Unscripted (17 page)

I woke up to find Ronan was not in the bed beside me. Hearing muffled sounds coming from the living room, I pulled on my silk robe and peeked through the half-open set of French doors that led to the living room from the master suite. Through the picture window I could see that it was snowing again. Standing near the piano, I spied Ronan on his phone. He was staring out the window at the glittering lights of the city. Hearing his low hushed voice, I smiled knowing he was talking to Leah or Jade. It was just after midnight in Manhattan which meant it was just after nine in Los Angeles. His grey cotton pajama bottoms hung low off his hips and his black cotton V-neck hugged his strong toned biceps tightly. Even from the side he looked totally edible.

“
And you wrapped all the Christmas presents all by yourself? You did a good job, my darling girl. Oh¸ I see, Jade helped you… and mommy too.” He let out a soft chuckle. I pushed the door open quietly and leaned against the doorjamb, eavesdropping.
He is a great dad.
It made my heart fill with warmth.

“
Very good Leah, I’ll see you soon. Daddy loves you. Big hugs and lots of kisses. I love you so much.”

He slumped his shoulders and inhaled deeply as he ended the call. Turning around slowly, he met my stare, looking quite somber. I could tell he was in pain.

“
I’m sorry, Holliday. Did I wake you?”

“
No.” I peered at him with half-hooded eyes. “I just missed you.”

Tossing his phone on the couch, he practically ran to scoop me up in his arms. Kissing me deeply, he growled in my mouth. The vibrations rippled through me straight to my core. I wanted this man badly.

“
Come to California with me Holliday.”

“
Ronan,” I wailed softly. “You know I can’t do that.” I looked away, resisting the urge to give in and go with him. I just wasn’t sure I could do it. I had to work with Dr. Goodwin on getting over my fear. California was my home; it’s where I grew up. One horrible thing shouldn’t keep me out of an entire state.

“
My beauty,” Ronan muttered softly. “What will it take to get you to come with me? Extra security? Private jet? Whatever you want, it’s yours. Name it.”

I knew if I kept protesting it would turn into a fight, and I would rather spend our last few precious hours together making love not war.

“
Okay, Ronan, I’ll consider it.” A warm smile was all it took for him to carry me off to his bed and seduce me with his body into the early morning hours. Our bodies twisted with each other as our lips met with deep lush kisses. His body covered mine, and our fingers entangled with every riveting thrust and heart-pounding climax. My body arched above his while I rode the length of him, our eyes breaking contact only for mere seconds as we savored the intense shockwaves coursing through our bodies.

Overwhelming tingles shivered down my spine as Ronan snaked his way up my body with his tongue, licking, sucking and gently sweeping his mouth over my stomach. Ronan groaned and I gasped with loud cries of sex filling the room. The orgasms exploded through me like a volcanic eruption. Moments later, Ronan pulled out, causing me to moan at the loss. Panting, trying to regain normal breathing, Ronan kissed the top of my head.

“
Ronan
,” I whispered.

“
Hmmm,” he murmured softly.

“
Don’t let go.”

“
Never, my beauty,” he breathed. “Not ever. You are mine.”

Unable to move or speak, I drifted off to sleep.

It was just after two in the morning. I was lying in bed unable to sleep as Ronan’s beautiful words rushed through my mind. “
You’re never going to have to tell that story to anyone or another man ever. I’m the last one. You’re mine, my beauty.”

I replayed his words over and over with memories of our passion-filled night flooding in, sending a powerful rush of heat over my skin. Ronan was sleeping peacefully, his arms still around me. He’d said he’d never let go, and he hadn’t. I was starting to realize that it was possible I could trust this man.

It occurred to me that it was Thursday now, which meant I had only two days more with Ronan before he left to go back to his home in Los Angeles. I didn’t know when he was coming back or if he was even coming back.
Yes, he’s coming back. He just has to.

An overwhelming sadness came over me and I started to cry.

I really need to get this crying shit under control.

Ronan heard my soft sobs. I tried to choke them back. He nuzzled my cheek, tipping my chin back towards him as he brushed his firm lips across mine. An ache trembled inside me, sending a shiver up my spine.

“
Hey… hey… shhh,” he instructed quietly while rocking me gently. “Holliday, why are you crying?”

“
I… I’m sorry, Ronan. I didn’t mean to wake you. I just got really sad thinking about you leaving.”

“
Oh, sweetheart, please don’t cry. I can’t take it.” He paused, placing soft kisses down my neck. “You don’t think you can come with me, huh?”

Propping myself up on my elbow, I turned to face him. He ran his finger down the length of my face, sweeping my bangs back across my forehead because they had fallen, covering my eyes.

“
I want to come with you, I do, but I think you should spend time alone with the girls. They aren’t used to sharing you when you’re all together. Plus, I think I should spend some time with my own niece and nephew. They probably don’t know what to think about me not being home.”

Ronan twisted my loose curls around his index finger, listening attentively, those beautiful green eyes shifting to intensity. I felt like they were piercing straight through to my soul.

“
Holliday, sleep and we can discuss this later. I don’t want you feeling sad, not today and not ever.”

I flipped back to my side, and Ronan pulled me into him, wrapping me up with his arms and legs. We fit together like two puzzle pieces, my bottom in his lap and his chin resting between my neck and shoulder. I could hear him lightly breathing, and feel his warm breath against my neck. I fell asleep to the rhythm of his heart beating strong and steady against my back. I felt safe. I felt
loved
. No, it’s much, much too soon for that. I was tangled up in a fantasy dream world with a hot movie star. The real world waited, and that would be the true test of our romantic fate.

“
Wake up, my beauty.” I could feel Ronan’s hand running the length of my arm.

He was freshly showered. His scent was intoxicating, clean and a little musky, like vanilla and cedar wood. It must have been a new cologne, but I liked it. I turned my head to spy him sitting on the edge of the bed fully clothed.

While I did adore him in all his naked glory, I think I enjoyed him more clothed. He dressed incredibly well. It must have been true, what lingerie was to men… that was how women felt about a man in a suit. This morning he was dressed in dark denim jeans with a crisp white shirt under a charcoal grey vest and matching suit jacket.

“
Well hello, sharply dressed man,” I teased.

“
Good morning. Did you sleep well?”

I rolled up from under the covers, leaning my body against the padded cream-colored headboard, stretching my arms above my head. “As well as I could. Where are you off to looking so handsome this morning?”

“
I have a few meetings and a couple errands to run. It will take a few hours. Sorry to leave you. Will you be all right by yourself?”

“
You know I did manage fine on my own before you bumped into my life, Ronan Connolly.” My reply was laced with sweet sarcasm. He arched an eyebrow in my direction. I knew he was confused, but someday I’d tell him about Leah bumping my arm in the lobby.

Giving me an eye roll, Ronan pushed to his feet. “You’re funny this morning.” He straightened his jacket and ran his hands down the front, smoothing out the folds.

“
Yeah, I’ll be fine. I was thinking of calling my sister and then hitting the gym,” I said as I drew up my knees, wrapping my arms around them.

“
The very thought of you getting hot and sweaty…” He growled a low moan in his throat. “That makes
me
hot.”

Smiling innocently I let the blankets covering me fall to the bed, just to give him a lasting image of me looking tantalizing in silk champagne colored lace. He licked his bottom lip and shook his head sucking in a sharp breath.

“
Are you trying to seduce me, Miss Prescott?” he purred while straightening his cuffs and adjusting the silver Bvlgari watch on his wrist.

“
Maybe.” I hummed. “Is it working?”
“Anything you do works a number on my libido. I’m not giving into your sexy feminine wiles. God knows I want to, but I have to make it to my meeting on time.” He cocked his head and winked at me.

I knew he was referring to our tryst before the gala, but in all fairness he’d initiated it. I’d remind him of that later. I frowned, sticking my tongue out playfully.

“
Beauty, why don’t you just lay here naked and wait for me? When I get back I’ll be happy to fuck you so hard that you come undone over and over. You’ll be begging me to stop.”

Christ!
I’d definitely be hitting the gym.

“
You’d like that wouldn’t you? Me, naked, just waiting around for you, begging to be taken on a moment’s notice, as if I had nothing better to do.”

He nodded, “If I had my way, I’d have you naked and wet, begging for me to fuck you twenty-four, seven.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat, “God, Ronan, you really have a way with words.”

Pressing his lips to mine, he kissed me. “Okay, here’s a keycard. I hired a bodyguard the other day to look out for you when I’m not around. He’s here this morning. I’d like to introduce you to him before I leave. Can you put on something less…” He paused a beat. “…
Tempting
?” His mouth curved in to a cocky grin. “His name is Blake Foster. He’s ex-military. I programmed his number into your phone and mine.”

I attempted to say something, but Ronan waved me off with his hand.
When did he have time to hire a bodyguard?
I assumed it was probably while I was getting pampered yesterday before the gala.