. There was a man at a cart with a few bouquets left. I walked over and greeted him as I looked them over slowly. The pink and purple flowers caught my eye. Though they were simple, they seemed to suit her.
I paid for them, amazed at the low price compared to what I’d spent at florists in the past. I told the man to keep the change and headed to Brea’s apartment, looking at the older gray building slowly. There was a lot of charm in this part of town. Lucy’s building had it as well, though Brea’s was slightly older. I glanced around as I walked up the steps and rang the bell to her place.
There was a long crack before her voice came through the speaker. “It’s Ryan, Brea.”
“Come on up. I’m nearly ready,” she said breathlessly. There was a sharp buzz. I opened the door and looked around to make sure nobody was following me in before pulling it closed and walking upstairs to Brea’s place. I tapped on the door and someone opened it with a giggle. I found myself looking at a girl with purple hair and wide eyes.
“I’m here for Brea,” I told her as someone said something and the girl was pulled back.
“Hi,” Brea said me as she opened the door. “Don’t mind Stacy, Ryan. Come in. I just need to get my purse.” I stepped into the small living room and looked around as the other girl looked at me before running down the hallway. Brea came back into the room, and I took in her vintage-style dress that was black with little green flowers. It was fitted and sexy with a teasing neckline and ruffled skirt that danced around her knees. She looked stunning, and I watched quietly as she raised her green eyes to mine. “I’m ready.” She dropped some heels on the floor and slid her feet into them as she smiled shyly.
“You look breathtaking,” I told her. She laughed and shook her head, causing her silky, dark hair to fall over her shoulders.
“Let’s go. Do you like pub food?” she asked as she glanced over her shoulder at me.
I remembered the flowers and smiled as I handed them to her. “These are for you.”
A sweet smile crossed her face as she looked at me with a blush in her cheeks. “Flowers. Thank you.” She made her way to the kitchen and managed to find an old vase to put them in. She arranged them absently for a moment as I watched her. “I didn’t know men did this kind of thing.”
“Many don’t, but you deserve it,” I assured her. I heard a gasp from the hallway and turned to see her roommate watching us.
“Sweet baby Jesus,” Brea murmured before reaching for my hand and leading me out of the apartment. “She is a bit of a stalker when it comes to local celebrities, which you are. I think she was more excited about this date than I was.” Brea gave me a weary smile as we walked out to the street. She licked her lips. They were a dark reddish brown tonight, and I wanted to kiss her. “Did you say if a pub sounded good or not? I got distracted.”
“It sounds perfect,” I said, and she nodded and started walking down the street.
“It’s close by. We can walk to so many places around here. I mean, you can do that all over New York, but here it’s different somehow.” Brea smiled as I took in her beauty and I reached for her hand. It looked different to me as well. We found the restaurant, and it was a spacious bar with several booths. The music was loud, but I looked at the customers and saw how casual it was here. Everyone was drinking or eating and just being themselves.
Brea led me to a booth in the very back that offered some privacy without giving up the general vibe of the place. We sat down. I appreciated the simple food as I read the menu, looking at her every few minutes. “I come here a lot and always sit here. Stacy likes it a lot too, and we know most of the staff. It’s comfortable. I feel happy here and I wanted to share it with you.”
“I’m glad you did.” We shared a smile, and she glanced up as someone approached the table.