CHAPTER 17

W hose fuckin’ idea was it to go on this goddamn walk again?” I yelled as we sprinted up the beach. Icy rain pelted my skin while sand made running a fucking feat. Our walk turned into a race down the beach when a sudden downpour decided to kick our asses. “I hate cardio!”

“I know,” Ryder said.

“Fuck cardio, baby,” I snapped, breathing fast. I pushed harder to keep up with him. Damn man with his damn exercise routine—though his ass looked great as I chased him. “I hate runnin’ so goddamn much!”

“Run faster!” He laughed as if this was nothing. God, I loved that sound.

“That ain’t the answer!” But fuck if I didn’t pick up my pace to try and catch him.

Our house was settled back on a section of beach where rock mixed with sand and beach grass grew like weeds. Maybe they were weeds. Who the fuck knew? We rushed over the wooden plank pathway toward the little cottage. Sure, it was small, but we didn’t need more.

Ryder beat me onto the porch and stood there, hands on his hips and that gorgeous fucking smile on his face as he watched me. I loved him like this—happy and free. Stopping on the top step, I huffed out a frustrated breath.

“Fuckin’ rain.” I shook out my hair, water flying everywhere. Not like the porch wasn’t already puddling a little. “I ain’t ever goin’ for another damn walk—”

Catching me around the waist, Ryder dragged me close and pushed me against the door. His body pinned mine against the wood.

“Shut up, honey,” Ryder ordered a second before his mouth found mine. I groaned, and his tongue swept through the seam of my lips. My hand curled around the back of his neck to hold him close. That familiar flame surged to life. The cold around us didn’t matter as every nerve in my body warmed under his attention. I needed more of him. From the way his dick pressed hard against my hip, he was just as needy.

His mouth drifted along my jaw as I struggled to open the goddamn door. Of course, we had to buy a fucking house that had a stupid fucking keypad lock instead of a regular lock like normal people. How the fuck was I supposed to focus on a number code when all my thoughts went straight to my dick?

“Open the door, Gray,” he whispered against my neck. His teeth grazed over my pulse, making me groan. Fuck me.

“I’m fuckin’ tryin’,” I grumbled. “This is why buyin’ a house with a keypad thing was a bad idea!”

“Impatient?” He chuckled, the sound spilling over my skin. I vibrated from head to toe. Yeah, I was fucking impatient. I wanted all his clothes and mine gone. I wanted to taste every goddamn inch of the man.

“I’m always impatient for you,” I reminded him. Ryder’s hand swatted mine away from the lock. He punched in the numbers without ever looking—show off.

We stumbled through the door in a wet frenzy, our boots slipping on the hardwood. I laughed as he tried to keep me from falling over and I damn near took him out with me.

“We probably need one of those damn welcome mat things,” I told him as I stepped back.

“Hold up.” Grabbing the bottom of my shirt, he yanked me back toward him. “There’s no way in hell you’re ruining our carpet by walking around like that.”

“Like what?”

“Wet and sandy.”

“If you wanted me naked, baby, all you had to do was ask.” I smirked as I slid off my boots. The hunger in his eyes kicked up as I took my time stripping—not that I had much choice. I was soaked to the bone and everything clung to me. But damn if I didn’t love the way his gaze roamed over my body.

“I could stare at you all day,” he admitted quietly.

“I really fuckin’ hope you’re goin’ to do more than just stare,” I said.

“Stroke yourself, honey,” he replied while peeling off his flannel. With a cocky grin, I fisted my aching dick, the silver of my wedding ring cold against my skin. I stroked my length from root to tip. Ryder’s stare never left me as he undressed. Fuck, he was sexy as hell.

When he was naked, he closed the distance between us and planted a hand on my chest. I went with him willingly until my back was pressed against the wall. He nuzzled the side of my neck as his hands skimmed down my stomach and gripped my hips.

“Fuck,” I groaned when his teeth scraped my ear.

“Head back and relax for me, Gray,” he said softly. I didn’t need to be told twice as he kissed his way down my body until he was on his knees in front of me. His tongue trailed over the dip of my hip bone. Strong hands ran up my thighs, and he gave my balls a light squeeze, damn near taking me out by the knees.

“Jesus fuck, baby,” I let out, my head tipping back against the wall with a soft thud. “You’re killin’ me.”

“I haven’t even started with you yet.” His tongue flicked across the head of my cock, tracing my slit. Fuck me. “Do you know how good you taste, honey?”

I didn’t have the fucking words to reply as his tongue circled the crown of my dick, and he took me in his mouth. My eyes rolled back as his head bobbed up and down my length, pushing me past the back of his throat each time.

Up and down. Fast and slow. His mouth was sweet fucking torture. My fingers balled in his hair tightly as I clung on for dear life.

“That’s it, honey,” Ryder praised when he pulled off, his deep voice thick with his desire. “Let go for me, Gray.”

Except I didn’t want to let go. I wanted more of him.

I pushed him away and dragged him to his feet. My hand curled around the back of his neck, and my mouth crashed against his. Hungry and desperate.

“Ain’t goin’ to happen, baby,” I said gruffly. With my hands on any inch of his body that I could touch, we made our way down the small hallway and tumbled into bed. I licked up his neck as I straddled his waist. I rolled my hips forward, my dick sliding along his and making him moan. “I don’t want to come until you’re inside me.”

His mouth found mine, and his teeth tugged on my lower lip. As his fingers dug into my skin, his hips thrust against mine. My dick throbbed. I needed him inside me so goddamn badly.

“Fuck me,” I practically begged.

“Ask me again nicely,” Ryder ordered.

“Please, fuck me, baby.”

“Good boy.”