Wrapped in Chains - Nicola Jane Page 0,29

erection against my opening. I’m not in the slightest bit turned on, and as much as he tries, he can’t push inside of me. “Relax, gorgeous. I’ll be gentle,” he says, kissing me.

I close my eyes, and for the first time in weeks, I allow myself to think of Chains. I imagine it’s him kissing me, his hands exploring my body, and then I feel Ryan enter me. “Oh, baby, you feel so good,” he groans in my ear. He begins to move back and forth, groaning with each push. He’s gentle and asks me if I’m okay more than once, but I long for him to grip my hair or fuck me so hard that I move up the bed. Just like Chains did. Within seconds, Ryan jerks and freezes, his eyes almost rolling back into his head. He grunts and collapses on top of me, kissing my neck and whispering words of praise.

Eventually, Ryan climbs from the bed and heads for the shower. “Get some rest,” he says, and I pull the sheets over me. “We’ll try again later.”

The next day, Ryan drops me back at the club. The second time we had sex wasn’t much better than the first. He’s definitely a man for himself. “I’ll see you tonight for your party,” he says and grins. I nod as I exit the car. Riggs and Anna have organised a party at the clubhouse to celebrate my twentieth birthday.

Inside, decorations are going up. Eva balances on a chair and Anna guides her where to put the birthday banner. “Is this really necessary?” I ask and they both turn to face me.

“Of course,” says Anna. “We wanted to make it special.” These girls and Gia are the only people who know how heartbroken I’ve been these last few weeks.

“I don’t think banners are needed. I’m twenty,” I say with a smile.

“Don’t be a party pooper. How was last night?” asks Eva.

I fill them in briefly and they exchange a pitying look. “Oh, honey, I’m sorry, we know how much you wanted to like him. At least you’ve tried,” says Eva. “Are you going to stay with him?”

I shake my head. “I’m going to tell him tomorrow. I didn’t have the heart to do it today—he’s really looking forward to the party.”

Gia arrives an hour before the party is due to start. She’s amazing at styling hair and when she offered to do mine, I gratefully accepted. I tell her about Ryan and she visibly cringes. “So, nothing like your experience with Chains?”

“No. I mean, that’s good in some ways. Ryan was a sweetheart but—”

“But he didn’t get you going? He didn’t set you on fire?”

I shake my head. “I feel bad. I’ve used him to forget Chains.”

“And it hasn’t worked,” she points out. She’s right—I can’t forget Chains no matter how much I want to. “My brother is always available,” she adds and I laugh.

“Riggs would kill me,” I say. “I think I need to be single for a while. Wait for my knight in shining armour.”

“Like they fucking exist,” says Gia, rolling her eyes.

An hour later, we head downstairs. The club is packed out. Members and their families as well as some of my college friends fill the room. Anna hugs me and smiles. “Happy birthday.” It’s not my birthday until tomorrow, but she hands me a small gift-wrapped box. “We wanted to get you something pretty,” she says and smiles as Riggs approaches us. He kisses my cheek and I open the box. It’s a delicate diamond bracelet. “Wow, it’s beautiful,” I say. Anna takes it from the box and places it on my wrist. “We love you.”

Ryan joins us and Riggs scowls. It’s taking him some time to accept that I have a boyfriend, but Ryan doesn’t seem to notice any of Riggs’ hostility. “Happy birthday. I’m saving your gift until tomorrow.” He smiles.

“You really don’t need to get me anything,” I say, guilt creeping in.

“Bellissima,” comes a deep voice from behind me. Vinn swoops over my shoulder and kisses my cheek. “You look stunning tonight, Leia,” he says, taking me by the hand and twirling me around. He shakes Riggs’ hand and kisses Anna on the cheek. He ignores Ryan. “Is she allowed to date me now that she’s twenty?” he asks Riggs.

Riggs eyes Ryan. “I won’t rule it out,” he mutters, clearly favouring Vinn over Ryan.

“I have a gift,” says Vinn, taking my hand. “I’ll return her shortly,” he adds to Riggs. I let