Chapter 269: Men
*The only thing that women are good for is spreading their legs. The sooner you learn that the better your life will be. – Donna Leigh*
Rye stood in the hallway and saw all the women in her house. She was fighting off a panic attack when the dark-haired woman spoke. Reality slapped her hard in the face with what the other woman said.
Why was he still there? What did he want with her? He had to have plenty of women that would give him their bodies. Was the black-haired woman another of his conquests?
Is that all she really was?
The tears in her eyes were threatening to fall when Chance stepped into view. He looked at her and seemed to be just as hurt as she was.
But then she remembered that she should have known better. The anger inside her rivaled the pain. Angry with herself just as much as she was with him, she turned on her heel and started to return to her room.
He called her by the damned nickname he gave her. Facing him she reminded him that she had a name. Then she reminded herself that she was nothing but another in his nameless line of women.
Why would she think that she would be different?
The door that Rye tried to slam behind her did not close. Instead, it hit something solid and gave a little rattle. Then there was a soft click as it closed.
“Get out!” Rye hissed as she turned to face him.
“No.” he said softly. “Not yet.”
“It’s bad enough that they all know what I am, but I don’t need you adding any fuel.”
“What are you?” he asked.
“I’m the daughter of a whore.”
“And my dad was a gun runner. Doesn’t define who I am. Just where I came from.”
“I don’t have that luxury. I was reminded daily that the only thing that I was worth was what I could do for a man.”
“Ryanne. Duchess, you are worth so much more than what your mother told you.”
“I KNOW MY WORTH!” she yelled with tears streaming down her face.
“NO, YOU FUCKING DON’T!” Chance closed his eyes and took a deep breath before stepping to her and tipping her face up to his with his hands on her cheeks.
“Ryanne, you are worth more than what’s between your legs.” He spoke softly, tears in his eyes and throat. “There is so much more to you than what your mother saw. So much more than what I deserve. But duchess, I want to deserve you. I want to be the man that you deserve.”
He moved his hand and softly touched her gray patch. “The one that you turn to when you need something. Even if it’s something as simple as opening a jar of pickles.” He smirked at the thought of Molly’s advice. “Or something as complex as getting clothes out of the closet.”
“Why? Why me?”
Words failed him. He did not know how to tell her what he was feeling. Or maybe he just was not ready to admit it. Either way, he did the only thing that seemed right to him.
His lips brushed across hers lightly with a few light nips. He lifted his head and stared into her eyes. They were filled with tears, confusion and desire.
“Ryanne,” he said so softly that she barely heard him. “Have you ever been with a man?”
“No.” She mumbled.
He pulled her close and wrapped her up in his arms. Pressing a kiss to her hair he breathed in the soft scent of her freshly washed hair. “I don’t deserve you.”
“Why?” she asked gently touching his bare back with her fingers.
“Duchess, I’m barely hanging on here.” He stepped away from her and bolted for the door before he did something stupid.
He was upset with Karan for invading and bringing all the women with her. He was mad at his sister for her comments. But Chance was pissed at himself.
Maybe if he hadn’t been such a slut for the last fifteen years of his life. Maybe if he had said something to someone other than his parents. Maybe if had admitted to Celt how deep his feelings went, more than just a friend. Maybe if he had listened to Karan and never spoke to Rye.
Maybe if he had… there were a hundred different scenarios going through his head as he went to the couch. Maybe he shouldn’t have given his sister and Celt so much hell.
With a glare at his sister, he made his way to the front door. Rye stood in front of the foyer looking up at him with those innocent eyes that knew way too much. Yet, still, not enough.
Suddenly, all his anger was directed at a woman he had never met. A woman who told her child that she had no value. A mother who sold her body, and the body of her child.
A woman who put one child in a bad position trying to protect her younger sister.
“Why won’t you just answer my question?”
“Damn it.” He muttered as he pulled her close to him and assaulted her mouth with his. It was not until she whimpered, and he tasted her tears that he realized how rough he was being with her. He softened the kiss and poured his heart and feelings into it.
When he lifted his head, he looked at her confused face and knew that there was nothing that he could say that would make it better. If anything, it would make it worse. Just like he usually did with Rye.
He could feel his body tremble with need and knew he had to get away from her. If he stayed any longer, he would give his body the only thing that he craved anymore. The only woman that he wanted.
Ryanne.
With a light kiss to her temple, he walked out. He paused only briefly as he grabbed his helmet and keys. Once on the bike, Chance sent a quick text and received a response almost immediately.
