The summer is flying by. It’s already been six weeks since the summer soiree, and the five of us founders of the Collective are already planning the formal party for the fall. It’s been the busiest season for Pocket Full of Polly that I’ve ever had, and being grateful doesn’t even begin to cover how I feel.
For the first time since I opened the business, I feel like I’m well into the black when I balance my books, and I don’t feel like I have to keep a watchful eye on the bank balance every time I want to order new stock or contemplate hiring more part-time help.
I’ve even managed to squirrel away a good chunk of money for the Chanel bag I’ve had my eye on for about a million years.
Ryan has been in and out of town all summer, but true to his word, it’s never been for more than a few days at a time. Jake has even gone with him a few times, and Mac and I took turns seeing to the horses while the guys were gone.
There have been evenings on the patio by the fire, whether at my house or Ryan’s, with cold beer on a hot night. Ryan’s taken me up to his observatory every chance he gets for meteor showers or just to gaze at the night sky.
It’s been a busy, wonderful summer spent with someone that I’m quickly falling in love with.
“Where are you headed off to this evening?” Grace grins at me as she closes out the computer for the night, and I straighten up some T-shirts on a display by the front door.
“I’m having dinner with Ryan,” I reply and check the time. “Crap, I’d better go. I’m running late.”
“You go,” Grace says, shooing me off. “I’ve got this.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course. We’re almost done anyway. Go have fun with that sexy man of yours.”
I wink at her as I smooth on some pink lip gloss, drop the tube into my bag, and sling it over my shoulder.
“Thanks, Grace. I appreciate it.”
“Have fun.”
I lock the door behind me and walk the couple of blocks down to Ciao. The Italian place has become our favorite go-to in town, and tonight, we’re meeting up with Drew and London, who are in town, staying at their condo at the resort for the week.
The hostess waves for me to walk to the front of the line of people waiting for tables and gestures for me to follow her.
“Ryan’s already here,” she says with a smile. “How are you, Polly?”
“I’m great, thanks.”
And it’s the truth. Life is damn good these days.
Ryan looks up and sees me coming in, and he climbs to his feet, kisses me in front of everyone, and pulls my seat out for me.
“Hi, friends,” I say to Drew and London. “Did I miss anything good?”
“Just this delicious bread,” London says, taking a bite of the garlic bread that Ciao is known for. “My God, I could eat an entire basket of this by myself. Actually, I have done that.”
“Who can blame you?” I ask and smile when I see that Ryan already ordered my favorite red wine. I turn to him and smile. “Thanks.”
“My pleasure.”
“So, how are things?” I ask London. “How’s Caleb? Wait, where is Caleb?”
London smiles at the mention of her adorable son, who usually travels with London and Drew. “He’s amazing, and at almost twelve, he’s way too cool to come to dinner with us, so he and Quinn are at the condo, playing video games and eating junk food.”
“Thank God for Quinn,” Drew says with a laugh. “She seems to be the only one that Caleb thinks is cool these days.”
“At least he thinks someone is,” Ryan says as our waitress strides over to take our order.
Once we’ve all placed our order for pasta and more pasta with a side of garlic, London sighs and rests her chin on her hand, looking over at the mountains. We’re seated outside on the patio tonight because it’s so gorgeous out.
“I always miss this place whenever we leave it,” London says. “Drew and I have decided to try to come once a month until the season is in full swing.”
“I thought it was already in full swing,” Ryan says, frowning.
“That’s why this is our last visit here for a while,” Drew says. “The season officially starts in two weeks, and we’re deep into practice and pre-season games, but this was the best time to get away and come over for a few days. It doesn’t hurt that it’s less than a two-hour flight.”
“That’s not bad at all,” I agree. “Are the condos nice up there? I don’t think I’ve been.”
“Honey, they’re gorgeous,” London says with a nod. “You’ll have to come up while I’m here, and I’ll show you around. There’s a club up there that we’re members of but never use. I’ll add you as a passholder so someone gets use of it.”
“What kind of club?” I ask and sip my wine.
“There’s a little restaurant, a gym, a pool, things like that. It’s a little community.”
“Like…a country club?”
“Yeah, I guess so,” London replies easily. “You should use it.”
“That’s okay,” I reply, shaking my head. “I probably wouldn’t have time to go up there.”
“Well, it’s there if you do have time,” she says easily.
Good lord, I wouldn’t know what to do at a country club. I wouldn’t know how to act or who to speak to. I’m just not part of that world like London and Ryan are.
And that’s okay.
“Tell me you have some awesome things in the shop for fall,” London says, changing the subject as Ryan and Drew talk about football. “I need a couple of new things before I go to Paris for fashion week.”
Oh, how I long to go to fashion week. I’ve wanted to go since I was a kid and read Vogue like it was the freaking Bible. Since I met London almost two years ago, she’s gone to Paris Fashion Week twice, and each time, she video calls me so I can experience it through her.
“I have some new things, but I’m pretty sure you’ll be wearing designer labels for that trip.”
“Some.” We sit back as our meals are delivered. Once we’ve been offered fresh pepper and grated cheese, we return to our conversation. “I’ll have plenty of designer labels to wear, but sometimes I just want a beautiful piece to layer, or to add, and you always fit the bill for that.”
That any woman would want to wear something I carry in my store to freaking fashion week is incredible to me.
“Well, I’d love to have you come in. When is it this year?”
“Next weekend,” she replies and scoops some pasta into her mouth.
“Please video call me again while you’re there,” I reply. “You know I live vicariously through you every time you’re in Paris.”
“Of course, I will. I just wish you’d come. The shopping we could do, Polly!”
“Paris is on my bucket list,” I admit, and realize that Ryan is listening in. He reaches over and takes my hand in his. “Someday, I’ll go and do some serious shopping.”
Like when I win the lottery. My business may be doing well, but I’m no luxury fashion house. That’s in a stratosphere that I can’t even imagine.
London turns to Ryan with a grin. “Tell me you’ll talk her into it. Please.”
“Seriously, I can’t go,” I say with a laugh and squeeze Ryan’s hand. “But I can’t wait to hear all about it. Are you staying at the Ritz again?”
“There is nowhere else to stay in Paris,” she replies. “I’m telling you, I’m going to get you there, come hell or high water.”
I just smile over at her and eat my dinner. I won’t argue, but I know that it’s highly unlikely because I don’t feel comfortable with the idea of letting London pay for me to go, and I certainly can’t afford something so extravagant myself.
The rest of the meal is delicious, and the conversation is even better. London’s phone pings with a text, and she frowns down at the screen.
“Caleb wants pizza,” she tells Drew. “At least he has good timing. I’ll put an order in before we leave.”
“Jake usually asks for the same,” Ryan says, also checking his phone. “But no requests so far tonight.”
“How are things with Jake?” Drew asks.
“He’s the smartest, best-looking, most well-behaved kid on the planet,” Ryan replies with a smug grin.
“And that’s exactly what every parent is supposed to think about their child,” London says. “I’m glad it’s been a good experience for all of you. Do you get along with him well, Polly?”
“I have to admit, I’m kind of in love with that boy.” I shrug and then can’t hide that my eyes are filling. “He’s just the best kid. He’s smart and funny, and he’s really gentle. When Ryan was out of town for a long stretch, Jake asked me if I needed anything. So, yeah, I get along with him well.”
Ryan reaches over and rubs his hand over my back in big circles, and London grins in delight.
Just then, Ryan’s phone signals a text.
“And there he is. No pizza tonight; he’s hanging at Russ’s house.” Ryan wiggles his eyebrows at me. “Good timing.”
“That is convenient. I wonder if Grace got the shop closed up okay.” I open my bag to fetch my own phone and then frown when it’s not there. “Shit. I forgot my phone at the shop.”
“We’ll stop and get it on our way home,” Ryan assures me.
Once the bill is paid, the four of us are on the sidewalk, saying goodbye.
“I’ll pop in tomorrow,” London promises me as she pulls me in for a hug. “And I’ll talk you into coming up to the condo to have a look around. Have a good night, friend.”
“You, too. Bye, Drew.”
“See you,” Drew says as he takes his wife’s hand, and they walk away, a hot pizza in hand for Caleb and Quinn.
“I really like them,” I say as Ryan and I walk down the block toward my store. “I’m glad they come to visit so often. Sorry that I forgot my phone.”
“It’s not a problem.” He lifts my hand to his lips and kisses my knuckles. “I can wait an extra fifteen minutes to get you to your place and fuck you senseless.”
I let out a surprised laugh. “What brought that on?”
“I never stop wanting to fuck you senseless,” he says, his voice as calm as if he’s talking about the weather. “But when you wear little numbers like the one you have on? Game over.”
I look down at the black tank dress and frown. “It’s just a dress.”
“That’s not just anything.” His gaze flicks down the length of me as he licks his lips and then stares straight ahead. “How do you feel about having sex in your store?”
I laugh as I unlock the door, and then every hair on my body stands on end.
“Something isn’t right.”
We move quickly through the shop, and I scour every nook and cranny, but nothing is out of place.
I check the safe and replace the small amount of cash I put in there earlier still there.
“I could swear that I felt like something was off when I opened that door.” I prop my hands on my hips and scowl. “But everything seems to be fine. Is the back door locked? I’ll check.”
“I’ll check,” Ryan says and walks past me. When he returns, his mouth is set in a firm line. “It wasn’t locked.”
“That must be it.” I sigh with relief. “Grace must have forgotten to lock it on her way out. She doesn’t normally close, so she probably just overlooked it.”
“I guess it’s a good thing that you forgot your phone, then,” Ryan says as I check my phone, see that I didn’t miss anything, and slip it into my purse.
“I knew my forgetful ways would come in handy someday.” I grin over at him and then feel my breath hitch.
Christ, he’s beautiful, with all that thick, dark hair and hazel eyes that I could just get lost in. He’s in a yellow button-down with the shirtsleeves rolled up. His forearms look like they’ve been sculpted out of marble.
“You make me salivate,” I whisper and then raise my gaze to his. A muscle twitches in his jaw. “How do you just go around looking like that?”
“Like what?”
“Like”—I gesture up and down as he walks slowly toward me—“that. Like you walked out of a damn dream.”
His lips twitch as he glides his hands up my arms and frames my face. “I need to get you back to your place so I can show you which one of us walked out of a dream. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t me.”
I chuckle and then moan when he kisses me, and then I break away and lead him by the hand out through the front door.
“I walked to work this morning,” I inform him. “So, we’ll take your truck.”
“No problem.”
Thank all the gods above that it doesn’t take long to get to my house. I want him naked, and I want him now.
Impatient, I hurry into the house and turn to him, but when I reach for his shirt, he takes my hands and kisses them.
“We’re always in a hurry,” he murmurs. “It’s always hot and fast and hard, and that’s a damn good time, but sometimes, I want it to be a little slower.”
“I don’t care if it’s fast or slow, as long as it happens soon.”
That makes him laugh, and he easily lifts me into his arms and kisses me as he walks back to the bedroom.
True to his word, he takes his time with me. He slowly peels my dress off of me and lets his gaze roam at his leisure, sending warmth that has nothing to do with the heat of this late summer day spreading through me. He’s on his knees and has me step out of my underwear before he tosses them aside.
“Ryan.”
“What do you need?” he asks me, his voice hushed as he leans in to kiss my bare stomach. “What do you need, Polly?”
“Just you.” And that’s the truth. I don’t need his money or his connections. I just need Ryan.
He rests his forehead against me, and then he nudges me back onto the mattress. As I scoot back, he crawls over me, his eyes full of need and lust, and he drags his lips up my breastbone before covering my mouth with his and kissing me.
His magical hand dances up my inner thigh and, with just one fingertip, touches that most intimate crease where my leg meets my center.
And that touch alone is almost enough to send me over the edge.
“I feel like you haven’t touched me in years.” I bite my lip when he closes his mouth around a nipple and gives it a little tug. “Even though it was just last night, it’s as though it’s never enough.”
“Because it isn’t enough,” he says and kisses his way down my belly. He pushes my legs up, his hands planted on the backs of my thighs so I’m spread wide and he can feast on me.
And feast he does.
“Ryan!”
“That’s right,” he says. “Say my fucking name.”
“Ryan.” It’s a whisper now as my hands dive into his hair and fist there. Jesus, my body is on fire, my control about to evaporate as he licks and nibbles and plunders with that tongue. “Oh, God. Oh, Jesus, I can’t.”
“You will,” he promises me and slips one finger inside of me. “That’s right, baby. You’re so fucking amazing, Polly. So fucking gorgeous.”
I’m twisting and shuddering on the bed, unable to hold still. The edge is right there, and I’m about to fall off of it.
“Ryan.”
“Yes. Yes, sweetheart. Go on, baby.” He bites the inside of my thigh, then soothes it with his tongue before pulling my clit into his mouth and pulsing, and that’s it. I’m a goner.
I cry out with the orgasm, and then all I want in the world is Ryan inside of me.
“Need you,” I mutter, and when he moves to cover me with his body, I push his shoulder, urging him onto his back.
His eyebrow wings up, but he doesn’t argue as he lies back, still fully clothed.
“You’re like a present.” I go to work on the buttons of his shirt, kissing his skin as I uncover every warm inch of him. “Like the best present ever.”
He groans and sinks his hands into my hair. When I’ve unfastened his jeans, he raises his hips so I can pull them down his legs and toss them onto the floor.
When he’s finally naked, his erection standing proud, I crawl up his legs and lick him from root to tip, all the while holding his gaze with my own.
His hazel eyes narrow as his lips part in a silent groan. My fist circles him, pumping him as I suck and lick, and just when I feel him start to pulse, I crawl over him and ease him inside of me and begin to ride.
His hands are planted on my ass, urging me up and down at a pace that satisfies us both. I can’t stop moving, clenching on him, and I reach down to circle my clit as I ride him, which sends me into overdrive.
“Ah, hell,” he moans, and suddenly, he’s lifted me off of him, and I’m on my stomach, ass in the air, and he’s inside of me once more, his mouth planted next to my ear. “You’re fucking incredible. God, I never stop wanting you.”
He’s panting, his voice a low growl, and his hand is planted at the small of my back as he plunges in and out of me, faster and faster until we both shatter into a million pieces.
When he eases out of me, I fall into the pillow and don’t even care that I can’t breathe.
I can die a happy woman now.
But Ryan turns me onto my side and kisses me long and slow.
“Water,” I say against his lips. “I need some water.”
“As soon as my legs regain feeling, we can go get some.”
I grin and kiss him, then swat his butt and climb off of the bed. “Come on. Let’s get a drink and then sit out on the swing.”
“You need clothes if you’re going outside.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Says who?”
“Says me.” He wraps me in his shirt and buttons it for me. “No one is going to ogle my girl’s body but me.”
“Did you just say ogle?”
He grins and tugs on his jeans but leaves them unfastened as he follows me to the kitchen. I pass him a bottle, and as we drink, I see that he’s eyeing the swatches on the wall.
“I’ll eventually paint in here.”
“Why don’t you just let me see to it?”
I frown over at him. “What, in all your spare time?”
That makes him laugh. “I can make some calls.”
“Like you did with the air conditioner? You don’t have to do that.”
“I know I don’t have to.” He reaches out and tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear before dragging his fingers down my jawline. “I don’t do much of anything that I don’t want to.”
“Honestly, paint is the last thing this room needs. The stove isn’t even hooked up to anything because I had a gas leak, so we had to cap it off. It’s mostly just an ornament now.”
His eyes narrow. “You had a gas leak.”
“Not long ago, actually. When you were gone, the same day the AC was installed, now that I think about it.”
“And you didn’t tell me.”
I shrug and drink my water. “I had it taken care of right away. I guess I should replace that thing.”
“Polly.” He sets my water aside and simply pulls me in for a long hug, rocking me back and forth in that way he does that soothes and sets me at ease. It’s my favorite thing in the world. “Let me take care of this for you.”
“I don’t want you to think that I need you to do this. That I want any of your money. Because I don’t. Not ever, Ryan.”
I feel him smile against the top of my head. “If I thought that, we wouldn’t be standing here right now, and you know it. But, babe, I can do this. I can help you with this, and it’s something I’d like to do.”
“Really?” I lean back so I can look up at him and replace him grinning down at me. “You enjoy home renovation?”
“Actually, yeah.”
“Wow. Interesting.” I lick my lips. I can still taste him there. “I will never take advantage of you, Ryan.”
“Maybe you should, just a little.” He laughs when I scowl. “I’m a giver, Polly. I like to help, to gift, to make life easier for the people I care about. Don’t look now, but that includes you.”
Everything in me lights up.
“You’re a good man, Ryan Wild.”
“Does that mean I can make over your kitchen?”
“Yeah, just don’t go crazy, okay?”
“Psh. As if I would.”
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