Chapter Seven
Ryn
My skin is golden from the sun. The day was beautiful, fun, and even though I had my doubts, I found myself wanting to spend more time around Slade. Him and Roxie giggling and chatting caused my heart to stutter and that emotion called hope tightened my chest. I want her to have a father figure, but I can’t put that on Slade. For the first item in a long while I felt at ease having a man around her.
The only thing I don’t want is for her to get too attached and for him to decide that he’s bored with playing house.
Slade offered to take me for a drive so we can spend time alone. Jessi’s watching my baby girl and we’re off to somewhere−since it’s a surprise, I have no clue where we’re headed. Any time with Slade without anyone else around is dangerous.
“Do you know where you’re going?” I ask, as he weaves through the traffic. He nods, glances at me with that side smile, and I can’t help blushing. The heat on my cheeks travels south and I know for a fact that my chest is red as well.
When he takes a familiar turn off, I realize we’re heading up the hill toward the Griffith Observatory—one of my favorite places in the city. He drives in complete silence, but the white-knuckle grip he has on the steering wheel tells me he’s working hard to restrain himself.
“I won’t break, you know,” I tell him, feeling brazen and turned on by the way his muscles bulge in the shirt he’s wearing. My comment earns me a sexy chuckle.
“Darling, the way I want to fuck you right now, I’d definitely break your sweet little body,” he bites out with hunger and desire swimming in his deep voice.
“Somehow, Slade Maddox, I don’t think you’re as scary as you make out,” I retort, the playful banter only making me relax in his company. I don’t know if that’s a good thing, but I’m allowing myself one night to just be a woman. Not a mother. Not a tattoo artist. Just me.
“Be careful what you say, little lady,” he says, pulling into the parking lot and turning off the engine. He turns to face me. “Because I can assure you, the moment you let go and allow me to touch you again, you’ll never forget me.”
My confidence grows at his obvious desire for me. “Then make me forget everything in my past. Show me exactly what you’re capable of.”
“Get out of the car,” he orders, shoving his door open so fast I’m surprised the damn thing didn’t pop off. When I open my own door, step out of the car, and shut it, Slade is already by my side. There aren’t many people around this evening. The sun is just setting and it’s utterly breathtaking.
“I love it up here,” I murmur.
“Good, because we’re going to create a brand-new memory.” Slade leans in, his lips whispering over my ear, sending warm shudders through me. “Watch the sun,” he tells me as his hands trail up my arms. It’s warm out, but I tremble. His fingertips, light as a feather, make their way to the waistband of my jeans. “Trust me, Ryn.”
“I’ll give it a try, Slade. I can’t give you one hundred percent, but I’ll give a fifty for now,” I respond. I want to trust, but after my past heartbreak, it will take time.
“That’s more than enough,” he rasps. “For now.” One hand finds its way into the front of my jeans dipping into the apex between my thighs. His touch is hot, boiling me from the inside out. He strokes the material covering my pussy, slow, gentle, almost reverently.
“That’s it. Let go, darling,” he tells me. The warm breath from his lips falls on my ear, the soft skin of my neck is suckled into his mouth, his teeth graze the flesh as his fingers taunt my core. I feel it then, my eyes glued to the sunset. The sky turns a deep shade of purple and orange as my body tightens and pulses.
His fingers dip into me, finding the heat that seems to be burning me up from the inside.
“Your sweet cunt is drenched for me, darling,” Slade rasps in my ear, sending my desire rocketing for the sky. I want to climb on, take a ride into the abyss.
He doesn’t relent as his lips find my neck, suckling on the flesh, his teeth grazing the most sensitive skin behind my ear.
“Come for me, Ryn. Let go and feel. I want everything from you,” he taunts and teases.
Nothing can stop my climb, my fucking flight to euphoria, because his thumb circles my clit, his two-finger dip into my sodden entrance, and I claw my way up his arm to pleasure. I find release as he once again finger fucks me into nothing.
Everything around us falls away as he takes me to the edge, leaving me there for a moment, on the edge of bliss.
Then, he tells me what I need. “Soon, I’m going to fuck your tiny little cunt so deep, so fast, and so hard, you’ll be mine always.” And with those filthy words, I fly toward the darkening sky.
* * *
“Mommy!” A loud screech wakes me, breaking through the dream of tattoos and abs. Jesus, I need to get laid. This is ridiculous. Last night, after he made me come, Slade put me back in the car, drove me to a small burger place where we had a beer each and got to know each other.
It was so different. So...nice. He told me he lost his parents to a drunk driver when he’d turned eighteen, which caused him to enlist in the police force and that’s where he met Jag. After a couple years, Jagger bowed out when his then partner was killed. Opening his own tattoo parlor was his dream. I hadn’t known that. I look at my boss and definitely can’t see him being one to live with rules, never mind enforcing them.
When Slade brought me home, I was tempted to invite him in, but he kissed me gently on the lips, stroked my arms, and pulled me close to him, promising me that the next time we’re alone together, there’ll be no clothes at all.
“Mommy!” The screech comes again and I know it’s time to get up. Groaning, I push off the bed, rushing into the living room where I find Slade Maddox and Roxie giggling as she cuddles a new teddy bear.
“Hey, beautiful.” He grins, the corner of his mouth lifting in that sinful smirk he loves to give me. As much as I want to deny him, I know this man will be my undoing.
It’s only been two days since we’ve... well since he walked into Pierced Ink and I’m already missing him when he leaves, and when he shows up, unannounced, I’m worried about Roxie, and me, growing attached to another man who could walk out at any point. I know for a fact I want more.
He’s not stayed over yet, but I know the time will come when I will want him to. When deep down, I’m going to ask him to stay and I’ll want to wake up in those strong arms.
“Mommy, look what Slade gave me.” Roxie smiles up at me with the innocence of an angel. The teddy bear with big brown ears is about as big as she is.
“Why don’t you go put it in your bedroom, after you’ve thanked Slade for the gift,” I whisper in her ear.
She turns to him, leaning up on her tiptoes, and mumbles. “Thank you, Slade.” When he crouches in front of her, I can’t help melting when she wraps her tiny arms around his neck and pecks him on the cheek.
Once we’re alone, I meet his gaze—intense, unyielding, and unwavering. “You shouldn’t have—”
“I wanted to. She’s a good kid,” he says. When he rakes his fingers through his hair, my hand tingles to do the same. The memory of what we did last night plays in my mind as if it’s on a loop.
“I don’t need her getting used to you, Slade. This”−I twirl a finger back and forth between us−”it’s... I don’t know what it is, but I can’t have Roxie getting attached and the next thing I know you’re walking out the door.”
“I’m not her father, Ryn. I’m not going to do that.”
“How can you be so sure?” I answer hotly, crossing my arms in front of my chest. Our gazes are locked in a standoff, and as much as I want to fight him on this, I know he’s not the same man who left me all those years ago, but fear still has me gripped in her fatal hold.
He steps toward me, his stare holding mine, not letting go. “I’m not him, Ryn. Listen to me.” His hands grip my hips as he pulls me closer, causing my breath to hitch in my throat. “I want you. I want Roxie. Believe me when I say, I want this.”
“Slowly. Baby steps because this is all so new to me, Slade. I’m not used to having someone who is there for me.”
“Get used to it. You’re mine. No one else will be there for you because I’ll kill any man that comes near you. Okay?” He implores me. His gaze reaches into those depths where I hide my emotion, where I’ve hidden my heart, and it leaves me bare to him. This is worse than being naked in front of someone. This is showing them your hurt and pain.
“Prove it, Mr. Maddox,” I taunt, leaning up to plant a kiss on his cheek, only to hear the naughty giggle of my daughter.
“Mommy has a boyfriend,” she says in her sweet little tone.
Stepping back from Slade, I turn to her. “Yes, Mommy has a boyfriend.” I lean down, kneeling in front of her. “Does that make you happy, Roxie?” She nods, racing into my arms almost knocking me to the ground.
“Slade is cool.” She giggles in my ear and my worry eases.