Chapter – 21

A deep sigh escaped the confines of my lungs when Orlando allowed me to get up, and both of us adjusted our clothes. “Stay with me tonight,” he murmured as he looked at me intently. “Or I can stay with you.”

“Why?”

“Is that question necessary?” His brows rose. “I’m not done with you yet.”

A smile crept on my lips as I watched him climb into the driver’s seat. I was giddy with excitement as I slipped between the front seats to sit in the passenger seat. “Your apartment is an hour away. I prefer you in my room tonight.”

“Impatient, I see.”

“Can you blame me?”

Orlando’s free hand held mine as we drove back to my parents’ home.

“How did you find me here?”

“I was coming to see you. When I saw you crossing the road, I followed.”

“You saw.”

A slight pause before he responded. “I did.”

“He’d been pressuring me to meet and said he wanted to talk. He said it was urgent.”

Orlando raised my hand to his lips, pressing them on my wrist. “You don’t have to explain anything, Arianna. I followed you and stayed in earshot to make sure you were okay.”

“I wanted you to know.”

Orlando smiled, turning the car toward my…their home. It wasn’t my home anymore. I was never welcomed there. Bringing Orlando with me was a bold decision, but I didn’t give a flying fuck what they’d think. Perhaps I’d raise their blood pressure for a night before leaving them for good. For my own good.

Everyone whirled around, freezing in position when I entered, hand in hand with Orlando. My eyes locked with Alana’s bloodshot ones. What happened? Her tear-stained face registered in my mind first. She clutched her phone tightly, and I noticed the shock on her face. Or is it surprise? She and her friends were dressed for bed. What’s going on? Why is everyone down here at this time of night?

“Mr. Cortez?” My dad was the first one to step forth with a questioning gaze.

“Hello, Mr. Swanson.” Orlando’s tone was clipped. His gaze swept through the room, analyzing each face before settling on my dad. “Arianna, why don’t you bring your overnight bag? I’ll wait here.”

Confusion clouded my mind, and I looked around, wondering what he saw that changed his mind.

“Arianna…” Orlando nudged me.

“Huh! Yeah, sure. I’ll be right back.” I felt their gazes following me when I climbed the stairs. It helped that I didn’t unpack after my return from Ikandas. I walked over to my closet, where I had dumped my bags earlier, and picked them up before going back down.

“I’ll take them.” Orlando took a bag from me. “See you at the wedding, Mr. Swanson.” He nodded at my dad before taking my hand in his other hand.

“Sure.” My dad’s unsure voice followed us out.

“Something isn’t right,” Orlando said as he opened the passenger door for me. “Perhaps, they—” He stopped mid-sentence and climbed in the driver’s seat.

“Perhaps what?”

Orlando shrugged. “It’s just a hunch I have, but I feel like your sister might have found out you were meeting Brian tonight.”

It made sense. Why else would everyone be there now?

“Thanks for getting me out of there. I was planning to leave right after the wedding.”

“I’ll get Mike to move the rest of your things to your new apartment. You can stay with me until then.”

My eyes snapped to his face. Why the hell did that sound like ‘move in with me?’ Shut it, Ari.

When we arrived at his apartment an hour later, he used the spare key to open the door. “Miriam is the housekeeper here. She looks after Boxer and my home,” he said while holding the door wide for me to enter. “Boxer sleeps with her.”

“Okay.” I swallowed the smile and averted my face. Excitement bubbled within me.

“Do you want anything to eat?”

“No. I’m not hungry.”

“Good.” I giggled when he pulled me toward him and buried his face in my neck. “I’m hungry for you.”

“What are you doing?” I asked as he moved us further into his room before kicking the door shut.

“You ask as if you don’t know already.” He nipped at my earlobe. “I told you I’m not done with you yet.”

“What’s your plan?” My voice grew huskier.

“You’ll find out soon.” He smirked, pushing me on his mattress. I scooted back, allowing him space.

“Orlando…” His name whooshed past my lips when he pulled me by my legs to the edge of his bed, resting his hands on my inner thighs.

“Did you think I’d leave like that?” I could only gasp when the cold air hit my skin. “You look delectable tonight, Ari…” His lips brushed my skin, trailing feather-soft kisses from my knee to my upper thighs. “Are you tired?” His warm breath fanned my center.

“No.” My breathing was growing harsher with anticipation. Sleep was far from my thoughts.

“Good, because I don’t have any intention to let you sleep tonight.”

Fuck! I didn’t know if this moment could get any sexier. I liked this side of him. His hands ran along the length of my legs, his fingers massaging my calf as he removed my shoes. I watched him with hooded eyes as he took his time.

My throat moved to swallow when my shoes hit the floor. The tips of his fingers continued to feel my skin.

Teasing.

Tracing.

Rubbing.

My toes curled, and my eyes wanted to roll into my skull when his fingers reached my inner thighs. The sound of my breathing grew heavier as he continued to remove each piece of my clothing. My anticipation grew with his everlasting patience. Soon, his lust-filled gaze devoured my bare body.

“Move to the center of the bed, Arianna,” he commanded thickly, making me shiver.

His broad frame hovered over me. Removing his striped tie, he bound my hands to the headboard. Fuck. Wetness pooled down there, and my chest heaved. My center throbbed with need, and I rubbed my thighs together.

Soft music played in the background, and the lights dimmed. I saw him tossing a remote aside before shrugging off his coat. He then continued to remove his clothes, teasing me with a smirk. The dim lights illuminated his sculpted torso, and his muscles flexed with his movements. When he turned, my breath hitched. His erection glistened with his pre-cum.

Orlando climbed onto the bed and spread my thighs. His lips quirked.

“So wet and ready.”

I sucked in a sharp breath, trying not to moan. His fingers traced the outline of my sex, parting the wet folds.

“You’re so beautiful, Arianna. I’ve dreamed of this for years.”

What?

Before I could think, his index finger plunged in, making me moan louder. His thumb circled my clit, spreading my wetness around. He lifted his fingers to his mouth, licking off my essence, which caused me to moan. “You taste like honey melons.” My hands gripped the headboard. His head dipped between my thighs, and he ran his nose along my sex. My hips arched, hoping he’d get my intention, and he relented.

It took only a few strokes of his tongue to set me off. He continued to lick through my orgasm, sucking my clit and pumping his fingers in and out. A cry of pleasure left my lips as pressure built again.

“Orlando…” Hips shook. Can’t take any more. “Please…”

His tongue increased the pressure on my aching bud, sending me over the cliff for the third time that night. My thighs closed, trying to shy away from his seeking mouth. “Please…N-need you now.”

His head lifted, chin wet with my essence. He wiped his mouth and reached into the drawer, pulling out a condom. I watched him roll it down his length and position himself at my entrance. His eyes met mine and held as he plunged in.

“Ah!”

My legs wrapped around his hips as he began to thrust in a steady rhythm, slowly at first. Large hands cupped my breasts, kneading them gently and rolling the hard nipples between his fingers. I could only moan as he moved to suck one of the nipples into his hot mouth.

He sucked, licked, and nipped. It was overwhelming. Too much pleasure. The pressure was building again. He paused briefly, adjusting his position so his cock slid over my clit with each thrust.

I cried out his name when the fourth climax hit harder. I gasped for breath as he came with a grunt. His forehead rested on mine as we recovered. When he pulled out and walked to the washroom, I tried to catch my breath. He soon returned with a washcloth, cleaning me, once again taking his time. By the time he was done, my body was tuned for another round.

When I thought he was going to release my hands, he simply flipped me and pulled my hips so I was on all fours in front of him. Warm hands traced the length of my spine before his lips followed. And I knew he was just starting. Oh, God!

***

Brian Schultz

Trying to convince Arianna was a mistake. I should’ve seen this coming. But I was tired of living with Alana while wishing it was her. My love-struck brain was finally ready to overlook her past and take that step, but she brushed it off. My cheek stung, and her words were like knives to my heart. I had a baby on the way.

I hoped Alana didn’t notice my absence. When I slipped in through the main door, I froze.

“Where have you been?” Her accusing gaze pinned me in place. Everyone, including her parents and friends, was there.

“I went for a walk.”

“With whom?”

My gaze narrowed, and I found my phone in her grip. “Alone.”

“You’re lying! Dad, I know he went to see her. I checked her room. She’s not there.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I was in no mood for this conversation, and she had no business with my phone.

“Liar! I saw your messages to her. You’re cheating on me again.”

“I’m not cheating on you.”

“Then what the hell is this?” She showed me the messages I sent to Arianna. “You were tailing her this whole week. You—”

“We’re getting married tomorrow, Alana. I thought maybe I could talk some sense into her,” I lied through my teeth. “We’re family, and we’re going to see each other a lot.” She’d rejected me, and I was stuck with Alana now. I was a fool to even think she’d see reason if I explained. Everything went wrong, and deep in my heart, I knew she wasn’t the one to blame.

“You’re lying.”

“No. You’re being paranoid. I don’t understand your need to know where I am every second of the day.”

“Then where is Arianna?”

“Enough.” Mr. Swanson intervened. “Alana, I agree with Brian. You shouldn’t be too hard on him.”

“Your father is right, sweetie. This isn’t the first time this has happened. You know your sister. Brian was trying to do what you always wanted to do,” her mother added.

“And, in my opinion, you both should just stop trying to make her see reason,” Mr. Swanson continued. “She never listens to anyone, and it’s time we put a stop to this nonsense.”

Her mother’s shoulders slumped.

“She has caused nothing but trouble for this family. Arianna is no longer welcome here. After the wedding, I’ll ask her to leave. Until then, I ask you all to focus on the wedding.”

This isn’t right. “Mr. Swanson, she’s your daughter too. You should all sit with her and talk this out. I think you should give her a chance.”

“We’ve given her enough chances, Brian. Everyone, go back to the bed, please.”

My jaw clenched. There was nothing I could do. I knew their relationship was strained. But they weren’t giving her a chance. This was all because of me. Arianna wouldn’t be out on the street if it wasn’t for me.

“We’ll talk later.” He dismissed us, and my disapproving gaze locked with Alana’s briefly before I turned and walked into our room, which was on the ground floor.

“Dad, she’s trying to steal him away from me.” Her accusing voice reached my ears.

“She won’t do a thing to you, sweetie. You must rest. We—” His words cut off. “Mr. Cortez?”

Cortez?

“Hello, Mr. Swanson.” I didn’t recognize the voice. I peeked through the crack of the door to see who it was. Orlando Cortez, the CEO of the Cortez empire, stood with her. I recognized him from the I*******m pictures she shared. “Arianna, why don’t you bring your overnight bag? I’ll wait here.”

Where did he come from? We were alone in the park. Did she call him? I thought he was just another fling. Is that why she didn’t want me anymore?

Arianna frowned as she glanced at everyone in the living room. She wouldn’t know the drama that went down here only a few seconds earlier.

“Arianna…” He nudged her.

“Huh! Yeah, sure. I’ll be right back.”

She climbed the stairs as my heart thudded against my ribs. Why would she leave with him?

“I wasn’t expecting you,” Henry, my father-in-law-to-be, said. I could sense his discomfort. Had Arianna returned alone, the situation would have been different. While I wasn’t happy about his presence here, it worked in my favor.

“I came to see my girlfriend. Looks like it isn’t the right time.”

Girlfriend? Orlando did not date. So, the newspapers were right. They were together. My grip on the door handle tightened. I looked at Alana, who was gaping at our unexpected guest.

“Of course not. You’re welcome here anytime.” Henry looked at the others. “It’s just surprising. I mean, um…you and my daughter.” His laugh was nervous. He ran a hand through his hair. “Should’ve guessed when you refused to rent the Cortez estate.”

 “Arianna had nothing to do with the venue, Mr. Swanson. She doesn’t run my business, I do. Besides, the venue was booked on the date you’d requested.”

I knew he was talking about Enrique’s wedding. The media swooned over the wedding photos. They also wrote how beautiful Orlando’s date looked. A magazine even claimed the Cortez empire would soon announce another wedding.

Arianna never mentioned anything about the Cortezes before. It was evident she knew the family. The photos from the wedding were proof enough. Then, something clicked in my mind.

Pulling out my phone, I swiftly searched on G****e. My gaze skimmed through the pages, finally finding the connection. The Frisby family. My eyes widened with recognition. Her friend Michael Frisby was Orlando’s cousin. That made sense now.

“Oh,” I heard Henry say and looked up to see Arianna descending the stairs with her bags.

Orlando took one from her. “I’ll take them. See you at the wedding, Mr. Swanson.” He nodded at my future father-in-law before taking her hand in his free hand.

“Sure.” Mr. Swanson’s surprised voice followed them as I stood dumbfounded by the door.

What just happened? The way they held hands flashed in my mind. I didn’t fail to notice her tousled hair or swollen lips. My anger flared. We were dating for six months, but she never allowed me to do anything past the kisses. Now they were fucking.

Their photos surfaced in my mind. Arianna wasn’t who she claimed to be. Henry paid millions to the paparazzi every year to keep those photos from decorating the front page of the newspapers. Alana was right about her sister. She was just an opportunist, I decided. I was no one compared to Orlando.

She was also a good actress. She had fooled me into believing she was different.

I quickly slipped into the bathroom when I noticed Alana approaching the room. My mind was in turmoil. You’re a fool, Brian.

I should just stick with Alana and stop worrying about her. It wouldn’t do any good to my relationship with Alana if I was still hung up on her.

“Brian…” Alana called.

“Yes?” I sounded calm as I stripped, acting casual.

“I’m sorry about earlier.”

“It’s all right.”

“No. It isn’t all right. I should’ve trusted you.” She sounded sincere.

“It’s okay, Alana. Why don’t you go to bed?” I sighed, changing into my nightwear.

“Tell me you forgive me.”

“I forgive you.”

When I opened the door, she was standing with tear-filled eyes. As much as I hated those tears, they also tugged at my heartstrings. “I love you.” She stepped forward, burying her face in my chest.

“I love you too.” My hand rested on her stomach. I had a baby to look forward to. With a tight smile, I led her to the bed.

Tomorrow will be a new day.