Chapter 35: Chapter Thirty-Five

As soon as Madison was in Ryder’s car and they were headed back toward the casino, she let out a pent-up breath and slouched in the seat. “I am so sorry about my parents. They can’t wrap their heads around anyone who doesn’t chase money and status,” she said.

“It’s fine,” he said, flexing his hands on the steering wheel. “Though now I understand why you walked away and haven’t looked back. I have no idea how you lived with them for as long as you did.”

She shrugged. Growing up, she really didn’t know any better. She just always thought that’s how things were, and it wasn’t until she left for college that she realized how messed up her parents and their outlook on life was.

“I’m glad it’s over,” she said, resting her head on the back of the seat and turning her face toward Ryder.

He was focused on the road, and she took a moment to study his profile. His jaw was tense, and his face was taught with… anger? Frustration? She wasn’t sure, but he wasn’t his normal easygoing self. She frowned. What had happened while he’d been in the study with her father and Will? She wanted to ask, but she wasn’t sure she really wanted to know. It would probably piss her off, and then she’d be tempted to go back to her parents and tell her father where to stick it.

“Thank you, though, for going tonight and putting up with my family,” she said softly. “You really saved my ass.”

Ryder glanced at her and gave a warm smile. “You’re welcome.”

“I don’t know about you, but I could use a drink or twelve.” She laughed.

His smile widened. “Wanna go back to the casino bar and get drunk?”

“Yes.”

He took her hand, placed a lingering kiss to her knuckles, then winked. Her heart fluttered at the small, intimate gesture. They were silent for the remainder of the drive, and as soon as the valet pulled away in Ryder’s car, he laced their fingers and led her inside.

As usual, the bar was packed, but they managed to find two empty chairs in the far corner near the window. A small round table separated the armchairs, a vase of fresh lilies sat atop the table—a decoration that Gina had insisted upon in all of the casinos. She claimed it gave a welcoming appearance, because who didn’t love fresh flowers?

Ryder took off his jacket and tossed it over the back of the chair. Then he proceeded to roll his sleeves up to his elbows and undo another button. Madison bit back a groan at how incredibly sexy and relaxed he looked when he finally sat down. He grabbed his glass and down the contents in one large gulp before waving for the waitress.

Madison narrowed her eyes. He really hadn’t been kidding when he’d suggested getting drunk, had he? She hated how agitated he was right now.

The perky waitress—who could barely pass for twenty-one—bustled over. “Ready for another?” she asked.

He took the waitress’s hand and slipped a hundred-dollar bill into her palm. “Don’t let our glasses dry out.” He winked.

Smiling, the waitress tucked the bill into her bra. “Sure thing, sir.” When she walked away, there was a noticeable sway to her hips.

Madison shook her head. “You think you’re slick, don’t ya?” She took a long drink, staring at him from over the rim of her glass.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He barely got the words out without smirking.

“I saw you slip her some money. The wink. You’re totally flirting with her, slick.”

He raised a brow. “Slick, huh?” Inching closer, he put his hand on her knee. “I like it a lot better when you call me playboy.”

She leaned forward, her face inches from his. “Then you’ll just have to earn back that nickname.”

“Is that so?” he asked, his voice pure sex, his gaze sinful. Slowly, he leaned back in his chair, his thighs naturally parted, and her eyes were drawn to the bulge between his legs. “And what, exactly, do I have to do to earn that back?”

Before she could answer, the waitress returned with his drink. She set it on the table, intentionally leaning over so her ample cleavage was visible to Madison, and she knew damn well Ryder could see it, too. Surprisingly, though, his gaze was focused solely on Madison, almost as if he didn’t even notice the waitress.

“Thanks,” he said when the waitress straightened. He grabbed his glass and took another drink, his gaze never wandering from Madison.

“What did my father say to you in the study?” she asked, unable to stop herself. Her curiosity was nagging at her. She finished her drink, and as soon as she set the empty glass on the table, the waitress arrived with another one.

“He did what any father would do under the circumstances. He basically wanted to know who I was, how I was going to support his daughter, why he should trust me to marry into the family when he’s spent his entire life building his empire.” Ryder took another swallow of his drink. “I impressed him with my knowledge of rare and expensive bourbon.” He chuckled. “Then I told him I was more than capable of taking care of you, name dropped my father and his connections in the financial world. Apologized for meeting him like I was and formally asked him for your hand in marriage.”

Madison nearly choked on a mouthful of her martini. She coughed. “You asked my father to marry me?”

“That a problem?” he asked in what had to be the calmest tone she’d ever heard from him. He sipped his bourbon and raised a brow.

She cleared her throat and took a small drink to ease her cough. The entire engagement thing was nothing more than a lie—she knew that—but to know he’d taken it this far? She didn’t know how to feel about that.

“What did he say?” she asked, heart now firmly lodged in her throat.

“Said he’d give me an answer after dinner.”

“Did he?”

“No.” Ryder laughed.

“Sounds like my father.” She raised her glass in a mock toast, then drained the contents.

Between the champagne and wine she’d had with dinner, and now downing two martinis in a matter of minutes, she was already starting to feel a little fuzzy. Her goal was to get to the point she couldn’t remember this train wreck of a night.

Madison slipped off her shoes and tucked her feet under her, her body angled toward Ryder. “At least Will didn’t act like an ass,” she said.

“He didn’t stop watching you tonight,” Ryder said, an edge to his tone. “When he thought no one was paying attention…”

“He can look all he wants. He made his choice.” She accepted another drink from the waitress and thanked her. “Besides, he’s good with Heather. Better than he ever was with me.”

“Can’t really blame him.” Ryder’s heated gaze rolled over her, and she suppressed a shiver. “You are incredibly stunning in that dress.”

Her cheeks warmed at his compliment.

“And out of it,” he said with a wink.

She laughed and waved her finger at him. “You’re looking pretty hot yourself there, playboy.”

His lips curved into a cocky grin. “Well, that didn’t take long.” He swirled his drink before taking another long sip.

“You’re too arrogant for your own good.” She shook her head, her smile unable to be contained. “Y’know, when you were telling that bogus proposal story, I could totally picture it in my mind. I have to give you credit. It was good.”

He ran his tongue across his bottom lip, and desire flamed inside of her. She took a deep breath and tried to focus on anything other than the throbbing between her legs.

“Yeah?” he asked, brow raised. “Too bad your father didn’t give me permission to marry you. The real thing would be a million times better.”

A surprised laugh erupted from her. “What makes you think I’d say yes?”

“Oh, you’d say yes. Trust me.”

Undiluted arrogance poured from him, and she had no doubts he was right. If he ever actually got down on one knee and proposed to her, she’d say yes. How could she not? Instinctively, she fidgeted with the ring, and his gaze zeroed in on her movements, making her a little self-conscious.

“You’re something else, you know that?” she said.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means you’ve got life by the balls and you know it.” She took another drink. “You’re rich. Charming. Sexy as fuck. Smart. A gentleman, which, by the way, is so ridiculously cool because it’s like seeing a real live extinct species in action.”

He almost spit out his mouthful of alcohol as an unexpected laugh burst from him. “You think I’m sexy as fuck?”

She shook her head, her grin stretching across her face. “Of course that’s the only thing you heard.”

“No, I heard everything you said. I’m just focusing on the best one. Although, I can’t say I’m not disappointed that you didn’t list some of my other skills.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

“And what would those be?”

“You know.” He sucked his bottom lip between his teeth, his gaze locking on her mouth. “My world class kissing skills.”

Desire heated her from the inside, and she wasn’t sure how much longer she could sit down here with him, in a crowded bar, and play this game of seduction. She wanted him more than she ever had before.

“Now that you mention it…” Her gaze dipped to his lips, then back up to his face. “I really liked that thing you did to my mouth the other night.”

“What night was that?”

“The night I crashed your party with your brothers. You know, when they mistook me for a stripper,” she said.

“Right.” He nodded. “I feel like I need to apologize for them again.”

She waved her hand. “Don’t worry about it. My cousin said you look like an underwear model and sound like a porn star, so I figure we’re even now.”

Ryder laughed. “Well, the porn star comment is a first for me.”

Madison shifted in the chair, setting her feet on the floor. “Wanna know what I said to her?”

“I don’t know. Do I?” His eyes twinkled, and his dimple beckoned her closer.

She stood, then moved to sit on his lap. He draped his arm around her back, his hand resting comfortably on her hip. His body was warm and inviting, and he was incredibly hard beneath her. She leaned over so her mouth was near his ear and whispered, “I told her you fuck like one.”

Ryder jerked back, eyes wide. Then he laughed, the sound rumbling through her in the most delicious way. Her body hummed with anticipation. He set his glass on the table and slid his hand along the side of her face. He brushed his lips softly over hers, his tongue peeking out just enough to wet her bottom lip before he sucked it into his mouth. She groaned and pressed harder against his lips, demanding he give her the kiss he was teasing her with. But he didn’t Instead, he repeated the motion, this time teasing her top lip, and then he pulled back to look into her eyes.

Her eyes fluttered, and her lips parted, waiting for him to finish. “You really should’ve led with that the first time you kissed me.”

Smiling, he ran his thumb over her lips. “You’re the one who kissed me first, remember?” He stroked her cheek, his palm warm against her already heated face.

“I didn’t hear you complaining about it when it was happening,” she said, leaning her face into his palm.

“I’m not complaining now, either.” He pressed his lips to hers in a sweet, tender kiss before releasing her face and sitting back. He snatched his drink and swallowed what was left of it. “My ex hated it when I kissed her like that. Said it was annoying and that girls just want to be kissed, not played with.” He frowned.

“Hmm.” Madison shook her head. “Your ex is a moron who doesn’t know a damn thing because I can promise you, had you kissed me like that right from the start, you would’ve gotten laid a hell of a lot sooner.”

He flung his head back and laughed. “Guess I know what to do when I want to get you in the mood.”

“Oh please.” She rolled her eyes. “All you have to do is look at me with those damn sexy dimples and that panty-dropping smile.”

His eyes widened, and he took another drink. He flexed his hand against her hip and inched lower to settle on the side of her ass. “I really like drunk Madison.”

She grinned. “Good, because I really like drunk Ryder.”

Setting his glass on the table, he rested his hand on her knee, his thumb caressing circles on her bare flesh. Concentrating when he did that bordered on impossible. “What about sober Ryder? You like him, too?” He moved his hand from her ass to her back, his touch an inferno against her skin.

“Mm-hmm.” She licked her lips and wrapped her arms around his neck. “But drunk Ryder is…” She gazed off, searching for the right words. “Relaxed. I mean, you always seem to be calm and collected, but when you drink? It’s like you get out of your head and enjoy it.”

He slipped his hand up her, stroking her soft, warm skin. Then back down. His touch was destructive to her senses, leaving a trail of goose bumps.

“You also curse a lot more, and that’s kinda hot.” She laughed.

His cock twitched, and she wiggled her ass, earning her a throaty groan from him. Sitting down here getting drunk hadn’t been a very good idea. She should’ve insisted they go straight to their room.

“You like it when I talk dirty, huh?” He squeezed her leg, his fingers sliding between her thighs and grazing her sex.

She bit down on her bottom lip and stifled her moan. “Yeah,” she admitted breathlessly.

“Do you know your eyes get greener when you’re turned on?” His hand moved from her back and around to her side, his thumb brushing against the side of her breast that was barely contained by her dress. “It’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.”

“You know, when I met you, one of the first thoughts I’d had was how much fun it would be to scream your name during sex.”

His lips curved up. “Is it as good as you imagined?”

Before she could answer, the waitress sauntered over with fresh drinks. Even though she was doing exactly as Ryder had instructed her to do, Madison was just about fed up with the perky blonde showing up every five seconds. Smiling tightly, Madison took the new drink, drained it, then held the empty glass out to the waitress.

“Well?” he asked, amusement dancing behind his dark eyes.

“I don’t know. It’s been a while. Maybe you should take me upstairs and make me scream your name again. Y’know, in the name of research.” She held his gaze, her heart thundering.

He took a deliberate drink of his bourbon, his gaze wolfish with hunger, but she remained silent, waiting. Deep down she knew he wouldn’t deny her—not when it came to sex—but intentionally holding out like this, prolonging the inevitable was hot as hell, and it only made her want him more.

Ryder set his glass on the table. Then he moved his hand around to her back again, flattening his palm and drawing her close enough to taste her lips. He did the thing she liked, and her soft pants seemed to spurred him on until they were in a full-blown, not-appropriate-for-public kiss.

She pulled back just long enough to take a breath, and then she crushed her lips to his. Her mind spun, and she was dizzy—from the alcohol or his kiss she wasn’t exactly sure. She shifted on his lap in an effort to get closer, and his cock jerked beneath her.

“Fuck, Madison,” he groaned. “If we don’t go up to our room right this fucking second, I’m going to lift your dress and bury my cock inside of her you right here, and I don’t give a shit who sees us.”

Her breath caught, and her heart tripped over itself. Lust pooled between her legs, and her clit ached with the need to be touched. Slowly, she climbed off his lap, her legs shaky, and slipped her shoes back on.

“Let’s go,” she said, holding her hand out to him.