Page 32 of The Secret Clause
“You already have therapy,” Bailey says, with a chuckle.
“Okay, fine.Moretherapy then.” Daisy laughs and turns to me. “How did that topic even come up? What on earth were you two talking about?”
“Oh, erm,” I stutter, not really wanting to get into this topic with my sisters, especially with Ryan standing here. “Courting.”
“Courting?” Bailey echoes, wrinkling her nose. “Who says courting anymore?”
“That’s what I said, so then Mum goes on about how we young’uns don’t date and just fuck … and, well, you were there for the rest.”
“Ugh, that’s gross,” Daisy says.
“And are you…?” Ryan asks, her eyes glittering as my two sisters stare at me with open curiosity. I cock a brow, wanting her to elaborate before I answer. “Courtinganyone?”
“I don’t know. Courting means an intention to marry, right? I’m not sure she’s on board with that yet. I’m definitelyfuckingsomeone. Though I don’t think you three want those details, do you?”
“Nah, I think we’re good,” Bailey agrees. “On that note, because thinking of my mum, dad, or brother getting down and dirty…” She shudders. “Ugh, nope, never mind. I’m going to bed.”
“Yeah, I think I’m gonna join you.” Daisy laughs, and they bid their goodbyes, leaving Ryan and me alone in the quiet kitchen.
As their footsteps echo up the stairs, I stalk towards the door, peeking out and into the lounge where Mum and Dad are distracted with a game of cards. I close it quietly, spinning and leaning my back against the wood.
Ryan saunters towards me, a smug smirk on her lips. She presses her hands to my chest, running her nails over the cotton T-shirt as she lifts up on her tiptoes.
Leaning down, I close the distance, cupping her cheeks and pressing my lips to hers. Ryan chuckles against my mouth, and I fist my hand into her hair, tugging her head back until her lips fall open and I slide my tongue inside, losing myself in her mouth.
My lips move over hers, and her fingers dance over my shirt before moving to the waistband of my jeans. She fiddles with the button, managing to slip her hand inside, and she gasps when I wrap a hand around her throat, dragging my lips from hers and spinning us until her back is flush with the door.
I remove her hand from my trousers and pin it beside her head. Her eyes darken, her pupils dilating with hunger as her chest heaves.
“You’ve been a naughty girl tonight, baby,” I tell her, and she whimpers, digging the nails of her free hand into my shirt. “You didn’t think I’d let you off without a little punishment, did you?”
I stroke my fingers along her throat and down the deep V of her grey sweater dress before slipping my hand beneath the wool and cupping her breast over her bra. She arches her back, pushing against my hand, but I pull away, refusing to give in to her silent demand.
I kiss her again, my hands running all over her body until she’s writhing beneath me. “Chase,” she breathes, and I laugh against her mouth, dragging her plush bottom lip between my teeth and tugging. She hisses, gritting her teeth.
“It’s not nice to tease, is it, baby?”
She shakes her head, her eyes snapping open to meet mine. I press my forehead to hers, breathing in the chocolate on her breath as her lips ghost over mine. I give her a final demanding kiss, swiping my tongue once against hers before pulling away.
I nudge her from the door, peel it open quietly, and turn to her with a wink. “Night, Ry.”
I leave the kitchen, whistling as I go, and she hisses expletives behind my back. Peeking my head around the lounge, I say night to my mum and dad before taking the stairs two at a time, pretending I don’t hear the pad of Ryan’s angry stomp following my every step.
When I reach my room, I tug the door open, grinning broadly as I spin to face the little firecracker glaring daggers at me from the top of the stairs.
“Can I help you?” I ask, my tone sickly sweet. She doesn’t answer, darting her eyes over the hallway before she rushes past me, grabbing my hand and tugging me into the room before slamming the door shut. “You’re being very loud, Ryan. You might just get in trouble.”
“I’m not sure I care,” she breathes, peeling the dress over her head and dropping it to the floor so she’s left standing in front of me in only red lacy lingerie.
She moves her hand to her back, fiddling with the clasp of her bra, and I snap to attention, launching myself at her and hauling her up in my arms.
I toss her on the bed, and she lands with a thud, her tits bouncing gloriously with the movement. “You’re every dream I’ve ever had come to life, Ryan Parker.”
“Do you dream about me often, Chase Brooks?” she quips, her eyes hooding as I reach for the hem of my shirt before tugging it over my head.
“Only every fucking night, baby.”
“Then show me.” I snap my eyes to hers at the command, so similar to the one I uttered to her that night in the hall. “Show me what you dream about, Chase.”