Release (39 page)

She
whimpered.  “It’s okay. For some reason when you say it, it sounds sexy.”

“Hmm.  Good
to know.”  He continued his soft pinches.  “You like this, don’t you?”
he whispered.  He pinched them again, pulling them away from her body,
then released them, only to start all over again.

“Yes.  I
love how you touch me,” she whispered back, squirming in her seat.

“Open your legs
for me, baby.”  He helped her by spreading her knees, and draping each of
her legs over his own, opening her wide, moving her skirt up to pool in her
lap.  While one hand played with a nipple, the other one dipped between
her legs, and found her nub.

“How’s this?” he
murmured.

“Mmm,” she
sighed.

He licked his
finger, then returned it to her clit.

“I love
listening to the sounds you make.  When your voice catches...when you
moan...whimper...scream...I love them all.  You’re going to come for me,”
he said nuzzling her neck some more.  He sandwiched her swollen nub
between his two fingers and began massaging it, lightly abrading it.

Over and over,
he kept rubbing her, all while his other hand continued to tease her
breasts.  Every once in a while, he would run his thumb nail lightly over
her clit, and she would jump from the sensation.  Her breath began to
catch in her throat, as little gasps escaped.

Her head was
beginning to thrash on his chest, as she approached the edge of reason. 
He sucked at her neck, pulling at her nipple and building up his tempo at her
clit to match the one playing with her breasts.

“That’s it,
Ryann.  I want you to let go when you’re ready...I love hearing you
come.”  He pinched her clit when he said that, and she gasped loudly,
moving her hips, grinding them into his fingers reaching higher and higher.

“Jeremy…” she
whimpered.

“That’s it,
baby.  All the way…all the way, honey.”

He stopped
massaging her, and started quickly running the pads of his calloused fingers
over the stimulated swollen bundle of nerves, faster and faster, causing her to
stiffen her legs and strain for her release.

“Ahh, Jeremy…”

“Now, baby…Come
for me...”

He ground his
fingers on her clit, pinching and stretching it, while pinching and pulling at
her nipple, and she screamed, trying to move her hands.  The sensation of
being trapped, only added to the toe curling orgasm as it burst through
her.  She was at his mercy, and he wasn’t taking prisoners…just carrying
her through her entire journey of pleasure to its completion.

She was gasping
for breath, and he held her tightly to him until the end.  She was
thankful, because she had felt as if she had fallen apart.

As
she calmed her breathing, she rolled her head on his chest, then looked over
her shoulder at him.

“You’re
gonna be the death of me, Mr. McCallister.”

“Was
that good for you?” he asked with a cocky grin.

“You
know it was,” she sighed, and allowed herself to drift for a while. 
“You’re an incredibly sexy man, Jeremy.  I didn’t think I would be able
to…come.  But once again, you proved me wrong,” she murmured, content.

“I
want you all the time, baby.  If I could make you come several times a
day, I would,” he purred in her ear, then gripped her earlobe with his teeth.

“Mmm,
that would be very nice.  But I think I may need to use the bathroom.”

“Does
that mean I need to let you go?”

She
laughed back.  “Yes, it does.”

He
held her for a second more.  “Don’t put your top back on.  I want to
see you walk around my place topless.  It’s one of my fantasies.”

“You
have a lot of fantasies, sir.”

“You
have no idea.  And calling me sir is another one,” he said, his gaze
pinning her.

She
shook her head and disentangled herself from him so she could stand. 
“I’ll be right back.”

She
left to use the bathroom to clean up, then went back to the living room…still
topless.  She laughed at herself.  The things a woman did for the man
she loved.  It did make her feel sexy, though. 
He
made her
feel sexy.  He was turning her into a nymphomaniac, and she was just fine
with it.

He
watched her walk back in, his eyes zeroing in on her chest.

“Did
I say adolescent before?  I meant pubescent…”

He
shrugged.  “What can I say?  I’m a guy.”

She
smirked.  “Yes, you are.”

She
sat next to him and finished her pizza, while he watched her.  She looked
at him, and said, “I’m putting my shirt on.”

“Maybe
you should.  All I want to do is throw that skirt up and take you from
behind over the arm of this sofa.”  He cleared his throat.  “I can’t
help it.  You do this to me.  It’s your fault.”

She
chuckled and shook her head, putting her tank top back on, sans bra.

“Like
that’s any better,” he groaned.  “I can see your nipples.  I fucking
love the taste of your nipples.” He reached out and tweaked one through her
shirt.

“Hey!”
she squealed as she slapped his hand away.  “Would you let me eat in
peace, you horny man?”  His words made her hot again.  He totally did
it for her.  All of the time, apparently.

“Not
possible…I want you.  I can’t wait to have you tomorrow night.  Yup,
you definitely won’t walk for a week.”

She
tingled in anticipation.  Then she heard a text message come in.

She
got up to look at her phone.  It was from Ayanna.

AS: 
Hey girlfriend.  R u w/ lover boy?

RT:
 Yup, but I can talk.  Call u in a sec.

Ryann
turned to Jeremy, and said, “It’s Ayanna.  Do you mind if I call
her?  I haven’t seen her all week.”

“Sure.” 
He got up and grabbed their pizza plates, then stopped by her on the way to the
kitchen.

“Tell
her I said hi, and hope she can make it tomorrow,” then he leaned down and
kissed her nose.

“I
will,” she said, melting slightly.  She needed to get it together. 
All she wanted to do was get naked with this man.  “I won’t be long.”

“Take
your time,” he said over his shoulder as he walked into the kitchen.

She
sat on the sofa and called Ayanna.  They talked and caught up, then Ryann
dropped the bomb.

“So,”
she whispered.  “Can you hear me?” she asked, looking toward the
kitchen.  She had heard Jeremy go into the woodshop.

“Yes,”
Ayanna whispered back.  “Why are we whispering?”

“Jeremy
told me…that he’s in love with me,” Ryann continued whispering.

“He
did?!” she screamed, nearly blowing out Ryann’s ear drum.  She laughed,
knowing this would be her reaction.  “Ry!” she screamed.  “Oh, Ry…
holy shit.  What did
you
say?”

“I
told him I was in love with him, too.”

“Ho-ley
shit.  This is amazing.”

“I
know.  Do you think this is too quick?  I mean, am I crazy? 
It’s only been like three weeks!”

“Sweetie,
when you know, you know.”  She sighed wistfully.  “I am so happy for
you.  Wow.  I can’t wait to hug you guys tomorrow.”

“You’re
able to come then?”

“Yup,
I’ll be there.  I’m making my cupcakes.”

“Nice! 
The chocolate ones with the caramel icing?”

“You
know it.”

“Double
nice!  There are a ton of people coming.  All of Jeremy’s
family.  My parents…and did I tell you Jonathan and Emily are coming?”

There
was a pause.  “Reeeaallly.”

Ryann
laughed.  “Yes, reeeaaally.  You should wear something sexy. 
Unless you’re too much of a good girl now.”

She
snorted.  “Even good girls need to look smokin’.  I’ll need to start
strategizing my plan of attack.”

Ryann
laughed again.  “I friggin’ love you...I can’t wait to see you
tomorrow.  I feel like it’s been forever.”

“I
know!  And hey, I can’t believe I forgot to tell you this.  Guess
who’s moving to San Francisco?”

“Not
you.”

“No,
not me.  Chad and Steve!”

“They
are?!  Why?”

“Chad
got transferred.  They’re leaving at the end of the month.  So,
either I need to find a new roommate, or I’m finding a new place to live.”

“Oh,
no!  We’ll figure it out…don’t worry.  We have a whole month. 
We’ll figure it out,” she repeated.

“Yeah,
I know.  Keep your ears open for people looking for roommates, ‘kay?”

“You
got it.  Love you, babe.  I’ll see you tomorrow.  What time are
you coming?”

“I’m
aiming for five.”

“Awesome. 
I’ll see you then.”

They
hung up, and she went to find Jeremy. 

On the morning of the fourth of July, Jeremy and Ryann
allowed themselves to sleep in a bit.  The first of the guests wouldn’t be
arriving until four, so they had the day to take their time in getting ready.

Ryann’s
plan was to sneak out at around seven that evening after dinner to run to the
Institute to get the painting, and she hoped to be back within a half hour to
45 minutes, with Manny driving.  Even though it was a holiday, she knew a
security guard would be there to let her in, but she thought she would bring
her key card just in case.

As
the two of them got ready for the barbeque, and double checked the delivery
time of the side dishes from the restaurant Janie, his cousin the caterer, had
suggested, Ryann marveled at the ease between them.  She couldn’t believe
it had only been three weeks with Jeremy, yet it was as if they had known each
other forever.  There was a comfort between the two which made her feel so
content.  They didn’t feel forced to talk when they were quiet…they just
worked in companionable silence, smiling at each other every once in a while,
touching and hugging when they passed one another in the midst of their tasks.

Shortly
after the delivery from the restaurant, the first to arrive were Ryann’s parents. 
They planned on spending the night at Ryann’s apartment after the party, and
Ryann would stay with Jeremy so there was enough room.

When
Jeremy opened the door to Riley and Tony Russo, Riley beamed up at him.

“Well. 
You’re a tall one, aren’t you?”

Ryann
laughed and hugged her, taking the bottles of wine from her and giving them to
Jeremy.

“Hi
guys.”  She led both of them in, and she looked to Jeremy, who had an
equally brilliant smile on his face.

Jeremy
leaned down and kissed Riley on the cheek.  “I see where Ryann gets her
beauty.  It’s so nice to meet you, Mrs. Russo.”

She
chuckled.  “Uh, oh.  You’re one of those, are ya?” she said good
naturedly.  “You’ll call me Riley, and this good lookin’ man with me is
Tony.”

They
shook hands and exchanged hellos and smiles.

Riley
took Ryann and Jeremy’s hands, and looked at both of them.  “Let me look
at ya, then.”  She paused, then looked at Ryann.  “He’s a handsome
lad, isn’t he?”

Ryann
smiled while Jeremy laughed.  “Yes, Mom, he is.  Now stop
embarrassing him.”

“What? 
That’s what a mother’s supposed to do!”

“Let
me go put these in the fridge,” Jeremy said, referring to the bottles of white
wine in his hands.  “I’ll be right back.”  He walked to the kitchen.

Her
mom looked at her intensely when he was gone, and said, “Are you happy, luv?”

Ryann
swallowed back the lump in her throat.  “More than I can put into words.”

The
three of them shared a big hug together, just as Jeremy stepped back into the
living room.

Jeremy,
not wasting any time, walked over to the group, and put his arm around Ryann,
kissing her on the head, and looked at Riley.

“Riley,
I just figured I’d be up front with you from the start.  I’m in love with
your daughter, and there’s no other woman in this world that I’d rather be
with.  With your blessing, I plan on wearing her down until I’m the only
man in this world that she’ll ever be with again….Do you have any thoughts on
that?”

Ryann
looked up at him in shock.  Well, then.

Riley
laughed with glee.  “Ooh, I like you a lot.  Don’t let her fears get
in your way, lad.  The love that you have for each other is worth the
risk, I’d say.”  She reached back and took Tony’s hand, the big bear of
man wiping at his wet eyes.

“It’s
absolutely worth the risk…and don’t you worry.  She won’t get away from
me.  I can promise you that,” Jeremy said while tightening his grip on her
shoulders, running his hand up into her hair and then rubbing at her neck.

She
loved how he touched her.

They
all moved further into the living room, where Riley and Tony took a good look
around.  Riley, having an eye for art as well, cooed over the décor. 
She and Tony loved the warm atmosphere and told him so.

“Thanks,”
Jeremy said with pride.  “I’m hoping Ryann will add some of her touches
soon, as well.”

Ryann
looked up at him in surprise again.  Then she cleared her throat and said
to her mother, “Mom, take a look at this woodwork.  This was all done by
Jeremy…isn’t it gorgeous?”

“Yes! 
That’s right, Ryann did tell me that you were a carpenter.  These pieces
are beautiful.  Do you ever sell any?”

“Very
rarely.  I usually only design and make pieces for myself and family.”

“They’re
exquisite.”

“He
made an easel for me…let me show it to you...” Ryann said happily, grabbing her
hand.

They
spent the next few minutes in his woodshop, where Tony and Riley continued to
heap praise on him for his skill and talent.

The
next guests to arrive were Jeremy’s parents.

And
just as Ryann had predicted, Tabitha and Riley became fast friends.

By
5:30, all of the guests had arrived, and the party was in full swing, with the
stereo blaring, the appetizers being devoured, the grill going, and beer and
wine being consumed by all.

Ryann
made her rounds to all of the different groupings, happy to see everyone
getting along.

Well,
‘getting along’ was a relative term, she supposed.  Ayanna, who was
dressed to the nines in her own version of ‘BBQ garb’, looked gorgeous in her
short white shorts, showing off her long tan legs in her high heeled red
wedges.  She caught the eyes of Michael and Luke early on, and Jonathan
looked as if he didn’t notice, but she sensed he did.  Emily also looked
like she was trying not to appear annoyed, but Ryann noticed she was watching
Mike flirt with Ayanna.

Ayanna
however, only had eyes for Jonathan, even though he seemed clueless. 
Emily, it seemed, watched Michael’s movements a lot, while Tiffany floated from
group to group.

At
one point, Michael and Luke left Ayanna to help Jeremy with the grill.  

Emily
and Tiffany hit it off, and Janie Callahan, Michael and Robbie’s sister who had
catered Tabitha’s showing, seemed to be like a little sister to Luke.  It
was obvious he adored her.  Eventually Janie and Ayanna made their
connections in the culinary arts, and discovered they’d both attended Le Cordon
Bleu in Paris, only a year apart from each other.

Robbie
and his parents were there, as well, although Robbie left early to go out with
his friends.  All of the parents sat together and were having a great
time.

When
Michael walked in from the deck, Ryann made her way over to get a bottle of
water and intercepted him.

“Hey,
Michael.”

“Hey,
you.”  He caught her off guard and leaned over to give her a big
hug.  This family was definitely a demonstrative bunch...always touchy
feely.

He
whispered in her ear, “It’s great to finally get to know the woman who has
brought down the mighty Jeremy… especially under better circumstances than the
beginning of the week.”  He winked at her.

She
blushed, then smiled shyly.  Just then, Jeremy walked in from outside and
stalked over, took her expertly from Michael’s arms, and dipped her
dramatically to kiss her possessively.

Any
time he wanted to lay one on her, she wouldn’t complain.  She was
discovering she loved his possessive side.

Jeremy
looked at his cousin and said, “Keep your paws to yourself, Mike.  This
one’s taken.”

“What?”
he asked innocently.

“You
heard me.  Keep your fucking eyes and hands to yourself.”

Ryann
put her hand up.  “Alright.  Relax…nothing happened.”

Michael
was enjoying himself, and gave Ryann a once over with his eyes.  “Well,
she
is
a sweet looking woman.  Too bad I didn’t see her first,” he
said wiggling his eyebrows.  “I could kick myself for not being at Aunt
Tabs’ showing.  Because you know, she never would’ve looked at you if I
had
seen her first.”

Before
Jeremy could respond, Ryann said with a smile, “You know Michael, your father
warned me about
Jeremy
being the heartbreaker at Tabitha’s
showing.  I think you may be worse.”

Michael
covered his heart with his hand, and said in a mock serious tone, “I don’t
break hearts, gorgeous.  I know how to take care of a woman.  Anytime
my cousin screws up, you just give me a buzz.”

Jeremy
smiled an evil smile.  Was this seriously happening?  What a bunch of
Neanderthals, Ryann thought.

“Keep
talking, Mikey,” Jeremy smirked.  “It’s been awhile since we had go at
it.  I can still kick your ass.”

Michael
winked at Ryann.  “I love seeing him like this.  All jealous and
domesticated.  Who woulda thunk it?”

“Well,
now ya have.  So keep your fucking hands to yourself from this point on.”

Michael
teasingly put up his hands in a show of peace.  “I get it, I get it. 
So when’s the big day?  And when are you gonna put a ring on her finger,
for God’s sake?  You did say she was your fiancé, Jem.  You weren’t
lying to me before, were ya?” Michael asked, a teasing glint in his eye.

Jeremy
pulled her closer, and smirked at Michael in challenge.

Ryann
decided to jump in.  She felt like she had been watching a tennis match.

“So,
Michael.  You’re single, I presume.”

“Absolutely,
sweetie.  You won’t see me falling for anyone.  You have my word on
that.  I’m perfectly happy playing the field.  In fact,” he zeroed in
on where Ayanna stood with Jonathan in what looked like a heated discussion,
“I’ve been checking out that field over there.  Your friend Ayanna’s a
looker.”

Ryann
smiled, “Yes, she is.  Although, I’m not sure you’re her type,” Ryann
said, thinking of Ayanna’s new philosophy of finding a nice guy.

He
turned to her insulted.  “Honey, I’m
every
woman’s type.”

“Well,
it’s nice to know that the men in this family don’t lack in humility,” she
murmured dryly. 

Jeremy
and Michael said in unison, “We’re confident.”  Then they laughed at each
other and high fived.

Good
grief.

Michael
chimed in, “Actually, if I’m going to be honest, I prefer my women with a
little more meat on their bones… you know, nice curves that I can grab
onto.  It’s too bad that one’s taken,” he muttered, lifting his beer in
Emily’s direction.  She had been talking to Tiffany for a while now.

She
looked great, with her wavy dirty blonde hair down her back, her snug jeans,
high heeled sandals, and fitted red top.  All of the women there at the
party looked stylish and pretty.

Ryann
responded.  “Really?  I didn’t realize she was seeing anyone.”

“I
thought that Jonathan guy was her husband…they’re always together, and have the
same last name.”  He waited a beat.  “They’re not together?”

Ryann
cleared her throat, enjoying his look.  “They’re cousins, actually.”

“Reeallly.” 
Michael took a swig from his beer, and then grabbed a couple more from the
cooler on the floor.  “Well, it looks like my day is looking up…’scuse
me,” he said with a wink, then headed over to Tiffany and Emily.

“Wow,”
Ryann said.  “Should I warn her?”

“Somehow
I think she can take care of herself,” he chuckled.  “It would be nice to
see him taken down a few pegs, and if she can do it...then we can all sit back
and enjoy the show.”

They
watched Michael meet up with the two women, putting his arm around Tiffany and
giving her a big hug and kiss, then offered them both a beer.  He looked
Emily up and down, all while keeping his hand around Tiffany’s waist. 
Tiffany laughed.  It was obvious she had grown up with him, and knew his
antics.

Emily
on the other hand, had the same facial expression on her face as when Michael
had questioned Ryann earlier in the week.  And it still screamed
‘asshole.’

Jeremy
gained her attention behind her by whispering in her ear, “The only thing I
want you to be thinking about is what I’m going to do to you when everyone is
gone.  Should I give you some hints?”

Without
waiting for her reply, he buried his nose into her hair and whispered in a
husky voice, “I’m going to peel off all of your clothes, you’re gonna leave
those heels on, and I’m going to put you over the foot of the bed, and take you
from behind.  I might even spank that sweet ass of yours…”

She
could feel herself swaying toward him, trying not to melt into the floor, sure
that everyone knew what he had just said to her.  She knew her face was
pink, and she quickly cleared her throat to regain some control.

“That
sounds…nice,” she croaked.

“Nice? 
Oh, baby, let’s see if we can do better than that.”  He took a breath and
continued in her ear.  “Maybe I’ll tie your hands to the headboard. 
So you can’t move.  That way, I can do whatever… I… want,” he said
punctuating each word.  “Does that sound…nice?”

She
let out a small whimper, then cleared her throat again to cover it up. 
She turned her head to glare up at him, “Stop.”

“Stop
what?” he asked innocently.

“You
know what,” she whispered.

“I’m
just trying to prepare you for the evening ahead,” he said kissing her
ear.  “Or maybe I’ll just surprise you.  That might be even better,”
he finished, nibbling on her earlobe.  “I gotta go check the grill,
baby.  Luke can’t work it for shit... although it looks like Janie’s
keeping him in check, at least.”

With
that, he winked, swatted her on the ass, then headed outside.

Dear
God....that man.  Now she was a horny mess.  He totally knew what he
was doing, too.  Jerk.

Ryann
made her way over to Michael’s group just as she heard Emily’s dry remark, “You
really do need to work on that self-esteem, Detective...”  Emily smiled at
Ryann as she approached, and said, “Hey Ryann.  I’m gonna get some
water.  Do you want to join me?”  And with that, Emily walked away,
leaving a bemused Tiffany, and a casual looking Michael with a gleam in his
eye, as he watched Emily walk away.