Soul Chance (7 page)

“Are you sure, Ari? Because I will not be open to any other negotiations from this point on. Furthermore, be advised that the original time period in which you had to settle the loan between becomes two years instead of the one
if,
for any reason, you fail to hold up your end of this new agreement.”

Tiny prickles of awareness scattered goosebumps over Ari’s skin as she stared into the steel gray depths of Ryder’s eyes. Six months of singing and sex with Ryder would be a cakewalk. She had no intentions of messing up this deal. In an instant, all of Ari’s reservations faded away. “I’m sure.”

Ryder gave her a slow, predatory smile that almost made her second guess her decision. “Very well.” He angled her face upwards. “Let’s seal our new deal with a kiss.”

He gave her no time to reply, dipping his head and claiming her lips in a fierce, punishing kiss. Ari moaned against his mouth as he pushed her against the curve of the piano. She dragged her nails over his back, whimpering when he tugged on her hair rougher than he had in the past then ended the kiss.

“You took a gamble presenting that offer to me.” Ryder’s low voice sent a shiver up Ari’s spine. “We both know what a thrill it is for you to place outrageous wagers. I wonder if you feel as victorious as I do.”

Ari yelped as Ryder lifted her up onto the piano. She watched him unbutton and unzip his shorts then extract a condom from his pocket.

“Because—” Ryder ripped on the foil package with his teeth. “I’m going to
thoroughly
enjoy having you for the next six months.” He pushed his shorts down along with his underwear, revealing his hard cock.

Ari’s eyes widened when Ryder placed his hand between her breasts and pushed her back on the gleaming wood. Her heart pounded in her chest as he spread her legs wide. Ari managed to anchor her feet on the edge of the piano, dazed by her current predicament.

“Why, look at you about to drip on my baby grand.”

Ari attempted to close her thighs, more than a little embarrassed by his sardonic statement, but Ryder stopped her. She let loose a small cry in the back of her throat when Ryder sank two fingers into her. He gave her several deep thrusts, teasing her, taking her closer to the sweet point of no return. Ari moaned as he stroked her, ready to beg Ryder to get her off when he withdrew his hand from her wetness. She gasped when he replaced his fingers with his warm mouth.

She placed her palms flat on the piano and sucked in a sharp breath. Orgasmic spirals whirled faster with every flick of Ryder’s tongue. Ari’s climax hovered just out of reach. She panted, wriggling beneath Ryder. She mewled with need as he kissed and sucked on her clit.

Her short, sharp breaths added to the erotic sounds of Ryder pleasuring her. Ari closed her eyes, unable to focus on anything other than the delicious orgasm crashing over her. She writhed on top of the piano, moaning with pleasure, but Ryder didn’t stop. Sensitive from coming, Ari tried to bring her trembling legs together. Ryder kept them open, undeterred, tasting her, coaxing every ounce of bliss from her climax.

Weak and breathless, Ari moaned when Ryder pulled her off the baby grand. Her legs wobbled as her feet touched the floor. She reached up to touch Ryder’s face but didn’t make contact as he turned her around. Ari had time enough to place her hands on the piano before Ryder pushed her nightie up to expose her bottom.

“Push that ass out.”

Ari obeyed his gruff command, glancing back at him as he sheathed himself. She drew in a quick breath when he tapped his cock on her ass cheek.

“Face forward.” Ryder punctuated his order with a hard smack on her derrière.

Too stunned to say anything, Ari complied. She gasped as he guided his cock into her. Ari gripped the piano, thankful her slickness eclipsed much of the initial discomfort of his sudden penetration. She grunted when Ryder took hold of her shoulders and began moving in and out of her with rapid-fire thrusts. His brutal pace rocked her body, pushed her up to her tiptoes.

Ari uttered a low groan. Her voice sounded foreign to her, mixing in with the torrid slaps of skin on skin that resonated in the room. Ari’s lungs ached from her shallow breaths. Her breasts jiggled beneath her night shirt, sending delightful sensations through Ari as her nipples brushed against the fabric. Ari moaned, wanting Ryder to come, overwhelmed by his relentless passion.

“Fuck!” Ryder released Ari’s shoulders.

Ari leaned over the piano, whimpering as Ryder came. She welcomed his slower thrusts. He stilled within her, making Ari aware of their harried breathing as he pulled out. Her nightie slipped back over her hips as Ari laid her head on her arm, completely spent.

“Goodnight, Ari.”

Ari straightened with a frown, turning in time to see Ryder leave the room.
Goodnight?
That was all he had to say to her after what had just happened? This was the second time he’d left her after sex. They’d usually spent the night together.

Ari stared after Ryder, still feeling the effects of him all over her body. She let out a small sigh. Maybe Ryder had been right to question whether she could handle the new terms of their agreement.

Chapter Five

“You finally decided to call back.” Ryder grinned as he sipped his coffee.

“Hey, son, my days are more chaotic now than they ever were. It’s hard work vacationing with your mom.”

“How is she, by the way? She usually calls me at least once a week.”

“Aw, she’s been preoccupied. You should see her. She’s über-tanned.”

Ryder chuckled. “I bet.”

“So, how are things going at The Cove?”

“Things are going well.” Ryder walked over to the window overlooking the terrace and proceeded to update his dad on the recent renovations he’d hired out.

“I’m glad you’re taking care of the roof issue first. I was planning on getting to it this summer too. I know it must seem like a lot of expenses coming out of pocket all at once but trust me, you’ll see the returns in less than a year. A lot of our past patrons come back to spend holidays or special occasions with us, and I’m positive the updates you’re implementing will bring in new guests as well.”

“We’ll see. If The Cove starts costing me more money than it brings in, you’ll be the first to hear about.” Ryder smiled when his dad laughed. “Technically, this place is still yours. We haven’t officially signed the paperwork to make it mine.”

“Speaking of which… Your mom and I will be coming that way in a few weeks. We’ll take care of the paperwork then.”

“I told you I was still on the fence about making this a done deal. I’m still not sure I want to juggle managing this resort with my other work.”

“New gig coming up?”

“Possibly.” Ryder lifted his coffee cup for a sip. “I’ve been offered another chance to be a celebrity judge.”

His father snorted. “For food?”

“Nope. Music.”

“It’s not that one show with that yak kitty yak chick that’s always giggling when the contestants screw up, is it?”

Ryder grinned. “That’s the one.”

“Oh, man.”

“Hey, I’d be a part of one of the biggest shows on television right now.” Ryder finished his coffee, knowing his dad would never get his need to forge his own path outside the family business. “Anyway, did you get my message about Cassie?”

“I did.”

“What a blast from the past that was.”

His dad cleared his throat. “I bet.”

“Yeah. I couldn’t believe it. She looks pretty much the same. It was weird as hell to run into her after all of these years.”

“Did she say why she was there?”

“She was here looking for you. Claimed the two of you had business to discuss?”

“Hmm. Maybe she was looking for a job.”

“Don’t think so, Dad. Cassie said she was moving.”

“
Moving?
”

Ryder frowned, surprised by his dad’s brusque tone. “Yes, to Arizona. Why do you sound pissed?”

“Ryder, I’ve got to take this call. We’ll talk later, all right?”

“Fine.” Ryder ended the call deep in thought. He wondered who’d called his father and if that was the reason for his sudden sour mood.

Ryder set his empty coffee cup in the sink. He walked out of the kitchen and his gaze fell on the baby grand in the center of the living room. Blood pumped faster through his veins as he pictured riding Ari up against the piano. She’d been so wet, so responsive, even though he knew she’d been astounded by how he’d taken her.

Ryder shook his head as he glanced at his watch. It was time to wake up Ari. She had no idea what she’d signed herself up for with him.

Ryder’s cock twitched with anticipation. Her wild proposition last night had come as a shock. His first reaction had been one of frustration and disappointment. Once again, Ari had tried to find a way to manipulate him in order to get what she wanted. Ari was in for a rude awakening if she thought her little deal would be easier than their previous arrangement. She was his for approximately the next one hundred and eighty-two days, and she would know it.

Starting right now.

Ryder walked out of the kitchen to Ari’s room and stopped in front of her door. He listened for movement then opened the door when he heard none. His gaze fell on Ari, still asleep, nestled beneath the covers. He moved over to the bed, pushing memories of how tight and warm she’d felt around his cock yesterday to the back of his mind. Sex with Ari was amazing. That fact had been one of the reasons he’d agreed to her crazy offer. He enjoyed her company and he wanted her like hell. He’d been looking forward to exploring more than just the fantastic physical connection between them, but apparently, Ari didn’t share the same desire.

Ryder tightened his jaw as Ari stirred. She looked so angelic and peaceful he almost hated to wake her. “Rise and shine, songbird.” Ryder crossed his arms when Ari groaned but didn’t wake up. “Ari.”

Ari opened her eyes with a sleepy grimace. “What the hell, Ryder? What time is it?”

“Time for yoga.”

Ari gave him a you-must-be-crazy look before turning away from him. “Have fun.”

Ryder pulled back her covers, ignoring Ari’s groan of protest. His gaze drifted up her legs to the tempting glimpse of her barely covered derrière beneath her oversized T-shirt before she shifted her body. “You have ten minutes to have your ass on the terrace.”

“Ryder, I’m tired. I am
not
getting out of this bed.” Ari glared at him as she snatched the covers from him and yanked them over her.

“Taking care of your body is taking care of your voice. For the next six months, you will take care of your instrument as
I
see fit. Get. Dressed.” Ryder pivoted and left Ari’s room. He went into the closet in the hall and took out two exercise mats. The delicious scent of the hazelnut java he’d brewed permeated the air as he walked through the ranch, making Ryder wish he’d poured a second cup.

Ryder pushed opened the front door. He went outside on the terrace and positioned the mats to face one another close to the stairs. Ryder stretched his arms over his head, enjoying the breeze washing over him and warm sun on his bare chest. The humidity in the air was low compared to what it would be in a few hours. Mornings were always his favorite. The beginning of the day held the most promise. Ryder liked to get up, exercise, have breakfast and mentally prepare for work.

“How long is this going to take?” Ari asked as she stepped out onto the porch. She reached up, took hold of her twists and secured them in a high ponytail with the band around her wrist.

Ryder checked his watch. “Ah. On time. Excellent.” He grinned, pleased to see Ari even had a minute to spare.

Ari crossed her arms beneath her breasts, insolence flashing in her pretty brown eyes. She looked tantalizing as sin, dressed in black yoga pants and a yellow halter top that accentuated her sexy body.

God, he loved her hips—

Ari clapped her hands. “
C’mon
, Ryder. My bed is still calling me.”

“Come over to the mat.” Amused, Ryder keep his face expressionless as she moved into place. “Have you ever done yoga?”

“No, and I haven’t a clue how this is supposed to help me sing. I
do
know getting a good night’s rest is conducive to performing well.”

Ryder ignored her tart tone. “We’ll start with some basics.” He moved onto his mat, spread his feet apart and made sure his weight was distributed evenly. “Copy me.” He reached up to the sky then glanced at Ari out of the corner of his eye. “This is called the mountain pose. Your feet should be in line with your hips. Your neck should be aligned with your spine.”

Ari sighed but moved her body as he instructed. Ryder dropped his arms and went over to her, amused by her amateur attempt to copy him. He placed one hand on her stomach and the other on her lower back. “Breathe in and out, slowly. Concentrate on each breath and how it feels coming from your body.”

“Ryder—”

“Shh…” Ryder held back a chuckle when Ari glowered at him. “Look forward and reach up to the sky.” He nodded appreciatively as she lifted her hands. “Yes, that’s it. Relax. Close your eyes and forget I’m here. Just breathe.”

Just breathe?
Standing without wiggling was difficult enough. Ari exhaled, trying not to be distracted by Ryder’s sun-kissed muscles highlighted in the morning rays of the light filtering onto the terrace. He was too close to her. Her heart refused to beat normally. Why didn’t he have a damn shirt on?

Ari scowled at him when he moved back to his mat, hating the way her pulse had quickened from his mere touch. All night, flashbacks of his no-holds-barred possession of her body had tormented her, keeping her in a state of arousal not unlike the one she was experiencing now. Ari squeezed her inner thighs together as she mimicked Ryder’s movements. She sucked in a sharp breath when her actions sent electric tingles through her tender pussy.

“You okay over there?”

Ari kept her head facing the ocean. “Yup.”

“Excellent. We’ll hold this position for a few minutes then.”

Ari didn’t respond. She closed her eyes, attempting to block out everything as he’d instructed. Ari concentrated on breathing and becoming more aware of her body, which didn’t seem fair. Every breath in reminded her of how Ryder had knocked the wind out of her with each deep stroke he’d given her the evening before. Her nipples peaked beneath her halter top and Ari’s arms wobbled.