23. Mai

Ifollowed Ryan to the kitchen and watched as he pulled out some steaks from the fridge and a couple of frying pans from a cabinet.

"You need help?"

"Nah." He shook his head. "You could get us some wine, though."

I could feel his eyes on me as I followed his instructions, finding some glasses and opening a bottle of red wine. My hand shook as I poured the wine. Why was I so nervous? It was just dinner, nothing more.

The sizzle of the meat filled the air. As Ryan cooked, I watched him, entranced. He moved around the kitchen with effortless grace, his muscles flexing beneath his shirt as he flipped the steaks and cut the potatoes. The smell of cooking meat and herbs filled the air, making my stomach grumble. I couldn't remember the last time I'd had a meal like this. It was decadent and indulgent, and I fully intended to enjoy him.

It.

Enjoy it, not him.

What was I thinking, coming here, being so close to him and his oh-so-kissable lips?

Ryan looked up and caught me staring. "What?" he asked.

I blushed and looked away. "Nothing," I muttered, taking a sip of wine.

"You're cute when you blush," he said, and my heart leaped in my chest.

"I'll get you a refill," I said, stepping away. I needed to clear my thoughts. Yes, this was one night with no baggage, where the past didn't matter, but that didn't mean I should jump him to see if the sex would be as good as I always imagined it to be.

Oh my God, did I just think that? The wine was going to my head; that had to be it. I couldn't afford to be thinking about sex with Ryan. I'd never make it out of the house if I did.

I handed him his glass, and our fingers brushed against each other, sending a shiver running through my body. I could feel the tension pull tight between us, the unspoken desire that hung thick in the air, drawing me to him. Ryan was so close, and I found myself leaning in, needing to feel his lips on mine. But just as I was about to reach out to touch him, he stepped back.

"Let's eat," he said, his voice low and husky.

What the hell just happened? What was I thinking? It must be the wine. I placed the glass on the island. Ryan served up the steaks and potatoes. The meat was cooked to perfection, and the potatoes were creamy and buttery.

I could feel his eyes on me as I ate, and every time I looked up, he was staring at me, his gaze hot and intense. I felt a flush spread across my chest and creep up my neck, and I knew he could see it. I wondered if he could tell how much I wanted him.

"You were right," I said, taking a small sip of wine. "You're not a bad cook."

"I told you," he said, grinning.

We ate in silence for a few more minutes, but the tension was still there, simmering beneath the surface. He was an apex predator in his domain. He was comfortable here and full of confidence that he was in charge.

"I've missed this," Ryan said suddenly, breaking the silence. "Just sitting down and having a meal with someone."

"Really? I would have thought you'd be sick of it, with your brothers and all."

"Nah," he said, shaking his head. "It's not the same. I mean, I love my brothers, but it's not like this. It's loud and busy and often quite messy."

I laughed. I remembered clearing up after the Shaw brothers ate in mine and Jem"s apartment.

"This is sitting down with someone you care about and just enjoying each other's company."

"I've missed this too," I said softly. "Just being with you."

Ryan looked at me, his gaze full of an overwhelming predatory intensity focused solely on me.

Uh-oh.

"Mai," he said, his voice deep and rough. "I can't pretend like I don't feel it. You're my mate, my one fated mate."

My heart skipped a beat. Would I ever get used to him saying that?

His presence filled the room, enveloping me, pulling on the invisible thread that bound us together.

"I want to rip your clothes off and claim you on this table. I want to fuck you in every room in this house. I want to feel your wet pussy clench around my cock while I'm fucking you so hard that you're screaming in pleasure. I understand if you don't feel the same way yet, but I needed to tell you."

His words took me by surprise, and for a moment, I wasn't sure if I'd heard right.

"What?" I asked, my voice breathless.

He stood up and stalked toward me, a predator sighting his prey. "I want to lick every inch of you, Mai. I want to know what you smell like when you come. I want to be inside of you, fucking you again and again till you can't walk straight."

"Oh." I looked into his eyes and felt my whole body tremble. Fuck yeah, did I want those things. I'd only been dreaming of them for years. I was wet just at the thought of Ryan fucking me, but adding all of those things? I wasn't sure if I could speak right now. Did I want this? One night of freedom, where it wasn't Mai, Jem's sister, reject of Ryan, and it wasn't Ryan, enforcer, seeker of Mai. No, for one night, it was just us. Following our instincts, no past, no consequences. Just us.

I surged up, closing the distance between us in one step, and kissed him.