Unscripted (28 page)

Ronan pulled me by the back of my hair, “Look at me, Holliday.”

My eyes darted to his, and a thousand emotions flickered inside me. We stared into each other’s eyes, recognizing the same powerful connection— a
bond.
This man, a stranger to me just over a week ago, had become deeply etched into my life in a very short time.
How can this be possible?

“
I want to watch you as you fall apart,” he whispered darkly.

Coming unhinged at his words, I shattered into a million pieces above him. A few more thrusts, my nails dug into his shoulders as I let out a strained whimper. I felt like I was going to combust as he emptied himself into me.
My head rested into the crook of Ronan’s neck. He pressed a kiss to my temple. When our breathing became less than heavy, his steady hands grasped my waist, allowing me to move up so that he could pull out of me. 

“
Ronan,” I said breathlessly. “I love you.”

“
Because of you, I know what it means to truly love someone— I love you, Holliday.”

My heart sprang in my chest at his words. Pulling me to my feet, Ronan’s strong arms curled around me locking us in a tender embrace.

“
What are you thinking, Mr. Connolly?”

“
Can we talk about the dress?”

Pulling from our embrace, I nodded.

“
Why did you put it on?”

“
I put it on tonight, because, I wanted…”

He waves his hand and cuts me off. “No, I mean the first night. When I asked you to return to your room and put it on.”

“
Remember that needing a thrill part of me I was telling you about?” He nodded, and I continued, “Well, I guess in some way, I needed to see how far I’d take it. Honestly, I was expecting you to ask me to be the girl’s nanny or a personal assistant.” I laughed loudly. “I never dreamed you’d want to fuck me.”

Ronan’s mouth dropped open. He started to laugh and then said, “I wanted you from the very moment I saw you look up at me in the lobby with your pretty blue-green eyes.” He cocked an eyebrow at me. “You had seduced me. I couldn’t take my eyes off of you. I thought you were the most beautiful creature I’d ever set my eyes upon. The way your hair fell when you looked at me, it was like time stood still… and then you smiled at me.” Releasing a low growl, he said, “God, I thought I was going to melt into a puddle right there in the lobby.

“
Now I have a question for you, Mr. Connolly.”

“
Yes, what would you like to know?” He smirked while twirling my hair through his long fingers.

“
How serious were you about the wearing no panties rule when you’re not around?”

“
I don’t know.” He flashed a devilish grin. Then he leaned into me, whispering into my ear, “Why don’t you try it again my beauty and see what happens.”

I would definitely keep that in mind. I liked the playful and mysterious side of Ronan. Again he continued to surprise me.

Dinner with Ronan was completely fabulous. Ronan had used a fake name for the reservations to avoid someone spilling to the paparazzi. The manager seemed overly pleased that a celebrity was in the house that night ordering champagne for everyone. I felt like I ate my weight in ahi tuna canapé. After the restaurant closed we stayed just gazing into each other’s eyes and laughing. Ronan held my hand, twisting his fingers with mine, kissing me nearly every chance he got and everywhere he could, including the back of my hand and the inside of my wrist, all the while whispering beautiful compliments in my ear. I felt a little lightheaded from drinking a bottle of wine by myself. Ronan and I climbed into the limo. We were both slaphappy. Uneasy, I fell over onto the seat, and Ronan pulled me into his chest. He handed me a bottle of water, instructing me to drink it all. I heard Ronan’s phone buzz. He released his grip on me to check the message. I looked over at him and his mouth hardened, his eyes narrowed and he balled up his fist.

“
Ronan, are you okay?” I said softly.

“
What is this all about Holliday?” he said coldly while shoving his phone into my face. I blinked and tried to focus on the screen in front of me. There in digital form was a headline that nearly sucked the wind out of my lungs.

RONAN CONNOLLY’S LEADING LADY’S LIP LOCK WITH GRADY JAMES

Fuck!
There it was along with several pictures of Grady and I kissing and embracing in the alley from earlier today. My mind raced and I felt sick. I didn’t know if it was from the booze or because of the photos. Ronan removed the phone from my face and drummed his fingers on the armrest of the door.

“
Ronan, I can explain.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I… I went to the coffee shop and ran into Grady.” My heart pounded in my ribcage.

“
I thought I told you to stay away from him Holliday?” He scolded me.

“
Ronan, Grady and I have been friends for a while, and I can’t just cut him out because you take personal issue with him.”

“
He’s an ex-lover of yours, Holliday. Not just a friend.” His voice was filled with anger.

“
Really Ronan, how about your exes? Let’s see… there’s Emma and Heather. Are there any other lovers that you still associate with?” I snapped. “Should I demand you not speak to them going forward?”

He shot me an annoyed look. “Tell me about this run-in you had with the infamous Grady James, Holliday.”

I explained to Ronan what happened with Grady. Immediately I regretted not telling Ronan about it earlier, and I felt my heart sink a bit. I could have avoided this unpleasantness if I had just informed him after it’d happened.
Dammit.

“
Ronan, I can certainly understand why you questioned me, and you have every right to. I can’t pretend to know what it feels like to be cheated on, but just know I would never do that to you. Not ever.”

Ronan was angry with me. I had hurt him, and it wrecked me. We pulled up to the private entrance at the hotel. Ronan took my hand in his and led me up the marble stairs. The elevator doors opened. We stepped in and found ourselves alone. Ronan had given Dean the evening off, which I thought was very nice of him.

“
I didn’t want… it was an accident. Grady came on to me,” I sputtered out. “I’m sorry I hurt you.”

Ronan gripped my arm. My skin hummed at his touch. “Apology accepted, just be careful; the paparazzi are everywhere. If something like this happens again…” His voice trailed off. Lifting my chin, he said firmly, “You are mine, Holliday.
Don’t
let this happen again.”

Ronan’s eyes flared narrowly, and I felt my insides churning at the sharp tone in his demand. Yup, I had fucked up, and even though Ronan had accepted my apology, he was not a happy camper. I only hoped I hadn’t lost his trust.

Monday morning dragged on at work. I was still a little hazy from all the drinking at dinner with Ronan. Luckily I didn’t have anything too serious to attend to that day. Ronan called me to ask how I was feeling, and I told him I was a little tired.

“
Holliday, I want to take you to The Addison after you get done with work. Can I pick you up?”

“
I should be done with work around five-thirty. I’ll call you if anything changes.”

“
Okay, my beauty. I cannot wait to show you the renovations, and I have some decorating questions I need your advice on. You have such a keen eye.”

I didn’t know what he was talking about. He was the one with the eye for details. Ronan had had the penthouse completely and tastefully decorated for Christmas. I didn’t know if I could have done any better.

I closed my door and took an hour nap around eleven. Charlotte and I had a lunch meeting in her office, and Lucan stopped by to explain the contract he’d had his lawyer draw up so that Amelia couldn’t ask for more money or talk to the press going forward. If she violated the non-disclosure, she would be in a world of hurt financially. I received a phone call from Amelia saying she was on her way to get the money around four. I made her aware of the non-disclosure. She remarked that she had already been in contact with Lucan and his lawyers. We huddled around the conference table a little before five, waiting for Amelia to arrive. I listened to the irritating ticking of the clock. After twenty minutes went by, I sent Ronan a text telling him I was running behind and wouldn’t done at five-thirty as I’d planned.

Carrying a fabulous coffee gold Hermes crocodile embossed handbag, Amelia finally showed up. Her appearance didn’t let on that she was hurting for money. Amelia embodied Connecticut suburbia, looking every bit the polished country club wife she was. Her glossy blonde hair was pinned up in a low bun with loose pieces that framed her face. A long-sleeved sheer, cream colored blouse was topped with a two-tone fur vest that perfectly matched her sleek camel colored dress pants and sky-high Louboutin heels.

I sat on the far end of the table with Charlotte while Lucan and his lawyer went over the contract with Amelia. I clutched the armrest of the chair I was seated in tightly, flexing my fingers over the edge. I imagined I was gripping Amelia’s throat. It was all I could do not to get up from my seat and slam her head onto the conference table repeatedly.

Fluttering her grey eyes at me, she said in a low voice, “I am really sorry it had to be this way Holliday.”

I shot her an icy stare. “Yeah, I’m sure you’re really torn up about this, Amelia,” I replied snidely.

With one phone call to the bank the money was routed to her account. Amelia stood up from the table, sliding her black square-framed Prada sunglasses up her pointed nose, and then she turned on her heel, breezing out the door as elegantly as she’d walked through it earlier. Lucan shook hands with his lawyer, and Charlotte escorted him to the elevator in the lobby.

I felt all the air rush out of my lungs as I let out a deep sigh. “Thank you, Lucan. I’m so sorry you had to give her your hard-earned money.” I desperately hoped I hadn’t infringed on the twin’s college funds. My mind was scattered. It was doubtful that losing five million had any kind of financial impact for Lucan and Charlotte. Lucan was beyond wealthy. He’d once pondered buying an island in the Caribbean.
That’s what I call fuck you money.

In his smooth Italian accent, Lucan said, “It’s no trouble, Holliday. We’re family and we take care of each other.” He pulled me into his strong slender frame, saying, “Ti amo, mia sorella.” Charlotte returned to the room and joined in on the group hug. Lucan kissed the top of her head.