Impacted (Conflicted Encounters #2) (22 page)

"I want you to be mine and only mine. I want to walk in there with you on my arm and be able to say your mine."

I searched his eyes. I was always his, no matter what he said or felt. My heart and head never moved way, just my body, and they never would. I loved him even though I knew he wasn't ready for it yet. I nodded as I swallowed roughly. He was slowly letting me back in, and I would take what I could get. He grabbed the back of my head and my knees gave out with the force of the kiss. When the buzzer rang, he pulled away and escorted me down to the waiting limo.
 

If I wasn't in heels, we could have walked to the party. The event was in a hotel just around the corner and it only took a few minutes to pull up in front. Ryder was a gentleman, helping me out of the limo and wrapping my arm around his to lead us in the doors. I found my parents waiting in the lobby, as they promised they would be.
 

"He is so handsome," my mom whispered in my ear as she gave me a light kiss on the cheek.
 

I smiled at her before greeting my dad and watching him shake Ryder's hand. I knew my father didn't warm up to him completely, but I was glad he was biting his tongue. I would deal with him at a later time. Tonight, I just needed to get through this event for them. I followed my parents into the decorated ballroom.
 

The room was covered in silver and pale blue. Tables were set with china and various glasses. Candles lit the room and string lights covered the ceiling. Music filled the air and everything sparkled. I smiled; it actually looked exactly how I envisioned it.
 

"Looks amazing. I told you," my mother bragged, giving me a proud smile.
 

As we walked to our front table, Ryder kept his hand on my lower back and rubbed his thumb across my bare skin. He pulled out my chair for me, pushing me in before taking his seat next to me. Ivan soon joined us, introducing us to his date and completing our table. I watched the guests around the room while my father and Ivan chatted about business.
 

Waiters were gliding around the floor with trays of champagne, and everyone was decorated in sparkling jewelry. I watched as couples walked in with wide eyes, taking in the design that I’d spent so much time on. A string band sat on a small stage, filling the room with soft music. I had most of the plans set in stone before I left. Ivan only had a few minor details to work out.
 

Meals were served and I was barely able to eat it all, despite the small serving sizes. The chicken was bland and so were the greens on the side. The menu was something I did not plan; I left that behind. I silently wished for Scarlett's rigatoni or the leftover wings at my apartment. After dinner, my father was announced to make a speech.
 

He started with the history of Adam's Jewelers. He spoke about how he started as a kiosk on the sidewalks in the city, eventually moving to a small store in a strip on the poor side of town. I smiled up at him, proud of my dad for making what we had from nothing. Even if I didn't want to be a part of it, it gave me the life I had and he was happy.
 

After telling the crowd about how we opened the second location in tower city, I heard my name. "My daughter, Kallie, took over the business while I had health issues. She was brilliant, determined, and always had an eye for beauty. She pushed us to start offering Pandora in our locations. I have to admit, I was hesitant at first. My daughter never backs down when she has an idea, though. She did all the negotiating and was able to convince this very select designer to find a home in our small, family-run business."

The crowd clapped softly and tears pricked in my eyes. I turned my back on them, on the family-run business, but he still looked down at me like I gave him the world. I blew him a kiss, and Ryder squeezed my hand on my lap.

"So tonight, lets celebrate this milestone for our company. Let's celebrate the hard work and determination of one stubborn little girl, and lets celebrate the fact that the little guys can have big things, too. Here's to a long and lasting relationship with Pandora." He raised his glass and so did the entire room, toasting.
 

"I'm proud of you," Ryder whispered in my ear as I sipped my champagne.
 

"Thank you," I told him.
 

After dinner came the part I was dreading the most. The mingling. The question of what I was doing next with the company was exactly what I didn't want to discuss. I had no idea what I would be doing after the wedding, but I knew I wouldn't be working for my dad. For days, I tried to come up with a graceful excuse as for why. I wanted to say I'm taking off time to travel, or study, but I was never great at lying.
 

Ryder offered his hand to pull me out the seat. "You are killing me in that dress," he growled in my ear, his breath tickling down my neck and collarbone.
 

"I can't wait to get out of it," I smiled back.
 

He shook his head and tugged me around the room. I was stopped by several of my family's friends and associates. Most just complimented my dress or congratulated me. I was polite and tried not to stick around long enough for any questions. Ryder's hand stayed glued to my lower back, and I took comfort in his presence.
 

"Oh, that's interesting. Whose piece is that?" Mrs. Hut asked, pointing to the bracelet I made from the clamp.
 

"Oh," I stuttered. "I made it."

"You did?" she exclaimed. "It's great. Very unique and different. People love that these days, especially the younger generation."

"Thank you," I smiled. Ryder's fingers stroked the skin just above the back of the dress, dipping under the fabric to tease lower.
 

"A Kallie Original. I will be thinking of you when we open our branch in Ohio City. I have been looking for new young designer with some edge."

"Well, thank you," I choked out. I wasn't actually expecting anyone here to like the stuff I made from recycled parts, but she was right; it had a market in today's generation. I liked the pieces I designed and would wear them. I was happy to be in something different and not the same designs we always sold. I said goodbye politely and snuck away from her group.
 

"Come here," Ryder said in my ear. I let him lead me out of the ballroom and down the hall. He opened a door marked 'coat check'.
 

He pulled me past the empty hangers and racks before pushing me against the back wall. His lips crashed to mine and I moaned in his mouth. His hands held the sides of my neck as his tongue possessed my mouth. I loosened and undid his tie before unbuttoning the top buttons of his shirt. I ran my nails down his skin, pulling out a growl from deep inside him.
 

"Pull up your dress," he demanded as he lifted me up onto a counter. "I don't want to ruin your makeup." When I continued to stare at him in shock, he gently pulled the fabric up my legs and over my thighs.
 

"What are you doing?" I asked, breathless.
 

"I can't wait any longer," he said as he knelt down on the ground.
 

He trailed his fingers up my legs and gently coaxed my panties to the side.
 

"Wait," I breathed and put a hand on his shoulder. "I’ve never."

"I know."
 

His head moved lower, and then I felt the first lick. His tongue caressed between my legs, tasting and exploring me. My legs shook around him as he slowly stroked and teased my clit. I was panting and squeezed his shoulders as my body tingled. I never felt something so pleasurable and consuming. I can't believe I went this long in life without ever having this experience. The fact that we were in room right outside an event melted away.
 

"Ryder, I'm going to," I panted, scared of the overwhelming wave threatening to wash over and drown me.

"Come for me, baby. I need to taste it."

The words sent me under, waves crashing over me, taking me deeper and deeper as my head dropped back and I called out his name. His tongue continued to lap at me, sending aftershocks throughout my entire body. I was quivering and weakened from the intensity that ricocheted through me. When he finally stood, he helped me to my feet and smoothed my dress out around my legs. I swiped my thumb over his bottom lip.
 

"Wow," I laughed.
 

"I told you, you were driving me crazy in that dress," he smirked. "You look so gorgeous and poised tonight. I'm lucky to have you."
 

I smiled as his words sunk in, wrapping around me. He stuck his head out the door to make sure the coast was clear before he led me back out to the party.
 

We spent the rest of the evening drinking and people watching. We moved around the room, hand in hand, and I told Ryder who various people were. I introduced my boyfriend to some family friends and let the champagne lighten my head. The stress I was feeling from earlier had evaporated, and I enjoyed the evening at a ridiculous, lavish event with my boyfriend.
 

As the party started to thin out, my mother informed us that our limo was waiting out front. I gave her a hug and gave my dad a peck on the cheek goodnight. I giggled on the short ride to the apartment and almost didn't get out of the limo when we arrived. Ryder's kisses were lethal and had the power to erase everything around me.

Once the door closed, Ryder slowly striped my dress off me. The light fabric slid down my body as he inched me back to the bed. I watched as he pulled off his jacket and dropped it to the floor. I unbuttoned his shirt, fumbling and giggling through it all. He pulled the high heels off my feet, rubbing the soreness away.

I watched in fascination as Ryder pushed his pants off and crawled over my naked body. He planted gentle kisses to my face and neck before lying next to me. I fell asleep in his arms, not worrying about getting up early and heading back south. I had a monster list of things to do to get ready to leave in the next few days, but I wouldn't think about it tonight. Ryder's hands and scent were pulling me into a deep coma, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
 

Ryder

I'm completely surrounded by her smell. I am drowning it, bathing in it, and it is all that I am breathing in. My arm is asleep under her head, but I don't want to move. I know we should be getting up soon, but I really don't give a shit. I am enjoying the soft feeling of her skin against mine. The sound of her soft breathing is all I hear, drowning out the busy city streets below.

Last night was different than I expected. The entire day was. Her parents were weary, but didn't come off as completely hostile either. I expected one look at my tattoos and my dirty hands on her, and they would toss me out. I didn't miss the stern looks her dad sent my way, though. I didn't even have to be looking at him to know he was glaring daggers at me.
 

Kallie seemed to ignore the world around her. I thought it would kill me to see her in her element, fitting in with a world I would never be a part of. But she didn't. She looked like a diamond in a sea of stone, and yes, I am making a reference to the theme of the night. She was out of place, never really fitting in there. I was proud of her, a feeling I only felt when thinking of my sister. The look in her dad's eyes when he toasted her was unmistakably pride and love.
 

She made all the achievements he boasted about. I saw the hard work she put into the event, and I heard the praises of the business that would come from landing the account. A small pain grew in my chest when I realized that was what she was working on while she was away. She was busy ignoring me and working hard. Last night, I saw the fruits of her labor. Even though I wanted to still hate her for what she put me through, it lessened the pain to see what the outcome was.

I was surprised she made me change my outfit to meet her parents. I was prepared to fake my way through breakfast. I was ready to lie and hide myself to keep her comfortable, but she didn't want that. I never saw us long term enough to worry about her family's opinion of me, so I wasn't prepared to have to please them. I'll admit, at one point I did, but I hadn’t since she left.
 

Kallie's body started to stir next to me, and her face twisted to mine. "Morning," she whispered.
 

"Morning," I smiled back. Her face was satisfied like we had sex all night even though we didn't. I was able to give her something no one else has before, though.

She moaned and stretched her body, pushing her chest into mine and making me harder. I pulled back so I wouldn't stab her in the ribs with it. I knew she wanted to get back to prepare for the trip in a few days. If I started something now, I wouldn't be able stop at all. At least at my place she could multitask.
 

"I want Denny's," she yawned.

"Who?"

"Breakfast," she laughed, then smacked my chest. "You know you're the only one for me," she winked, and playfully skipped to the attached bathroom.

I threw off the covers and dressed while I waited for her. Kallie finally came out with her hair pulled into a messy bun wearing yoga pants and a Walking Dead tee shirt. I had no idea how when she dressed down, she looked sexier than all dolled up.