I stand, take a deep breath of the rain-fresh air and spin. My dress billows around me, a whirlwind of wet fabric clinging to my curves.
The rain intensifies, becoming a downpour. We’re drenched within seconds, our clothes plastered to our bodies.
Ryder’s hand closes around mine. “Come on,” he says. He tugs me along, moving through the rain toward a nearby palm tree.
We reach the tree, and Ryder pulls me close, positioning us so the broad leaves offer some meager shelter from the deluge. His arms encircle me, one hand resting on the small of my back, the other cupping the nape of my neck. The heat of his body contrasts with the cool rain, sending a shiver down my spine.
The world seems to shrink until it’s just us, huddled together under the palm tree. The patter of rain on leaves creates a soothing rhythm, almost drowning out the sound of my racing heart.
I’m acutely aware of every point where our bodies touch—his strong arms around me, the solid planes of his chest against mine, our legs brushing together. Despite the chill of the rain, heat blooms wherever his skin meets mine.
“I’m already soaked through,” I say, looking up at him from under the makeshift shelter. Water droplets cling to his eyelashes, making his intense gaze even more captivating.
His eyes darken, burning into me. “Soaked?” His voice is rough.
My breath catches. “I didn’t mean it like that,” I stammer, very aware of how close we are.
“No?” He tilts his head, his lips close to mine. His warm breath on my face. “Are you sure about that, Little Trouble?”
Despite the rain, a wave of heat washes over my body. “What do you want, Ryder?” I whisper, my heart pounding.
“You,” he says, the single word filled with raw honesty. “I fucking want you, and I’ve been trying to resist it, but I can’t anymore.”
Before I can respond, he closes the minuscule distance between us, capturing my lips in a searing kiss.
His lips are soft, a stark contrast to his usual hardness. I pour everything into the kiss—my fears, hopes, and desires. It’s like a dam breaking, all our pent-up tension flooding out.
Ryder groans, the sound vibrating through me. His arms wrap around my waist, pressing me against him as if he’s afraid I’ll disappear. But I’m not going anywhere. I’m exactly where I’ve wanted to be for so long.
The taste of him is intoxicating. When his tongue seeksentrance, I open to him without hesitation. I’m putty in his hands, my body molding to his as if we were made to fit together.
His hands slide down, cupping my ass, and I respond by wrapping a leg around him. The evidence of his desire presses against my belly, hard and insistent. It’s thrilling to know I affect him as much as he affects me.
The rain continues to pour, cooling my burning skin. Without it, I might combust from the heat between us.
Ryder breaks the kiss, resting his forehead against mine. “I shouldn’t have crossed the line,” he pants. “It’s a mistake.”
“No,” I argue, shaking my head and sending raindrops flying from my hair. “Something that feels this good can’t be a mistake. It’s the most right thing I’ve felt in a long time.”
Ryder takes a step back, his walls slamming up so fast I can almost hear them. His eyes, moments ago burning with desire, are now cool and distant.
“We need to go back,” he says, his voice clipped.
The loss of his warmth is like a physical blow.
“Is this how it’s going to be?” I challenge, my voice trembling with a mix of frustration and hurt. “You’ll say you want me and then shut down? Ice and fire?”
He moves close again, his body a hairsbreadth from mine. I stifle a whimper.
The rain pours down, plastering my dress to my skin. My heart races, partly from the chill, mostly from his proximity.
“You know I can’t give you a relationship,” he says, his voice low and strained.
I tilt my chin up, meeting his gaze. “I don’t care,” I insist. “I want this. I want you.”
His eyes search mine, looking for any sign of doubt. “Are you sure?”
“As sure as I can be.” I can’t stop the tremor that runs through me, a mix of nerves and anticipation. This is new territory for me. Despite my wild appearance, my sexual experience is limited. But right now, none of that matters. The rain, the beach, my inexperience—it all fades away. There’s only Ryder, and the burning need I feel for him.
