Chapter 4 An Arrangement Before Time

Ryan's POV

“Ryan... oh god, Ryan...”

Emma’s voice comes in a high and breathy moan next to my ear and her nails dig into my shoulders. It’s fine.. It’s what I’m here for but I’m getting bored of this. I want a different view.

In one smooth movement I flip us over. She lets out a small surprised gasp as she lands on top of me with her blonde hair fanning across my face.

“Your turn.” I murmur with my hands finding her hips and guiding her, setting a slow deep rhythm.

She gets the idea quickly with her eyes fluttering shut as she moves. I let my hands roam up her sides and cup her breasts, squeezing just hard enough to make her whimper. That’s better. This is the part I like... the control, even when I’m letting her do the work. 

I watch her, detached as her breathing gets faster and more ragged. She’s putting on a show and I’m just waiting for the finale.

It doesn’t take long. Her body goes stiff with a sharp cry tearing from her throat and that’s my cue. I let go with my own release coming in a quick hot pulse as the tension finally snaps.

For a minute the only sound in the room is our heavy panting breaths. She collapses on my chest with her skin covered with sweat. I don’t push her off.. not yet. Her fingers start tracing lazy circles on my skin. 

“That was incredible, Ryan.” she gasps. “Everyone was right about you. That was… wow,” she murmurs. “I can’t believe I’m actually here with you.”

I don’t respond. I’m already pulling away and reaching for the pack of cigarettes on the nightstand.

“Everyone’s been talking about you,” she adds with her voice turning sly. “Word is you dumped Tasha. That must’ve been huge. She’s been crying all week.”

I light up a cigarette and take a long drag before answering. 

“You seem really interested in my ex.”

She props herself up on one elbow giving me a playful smile. 

“I’m just saying. You’re single now and… well…” she lets the rest hang in the air. “Maybe I could be your next girlfriend.”

I exhale a slow stream of smoke with my eyes fixed on the window. 

“You threw yourself at me, Emma. Don’t make it sound deeper than it was.”

Her smile fades a little. 

“So… what are you saying?”

“I’m saying,” I mutter, flicking ash into the tray, “that I wanted a distraction that’s all.”

Her mouth opens like she wants to argue but I cut her off. 

“You got what you wanted too didn’t you? Don’t pretend otherwise.”

She looks hurt, clutching the sheets around her chest. 

“You really are as cold as they say.”

“Maybe colder,” I reply simply and take another drag.

She turns away, angry now. 

“You don’t have to be such an ass about it.”

I shrug. 

“If it’s a relationship you’re after, you’re in the wrong bed.”

She finally gets up, mumbling something under her breath while I ignore her completely.

I’m halfway through my cigarette when a sudden bang rattles the door. Before I can react, it bursts open.

“Ryan!”

My father stands there, tall, furious and very out of place in my room and his expression alone could crack stone. I don’t move. 

“Do you mind?” I say dryly. “You’re not exactly welcome to break down my door, Father.”

His gaze flicks to Emma still half-covered by the sheets. 

“Get out,” he orders sharply.

Emma scrambles, gathering the sheet around her with her face pale. She darts into the bathroom and I hear the sound of frantic dressing before she slips out of the room without another word.

My father steps forward. 

“This...” he gestures toward the bed “... is what you’ve become? A disappointment?”

I take another drag, leaning back in my chair. 

“Nice of you to drop by, Father. Would you like a drink?”

“Don’t mock me,” he growls. “You think I don’t know what people say about you? That you’re wasting your life? You have every privilege handed to you and this is how you use it?”

“I’m enjoying my youth,” I say calmly. “Something you never did.”

His jaw tightens. 

“You mistake recklessness for freedom, son. There’s a difference.”

“I’ll take my kind of freedom any day.”

“You think this will last?” His tone shifts deeper and colder. “You’re almost done with university. And when you graduate, your childish games end.”

“Is that a threat?” I ask, blowing out smoke.

“It’s a fact.” He straightens his suit jacket. “I’ve already made arrangements for your future. You’ll marry the senator’s daughter... Susie Harlow. She’s from a good family, well-connected and the union will strengthen ours.”

I stare at him for a moment, processing. 

“You’ve got to be joking.”

His eyes harden. 

“Do I look like I’m joking?”

I flick ash into the tray, smirking. 

“I already have a girlfriend.”

“Liar,” he snaps. “You broke up with Tasha barely a month in. Don’t insult my intelligence.”

I lift a brow. 

“Keeping tabs on me now?”

“I have to,” he says sharply. “You’re my son and every headline you make reflects on this family.”

“Then stop reading the headlines,” I mutter.

He slams his hand on the desk. 

“Enough, Ryan! You’ll marry Susie and maybe being a husband will finally make you act like a man.”

I stand slowly, facing him. 

“You can arrange a wedding all you want. Doesn’t mean I’ll show up.”

He stares at me for a long second with nostrils flaring. Then he straightens his tie with his face full of disgust. 

“You’ll regret those words.”

He turns and walks out, slamming the door behind him.

I put out the cigarette, watching the smoke curl away like a ghost and the reflection in the window stares back at me with cold eyes, no emotion and no care left to give but then a thought slips through and with it comes a face.

Elena Rivers…