Unworthy Heart: The Donnellys, Book 1 (23 page)

“Sure.” They stood. “Hey, Cyn.”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks for not asking me what happened.” Maiya brushed a stray hair out of her eyes. “It may’ve been a long time ago, but it’s still hard to talk about.”

Cyn hugged her. Maiya stiffened at the unexpected embrace. Forcing herself to relax, she patted Cyn’s back.

“No problem.” Cyn pulled away, her expression soft, but without pity. “Maybe someday, if you want, you can tell me about it.” She smiled, grabbed Maiya’s hand and they set out to find Ryan and Jacob.

Maiya was awestruck. Was his whole family like this, like the families she watched on TV as a kid? Both Jimmy and Cyn made her feel accepted, so maybe they were all this way. If so, she was way out of her league. God help Maiya if he wanted her to meet his parents. She would definitely have to have a few drinks to calm her nerves before that adventure.

Ryan cuffed her wrist in his hand. “Come on.”

“Where you taking me? Should I call for help?”

“I’m going to take you into the tunnels and do naughty things to you.”

“Ryan!” She tugged on his hold, looked around, and then bent to his ear and lowered her voice. “There are kids here.”

He pulled her close and spoke against her ear, his breath feathering over her hair. “Let me tell you something. It’s been two days since I’ve been inside you. You keep whispering in my ear, your breath all warm and beckoning, I
will
find a dark corner and take you from behind.” He nuzzled and then bit her neck.

Maiya’s skin tingled and heat pooled low in her tummy from the commanding tone lacing his words. She’d never let him fuck her here, but for crying out loud the idea of it had her slick and throbbing for that very thing. “Damn, Ryan.”

“That’s right.” He nodded. “I want to race you.” He pointed in the direction of two motorcycle games set up side by side.

“You are
totally
on. Be prepared to lose, Mr. Donnelly.” She tossed her hair over her shoulders and sauntered to the game.

Ryan mounted one of the simulated speed bikes. “I’ll have you know, at one time I was the number one winner on this game.” He inserted the tokens into the machine.

She snorted and mounted her own bike. “And when was that? Tenth grade?”

“Pfft. Doesn’t matter. I got this. Be prepared to be left in the dust.”

Maiya gripped the handlebars. “Bring it.”

Three games later, she’d won every single round.

“One more.” His face was serious, the determination evident in his tone.

Cyn propped a hip against the machine beside them. “You have to learn when to cut your losses, little brother.”

Maiya cracked her knuckles. “Stubborn male.”

“You mean mule?” Cyn laughed.

“That’s one way of putting it.” Maiya laughed too. “Aw, come on. You’re not
really
bothered by me kicking your as—butt, right?”

Ryan got off the motorcycle. “Fine. Just don’t tell Jimmy. I’ll never live it down.”

“Sooo gonna tell Jimmy.” Maiya grinned and straightened her T-shirt.

Cyn blurted a laugh. “I already texted him.”

“Fabulous.” He rolled his eyes and cleared his throat. “Excuse me. I have some games to play with my son.” He kissed Maiya on the cheek. “Payback is a bitch, isn’t it?” He laughed and then wandered over to Jacob, who was playing one of the dance games.

Maiya knew exactly what kind of payback to look forward to. “I’m
sooo
going to milk this one for all it’s worth.”

“I would. Do me proud.” Cyn glanced around. “I need the ladies’ room. I’ll find you all in a bit.”

Maiya smiled and then went and found Ryan and Jacob. They played games another hour or so, moving from machine to machine. She laughed, a lot. Between Jacob and his adorableness, and the sibling banter between Ryan and Cyn, she couldn’t help the smile that filled her heart. So this is what it felt like to be part of a family.

They weren’t her family, but she sure as hell didn’t feel like an outsider, either. It’d be amazing to have happiness like this all of the time.

Chapter Thirty

Ryan had wanted Maiya to come back to his house, but she declined, using the morning meeting as the reason. It felt more like she was playing things safe with him though. If he’d gotten her back at his place he would have stripped her bare and then tortured her delicious body for hours.

He wanted her begging and breathless, on the brink of orgasm and dripping wet for him before he gave in and took her. Fire raced through his blood and he groaned. The thought of how incredible it was to be buried deep inside her wet heat had his dick standing up and taking notice inside his jeans. They’d had such a great time out; he couldn’t wait to do it again. But he wanted her there with him, in his bed. Not in some hotel across town. She was right though; they both had work tomorrow.

After he’d gotten Jacob settled and in bed, he sent her a text.

Ryan:
Miss me?

Maiya:
Maybe. ;-)

Ryan:
Who’s being stubborn now?

Maiya:
Okay fine. I miss you. Happy?

Ryan:
Yes. I miss you too. I want you in my bed.

Maiya:
Are you in your bed now?

Ryan:
No. But I can be. You?

Maiya:
Give me 5 minutes then call me.

Ryan:
Making demands
?

Maiya:
I’ll make it worth your while.

Ryan:
In your bed naked. Now. 5 minutes I’m calling.

Ryan stood, stripped off his clothes and then climbed beneath the covers. She hadn’t responded to the last text, but he wasn’t worried about it. She’d be ready when he called. Eyeing the clock, he watched the minutes count down. When time was up, he dialed her number.

“Hey you.”

He palmed his stiff cock. “Baby, your voice is so sexy. Have I told you that?”

She giggled and it rippled over his skin. “I don’t know, maybe?”

“Are you wet for me?”

“Mmhmm.”

“God damn. Whose pussy is that, baby?”

“Yours.” Her voice was breathless. Sweet music to his ears.

“Close your eyes and rub your clit. Tease it for me.” He pumped his fist slowly along his shaft. “Is it nice and swollen?” She let out a little whimper and his prick throbbed in his hand.

“Yes. So good. I wish you were inside me right now.”

“Two fingers, deep inside your wet heat. Right now.” Jesus, he couldn’t get enough of her. Her voice, her little whimpers of pleasure. His head spun like he was drunk.

“Oh God, baby. I’m clo—” She sucked in a breath and moaned. “I’m so close.”

“Ah, baby, not yet. Wait for me. Damn, my prick is rock hard.”

“Please?” she begged. “I’m dripping down my ass, I can’t—God, please, fuck!”

On the verge of coming himself, he pumped his dick faster, listening to her beg. “What are you, Maiya?” His voice sounded husky to his own ears. “Tell me and I’ll let you come.”

She gasped. “I’m your slut.”

“Come for me, my dirty girl.” He listened to her hard breaths puffing through the phone and his cock throbbed in his palm.

“Yes! Oh, God yes. Yours.” Her moans grew louder through her release.

“Mine!” He gritted his teeth and stroked twice more, and then gripped the base of his shaft and cupped his balls. His climax struck like an anvil and his seed ran from the tip, down the length and onto his fist. “Jesus Christ.”

She was gasping, trying to catch her breath. When she finally did, she spoke. “God, that was good, but I’d rather have the real thing.”

“Tell me about it.” He chuckled. “Hang on, baby. I need to wipe up.” Setting the phone down, he found a towel and hurried back after he’d cleaned up and got under the blankets. “Okay. I’m back.”

“Shit, the bed’s all wet.”

He tucked his arm behind his head. “Lucky it’s a big bed; you can move to the other side.”

She yawned. “Very true.”

“Ready to sleep?” Ryan rolled to his side.

“Mmhmm. You?”

“Yes.” He smothered a yawn with his hand. “Wishing you were here with me though.”

“You’re going to become a bad habit if I start sleeping next to you. Besides, Jacob’s there.”

“I’m absolutely fine with being your habit, but I’d prefer I be a good one and not a bad one.” He adjusted his pillow. “Yeah. You’re right, I’d worry about freaking Jacob out.”

“Besides, early status meeting, remember? I’ll see you then.”

“Ugh. Hate the early ones. They’re before I can get Jacob to school. I’ll have to dial in to it from home, but I’ll be there right after.”

“Okay. Night, Ryan.”

“Sweet dreams, baby.” Disconnecting the call, he rolled over to his other side and hugged the pillow.

The echoes of Maiya’s moans swam in his mind sending a chill through his body. Maybe if he tried
really
hard, he’d fool his mind into believing it was
her
in his arms instead of the pillow.

Chapter Thirty-One

Maiya made it into the office in time for the damn seven a.m. meeting. No matter how early she went to bed, she’d never be a morning person. At least she’d gotten some decent sleep—after the incredible call with Ryan.

Sweet baby Jesus, the man made her skin ache to be touched, but by him only. And his voice? Holy hell he had a sexy voice. His words during the call came rushing to the forefront of her mind and flowed over and through her body like hot lava. Phone sex had never been that good before.

An hour and a half later, Ryan graced the doorway of her office with a fresh coffee from the shop on the corner. He stepped inside in silence and shut the door. Setting her coffee in front of her, Ryan pulled her up from her seat and kissed her. Hard and open mouthed; he stroked his tongue over hers. He kissed her like he was starved for her.

Maiya was plenty fine with being his meal. She was so amped up from the kiss her whole body quivered in his arms. When he released her, they were both breathing heavy and it was all she could do not to let him bend her over her desk and fuck her fast and hard right there in her office.

Plopping back down in her seat after he’d left, she grabbed a few papers and fanned herself, trying to cool the raging heat. After a few minutes, she tried getting back to work, but had no luck focusing. An hour later she gave up and sent an IM to Jodi telling her to meet her downstairs for a smoke.

Maiya leaned against the brick wall of her office building, watching the traffic pass on the busy street. She’d already smoked one cigarette and lit another by the time Jodi got downstairs.

“I was away from my computer when you sent that message. What’s up?” Jodi leaned against the wall next to Maiya.

“I needed some air.” Maiya exhaled a plume of gray smoke. “I
do not
want to be working today. I can’t focus for shit.”

“Uh oh.” Jodi smiled, but then covered her mouth with her hand.

Maiya looked at her. “What?”

“It’s happened hasn’t it?” Jodi clasped her hands together. “I knew it!”

“What the hell are you talking about? Nothing’s happened.”

“You’re in love with Ryan Donnelly.”

Maiya glared at her. “Fuck you, I am not.”

“Oh, yes. You sure are.”

“Dammit, Jodi. I
am not
.” She took a long drag of her cigarette. “I just…” She exhaled the smoke and stared at the traffic again. “I like him. A lot.”

“Maiya.” Jodi placed her hand on her shoulder. “It’s okay.”

“He wants to date, as in boyfriend-and-girlfriend-exclusively date.” She looked at Jodi.

“That’s good. Hell, that’s great. I’m happy for you.”

Maiya stubbed out her cigarette and lit another. “I told him we’d see how the week went.”

“Why? I mean, you love him, honey. Even if you can’t admit it to yourself yet.”

“Will you quit saying that? I am
not
in love with Ryan. For fuck’s sake, Jodi!” She shook her head. Frustration burned her gut, hotter than the tip of her cigarette.

“Okay, okay. Fine. You don’t love him. But you like him, so why are you hesitating to be in a committed relationship with him?” Jodi grabbed the cigarette from Maiya’s fingers and took a drag.

In no mood to share, she lit another cigarette and then stared at her feet. “It’s complicated.”

“Only if you make it so.”

Maiya placed the cigarette between her lips and held her hands out in front of her. They were trembling. “Dammit.” She clenched her hands into fists. “We don’t even live in the same state.”

“Come on, really? Girl, you don’t even live six hours from here. It’s barely an hour flight and you’ve got enough miles from work travel to fly free every weekend for the next year.”

“I can’t fly here every weekend, Jodi. I’ve got a life in Vegas, you know? My mom and stuff.” What the hell did Jodi think? Maiya couldn’t just drop her life, all her responsibilities because Mister Wonderful, Ryan Donnelly, wanted her to be his girlfriend.
Not gonna happen.

“You’re scared.” Jodi poked her in the shoulder. “Look at me, Maiya.”

Maiya looked over and exhaled a plume of smoke in Jodi’s face. She was not scared.

Jodi fanned it away. “Okay, gross.” She placed her hand on Maiya’s cheek and her expression softened. “Don’t do this, sweetie. Don’t miss this because of fear.”

Maiya’s eyes welled up with tears, and she blinked, trying to stop them from breaching her lower lids. Jodi pulled her into an embrace. She buried her face in her friend’s thick curls and sobbed. “I can’t do this, Jodi. I don’t think I can do this.”

“Of course you can.” Jodi rubbed her back. “You deserve this, sweetie.” Pulling away, she fished a tissue from her purse and handed it to Maiya. “I don’t know anyone else who deserves it more.”

“Thanks.” Maiya swiped carefully under each eye with the little white square. “We’ll see.” She sniffled. “It’s complicated.”

Jodi pursed her lips. “Yeah, you said that already.”

They stayed against the wall until they’d finished smoking and then walked inside together, neither one saying anything more on the subject. She was grateful Jodi knew when to drop it. The conversation ventured way too close to territory Maiya wasn’t ready to explore.

And sure, yes, in those moments when they were alone and she was in his arms, Maiya let herself feel everything and more for him. She put her heart in his hands, but after it was done, and she had some space from him, she always took it right back. She had to. Maiya couldn’t let herself be in love with Ryan. It wasn’t an option.

Jodi didn’t understand. Any day now, Ryan would figure out he deserved better, and he’d drop her like a hot potato. Then where would she be? Flat on her ass, with a shattered heart is where. It would be more than she could bear.

Maiya walked into her office and shut the door behind her. She had to find a way to tell him no.
Yeah, like I’ve been able to do so far?
She laughed.
I am well and truly fucked.

An IM message popped up on her screen.

Ryan Donnelly:
Dinner tonight, my house. 6pm.

Maiya Rossini:
I don’t know. I’m kinda tired.

Ryan Donnelly:
Pshaw, tired schmired. We’ll watch a movie with Jacob and I’ll rub your feet after he goes to bed.

Dammit. She exhaled a hard breath, trying to figure out how the hell to tell this man no. It was like the word didn’t exist for her where he was concerned. He would
definitely
be rubbing more than her feet. Her clit throbbed, and she squirmed in her seat from the images flying through her mind of the last time he had her on his couch after Jacob had gone to bed. Good God.

Ryan Donnelly:
Hello? You still there
?

Maiya Rossini:
Yes. Just thinking.

Ryan Donnelly:
About?

Maiya Rossini:
About why I can’t seem to ever tell you NO!

Ryan Donnelly:
LOL can’t say I’m upset about that. See you at 6, baby.

Maiya Rossini:
Ugh. Fine. See you then
.

Ryan Donnelly:
Ha! That’s my girl.

She rolled her eyes.

Yep, I’m fucked.

Ryan grabbed a six-pack of beer on his way to pick up Jacob, and then ordered a couple dozen wings to be delivered when he got home. While they waited for Maiya and their dinner to arrive, he made Jacob help clean up the little messes made from their morning hustle to get out the door.

His son grumbled the whole time about wanting to play with his Hot Wheels, but Ryan wouldn’t let him off the hook until he’d done his age-appropriate share.

The doorbell rang and Jacob ran for the door, complaints forgotten. “Maiya’s here!”

“Wait for me, Jacob.” Ryan rushed after him, opening the door when they reached it. His son’s excitement was intoxicating.

Maiya stood on his front porch, a paper bag in her hands with the name Manny’s Wings printed on the side. Her beautiful lips curved into a crooked grin. “Delivery.”

“Damn, did that arrive the same time you did?” Heaven help him, she looked fine as hell. She was clad in a black tank top and blue jeans with her hair drawn up in a high ponytail. Positively edible.

“Yeah. No big deal. Are you going to let me in, or are we eating on the porch?”

He coughed a laugh and stepped aside to let her pass. The woman never failed to make him chuckle. He kissed her on the cheek, and Jacob wrapped his little arms around her legs, halting her movement. His child was making a habit of doing that. He guessed it was a good thing.

Maiya stopped and looked down at Jacob. “Hey there, sweetie. Did you have a good day?” She smoothed a hand over his son’s hair.

“Yes. We had a fire day,” Jacob said.

Ryan took the bag from Maiya’s hands. “You had a what?”

“A fire day. They made the alarm go off and we all hadda go outside in a line. No running or talking.”

“Ohhh.” Ryan breathed a sigh of relief. “You mean you had a fire drill today.”

Jacob looked confused. “That’s what I said.”

“More or less.” Maiya bent down and hugged his son. “I think you scared your daddy and me for a minute there.” She mussed his hair.

“Why?”

“Don’t worry about it. Go get your cars. Maiya and I are going to set up dinner.” Ryan took her hand and led her toward the kitchen.

Jacob ran off toward the family room. A minute or so later the sound of the television made its way into the kitchen. Maiya grabbed plates out of the cabinet. “That child is way too smart for his age. He sure has the TV figured out, huh?”

“He
is
male, after all. I think we all come out knowing how to operate electronics.” Stepping behind her, he wrapped his arms around her waist and nuzzled her neck. “Mm, you smell good.”

She sighed, covered his arms with her own and rested the back of her head on his shoulder. “You feel good.”

They stood together for a few precious minutes, swaying back and forth. Satisfaction spread through him. Next to his son, there was nothing better in the world than holding her in his arms. Complete opposites, yet by some miracle, she matched him in more ways than he’d ever imagined. Maiya fit against him in odd, yet perfect precision.

Somehow in the last few weeks, Maiya had carved a spot in his world, spun it off its axis, and then balanced it again. He was sure she had no idea it’d even happened, but Ryan intended to let her know. He just had to figure out how. Her stomach rumbled, pulling him from his thoughts. “Let’s get you fed.” Kissing her cheek, Ryan stepped away and arranged the wings on a serving platter. “I got hot and honey ones.”

“Sound great.” Maiya set the plates out. “I looove the hot stuff.”

“Why does this not surprise me?”

“Oh, shoosh your face. I surprise you all the time.” She grabbed a lidded cup and straw for Jacob and opened the fridge. “What do you want him to drink tonight?”

“Milk, if you please. There’s beer in there for us.”

“Plying me with booze, I see.”

“Yes, ma’am. Ain’t no shame in my game. Whatever it takes.”

“O.M.G. If you start doing the cabbage patch, I might have to beat you with a hot wing.”

“Oh yeah, baby. You know I can rock those moves all over this kitchen. Do not eeeven
tempt me.”

After setting their drinks on the table, Maiya turned, put her hands on her hips and tilted her head to the side, regarding him. Ryan tried like hell to hide his smile because all of a sudden she looked really damn serious. “Yes?”

“Are you trying to scare your child? Or the neighbors?” She pointed at her chest. “Or me for that matter?” Unable to keep it together, she busted up laughing at her own comments.

“Fail!” He pointed his finger at her. “You couldn’t hold that one together long enough to get a reaction from me.” He started busting a move—cabbage patching it right over to her. “Who’s yer daddy? Uh-huh, oh-yeah.” Spinning around, he shook his ass in front of her, well aware he was making a total moron of himself. But he didn’t care because Maiya was laughing so hard she had to sit down.

“Stop—” She gasped for a breath. “Stop, oh my God, you’re killing me.” Clutching her stomach, Maiya laughed harder.

Jacob must’ve heard the commotion because he came running into the kitchen and stopped short. His little mouth split in a wide grin and he watched his father lose all dignity in their kitchen. “Daddy, you’re silly.”

Maiya scooped him up onto her lap. “Yes, he sure is. Are you ready to eat, sweetheart?”

Jacob nodded and she stood and carried him to his seat. Still chuckling, Ryan sat at the table and dished out a couple of wings to Jacob. Maiya took her seat and followed suit, adding wings to her plate. They ate, chatted and joked around, enjoying dinner together. Man, how life had changed in such a short time.

Maiya busied herself clearing the table while Ryan took his son upstairs for a bath. It’d gotten too late for Jacob to stay up for a movie, and the little man, bless his heart, wasn’t too happy about it.

She’d promised him, as he pouted, that she’d come up once done in the kitchen and read him three stories again, like she had the other night. Poor thing was likely overtired from the activities at Chuck E. Cheese the night before and then the whole school thing.

After she finished reading with Jacob, she and Ryan made their way back downstairs. She eyed the door across the hall from Jacob’s room before they descended the stairs. Must be Ryan’s bedroom, the one she’d yet to see.

What did his room look like? She hadn’t thought much about it until now. Would he have it decorated much like downstairs? Guys usually didn’t care how their sleeping space looked. Hell, most guys rarely changed their sheets, and some were fine with not even sleeping on sheets at all. Gross-out city for sure. But Ryan…he probably had clean, pressed sheets on his bed. She chuckled. Shit, she bet he made his bed every morning right when he got out of it too.

“What’s got you giggling?” He grabbed two more beers from the fridge.

“Ohhh nuthin’.” She grinned. “Just had a funny thought.”

He popped both caps and handed her the cold bottle. “Not gonna share?”