Chapter 23

CHAPTER 23

RYLEE

" H ere," I said, handing him a glass of water as I walked back into the room. I found a tiny first-aid kit under the sink. I cleaned and bandaged his wound. He grumbled through the process but never pulled away.

"Thanks," he muttered before taking a sip from the glass. His eyes followed me as I moved, settling back onto the couch next to him.

I studied his profile in the soft light, the furrowed brow, the set jaw. It was as if he was trying to hold the world up on his shoulders alone and it was taking its toll on him.

He turned to look at me and the energy in the room shifted. I swallowed the lump in my throat. This man was so vulnerable and yet strong at the same time. My hand drifted up to cup his cheek. A moment later he was on me. His mouth slammed against mine, the force of his body pushing me on my back on the couch.

His kiss was desperate, raw, a world's worth of fear and frustration and anguish wrapped up in the press of his lips against mine. I felt the tremble in his body, a silent plea for solace in a world that seemed to have turned against him. I wanted to comfort him. I reached up and ran my hand through his hair, pulling his mouth against mine even more.

"I'm sorry," he muttered when he finally pulled away, his breath ragged. "I shouldn't have done that."

"Why not?" I asked, my heart pounding in my chest. "Don't you want to?"

He looked away, his jaw clenched tight. "It's not about what I want."

"But it should be," I insisted. "Just for tonight, let it be about what you want. You got me here. Let's not pretend we didn't know this was an option."

"I swear, I didn't bring you here to have sex with you," he argued.

"I don't care. Where's the bedroom?"

He stared at me for a long moment before leaning in to kiss me again. This time there was a tenderness to it, a slow burning warmth that settled deep within me. Once again, he pulled away and got to his feet, reaching his hand down to help me up.

I let him lead me toward the bedroom, my fingers entwining with his as we walked in silence. The room was dimly lit, the faint glow of the city lights seeping through the blinds. He moved to turn on the bedside lamp but I stopped him.

"No, leave it," I murmured. "I like it this way."

He nodded, that unreadable look back in his eyes as he turned to face me. For a long moment, he just looked at me, as if searching for something in my gaze. I held my breath, waiting for him to say something.

"I don't want you to feel like you have to do anything," he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't want you to think that you owe me anything."

"Shut up and kiss me," I replied. "And don't be gentle."

And with that, he swept me into his arms once again, his lips crashing against mine with a fierceness that left me breathless. His hands moved to my hips, pulling me closer until there was no space left between us. I could feel the desperation in his touch, the overwhelming need for something—anything—to make him forget about the disaster he was dealing with.

His mouth moved to my neck, pulling a gasp from my lips as he left a trail of burning kisses down to my collarbone. As his hands started to roam, I reached up and tugged at his shirt, urging him to break contact so that I could pull it off over his head.

He complied readily. I was suddenly faced with the sight of him there, bare chested and sexy as hell. He was beautiful in a way that sent shivers down my spine. I reached out and touched his chest. His muscles rippled. He reached for my tank top and jerked it up. I lifted my arms and let him pull it from me.

His eyes went to my breasts, clad in the red bra I was wearing. "Damn," he murmured. He looked up at me and the vulnerability in his eyes was replaced with a hunger that nearly made my knees weak. "I have watched you behind that bar for hours, undressing you with my eyes. To see these in person is so much better."

I unhooked my bra and took it off myself. He groaned and immediately bent forward to take one nipple into his mouth.

I gasped at the contact, my fingers tangling in his hair as pleasure pulsed through me. His hands were on me, warm and firm, making my skin burn where he touched. He pulled back to look at me, his eyes dark with desire.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked, his voice raspy.

"Yes," I assured him. "I want this. I want you."

He needed no further encouragement. His lips were on mine once again, hungry and demanding as he maneuvered us both onto the bed. He hovered above me, the hard planes of his body pressing against mine as we kissed.

His hands were everywhere, exploring my body with a need that matched my own. Our clothes disappeared one by one until there was nothing left between us but skin on skin. My hand slid down his back, reveling in the feel of his muscles. I grabbed his ass and squeezed.

He pulled his mouth from mine and kissed down my neck. His lips skimmed the length of my throat, pausing to nibble on the sensitive spot behind my ear, sending a thrill of pleasure coursing through my veins. I could feel his heart beating against mine, a rapid rhythm that echoed the frenzy building within us. I felt like I had been fed electricity. My body was vibrating with need.

He continued his slow exploration, his mouth trailing down to my breasts, where he took his time to explore, tease, and taste. It was a maddening dance of pleasure and anticipation. Every touch sent jolts of desire through me, making me writhe beneath him.

His mouth moved further down, leaving a white-hot trail in its wake. His fingers were deft and knowing as they explored me. His breath hitched when he found what he was searching for, a low groan vibrating against my skin.

"God," he muttered against my stomach.

My body felt like it was on fire, every nerve ending screaming for release. He seemed intent on drawing out every moment, every sensation, much to my delight and frustration. His touch was both teasing and tantalizing, driving me to the edge time and time again only to pull back and explore some other part of me.

He moved further down, his lips brushing against my thighs, causing a shiver to race through me. His hands gripped my hips, holding me in place as he continued his slow torture. My body was shaking with anticipation, my breath coming out in short, sharp gasps. He hesitated for a moment, looking up at me, and I nodded, giving him permission.

His mouth descended on me, causing the world to fade away. All that existed was the feel of his lips against me, the dexterity of his tongue sending shockwaves of pleasure coursing through my body. He was slow yet purposeful, making sure each stroke of his tongue had its intended effect. My body trembled and soft whimpers escaped my lips.

A rush of sensation overtook me. I cried out as I came undone beneath him. He stayed there until the final wave washed over me, leaving me breathless and wanting. He moved back up, leaving a trail of kisses along my body as he went. His lips met mine in a slow, languid kiss that spoke volumes.

His body was hard against mine, his own need apparent as he kissed me.

"My turn," I whispered, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of my mouth. His eyes widened a fraction before a slow grin spread across his face.

I pushed him onto his back and straddled his hips. His hands found my waist almost immediately, gripping me tightly as I leaned down to press another soul-searing kiss to his lips. His response was immediate. A thrill of satisfaction curled in my belly at the sound of his ragged sigh.

I started to trail kisses down his neck, tracing the lines of his muscles with my lips. His hands roamed over my body, squeezing and stroking in ways that made me shiver with delight. I moved lower, tracing the defined six-pack of his abdomen, feeling the hard muscle under my fingertips. He let out a strangled groan, making me smile against his skin.

As I continued teasing him, he writhed beneath me, his fingers digging into my hips. The intense need in his eyes spurred me further. My hand reached for his heavy cock. I wrapped my hand around him and gently squeezed.

"I need you," he managed to gasp out between heavy breaths. His hands gripped my arms and pulled me up to meet his gaze. His eyes were dark with desire, the intensity of which took my breath away.

"Then have me," I murmured.

He practically threw me off him and jumped out of bed, leaving me wondering what the hell just happened. I watched him go into the bathroom and heard him rummaging around. He returned, holding up a condom and wearing nothing but a sexy grin.

"Found one."

I laughed and patted the bed. "Get over here. I thought you were going to walk away."

"Are you fucking kidding?" he growled. "Not a chance in hell."

I watched him tear open the condom and quickly slide it on. He was a large man. The anticipation was killing me. He climbed back onto the bed and over me. He moved to position himself between my legs.

"Are you sure?" he asked again. The gentleness in his voice made me want him even more.

"More than I've ever been sure about anything," I replied, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him down to meet my lips. His hands found my waist again, pulling me closer until we were pressed against each other, every curve of our bodies fitting together as if they were meant to.

A moment later, he pushed inside me. I gasped at the intrusion, my body instinctively meeting his thrust. He was careful, slow and deliberate, patiently giving me time to adjust to him. Once he was fully inside, he stilled, burying his face in the crook of my neck, his breath coming in ragged pants.

"Okay?" he asked softly against my skin. His concern and patience only added to my desire for him.

I nodded, running my fingers through his hair. "More than okay," I assured him as I wrapped my legs around his hips. That seemed to be the green light he was waiting for. He pulled back and started moving again, setting a pace that had us both moaning in moments.

His thrusts were powerful yet controlled. He knew exactly how far to push before pulling back just enough to make me whimper for more. My nails dug into his back as pleasure coursed through me, each thrust sending shockwaves of sensation spiraling out from deep within me.

Our bodies moved in harmony, sweat slicked skin sliding against each other as he drove deeper into me with each thrust. His mouth captured mine again, his tongue mirroring the rhythm set by our bodies. Pleasure threatened to tip me over the edge once more. His other hand slipped between our bodies, his thumb finding the sweet spot that no one else had been able to locate quite like him. My body jerked in response, a sharp gasp escaping my lips and getting swallowed by his mouth.

As his thumb circled that sensitive bundle of nerves, his thrusts quickened, the movements becoming more erratic. I met him stroke for stroke, our bodies crashing together in an intoxicating rhythm as the tension coiled tighter within me. His growls of pleasure vibrated against my lips, adding another layer to the symphony of sensation engulfing us. His desire for me fueled my own. I could feel the tremors of ecstasy beginning to build within me once more. The tension of our joined bodies was a delicious torment that held me captive—a sweet, irresistible agony that heightened with each thrust. I wanted to orgasm but I didn't want this agony to end.

He moved as if he couldn't get enough of me. His low growls and ragged gasps were igniting a fire within me that threatened to consume us both.

"I can't—" he groaned.

Something inside me snapped. My body shattered into a million pieces as he stiffened above me. He let out a loud roar before collapsing on top of me.