CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

RYDER

She sits next to me, a smile on her face as she sings along with the radio. She bounces up and down in her seat. I have the windows down and her blond hair blows around her face wildly as I drive through the Hamptons. And I smile at her. I’ve seen an entirely different Ashlyn than I knew. So much has happened in the past few weeks, yet she seems freer than before. It’s almost if she has no cares in the world.

I slow the car as I come to a driveway. I pull into it, and she leans out of the car window. We pull up to a gate, and I punch in the code I was given. Once it opens, she gasps. “This is where the wedding is?” she asks in awe.

“No.”

The look of shock on her face fades, and she frowns. “You said we were staying at the location of the wedding.”

“I did say that. Plans have changed.”

“Why?”

“Remember the guy at the Romeo and Juliet play? He said he had some property in the Hamptons for me to look at? He thought I would be interested in?” She nods. “This is it,” I say simply. “I spoke to him last week, and he told me we could stay here so I could check it out.”

“You plan on buying this?” she asks, looking back at the house as I come to a stop in front of the five-car garage.

If you like it. “Possibly.”

I shut the car off and get out. I walk around and open her door, helping her out. I don’t let go, but instead lead her over to the garage. I punch in the five-digit code he told me on the keypad outside the garage door, and the farthest one to the left opens.

“Wow,” she says, stepping in and looking around the massive yet empty garage. “Who needs a garage this big?” she asks, her voice echoing through the emptiness.

“Someone who likes to drive a different car every day,” I state, making her laugh. “Come on. Let’s go look at the house.”

I open the door off the garage, and we enter a mud room. We walk through a long hallway and come to an open kitchen. “Whoa,” she says as she looks up at the high ceilings and smiles. “This place is gorgeous.”

“It needs some work,” I say, flipping on the kitchen light. The lighting needs to be updated along with the floors, wallpaper, and furnishings.

“I don’t understand.” She looks at me. “I thought you did business with companies? You buy homes as well?”

I shrug as I walk over to the big bay windows. I yank the dark blue curtains open to let the sun in through the huge windows. “I will buy anything as long as I can make a profit off it.”

“So what ... you buy this house, fix it up, and then sell it?” she asks as she walks over to me and looks at the ocean through the window.

“That’s the plan,” I lie.

“May I?” she asks as she grabs the doorknob to the glass door.

“Of course.”

She opens it up to walk outside, and I follow her. The house is built in a U shape. When you walk out onto the back patio, there’s a swing, overly large couch, and a fireplace with a full-size outdoor kitchen to the right. An Olympic-size swimming pool sits in the middle with lounge chairs and tables with gray umbrellas. I look at Ashlyn, and she’s already halfway to the ocean. I run after her.

She kicks off her flip-flops and runs until her feet are in the water. The waves gently roll in one after another. I come up behind her and watch her. She has her arms out wide, and her head thrown back as she looks up at the sky. She spins around and faces me, her blond hair whipping her in the face. “How could you sell this place?” she asks in wonder. “I mean, just look at it.”

“The house is nice,” I say.

She shakes her head. “Who cares about the house! It could be a shack for all I care.” She turns, giving me her back again. “This …” She kicks her feet around in the water. “This is what I would want. The sun, the ocean. This view,” she says in awe as she looks at the blue water that seems to be endless. It makes me feel small, and for once, I don’t mind that feeling.

I kick off my shoes and remove my socks before I step into the cool water, not caring that my jeans are getting wet. I come up behind her and wrap my arms around her waist. She sighs as she leans her back into my chest. “Some things money just can’t buy, Ryder,” she says in a whisper.

That’s not the first time someone has told me that, but it’s the first time I believe it. I lean down and kiss her neck. She moans as she lifts her right hand and wraps it around the back of my neck. “Ryder …”

“Shhh,” I tell her. I bite down on her skin, and she squeals as she yanks away from me. I reach out and grab her wrist. Pulling her to me, I bend down, throwing her over my shoulder.

“Ryder.” She screams my name as she spanks my ass. I bend my knees as I pretend to drop her, and she squeals. “Ryder, you’d better not …”

This time when I bend my knees, I let myself fall into the water. I close my eyes as the saltwater splashes my face, knocking off my hat and sunglasses. She lies next to me, breathing heavy and laughing. She shoves my chest, and I roll onto my back. The water maybe a couple of inches deep. She straddles me, placing her hands on my chest, and growls. “I can’t believe you did that.”

I laugh as I reach up and push her wet blond hair back. My laughter calms as I look up at her beautiful face; the sun makes her blue eyes shine just like they did when I met her in Panama. And my heart beats faster as a soft smile spreads across her gorgeous face. “You’re so beautiful,” I say, feeling breathless. She knocks the wind out of me. That smile, those eyes, and her voice—they make me weak in the knees and make me feel invincible all at once. She’s the perfect storm, and she’s all mine.

She narrows her eyes at me. “You’re still in trouble,” she tells me.

“Promise me something,” I say as I search her face.

“What?” she asks skeptically.

“Promise me that you’ll never leave me. No matter what happens, you’ll never leave.”

She frowns. “I’m not going anywhere.”

I could never hear those words enough.

ASHLYN

I wanted to have sex in the ocean. After the way he looked up at me, I was totally ready to take the chance of getting sand in my pussy and let him take me right then and there, but we didn’t have the time. We had to get back to the house and shower and get ready for the wedding.

I find it odd that his cousin’s wedding is on a Friday night, but I guess that was the only available date for the venue they wanted. Ryder informed me that she would have got married at noon on a Monday if that was her only option. I understood the translation. The venue was very popular, and it is July fourth.

I stand in the bathroom of the mansion that reminds me more of a luxurious resort than a house. It has over twelve bedrooms, and I don’t even know how many bathrooms.

The cabinets and drawers are a dark wood with gold knobs. The countertop is a cream marble. The tile white. An old clawfoot tub sits in front of a window overlooking the ocean. I could stand here and look at it all day, but time won’t allow it.

I run my hands down the dress that I bought while Becca and I were out shopping earlier this week.

It’s dark blue. The back is longer than my front, almost reaching my ankles, and the front stops right above my knees. It has a nude color thin belt high on my waist with thick shoulder straps. It’s pretty yet comfortable. It’s the slinky material so it moves really well.

I bend down, slipping on a pair of nude wedges, and pull my blond hair over my right shoulder. I put a few bobby pins in the back to keep it there.

I walk out of the bathroom to see that Ryder isn’t in the bedroom. “Ryder?” I call out as I walk out of the bedroom and into the hallway. I call his name out a few more times as I try to find him in this maze. Ryder said it needed some work, but I don’t see where it needs anything done. It’s a beautiful home. It is fully furnished, but all the furniture is covered with plastic with the exception of the bedroom where we are staying.

I enter the open kitchen and just happen to look out the windows. I smile when I see him standing outside on the beach.

I take my wedges off and make my way out the back door. I take a deep breath as I smell the ocean and the fresh air. I can see the waves rolling and hear them crashing into the shore.

“Ryder?” I ask as the wind blows my dress around. I try to hold my hair, afraid the wind will mess it up.

He turns around and smiles when he sees me. “I didn’t know how much longer you would be,” he says as he reaches his hand out to mine. He wears a pair of black slacks and a dark purple button up with a black skinny tie. His sleeves rolled up and his hair is spiked to perfection like always.

“I’m ready if we need to go,” I tell him as I slip my hand in his. He looks around as if he’s looking for someone. “Who are you looking for?”

“No one.” His eyes are back on mine as a smile spreads across his face. “I have a gift for you.”

I frown. “You know how I feel about gifts.”

He chuckles. “I couldn’t help myself, sweetheart.” He digs into his pocket and pulls out an oversized square Tiffany box.

“Ryder …” I say in warning even though my heart beats wildly in my chest. The box is too big to be a bracelet or a ring. Not that I expect a ring. Or anything for that matter.

“Open it,” he orders softly.

I take it from him and take a deep breath before pushing it open. I gasp, placing my right hand over my mouth when I see what’s inside. “Ryder,” I breathe as the sun hits the gorgeous diamond and makes it sparkle.

“Do you like it?” he asks.

My eyes meet his, and he stares at me nervously. “Do I like it?” I ask as tears start to fill my eyes. “I love it,” I say, lowering my hand from my mouth and running my finger over the large heart-shaped diamond that sits on a silver chain. “It’s absolutely gorgeous.”

“May I?” he asks, gesturing to the box.

“Please,” I say, nodding my head, my throat closing at this beautiful and thoughtful gift. I turn, giving him my back, and pull my hair up as he fastens it.

I turn around to face him. “Perfect,” he whispers, looking down at it, and then his eyes meet mine. “Just like you.”

I look at him through watery eyes. “Thank you,” I say softly.

He cups my cheek. “You’re very welcome, gorgeous.”

“I love it,” I say, swallowing the lump in my throat. Why does he do this to me? “But you shouldn’t have,” I can’t help but say. He’s already done so much for me.

I let out a shaky breath. He leans in and kisses my forehead. “Let’s get going.”

**

We pull up to another mansion that is right on the beach about five miles from where we’re staying. And we get out of the car as the valet gets in and drives it off. Ryder takes my hand, and I watch him smile and make small talk with people I’ve never seen before as we walk down a long hallway. He catches me staring and gives me a wink then goes back to his conversation with a gray-haired old man. And I think how did we get here? Almost two months ago, we were complete strangers ready to jump each other for a one-night stand, and now here we are. I can’t help but imagine a future with him. I see us laughing while we roll around in bed. I see him rubbing my belly as he speaks to our unborn child, and I see us sitting on a rocking chair watching the waves crash on the beach. It terrifies me as much as it excites me.

He brings me to a stop in front of a white door. He knocks on it. “Knock, knock,” he says, not even bothering to wait for someone to answer it.

We enter, and I see a woman sitting on a white loveseat in a white wedding dress. She sees him, and her eyes light up with surprise. “Ry,” she says, jumping to her feet. Her black hair is up in a pretty updo, and her makeup is flawless. She has soft brown eyes and is smaller than I am, very petite.

He lets go of my hand and walks over to her. He pulls her in for a big hug, and I watch her smile and then sniff. “What are you doing here?” she asks, pulling away.

“You thought I would miss this day?”

“You never RSVP’d,” she says, placing her hands on her hips.

He scratches the back of his neck. “Well, here I am.” He looks over his shoulder and raises his hand. “Sweetheart,” he says to me as he gestures for me to take his hand again.

I walk over to him and take it. “Melissa, this is Ashlyn. My girlfriend.”

I can’t help the smile that I wear. It’s brighter than the woman who is about to get married.

She wraps her arms around me, surprising me, and Ryder chuckles. “It’s great to meet you,” she says as she pulls away. “Becca has told me so much about you.”

My eyes widen in surprise. Becca never talks to me much about her family.

“Look at you.” She looks at Ryder and punches him in the arm. “Finally growing up.”

He laughs. “Well, I won’t keep you,” he says as if he’s getting uncomfortable. “I just wanted to see you before the show got started and then you were too busy taking pictures or running off to catch your plane for your honeymoon.”

She gives him one last hug and then gives me another. We walk out of the room and make our way to the back of the house. When we walk outside, I see seats lined up forever. “Wow!” I say wide-eyed as I look at the abundance of red roses that line the aisle. They’re on either side and then wrapped around the white pillars underneath the awning. “This is a big wedding,” I say quietly.

“I think she has four hundred coming.”

My eyes widen. “I don’t even know that many people.”

He laughs as he places his hand on the small of my back. “They’re mainly their fathers’ friends. People like my father use opportunities like this to show off.” I frown when I hear the tension in his voice. He hasn’t mentioned his father in the past week. Not since we had the family meeting at Rosie’s.

“What does your uncle do?” I ask. That’s one thing we’ve never discussed. His family.

“He’s in oil,” he says.

He guides me down the ten steps off the porch and onto the red carpet that lines the aisle as well. “Why didn’t he help your father with O’Kane Enterprises?” I wonder.

He reaches down and fiddles with his Rolex as if a nervous habit. “Because it wasn’t left to him,” he says curtly.

I nod my head and drop it. It’s obviously a sore subject. “Come on; let’s go find Becca and Jaycent,” he says as a guy dressed in a white tuxedo walks by carrying a tray of flutes filled with bubbly. He grabs two and hands me one. I take a sip. Hmm. It’s champagne.

“Where are your parents?” I ask, looking at the people standing around, but I don’t see his mother or father anywhere. “Have you seen your dad?” I’m not all that excited to see his mom, but I have become quite fond of Timothy.

“No and I don’t know.”

I stop walking. “Are you okay?” He comes to a stop as well and turns to face me. His eyes look hard and his jaw sharp. “Did I say something to upset you?” He was fine not five minutes ago.

He stares down at me for a few long seconds, and he lifts his hand to my cheek. I place my hand on his, my charm bracelet dangling from it as the charms clink together. He looks at it, and then his eyes come back to mine. They soften, and he sighs. “Not at all. I just don’t care to see my mother.”

That’s one thing I can agree on. But if I had to choose between her and Vicki, I’d choose her. But it’s bound to happen. I know they’re both here somewhere.

He leans in to whisper in my ear. “Have I told you that you look absolutely gorgeous tonight?”

“Yes,” I say in a whisper, my chest rising and falling fast from his words. All I can think about is him and me in that large bed rolling around sweaty and panting.

He runs his hands up and down my arms, leaving goose bumps from his soft touch. “I can’t wait until this wedding is over.” He licks his lips as his dark green eyes fall to my chest. “I’m gonna play with you tonight.”

Wetness pools between my legs, and I tighten them. “I have to go to the restroom,” I say suddenly.

He smirks. “I’ll show you the way, darling.”

I step into a master bath and walk past the sink and mirror to the door over in the corner to see it separates the toilet from the rest of the bathroom.

I’m in the separate room when I hear the door open and then a woman’s voice. “Did you see her?”

“Yes. I can’t believe he brought her here,” another woman answers.

I freeze as a sickening feeling hits me. Are they talking about Ryder bringing me? They can’t be. Can they?

I hear the door open again, and then I hear a familiar voice. “Vicki. How have you been?”

It’s Becca, and she just said Vicki. Just great! Once again, the door opens and closes as if the other woman who came in with Vicki left.

“Becca,” she says coldly. “Surprised to see you here?”

“Why Vicki, I’m surprised you’re here. You know after you made a fool of yourself on Ry’s boat.” I cover my mouth to keep from snickering.

“How is Ryder doing anyway?” she asks.

I roll my eyes. “He’s great. Ashlyn and he just moved in together,” she announces proudly.

“What?” Vicki squeals, and I place a hand over my mouth to keep from laughing. Bitch!

“Yep. He’s in love.”

“I don’t think he’s over me,” Vicki snaps. “That’s just my opinion, though,” she adds.

“Well, fact and opinion are two very different things, Vicki. And your opinion holds no value.”

Vicki gasps. “And how’s your love life, Becca? You ever find out if your mother was paying Jaycent to fuck you like Conner?”

I unlock my door and shove it open. They both turn to face me. Becca’s eyes are narrowed, and Vicki’s are large in surprise. “I don’t see how any part of Becca’s life is any of your business,” I say and make my way over to the sink to wash my hands, placing my drink on the countertop.

Vicki laughs, but it sounds more nervous than genuine. “Well, if it isn’t the woman playing Cinderella,” she says, placing her hands on her purple dress. Her eyes drop to my glass of champagne, and she sighs. “You shouldn’t be drinking, honey.”

I smile at her in the mirror. Bitch! And choose to ignore her comment about my drink. “So that would make you the ugly step sister?”

Becca laughs, and Vicki fists her hands down by her side. “Listen, bitch …”

“No, you listen,” I say, taking a step toward her. “Stay the hell away from me and Becca,” I warn her.

“Not gonna warn me to stay away from Ryder?” she asks, arching a dark brow.

“I don’t need to warn you there. We all already know he won’t let you get close.” Then I walk past her and grab Becca’s arm, reaching to open the door when she speaks. “And Bradley? What about him?”

I turn and narrow my eyes at her. “How do you know about him …?”

She gives me a smile and pushes her hip out crossing her arms over her chest with satisfaction. “I know more than you know, honey.”

I grind my teeth and want to say more, but I know women like her. She could go on and on, and I don’t want to make a scene here at their cousin’s wedding. Instead, I hold my head up high and spin around, yanking Becca out of the bathroom.

“I need to pee, though,” she whispers to me.

“Choose another bathroom. This mansion has like fifty,” I snap.

**

The wedding went as I thought it would. It was beautiful, the bride cried, and the groom choked on his vows. It was like a storybook wedding with the red roses and sunset with the smell of the ocean and the crashing of the waves.

The wedding just ended, and now we sit under a large white tent as the sun continues to set. They kept the reception on location due to the firework show that will be happening soon. I know I’m exaggerating, but the tent looks the length of a football field. People pile underneath it at round tables with white tablecloths and eight red roses in a crystal vase. A soft white material covers the chairs, and a red ribbon is tied around them with a bow hanging off the back of each chair.

The bride and groom sit at the front of the tent with their wedding party. She has twenty bridesmaids, Vicki being one of them. I lean over to whisper in Becca’s ear. “How do you have that many bridesmaids? I don’t even like twenty people,” I state.

She snorts, her white wine flying out of her mouth as she cups her chin, and I laugh. “Me either.” She wipes her chin. “How would you do it?”

“My wedding?” She nods. “I would want something small. Secluded. Just me and my groom with our parents and closest friends.” I smile. “I picture something on the beach with no shoes. Just our toes in the sand as the sun sets.” I tilt my head to the side. “I guess that’s kinda like this, just on a much smaller scale.”

“It sounds beautiful,” she says, smiling.

Ryder snorts from beside me. He lifts his glass and takes a big gulp of the amber liquid.

Becca taps my leg softly, and she gives me a smile. I look ahead and stare at nothing really. What the hell was that? I don’t want him to think that that’s what I do, sit around all day and picture us getting married.

“Here are my children,” Ryder and Becca’s mother says as she comes up to our table.

I feel Ryder’s body stiffen beside me, and I watch as Becca cuddles up closer to Jaycent’s side as if she’s afraid of the woman.

I square my shoulders and lift my chin. I’ve only met her five times, and she looks as beautiful as I remember. Too bad she’s a bitch.

She doesn’t overdo it to where she looks plastic and fake. She looks more like a porcelain doll. Her makeup and hair perfect. She wears a white dress, and I frown; you’re not supposed to wear white to a wedding unless you’re the bride.

“Well, aren’t you going to say hello?” she asks.

“Hello, Mother,” Becca says timidly.

Ryder ignores her as he takes another drink. “Your father’s looking for you,” she tells him.

“I’ve been right here all night,” he says flatly.

“Ashlyn, it’s good to see you again.” She looks at me and smiles. “Like New York?”

I almost swallow my tongue at her words. I’m not a fake person, but I can play if that’s what she wants. “Yes.”

Ryder leans back in his seat and places his right arm over my shoulders. I stiffen as his mother’s eyes narrow just a bit. “Mother, Ashlyn and I moved in together,” he states, and Jaycent is the one who chokes on his drink. Becca is quick to clean it up off his button up.

“What?” she asks, clearing her throat. To be honest, I’m surprised she didn’t already know that.

He gives her a fuck you smile. “I asked her to move in with me, and she said yes.”

Her blue eyes dart back and forth between us, and she opens her mouth and then closes it. “But I thought—”

“You thought wrong,” he snaps, interrupting her.

She huffs, and her eyes move back and forth between me and Ryder. Then they settle on me. “So do you plan on marrying him or just gonna play house with my son?” She doesn’t let me answer as she then looks at Ryder. “You’d better make her sign a prenup. Women like her are only after one thing.”

“Excuse me?” I snap as I stand.

“Mother,” Becca squeals as she also stands.

She narrows her eyes at me, and Ryder very slowly stands, stepping between us. “She’s not the whore you are, Mother.”

She gasps, placing her hand over her heart as if his words just stabbed her. “Julian …”

He rolls his eyes and throws back what’s left of his drink. “Play the victim. Like always.” He leans into her face, and she pulls back, eyes wide. “But we’re not your friends, Mother. We’re your children, and we know exactly what kind of piece of shit you are.”

Her eyes narrow, and she opens her mouth. “Gwenda?”

We look over to see Vicki has joined us, a fuck you smile on her face as she stares at me for a second. “Let’s go take some pictures,” she says, offering her hand.

“Run along, Mother.” He gestures to Vicki. “To your little pack of sheep.”

Surprisingly, she takes Vicki’s hand and walks off without argument.

I place my hand on his shoulder and let out a long breath. “Ryder …”

He looks down at his empty drink and pulls away from me. “I need another drink,” he states and then walks off.