Lie Next to Me Read online

  Ian smiled as he looked over at me. “Of course. I’ll give you Dr. Neil’s number when we get back to your place.”

  “Thank you.”

  “How are you feeling?” he asked as we continued jogging.

  “I’m feeling good. I barely feel any pain anymore.”

  “Good. I still want you checked out. I called Dr. Graham and he said he’ll be at the hospital all day and just to stop by.”

  “That’s not necessary, Ian. I’m fine.”

  “Well, you may think you’re fine, but you could have some internal damage. Let’s have Dr. Graham check you out to make sure you’re okay and then we’ll never discuss it again.”

  I laughed lightly because of Ian’s authoritative tone. “Yes, sir!” I said with a deep voice.

  “Are you making fun of me?” He smiled as he glanced at me.

  “No. I would never make fun of Ian Braxton.” I winked.

  He ran into me and almost knocked me over.

  “Really, Ian?”

  “Really, Rory.” He smiled.

  I bumped my body against his and laughed as he almost took a tumble. He looked at me and shook his head, then stopped. I stopped with him, as we were both out of breath. “You almost knocked me over,” he said breathlessly as he pointed his finger at me.

  “So. You almost knocked me over.” I smiled.

  “I’m starving. Let’s go get some breakfast,” he said as he tapped me on the nose.

  “Okay. Where do you want to go?”

  “I know this great café that’s not too far from your apartment.”

  “Would it be okay if we walked?” I asked. “I’m kind of tired.”

  “Are you feeling okay? Do you hurt?”

  “I’m fine, Ian. Just a little tired, that’s all.”

  I looped my arm around his and he looked at me for a moment and then smiled. We walked to the café and sat down at a table outside. I ordered a bagel sandwich and Ian ordered eggs and a blueberry muffin. I silently laughed because of his love for blueberry muffins.

  “Did you really mean what you said last week?” he asked.

  “I said a lot of things. Which are you referring to?”

  “About hating blueberry muffins. Do you really hate blueberry muffins, Rory?”

  His look was so serious. I think if I would’ve told him that I didn’t like them, he’d cry. I sat there and stared at him while I bit down on my bottom lip.

  “Well?” he asked as he cocked his head.

  “No. I don’t hate blueberry muffins, but I prefer the chocolate chip ones.”

  The corners of his mouth curved up slightly as he took a bite of his muffin. “I’m confident that I can get you to change your mind about them.”

  “You can try.” I smiled.

  We finished up our breakfast, Ian paid the bill, and we walked back to my apartment. As we walked up the steps, Ian placed his hand lightly on my back. The touch of his fingertips through my shirt sent a tingling sensation throughout my body. I inserted the key in the lock and opened the door. I stepped inside and invited Ian in.

  “Well, here it is. My apartment. I know it’s smaller than your bathroom, but it’s mine.”

  “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 scared, 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 him 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.”

  “Wh
y 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.”

  Chapter 11

  “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—”