Page 6 of Ruthless King
Hot tears skated down my cheeks as I sat down on the bench by the entrance. Closing my eyes, I let the tears flow and thought about my life. I was thirty-two and still lived in my hometown. Besides my piano gig twice a month, my music career was zilch, and my love life? Don’t get me started. I sat, contemplating my sad state of affairs, when a warm softness blanketed me, and powerful arms pulled a down jacket around my shoulders. I immediately stiffened at the intrusion.
Before I could protest, his mouth came crashing down on mine. It was a punishing kiss, full of need and desire, and it had me opening for him without a second thought. His lips were softer than I had imagined. While he ravished my mouth, taking what he wanted, his hands held my shoulders in a tight embrace as mine wrapped around his waist. When he finally broke the kiss, I was breathless. I blinked my emerald eyes and tried to make sense of what just happened. “Courtland?”
“Shh… Goodnight, Buttercup.” With that, he stood and walked back into the bar without a backward glance.
Chapter 5
Courtland
What the hell? What were the chances it would be her? I thought twice in one week in Manhattan was a fluke, but this was damned insane. But it was her, the girl from Club Max and the gala last weekend. She was here at my brother’s bar. What was her name, again? Molly something. It didn’t matter. She would be Buttercup to me. Her sunshine hair was the same hue, and her skin was as soft as the petals of the delicate flower.
She was gorgeous in the ballgown at the gala, but tonight, wearing those tight ripped jeans with the flimsy t-shirt that showed off all her curves had me hard from the moment I laid eyes on her. The way the thin fabric caressed her breasts had me yearning to touch them, squeeze them, taste them.
Her lips were the softest I had ever kissed. I could have possessed them all night. Maybe my tactics weren’t the smartest, but crushing her lips to mine seemed like the fastest way to get her attention. I didn’t get the full scoop on her from my brothers, but apparently, they both knew her, so she must be a local. Tomorrow I would find out everything I could about little Miss Molly.
Mom and Dad insisted I stay with them, and with everything going on, I couldn’t tell them no. I wasn’t sure when I would return after this visit, and I didn’t want to be left with more regrets.
It wasn’t my nature to do emotional shit. Control and power held the top two spots on my list of priorities. With the Morgan project looming, I didn’t have time to be distracted. Even with Nick taking care of things while I was away, I wasn’t certain there wouldn’t be an unforeseen issue with the takeover.
Sunlight broke through the thin Roman shades covering the windows in the guest room. I rolled over, fumbling for my phone, the screen blurry as my vision came into focus. Six am. Might as well get this day started. My twin, Ben, had asked me to meet him at the hotel he manages tonight, but most of the day would be spent on my own. Since this was my first time in Stone Creek, I decided to explore the town, not that it would take all day, considering the entire city limits was less than ten square miles.
Dragging myself out of bed, I padded to the bathroom, making a straight shot toward the shower. Sliding off my boxer briefs, I stepped under the spray of warm water, awakening my senses. As the water cascaded over my body, spilling down my back and thighs, my thoughts wandered to blonde hair, green eyes, and legs for days, not to mention a tight little ass that begged to be grabbed. I fisted my cock and pumped as images continually played in my mind.
The faster I stroked myself, the more vivid the images. It didn’t take long. Fuck, it was like I was a teenager again. Hot ropes burst forth on my torso as I leaned my forehead against the cool tile while the stream of water pulsed over my body. When the last drop was wrung out, I rinsed off, exited the shower, and quickly dressed in loose joggers that hung low on my hips and a tight-fitting t-shirt.
When I made it to the kitchen, Mom and Dad were seated at the table, coffee in hand, and sharing what looked like a secret conversation. Before I could speak, Mom looked up. “Courtland, come join us, darling. I was just about to make breakfast.” My mother was a beautiful woman for her age. She had black hair like mine, but her eyes were a lighter blue. She was petite, coming only to my shoulder in height. But her smile. My god, her smile could light up any room. It was good to see that smile again.
With everything my dad was going through with his cancer and treatments, her smiles had been rare, according to my brothers. I was here now. That should count for something.
“Sure, I’ll have some breakfast. How can I help?”
At that moment, my dad chimed in. “Courtland, let’s sit on the deck while your mother finishes up here.”
I looked between the two of them when Mom flashed another dazzling smile. “Go on, Son. Everything’s about done.”
I followed my dad onto the deck, taking a seat in the wicker chair across from him. In the bright sunlight, he looked older than his sixty-two years. His coal-black hair was now peppered with dots of white, and the lines around his eyes were more pronounced than when I had last seen him.
When they moved, I couldn’t believe they were leaving the place where they had raised their family for thirty-eight years. Dad had taken an early retirement from his company, and he and Mom wanted to move to a warmer climate. Although Michigan was known for its bitterly cold winters, South Carolina still held some snowfall records in its mountainous regions. The temperature was fifty-eight degrees this morning, which was unusual considering it had dropped to thirty-two at midnight.
We enjoyed a breakfast of pancakes, bacon, sausage, and hash browns. I wasn’t big on eggs, but Mom pulled out all the stops with everything else. You would have thought I hadn’t eaten in weeks the way my mother practically force fed me. Olivia King was a force to be reckoned with.
After consuming the grand feast, I excused myself just as my phone rang. “Fuck.” I muttered when I saw the name on the screen. “Nick.” My voice was a cool greeting.
By the time I ended the call, I was furious. Nick said he had everything under control, but I wouldn’t know the extent of the damage until tonight’s conference call. I don’t know how certain information saw the light of day, but heads would roll when I found the responsible party. I just need a distraction, so sightseeing in Stone Creek would have to do the trick.
Borrowing my dad’s vintage Chevy, I set out for the town square. Although I could have easily walked, I preferred to remain as closed off from the public for as long as possible. I wasn’t always a cold-hearted bastard. There was a time when I was the life of the party and lived to please others, but something broke in me long ago. I guess that’s what shame and regret will get you. Somewhere along the way, I became the self-centered prick who made a name for himself without regard for anyone. The guy who picked up a woman, took her home, and fucked her senseless without a backward glance.
I pulled up to my first stop, sighing when I glimpsed the sign over the door. The Bluebird Cafe gave the appearance that mirrored its name. The doors were a brilliant azure, and the tables were covered with turquoise and white plaid cloths. Everything about the place screamed bright and cheery, but it did nothing to improve my mood. Between my dad’s health issues and the shit show playing out in New York, my mood couldn’t get any worse.
After ordering a cup of coffee, I went to the first table I could find. This place must be popular because it wasn’t even noon, and the room was packed. I concluded its popularity was because it was the only cafe in town open this time of day. As soon as the waitress brought my coffee, I glanced up, and there she was, floating down the stairs like a goddess begging to be worshiped.
Her platinum blonde hair was pulled into a loose braid that hung over one shoulder, making her appear younger than she probably was. She had on another tight t-shirt and those sinful ripped jeans that had my cock straining to break free from my own pants.
When her eyes met mine, time stood still. She gave me a small smile, which faded into a grimace as she straightened her back and strolled in my direction. The closer she got to the table, the darker her eyes grew. Just as she opened her mouth to speak, my hand flew up in front of her face. “Don’t say anything, just sit.” When she huffed, I couldn’t let it go. “Please.”
Her face softened at my request. Instead of continuing on, she closed her mouth and took a seat across from me. Clearing my throat as I tried to prepare what I really wanted to say, she beat me to the punch. “Look, Courtland, whatever you have to say, save it for someone who cares. You are the most obnoxious jerk I have ever laid eyes on. You are rude and arrogant and I honestly don’t know how the hell you fit into the same family as your brothers.”
“Look, Buttercup, if you’re looking for an apology, you’ve come to the wrong place. I was in the right place at the right time, and you needed a ride home. If this minor infraction caused you enough distress to warrant a personal escort to your door, then I apologize for that, but, Sweetheart, you might want to check your delicate sensibilities at the door next time.” My words must have shocked her because she just looked at me and blinked those big green eyes like I was some kind of anomaly she was determined to understand.