Forever Bound by Ella Ardent Read Free Book Online Page A

loser whose success she could influence.
    The
time for revenge against his kind was now.
    She
pretended to be troubled. “Well, he probably never told you the truth, did he?”
    “Told
me what?” Alanna frowned. “He told me about the bet...”
    “Well,
there’s a reason he really wants to win. They don’t think he can—or
should.”
    “Why
not?”
    Laura
whispered three letters into her co-worker’s ear and thought Alanna would
faint.
    “Are
you sure?”
    “No,
but he was bragging that he’d be home safe and sound before anyone realized the
truth.”
    “That’s
horrible!” Alanna said, snatching up her tray. “That’s evil! I should spill
beer on him!”
    “Or
better—ignore him.”
    “You’re
right.” Alanna nodded vigorously. “I have to tell the others. We have to stick
together.”
    “Good
idea.” Laura hid her triumphant smile as Alanna marched to the bar. That was a
story that would spread like wildfire. Mr. Smooth wouldn’t be able to figure
out why he was striking out.
    A
week without any sex just might teach him a little humility.
    Maybe
it would make a difference to his perspective for the long term.
    Laura
decided to watch, just for fun.
     
    * * *
     
    Day
two at the resort was a definite improvement over the day they’d arrived. Jess
was feeling better about her relationship with Ryan, and—as an added
bonus—spanking him had relieved a lot of her stress. It had been a great
way to work out her frustration.
    Never
mind that killer orgasm. She felt much more in balance and more like herself.
    She
should have tried BDSM sooner.
    More
evidence of the planets aligning in her favor came in the arrival of the
missing suitcase. She’d left Ryan sleeping and gone down to the concierge to
check, only to be presented with the bag. The concierge assured her that their
cleaning service could make the dress perfect in time, so Jess surrendered it
to him.
    She
was glad to have one less thing to do.
    Everything
was going to be fine. She’d had a quick drink and a snack with her mom to
celebrate. There was no sign of either Christine or Fiona.
    By
the time she got back to the room, Ryan was gone. This time, Jess was serene
about him hanging out with his friends. She took her time in the bathroom,
ensuring that she used the perfume he liked so well. She smiled at her own
reflection, anticipating another hot night of teasing each other, then heard
the door to the cottage open.
    And
close.
    Then
there was silence.
    She
knew it couldn’t be a maid and tingled in anticipation. She peeked out the
bathroom door. The cottage had a seating area to one side and the bed to the
other. Evening was falling, and the sky beyond the deck was painted in bands of
orange and gold. The doors were open to the private balcony and a breeze
floated through the interior. She caught a glimpse of Ryan, lighting candles.
    Jess’s
heart skipped a beat.
    He’d
come back to the room, instead of staying out with his friends.
    Jess
stepped back inside the bathroom and shut the door behind herself, leaning back
against it in delight. Ryan wasn’t just here—he was feeling romantic. He
loved candles even more than she did.
    He
probably knew she was here and meant to surprise her.
    Jess
was prepared to be surprised.
    She
opened the bathroom door, as if oblivious to his presence. She stopped and
caught her breath in wonder—something she didn’t have to pretend—as
if previously unaware of the candles. Their flames flickered in the breeze and
the room was golden in their light.
    “Ryan?”
she asked, unable to see him anywhere.
    She
took a step into the main room, wondering where he was hiding.
    “Gotcha!”
He caught her from behind, trapping her arms against her body with one arm and
clapping one hand over her mouth. “About time you came out of there,” he
murmured into her ear. “It’s payback time.”
    Jess’s
eyes widened at that.
    Ryan
half-carried her to the bathroom, urging her onward with his body. Jess was