Authors: Maya DeLeina
“You realize that we would have to close by Thursday?” Alan replied, making a last effort to sound his opinion carefully in the matter.
“Accept the deal with the conditions, Alan.
I want Ambrose Heights
.” Ryan firmly accentuated his last line. “Make the necessary arrangements to the property title as we planned. I’ll work on her over the weekend to sign the quitclaim deed.”
“And, as for the remaining matter?’
“What about it?”
“Well, have you changed your mind, or are we to proceed as planned after the title transfer is complete?” Alan questioned.
Ryan sighed. “Anya. Yes, proceed. All I want is Anise.”
Chapter Two
The Mercedes G550 maneuvered through the switchbacks of the mountain pass that led to Ambrose Heights. Ryan was a little on edge as he’d never made the trip at dusk and the light snow flurry that had started earlier in the evening was now heavier and sticking to the road. A sense of relief washed over him as he finally came upon the only straightaway in the journey.
This was his perfect opportunity.
He rolled his shoulders, slid back into the seat warmers, and allowed his hands to loosen their grip on the wheel. Slowly, he glided his hands around the steering wheel, enjoying the sensation the texture created on his palms.
Ryan was consumed with absolute contentment as he reflected in the silence.
The house. The Mercedes. They are mine.
He pictured what the house would look like at night, how he would tower above the sparkle and shimmer of the city below. He wondered about the exact number of people he could pack in the house when he was ready to throw himself a housewarming party. The guest list would be long and obviously take some methodical planning. He would be strategic, inviting the right people who could spread the word about his extravagant purchase. In the right hands, the invitation could lead to more opportunities, maybe even land a feature story in the architectural magazine.
But this time, he would be on the cover.
Fulfillment washed over him as
he took a deep breath. His nostrils immediately filled with the scent of leather, but through the air of masculinity, a spice-laced perfume delicately surfaced.
His gaze traveled to the passenger seat. He soaked in her beautiful features as she slept. Her olive-tone skin, her long, silky, black hair, her slender legs, he loved everything about her. He softly caressed her cheek with the back of his hand and edited his previous thought.
The house. The Mercedes. The beauty by my side. They are mine.
She was his latest acquisition.
Like a trophy on display, she glistened. Her attractiveness radiated a discernible vibrancy. He shook his head in adoration. It was the newness of her and the ability to parade her around in his new social circle for which he held a categorical anticipation. Surely the wealthy men of Ambrose Heights would be envious of his ownership. Without a doubt, they would have the most exquisite taste, a real eye for a stunning beauty.
And Anise DeVera was nothing less than stunning.
She was adventurous, animated, and so full of life. Every day was filled with anticipation, every evening sparked with passion. She made him feel fresh, young, and wild. Being with her reignited his passion and possibilities in his life.
Anise caught his hand in hers, planting a loving kiss with her full lips. Her almond-shaped eyes opened, and she looked up at him. Instantly, thoughts of the house were now replaced with random images of their passionate lovemaking. Things he wanted to do to her. Things he would do for her. They would work at christening every part of the house. A deep sense of hunger burned through him.
How much longer is the drive?
She placed his hand on the steering wheel and let her hand travel to his knee.
He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled in response to her touch.
She rubbed his knee with one hand.
Sensing her intention, Ryan parted his legs and slid forward in his seat, allowing his crotch to rise slightly. He immediately reached for a control button that sent the steering column in a receding motion, affording her more accessibility.
With some reach, he maintained control of the wheel.
Slowly, her hand glided up along his inner thigh.
Ryan’s eyes darted between the road and Anise’s exploratory hands. She moved with precision, leaving a trail of tormenting sparks to pierce down to his bones. With every touch, he responded with a tremble and his breath grew deeper. He parted his lips, rimming his tongue along his bottom lip.
On her last swipe up his thigh, she angled her hand so her fingers were pointing upward and delicately cupped his crotch. She ran her thumb and middle finger up and down each side of his hardness that was clearly outlined beneath the material.
He throbbed under his trousers in anticipation of what she was planning on doing next.
Adjusting herself on the seat, Anise leaned into Ryan. Pulling on his zipper, her craving-filled eyes were focused and targeted. She found her way to his briefs and methodically tucked her fingers in the opening of the material in search for his cock. The tip was already glistening with a bead of excitement.
Ryan put his hand on the back of her head and motioned her down. Her mouth took him with authority and excitement.
Ryan let out a moan.
She moved up and down, allowing her tongue to trace every vein and contour in a wet exploration. His fingers splayed the width of her skull. Desire mounted and soon, Ryan’s hands were demanding, dictating the moment and directing her pace.
Ryan tilted his head back, savoring the feeling of her warm mouth taking him in.
Suddenly, a thunderous strike echoed through the vehicle and shattered the moment. She immediately responded to the violent jerk, quickly releasing Ryan and returned to the safety of her seat. From Ryan’s estimation, he had hit a deep pothole in the road. He looked in the rearview mirror instinctively but could only see darkness. Ryan nervously tucked himself back into the trousers and steadied both hands on the wheel.
“A little help with the zipper?” he asked as he tried to regain concentration on the road.
She leaned forward to help him.
The polished, red jasper that hung from the rearview mirror swiftly sparked his attention. From the impact, the stone swayed back and forth in a rhythmic pendulum swing. He gazed at the stone, the movement hypnotic, conjuring up memories.
Memories he did not want to evoke.
At once, a sharp pain suspended in the hollow of his chest as the image of his wife flooded his mind, recalling their exchange earlier that day.
“This is for your car, honey,”
Anya’s sultry
voice
echoed in his head.
She’d stood in their driveway, dangling a package in front of him as he turned over the engine. A shawl rested on her shoulders, outlining her low-cut white embroidered tunic. Her long bohemian skirt blew gracefully in the light wind. She pulled her hair behind her ear on one side, exposing her exuberant smile as she walked to the passenger door. Anya’s shapely body stirred something in him as he watched her walk in front of the SUV. She opened the door and leaned in through the passenger seat to hang her present on his rearview mirror, creating the most advantageous view of her cleavage
.
Ryan closed his eyes tightly and shook his head, reminding himself of the decision he had already made.
By that evening, he would be gone
.
“It’s red jasper. It is said to protect against harm, especially against hazards that come at night.”
Anya looked up at Ryan with a smile
and
reached to cup his jawline in her hand.
“Perfect for you, Mr. Workaholic. I would feel a lot better if this was with you. ”
“And, I suppose I have Michelle to thank for this as well?”
She shrugged innocently before giving him a quick peck on the lips. “My last lesson cancelled for this evening, so I can be home early. Call me when you’re about to leave the office and we can hurry and start the weekend.”
Ryan nodded in response, watching her make her way to her car
.
From the moment he first saw Anya, he was captivated. He watched her command attention, dominate all focus in a room. He saw the way men would stop and stare, clamor for her attention. More than just an exotic beauty, she was a
treasure
, an indispensable asset that could solidify a man’s worth. Without a second thought, he knew right then and there, he had to have her. When she’d taken his name, he soaked in all of the covetous eyes, relishing his possession. But he soon realized deep in his core he craved variety, novelty in the unfamiliar and adventure in the unexpected.
All things a marriage could not easily afford.
He’d waited, watching her car disappear around the bend from his rearview mirror. Ryan cut the Mercedes engine and stepped out of the vehicle, back onto the driveway. He hurried, entering their home, and retrieved the suitcase he had concealed in the coat closet. He’d worked all week to inconspicuously pack for his getaway. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a square envelope. He ran his fingers over the envelope one last time as he balanced the letter against a vase that sat on the foyer’s entry table
.
Ryan’s thoughts drifted back to the present, concentrating on the last few miles of his drive. The red jasper’s hypnotic swing was now reduced to a simple sway, breaking any hold it once had on him.
He glanced at the time.
Anya should be making her way home
.
His plan was moving along like clockwork. Everything spilled into that letter, waiting to be revealed.
After five years of marriage, his love for her diminished. Life became too predictable, too routine, and too ordinary. There was no fire, no passion. He wished to start a new life, a life with someone new. He looked over at the passenger seat and gazed at Anise. The woman had stolen his heart. She was the unique fire that rekindled everything he’d lost.
In that moment, he settled his thoughts, confident in his decision.
The straightway ended and the last set of sharp turns in the road before reaching the gates of Ambrose Heights were coming up.
The stretch of road that had no guardrails
, he mentally noted.
The snow was now heavier, quickly diminishing visibility in the darkness. Ryan readjusted himself in the seat as his foot lightened its demand on the gas pedal.
Anise reached for her seat belt. She tugged and pulled, but all she could capture was the smoothness of the fabric. Somewhere behind the seat, the belt’s metal fitting had gotten tangled. She turned around in her seat, pressing her cheek against the cold window and reached behind to untangle the belt.
“What are you doing?” Ryan asked.
“My seat belt is stuck and I’m trying to…” she said.
“Do it gently!” Ryan barked. “The leather…I’d like to keep it looking new. Your long nails can do some real damage. Have you seen my back lately? I had to work at hiding it from her all week.”
“All right,” she said with a slight agitation in her tone. She fumbled around a little more then exclaimed, “Got it!”
* * * *
Anise lifted her cheek from the cold glass and exposed the metal fitting of the belt. As she adjusted, allowing her hand to pull the belt up and around her, she glanced out the window.