Chapter Eighteen

Via and her staff buzzed around the place, cleaning it up after everyone had left.

Since Charlie had agreed to drive Mister Johnson to the house so he could pick up his car, I stayed behind.

“Are we going to talk about this Michael guy?” Running my fingers through my hair, I followed her to the bar.

“What about him needs to be discussed?” She was keeping her hands busy.

My fury began to surface, so I took a deep breath, and struggled to control myself. “Oh, I don’t know—maybe the fact that you decided to hire him as your business partner without talking to me first. He’s your ex-boyfriend for fuck’s sake, Olivia!”

She stopped what she was doing to glower at me and tossed her cleaning cloth at me. “Ryan William Rayner, you are quite the hypocrite! It is alright for you to have slumber parties with an ex-submissive, but heaven forbid if I make a single move without you consenting to it!” Her face reddened in frustration.

“There is no reason for you to be jealous. Were you even paying attention at the dinner table? Michael and Amanda were charming the pants off each other. You would’ve seen that if you would learn how control that rage of yours!”

Calming down, she shook her head. “How many times do I have to assure that I am yours for the rest of our lives?”

I strolled around the counter separating us and pulled her into my arms. Tears were stinging my eyes as I inhaled her sweet scent. “I may need a lifetime of reminders,” I groaned, plowing my lips into hers.

The color in her cheeks transformed from anger to flush. Without speaking, she threw my jacket off me. As it fell to the floor, she jerked on my shirt and pulled me closer. Her lips smacked into mine and a tingling pierced through my body. I wanted, and needed, her right then and there.

Picking her up, I set her down on the bar. “Do you have any idea how much hell you have put me through tonight?” I whispered in her ear.

“You had me worried sick last night, which I guess that leaves us with one question that needs to be answered. Who gets the spanking first?”

As I went in for another kiss, she pushed me away.

I stared at her in confusion. “What’s wrong?”

“I think I’m getting forked.” She lifted up her right leg and pulled a fork out from under ass. She held it up to me. “This should at least count as punishment.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle, as I took the utensil from her and tossed it aside. As I kissed her jaw, I whispered, “You haven’t seen forking yet, baby.”

She placed a hand over my heart, feeling it pound against my chest. “You are not going to have a heart attack on me, are you?”

“Olivia, you are the only one that can do any damage to this heart of mine.”

“Oh…” Glaring down for a second, she looked back up again before asking, “Is this what you really want?”

My eyes widened in both shock and fear. What if she is trying to tell me she no longer wants this…us? “I will always want you, Olivia Marie Rayner. In my mind, we have known each other our entire lives and have been married for so long.”

She shook her head as if to rid of negative thoughts. “All we ever seem to do is fight and make each other jealous.”

“Is this what you are worried about? Baby, I would rather have a lifetime of bickering with you than spend the rest of my life without you.” I kissed her again before she could speak.

I pulled away and grinned. “Now, are you going to let me finish here?”

A huge, playful smile escaped her lips as she wrapped her arms around my neck.

“I can’t wait to formally become yours, Ryan Rayner. I’m sorry for not telling you about the trial run tonight. You just made me so angry and I felt the need to put some distance between us for a few hours.”

My eyes glowered at her as my dominance began to resurface. “Baby, as much as I love you, and I mean truly love you, please shut up. I’m trying to do something here and you are ruining the moment.”

Noticing my slight change of character, she closed her mouth.

I traced her bottom lip with my thumb. Bending down, I kissed her. “Much better, but you know I would have preferred to gag you to keep you quiet.” My dominance took over at the thought of gagging her. “Stand up and turn around.”

Without saying a word, she did as she as I said.

“Remove your pants slowly and bend over the counter.”

She removed her bottoms, underwear included.

I picked up the damp cloth she had thrown at me and spun it around, preparing to crack her with it.

Once her ass was bent over and bare, I whacked her good and caused the towel to snap.

“Ah!”

“That is one for assuming that I would ever do anything with Jennifer.”

Smirking I snapped the towel across her ass once more. “That is two for not telling your husband about your trial run.”

I swatted her cheeks again. “Three for not inviting me.”

Snap! “Four for believing you could ever get away with not telling or inviting me…”

Slam! “Five for springing Mike Hunt on me this evening…”

Crack! “Six for making a huge business decision without consulting your companion…”

Thwack! “Seven for interrupting while I’m trying to fuck you!”

Her cheeks had turned a fine shade of pink. I strolled up to her and rubbed her ass. She winced in both pain and pleasure.

“I’m going to fuck you now, Olivia.” I removed my slacks and stepped out of them.

I allowed her to feel my erection before spreading her legs apart with my feet and smashing into her. I pushed into her more the second her warmth surrounded me. This woman’s wetness beguiled me. She was always so eager and ready.

The waiters and cleaning crew were still busting their asses not even a room away. A grin appeared at the thought of me fucking their boss.

She moaned and stuck her ass further up into the air, pressing it against my stomach. The pressure built in my groin. I pulled out of her.

“On the bar now!” Without any hesitation, she crawled on top of the counter. I clambered atop her and found my way inside her once more. “Wrap your legs around me!”

With her legs wrapped around me, I was able to push deeper into her.

“Oh…” she groaned aloud, gripping on to either side of bar.

Her back arched, driving me insane. The pressure was building inside me once more. “Come for me, baby!” I drilled harder into her, forcing her breasts to bounce.

Just like that, her body shattered all around mine. I pressed my hands against the countertop as my world traveled so high and crashed back down.

My dominance vanished the second I rested my head on her chest. Still inside her, I kissed every square inch of her neck and chest. “I love you, Olivia Marie Rayner.”

“Marry me, Ryan.”

I couldn’t hide my smile at her words. “We are, in less than a month.”

She shook her head. “I don’t know if I can wait that long. I’m a little anxious about this honeymoon sex you speak so highly of.”

“Let me get this straight. You want to marry me, not because you are in love with me, but because you are curious about the sex?” I attempted to contain my laughter. “I thought a woman’s sex drive disappeared shortly after saying ‘I do’?”

“Believe me, that is not the case here.” She looked around as if she realized where we were. “Shit! I need to get up, but first…” She banged her lips against mine.

Sliding out of her, I stood as she sat up. I grasped her thighs and smashed my lips against hers once more. Pulling away, I grinned.

“I love fucking the boss.”

She hopped off the bar and recovered her slacks. “Well then, this counter better be spotless by the time I return.”

Straightening out her outfit, she trotted away from me.

Holy shit! This woman is sexy as hell when she allows her dominant side to take over.

Deciding to be a good submissive, I scrubbed the bar until my hands burned, somewhat due to being scared of what in the hell she had in store for me. I also needed her in a decent mood when I tell her about her estranged mother’s visit.

It didn’t take long for her to stroll back into the room with a smirk on her face. “You look so sexy behind that counter.”

I rolled my eyes. “I have some news for you. Sit.”

She took a seat on a stool and stared, waiting for me to speak. “What’s wrong, Ryan?”

“There is no easy for me to tell you this, so I am just going to come right out and say it.” I sighed as I looked into her eyes. “Your mother showed up at the house the night you were with your friends.”

Her eyes widened as her mouth fell open. “Claire was in our home? What in the hell did she want?” she asked through gritted teeth, fists forming.

I shook my head. “She never told me what she wanted. Personally, I believe she was here to check me out, making sure her daughter was marrying a worthy guy.”

“Humph. She wouldn’t know what worthy was even if it bit her on the ass!” She hit her hands upon the counter.

It took her a few moments, but she composed herself. “Have you heard any more from her?”

“No I haven’t, baby. That was the first and only time I have heard from her. Maybe Anthony had a few words with her.”

She glared at me. “My dad knows she is here? Of course, that’s why he showed up at the house when I wasn’t there.”

Walking around the counter, I touched her shoulder. “Please don’t be mad at me. I was trying to protect you. I know how you feel about your mother and I didn’t want to stress you out, but there is more you should know. Madison was the one who gave her our address, but she had a reason. What that is I have no clue. I haven’t had the chance to talk with her yet.”

“Will you please keep me informed on this?” She relaxed her hands and took a hold of mine. “Before the wedding would be nice. I don’t want that bitch showing up!”

Picking her up, I slung her over my shoulders and tapped her ass. “I’m taking you out of here whether you like it or not, Mrs. Rayner.”

I carried her outside and into the car. Smiling as I made my way over to the driver’s side, I heard her swearing at me.

Her eyes burned my skin. “You just love manhandling me, don’t you?”

“Just a tad.” I sped off, burning rubber as I drove towards the other house.

“Where are we going?” She stared at me in confusion.

“Until Madison, Charlie, and I can figure out what this deal with your mother involves, you will be staying with your friends,” I instructed, hoping she would not make a big deal out of this.

She blinked a few times. “You’re kicking me out of our home?”

“Just until we get everything straightened out. I’m sure your friends will enjoy your company.” I pulled up to the house. “Just please, I beg of you, no more Evel Knievel stunts while you are here.”

“I can’t make any promises.” She winked at me as she climbed out of the car.

She stopped to turn around and stuck her tongue out at me.

Oh, what I would like for her to do with her tongue!

“Don’t stare at me like that or I will spank you right here and now!”

Before I was able to rebut, her friends burst out of the front door. The song Gangnam Style blared from the stereo.

Great, I’m entrusting my wife’s life into the hands of monkeys. Wait a minute, I thought, taking a whiff. Drunken monkeys!

“Good evening, Ryan. Thank you for bringing Via back. We promise not to render her comatose this time.” Leslie, the quiet and responsible one spoke. “I will personally ensure that Victoria will not pressure her into anything reckless.”

“Thank you, Leslie.”

I grinned as I spun Via around and plowed my lips into hers. “You will be home as soon as we dig up more information on Claire.”

* * * *

Madison and Charlie were waiting for me at the house when I arrived. Tossing my keys on the counter, I asked, “How is the search coming along?”

“Not well, Ryan. We cannot find any shred of evidence to link anyone to the kidnapping,” Madison stated as she handed me a manila folder.

“This is all I found on her and her family. I am still going to dig more. I dusted your office for any fingerprints and sent them to the lab this morning. My forensic team is expected to call with whatever they come across.”

I opened the folder and skimmed through the paperwork. “Thank you for offering to help, Madison.”

“Anything for you and Via.” Tucking her hair behind her ears, she continued. “She made me her maid of honor. I know this isn’t relevant, but I do not get to do very many girly things.”

Before anyone could say another word, the doorbell rang. I strolled to the front door and opened it. My eyes widened in bewilderment. You have to be kidding me!

“Well, if it isn’t the infamous Mike Hunt. I’m sorry, Via isn’t here. She is staying with her friends for a few days.”

“Please, call me Michael, and I am here to pay you a visit.” He extended his right hand out to me.

I glared at him for a few seconds, shaking his hand with a firm grip. “What may I assist you with this evening, Mister Huntington?”

“Mister Rayner, I had no idea Via had not discussed her business strategy with you first. If this arrangement is going to be an issue, I can back out.”

As delectable as his offer sounded, I shook my head. “No man, we’re cool. Via and I had a nice long chat about everything.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “However, if you ever hurt my sister in any way, shape, or form, you will no longer be able to dance to Baby Got Back.”

He nodded. “Right. Sorry. Via can be convincing when she wants to be. She offered me two-hundred bucks to strip for you that night.”

My eyes widened in shock. “Did Via by any chance pay you to flirt with my sister?”

“Don’t worry. I gave her the money back once I realized I didn’t need it.” He rolled his eyes.

I held up one of my hands as if to stop him from talking. “No need to go into any details, Huntington. My wife seems to have a lot of trust in you. You better not screw her over, either.”

He shook his head. “I would never hurt Via, Amanda, or anybody. What is with you and believing that I am out to get everybody?”

“It’s not you. We are a little high-strung here, trying to figure out who kidnapped Via a few weeks ago.” I ran my fingers through my hair.

He had been silent as he followed me into the living room where Charlie and Madison waited.

“Michael, this is FBI agent Madison White who is helping me with the case. I believe you have already met Charlie…”

Charlie stared at him as we walked into the room. He had to turn his head in order to keep from laughing, remembering that night.

Michael’s eyes grew wider. “Wait a minute…Via had been kidnapped?”

“Yes and whoever did it knows how to cover their tracks well. We haven’t had any leads to go on or anything. If you spot anything strange or out of the ordinary at the restaurant, please let me know ASAP,” I pleaded, the tone of my voice sincere.

He looked at Madison and back to me. “Now you mention it, there was a car parked across the road before tonight’s trial run. I did not pay much attention, but this vehicle gave me the creeps.”