Chapter 9: What Do You See in Him?

JAMIE

Ryan and I were walking in the direction of my apartment after yet another amazing date.

It was December weather, but we were bundled up and enjoying the late-night walk home.

I looked over and smiled. “Thank you, Ryan. I really enjoyed myself.”

“I should be the one thanking you, Jamie, really. You did pay the bill, after all.”

“Well, it took some time to persuade you.” I chuckled. “You paid the first couple of times. It was my turn to treat.”

He laced his fingers with mine as we walked side by side.

“So you’re leaving for that business trip early in the morning?”

“I have to meet my boss at the airport at eight. But I’ll be back Sunday evening.”

“Mason Knight. You know, I’ve heard things about him.” He looked over at me. “About the way he is with women.”

Heard things. Hah. I’ll bet he looked into him to see who it is I’m working for.

Could Ryan be the sort who would be threatened by Mason?

“What is it you’ve heard?”

He shrugged lightly. “Eh, basically that he has zero respect for women. Even the women who work for him aren’t off-limits.”

I chuckled. “You don’t need to worry, Ryan. I have no intention of sleeping with Mr. Knight.”

“Good to know.” There was genuine relief on his face. “I hope he keeps his hands to himself this weekend.”

~Me too.~

We stopped outside my building, a bit of shyness between us. Neither of us knew what to do next.

~Just do it, Jamie. Just ask him.~

“Do you want to come up?”

He grinned, moving his fingers through his hair. “Okay. I’d love to.”

I opened the door to the building and we walked inside.

I can’t believe I’ve just asked him to come up. I don’t even have a plan for what to do when we get upstairs.

But I was going to wing it.

We walked in the front door. “Carmen and Ethan are probably in the living room.”

I was feeling a bit tense about how they were going to react to him. I hoped they’d be nice.

“You’re home!” Carmen said, then looked up. “And you brought a guest.”

I looked to Ryan. “Ryan, these are my friends, Carmen and Ethan. Carmen and I live together, and Ethan’s staying with us for a few days.”

Carmen smiled at him from the couch. “Nice to finally meet the famous Ryan. Jamie has been talking about you.”

Ryan smiled at me and then looked back at her. “Good things I hope?”

“If she had anything bad to say, you wouldn’t be here, trust me. Jamie is picky about the men she dates,” Ethan said.

“Thank you for that,” I shot back with a roll of my eyes. “I think that’s our cue to leave, Ryan. Let’s go to my room.”

“Shall we wear our earplugs?” Carmen shouted.

As we were walking out of the living room, I looked back to see Carmen making kissy faces at us.

Such a child. Does she know what’s going to happen in there?

Because I sure don’t.

Ryan and I walked into my room, and he looked around. Honestly, it was a surprise to have a man in my room and in my space.

It had been a while.

“You have a nice place, Jamie.” He looked at the collage on the far wall, full of pictures of me and Carmen and Ethan through the years.

“You’ve got some great friends, you’re lucky to have each other.”

I chuckled. “They have their moments.”

Ryan turned around, and we stood looking at each other.

It felt like he was just as shy about this as I was.

“Sooo…” I began hesitantly.

But Ryan crossed to me, tucked a lock of hair behind my ear, smiled, and kissed me softly.

His hands moved down my sides and came to rest on my hips. I wrapped my arms around his neck as the kiss deepened.

“Do you mind?” he asked as his fingers gripped the hem of my blouse.

At least he asked permission. He wanted to see more of me.

Was I okay with that?

“Sure.”

Ryan tugged the blouse up gently over my head. I shook out my hair.

The next few minutes were us both removing our clothes and making our way to the bed.

He was over me, kissing me and touching me in ways I hadn’t been touched in quite a while.

It was very, very, very nice.

I could feel his hardness against my thigh as he moved between my legs. His lips were warm against my neck, his fingers making their way into my panties.

I expected to feel differently with the moment in front of me…

But maybe I wasn’t ready after all.

Maybe I was leading this toward sleeping together just to prove to the rest of them that I was serious about him.

“Ryan,” I whispered.

He stopped what he was doing and looked up at me. His hair was messy, and I liked it.

“Is everything okay?”

“Er… well…” I paused, unsure of what to say.

I got him all excited, and now I was going to cut him off.

“You’re not ready to go quite this far, are you?”

He shifted off me and smiled to reassure me.

“It’s only been a few dates, Jamie. We’re still getting to know each other.”

“I know—I just—should have realized before we both got undressed—”

He looked at me as I lay in front of him. “Well, I’m liking the view, so I’m okay with it. I can wait until you are ready.”

I was relieved that he was a gentleman and wasn’t trying to push me into it. He didn’t even get annoyed that I had got him into my bed and turned him down.

I’ll be ready soon… just not yet.

Ryan leaned forward and pressed a kiss to my lips. “I should probably go, then.”

I stopped him from moving. “No. Stay.”

Ryan lay down beside me, extending his arm, and I rested my head on his chest.

It felt comfortable, lying there with him.

It had to be enough for now.

***

Ryan spent the night in my bed. Nothing happened except for some heavy kissing before we fell asleep.

First thing this morning, he insisted on driving me to the airport to catch my flight.

When we got there, he put his arms around me.

“Last night was fun, I’m glad you asked me to stay over.”

“Me too. Thank you for taking me to the airport. Are you sure you don’t mind dropping my car back at the apartment?”

“Positive.” Ryan pulled me close and kissed me. As my face arched up to his, I held my hat so it stayed in one place.

It was the usual wet and cold December morning.

I wish I could say, 'Thank God It’s Friday,' but it’s pointless when I’m working all weekend.

I pulled back from the kiss once I heard the continuous beeping of a horn.

I turned around and looked in the direction of the noise.

“Is that your boss?” Ryan asked, even though he already knew.

I looked over to where Mason sat in the back seat of a black BMW parked at the curb. The window was down, and he was glaring at me.

“Time is of the essence, Jamie,” he snapped and opened his door.

“He doesn’t look happy,” commented Ryan from beside me. “Shall I leave your keys in with Carmen, then?”

“Please.” I glanced at him gratefully. “And thank you. So, so much.”

He placed a finger under my chin and lifted it to kiss me one final time.

“Call me when you land.”

“I’ll see you soon.” I walked toward the car and smiled back at him before stepping inside.

As I settled in beside Mason, I noticed his typical expensive suit and pissed-off facial expression as he looked at his phone.

“I don’t understand why I’m in your car, Mr. Knight. We’re at the airport.”

“There’s a jet waiting. My driver will take us to the runway,” he replied, not taking his eyes off the screen.

A private jet. Doesn’t surprise me at all.

Mason Knight is going to travel in style, no matter the cost.

“So you and that guy.” Mason shook his head. “I just don’t see it.”

I looked out the window as the car pulled away from the curb. “Ryan is very nice. I like him a lot. I don’t understand your issue.”

He chuckled. “So that’s what Jamie Harris is into. Nice guys. I assume the only sexual position you know is missionary.”

I snapped my head around.

I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised about his bringing up the topic.

There’s a driver sitting in the front seat. I’m sure he’s heard and seen it all.

“Before you try some smart remark back, let me ask you this. Have you ever been pleasured? I mean so much that your toes curl and you just can’t hold back your screams?”

~Good morning to you too. It’s hardly 8 a.m.!~

I paused. “If you really want to know, Mr. Knight, I have a vibrator. I take care of business.”

He smiled, resting against the leather seating, looking smugly pleased at my reply.

“Fair enough. But if you ever need that business taken care of, I’m happy to help. After a night with me, you won’t be getting out of bed.”

Very cocky. I wonder if he lives up to his words.

I’ll never go there, so I’ll never know.

He was right about the missionary thing, though, as much as I hated to admit it. I’d only slept with a few people, and it had never been crazy passionate.

Spending the next two days with Mason Knight, I had a feeling, was going to be an eventful way to spend time.