Chapter 16

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

MADISON

“Well, fuck. He would be, wouldn’t he?” Ryan’s hand rubs his hard-set jaw as he stares into the void. Without a word, he grabs my hand and takes off with me in tow.

“Where’re we going?” I ask, my feet shuffling to keep up. I ignore the excitement shooting through my veins from his touch. The feeling is contradictory to my mind. It’s still reeling over what I learned. Dr. Steinberg, or Alex as I know him, is the mysterious donor who holds the hockey team’s fate in his hands. He also happens to be my dad’s best friend. Our dynamic just got more complicated.

Fuck my life.

“Somewhere where prying eyes won’t fall on us.” He shoots me a sideways glance and gently squeezes my fingers. “I want to be alone with you, Toots.”

My heart does a little flip at the nickname. Damn it, when did that hideous name grow on me, and why does Ryan have to be so infuriatingly charming? I want to resist, to pull away and demand answers. But there’s something in the set of his shoulders, the determination in his stride, that makes me hold my tongue.

I let Ryan lead me through campus, not knowing where we’re headed. Neither apartment is an option, considering we need to keep out of sight. We’re drawing enough attention the way it is now.

The Kernette Center comes into view with its modern glass facade gleaming in the late afternoon sun. A knot of anxiety tightens in my stomach. What is Ryan planning? Surely, racquetball isn’t on the agenda.

“Ryan, seriously, where are we going?” I tug on his hand, planting my feet. “I’m not taking another step until you tell me what’s happening.”

He turns to face me fully, his tall frame blocking the sun. For a moment, I’m struck by how different he looks from the cocky hockey star I first met. There’s a vulnerability in his eyes now, a hint of the boy beneath the carefully crafted image.

“I just…” He runs a hand through his hair, messing up his neat style. “I needed to get you alone for a minute. Away from all…” He gestures vaguely at the bustling campus around us. “This.”

The Kernette Center is part of the sports complex with indoor racquetball courts on the lower level and an indoor track on the upper level. I’ve always wondered who would use the indoor track since our weather is beautiful ninety percent of the time. But it’s an option, anyway.

My heart rate kicks up a notch. Alone? With Ryan? Part of me wants to bolt, to protect myself from whatever’s brewing between us. But a bigger part, the part falling for him despite my best efforts, thrums with anticipation.

“Okay.” The words are soft as he tugs me gently towards the building’s entrance. “Lead the way, hockey boy.”

“There’s a nook upstairs that nobody visits.” He flashes me a grin. “No cameras either.”

Jealousy stabs at me. If Ryan’s taking me to one of his hookup spots, I’m going to … I don’t know, but it’s going to be bad. “Is this where you take your conquests?”

“Conquests? Fuck, Maddy, quit thinking everyplace I take you is a hookup spot.”

I raise an eyebrow and stare. My silent “Well, am I wrong?” hangs between us.

Ryan shakes his head in what feels like disappointment.

“This way,” he murmurs, his eyes darting to the elevator bank. He drops my hand and places it on the small of my back. Shivers race down my spine. Why do I love his fingers on me so much?

I give the area a side sweep, but the few scattered students don’t pay us any attention.

My stomach does a little flip as we step inside. The doors slide shut, sealing us in a bubble of quiet. Sandalwood and something uniquely him fill the small space. I inhale deeply, trying to calm my racing pulse. There’s something about being confined in a small space with an attractive guy that kicks the adrenaline into high gear.

His hand drops lower, fingertips grazing the top of my ass. I have to fight the urge to move closer. But his touch. His smell. It’s all-consuming.

The door slides open, and Ryan tugs me into a secluded alcove hidden from view of the main corridor. My back presses against the cool wall as he releases my hand and steps back to give me space. We’re both breathing hard, though whether from the brisk walk or the tension crackling between us, I’m not sure.

“If this isn’t your lair, how’d you know about this place?”

“I come up here to run in the off-season. It’s quiet and less populated. Fewer distractions.” His face grows serious. “I’m guessing going to the Gala is out of the question?”

Sadness breaks the tension. “Going with you wouldn’t be a good idea. Alex would tell my dad for sure. They’re practically like brothers. They play golf every Saturday.”

A pained expression crosses Ryan’s face. “I hate hiding this. Hiding us.”

“What exactly is this?” My voice is strained, but I want him to be crystal clear. So far, all we’ve done is fuck. We fucked well, but it was still just sex.

He steps closer, backing me against the wall. “Don’t pretend you don’t feel the connection between us. The only reason I’ve kept my distance throughout the years is because of our parents. Their circumstances. The warnings.” His palm cups my chin, those eyes boring into mine. “Otherwise, I would’ve claimed you as mine long ago.”

My breath hitches. Claimed. A dominating word I should protest. But damn if my insides don’t clench at the thought.

“I want every piece of you, Maddy.” His fingers twist strands of my hair. “Every fiery strand of your hair.” Letting go, his fingertips sweep across my shoulder and down my side. “Every curve of your body.” He squeezes my ass. “You’re the one thing I want but shouldn’t have.”

My rebuttal catches in my throat. I knew Ryan was attracted to me, but I had no idea he felt this strongly. It’s intoxicating and terrifying all at once.

He leans in, touching my forehead with his. “Just tell me you don’t want this,” he challenges softly. “Tell me to walk away, and I will.”

My heart pounds so loudly I’m sure he can hear it. I should tell him no. I should end this before it goes any further. But there’s a moment of truth as I look into his eyes. I can’t lie, not to him and not to myself.

“I can’t tell you that.”

His moan comes out low and husky and does dirty things to my insides. “What do you want, Maddy?”

“I want you, too.” My whisper is barely audible as the words hang between us, thick with promise and danger.

His eyes darken with desire. He erases the remaining gap between us and brushes his lips against mine in a feather-light kiss. It’s sweet and gentle, a stark contrast to the intensity of his confession.

“So what happens next?” I ask, breath panting.

He breaks out into a devilish grin. “Well, you get on your knees and?—”

A smack to his chest cuts him off.

“I meant with us.” My hands palm over his shirt. I want this conversation, but I also want him.

“Alright.” He chuckles and then blows out a breath. “As much as I hate it, we still need to hide our relationship.”

Relationship.

I swallow. Since when did we become one? And why does the thought make me swoon?

“But, Toots.” Intensity pours from his gaze. “It’s only until after the Gala. Once the school gets the secured funding, we’re coming out. You hear me?”

I nod.

And with that, he claims my mouth with a passion that leaves me breathless. His hands roam over my body as if trying to memorize every inch of me. It feels so right and yet so wrong at the same time.

He breaks the kiss just long enough to remove his shirt.

And holy hotness level, he’s so damn delicious looking. I want to run my tongue along his glistening skin and kiss my way down those ripped abs until hitting paydirt. And boy, would the payout be huge. His cock is the biggest I’ve ever seen, not to mention girth. This dick trance he’s bestowed upon me never gets tiring.

“You could take a picture if you want.”

“Could I?” My eyes widen in horror. “No! I didn’t mean?—”

“I think you did.” He runs a hand up my thigh and drops his mouth to my ear. “Show me what the good girl is thinking.”

His deep baritone voice rumbles through me, and I shiver. I’m so damn exhilarated. He’s right in front of me, ready to take.

I graze my fingertips over each ridge with shaky fingers, followed by my lips. He has me so aroused I press my thighs together and lower to the ground. Lord help me; I want to please him. I’m practically giddy, watching his impressive package lengthen farther and knowing it’s all from me. He’s fucking intoxicating.

His breath hitches as I slip my fingers into his waistband and slip off his shorts and boxers. When we were together, I never got to take my time and explore this masterpiece of a body.

Hidden in the throes of the Kernette Center may not be the most intimate place, but I’ll take what I can get. Besides, there’s something thrilling about the prospect of getting caught.

“Damn, Maddy. I’ve thought of you doing this ever since the first day of seeing you walk down Stewart’s Academy.”

I wrap my hand around his base. “We were fifteen.”

“Fifteen-year-old boys are horny.” He sucks in the last word as I run my tongue along the length of his shaft. I force myself not to smile, but it’s hard not to. My actions please him, and I like knowing I make him happy.

He moans when I fully encase his tip and take as much length as possible.

“You’re such a natural at this.”

He lets me explore his cock, but it isn’t long before his animal instinct takes over. His hands weave into my hair and press against the back of my head. He pulls back and thrusts forward, fucking my mouth nice and slow.

“You’re such a good girl, taking this so well.”

Pleasure courses through my body from his praise. I push myself to take more, even as he teases the edge of my gag reflex. It’s confusing why I enjoy this so much, but it’s a high like no other.

Suddenly, with one forceful movement, he thrusts forward and makes me choke. Pulling back, he runs his fingers tenderly along my jaw. My gaze rises to meet his, and the look in his eyes causes me to take a satisfied breath.

“Stand,” he croaks out, tugging my hair—not hard, but with enough tension to get my attention.

The moment my legs straighten, he spins me around and bends me over, placing my hands against the wall. He spreads my legs apart with his knee while lifting my skirt over my hips and…

Rip.

There go my panties.

Guess I’ll be investing in some new pairs if he keeps this up.

With my ass exposed, he playfully swats it. “You’re so fucking sexy bent over for me.” He soothes a hand over the area and stands behind me. “So fucking hot.”

His bulge presses against my backside and leaves me panting for more. But when he sweeps a finger across my clit and slides two fingers inside, I cry out.

“Patience. I have to get you ready to take me.”

He delivers on his promise, bringing me to the brink, and then stops. I protest at the removal of his fingers.

“Mmm.” He places his mouth on my back and sucks lightly as he runs the tip of his dick along my slit and toys with the entrance. “Is this what you want?”

“Ryan.” I wiggle my ass against his willing cock, wanting him to hurry. I’m so drenched. So needy. And it’s all for him.

“Ryan, what?” He pushes the tip of his cock in just enough to elicit a moan from deep in my gut before withdrawing once again.

I lose all sense, greedy with need. “Please, Ryan. I need you.”

“Yes,” he moans and rewards me by plunging inside. And God, this feels good. Full. So fucking full. I’m ruined for any other dicks. How have I lived without this my entire life? Oh, I wasn’t living. Just existing.

He grabs my hips and sets the rhythm. He starts slow and builds to a faster tempo.

“God, Maddy. You’re so fucking hot bent over for me.” He slides his large hand up and palms my breast. “These perfect-sized breasts.” He pinches my nipple through the thin fabric of my shirt and bra. “So hot.”

His hands. His words. They all feel so good. It doesn’t matter that we have to hide our relationship. Or that our families are feuding. It’s all irrelevant compared to this moment.

The way he takes control. The way he moves inside me. The way he makes me feel. It’s so incredibly hot.

But it’s when he shifts his fingers lower and presses against my clit along with a deep thrust that the world as I know it ceases to exist. Mind-blowing, all-consuming sensations zing through me as my pussy clenches around his cock.

“Oh, Ryan.”

“That’s it. Come on my dick.”

My legs shake. I close my eyes and ride out this wave of pleasure, barely able to stay upright. As if sensing my need, Ryan props my hips as I press my hands harder against the wall.

“That’s it, baby. You’re doing so good.” He groans a low guttural moan, pumping faster and harder, chasing his own orgasm.

He collapses on my back, chest heaving. “Damn, that was…”

Spectacular. Impressive. The most intense orgasm I’ve ever had. I settled upon “Awesome.”

Bringing his mouth to my ear, he whispers, “I knew I’d get you to beg.”