That done, I unburied my bag of toiletries. I had been dreaming about a nice, long hot soak. Ryder hadn’t been wrong there. In anticipation of such a bath, I’d packed a couple of bath bombs and some body oil. While the tub filled, I gathered up my hair, then twisted it into a knot to keep it from getting wet.
I tossed one of the bath bombs into the water, breathing in the scent of patchouli and vanilla. After fetching my book from my bag, I undressed and slid into the tub.
I read for a little while, but my mind kept wandering to Ryder, and after I lost my place the third or fourth time, I decided to give up on the book. I could enjoy it later.
Sinking a little deeper into the water, I closed my eyes.
A short while later, Ryder knocked, then came inside. His eyes searched mine before moving to roam over the bright pink water. His brows went up. “The water is pink.”
“It’s a bath bomb. Doesn’t it smell good?”
He came over and mounted the steps, climbing up, then he bent low over me so he could breathe in the skin along my neck. “Smells amazing,” he said, voice rough.
I craned my head toward him, but when I went to close the distance between us, so I could kiss him, he pulled back.
“I just wanted to let you know dinner will be done in about twenty minutes.”
“Okay.” I licked my lips, then slid away from him.
I could feel his eyes on me as I tugged on the drain. Water started to flow away, and I stood, turning toward him.
He grabbed the big bath sheet I’d left next to the steps and held it for me as I climbed out. But he eased back, again, when I went to kiss him.
“Be downstairs in twenty,” he said with a grin. Then he left the bathroom, leaving me alone with the ache of need fisting in my belly.
By the time he actually puts his hands on me, I’ll be so greedy for him, I’ll probably forget the case of nerves I’d been dealing with.
My mouth was watering by the time I reached the kitchen. “Whatever you made, I already want seconds.”
He laughed from where he stood at the stove.
I’d learned over the past few weeks that he was a fantastic cook – better than me – and I moved over to the counter to watch as he finished.
“Sautéed chicken, veggies and new potatoes,” he told me. “And there’s wine in the fridge.” He cocked a brow and added, “The kind of wine that causes cavities, too. That’s the only way you like it.”
I grinned and moved over to the fridge, pulling it open to reveal three bottles of said wine. I took one and turned to him. “Three bottles? You planning on getting me drunk, Mr. Wesson?”
“Drunk and naked. I was hoping you might have similar plans for me.” The hot look he slid me made my heart race.
“I think that sounds divine. I’ll go get you some scotch.”
He wasn’t much of a wine drinker, I’d learned. Especially not the kind of wines I liked.
Once I had him a rocks glass with a generous pour of scotch splashing inside it, I moved back into the kitchen. He stood at the counter, plating up the food. I went to get my dish, but he shook his head and nodded to the dining room.
I didn’t even notice he’d lit candles until that moment. “Wow. You cooked me dinner, bought me wine, and now we’re going to eat by candlelight. You’re pulling out all the stops, aren’t you?”
“When I set out to seduce somebody, I don’t hold back.” He moved past me and put the plates down. “Go ahead and have a seat. I’ll get your wine.”
He rejoined me a few moments later, passing me the glass he’d poured and leaving the bottle close by. I accepted the glass, which sparkled in the candlelight, the cut crystal throwing golden shards of light around.
Tension knotted in my belly, so I took a big, healthy sip of wine as he moved to take his seat. He picked up his drink, and we tapped our glasses together before tucking into the meal.
The chicken was savory and tender, and I all but groaned in delight. “You have to tell me how you make this.”
I met his eyes over the plate. He offered a half smile. “Or I can just make it for you whenever you like.”
“That sounds like a plan.”
We didn’t talk much as we ate.
I knew I wasn’t the only one picking up on the climbing tension in the air.
When I rose to take my plate into the kitchen, he followed me, lingering just long enough to blow the candles out. But as I went to get started on the dishes, he caught my hand. “We’ll take care of them later,” he said.
I only hesitated for a moment. “You sure?”
“Get your wine.” He’d already refilled his scotch.
I was on my third glass of wine, and my head was spinning nicely.
“You’ve fed me and got me good and tipsy. What’s next?” I asked, leaning against him.
“Come on.”
He led me into the living room, and I found more candles flickering. The fire from both the hearth and the numerous candles provided the only light after he turned off the one in the hallway.
Golden darkness wrapped around us as he led me over to the fireplace.
There was a heavy, plush rug on the floor and blankets.
“The first night we met, I wanted to have you here, right here, in front of the fire like this.” Ryder spoke the words softly against my ear.
I shivered at the raw, rough sound of his voice.
Taking another sip of wine, I held still as he circled around me. He tossed back the rest of his scotch, then held out a hand for me.
My throat was painfully dry. Sipping my wine, I moved to join him.
He took my glass from me and put it on the low coffee table next to his.
I’d pulled on a long-sleeved dress with a full, ankle-length skirt after I’d finished in the bath. It fastened down the front in a long line of small buttons. Ryder reached for the top one and freed it, staring into my eyes as he moved on to the next, then the next.
I was practically trembling by the time it gaped enough so that he could push it down my shoulders, then farther down, over my waist and hips. I stepped out of the puddle of fabric wearing only my bra and panties.
I reached for him, but he caught my hands, guiding them to the small of my back where he braceleted both of my wrists and pinned them there. With his free hand, he flipped open the front clasp of my bra and brushed the cups aside. My panties followed suit. He had been forced to let go of my wrists for that part, and I went to slide my hands over his shoulders, wanting to feel his warmth beneath my fingers. But he caught my wrists yet again.
“I want to touch you,” I said, tugging against his hold.
“Later.” He went to his knees and pressed a kiss against my belly, against the small scar, a bright slash of pink against my pale skin.
The feel of his lips on me made me shiver.
“You better not plan on going any lower unless you plan on letting me lay down. I don’t think I can stand on my own two legs for too long,” I warned him.
He laughed softly and straightened. He maneuvered me back until I felt the thickness of the rug under my feet. Then, once more, he went to his knees.
He cupped one hip in his hand as his breath feathered over the curls between my thighs.
“I’m not joking, Ryder…I won’t be able to stand if you do much.”
“I’ll hold you,” he promised before pressing his mouth against my cunt.
I gasped and swayed, instinctively tugging against the hold he had on my wrists. When he let go, I braced my hands on his shoulders, staring down at him as he knelt in front of me.
He licked me, and it was like flames went blasting through my system. He nuzzled my clit with his nose, pushed at my thighs until I stood wide-legged in front of him.
I reached for his head and clung to him as he stroked his tongue across my sensitive flesh, teasing the folds before returning to focus on my clitoris.
It was so good.
It seemed like it had been years since he’d t
ouched me like this, although it had only been weeks.
Starving for more of him, I tightened my grip on his head and thrust against him. He groaned against me, and before I could even process the fact that he was moving, he had me on my back, my shoulders pressed to the rug.
He sprawled between my thighs now, holding them wide as he feasted on me.
Feasted…that was the only word. He lapped and ate at my pussy like he was famished, and I was the main course – the only course.
I reached for him and buried my fingers in his hair, twisting to pull him even closer.
It wasn’t possible, but that didn’t stop me from trying.
He tongued my clitoris, and I shivered.
That shiver was replaced by an all-over shake as he swirled his tongue across me, then went lower. I gasped as he stiffened his tongue and stabbed at my entrance, penetrating me.
He moved his hands to my butt and lifted me up, making an offering out of my body. There was nobody I’d rather give myself to than him.
I hit my orgasm hard – or it hit me – knocking the breath from me and leaving me shaking as he knelt over me.
At some point in time, he’d shed his shirt, and now only his pants separated us. I could feel the buckle of his belt against my belly, and the hard, heavy ridge of his cock.
I rocked against him, already needing more.
He reached between us and freed himself, pressing up onto one hand so he could use the other to push his clothes down.
I could have helped.
But I lay under him, lax and limp.
He came back over me, the muscles in his supporting arm trembling. No, all of him was trembling.
I did this to him.
A euphoric sense of power washed over me, ratcheting up my desire for him to even higher level.
“Make love to me,” I demanded, shoving my hands into his hair.
He kissed me, settling between my thighs.
I felt the brush of his cock against me. I groaned as he started to rock his dick back and forth across my wetness, dragging it through the soft folds but never entering me.
“Ryder!” I scored his scalp, his neck, and his shoulders with my nails as he rocked up against me. The feel of his cock pulsating against my clit was almost torturous.
After one more teasing glide, he reached between us and caught his cock, guiding it to my entrance.
“Look at me,” he rasped.
I did. He filled my entire world, then he filled me, sinking inside me until I could take no more, and he had no more to give.
I groaned, wiggling under him as I adjusted to his fullness. That had his cock jerking in the snug grasp of my pussy, and I shivered as a new rush of sensation washed over me.
More…
I didn’t realize I’d spoken out loud until Ryder kissed me and murmured, “I’ll give you more. I’ll give you everything.”
And he did, rocking lazily against me, one hand gripping my butt while he slid his free arm under my neck.
Soon, he was bracing me there, holding me in place as he began to move faster, his cock filling me with rough, hard digs that left me wailing out his name.
I gripped his torso, my nails sinking into his skin.
I bit him on the shoulder, and he shuddered and thrust against me even harder.
It should have hurt.
But it was the sweetest pleasure, and after three more thrusts just like that, I came.
It was hard and fast and perfect.
Above me, he stiffened, groaning out my name as he hit his own orgasm. I brought my legs up, hugging his hips with my knees, trying to trap him inside me.
It wasn’t necessary. Ryder sank down, still buried inside me, then rolled, stopping once he had me sprawled atop him.
His cock still filled me.
I couldn’t stop the little shiver that raced through me, and he felt it. His cock twitched inside me despite the climax he’d just had.
“You’ll kill me dead, woman, I swear it,” he muttered.
“You’re not going anywhere,” I said sleepily.
I was only vaguely aware when he reached out, feeling around on the rug until he’d grabbed one of the blankets, then he pulled it over us.
I fell asleep there, wrapped in his arms, my body still shivering with pleasure.
35
Breanna
Winter was beautiful in the mountains.
But it was nothing like spring.
A soft breeze teased the air as the wedding guests mingled, waiting for the ceremony to start.
Lukas and Stella were about to get married.
The wedding was taking place at his cabin, and the guest list was short. He had his father there, and Ryder, plus a few more friends. Stella’s family was in attendance.
DeLaria was already seated, holding a napping Natanael. Next to them sat Ginnifer, Ryder’s youngest sister and she grinned when she saw me, waggling her fingers at me.
I waved back and blew a kiss at them.
Also there, was Gracie with her date, a woman she’d introduced as Julia. They took turns holding Belle who looked like a little angel in a dress of soft, pale yellow.
The wedding colors were yellow and lavender, a mix that I hadn’t thought I’d like until I saw the wedding designer putting together ideas with the palette.
My bridesmaid’s dress was a soft, silken lavender, strapless and fitted down to the waist before falling in loose folds to my feet.
Ryder wore vest and trousers, and his purple shirt was the same color as my dress.
We shared a small smile just as the music shifted, signifying that the wedding was about to start.
I retreated around the corner of the house where Stella was waiting.
She looked amazing in an A-line dress with a deep V. The dress had a Grecian sort of flair, and she’d played that up with a gold arm cuff and golden gladiator sandals in lieu of heels. Her hair was swept up into a complicated twist of curls with a strand of pearls nestled inside the golden waves.
As I took in the sight of her, I lifted my hands and pressed them to my lips. “You look so beautiful.”
She laughed, a happy, nervous sound that made my eyes dampen.
I blinked rapidly, although my makeup was smudge and tear proof – supposedly. I wasn’t going out there looking like a raccoon. “Are you ready?”
In response, Stella looked at her father, who offered his arm.
The ceremony passed by in a blur of softly spoken words and sunlight.
As I turned to take her bouquet, I met Ryder’s eyes. He stood just behind Lukas, acting as his best man.
I gave him a wobbly smile before turning my attention back to Stella and Lukas as they exchanged their vows.
When the minister announced, “You can now kiss the bride,” we all clapped and cheered.
Stella was laughing when she pulled away, reaching up to cup Lukas’s cheek, then pulling him back in for another kiss.
Ryder offered his arm after the newly-wedded couple stepped out of the arbor. We followed behind while the wedding planners got everything ready for the reception.
There were pictures to be taken, which all seemed to take far longer than I would have expected, but I couldn’t wait to see how the pictures turned out – especially the one of me alone with Stella, then another of Ryder and me.
Once we were ready to join the reception, Ryder once more offered his arm.
I accepted and leaned against him.
“You look beautiful,” he murmured.
“You look pretty sharp yourself,” I commented, keeping my voice low.
Natanael was awake by the time we joined the party, and when he saw me and Ryder, he squealed. Ryder went to take him, but Natanael shrieked, “Ree!”
It was the closest he could get to Breanna.
My heart melted as I took him from DeLaria. “How are you feeling?” I asked the pale woman.
“Tired.” Her lips curved into a smile. “But a good kind of tired.”
/> “Remember you can go into the cabin and lay down if you need a break,” I told her. Stella had made the offer earlier, and while I doubted DeLaria would accept, I wanted to make sure she knew it was okay.
“I know.” She waved her hands at us. “Go. Mingle. Have fun.”
On the way to the table that had been arranged for the bridal party, I saw Tabitha and flagged her down.
She leaned in to hug me. “You look amazing.”
“So do you.” And she did, wearing a simple, deep purple sheath that made her skin glow. “Did you bring a date?”
“No.” Tabitha laughed nervously and brushed her hair back. “You knew I wouldn’t. You’ve been asking me for months.”
“Hope springs eternal,” I informed her loftily.
“Not for me, it doesn’t. Not when it comes to guys.” She shook her head firmly. It was enough to make me want to ask why, but here wasn’t the place for that discussion and I doubted she’d talk about it anyway. She so rarely shared anything about herself.
“I better get up there,” I said, glancing toward the table where Lukas and Stella had just been seated.
I was on Stella’s left, while Ryder sat in the seat at Lukas’ right hand. I hoped Natanael wouldn’t get fussy, but the moment he saw Stella, he laughed and clapped his hands. “Tell, tell!” he babbled, saying her name until she bent over and dropped a kiss on his nose.
As the meal was served, Natanael lapsed into silence, focused on the food in front of us with a single-mindedness that made me smile. He was getting so big, and he seemed to be doing something new almost every day. It was such a delight to see the world through his eyes.
When his plate appeared, a toddler version of the adult’s meal, he reached for the spoon. I beat him to it.
He tried to take it from me, but I laughed and shook my head. “No, no, no…not today. I’m not wearing potatoes for the rest of the reception.”
The day was winding down.
Soft music played while Lukas and Stella danced, surrounded by other couples.
The sun was sinking lower in the sky, and the people who’d been hired to help with the wedding went around, lighting the bamboo torches that surrounded the temporary dance floor.