Ripple Effect (Effect 1)

Maybe he needed a little reassurance. “Adam, it’s going to be okay. Jake can’t do anything to us.”

He continued staring out the window as a vein in his neck pulsed. “I don’t want him near you, Ainsley. I don’t want him even looking in your direction.”

“I’ll stay by your side the entire time.”

He took a deep breath and nodded. I let Adam get mentally prepared for the personal demons he was going to have to face at this party. He had the reassurance from me. Now, he had to believe it.

We pulled into the parking lot, and Adam sat there, watching the building as if it were dangerous. I gave him his time as I sat quietly in my black leather seat. He turned off the car, and the warmth of the day seeped in, raising the temperature slowly. He blew out another long breath, and then in one fluid motion, he extricated himself from the car.

I met him at the hood of the car on my side. He grabbed my hand stiffly, and we began walking toward the entrance at a brisk pace. We were eating at Ruth’s Chris Steak House tonight for the anniversary party. The air smelled savory, and my mouth watered.

Adam opened the door, and we entered. We were headed toward the hostess’s podium when I noticed a restroom off to the right. I pulled his hand, and he responded by following me on this small detour. Adam needed a distraction and something to focus on. Taking the lead, I took us about ten feet down the hall.

“Where are we going, Ainsley?”

I was winging this as I went. I didn’t respond as the main restroom door made a slight creaking noise. To the left was the men’s, and to the right was the women’s bathroom. Ahead of us looked like some type of supply closet. The supply closet seemed like the better choice. I opened the door and brought us both into the tight dim quarters. The faint smell of cleaning supplies was present.

“Ainsley—” His tone was uncertain. Adam was on edge and he looked torn about me giving him a blow job.

I stopped his sentence as my lips pressed to his. My hands went to his pants, and undid them. Adam’s erection sprang free and I stroked it hoping my touch kept him from stopping this.

“Let me do this,” I said as I sank to my knees.

The stress of this night had affected him more than I had thought. My tongue came out to taste the bit of pre-cum that had come out of him. The tip of his dick was smooth as I swirled my tongue around while massaging the rest of his length.

“Hell yes, baby. Take it all.” Adam’s words were raw as he spoke.

His hands fisted in my hair and my hands braced themselves on his leg as he pushed himself deeply in my mouth. Adam hissed as he entered all the way in.

Barely covering my teeth, I lightly raked them across his skin giving Adam the pleasure pain combo he gave me at times for one stroke.

“Fuck, yes!” he cried.

Adam began thrusting his hips into me, quickening the pace. He was fucking my mouth, and I loved it. He grabbed more hair and increased the force as I made a tight suction around him, causing him to moan. It wasn’t going to be long until he came.

“Ainsley…”

My name was reverent on his lips. Hot liquid began spurting into my mouth as I swallowed every last drop. He stopped moving for a brief moment before bit by bit he pulled languidly out. I stared up at him as he looked down on me with a lazy grin on his face that was barely visible from the dim light above the door. His thumb softly caressed my cheek.

“Thank you, baby.” He tucked himself back in and then zipped his pants up before he pulled me up into his chest. I wrapped my hands around his waist.

I listened to his heartbeat. It was steady and strong, like us. Adam’s hands began making their way down my body. I stopped their progress. This would help reassure him.

“Wait until we get home so you can make love to me. This was about you. Each time you think about Jake doing anything, know that it’s going to be you satisfying me at the end of the night. You’re going to be the one inside me, Adam, no one else but you. I need you. You’re the only one.”

He put his forehead to mine. “You’re perfect for me, baby.”

“We’re perfect together.”

Our breaths mingled and created a sweet smell.

Adam pulled his forehead back and grabbed my hand. We came out of the supply closet as someone passed by. I looked down, and as we entered the corridor, a slight giggle came out.

“They probably knew what we were doing, Adam.”

He wagged his eyebrows at me as his chocolate eyes melted me. “I’m sure they figured it out.”

I gave him a slight hit on his stomach with my free hand. Adam’s grip was less aggressive than it had been prior to coming into here.

Mission accomplished.

We could do this.

I would be here for him—always.

My body felt the low drug from my orgasm as Ainsley and I made our way back to the front of the restaurant. Ainsley had given me what I didn’t know I needed. My mind no longer felt like it was running a marathon as I imagined different scenarios about what might happen.

Ainsley was mine…completely. Jake could go to hell. His tactics wouldn’t work on Ainsley.

I hated that the restaurant was dim with dark walls. I wanted to be able to see everything when I was in tense situations. We came up to the hostess.

Wearing a white shirt and black pants, she looked up from her podium. “Do you have a reservation?”

“We’re here for the Ryker surprise anniversary party. My sister, Jessica Ryker, made all the arrangements. She’ll be bringing my parents in about fifteen minutes.”

The hostess’s finger went down some list. “Yes, you’re in the private dining area. Rachel will show you the way.”

A waitress, assumedly Rachel, appeared to the side. “Follow me. Everything is set up as Ms. Ryker requested.”

“Thank you.”

I was becoming highly aware of everything going on in my environment as the brunette walked us to a room off the side of the main dining area. Glasses clinked, lovers whispered, and a couple was arguing in the corner.

Ainsley was supportively beside me as she held my hand and leaned into me. She looked gorgeous in her dress, and I was proud to have her on my arm as my girl. The waitress opened the door, and the room was filled with family and friends. Most looked surprised that I was here, which quite frankly, I would be, too, if I were them.

I scanned the room and found Jake to the left, so I veered Ainsley and myself to the right. There was no reason to poke the beast. I didn’t want a scene in front of my parents. The last time we had been in the same room, I had pummeled his ass. Jake was watching us closely. Selena was standing beside him, and she was looking at us also. What a pair those two made.

The room was filled with rectangular tables that sat approximately six people each. Each table had name cards on it. Jessica had told me that Jake and I were sitting across the room from each other. That was for the best.

I was surprised that the hate I’d normally felt wasn’t there for him. We’d never be okay, and I’d never trust him, but I thought we could at least be in the same room without killing each other. Ainsley and I went and stood next to Gertie and Marty, my parents’ card-playing partners. They were older and slender with graying hair.

Marty patted me on the back. “Glad to see you here, son. Your parents will be, too. Who’s this lovely lady you’ve brought with you?”

Ainsley extended her hand as I said, “This is my girlfriend, Ainsley Pearson. Ainsley, this is Marty and his wife, Gertie, that are friends of my parents.”

“It’s nice to meet you both.” They smiled at Ainsley’s words.

Light whispers began radiating out from around me. I was sure they were talking about Jake and me being in the same room together. Plus, I had a girlfriend. All those combined were unprecedented for me.

From there, people were rotating up to us. I knew the main thing was that everyone wanted to meet Ainsley. She was the first girl they had seen me with since Selen

a. I kept my eyes on Jake the entire time, and he was watching me. Ainsley handled herself with a calm confidence, but her sweet demeanor had the people I had known all my life falling in love with her.

Brandt came in at the last minute. We slapped each other on the back.

“Glad you made it, man.”

“Traffic was a nightmare, and there was a small incident at the club.”

I was about to start asking questions.

He held up his hands. “It’s been handled, so don’t worry. It was a slight misunderstanding. One of the rooms was double booked. Snake gave up his for the night, and I gave him one for the next three nights he’s off, which more than made up for it. The computer at the front had a glitch and let people double book. I’ve taken it offline, and I’ll get our tech support team to fix it.”

“That works.”

Jake called out, “They’re here. Jessica texted me.”

An excited silence descended on the room. I glanced over at Jake, who was staring at me again before glancing toward Ainsley.

Fucker.

A cocky grin spread across his face as Selena stood by his side. Brandt had told me of rumors that he had heard of them both cheating on each other through the years. Apparently, Roach and Selena had some sort of past. They all disgusted me. I stared back at Jake with an impassive look on my face.

Ainsley nudged me, and I looked toward her.

She brushed her lips against mine before whispering, “I love you. Remember, he can’t do anything. I’m leaving with you, only you.”