4. Ryan

She tastes like the sweetest fucking dessert. Like sweet, spicy Tiramisu. I can taste coffee and cream on her tongue and I wrap my arms around her, tugging her tight into me, my hands drifting down to her plush ass and clenching on her soft skin.

She sighs and her thighs open, letting me move even closer to her. I let my lips drift down her slender throat, her soft skin tempting me into taking liberties.

I want to take a lot of them but we're in her business. And if someone walks in she's gonna be bared to them, her flushed skin a telltale sign of what we're doing.

And if any other man sees her pretty brown eyes full of lust, I might kill them with my bare hands.

No man gets to see her desire but me.

That territorial streak doesn't startle me. That's why I'm a beast in my kitchen. It's mine.

And so is she. I've dreamt about her every night since I saw her and the three nights I've had to grasp my cock and stroke out a desperate orgasm have kept me on the edge of tearing the whole town apart until I found her.

I tried to stay away. Fuck, did I try. I don't want any woman.

But I want this woman no matter how many times I tell myself that I shouldn't. And I want her for more than one night.

But something tells me that I can't tell her that. She's almost as touchy as me about relationships. I'm a bossy bastard at all times but especially in my kitchen and the bedroom.

And I already know this woman doesn't like to be told what to do. I'm going to have to ease her into it.

I cringe when I hear my voice say, "Lock the door and get undressed."

"What the fuck?" She steps back, the lustful glaze in her whiskey eyes fading away to irritation.

"What the hell do you think you're doing here, groping me and then growling out orders like this is your fucking kitchen. This is my kitchen. My work. Why are you here?"

I step back and run my hands through my hair and will my fucking cock back down. The asshole doesn't want to back down. He wants in her tight little pussy and he's not backing down until he gets what he wants.

"I wanted to see you. I missed you."

Her head cocks. "You can't miss someone you don't know."

Now that's not true at all. I've missed her every damn day since I kissed her. I've obsessed over what she's doing, wondering if some other man is moving in on my territory. I've punched my heavy bag like I was taking down the bastard and making sure that he can't walk. Can't talk to her with his silver tongue and seduce her into leaving town and me.

I cross my arms over my bulky chest and my heart jumps into my throat when her eyes follow the movement, heating to brandy fire. She wants me as much as I want her. Which is good since I don't think I can move on.

I didn't want a woman but as soon as this pint-sized terrier got her little claws in my skin, I knew I wasn't going to be able to forget about her.

Even after I should have been a mess because of that disaster of a wedding, I couldn't stop thinking about her.

"You missed me too. Don't try and tell me you didn't. If that's true, you'd have kicked my ass out of here as soon as you saw me."

She huffs and her perfect pink lips pout. "So get out. That's what I've been trying to say."

My lips quirk and I lean back on the counter. "No."

Her eyes widen and her cheeks flare bright pink. "No!! No? What the hell, Ryan? You shouldn't be here and I asked you to leave!"

"You didn't mean it."

Her little, curvy body trembles and she paces, her hands flying up in the air. "I cannot believe this shit! I should call the cops. You're nuts!"

"I know you didn't mean it, sweetheart. If you meant it, I would leave."

She whips around to face me, her finger pointed straight at my chest. She stutters but then straightens up to her full height and grits out between clenched teeth. "I want you to leave."

"Nope."

She clenches her fists and closes her eyes then screams under her breath. "I do want you to leave. I mean it."

"You don't."

"Ryan. Leave."

I shake my head and her whiskey gaze sharpens. Her body moves towards me and I stand tall, my gaze sharpening. She's a lit match and I'm the fuse and if she touches me, all hell is gonna break loose.

Like she knows or sees it in my eyes, she stumbles to a stop, confusion lighting her gaze. "Why are you here?"

"I told you. I missed you. I wanted to see you. And ask you if you wanted to go out tonight."

Her lips smash together as her head tilts. "You don't sound like you're asking me a question," she mutters under her breath. The bell tinkles over the door and she points a finger at me. "Stay."

My lips quirk. "I'm not a dog."

"Dogs listen better." She glares when I follow her out to the counter. But then she smiles at the woman staring at us curiously.

"Hello, Lizzie. How can I help you today?"

"I wanted to grab one of your eclair cakes. I'm having company tonight and thought I might grab dessert."

"Sounds good." She smiles again and grabs the cake, carefully placing it in a folded box and closing the lid. She rings it up and then hands it over, smiling. "I'm so glad that you love it. Come back any time, Lizzie!"

She eyes the two of us curiously and backs away towards the door. "Thanks, Anna! Ummm…" She nods to me and I see Anna's lips tighten. "Enjoy your day?"

But Anna just smiles sheepishly. "Thank you."

Then the door closes and she whirls on me. "You need to leave."

"Go out with me."

"You are a bossy bastard."

I chuckle. "You have no idea. Now…say yes."

"If I say yes will you leave?"

I nod my head and grunt. "Absolutely. But don't try and ditch me, gorgeous. If I have to hunt you down, I might be annoyed."

"Heavens, we wouldn't want that." She rolls her whiskey eyes and I have to smother a laugh.

"You definitely don't want that. I'll be back to get you at seven."

"You don't know where I live." She calls to me as I open the door.

I grin back at her. "Trust me. I'll always find you."

And I step out the door and close it behind me, keeping my eyes straight ahead.

Because if I don't, I might turn right back around and finish what I started in her tiny kitchen.

And neither one of us are ready for that. Soon. But not yet.

No matter what my dick thinks.