BAD BOY ROMANCE: FAKE FIANCEE ROMANCE: Breaking Bad (Jealous Friend Alpha Male Temporary Counterfeit Romance Secret Love Thriller) (My Fake Fiancé Obsession Romance Bad Boy Love Collection Romance) (3 page)

Leann blushed at the look and continued to walk towards him looking around to see what needed to be done. As soon as she was in arm’s reach, Ryan grabbed her up into an embrace, holding her body against his and sprinkling kisses from her shoulder up her neck and finally to her lips for one lingering, passionate kiss. Leann allowed herself to melt into him, countering his passion with her own. After what seemed like hours, she pulled away before it went any farther. Ryan stood there panting, clearly not ready to let go. Leann gave him one last kiss on the cheek before slipping around him and looking to see what he was cooking. She looked into a pot of potatoes and onions before looking over into another and seeing asparagus spears. From the smell wafting from the oven she could tell that he was pan-searing some steaks. As she stood there investigating she could feel Ryan’s eyes on her body, specifically centered at her butt. She felt a hand rub across it and swatted it away playfully. She turned and looked at him. Even with his shirt a bit messy, he was still a very handsome, well put together man. He had the most dazzling smile, clean cut dirty blonde hair, sparkling light blue eyes, chiseled features and a body to boot. She knew her eyes were feasting just as much as his were. Tall and handsome. She was a truly lucky woman.

She turned back around to check the oven. After seeing the steaks were not done she turned to him and said, “What can I do?”

“Nothing. I got this.”

“There’s nothing I can help you with? Maybe some bread or something? Can I help you start cleaning up?”

“No, what you can do is put that beautiful derriere in a seat and let your man serve you.”

“ How about the wine?”

“See woman, you just can’t be still and let me work. Fine! You can pick out a wine and uncork it. Dinner should be ready in another 15 or 20 minutes.”

“Oh, yeah. I got you something.” Leann went back over to her purse and took out a box with a ribbon around it. She put it on the counter and slid it towards Ryan.

He looked down at the box, then back up at her and said, “What did I tell you about getting me presents? You’re gift enough. If it isn’t a holiday you don’t have to give me anything, but you.”

“I know, but I wanted to get you something nice. You’re always giving me things.”

“I’m your man. I’m gonna give you the world. That doesn’t mean you have to buy me things.”

“Now who’s being stubborn? Just open it and see what it is.”

              Ryan gave her a look, but pulled the box towards him and began to pull off the ribbon. He took the top off the box and looked in. Leann had gotten him a custom pocket watch complete with a chain, an inscription, and diamonds on the outside. In it Leann had it engraved to say “With each tick of this clock, with each second that passes, I love you more and more and more. Forever is too short. Love Leann.” Ryan stared down at the engraving for a few moments, clearly allowing it to sink in. He then set the watch down on the counter and walked around to where Leann stood. Her arms were already open and waiting for him. He walked into them and squeezed her tight. They stood there for some moments, letting the love pass between them. Ryan put his lips to her ear and whispered, “You’re right. Forever is too short.” Then he jumped out of her arms and ran to look into the oven. He put on an oven mitt and took the pan with the steaks out and set it on an empty eye on the stove. He then stirred his potatoes and onions before heading to the refrigerator to add cheese. He had turned the eye with the asparagus off already.

After cutting up some bread and spreading it with butter, he instructed Leann to take a seat so they could eat dinner. He set the table, complete with the meal before dimming the lights and lighting two candles in the center. Leann completed the table with the wine she had uncorked, but Ryan put it back, replacing it with champagne. He declared the night a celebration of their love and they ate and sipped the bubbly. Once they were finished, he placed the plates in the sink and turned on some slow music. Grabbing Leann to prevent her from washing the dishes, he pulled her into him and they began to dance slowly around the dining room. They were so engrossed in the magic; they did not even realize when the music had gone off. They continued swaying until they heard the silence and laughed at each other. Leann thought briefly about checking on Susan again, but decided she was fine and carried on with her evening. She and Ryan made love and then fell asleep in each other’s arms.

The next few days were hectic at work with new deals in the works, so Leann was really busy. She tried to check in on Susan at regular intervals, but she was swamped. Susan was still hanging around with Natasha and Stacey. Leann had to cancel plans to go to a movie with Ryan, so she suggested that he and Susan go together. They agreed, which made her feel better about neglecting them and she went on back to work. She was working long hours, staying late into the night, barely closing her eyes to sleep. These business deals were incredibly important and could take Ford Enterprises to the next level. No one in the office rested until the ink was dry on the contracts on Saturday afternoon. They held a small celebration and each went home to try and get some sleep.

Leann drove to her condo, eyes red-rimmed and watery and was pleasantly surprised to find Ryan there waiting for her. He was sitting in the living room with Susan having a very animated conversation. There was a basketball game on the TV. The two of them barely noticed when Leann walked in. Once they did, Ryan got up and kissed her and Susan came around to give her a hug. Leann gave them a tired smile and said, “Well, hello you two. What are you up to?”

Ryan replied, “We were just sitting around watching some games. Susan is a big fan of basketball too, so we were just talking about it. I brought my game over too so we could play 2K.”

“That’s good, baby. Did you all eat?”

“Yeah, I ordered in. I got you something too. It’s in the microwave waiting for you. Damn, baby, you look tired. You need to go lay down.”

Susan chimed in, “Yeah, girl, you look dead on your feet. Go on to bed.”

Leann shook her head and said, “Oh, no. I can hang with you guys for a minute.”

Ryan got a stern look on his face and said, “You need to rest. Go take yourself a bath and go to sleep. We’ll be alright.”

              He kissed her and guided her towards the bathroom. Leann did not have enough energy to protest. She went ahead and ran some bathwater and got ready to get in. She felt like there was something different about her bathroom, but she thought she was probably just tired. Maybe Susan had moved something around, she wasn’t sure. She just stepped into the nice hot bathwater and began to soak away all of the weariness from her work week. She washed over herself and then let some of the bathwater out so she could warm it up again. Before she knew it, she had fallen asleep. The next thing she knew she was being shaken awake. Ryan was kneeling beside the tub smiling down at her. He said, “I knew you were tired. Get on out, baby. I’ll drain and wash out the tub. Go to bed.” He helped Leann step out and put on her robe. She swayed sleepily into her room and fell into her bed. It felt slept in, but she may have left it that way. She had come in a few times throughout the week and slept in her clothes. She barely had any time to think this before she was drifting into sleep.

              Leann woke up the next morning to noises coming from the living room. She rolled over and realized she was still in just her robe. She put on some clothes and went out into the living room to see where the noise was coming from. She found Susan and Ryan seated next to each other on the floor playing 2K. They were whooping and talking smack, completely engrossed in the game. Ryan tried to make a shot and Susan dropped her remote and began to wrestle him down to stop him. They struggled on the floor, laughing until they looked up and saw Leann. Ryan rolled off of the floor and got up to greet her. He put his arms around her and said, “Good morning, sleepyhead.”

              Leann shook off a feeling of uneasiness and smiled at him and said, Good morning.”

“Hey, I made you some breakfast. It’s on the warmer in the oven.”

“Thank you, baby. You’re so good to me.”

              They hugged again and Leann peeked over his shoulder. She could’ve sworn she saw a look of hostility on Susan’s face, but when she looked again she was wearing a sweet smile. She said, “Aw, you guys are so cute.” Leann readjusted in Ryan’s arms and asked, “Susan, have you talked to Natasha or Stacey. I texted them, but they haven’t responded.”

“Not today. I talked to them yesterday and they were headed off to some rowdy warehouse party. They’re probably still passed out.”

              Leann thought about that as she stepped out of Ryan’s grasp and went to get her food from the kitchen. She could not remember the last time she had talked to her sister. They usually talked at least every other day. The last time she recalled was the day she introduced her to Susan. She made a mental note to call her in a little while to check in with her. Leann took her plate and sat down at the table. Ryan and Susan went back to playing the game. She noticed that Susan had repositioned herself a bit farther from Ryan this time. She got up and sat on the couch, while he stayed on the floor. She quieted down a bit too. Leann tried not to think anything of it. Just as Leann got up and began to clear her plate, Susan said, still looking at the screen, “Oh, Leann, I decided to take that job with your company. Stacey and Susan set me up so I can start this week.”

“Oh, wow! That’s great. Where will you be working?”

“I’ll be working with you in your department.”

“That’s awesome. I’m happy for you.”

“Yeah, I’m on my way. I’ll be like you in a little bit.”

“Ha ha ha!”

              Leann laughed and continued to clean up the kitchen. There was an alarm going off in her head. Leann was trying not to be paranoid, but something didn’t feel right. There was something happening and she didn’t understand what it was. She had always been sensitive and she could sometimes let her imagination get away with her, but it was something about the vibe she was getting from Susan that made her feel uncomfortable. She tried to shake the feeling, but it was a presence in the condo with her. She decided she needed to get out and get some fresh air. She wished Natasha had gotten back to her so she could hang out with her, but she would just have to find something else to do. Maybe she should just go out by herself for a while. All she knew was she needed to get out of the condo.

              She went into her room and put on a jogging suit. She decided while she was out she may as well go to the gym; she hadn’t been able to that week. She grabbed her gym bag and keys to get ready and go. She walked out into the living room and just as she was about to say bye, Susan turned around and asked, “Where are you going?” Ryan paused the game and turned around too. Leann felt caught, as if she had been sneaking out. She put a smile on her face and said, “Oh, I’m just going to go run a few errands. I’ll be back a little later.” She tried to sound casual.

“Oh, do you want me to come with you?”

“No, that won’t be necessary. You two just stay here.” As she said it, it felt wrong. She felt like it would be a bad idea leaving the two of them there, but she did not want to stay. She hesitated for a moment, but proceeded for the door. Ryan got up to give her a hug and a kiss. She accepted them half-heartedly and walked out. In her mind she felt she was being ridiculous, but the alarms inside of her were going off. All of the little things that she had been finding strange were starting to add up. She hoped that she would be able to go to the gym and sweat it out.  She got in her car and began to drive away. Just being in control of the car seemed to settle her.

              She went to the gym and had a great workout. Then she went to a few stores, dropped off somethings at the post office, and picked up some dry-cleaning she had almost forgotten about. On her way home she stopped by her favorite sweet spot and grabbed some junk. She got herself an ice and stopped for gas before finally pulling back up to her condo. She sat outside for a minute, hesitant to go back in. She remembered her mental note to call Natasha. She picked up the cell phone to call. She realized she hadn’t turned her ringer back on. There were texts, calls, and emails waiting for her on the screen. She noticed Ryan’s name and called him back. He answered, “Hey, baby. Where you been?”

“I went to the gym and took care of some other things. What’s up?”

“Nothing. I was just worried about you. I left the condo to go check on Uncle John. I’m going to stay with him tonight to give Kira a break. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. I love you.”