His Distraction (Assured Distraction Book 2) (22 page)

“Oh, I’m sure we can do that when you get an
actual
schedule. I didn’t know what it would be when I made this appointment. I have to go once a month for now but closer to the end I’ll be going once a week. I know you’ll want to go then. Also, I want us to take child birthing classes together so we will know what to expect when the time comes.”

Her syrupy voice grated on his nerves, but she wasn’t going to goad him into anger. Peri said Krissy needed calmness, and he would do his part, despite her best efforts to rile him up. “Yeah, we will have to see what’s going on by then. By the way, what day is the baby due? You never said.”

“At first, they said March first and then when I was in the hospital, they said March fifteenth, so I want to talk to the doctor about that today.”

“You do realize we could be back on tour by then, right?” He wanted her to know that anything was possible at this point, especially when they considered the great news Peri told them today.

“Do you think AD will start another tour that fast? I thought you would have a long time off before the next one?” Her tone was teetering on the edge of whining.

“We recorded a lot of music before we left, and the producers have already mixed it. We are only going back in now to add a few more songs and then release a new album. Our next tour will be us headlining, and it will happen sometime after the album releases.” He knew she wasn’t going to be happy with that information, but he had no control over it. “I will do my best to be here when the baby’s born, so don’t worry.”

Peri came through the lobby on her way to Cash’s office. When Ryan saw her he asked, “You think I can get away tomorrow for Krissy’s doctor appointment? I want to talk to the doctor about all the
things
we discussed.”

“Sure. We will make time for it. You need to be there.” Peri wanted to sound supportive of the situation.

“Exactly what did the two of
you
have to discuss about
our
baby?” Krissy asked, losing that honeyed quality to her voice.

“I want to make sure you and the baby are okay, and we are doing all we need to do after your scare while I was gone, Krissy. Calm down.” Ryan knew she was going to be mad when he said it, but he wanted Peri to know why he wanted to go with her.

“You know, Ryan, it pisses me off you talk to Peri about our baby instead of talking to me. If you want to know something, ask
me
next time. She’s not the one carrying your child.” Krissy’s face was red by the time she stopped talking, and the volume of her voice rose with each word.

“That’s fine, Ryan. You should talk to her.” Peri wanted to defuse the situation.

“I will, Krissy. You have to know that Peri and I are going to talk about the situation, though.” He needed Krissy to understand Peri was in this with him.

“It’s not a ‘situation.' God, you make it sound like our baby is a minor problem you can deal with until it’s settled. Let me tell you, Ryan, in about twenty-two years when our child graduates from college is when this will settle.” She picked up her purse and headed out the door to the parking lot.

“Damn girl! I don’t know if I can do this with her for twenty-two years, Peri.” He pulled her to him for a hug. Being close to her right then was soothing to him.

“It’ll be fine. We’ll figure it out as we go.” Peri hugged him back tightly. “Let’s go home, Ryan.”

“That’s the best thing I’ve heard you say all day, Sunshine.” He nipped her neck where it met her shoulder and whispered in her ear, “I can think of some other words I want to hear you screaming next.”

She laughed as she went to get her purse and locked her office for the day. “Sounds like a better idea to me, too.”

Within a month, AD’s part of the recordings for the last few songs was complete, and they anticipated the new album’s release in about six weeks. The tracks on their sophomore album were a great mix of their trademark sounds loved by their fans. When they added Chandler to the writing process and her ability to enhance the music, the studio was anticipating it to go platinum shortly after its release.

Peri was already putting the final touches on the release party Assured Distraction would be holding in Austin. Some of the ‘suits’ wanted them to hold it in LA or NYC, but the band vetoed it immediately, sending both Peri and Cash in to negotiate the changes. Their true fan base started in Austin, and they wanted to keep true to their Texas roots.

They were on their way to the top, and all of AD’s members were ready to move forward, even though it meant getting back out on the road. The life they dreamed of was slowly emerging in front of the eyes. After the last tour with Steel, they knew it would be a hard one. The kick ass music scene of making music and bringing it to the public was what they wanted. The guys were all attention whores when it came to performing, even Chandler, the last to join the band, had grown comfortable in front of the crowds and stirring up their audience.

Krissy stopped Peri in the hallway. “I haven’t gotten an invitation to the party yet. Am I receiving and invitation?”

“Oh, yes, everyone in the office will get an invitation.”

“Great. I’ve been waiting to hear what Ryan was going to do for the party.”

Peri looked up from the checklist on her table and finally put eyes on Krissy for the first time. “What do you mean, Krissy?”

“I was hoping he was going to take me to the party. I mean there will be a lot of photographers there, and I know they are going to ask me about my huge baby bump.” She ran her hand over her small bump. Peri could see she was beaming at the idea of arriving on Ryan’s arm, with her vaguely obvious claim to the guitarist on display. While Krissy appeared better after they arrived home from the tour but had yet to gain much baby weight.

“You’re not big at all, Krissy. You honestly look great. Lots of women are already bigger than you are this far along. I guess the strain of morning sickness took a toll on your weight gain. I don’t know what to tell you about Ryan. You need to talk to him.”

“Oh, I intend to. The paparazzi are always dying for a juicy story, and somehow a baby bump seems to attract them.” She continued to rub back and forth and never addressed her morning sickness.

“I don’t know why you would think they would find this a juicy story. You’re pregnant. He’s the daddy. That’s it. It’s not like he hasn’t gone out of his way to make sure you and the baby are well taken care of.” Peri knew it sounded snippier than she meant it but Krissy was driving them both crazy with her demands. Peri had other things to deal with besides the drama Krissy thrived on daily.

“Yes, but if I show up alone, those guys are going to ask me who the father is, and since he’s not made a public commitment, I thought maybe he would want to do it then. It would be a perfect opportunity to announce it, so it seems like we need to arrive together.”

With every word out of Krissy’s mouth, Peri grew more aggravated. Why would they care who the father of her baby was? She didn’t want to address this by herself, but as usual, Krissy seemed determined to stir the pot. “I suppose you’ll have to ask Ryan then. We haven’t discussed it, but I’m sure he has a plan.” Turning on her heel, she tried to escape to her office, shutting her door harder than strictly necessary before she could hear another delusional word out of Krissy.

“Ugh! What a manipulating bitch!” Peri growled to herself behind the closed door, ready to scream to the heavens but knew Krissy would hear her. As she called Ryan’s cell, she took deep breaths to calm down. She wanted this party to be the most awesome evening for Assured Distraction. Krissy knew exactly what she was asking, and how he was going to react. What better way to spoil the entire evening?

“What’s going on, Sunshine? Miss me already?” he crooned in a sexy voice.

She knew he was in a good mood now that the stress of getting the album finished but she feared what she was about to say was going to ruin it.

“I wanted to give you a heads up about what your ‘baby momma’ is going to hit you with next.”

“Fuuuuck. What now?” His tone changed instantly.

“She wants to be your date to the release party so you both can make a public announcement about the baby.”

“Nope, not happening. The only beauty I’ll be taking is you on my arm. The idea of announcing the baby makes me cringe. Until I know for a damn fact that’s my baby, I will not be announcing any-fucking-thing.” Ryan replied.

Peri understood he was angry but with Krissy she knew there was no way to know what she would tell people for the spotlight.

“I didn’t want to say anything she might come back with later so I put it off on you. I am too busy to deal with the petty shit she invents. What worries me is what she might announce to the masses if she’s left unattended.”

“Why the hell does she even want to come to the party? It’s going to be epic, thanks to your brilliant event planning. We will be busy performing a few songs, and then champagne and liquor will be flowing, and we’ll be dancing and mingling all night. What is she going to do? It’s not like she’s even a fan of ours. She hated the band and resented the shit out of everyone in it when things finally started to take off, and I refused to give it all up for her. Damn, I really would prefer she not come at all.”

“Everyone in the office will be getting an invitation, so you might want to give this some thought before she confronts you about being your date.” She wanted Ryan to stay one step ahead of Krissy on this situation.

“Thanks for the warning. When are you coming home? I’ve missed you.” The seductive tone he slipped into sparked a fire deep inside her. It seemed like she always needed him, and when he spoke to her in that low, sexy voice, simply asking her a question caused a sudden gush in her panties.

“I’m leaving here shortly. Want to meet somewhere for dinner or drinks?”

“I think you should come home first. We can make our own happy hour. I know how to whet your appetite, baby. Come home, I have an appetizer you won’t be able to resist.” She was thrilled he turned down the going out offer, and now that he had, her body was sizzling for his touch. All she wanted was him, alone and waiting for her.

“Best proposal I’ve had all day,” she said into the phone as heat coursed up her chest and heated her face. “I’ll be there as soon as I can,” she said, her voice growing husky with desire, ready to drop everything and run out the door, but it took her almost an hour before she could finally walk away from her desk. She loved living with Ryan, even if they were rarely home at the same time.

The door to the townhouse was standing ajar when Peri stepped from her car in the garage. She thought to herself it was unusual for Ryan to be so careless. The garage door was down, though, so she was not too worried. She made her way inside to find rose petals scattered on the floor.

“Mmm… my day just got better!” Peri followed the petals and the seductive music of James Bay playing softly in the background, into the kitchen where a glass of her favorite wine was waiting for her by a photo on the bar of the band on stage. Next to the photo were several lit vanilla and jasmine candles, her favorite, and a handwritten note from Ryan.

Welcome home, baby. I’ve been thinking about you all day, and it gave me time to come up with a little game. We’ve barely had any time alone together so I could give you my undivided attention and properly worship your gorgeous body. Will you play with me? I promise I’ll make it worth your while to play along. Mmmm, I can’t wait to reward you for being a good girl for me…

Ready?

Take off only your top, please. I want to see that beautiful lingerie showcasing those luscious tits with their beautiful jewelry running through your pert pink nipples that I can’t wait to slide my warm tongue around before sucking them into my mouth and lightly scraping my teeth down. Then, I hope you like the wine I’ve set out for you. Bring it with you as you follow the petals.

And baby, hurry. I can’t wait to get my hands on you.

He had her interest piqued with his seductive instructions, and the blinds already drawn. She was so ready to play this game with him. After enjoying a couple of sips of her favorite sweet Riesling, she started unbuttoning her sleeveless blouse and dropped it on the counter. Thoughts of their earlier phone call replayed in her head as she stripped her clothes off in her kitchen, rekindling that heat he had stirred in her as she stood in her office. She hurried through removing her shirt, deciding to leave on her heels and the scarf she wore in her hair.

She found the petals leading over to a funny picture on the dining table of the two of them posing in one of the rehearsal rooms when they first met. She didn’t remember taking the photo. A piece of her favorite Godiva chocolate was on a crystal dish next to the frame with another note.

Take off those heels, please. You know how much I love those fuck-me heels you wear, and you are so sexy in them. And I especially love it when you wear them while I fuck you hard and you dig them into my ass. Mmmm, maybe I’ll have you put them back on later and feast on you on the dining room table… I get hard just thinking about having you there.

But, for now, you’ve had a long day, so relax your feet and enjoy another sip of wine with your chocolate and then follow the petals.

Her smile widened.
The scenario is getting better and better.
Her anticipation grew as she slid off her shoes and left them in front of a dining chair in case they ever made their way back down as he suggested. The chocolate and wine tasted so decadent together and kindled her desire to a slow, deep burn. She found the petals on the other side of the table leading to the coffee table in the living room.

Another picture waited for her there. It was one of the two of them together during the tour with Frission. She loved this picture because they were both laughing at something off camera. He had cropped out everyone else, so they were the only focal point. A single, decadent salted caramel was on another crystal plate next to the picture, with another note.

Now slide off that tight black pencil skirt you left in this morning, please because you know that I love that gorgeous ass bare. You left me with a raging hard on watching that ass walk away from me this morning, so I’ve been dreaming about it all day. I can’t wait to get my lips on your skin. I’m going to start with those luscious white globes, and I’m going to bite, and kiss, and lick my way up to that spot just below your ear that drives you crazy. Now, since you love your salty with your sweet, enjoy your chocolate with another sip of wine then follow the petals.

Peri wanted to laugh at this request but since he painted such a delicious picture of slowly making his way up her spine, all she could think about now was how she was throbbing between her legs. He told her all of the time how much he loved her ass even though it was her least favorite body part. As she took another deep drink and savored the caramel, she was getting more excited with each article of clothing she stripped away. After sliding the skirt down her legs, she finished the salty-sugary treat and followed the petals to the first step of the stairs. Another picture of them, this time in London in the van, was propped up against the opened bottle of wine, with another note stuck to it.