When Love and Hate Reunite: Closed Thread

[The_gladiator]

When Love and Hate Reunite
By Glad and SandS

He ran his fingers through his short dark hair, the black of it making his dark blue eyes look even darker. Those eyes were busy scanning the front page of the local paper. “Sexy Author comes home for high school reunion.” The headline read and a picture was below it taking up most of the page.

The words of the article started off with, “New York Times bestselling author Leigh Norris, famous for her erotic and darkly mysterious novels is to return to Raven’s Bluff Senior high class of 2005’s fifteen-year reunion. Norris is famous for the novels…” The man’s eyes stopped reading the words of the article and moved back to the picture. It was her alright. Her red curls cascading down her back in waves, the green eyes almost seeming to follow you from the page. The name rang in his head; it wasn’t the name on the paper but the woman’s true Name. Chloe Hendricks, pen name Leigh Norris, a name and face he knew all too well.

Strong hands crumpled the paper, he didn’t want to see her face, and he would be damned if he would let even thoughts of that bitch ruin his night. He was going to see a lot of old friends and to let Hannah see a little of his past.

He had been surprisingly closed mouthed about his past to Hannah, telling her very little. It was a chapter of his life he had closed the cover on long ago. He had moved away, had made a career as a band director, an orchestra conductor, and now as a record label executive as well. His past was just that, in the past to him and he didn’t speak about it.

That’s why Hannah had been surprised when Ryan had invited her to his reunion. The Raven’s Bluff class of 2005 was hosting a formal in honor for their 15-year reunion and Ryan had made the commitment to going. Their class was small enough, and enough of the class were still local that rather than getting together every 10 years, they got together yearly. However, they had held a formal every 5 years so far. Ryan had avoided the 5- and 10-year formals as they fell during the orchestra summer concert series he always directed. However, they were having it earlier in the summer and suddenly Ryan had no excuse to avoid the formal.

Abandoning the crumpled-up newspaper, he moved to get in the shower to get ready to go. He passed Hannah who was doing her make-up playfully swatting her ass as he passed her. He received a stern glare for it. “Behave yourself Ryan.” She said.

“Relax Honey,” he encouraged with a smile. Even the smile didn’t soften her stern glance.

A half an hour later he stood in his suit, letting Hannah straighten his tie, smooth the wrinkles out of his white shirt and generally otherwise fuss over his appearance. “Come on babe we’re going to a reunion not a flipping funeral.” He said as she insisted on running a lint brush over his black pants. “I live with a dog that sheds, I don’t really care if I take a little of rock with me.”

She only gave him an I will kill you if you don’t shut up look for that. When she finally deemed him fit to go into public, they headed out of the hotel room they were staying in and got into Ryan’s truck to head to the formal.

Ryan drove in silence, despite himself he was a little nervous about the evening, and what would he do if he encountered Chloe? What could he say to her? He stamped out the thoughts. He had sworn he was done thinking about her and all the hurt she’d caused him 5 years ago, but if he wasn’t careful, she snuck back in. For five years before that he had pored over their love letters, their photos, the erotic stories she had written for him, and the songs he had composed for her, pining after her for the first half of that time, the rest of the time plotting his revenge. That had all ended five years ago when Ryan had decided he was done, he had boxed it all up, he literally had file folders of it. He had sent it all to her. The only things he had not included were the nude photographs and his copy of the electronic archives of their instant message conversations. He had sent her printouts of the latter, but had held onto the former not so that he had a piece of her but encase he needed them. He was not above blackmailing her with them after the things she had done to him in the past. Now five years later he could possibly run into her and the thought made him grit his teeth.

“You’re as tight as a bowstring sweetie.” Hannah said her hand rubbing his forearm, “Are you ok?” she asked softly. Ryan just nodded as he pulled them into the parking lot of the high school where this year's formal was being held.

Ryan walked in and collected his name tag. Hannah got a guest name tag which she could write her name on. Name tags in place they moved to find a table.

The evening passed pleasantly enough a group of Ryan’s old track buddies and band mates had joined them with their wives and girlfriends and they chatted and laughed throughout dinner. After dinner came the dancing and Hannah and he danced together a few numbers, mostly slow dances and line dances. She was not really one to just cut loose to a fast song.

It was during one such slow song that it happened. A slender hand with perfectly manicured fingernails touched Hannah’s arm and a familiar smoky voice, a voice that was just made to sound sexy, spoke asking to cut in. He would know that rich contralto anywhere. The number of times he had heard it saying…. He stamped down those thoughts. He could swear his heart actually skipped a beat at hearing that voice.

Hannah’s eyes looked up at Ryan and Ryan forced a smile, “Leigh.” He said using her pen name for Hannah’s benefit. “Hannah, this is Ch err. Leigh Norris.” He corrected his slip, flicking a glance to Chloe to make sure he had gotten the penname right, receiving a fractional nod confirming it.

“You can’t mean the author I love so much, right?” his girlfriend asked her severe frown lightening to a puzzled expression and then something that was supposed to be a smile.

“Yeah, that’s her,” Was Ryan’s less than heartwarming response.

“You never told me you knew anyone famous, dear.”

“She’s an old friend.” He offered somewhat lamely.

“Well go ahead and dance with her, I’ll go use the restroom,” she leaned up whispering in his ear, “Maybe you can get her to give me her autograph.”

“I’m sure that won’t be a problem.” He said dryly, biting his tongue when he wanted to tell her he not only had her signature but he could show her naked photos of Chloe that he had taken that first year of college. As his girlfriend slid out of his arms and his full attention settled on Chloe, his blue eyes narrowed as he took her in, from the way that her red hair barely brushed against her pale throat, artfully escaping the elaborate up due, almost inviting a man’s lips to kiss it, to her strappy heals. He had always preferred her hair down; it was more fun to run his fingers through. His hand twitched almost as if remembering the feel of it or as if he wanted to take it down as he almost always had tried to do whenever possible, even as his eyes slid down her body. Encased in the little emerald green dress, which matched her eyes, it contrasted with her porcelain skin, making the milky swells of her large breasts stand out, instantly attracting the eyes of all the men.

She didn’t look much different than the last time he had seen her. A little older, a few more pounds, perhaps which only made her curves softer and more inviting in his opinion, doing nothing to detract from her beauty. Her hair also seemed shorter; unless he missed his guess it might only go down to her shoulder blades or mid back, not all the way to her waist as it had the last time it was in his hands, but with it up, it wasn’t easy to tell.

His visual scan completed his eyes swept back up to meet hers. It figured she would make her move during this song; it had been so important to them. He had never forgotten its significance, but if he had said no to Hannah to dancing to this slow song, she would have asked too many questions.

Finally, he spoke after clearing his throat, “Chloe.” He said, finally using her real name. His word wasn’t exactly a question, wasn’t exactly a statement just one word, one name that meant so much. It felt weird to him even after all those years to not have used her real name until then. He could never get used to the Pen name.

As he spoke, he extended his hand taking her strong yet delicate hand into his. He could feel the soft skin that covered strength; these were talented hands that could do so much, she had given wonderful massages, to say nothing of her hand jobs— “Congratulations on your success as an author. You’ve come a long way from the cheerleader in high school, forced to be an exotic dancer in college just to pay her way through school.” His words were pleasant enough, conversational, but the wording made it sort of a backhanded compliment.

He swept her closer his left hand sliding around her waist his right still holding hers as they began to dance together. She had forced his hand, and unless he wanted to make a scene, which he didn’t, not in front of so many people, he would have to dance with her. That being said, his posture was stiff, and he did not move with the fluidity that she knew him capable of, all of his guards and shields were up, not that it would help him much, or so he feared, they never had in the past.

 

[SandS13]

Chloe wasn’t exactly sure why she was here. She didn’t need to come back home and have everyone see that she was doing well, was successful. Not that she didn’t enjoy it, didn’t bask in the attention and praise. Even thinking about it made her smile, stand a little taller…

No, she had heard he might be here. He was the one that had broken her heart. He was the reason she was successful if she was completely honest. She was a skilled writer, she always had been. Those letters and emails to him...those had simply been warm ups, proof of a talent that she was honing. He was the cause of her success because it was the stories and the incident that had caused her to take the journey seriously.

The issue was she felt like sort of a cliche. Cheerleader turned stripper turned author. And a ‘romance’ author to boot. Yes, they were best sellers but no one would deny that at their heart they were erotic and sex fuelled. She was writing from her life though and that was what it had been.

The smell of the halls triggered so many memories. Her eyes moved over the walls. A smirk as she passed a janitor’s closet.

Chloe took her name tag. They used her pen name. It amused her. There was no Leigh Norris in the school records. She had giggled when she filled in the form wondering if one of the committee members might change it. She greeted a few people, exchanging hugs and pleasantries. Nervousness fluttered in her stomach.

“Ryan’s here eh? Brought his girlfriend. She is pretty. Haven’t seen him in years. He looks good.”

Her head turned, ears turning red at eavesdropping on the comment. Her eyes immediately scanned the room. It didn’t take her long to find him. It was as if he was a flame and she was a moth.

Damn it She had hoped after all this time, all the past anger that this wouldn’t happen. How did seeing him still make her body react?

Chloe hesitated. Would he talk to her? Would he yell at her?

She remembered the day her things arrived back at her parent’s house. All but some pictures. She knew he had them but wasn’t sure if he had burnt them or kept them. The small flame in her hoped he kept them and thought of her as he got himself off. She swallowed. He hated her. She knew that. And for a long time she hated him too. He had crushed her heart. Not just broken it but crushed it. Left her unfeeling. It let her write though. She poured it into the books. Most times she wrote as if it was someone else’s life, her emotions turned off. Every once in awhile though she would write about something between them and the memory was so strong, the emotions so acute that it brought her to tears. She had a ritual for those moments. Two glasses of wine, a vibrator or guy from the bar. A few good strong orgasms followed by sitting alone with more wine. That was when the weakness would come out and she would look him up online. Chloe wasn’t sure just how many times she had stalked his social media pages, how many times her finger hovered over ‘follow’, ‘like’, or ‘friend’. She never did though.

Now, he was there a beautiful woman in his arms. She exhaled slowly. It was the moment she feared and yet wanted. Could she bring herself to tell him she had been wrong? That she had learned the truth? Or was it better to have him hate her, to move on with their lives?

Chloe watched him. She could see the sudden tension when he heard her voice. A pang of guilt hit her. She squashed it as Ryan turned and introduced her. She smiled, that perfectly practiced smile of a woman used to being in the spotlight.

Ryan was looking her over. She could tell exactly what he was looking at and how he was picking her apart. She lifted her chin a little. It was better this way. It wasn’t what her heart or her thong was saying but her mind knew. He should hate her. He had every right and she had no right to intrude in his life.

It was just so tempting to see him, talk to him. Touch him.

He used her name now that they were alone on the dance floor. Her pulse jumped. Her hand was in his now. A biting remark. A backhanded compliment, a smack to her pride. His other hand on her waist. Everything about him spoke of a man who didn’t want to touch her. Chloe suppressed the hurt. He was moments away from being utterly disgusted with the prospect of being near her, she could feel it radiating off of him.

“You look good Ryan. And I hear you are really doing well in the music business. I am not surprised.” Her tone was cordial. She hadn’t heard anything. She knew. She knew all about how good he had done for himself, how good his life was without her.

“Your girlfriend is beautiful.” A flicker of her eyes away from his face.

Eyes in the room fell on them. It was like watching the past move on the dance floor. From the song to their position now in the centre of it all. The only difference was in their posture. No more were her arms draped around his neck, bodies close.

“So tell me about all you have been up to.” It sounded hollow in her ears but she wanted to keep him here, just for a moment longer. Just one more to see if she could work up the courage to say what needed to be said.

 

[The_gladiator]

Ryan couldn’t believe how good she felt. Even if his arm and his hand were the only real points of contact. He held her so far away her full breasts didn’t even brush his chest, like they should. He hadn’t even danced this way with her when the chaperones used to come around and put a ruler between them to make sure there was space. He had loved allowing her to disobey that rule, had loved feeling her body pressing to his, remembered being in the eyes of everyone at their senior Prom. Back then he had loved that the head cheerleader and prom queen had danced once with the prom king, and then danced with him the rest of the night.

She told him he looked nice. He managed not to say she felt nice, but he did unconsciously squeeze her hand. “She is beautiful, though a bit stiff and formal,” he shrugged just the slightest bit referring to Hannah. He was surprised a bit that she seemed just as formal as he was being. She had always seduced him, it didn’t matter when it was, where it was, her every action with him had been seductive. Just her smell, the perfume she always wore could turn him on. He took in a breath and it was there and he actually shivered.

“You have danced professionally, have danced since you were a little girl, don’t think I’ve forgotten, and I teach people about rhythm for a living, I can at minimum find a beat. We can dance better than this. If everyone’s going to stare because they know what this means, what is going on here, we should do this right.” His blue eyes met hers, a silent challenge wondering if she would take him up on it. In his eyes was just a hint of the Ryan who as an 18-year-old had fucked her in front of an audience at the prom’s after party. “We both know people like to watch us,” he said and the tilt of his lips suggested that he wasn’t referring to the fact they were being watched as they danced.

Ryan had been stiffly formal, but his personality would always show through, that was one of the things she had always liked about him, it wasn’t his looks or the size of his cock that had made him win her through high school and college, it was his personality—well and the chemistry that burned between them, but mostly his personality.

 

[SandS13]

Chloe's eyebrows lifted, just a little as Ryan commented that his girlfriend was stiff and formal. She resisted the urge to make a catty comment. She wasn't in high school, he wasn't her boyfriend and it wasn't her place to judge a woman she didn't know. She was surprised though that Ryan would even date someone like that. Perhaps he was trying to change himself, get as far away from his past as he could.

As far away from the memories of her as he could.

Chloe looked away for a moment. The thought that he hated her that much hurt worse than expected at this point. She was supposed to be over him, over them.

She caught the shiver though...she wasn't sure what caused it but it was there. What was he thinking about...

She openly laughed, a real and true laugh when Ryan commented that they could dance better than this. He was right. They used to move together like they were one, they were fluid and fit together like puzzle pieces. They used to own the dances. All eyes on them at all times. She let out a small noise of surprise at his comment, his challenge. Heat rose in her face at the suggestiveness of his comment. Oh, Chloe knew exactly what he was referring to. The thought of it made her abdomen clench.

Fuck. That playful glint in his eyes. That tone of voice that tease and tempted her.

"You are right. Right now, they are all staring because they see how tense we are. This isn't us. It never was." Her voice was soft and sultry.

Chloe stepped in a little closer. God, she was lost in those blue eyes. for this moment she could pretend that the past hurts didn't exist. "Let's do this right and give them something to stare at."

 

[The_gladiator]

A half a step, that’s all she took. It was enough to let her breasts brush against his chest, enough to increase his awareness of her. Her green eyes smiled up at him as she laughed. Even she seemingly could appreciate the irony of what Ryan had pointed out. They knew how to dance, she better than him, but he had held his own back then.

Then she called his bluff and accepted his challenge. Ryan actually gulped. “Not sure I’ve drunk enough for this,” he muttered but after a brief pause, he gave in. The gap disappeared. However, it was more than the distance, although that was significant. Fuck if she didn’t feel just how he remembered. There were other subtle changes he allowed. His fingers laced with hers and rather than just palm to palm in a formal touch, they were joined in a way that was suddenly with that slight change so much more intimate. He also let the tension in his arm go.

They moved again like they were made for one another. She was skilled enough that she should have led, however her skill allowed her to read his every move to respond to his movements even before he made them. He wasn’t sure how she did it. He wondered if it was like when one fought with a sword or knife, you watched the core and saw movement there first. He had learned that in a self defense class once, or was it fencing, he didn’t remember.

Her hair brushed against his cheek as they moved together. “Are they watching still?” he asked as his breath brushed near her ear as he dipped his head to speak to her.

 

[SandS13]

A pang of guilt moved through her, followed by regret. She was pissed at herself for thinking he might actually want to dance with her like old times but the moment he uttered that he wasn't drunk enough she knew it was all for show. She hid the hurt, she deserved it. She should have never had the thought to begin with. He was with someone. Someone safe. Someone who would never assume the worst of him like she had. Someone who wouldn't turn that into revenge, public revenge. Oh he hadn't been named but he knew...everyone they went to school with, who had known them knew.

Then their fingers intertwined, Ryan's body relaxed and they moved together. Chloe's stomach dropped at the feel of him against her. She closed her eyes for the briefest moment, taking him in. His scent, the way he moved and took her body with him. The way he breathed. How as it possible to miss the way someone breathed?

Her lips parted, eyes opening. Goosebumps broke out across her body as his breath caressed her ear. Fuck...he was making her wet, truly turned on..the sort of arousal that hit mind, body and heart...

Chloe's eyes looked, moving over his shoulder. "Oh yeah, and whispering...we can still command a room."

 

[The_gladiator]

Ryan smiled, “We always have been able to.” He said as they flowed together. He smirked, “Not just dancing,” he said and left it there.

In avoiding talking about himself he spoke up on another topic. “Any idea why the class is so broke we’re having the formal here, rather than at the hotel ball room?” he asked. “Are the rumors that they spent the money this year reserving a wing at the resort in town for the after party true?” he asked. In town meaning in the bigger city next to their small town.

He could not believe how good she felt in his arms they moved like they knew one another intimately. They had been together for 9 years, all the way through high school, and college. Up to right after the 5-year formal would have been. He stiffened and missed a step as he thought of that, but relaxed trying to flow back into the safer topic of the class’s finances. Though were thoughts of an after party, and either of them being there really safer?

 

[SandS13]

Chloe nodded at his comment. She was shaken up at the moment by the way he was affecting her.

She released a shuddering breath and focused on moving with him. He seemed a little lost for a moment, missing a step. Chloe squeezed his hand, she hoped reassuringly and moved a little, getting him back on track and in time with the music.

"I think it is sort of.." She fumbled now, tripping over her words a little. "They wanted to bring back the feel of school and yeah..." Chloe glanced up at him and then away. "They reserved the wing. Trying to keep the good times going."

She felt a little lost. She didn't want to think about the old parties, that just brought up erotic images and aroused her. She didn't want to focus on being in his arms because that was causing her thong to become thoroughly saturated. She didn't want to think about the last time they were together or when everything fell apart.

As her emotions took hold, Chloe unconsciously moved. closer to Ryan. He had always been her rock, her unyielding strength. Her cheek laid against his chest as her arm slid tighter around his neck. She held it there, two heartbeats...two breaths of his scent before she realized what she was doing.

"Fuck, Ryan I am sorry.." She pulled away almost too abruptly and rolled over her ankle. Chloe hissed in pain.

 

[The_gladiator]

An eyebrow lifted as she confirmed the wing had been reserved. He knew there was no way that Hannah would be up for that, and wistfully had to let that dream go. She helped him get back on track. Her touch soothed and encouraged.

As she pulled him closer, he felt her lay her head to his chest. His hand slid up her back, up the dress, and finally to the open part at the top where the spaghetti straps were. Suddenly in that instant his hand was on her bare skin. It felt weird to be this high on her body,
And not have his touch engulfed by the wealth of her curls. But her skin was so soft, just as he remembered it. He didn’t shove her away, in that second, he held her to him fingernails almost biting into her skin as he held her close.

That’s when she pulled back and apologized. She stumbled, and he caught her against his chest. Both arms on her waist. He steadied her. “Fuck you feel good.” He got out, just before he mentally checked himself and asked what he really should have asked, “Are you ok?”

 

[SandS13]

Ryan caught her, pulled her back in. Chloe's teeth clenched together and she desperately fought to compose herself. "Yeah...I'm okay. Weak heel on these shoes. I didn't think I would be dancing.."

Her voice trailed off as the song changed. The upbeat tempo, the swing vibe. She smiled. He loved to dance to this sort of stuff. She felt the tension in his arms, the desire to keep going and on instinct she kicked off her heels and then shifted into it. A twirl, the bounce of their steps. In her bare feet, she didn't wear nylons if she didn't need to, they were able to keep the fast pace. She smiled at him as he led her so naturally, so perfectly.

Fuck you feel good. His words were burned into her mind just as his fingers felt burned into her skin. The feel of them, that press on her skin and fingernails so close to digging in..so many memories threatened to fill her mind.

Instead Chloe just relaxed in his arms and danced.

People clapped along, gave them space as they moved. By the time the song ended Chloe's face hurt she was smiling so much. Her cheeks were pink.

The room erupted into clapping for them. "Shall we get some water? Or something stronger?"

Her eyes fell on Hannah who was watching from the side. "Or I should turn you back over to your girlfriend." A pain in her chest, a hitch of her breath in her throat.

Chloe rose up on her tiptoes to really hug Ryan. "Thank you for the dances." She whispered in his ear. She went to pull away but paused. "I am sorry. I learned the truth, I know you didn't cheat."

She pulled away and started to walk away as Hannah approached.

 

[The_gladiator]

After he had steadied her the slow song ended. The upbeat tune came on, swing, and Ryan couldn’t help the bounce in his step. This was stuff he loved to play, it had so much energy. Hannah would never dance with him to this though, he knew it. He tensed knowing he should let Chloe go. However, she was seemingly way ahead of him. The heals went away, and her hands were just suddenly in his as they fell into the changed rhythm.

They twirled, dishragged and he did everything short of dipping her. He had gone to and then remembered that she used to not wear panties. He wasn’t sure that she was up for the class seeing that much of her assets anymore, and he didn’t trust himself to dip her gracefully without practice. That hesitation was the only hesitation the entire dance.

The clapping made him smile too. He remembered the twostep at the prom, they’d had a circle of admirers that time too. They usually did when some sort of dance that no one knew how to do but them came on. Rhythm and melody were in both of their blood. They expressed it differently, but just as she could harmonize with him when they sang, he could dance with her. That actually made him wish they could sing a song together again; her contralto had always harmonized with his baritone well.

Far too soon, the song wound down. “Water for sure,” Ryan said out of breath. Suddenly wishing that he had accepted more offers to go running from those same track buddies he’d had dinner with earlier. He could only nod as she pointed to Hannah who was watching. He hoped that she had only seen the swing number, and not the eroticism of the previous dance. He returned her hug, smiling at the way she went on her toes to do it. This put her face squarely in the side of his neck and her breasts to his chest. God had he always loved that position. It was a full body hug that was like no other. The type of hug where he supported part of her weight and the felt melded together.

She pulled back a bit and then her words struck him like a physical punch to the gut. She what—he swore under his breath. He stumbled off the dancefloor, the smile he had worn gone now. He swept past Hannah.

“That was amazing Ryan, I didn’t know you danced like that,” she was smiling. “Though I’d like to know who she was to you,” this second sentence less friendly. Ryan didn’t stop as he passed her heading for the bar. “Hey where are you going?”

“Need a drink,” Ryan tossed over his shoulder.

“You know I don’t approve of.”

“I’m having a drink, you can join me, or not,” he snarled, the tone suggesting that in that moment he didn’t much care which. He had been lost in the moment with her, he was angry with himself for that, but to hear that from her. Is that what this was about. She finally woke up and actually asked someone reliable, or better yet found the footage from the concert he had conducted the night he supposedly “cheated” on her. Now so informed she wanted to weasel her way back into his life? She knew he could never resist her. It didn’t matter if it was her sneaking through his parent’s window that summer he came back from college, or that time she’d seduced him in the hospital after surgery, he had never once said no to her. So, she pulled her head out of her ass and he was suddenly supposed to forget of how she’d believed that bitch Erica Cramer and not him about his fidelity to her. He was suddenly supposed to forget about her book, the things she’d written about, the things that half their town knew were about him, fuck, a good portion of their class had witnessed a few of the escapades she’d detailed in her book, without his permission. He was supposed to forget all of that because she’d learned the truth? “Jack and coke,” he ordered.

“We’re out.”

“Fuck Hank, just give me some kind of whiskey and coke, you know I’m not picky.”

“No, we’re out of coke.”

“Of all the luck,” Ryan muttered. “Give it to me strait then.”

“You still want it to be jack.”

“Seriously Hank just pore me a fucking whiskey.” Accepting a glass, which was nowhere full enough for his liking, Ryan went to go sit down. The whiskey would go well with the two or three beers he’d had so far.

 

[SandS13]

Chloe walked away and hoped to fucking god no one could tell she was about to burst into tears. She walked to where her heels were, scooped them up and slid them on.

Standing tall she left the room and headed to the closest bathroom. She rushed into a stall and locked it.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. None of this had gone the way she imagined. Chloe leaned back against the stall wall. Tears fell onto her cheeks. She reached under her dress and slid the soaking wet thong down her legs. Her fingers brushed her slit. She couldn't remember the last time she was this wet. She shuddered.

Her finger slid between her folds to find her clit. Chloe rested her head back on the wall and stroked her clit slowly, coaxing herself to the orgasm that was already threatening to break just from being near him again.

The sound of her soft moans hit her ears and she realized anyone coming in would hear her. She shoved the thong in her mouth and bit down, hard.

Ryan's hand on her back, the feel of his body against hers. His scent.

Chloe came, almost violently. Her legs were shaking.

It took twenty minutes before she felt composed enough to leave the stall. She freshened up, tucking her thong into her small purse. A last look in the mirror and Chloe left the bathroom.

She re-entered the room and was pulled into a group who were chatting about things like kids and jobs. She eventually pulled herself away and went to the bar. "Whiskey please."

Hank laughed. "The two of you were always so similar..." He slid her a glass. Chloe frowned and headed of to find a place to sit. She wasn't even sure why she was staying.

 

[The_gladiator]

The first glass went down smoothly. Ryan was smart enough to sip the second once he went to get it. Hannah approached somewhere during his chugging of the first glass, after he’d left her to walk away. “What’s wrong Ryan?” she asked, honestly sounding kind of whiney to Ryan’s ears.

“It’s nothing babe,” Ryan said, taking a deep breath to let go of his anger. So, he just sounded tired. He waited a minute and then excused himself to get a second glass.

“None of your shit Hank.” He took a sip of the second glass that the bar tender handed him, after giving him a stern glower. “Seriously dude, I feel judged here.” He grumbled. He took a sip, “What the fuck is this,” He asked. Ryan did not usually swear this much, another thing Hannah didn’t approve of.

“Sorry man, Chloe took the last glass of the good shit.”

“Seriously, she had to take that from me too?” Ryan muttered and walked off to rejoin his fiancé.

“So, who is she to you, and did you get my autograph?” Hannah chirped trying to put a happy face on, despite the fact that she was irritated that Ryan was drinking so heavily.

“I forgot,” Ryan said, “Though I’m sure I have it somewhere.” Ryan waited, expecting something catty to come out of Hannah. He resisted the urge to look around for Chloe. He was so upset with her, but he couldn’t lie to himself, the fact she knew the truth, and had sought him out was making him think. Ten years apart, and only back in his life for an hour and she was already turning his life upside down.

 

[SandS13]

She finished her whiskey. Approaching the bar once more she switched to gin. In public it was wine, white. Her publishers and agent said it was good for her image. She didn't really understand their thinking but went along with it because they kept the money coming in.

Money that got her a nice apartment, parties and lovers. Lovers that went as quickly as they came. She had never come across anyone who did the things to her body that Ryan had.

Her eyes fell on him with Hannah. Beautiful, stiff and formal Hannah. A new woman, a new life. She hoped he was happy.

She walked the room. She was antsy. Why was she staying? She could just leave.

"Hey, you coming to the afterparty?" A hand took her elbow. Chloe found herself facing Johnathan. Former football player and still carried himself like one. She flashed him a smile. "I haven't decided."

"At least let me have one dance with you then?"

Chloe downed her gin and nodded. "Alright."

Johnathan was smiling as he led her to the dance floor. It was nice but lacked the fluid nature she and Ryan had.

 

[The_gladiator]

“Your friend seems to be making the rounds.” Hannah said to Ryan after a few moments of silence. Ryan looked up.

“It’s kind of expected that the prom king and queen dance together at least once,” he commented dryly. “That’s about as many times as they danced together at prom, in fact. Of course, that wasn’t the only contact they’d had with Jonathan that night, just the last in public. There was a vivid image that popped into his head of the two of them Spit roasting Chloe. God hadn’t that been fun. He was pretty sure they had even high fived over top of her. They were such ass holes back then. Though Chloe hadn’t noticed. Honestly Ryan was pretty sure that was the most Jonathan had ever talked to him. He almost laughed at himself, he could see it now, it wasn’t that he had even remotely liked Ryan, he had wanted to get into Chloe’s panties, well more accurately up her dress. It was common knowledge that in order to be with Chloe the person also had to be in good with Ryan. He protected her like that. Their relationship had never been so hardcore beds as some others got the impression, because in group sex scenarios, Ryan ran the show, someone had to, and Ryan had always wanted to be sure she was safe and happy. Ryan had even punched a man in the face that took things too far with her in college.

“Why wouldn’t she dance with the prom king more than once if she was the queen?” Hannah asked surprised that they hadn’t been dating, in her perfect world the prom king and queen were a couple probably still married.

“She was otherwise occupied.” Ryan said, his eyes on Chloe. He didn’t look away. A protective instinct was kicking in, seeing her with someone else. He wouldn’t interfere that wasn’t his place, but he would watch, he would be there if Jonathan pushed her in any way.

 

[SandS13]

Chloe danced with Johnathan. His hand was steadily moving up her back. He pulled her closer. She might have enjoyed it. In fact, the last time they had danced together had ended with them in another intimate situation. Of course, with Ryan. Always with Ryan. That was always the idea. Never alone, together in all things. No man touched her without his say so. Not in a ownership way but in a protector way.

Now though the feel of his hand felt wrong. He leaned in to whisper in her ear and Chloe looked away, nodding and faking a smile. Her eyes met Ryan's. At that moment, Johnathan pulled her closer and his hand travelled down and over her backside.

The song came to an end and Chloe went to step away but Johnathan held on. Not aggressive, the hand remained on her ass, keeping her there while he spoke. Anyone who knew her knew by her body language that she wasn't entirely comfortable.

 

[The_gladiator]

Ryan watched. He met her gaze for a heartbeat during the song. She was aware of his eyes, aware he was watching over her, as always.

Muscles stood out on his jaw as he watched the exchange. Her posture spoke of discomfort. That lifted his hackles. “Give me a minute sweetheart.” Ryan said to Hannah, hand brushing hers briefly. He was laying it on a bit thick, knowing what he was about to do might not go over really well with her.

“There isn’t a problem here, is there?” Ryan asked softly, yet firmly, tone suggesting there better not be a problem, as he came in behind Chloe, his arms wrapping possessively around her middle, pulling her back against his front. Johnathan yanking back his hand just in time to keep it from being pressed to Ryan’s cock, as it fit nicely against her supple bottom. Ryan’s blue eyes met Johnathan’s over top of Chloe’s head. “So good to see you buddy,” Ryan said, the smile sincere enough, even as his touch made it clear that Chloe was still his, and the dynamic of all those years was still in place. Those that knew would recognize it of old and wonder if they were still together, so easily did the posture, the move come to Ryan. Let them wonder, Ryan might be pissed at her, but he wouldn’t let her feel uncomfortable either. It never even occurred to Ryan that he should let her fight her own battles. What he did wasn’t a denial of her ability to take care of herself, at least in his eyes.

 

[SandS13]

The sound of his voice, the way he slipped in so easily behind her. The feel of his hands pulling her in protectively. Chloe started to melt back against him but then stopped herself. Some things just ran too deep, were too natural.

Johnathan looked them over. He smirked as if he was not remembering that night, he and Ryan...Chloe between them.

"Are you both coming to the afterparty then? Can I get you a drink Ryan?" He fell into old habits and looked for Ryan's approval.

Chloe stiffened at the mention of the afterparty. She swallowed. She chanced a hand on Ryan's, assuring him she was alright.

Hannah approached and cleared her throat. "Old friends, talking about old times?"

 

[The_gladiator]

Ryan felt her hand on his and almost immediately took the cue, spinning her so she was under his left shoulder, arm around her shoulders, beside him, a much less possessive hold, more friendly. “We haven’t decided yet, have we little one?” Ryan said without thinking. He mentally kicked himself, had he seriously just said that to her, in public in front of someone else? He waited for her to stiffen, to pull away.

He was saved from
Wondering what her response might be when Hannah approached. He let his arm fell from around Chloe. “Yes sweetheart, just old friends. Johnathan here was asking if we were attending the afterparty. “Johnathan, this is Hannah, my Fiancé,” Ryan said taking Hannah’s hand. He was struck as he did it how stiff she was even when he touched her. There was no hint of melting like Chloe seemed to do when he touched her. He was mad at Chloe though, wasn’t he? He had so quickly come to her defense though. Lots of things were coming back to him and he wasn’t sure how to proceed.

 

[SandS13]

Johnathan was watching them. He grinned as Ryan answered they weren't sure. It meant there was hope he might get to relive that night with them...or more.

Chloe was shocked but hid it as Ryan answered for them. She straightened up as he arm fell away. She immediately missed it.

His head cocked a little as he saw Hannah approach. His eyes moved to Chloe and back to Hannah as Ryan introduced her.

"Nice to meet you Hannah." Johnathan flashed a smile.

Chloe began to back away, feeling out of place.

"So, engaged huh? Managed to get this guy to settle down?" Johnathan flashed a smile at Ryan. He got the sense that Hannah had no clue about Ryan's past or Chloe. His eyes shifted to follow Chloe as she seemed to be trying to leave. He wanted to catch her but didn't want to be rude to Hannah. Plus it was nice to see Ryan put on the spot.

 

[The_gladiator]

Ryan only shrugged at Johnathan’s question, “Something like that. Trying to turn over a new leaf, and such,” Ryan said trying to sound blasé.

Hannah was frowning. She was starting to get the impression that she did not know much about Ryan’s past. She had always disliked how closemouthed he had been about it, that was why she was so surprised that he had come here and even brought her. “It seems like you both could tell me a lot about Ryan,” Her eyes were more on Chloe than Johnathan as she said this. Ryan winced, images of Hannah getting an earful from Chloe about his past.

“I’m sure they could,” Ryan said trying to find a way to get off that topic, “Boring stories I’m sure that you wouldn’t want to hear, right Chloe?” he asked pointedly.

“Oh no, there was the time we…” Johnathan broke off as Ryan shot him a death stare. It was the kind of glare that said if he fucked this up, he would never see up Chloe’s skirt again. “You know, all hung out, and You’re really kind of right Ryan, not that interesting really.” Johnathan said stumbling over his words not wanting to offend Ryan. It was always that way, break Ryan’s rules you didn’t get to play anymore.

 

[SandS13]

Why had Ryan said that? Why had he implied they were together? Why did he come to her and make this all so much harder?

And now Hannah was there and it was painfully clear she knew nothing about Ryan's past or her. While it was easier for everyone, it stung to know he never talked about her. At all. She knew that Hannah didn't know that Ryan knew the author but to know nothing....It would be like his whole romantic history didn't exist.

...right Chloe?

"Oh yeah, boring.." Chloe tried to smile. Her eyes lifted to Ryan as she backed away. Did he hold Hannah the way he had her? Did he call her little one?

She felt the tension, Johnathan on the brink of telling Hannah and Ryan making it clear that those worlds didn't mingle.

"Excuse me, I need a drink." Chloe walked off to the bar.

Johnathan watched her and looked at Ryan, then Hannah. "Was nice to meet you Hannah. Congratulations on your engagement. Nice to see how this life agrees with you Ryan."

He headed off to where Chloe was.

The breath on the back of her neck was not desired but she expected it. "So, you aren't with Ryan. No way...I heard he was pissed and for a minute there I thought...but no, he has a rock on her finger so..." Johnathan's hands moved over her hips.

"Look, I just want to have my drink."

"Then let's drink. I am hoping you will leave with me."

"Can't be more upfront than that..." Chloe sighed. "And if I said I wasn't interested?"

Johnathan laughed. "You aren't wearing anything under that dress so I would say you are interested in an awful lot.." He pulled her against him. "I am already hard..."

"I can feel that."

"Come on. Knock that back and let's leave. We can get a head start on the party."

Chloe downed her drink. "Let me go to the bathroom."

He let her go and Chloe left. She tried to hide the speed of her movement but she figured if she got out of there she could get a cab before Johnathan realized.

He waited a few breathes and then followed her. He smiled and considered the idea of following her into the bathroom.

 

[The_gladiator]

Ryan watched her excuse herself. He strangely didn’t want her to go. Hannah was frowning at him. “You want to tell me what’s going on?”

“Not really babe, I don’t,” Ryan said finally.

She looked irritated at that. “I don’t like secrets Ryan, and you seem to be sitting on a bunch of them.”

“Can’t argue that,” Ryan said finally.

“I don’t like it Ryan,”

“I don’t much care though. My past is in the past for a reason.”

“For what reason?” she countered.

Ryan glared, “Right now because you wouldn’t understand or accept it.”

“What’s that mean?” she asked her hands on her hips, the engagement ring he’d given her flashing in the lights of the room as she moved.

“You want to know what I mean?” Ryan said, and he was working his way into being angry now. It took a lot to get Ryan going, but he could be brutal when he did. His harsh tone was already drawing stares. Which wasn’t good when he snarled his next sentence. “Can you define BDSM without looking it up?”

“Well, of course not, that’s disgusting. Isn’t that like 50 shades of gray.”

“Fuck.” Ryan swore.

“Don’t you swear at me Ryan Matthew.”

“Do you know what running a train on someone is?” Ryan said, his terms getting more crude as his anger grew.

“No,” she said.

“Well I do, and that’s the difference between us. That’s why I keep my past a secret.”

“You’re not into that stuff now though. You’d never do any of that “Kinky” stuff now, would you?” She made quote marks around the word Kinky.

Ryan took a deep breath not sure how to answer that. He couldn’t lie to her. “I haven’t in a long time.” He finally said.

“That’s not what I asked. “Hannah’s voice was rising as well. Ryan was trying to keep his tone low but it was laced with anger and he was well known enough that people stared and at least one scuttled out from behind the bar to go look for someone.



“Shit’s going down,” Hank said to Johnathan. “Where’s Chloe,”

“In the bathroom, why?” Johnathan asked with a glare, not wanting his fun spoiled by something.

Ignoring Johnathan after getting his answer Hank banged on the women’s restroom door. “Heads up Chloe. Ryan’s fixing to go nuclear. You got to come calm his ass down. I knew I shouldn’t have given him whiskey.” He said this last part quieter than his initial shout through the door. He had seen the dance, seen the chemistry. What ever was going down Chloe could smooth over; she had always been able to calm Ryan in the past whenever someone got him wound up. Typically, when they said something about Chloe, honestly.

 

[SandS13]

She had seen Johnathan follow and immediately changed her course to the bathroom. Her ploy hadn't worked, he was too eager and interested. And on another night she might have taken him to bed, let him fuck her and then sent him on his way. He was talking after party and with so much of the past too close to the surface Chloe couldn't handle that right now.

And there was Ryan.

She stepped into the bathroom, three others leaving. She leaned against the counter. How had this gotten so messy?

Chloe focused on her face in the mirror. What the fuck did you think was going to happen? Her hands gripped the laminate countertop. Oh she knew...she thought she would see him, make her apology and he would forgive her. Then the massive knot of guilt and shame in her chest could finally go away.

She hadn't expected for him to feel so damn good standing near her or touching her. She never expected to the aura of protection or safety he gave off. She never expected him to utter those words again.

She jumped at the bang on the door. At first, she feared it was Johnathan. He wouldn't be the first to get angry or aggressive with her over the last few years. Chloe felt a chill run through her. Instinct kicked in at Hank's words. She was out the door and blowing past them.

"Hey! Wait-Chloe- " She didn't give Johnathan a second thought. She half ran back and then slowed, smoothed her dress and walked up to where Hannah and Ryan stood. Chloe didn't need to see the way the crowd was staring. She didn't need to notice Hannah's angry posture.

All she noticed was Ryan. Too stiff. Too tense. She could see the little things...the muscle in his jaw, the controlled breathing...the flash in his eyes...

She had seen this before. He was about to lose it. Now, typically it was at a man someone who didn't get it, didn't get her and didn't get Ryan. Someone who tried to go too far. On the rare occasion it was a woman, but that was usually long built up from disparaging remarks.

Chloe hated that it had come to this. She was about to step in when Johnathan caught up, grabbed her elbow and stepped in beside her. He smiled and relaxed beside her as if they were together. It took a great deal for her not to openly sigh at how obtuse he was being. The way Ryan was wound at the moment he was in danger of taking the brunt of that.

She didn't have time to worry about Johnathan.

"Hannah? We weren't properly introduced. Chloe. I am sure you are a bit unsettled about things. I get it. Ryan's a great guy, don't get angry with him. What we were is past and past is past for a reason."

 

[The_gladiator]

That voice. It interrupted the calm that Ryan was trying to reach for. He flicked his eyes to them. He spared Johnathan a glare, he was getting handsy with Chloe and Ryan didn’t like that. He was positive Chloe hadn’t consented to that. Ryan was always about consent; he always had been. His eyes when he met hers briefly was a bit puzzled, why she was there, what was going on. Though he knew. That Rat Bastard Hank, it had to be. Chloe fully expected Ryan to lose it any moment now. To be honest he certainly was close.

Chloe spoke into the silence addressing Hannah who seemed distracted for a brief moment from Ryan as her eyes fell on Chloe. It was clear that she was struggling with her fandom and her anger. “What you were?” she asked, her voice a little too syrupy sweet. “Are you the one he did the “kinky” sex with?” Hannah repeated the quotes around kinky, “The sex I’m just learning about with him. Can’t hide his dirty little secrets from me forever. So, are you? Are you the whore that corrupted my sweet Ryan?”

“Are you sure it Wasn’t the other way around?” Johnathan asked, being super helpful.

“Definitely mutual,” Someone from the crowd chimed in.

“Oh, so everyone knows about you two but me?” Hannah said, half to Chloe, half to Ryan.

The muscles on Ryan’s jaw stood out as he restrained himself from hitting Hannah. He had never struck a woman in anger; he was not about to start now. He did interpose himself between Chloe and Hannah though, his fury matching, nay surpassing hers. “Don’t you ever call her that again.” Ryan said, his tone low, dangerous. He felt it then, a hand on his back. His breath hitched at how familiar it felt. He didn’t need to look to see who it was, even though he knew who it was behind him. It was the way that she touched him when she came up behind him and he was in a discussion. Chloe had known that he could be jumpy when people came up behind him. She had developed a signature touch that told him instantly that it was her, so he would not have to interrupt his conversation to whirl around to see who was coming up behind him. The motion was difficult to describe. It started low on his back and looped over his shoulder blades. It came to rest at the small of his back as she stepped around him. Silently communicating in Ryan’s mind that though she appreciated his protection, she didn’t need it from Hannah, it also told him he was safe, he would be ok.

Ryan was shocked how much it worked too, he relaxed just a tick, though his glare was just as firm on Hannah.

“I’ll call her what ever I think she is,” Hannah replied matching Ryan’s glare stare for stare. “Someone better give me answers soon, though.”