Page 17

Chapter 17

Paige

R aymond Kane's presence in the office first thing in the morning was the last thing I expected. His broad frame filled the doorway, his stern eyes scanning the room for his son. I tried to slip past him, hoping to avoid any more confrontations after my encounter with Brendan, but his gaze snagged on me.

"Miss Adams," Raymond's voice was a low rumble, "Have you seen Ryker?"

My phone buzzed in my pocket, probably my mom calling again. I ignored it. "Not yet," I replied, keeping my tone polite but distant.

Before I could escape, Ryker barged into the room, his expression a mix of irritation and surprise. Raymond wasted no time.

"Ryker," he began, his voice sharp with reprimand. "What do you think you're doing? You can't keep pushing people away."

I sat awkwardly to the side, feeling like an intruder in a private moment. Raymond’s words cut deep, echoing through the space between them. Ryker’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

Raymond continued his lecture, recounting Ryker’s past mistakes and missed opportunities. I wanted to disappear, feeling a strange mix of sympathy and discomfort witnessing their strained interaction.

When Raymond finally left, I thought that would be the end of it. But Ryker stayed behind, his eyes flicking over to me. His gaze landed on my wrist, and I realized too late that my sleeves had ridden up.

"Who did this to you?"

I yanked my wrist from Ryker’s grasp, the frustration I’d been swallowing down finally bubbling over.

“What do you want me to say?” I demanded, my voice louder than I intended. “Your brother came to see me last night. I told you, I didn't want?—”

Ryker’s eyes narrowed. “Are you saying Brendan?—”

“Is that such a shock to you?” My voice shook with anger and something deeper, something raw. “Why else do you think I left him at the altar? Because the night before, he found out about me and you from one of my friends, the same one he happened to be fucking. You think I wanted to face him after that?”

His jaw clenched, muscles working beneath his skin. He looked away for a moment, his silence heavy with unspoken thoughts.

“I told you,” I said again, my tone hardening as I met his gaze head-on. “I didn’t want to see him, and you couldn’t just respect?—”

“I didn’t send him to you,” Ryker cut in, his voice low but fierce.

I stared at him, the truth of his words sinking in but doing nothing to soothe the anger twisting inside me. This wasn’t just about Brendan showing up or even about Ryker’s constant dismissiveness. It was everything—my role as the eternal caretaker, always having to be strong for everyone else while no one seemed to care how I felt.

I took a step back, putting distance between us. “You don’t get it, do you? You don’t get what it’s like to always have to be the one holding everything together while feeling like you're falling apart inside.”

Ryker’s expression softened slightly, but he said nothing.

“Forget it,” I muttered, turning away. The office suddenly felt too small, too suffocating.

But as I reached for the door handle, Ryker’s voice stopped me.

“Paige…”

I paused but didn’t turn around.

“We need to talk about this,” he continued, quieter now.

“No,” I said firmly, without looking back. “We don’t.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Ryker’s voice, taut with anger, cut through the air.

I turned slowly, meeting his eyes. “Tell you? What do you want me to tell you? You barely spoke to me. You didn’t remember?—”

“I remember everything,” he interrupted, stepping closer. His eyes blazed with an intensity that took my breath away.

Before I could respond, he grabbed my arm, pulling me to him. His lips crashed against mine, fierce and demanding. The world tilted as the kiss deepened, a surge of emotion sweeping through me. His hands cupped my face, fingers tangling in my hair as if he was afraid to let go.

The anger between us transformed into something else entirely. His lips were insistent, moving with a rough passion that left no room for doubt or hesitation. My hands found their way to his chest, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath my fingertips. It was fast, mirroring my own.

Every inch of space between us vanished as he pulled me closer, his body pressing against mine. The kiss was a clash of frustration and longing, each touch igniting a fire I hadn’t realized was there. His breath mingled with mine, hot and urgent.

For a moment, I forgot everything—the arguments, the tension, even the pain from Brendan’s visit. All that mattered was this connection, raw and undeniable. The way his lips moved over mine told me more than words ever could.

But reality snapped back into place like a rubber band stretched too far. I pushed him away, breaking the kiss abruptly. We stood there, breathing heavily, eyes locked in a silent battle of emotions.

I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand and took a step back. “You can’t just?—”

“Paige,” he whispered, voice hoarse with unspoken words.

I shook my head, unable to find the right response. Everything was too tangled up inside me—anger, confusion, desire.

Before I could process my next move, something primal surged within me. I lunged for him, closing the distance in a heartbeat. My lips found his with an urgency that surprised us both. The kiss was fierce, a raw exchange of pent-up emotions and unspoken words. His mouth was hot, demanding, and it felt like he was claiming every inch of me.

“If he did this,” Ryker growled through the kisses, his breath mingling with mine, “I’ll kill him.”

“Don’t,” I whispered against his lips, my fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt. “You’ve already caused enough paperwork.”

He let out a rough chuckle, but it quickly turned into a groan as his lips moved down to my neck. He feasted on the sensitive skin there, each touch sending shivers down my spine.

“Mine,” he whispered fiercely against my neck. “You’re fucking mine.”

His words sent a thrill through me, a heady mix of possessiveness and desire that made my knees weak. He pressed into me, and I felt the hard evidence of his desire for me. The intensity of it all left me breathless, my mind spinning with the realization of how much we had been holding back.

Every touch, every kiss felt like a release, a breaking down of barriers we had both built so high. His hands roamed over my body with an urgency that matched my own, and for that moment, nothing else mattered but us.

His lips crashed back onto mine with a ferocity that left me breathless. I wanted to ask him so many things—why he pretended to be indifferent, why he acted like he didn't remember. But those questions faded into the background as his mouth moved over mine.

Ryker's arm snaked around my waist, pulling me closer until there was no space between us. His other hand tangled in my hair, his fingers gripping tightly as he pressed me against the desk. The edge dug into my back, but I didn't care. All I could think about was the way his lips claimed mine, the way his body felt against me.

He deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring my mouth with a hunger that matched my own. I wrapped my arms around his neck, holding on as if letting go would mean losing this moment forever. His fingers tightened in my hair, pulling just enough to make me gasp.

The sound seemed to spur him on. He devoured me, each kiss more intense than the last. His body pressed harder against mine, and I could feel every inch of him—solid and unyielding. The world outside that office faded away, leaving only the heat between us.

His hand moved from my waist to my back, pulling me even closer if that was possible. My hands roamed over his shoulders, feeling the tension in his muscles as he held himself back from completely losing control.

For now, all I wanted was to feel him. To let this moment wash away the confusion and frustration that had been building for weeks. His lips left mine only to trail down my neck, each kiss sending shivers through me. He whispered something against my skin—words I couldn't quite make out but felt deeply.

I arched into him, wanting more of everything he was giving me. His teeth grazed my collarbone before his mouth returned to mine with renewed intensity. The kiss was rough and desperate, a silent conversation that said everything we hadn't been able to put into words.

Ryker's hands gripped my hips and lifted me onto the desk. The cold surface pressed against my thighs, contrasting sharply with the heat radiating from our bodies. His eyes never left mine as he pushed my legs apart, the roughness in his movements igniting a spark of anticipation.

His knees hit the floor with a dull thud, and he slid his hands up my legs, fingers tracing over the smooth fabric of my stockings. My breath hitched when his touch reached the sensitive skin of my inner thighs.

“Ryker,” I gasped out, trying to catch my breath.

His glare was intense, filled with hunger and something darker. I bit down on my bottom lip, trying to suppress the moan building in my throat.

“As much as I want to make you scream,” he murmured, voice thick with desire, “I don't think that would be prudent. But I need…”

His hands found the waistband of my panties and yanked them down in one swift motion. The delicate fabric fluttered to the floor, forgotten. He glanced up at me briefly before inching my tight pencil skirt higher.

“I need to taste you,” he said hungrily.

The words sent a shiver down my spine. His face pressed against my mound, his breath hot through the thin barrier of my skirt. Every nerve ending felt electrified as he drew closer to where I needed him most.

Ryker's breath was hot against my skin, sending shivers up my spine. His hands gripped my thighs firmly, spreading me open. I could feel the cool air against my exposed flesh. His eyes met mine briefly, a dark promise reflected in them.

Then his mouth was on me, and everything else faded away. The first touch of his tongue sent a jolt through me, my back arching involuntarily. He licked a slow, deliberate path along my folds, exploring every inch of me with a precision that left me breathless.

He groaned softly against me; the vibration adding another layer of sensation that made my toes curl. His tongue delved deeper, teasing and tasting, drawing out soft moans from my lips. My hands found their way to his hair, fingers tangling in the strands as I held him close.

Ryker’s mouth moved with an intensity that matched the storm inside me. He alternated between slow, languid strokes and quick flicks of his tongue that had me gasping for air. Each movement felt calculated to drive me closer to the edge, yet never quite letting me fall over it.

His grip on my thighs tightened as he sucked gently on my clit, the sudden pressure making stars explode behind my closed eyelids. My hips bucked against him, seeking more of that delicious friction.

"Ryker," I breathed out his name like a prayer, lost in the sensation of his mouth on me.

He responded by increasing his pace, tongue working faster now as he focused entirely on my clit. The tension coiled tighter in my belly, each lick and suck pushing me closer to that elusive release.

His name spilled from my lips again, more urgent this time. I could feel myself teetering on the brink, every nerve ending alight with need.

Then he slipped a finger inside me, curling it just right as his tongue continued its relentless assault on my clit.

I bit my lip hard, trying to stifle the moans threatening to escape. The pressure built, coiling tighter with every flick of Ryker’s tongue. I tasted blood, a metallic tang mixing with the heady swirl of sensations coursing through me.

My fingers tightened in his hair as the climax hit me, sharp and overwhelming. Waves of pleasure rolled through me, each one more intense than the last. My thighs quivered, my body trembling uncontrollably. Ryker didn't stop, his mouth relentless against my sensitive flesh. Each stroke sent shivers up my spine, making it almost unbearable.

“Please,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “Too much…”

Finally, he slowed, easing off but not pulling away completely. He pressed a soft kiss against my inner thigh before standing. His eyes were dark with desire as he moved closer, his body pressing into mine.

Without a word, he captured my mouth in a fierce kiss. The taste of my blood mingled with the lingering flavor of myself on his lips. It was intoxicating and raw, making me dizzy with want. He moaned into the kiss, a deep sound that vibrated through me.

His hands gripped my hips tightly as he deepened the kiss, our breaths mingling in the heated space between us. I could feel his heart pounding against my chest, mirroring the frantic beat of my own.

When he finally pulled back, his forehead rested against mine. We stayed like that for a moment, breathing heavily and lost in the aftermath of our shared intensity.

At that moment, a sharp knock echoed through the room. I jumped, my heart lurching in my chest. Ryker didn't even look flustered. His eyes flickered toward the door before he slid back to his knees, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. Without hesitation, he crawled under the desk, vanishing from sight just as I scrambled to stand up.

My hands shook as I adjusted my shirt, trying to smooth out the wrinkles and make myself presentable. The blood rushed in my ears, drowning out everything else.

“C-come in,” I called, turning just in time to see Gideon step into the room.

Gideon’s eyes swept over me briefly before landing on the scattered papers and the chair that was slightly out of place. His brow furrowed, but he didn't comment.

“Paige,” he greeted, his tone neutral. “I hope I'm not interrupting anything.”

“N-no,” I stammered, cursing myself for sounding so flustered. “Just... finishing up some work.”

He nodded, taking a step closer. “I wanted to go over the final details for Ryker's back to school event."

I swallowed hard, trying to focus on his words while acutely aware of Ryker's presence under the desk. The memory of his mouth on me was still fresh, making it difficult to concentrate.

“Right,” I said, forcing a smile. “The back to school...”

Gideon handed me a folder, his eyes never leaving mine. “I need you to ensure everything runs smoothly. We can’t afford any mistakes.”

“Of course,” I replied, taking the folder from him. My fingers brushed against his briefly, and I hoped he couldn't feel how clammy they were.

He glanced around the room once more before meeting my gaze again. “Are you sure you’re all right? You seem a bit... distracted. And your face is flushed.”

“I’m fine,” I insisted, giving what I hoped was a reassuring smile. “Just a lot on my mind.”

Gideon hesitated for a moment before nodding slowly. “All right then. Make sure everything is in order by morning.”

“Will do,” I promised.

He gave me one last scrutinizing look before turning to leave. As soon as the door closed behind him, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.

Thank God he hadn’t seen my panties bundled under the chair.