Lie Next to Me (10 page)

“It’s—it’s nice.”

“I honestly didn’t expect you to like it because it’s not fancy and big like you’re used to.”

“Seriously, Rory. It’s nice. Except, where’s the bedroom?”

Of course that was the first thing he’d ask, because I was sure sex was the only thing the man thought about.

“There is no bedroom.”

Ian looked at me strangely and walked around the apartment. “Do you sleep on the couch?”

“It’s a sofa bed. I pull it out every night and put it back every morning.”

“Oh. I see.”

“I know it’s hard for you to believe that people live like this, Ian, but not everyone is rich and can live the luxurious life you do.”

“I assure you, Rory, my life is far from luxurious.”

I saw a flicker of pain in his eyes when he said that. “I want to talk about that night and what you told me about your mother.”

“Ah, I was wondering when you were going to bring that up,” he said as he put his hands in his pockets. “There’s nothing to discuss and I just want you to know that I’ve never told anyone that before. Not even Adalynn. As far as she’s concerned, she thinks my mother is dead. Which, to be honest, she is; at least to me.”

The sadness and loneliness in his voice bothered me. I walked over to where he was standing, looped my arm around his, and laid my head on his shoulder.

“I’m sorry she left you like that.”

“Me too. Maybe I’d be a different person if she’d stayed,” he said as his lips softly kissed my head.

I reached my hand up and gently stroked his face. His eyes studied me for a moment before he leaned closer to me and his lips caressed mine. He moved his hand from his pocket and up to the side of my face. He held it gently while he teased my lips with his. He pulled away and looked at me as if he was asking my permission to keep going.

“We need to talk,” he whispered as he gently nipped my bottom lip.

I didn’t want to talk. I wanted him. I wanted to feel him inside me. I hadn’t felt this way before and I never wanted anyone so bad in my life. These feelings and aches were new to me and I wanted them satisfied, even if it was just for one night.

“I don’t want to talk,” I whispered back as I licked his lip.

A low growl came from the back of his throat as he picked me up and took me over to the couch, sitting me on his lap so I could feel the bulge that was pulsating in his pants.

“Did you mean what you said?” he asked as I tilted my head to the side and his tongue explored my neck.

“I said a lot of things.”

“The one about me never having your pussy?”

His hand traveled up my shirt as his fingers pulled down my bra cup and he took my hardened nipple between his fingers, tugging and pulling. “Christ,” he moaned. “Answer my question, Rory.”

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
I grabbed his hand and stopped him. “I want you, but I’m scared.”

“Why are you scared?”

“I’ve only had sex twice in my life and it was not good.”

Ian looked at me sympathetically and wrapped his arms around me. “You don’t need to feel scar
ed, and I can promise you it’ll be the best experience of your life. I’ll make you feel so good, you’ll never want me to stop.”

His words hit me like a ton of bricks and reality set in. If I had sex with him, I wouldn’t want hi
m to stop. But he would have to, because I wouldn’t be the only woman he was fucking. Instantly, I felt sick and I pulled away from him. “You said we needed to talk. So talk.”

“I want you, Rory. I want you in a way that’s different from the other women.”

The only thing that was going through my mind was that room and all the things that sat inside it. I was so scared that he was going to tell me he wanted me to be his sex slave because that was one thing I wouldn’t do. Not for him or anyone.

“When I fuck you, I don’t want there to be anything between my cock and your pussy. I want to feel you and be inside you naturally; skin to skin, flesh to flesh.”

I slowly shook my head because I didn’t get what he was trying to say. “I’m sorry, Ian, I don’t understand.”

He smiled softly as he pressed his lips against my forehead. “I don’t want to wear a condom. I’m asking you if you would be willing to get on some type of birth control so I wouldn’t have to wear one.”

“You’ve been with too many women, Ian.”

“I know. I’m clean. I’ll have Dr. Graham show you the reports. I’m going to be totally honest with you, Rory, and I hope to God you believe me. I’ve never not used a condom with anyone, ever.”

“Yeah, right, Ian.”

He took my face in his hands and stared into my eyes. “I swear to you.”

“Why me, then? Out of all the hundreds of women you’ve had sex with over the years, why me?”

“I don’t know,” he said as he scooted me off his lap and got up from the couch. “The only thing I know is I want to have sex with you
, and I don’t want to wear a fucking condom. I want you to get on birth control so I don’t have to worry about you getting pregnant.”

“I have a question for you,” I said.

“Go ahead.”

“If I get on birth control and have sex with you, would there be more to us than just sex?”

I already knew the answer to that, but I wanted to hear him say it.

“I’ve already told you that I don’t do ‘us,’” he said as he walked over and sat back down on the couch. “I can give you great sex and I can help you out, but that’s as far as I’ll go. I’m sorry, Rory.”

“Thank you for being honest with me. Let me think about it.”

“Okay, just don’t take too long. I’m a very impatient man. I want you, and when I want something, there’s no waiting.” He smiled as he ran the back of his hand across my cheek. “Now go grab some clothes and I’ll take you back to my house so we can shower before we go and see Dr. Graham.”

“It looks like your knife wound healed up nicely and there’s no internal damage,” Dr. Graham said as he patted my hand. “You’re a lucky girl. You could’ve been killed.”

“She’s lucky we found her.” Ian smiled.

Ian helped me off the table and he thanked Dr. Graham for seeing us. As we were leaving, Ian’s phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket and told me to keep walking and he’d catch up with me. I reached the front doors and saw his limo pull up to the curb. Joshua got out and opened the door for me. I climbed in and looked back to see if Ian was coming. Suddenly, the other door opened and Ian slid in next to me.

“Everything okay?” I asked.

He grabbed my hand and interlaced his fingers in mine. “Yeah, everything’s fine. It was just a business call.” He leaned over and softly licked my lips before the strength of his mouth fully enveloped mine and we were locked into a passionate kiss. He pushed me back until I was lying on the down on the seat and he was on top of me. He undid the button on his pants and then took my hand, bringing it down the front of his pants. He was rock hard. I clasped my hand around his dick as he made that sexy growl noise. He broke our kiss and stared at me.

“I want to finger fuck you and I want to feel you come.”

The ache I’d been feeling down below every time I saw him needed to be satisfied, and I was so turned on, I couldn’t say no. I nodded my head as he smiled at me. His fingers tugged at my pants as he moved them down my hips. I lifted up my ass to help him out. Once he was satisfied that my pants were down enough, he took his down so I would have better access to his throbbing cock. My hand started moving up and down his shaft slowly as he threw his head back and moaned.

“Christ, Rory,” he said as he leaned down and brushed his lips against mine.

His hand made its way between my thighs and slowly up to my wet spot. Just the slight touch of his fingers there made me want to come instantly.

“You’re so wet. God, I love that you’re so wet,” he whispered as I tilted my head and his mouth explored my neck.

His fingers deftly circled around my clit, making it almost unbearable to control myself. I began to moan, which excited Ian even more. He pushed my legs further apart as he inserted his finger. “Oh my God, Rory, you’re so tight. You’re so beautifully tight.”

I was gone. He took my body to another dimension. He moved his finger in and out of me while circling my clit with his thumb. I arched my back as he plunged another finger inside me, stretching me, pleasuring me, and bringing me to the brink of an amazing orgasm. I tilted my head back as far as it would go as my hand moved up and down his hard cock and my thumb circled his tip.

“Come for me, Rory. I want you to say my name when you do.”

“Ian,” I screamed as his finger hit the spot. My body shook like never before
, and I tightened myself around his finger.

“That’s it, baby. I can feel it. I can feel
your come all over me,” he said breathlessly as he removed my hand from his cock, took it in his, and jacked himself off while he continued to finger-fuck me until he came all over my shirt. He collapsed on top of me as we tried to catch our breath.

“You better make your decision quick, because after that, I need to be inside you and I won’t fuck you with a condom on,” he whispered in my ear.

He sat up, took my hand, and helped me up. He opened the console and took out some tissues. He looked at my shirt and started to wipe his come from it.

“Sorry,” he said with a smirk.

“It’s okay. I can wash it.”

I reached down, grabbed my pants, and pulled them up. After Ian cleaned himself up, he pulled up his pants and then wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into him.

“I hope you enjoyed how I made you feel.”

Was he kidding? Couldn’t he tell how much I enjoyed it?
“Of course, Ian. It was amazing.”

I desperately wanted to ask him about the room. But
, I was afraid that he’d be mad if he knew I saw it.

“That was just the appetizer. You’ll get the full course as soon as you give me your decision and then your appetite will be fully satisfied.”

I smiled as I pressed my lips against his shirt because I knew he was right.

****

Joshua pulled up to my apartment and Ian followed me inside. “Take off your shirt and give it to me so I can have Mandy wash it.”

“
It’s okay, Ian. I can wash it.”

“Rory.” He smiled as he ran his finger down my jawline. “It’s not a request; it’s a command. Now do it.”

He had a way of hypnotizing me with the tone of his voice and his mere touch. I pulled my shirt over my head and stood there while his eyes stared at my breasts. He brought his hands up and cupped my bra while he took in a sharp breath.

“You’re so beautiful, Rory, and I can’t wait to have you, savor you, and save you from your insecurities and fears.”

“I don’t need saving, Ian.”

“Yes, Rory, you do.” He smiled as he kissed my forehead and took my shirt from my hands. “I’ll get this back to you. I have to go.” And just like that, he was gone.

I sighed as I pulled another shirt from the drawer and put it on. I walked over to the stove and put on some water for tea. The feeling of Ian’s touch was still all over my body. I needed to talk to Adalynn, so I called her and asked her if she had time to stop by.

“I don’t know what to say, Rory. Ian is Ian and he’ll never change,” she said as she took a drink from her glass.

“You mean he’ll hurt me.”

“Not intentionally, but yes, he will hurt you. I’ve seen the devastation he’s left behind when it comes to women. I’ve seen the tears, the heartache, and the pathetic begging. I don’t want you to have to be subjected to that.”

“What about you?” I asked as I sipped my wine.

“I knew how he was, and I was okay with that because I didn’t want Ian for anything more than great sex. We stopped having sex and became even better friends. Just be careful. If you want to get on birth control so Ian doesn’t have to wear a condom, then make sure you’re fucking him for the right reasons and prepare yourself for a bumpy ride. I’ll be honest with you; I’m not surprised. I’ve seen the way he looks at you and it’s different from anything I’d ever seen from him.”

I smiled softly as I poured some more wine in both our glasses. “I need to ask you about the room in Ian’s house.”

Adalynn looked at me with a smug grin. “Did he show you that room?”

“No, and he’s never told me about it either. I happened to open the wrong door one day.”

“He usually keeps that room locked. It’s odd that is was open. So, what do you want to know about it?”

“Have you and Ian been in there?”

Adalynn let out a light laugh. “Of course; that’s the only place Ian brings women, unless he’s out of town or something. Did the room freak you out a bit?”

“Yeah, actually it did.”

“Don’t worry. It’s all harmless fun and amazing sex. Ian likes to be in control and he likes to be kinky. It’s nothing to be scared of and if you don’t want anything to do with that room, just tell him. Are you okay, Rory?”

“Yeah, I’m okay. I just have a lot on my mind.”

She reached over and hugged me. “Listen, I have to get going. Daniel and I have a hot date filled with bubble baths, chocolate, and lots of mind-blowing sex!”

“Have fun.” I smiled as I walked her to the door.

“Trust me, darling, I will.” She winked. “Call me if you need me. My advice to you is, fuck Ian, if only for the reason that you’ll always wonder what it’s like if you don’t, but don’t get emotionally involved.”

“Thanks, Adalynn,” I said as I shut the door.

I took a hot shower, changed into my nightshirt, and climbed into bed. I lay there, thinking about Ian and what happened between us today. I reached for my phone and sent him a text message.

“Goodnight, Ian.”

A few moments later, he replied.

“Goodnight, Rory. I hope you sleep well.”

A smile fell upon my face when I read his message. It was too late. I was already emotionally involved. I closed my eyes with a smile on my face and fell asleep.

“Stephen, what did you do?”

“I’m sorry, Rory, I didn’t mean to. It wasn’t my fault, Rory.”

“Oh my God, Stephen!”

“You have to help me, Rory. You have to protect me.”

I woke up in a sweat, shaking and remembering every vivid detail of that night. I couldn’t breathe as I sobbed into my hands. I needed Ian, and I needed to be held by his strong arms. I stayed in the corner and reached for my phone, which was on the floor in front of me. With shaking hands, I hit Ian’s number. It rang and rang until he finally picked up.

“Rory, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“No,” I managed to cry out. “I—I—”

“I’m on my way over. Stay put and don’t move. Do you understand me?”

He hung up before I could answer. I crawled across the floor to the door and unlocked it. I quickly made it back to the corner and brought my knees up to my chest. I had buried that nightmare years ago and, suddenly, it was back. I heard the door handle turn and Ian ran into the apartment and straight to the corner. He got down on the floor and wrapped his arms around me, hugging me and holding me tight.

“It’s okay. No one is going to hurt you. You’re okay,” he whispered.

I couldn’t say a word. I just cried into his chest. He picked me up and carried me to the bed. As he laid me down, he climbed in next to me. He sat up and I rested my head on his lap.

“I’m calling Dr. Neil tomorrow and you’re going to see her,” he said as he stroked my hair. That was last thing I heard.

****

My eyes flew open at the sound of the opening door.

“Good morning,” Ian said as he walked over with a brown bag and two cups of coffee.

“Morning,” I replied as I got up and walked to the bathroom.

After I finished peeing and splashing my face with cold water, I walked back into the living room and Ian had the couch put back together. He gave me a small smile and held out his hand as I walked towards him.

“I brought us some coffee.”

“Thank you, Ian,” I said as I took the cup from him. “What’s in the bag?”

“Let’s see, shall we?” He smirked.

He reached inside the bag and pulled out a large muffin. “A chocolate chip muffin for you and a blueberry one for me.”

“Thank you. I’m sorry about last night. I didn’t mean for you to come all the way over here. I never should’ve called you,” I spoke as I looked down.

“Rory, don’t apologize. You were scared, and I hate that you’re alone in this tiny place. Something was different with you last night. Was it the same nightmare you’ve been having? Because you were completely out of it.”

I couldn’t tell him about this nightmare. The one I buried deep inside my head so many years ago so I wouldn’t go crazy. “Yeah, it just lasted a little longer than usual.”

“I called Amanda and she agreed to see you this morning.”

“Who?” I asked.

“Dr. Neil. Dr. Amanda Neil. You need to talk to someone. These nightmares can’t continue.”

Ian’s phone rang and he pulled it from his pocket and held up his finger, asking me hold on. He looked at me with a strange look like something had just happened. Then Ian said something to whomever it was on the other end that was odd.

“Let me talk to her first. Keep an eye on him and I’ll get back to you in a few minutes.”

He hung up and continued to stare at me. His eyes displayed an empathetic look as he spoke.

“Rory, I found your brother.”

“What?” I said as I shook my head in disbelief.

“He was living in a homeless shelter. I had my men take him to the hospital. He needs help, Rory.”

My mind was racing
, and I started to pace back and forth. “Is he hurt?”

“No. Physically, he’s fine,” he said as he wrapped his arms around me and held me. “Get dressed so we can go.”

I lifted my head and kissed his lips. “Thank you,” I whispered.

Ian closed his eyes and took in a sharp breath. I went into the bathroom and changed out of my nightshirt and into some clothes, threw my hair up, and put on some light makeup. We walked out the door and headed to the hospital. Once we arrived, I explained who I was, and Ian and I were
shown to the room where Stephen was being kept. As I walked through the door, he turned his head and looked at me. A small smile fell upon his face as he whispered my name. I gulped as I stared at him, lying there, strapped to the bed. My brother, my twin brother, was a mess, not only physically, but emotionally. He hadn’t shaven since the last time I had seen him and he looked dirty. Tears filled my eyes as I walked over to his bedside and put my arms around him.

“Stephen, thank God you’re okay.”

“Where’ve you been, Rory?” he whispered. “Why did you leave me?”

The tears that filled my eyes fell down my face as I held his hand. “You hurt me, Stephen. I had to go.”