Ride With Me (6 page)

              She snorted in disbelief.

              Don't go fooling yourself girl. Any more than you already have.

              Jake might be upset in the morning but he'd be fine in two shakes. He was the sort who always landed on his feet. He wasn't going to let a waitress change his bad boy ways.

              Even if he was genuinely upset that she'd left he could have any woman he wanted to comfort him. Now that he'd had her she was sure he would have cast her off anyway without a backward glance. That's how men like him operated. Especially the rich ones.

              And now that the band was on the outs with Tom… it was all her fault somehow. Everything.

              Elle wiped away her tears and snuck down to the front hall to call a cab.

              It was time to go home.

10.

              Jake was pacing back and forth as he raked his brothers over the coals.

              "You're sure she didn't say anything else?"

              Daniel shook his head sadly.

              "No Jake. I swear. She did look mortified though."

              "You shouldn't be sleeping with the help anyway."

              "She wasn't the God Damn help Jackson!"

              "Jacks- shut up. Can't you see he's in love with her?"

              Jackson grunted and ran his hand through his hair.

              "I'm sorry."

              Jake didn't want to accept his apology. He didn't. But what Daniel had said was true.

              He was in love with her.

              He was 100%, Grade A certified, in love with one little Irish gal named Eleanor Gavin.

              And God only knew where the hell she was after all the excitement of the night before.

              Dad had pulled through the night. In fact, his recovery had been nothing short of miraculous. Jake had a sneaking suspicion it had something to do with his agreement to stay and help his brothers run the estate and horse breeding farm.

              That was all due to Elle. He could see a life for himself here now. With her.

              She'd given him the most incredible night of his life. They'd made love three times in rapid succession. Each time had been more intense than the last. And just like that, poof, she was gone.

              Well, he wasn't going to stand for it. Not at all.

              Especially not after he'd given in to his father after all these years. He'd been beside himself as the old man gasped for breath. He'd begged his father to reconsider.

             
Leave the place to them! I don't want it. But I don't want to deprive them of it either!

              What do you want son?

              I want peace. And I want her.

              The girl they found you in bed with?

              Yes.

              If she's the right girl for you, she'd want you to stay put.

              Jake had hung his head, knowing his father was right. Elle was fiery, beautiful, and incredibly talented. She was also practical and loyal to a fault. She'd tell him to stay if he asked her opinion. Besides, if he stayed put he had a better chance of hooking her for good.

              Alright father. You win. I'll stay.

              His father had breathed easier after that. And Jake had left him to rest and gone back to find an empty bed. Now he was frantic. She wasn't answering her phone and didn't seem to be at home.

              He sighed. He had no choice now and he knew it. He left his brothers and went to the one place he thought he'd never set foot in again.

             
The God Damn Country Club.

              In minutes he'd tracked down the waitress that Elle roomed with. The one whose brother was in the band with her. He hoped that she'd tell him without his having to beg. But he was mentally preparing to get on his knees, just in case.

              "Hey Shirl."

              The girl gave him one look and sighed.

              "She's gone."

              "Where?"

              "You aren't going to like it Jake."

              "Doesn't matter. I have nothing left to lose."

**********

              Elle scooted toward the window, trying to get comfortable. The plane was being held and had been for the past two hours. Why, nobody knew. The passengers were starting to get mighty cranky about it too.

              The plane from Nashville to New York City was packed and stuffy. And this was just the first leg of her journey. Never mind the discomfort and expense. Never mind the shame of running home with her tail tucked neatly between her legs.

              All she could think about was the ache in her heart.

              She'd run out on Jake. Even if he was the sort to toss women aside after a tumble, she should have given him a chance. He did seem awfully taken with her after all. And she knew now without a doubt that she'd lost his heart to him.

              The band would go on without her- maybe even be glad to see her go now that she'd botched things with the biggest club owner in Nashville. That chapter was closed. It was too bad, but the heartbreak of it was nothing compared to what she was feeling over blue eyes.

              She looked up to see a stewardess standing over her seat.

              "Miss Gavin? Your seat has been changed."

              "What? Why?"

              "Please come with me now."

              Elle stood up, grumbling to herself. She was already starting to doubt her decision to run off. And now this trip was turning into a nightmare and it had barely just begun.

              Maybe her credit card had been declined and they were kicking her off the plane. That wouldn't be a shocker after everything else that had happened now would it? But maybe it would be a blessing in disguise. She could go back- try to explain...

              The stewardess led her to the front of the plane. They were already taxying to the runway so they couldn't be kicking her off now could they? Unless they planned to do it mid flight.

              Now that would be a proper ending to her failed trip to America.

              She almost laughed but the stewardess was showing her to a seat. In first class. A seat in first class.

              There was someone in the seat next to hers. A man wearing ripped jeans and a leather jacket. A man who was staring at her with a wry grin.

              Jake Bloody Delancey.

              "Please take your seat now Miss Gavin."

              She stared in shock at the gorgeous man staring back at her.

              "Sit down Elle."

              She nodded numbly and sat.

              "Enjoy your flight."

              She looked straight ahead. Jake was probably mad at her. She was afraid to look at him.

              "Put on your seatbelt Elle."

              Slowly she reached out and slid the buckle into place.

              "How is your father?"

              Silence.

              Then Jake shifted in his seat.

              "He's alright actually. He seemed to turn over a new leaf when I promised him I'd stay in Brentwood."

              She closed her eyes. She knew what a big concession that was to him.

              "Do you know why I promised him that Elle?"

              She shook her head. The plane was picking up speed as it taxied down the runway. The tip of the plane began to lift.

              "Look at me Elle."

              She turned her head sideways and stared into his beautiful blue eyes.

             
"I did it because of you."

11.

              Jake leaned over Elle's prostrate body. She was tied spread eagle to the hotel bed. The very, very large hotel bed.

              "So, how are you enjoying New York?"

              She moaned as he traced his fingertip down her body.

              "Please…"

              He smiled at her and continued the teasing strokes. He'd been at this for over an hour. It was probably time to let her climax.

              But not yet.

              He leaned down, his breath fanning her skin with warm air. She was cool to the touch, thanks to the hotel's air conditioning. Slowly he stuck out his tongue, making a point. He dragged it across her skin, skimming her nipple.

              "Ohhhh…"

              He kept going, sliding down her body, licking and teasing as he went. Then he started at her ankles again and worked his way up. She was shivering by the time he'd worked his way back up her body to her flushed face.

              "Had enough?"

              She nodded breathlessly as he started unbuttoning his shirt.

              "Hmmm… should I untie you?"

              "Whatever you want- just-"

              "Just what?"

              She moaned as he rolled her nipple lightly between his thumb and forefinger.

              "If I give you what you want, you have to promise me not to run away again."

              He stood and took his pants off. Her eyes were glued to his body. He grinned. Jesus, she was gorgeous. And very, very responsive.

              He'd never had more fun in his life.

              She whimpered in pleasure as he lowered his naked body on top of hers. He felt his cock jerk, eager to get on with it.

             
Down boy, not just yet.

              "Elle. I need your word."

              "Yes. I promise - I -"

              He thrust into her, holding perfectly still while they both adjusted to the sudden onslaught of sensations.

              "That's all I wanted to hear."

              He thrust into her slowly, kissing her as she rocked helplessly against him. In minutes she was shaking, quivering all over his shaft as she came. He grinned and reached up to untie her hands.

              He didn't stop his slow thrusting as he reached down and untied one foot at a time. The moment she was loose, she tore into him, grabbing and holding and scratching.

              Jesus, she was a hellcat.

             
His hellcat.

              After all, she'd put him through hell.

              He was going to make her pay for it. Maybe he'd tie her up again.

              Later.

              He rolled onto his back and watched her ride him. She wasn't being gentle with his tender sensibilities. She was determined to make them both climax. Hard.

              He felt the room go dark as he started to cum, his vision narrowing as he grabbed her hips and bucked upward. He rolled her onto her back and drove into her again and again.

              "Fuck!"

              She was writhing beneath him as he slowed down enough to let them both catch their breath. But he didn't withdraw. Her eyes widened when she felt him growing hard again.

              He grinned at her humorlessly and held her hands above her head, reaching again for the robe sashes he'd secured there. He pulled them tight, tying her hands to the headboard.

              It was going to be a long, long night for one naughty little runaway.

              He'd make damn sure she never wanted to run again.

**********

              Elle rolled over, finding the bed beside her cool and empty.

              She looked around, wondering if he was gone. There was a shadowy form by the window. Jake was sitting in an easy chair in the dark. Watching her.

              Stark relief flowed through her body.

              He was still there. She hadn't dreamt what had happened on the plane. Or afterwards, at the hotel.

              He'd fought for her. Hell, he'd practically kidnapped her. And what he'd done afterwards… she blushed. He'd worked over her body to such a degree… he knew every sensitive spot she had now. She knew he wouldn't be afraid to use them to his advantage.

              Thankfully, they had the same goal in mind.

              Pleasuring each other until they were weak as kittens.

              "Good morning Elle."

              Oops. He was still mad. Really, really mad.

              "Good morning."

              "Come here."

              She stood on wobbly legs and walked across the room toward him. When she got closer the look in his eyes took her breath away.

              He wasn't mad. He was scared.

              "Sit."

              She didn't move fast enough apparently because he pulled her down into his lap. He was fully dressed again. She was… not.

              His hands started to slide over her body possessively. But his eyes never left hers.

              "I meant what I said Elle. You are coming back with me."

              She stared at him.

              "Alright."

              He squeezed her in approval.

              "No more running."

              "No more running."

              "Promise me."

              "I promise."

              That seemed to appease him because he smiled for the first time. But he wasn't looking at her face. His fingers were trailing over the hard tips of her breasts. She gasped at the sensation.

              "Are you hungry Elle?"

              She was ravenous. But she wanted him more. And judging from the torpedo in his lap, he wanted her too.

              For always.

              She smiled at him.

              "I can wait."

              The serious look lifted from his eyes for the first time since she'd seen him on the plane. The cocksure smile was back.

              "Good. I'll try to take less than an hour this time."

              He lifted her up and carried her to the bed.