Running For It, page 6
“While your fingers wander,” I managed between gasps.
He dipped lower, gliding inside me to thrust over and over. “Exactly.”
My hips swayed to his touch. My breath came in short pants. We might not be visible to most people, but Hunter knew exactly what we were doing. That made me clench with need.
Ramsey withdrew his fingers and moved back to my clit, stroking hard this time. Drawing tiny circles. Pressing and teasing and nudging me to teeter on the edge of climax.
“Come for me, Taffy,” he growled into my neck.
My laugh was shaky. “I don’t do that on demand. That’s not how this works.”
“No?” Ramsey worked faster. “What if I tell you once you’re inside tonight, I’m going back to Hunter’s.” He pushed me closer. Orgasm was just out of reach. “I’m going to fuck the hell out of him, while this moment is still fresh in our minds.”
Yeah, that was pretty fucking hot. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from crying out as Ramsey’s words and touch sent me topping into ecstasy. Every inch of me shuddered with the release of desire, and I ground into his touch until I was spent, and my body shuddered away.
I rested my hands on the seat behind me to keep myself upright.
Ramsey pressed two slick fingers to my lips and I drew them in, greedily sucking myself from his skin. He kissed me around the touch. Around the licking. Sharing my flavor. His tongue dancing with mine and around his fingers.
We finally broke the kiss and he rested his forehead against mine. “I wish I could take you home with us tonight. I can, can’t I?”
I wanted to. So desperately. “I have to work in the morning, and I won’t get any sleep if I go with you.”
“No, you really won’t.” He pulled away with one more kiss. “At least let me walk you to your door.”
I couldn’t argue that request, and I really couldn’t ignore how badly it sucked to stay here after they left.
Only a few days back in my life, and I was already completely smitten with Ramsey again. I was so fucked. In more ways than one.
Chapter Ten
I was always grateful I’d been born with the multi-task like a boss gene, but this morning, more than ever. As I worked through my routine at Loading Java, a portion of my mind was focused on last night. The conversation with Ramsey. What we agreed to. What came after.
Those thoughts wouldn’t be dissuaded.
In the midst of all that, I made a series of calls to local extended-stay motels. Whether the shelter moved to a new building or was just remodeled, the kids would need someplace to stay in the interim. This was the best temporary solution I could come up with. A couple of the volunteers would be on hand at all times, like they were now, and we’d make the situation work.
I breathed a sigh of relief when I found a motel willing to reserve an entire floor for us for the next two weeks. It was a great starting point.
The hours both sped by and crawled at a snail’s pace. I was in the back room, doing inventory on teacups, when I heard a voice boom from out front.
“I’d like to speak to the manager. Now.” Hunter’s tone wasn’t nearly as threatening as the words implied it should be.
A silly grin bounced onto my face, and I didn’t try to stop it as I stepped into the shop. “What can I do for you, sir?” Besides question why he was alone.
“How much for... you?”
I was surprised he asked that in front of customers and other employees. Then again, he wasn’t Ramsey. I clucked. “You can’t afford me.”
“I’ll buy you lunch.”
I screwed my face up, pretending to consider the offer. “In Las Vegas?”
“Sold.” He grinned. “You ready to go?”
“Thirty seconds.” I ducked into the kitchen, to grab my purse and duffel bag. It didn’t matter that Ramsey told me not to pack anything; I still had a few changes of clothes and an emergency dress, just in case. I joined Hunter, and we made our way out to his car.
“Ramsey’s sorry he’s not here himself,” Hunter said as he held the passenger door for me. “He’s stuck in a meeting. He’ll meet us at the airport.”
I understood that. It was disappointing to not see him now, but I would soon enough. “No big deal.”
Hunter took his place behind the wheel, and we were on our way.
“I’m curious,” I said. “What does a campaign manager do?”
He navigated lunchtime traffic downtown like a pro. “You manage Lyn’s place. What do you do?’
“Inventory. Scheduling. Opening and closing the shop. Anything Lyn tells me to.”
“There you have it.”
We both knew the work wasn’t that basic. “Anything Ramsey tells you to? Is this a paid position? Volunteer? Do you get paid to be his boyfriend?”
Hunter shot me a half-dry, half-amused look. “Volunteer. Never question that I serve him for free.” There was a hint of teasing in his voice.
“That’s fair. And don’t give me a glossed-over answer like that. You know I need details.”
“Something I adore about you.” He merged onto the freeway. “But details always depend on the situation. I make sure all the parts are clicking behind the scenes, so he can focus on the scenes. I do the hiring. Scheduling. Inventory—banners, buttons, shirts. Whatever he needs that he’s not thinking of, because he’s focused on other priorities.”
Impressive. I let out an exaggerated that’s so sweet sigh. “So dreamy. I know most people think details are boring, but the way you talk about them is so sexy.”
He tapped me lightly on the nose. “You don’t have to win me over. I’m already there.”
“I wasn’t even thinking about that. I’m serious. I like a guy who has a grasp of how many Miller for Senate T-shirts are in the back room.”
“I can’t tell you that off the top of my head or anything.”
“Uh-huh.” I let the disbelief drip from my retort.
Hunter sighed heavily. “Seventeen small, thirteen medium, thirteen large, and two XL’s. New shipment will be in Thursday.”
“See?” I asked playfully.
Hunter shook his head, but he was smiling as we pulled into the airport. He opened his mouth, and his phone rang, cutting him off. “You okay if I take this?”
“Of course.”
I listened to Hunter’s half of administrative details. I’d meant what I said—most people would find this boring, but I adored how on top of things he was.
As he talked, he turned the car toward a part of the airport I wasn’t familiar with, and parked us in an empty lot.
Security was nothing like I was used to. We were in and out in just a few minutes, and walking out the gate, to climb a short set of stairs to a small jet.
I stalled in the plane’s doorway. I’d never seen something like this in person—it was straight out of the movies, with the leather and wood and so much space for an airplane. Yeah, Ramsey and I had traveled a few times when we dated, and I thought First Class was opulent. But this was the family jet, and he hadn’t had access to it back then.
I guess he’d earned it.
“Hey.” Ramsey’s greeting jarred me from my awe. “Sorry I had to meet you here.”
Hunter stepped around me. “’S’all good.”
“Totally fine,” I said. Sometimes work demanded a little extra time and responsibility.
“Hey, handsome.” Ramsey tugged Hunter in for a long, heated kiss.
That he reached for Hunter first stung, but Goddess was it amazing to watch.
Ramsey let Hunter go, and turned to me. “I’m glad you’re here.” His voice was low and smooth. He brushed his lips over mine, lightly enough to tempt and tease, then deepened the kiss. Desire sang over and through me, all the way to my core.
I’d missed this feeling so much.
Ramsey stepped back. “Lady and Gentleman, take your seats. Let’s go to Vegas.”
I settled into a spot that was more comfortable than my living-room furniture. This would be a short flight, so there was no reason to take advantage of the amenities. However, it was tempting to at least see what kind of secrets a plane like this held.
As we taxied toward the runway, my phone rang. “Sorry. I forgot to turn it off.”
“Go ahead and take it.” Ramsey waved a hand. “No restrictions here.”
Talk about decadent. “Hello?”
“Is this Violet?” the woman on the other end of the line asked.
“It is.”
“This is Tawna, from Extended Stop Motels. We talked earlier?” Her voice was timid, which it hadn’t been earlier.
“Of course. What can I do for you?”
“I got a call from corporate, and they had me cancel your reservation.”
Disappointment sank into my bones. This had been the only place on my list that even talked to me. No one wanted to rent an entire floor to a group of kids. Too much liability. “Did they say why? Is there anything I can do?”
“They said there were insurance issues. Problems with legal guardianship. Liability concerns.”
I clenched my jaw and turned away from the two sets of eyes watching me. “Those are just a bunch of phrases. They don’t mean anything.” They did, but I couldn’t let this reservation fall apart.
“I’m sorry.” Tawna’s voice was tight. “I’m happy to let you stay here, but this came down from corporate. It’s out of my hands.”
It wouldn’t do me any good to yell at her. “I get it. Thank you.” I dropped my phone into my lap and scrubbed my face, letting a long breath out through my fingers.
“What’s wrong?” Ramsey’s question was all concern.
If I left this until tomorrow, would it give me enough time to find a solution? I’d need at least that long, to think of what to try next. “Nothing. I’ve got it.” My hands muffled my words.
“Would you have it faster or less painfully if we helped you brainstorm?” Ramsey asked.
Yes. No. Maybe.
Warm hands grabbed my wrists, and Ramsey pushed them into my lap as he moved into the seat next to me. “Talk.”
“If I don’t, will you stop asking?”
“Nope.”
As I told them what was going on, it was impossible to hide my frustration. Sometimes, talking through something presented answers, but this time, I drew a blank.
Hunter had his phone out. “Give me thirty minutes.”
“I can’t.” I shook my head.
Ramsey squeezed my hand gently. “Can’t what?”
“Can’t keep asking for favors. I owe you both too much.”
Hunter stared at me with disbelief.
“That’s not the way this works.” Was that hurt in Ramsey’s voice?
Who was he kidding? “That’s exactly the way this works.”
Ramsey placed a finger under my chin and turned my face toward his. “This isn’t tit for tat. We’re not keeping score. You’re a friend who needs help, and Hunter can help. If one of us needed something, you’d do the same.”
“What would you need from me?” I wanted to take back the question as soon as I asked it. Mostly because I hated feeling like I couldn’t contribute—and what was I offering them in return, for everything they were doing?
“You know better than that,” Hunter said. “If you don’t, I’m telling you now. Money and connections get a lot of things done, but not everything, and frequently not the important things.”
There was an underlying thread in his voice I couldn’t identify.
“So, I’ve got this.” He dialed.
My thank you was muffled by his talking to whoever picked up on the other end.
I listened intently to his half of each conversation, trying to tell how things were going. It didn’t work. He briefly explained the situation each time, followed by short, pleasant answers, and then he’d hang up.
The fact that he kept making calls made my heart sink. We landed, and he was dialing more people. We were getting in the car, when he whooped. “Got it.”
The car was big enough that two bench-seats faced each other in back. Ramsey slid in next to me, and Hunter took the spot across from us. Everything about his expression and posture said pleased.
“Eight-plex in Sugar House. All of them two-bedroom, two-bath,” Hunter said. “The new owner had everyone move out because he’s remodeling, but the bank held his financing. The place is empty for at least two months, and your kids can stay there. No charge. He’ll write it off as a donation.”
“You’re the best.” I leaned across the divide, to give him a thank you hug.
“I wanna be the best.” Ramsey’s pouty voice was exaggerated. He wrapped an arm around my waist and yanked me into his lap.
I squirmed more than was needed to get comfortable, feeling him half-harden underneath me. “You are the absolute best.”
“Mhm.” He scraped his teeth over my neck. “At what?”
“Everything? What are you looking for?” I teased.
Ramsey bit my shoulder hard enough to draw a yelp, sending a spark of desire through me. “Something sincere would be nice,” he growled.
“No one hurts me like you do.” That sounded bad. “I mean that in the best way possible.”
“Mhm,” he repeated, settling his hands on my hips and moving me into my own spot.
Had I offended him?
Chapter Eleven
Ramsey leaned in, to hover his lips near my ear, his warm breath teasing my skin. “You need a little pampering, in case there’s more agony later,” he said in a stage whisper.
“I have no idea what that means.” Was it supposed to be sexy? Threatening? I was pretty sure it meant he wasn’t offended by my comment.
He chuckled. “I thought it was a clever segue, but maybe not. You have an appointment at the hotel salon in about”—he looked at his empty wrist—“fifteen minutes.”
If pressed by the right person, I had to admit I missed this part of dating Ramsey. The part where certain things that I considered luxuries and he considered necessities were paid for by default. I’d have to be pressed hard, though, because even admitting it to myself made me feel selfish. “If you insist.”
“I do.”
We reached the hotel, and Ramsey gave my hand a quick squeeze and promised they’d see me in a few hours, and a member of the staff showed me to my appointment.
The stylist yanked the scrunchie out of my hair with a sigh. “At least it’s not elastic. Says in your appointment notes you can do whatever you’d like, as long as you don’t cut more than a couple of inches off.”
Because of course Ramsey sent instructions. Those weren’t as specific as usual, though. “I could have you dye it blue?”
“In the amount of time we have? Yes, if you want to destroy these gorgeous curls.”
I didn’t. “I trust you. Make me look like a princess, going to a ball. More Meghan Markle than Cinderella,” I added as an afterthought.
“You got it, hon.”
The next few hours were almost enough to make me forget the looming party, from having my scalp massaged, and my fingers and feet soaked and rubbed. The stunning blue polish... I didn’t even have to ask. I hoped the color raised a few eyebrows.
When I handed my personal stylist a tip, she gave me a keycard with a room number.
“I’m told your things are already up there,” she said.
“Thank you, for a wonderful experience.”
I checked my phone as I took the elevator up. How was it already four? The party didn’t start until seven, but I couldn’t walk in there—couldn’t let guests arrive—without looking everything over first. And now my nervousness was back.
I stepped into the kind of hotel room I thought only existed in movies. The living room was bigger than my entire apartment, with three couches, white carpet, and gold everywhere. A door at the far end led to a bedroom, that I assumed was equally as overwhelming.
Ramsey was waiting, already dressed for the night in his tux. Goddess, he was breathtaking.
“You look incredible. And you probably want to get downstairs ridiculously early,” he said. “Hunter will meet us there.”
“You know me so well. I’m feeling a little underdressed, though.” I gestured down.
Ramsey reached for a long bag hanging on the back of a nearby door. “Clothes off.”
I raised an eyebrow, and he stared back at me with a look that said, Argue with me. I dare you.
It was tempting, but the clock was ticking, and if I pushed back, we’d be here for a while. Oh, and I’d mess up my hair. But the way Ramsey was watching me, with barely hidden desire, I didn’t care.
“Can we pretend I argued, and you can punish me later?” I asked sweetly.
He huffed. “I guess.”
I kicked off my shoes, then stripped off my shirt, intently aware of how he watched my every movement. “How much is everything?” I asked.
“Everything is everything.” Ramsey’s tone was hard.
Right. Desire roared over me, as I removed my jeans, my bra, and finally my panties, leaving me naked and on display in the middle of the room.
Ramsey closed the distance between us, stopping far enough away I couldn’t feel his heat, but I could reach out and touch him.
Self-consciousness wanted me to cover up, but I fought the impulse.
He dragged a finger along my jaw, down my neck, to my arm, and lower, to grasp my fingers. He kissed the tips. “Love the blue.”
My entire body was probably flushed pink, but I didn’t dare look.
Ramsey smirked and returned to the dress bag. He unzipped it, to reveal swaths of black underneath. It was a stunning gown. I’d never worn anything so elegant.
He unzipped the dress and beckoned me with a finger, as he removed the dress from its hanger. “Arms up.”
“I—” didn’t have any panties on.
“Yes?” He watched me with that look of challenge again.
I put my arms up. “Nothing.”
Ramsey moved behind me, to slip the dress over my head. He slid his palms down my sides, smoothing out the skirt even though it mostly fell to the floor on its own. He zipped up the back, sucking everything into place. Looking down, I could see the scooped neck, the skirt with a slit almost the hip, and the off-the shoulder short sleeves.
