Page 109 of Undeniable Temptation

He growled, guttural and deep, his climax colliding with hers. His mouth found hers, his lips stealing breath and kisses at the same time. She drowned in the affection, burned from his passion.

Then everything quietened as the pleasure faded and the world slowed.

He leaned her against the wall and stared back at her with soft eyes and luscious lips. “Minx,” he whispered.

“Manipulator,” she countered.

He froze, every defined muscle taut in the passing beats of silence. “Are you really angry at me?”

“No.” She shook her head and gave a genuine smile. “I couldn’t be more overwhelmed with gratitude, even though it’ll take time for the guilt to wear off.” The price may have been high but her relief was even higher. Finally, she would get to be with him. All day. Every day. No hidden feelings. No sneaking from public view. “I love you for what you did for me.”

His lips tweaked, his grin speaking of pride. He leaned one elbow against the wall and beamed down at her, his chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. “We’re free—”

The door hinges squeaked and she swore as she pulled Ryan closer, hiding her nudity the best she could. Mason’s face came into view through the crack of the opening door, his expression turning horrified before he slammed the door shut.

“Fuck you, assholes,” Mason called down the hall, the echo of laughter coming from the living room. “I fucking told you those weren’t fighting screams… Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be in the bathroom, shoving my fingers down the back of my throat.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Three weeks later

Richmond, VA

Ryan tappedhis foot to the beat and sucked in the electric atmosphere of the last show of the tour. The hometown fans were hysterical, screaming their lungs out without a care for the music they were drowning out.

Even the thrown underwear was piling up at an unprecedented rate. There were bras and panties flying everywhere. Each time a new item sailed forward, he’d glance side-stage at Leah to see those pretty eyes roll. She pretended to be disgusted, but he knew she loved the attention the band received.

It was all her doing, after all. She’d built them, carving out their careers to make them a worldwide success.

“Thanks for the warm welcome, Richmond.” A large pair of red panties landed at Mason’s feet and he picked them up with the toe of his boot. “Thanks, again,” he drawled, this time with less enthusiasm.

Ryan turned his usual appraisal to Leah and this time found her focused on the cell in her hand, her brow furrowing before she strode from view.

That woman had him so far under the thumb he doubted he’d ever regain his sanity. Every second away from her made him feel lost. She was the perfection who guided him and Felicity through the potential nightmare of Julie’s pregnancy announcement.

Leah had written Flick’s public statement that told the world her fun with Ryan was over and she planned to stick by him with friendship as he struggled to come to terms with his ex-wife’s infidelity. The result was a wave of sympathy from fans. He was no longer the black sheep. His favorable reputation had slid back into place… At least temporarily.

He wasn’t sure what the world would have to say once the news of him and Leah broke. But for now, their relationship remained private. They were happy to enjoy one another in peace while they flew under the paparazzi radar—hiding in the tour bus and sneaking into hotel rooms in the middle of the night.

The quiet wouldn’t last long. They knew that. They also knew they were strong enough to withstand whatever the vultures threw at them once their personal lives were made public.

At the intro to their next song, a large pair of black knickers flew forward, missing the stage. He glanced for Leah again, this time finding her back in her usual spot, her frown still evident as she made a T signal with her hands, calling for a timeout.

He nodded and came to Mason’s side and gave him the message via a jerk of his head in Leah’s direction. The lead singer didn’t skip a beat. He belted out the final verse of the song and then addressed the crowd.

“We’re going to have to take a short intermission. Don’t you fuckers go anywhere. We’ll be back soon.”

The five of them jogged from the stage, handing off their instruments to the approaching technicians.

“What is it?”

She didn’t look at him; instead she focused on Blake. “Gabi’s mom called. You need to get home.”

Blake’s face turned bleak. “What happened?”

“Gabi has gone into labor a little early.” Leah beamed. “You’re about to become a father.”

“She’s having the baby?” Blake stepped forward, grabbing Leah’s waist. “She’s having the baby!” He lifted her off the ground, swinging her around before dumping her back on her feet.

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