I groan, but force myself to keep moving. The trail narrows even further, forcing us to walk closer together. I’m hyper-aware of Ryder’s presence, the heat radiating off his body, the scent of his cologne mingling with pine and earth.
“We’re here.”
I look up, blinking in surprise. We’ve emerged from the dense forest onto a rocky outcropping. The view that greets us is breathtaking—rolling hills covered in evergreens, a winding river glinting in the distance, and snow-capped mountains on the horizon.
“Oh,” I breathe, momentarily speechless.
Ryder grins, clearly pleased by my reaction. “Worth the hike?”
I hate to admit it, but he’s right. “It’s not terrible.”
He laughs, the sound warm and rich. “High praise indeed from the queen of the great indoors.”
We settle on a blanket, laid on a flat rock. Then unpack our lunch. I bite into a sandwich, ravenous, while Ryder pulls out a thermos of coffee.
“You brought coffee?” I ask, eyeing the thermos with newfound respect.
“I know better than to drag you into the wilderness without caffeine,” he chuckles, pouring me acup.
I take a sip, sighing. “Okay, you’re forgiven for the torture of this hike.”
“Torture?” Ryder raises an eyebrow. “I thought you were enjoying yourself. You know, with all the wildlife spotting and amazing view.”
We finish our lunch, chatting and laughing. Despite my earlier complaints, I have to admit I’m enjoying myself. There’s something freeing about being out here, away from the pressures of work and threats. And the company isn’t bad either.
A loud crack echoes through the air, making us both jump. I yelp.
I leap into his arms, burying my face against his chest. “What was that?” I ask, my voice high. “Was it a gunshot? Are we about to be murdered by some backwoods serial killer?”
“Relax, it was just a branch breaking. Probably a squirrel.” His laugh rumbles through his chest, vibrating against my cheek, blending with the distant rustle of leaves and the murmur of a nearby stream.
“A very large, potentially murderous squirrel,” I mutter, eyeing the treeline.
“Admit it, you were just looking for an excuse to jump me.” His eyes sparkle with mischief as he looks down at me.
“I don’t need excuses to jump you. All I need to do is this.” I grab the hem of my shirt and pull it up over my head, tossing it aside, leaving only my sports bra. The cool mountain air brushes against my bare skin. “And you jump me.”
His lips part, pupils dilating as he drinks me in. “You’ve got me there.”
In a flash, my back hits the blanket. Ryder hovers over me, his large body shielding mine. His hardness presses against my belly, sending a jolt of heat straight to my core.
“Kiss me,” I demand, arching up toward him.
His lips crash into mine, a slow, sensual swirl of his tongue invading my mouth. The taste of coffee mingles with his usual mint flavor, the combination intoxicating.
His tongue dances with mine in a rhythm that feels both primal and tender, each movement igniting sparks of desire. He slows the pace, nibbling on my lower lip before plunging back in, the contrast driving me wild.
I explore every inch of his mouth, savoring his unique taste, the feel of his teeth grazing my lips, andthe way his breath hitches when I suck on his tongue.
He reaches behind my back, unhooking my bra with practiced ease. My breasts spill free, and his gaze drops, darkening with desire. He takes one hardened nipple into his mouth, sucking eagerly.
A wave of fire courses through my body, drawing a blazing line from my breast to the heat burning between my legs. He sucks harder, and I arch off the ground, desperate for more.
“Feels good?” he murmurs against my skin, his breath hot and teasing.
“Not sure,” I tease, breathless. “Still deciding.”
He nips at my nipple, the sharp sting mingling with pleasure. “Fuck!”
