Lie Next to Me (12 page)

“Yeah,” he said as he looked down.

“I want you to tell me how you feel about that?”

“I don’t want to go. I want to go home with you. I want to live with you like we used to.”

Tears welled in my eyes at the sound of his pleading voice. I needed to stay strong. I needed to be strong; not for myself, but for Stephen.

“I know you do, Stephen. Remember how we’d lie in the grass at night and look up at the stars? I’d tell you my dreams and you’d tell me yours?”

“Yeah, I remember.”

“Do you remember what your dream was?”

“To get better and get the voices out of my head.”

“That’s right. And this place where you’re going to be living, they’re going to help you with that. I want you to think about this as the beginning of your dreams coming true.” I smiled softly. “The doctors are going to take away the voices and help you to get better.”

“Okay, Rory. If you say so, then I’ll go.”

I reached over and hugged him. Dr. Michaels walked in and asked us if were ready to go. Stephen sat down in the wheelchair and I held his hand as Ian pushed him out of the hospital. We met one of the nurses from Hudson Rock outside and she climbed into the limo with us. When we arrived at Hudson Rock, we were greeted by a group of people who introduced themselves to Stephen. They were trying to make him as comfortable as possible. It was time for me to say goodbye as I hugged him tight.

“I’ll come visit you every Thursday, Stephen. You’ll be safe here.”

“I’ll look forward to Thursdays.”

“I’ll see you later, okay?” I said as tears started to fall.

“No tears, Rory. My dreams are going to come true now.” He smiled.

I kissed him on the cheek and turned away. I heard him call Ian’s name.

“Take care of my sister while I’m in here. Okay, buddy? She needs taking care of.”

I looked over at Ian a
s he smiled at Stephen and nodded his hand. “Don’t worry. Rory will be well taken care of.”

I walked outside and climbed into the limo as I wiped the tears from my face. Ian opened the door and climbed in next to me. He took my hand and brought it up to his soft lips.

“He’s going to be okay.”

“I know and I just want to go home. I want to be alone for a while.”

“Are you sure?” Ian asked. “You can stay with me and I’ll leave you alone for as long as you need.”

“No, I want to go to my home.”

Ian sighed and told Joshua to drive us there.

I spent the next few days locked up in my tiny apartment. The only time I stepped out was when Adalynn took me to her OB/GYN so I could get on birth control. Ian called me a couple of times, but I didn’t answer. I sent him a text message that said when I was ready, I’d call him. My whole life had changed. Now that Stephen was safe at Hudson Rock, it was time to get
my
life together. For the first time in my life, I was no longer in charge of taking care of someone else. It was my turn to take care of me. I thought a lot about taking the job as Ian’s assistant. I needed the money and the health benefits, not to mention all the other little perks of being his assistant. I had already fallen for him and his charm knowing what kind of man he was and how he treated women. I missed him, even though it was my choice not to see him.

I opened up my laptop
and googled him. There was picture from two nights ago of him and some woman at a dinner party. He was smiling at her as she was at him. The caption above the picture read: ‘
Could She Be the One?’
I felt sick and my heart started racing. He was obviously still seeing other women. I guess I was the stupid and naïve one who thought that he was only interested in me.

I walked next door to Java Hut and had a long talk with Jordyn. I told her that I appreciate
d everything she’d done for me, and I explained to her about my life and what had happened with Stephen. We sat at the table for three hours and she listened intently to every word I said. I told her that I needed to start new and that Ian had offered me a job. She told me that I’d be fucking crazy if I didn’t accept it. I felt better knowing that she wasn’t mad at me for bailing on her. I left Java Hut and walked back to my apartment to find Ian sitting on the steps.

“Ian? What are you doing here?” I asked.

“I need an answer, Rory. I’m not playing any more games with you. Are you going to accept my job offer?”

“I was actually just going to call you.”

“Really? And why’s that?”

“To
tell you that I accept your offer.”

A big smile graced his face as he stood up from the steps. “Rory, that’s great.”

I walked by him on the step and unlocked the door to my apartment. “I have rules, Mr. Braxton.”

“Is that so, Miss Sinclair?”

I needed to use the bathroom, so I told him that I’d be right back. When I came out, I saw him looking at my computer. I’d left the article up.
Shit.

“Are you stalking me, Rory?”

“No. Why would you ask that?”

He looked at me with knitted eyebrows and turned my computer around, pointing to the picture.

“Oh that. I was on the computer and I saw a blurb with your name, so I clicked it. No big deal.”

“Are you jealous?”

“No, not at all. Would you like to explain to me what that’s about?”

“No. I don’t feel that I have to.”

Oh boy. This was not going to be easy.
“Do you want me to work for you, Ian? Yes or no?”

“Of course I do. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have asked you in the first place.”

My stomach was churning and my heart picked up a faster pace. “Then I will accept your offer under my terms.”

“Okay, what are your terms?” he asked as the corners of his mouth curved up.

“Our relationship is strictly business. There will be no flirting of any kind and no sex. I’m your business assistant. Not your personal assistant. There’s a difference, and if you don’t know what that difference is, then I suggest you look it up and become familiar with it.”

He studied me as he stood there with a smirk on his face. He walked over to where I was standing and placed his finger on my chin. “You will have sex with me; that I can guarantee, Miss Sinclair.”

Goddamnit.
“Who is she, Ian? The woman in the picture.”

“Like I said before, I don’t need to explain myself to you,” he said as he kissed the tip of my nose. “Now, I’m happy you decided to accept the job. I have to go and arrange a couple of things. I’ll be back here later, so don’t go anywhere.” He smiled as he kissed me on the forehead, walked to the door, and stopped. “By the way, did you get on birth control yet?”

“I believe that’s none of your business, Mr. Braxton.”

His mouth curved up into that sexy smile that drove me insane. “I’ll take that as a yes.” He winked as he walked out the door.

I shook my head and went and sat on the couch. I picked up my phone and dialed Adalynn.

“Hello,” she answered.

“I took the job.”

“Good for you. Now all you have to do is keep Ian on a tight leash.”

“I have a feeling it’s going to be the other way around,” I said.

“Only if you let it, Rory. Remember, you’re taking your life back. Don’t let anyone stop you from doing it.”

“Thanks, Adalynn. I knew I could count on you.”

“You’re welcome. We’ll talk later. I’m on my way to a meeting.”

I lay down on the couch and closed my eyes. I must’ve fallen asleep because I was woken up by Ian running his hand down my face and his soft lips brushing against mine.

“You looked so peaceful.”

“I can’t believe I fell asleep,” I said as I sat up.

“Come here. I want to show you something outside.” He smiled.

Ian took my hand and helped me up from the couch. I put on my flip-flops and walked outside. Sitting at the curb was a white BMW convertible.

“What do you think?” he asked.

“It’s beautiful, Ian. I didn’t take you for a white car kind of guy.”

“It’s not for me. It’s for you.” He smiled. “This is your company car.”

“Shut the fuck up!” I exclaimed.

Ian chuckled. “I take it that means you like it?”

“I can’t, Ian. I can’t drive this car.”

“You do know how to drive, right?”

“Yes, I know how to drive, silly.” I smiled.

“Then what’s the problem?” he asked in confusion.

“It’s too fancy. I don’t belong in a car like this.”

Ian took my arms and put them around his neck as he put his hands on my hips. “Stop putting yourself down. You do belong in a car like this, and you’ll look sexy as hell driving it. The company car is just one of many perks.”

“Thank you, Ian,” I said as I kissed him.

“You’re welcome.” He smiled.

We walked back to my apartment and Ian shut the door. He had that look in his eye. The same look he had in the limo. As he slowly made his way to me, I kept backing up until my back was against the wall. His smile grew wider.

“Just the way I like it; right up against the wall,” he said as he grabbed my arms and pinned them over my head with one hand.

He was strong and so sexy. He tilted my head to the side as he began kissing my neck. “Did you get on the pill?” he asked in between kisses.

“Yes,” I answered breathlessly.

“When can I fuck you?” he whispered.

“Three days, safely.”

“Fuck. I still have to wait?”

His tongue traveled from my neck to my earlobe and down my jawline. He pushed his knee in between my legs and spread them as his hand moved up my skirt and to the edge of my panties.

“Oh, baby, you’re so wet again,” he said as his mouth crashed into mine.

He didn’t waste any time ripping the side of my panties and plunging two fingers inside me as I was lifted slightly off the ground. He was like an animal; a beast out of control.

“You’re so tight. I can’t wait until my cock feels how tight you are. God, Rory, I can’t stop wanting you. There’s a part of me right now that just wants to put on a condom and fuck you senseless.”

I was so turned on by him that I didn’t care. I wanted him inside me. “Ian, just put the damn condom on and fuck me, please.”

He let go of my wrists and instantly, his hand went up my shirt, pulling down my bra as he fingered my hard nipple. I reached for his pants and unzipped them as his erection was dying to be released. He grabbed my hand and stopped me.

“Let me make you come first and then I want you to suck me off.”

My body went from hot to flames when he said that.

“I want you to look at me as you come. Don’t take your eyes off of me. Do you understand me?”

I nodded my head because I understood perfectly. His scent engulfed me as he stood in front of me, with his fingers inside, alternating between circles and a steady in and out movement. The pressure was building and he could tell.

“Good girl, you’re almost there,” he said as he took his thumb and slowly rubbed my clit with it.

The moaning sounds that came from my body surprised me. I stared into Ian’s eyes as my legs started to tighten and the pressure built up to the point of no return.

“Don’t take your eyes off of me,” he commanded.

I bit down on my bottom lip as I clasped his shoulders and my body shook. I released myself all over him.

“Christ, Rory. That was so fucking hot. I need to be inside you. Shit. I’ll wait, baby. It’ll be worth it. But make no mistake that in three days, no matter what’s going on, I’m fucking you all night long. So you better be prepared to spend the night, because I’m not letting you leave.”

I took in a sharp breath because, I swore, I just had another orgasm. I nodded my head because the word
yes
wouldn’t come out of my mouth. He had me hypnotized. I was so lost in him at that moment that I couldn’t see or think straight. Ian took his finger and ran it lightly across my lips. I took his finger in my mouth, tasting what he desired. He closed his eyes and let out a low hiss as he took down his pants and pushed me on my knees. I wrapped my hand around the base of his cock and wrapped my lips around his sensitive tip.

“Fuck, Rory. A few sucks and I’ll be coming,” he moaned.

He placed his hands on each side of my head and, with a bobbing motion, I ran my tongue around his cock as I took his entire length in my mouth. I reached under and gently stroked his balls as his stomach contracted and he moved his hips back and forth.

“Sweet Jesus, Rory. Oh God, don’t stop,” he said as his breathing became rapid.

One last thrust into my mouth and he immediately pulled out, taking his throbbing cock in his hand and spilling his pleasure all over. It was just about the sexiest thing I’d ever seen. The look on his face, the sounds from within. I had a feeling that once he was inside me, I’d never be the same again.

I stood up and ran to the bathroom and grabbed a towel. I handed it to him and he smiled at me. He cleaned himself up, tucked himself back in his pants, and walked over to the sink and washed his hands. I sat down on the couch and watched him as he dried his hands. He walked over and sat down next to me.

“You.” He smiled as he shook his finger in front of me.

I grabbed it with my hand and held it still. “What?” I giggled.

“For someone who only had sex twice in her life, you sure as hell know how to give a blow job. You were amazing.”

Knowing that I’d satisfied him and he enjoyed it gave me the confidence I needed.
Thank you, Google and porn.
I didn’t want to tell him I’d researched it, so I just smiled and said thank you.

“You never told me where you learned to punch the punching bag like that,” he said as he ran his fingers through my hair.

“There was one in the barn behind my aunt’s house. My aunt had this guy friend who came over the house quite often. Okay, he was her drug dealer. Anyway, for a drug dealer, he was a nice guy. He saw me in the barn one day, punching like crazy and all wrong, and he taught me the proper way to punch and kick. I needed to be physically strong in case Stephen came after me. I just didn’t expect him to knife me from behind. I practiced every day, and whenever the drug dealer came over and brought my aunt her drugs, he would make me show him my progress and then he’d teach me some new moves.”

“He sounds like a very nice drug dealer.” Ian smiled.

“He actually was a nice guy.”

“Well, we should get going.”

I looked at Ian in confusion. “Where are we going?”

“Back to my house. So, pack a light bag because you’re staying the night.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are, Rory, and it’s not up for discussion.”

“Ian, no.”

“Rory, yes. How do you expect me to get home?”

“Call a cab!” I exclaimed.

“I don’t do cabs. Come on. You have to be at my house early anyway. I promise you we can go running in the morning. Unless you’d rather go down to the gym and use that punching bag again. I was totally turned on watching you do that.”

I sighed as I stared at him. He pouted and made me laugh. “Damn you, Braxton,” I said as I playfully hit his chest.

He grabbed my hand and, with a wide grin, he said, “So you like it rough, eh? I’ll have to remember that. Now let’s go,” he said as he kissed my lips.

“One question. What does one wear as the business assistant to Mr. Ian Braxton?”