He touched the smooth skin of her hip, then moved lower to the softness of her inner thigh. He was lost in the sensation of her skin. She was silk under his fingertips.
He lifted his head and pressed his lips to her cheek, then her jaw. Aelin's breath hitched, and Ryan's heart slammed against his ribs. He moved his hands to her stomach, then slipped them around her back and fumbled with the clasp of her bra. She smirked, then reached back to help him. It came loose, and he pulled the straps over her shoulders, watching as she slid the bra off and tossed it on the floor.
“Hmm. I don’t know these yet.” Ryan’s hands trembled as he slid his hands over her ribs and cupped her.
She blinked slow, her eyes liquid as she watched his face. “I’m so damn lucky.” She lowered herself over him, and as her skin pressed against his, he closed his eyes and let his fingers find new favourite places.
He wanted to stretch this moment like taffy, enjoy each slow, rich second. “I know I shouldn’t say this, but I love you.”
She lifted her head a fraction and pressed a hand to his cheek. “Why shouldn’t you say it?”
He let out a breath, his eyes pricking. “Because it’s only been a couple of months. It sounds crazy.”
She lowered her lips to his ear, sucking his lobe into her mouth. “I’ve missed out on love for twelve years. I refuse to wait another second.”
They tangled together, sliding under the sheets like they had at the cabin. Ryan lost track of time. Of space. Of anything beyond Aelin’s skin and breath and heat.
He’d been wrong before about what he needed. Hockey and paintball checked some boxes, but not all of them.
He needed this. He needed her.
His heart had expanded when he’d become a husband and a father, and it hadn’t shrunk in size when one of those pieces was taken from him. He’d been walking around half empty and had forgotten what it felt like to be full.
“I want you to know all of me.” Aelin kissed him, guiding his hands.
And Ryan lost track of words.
Chapter
Thirty-Three
Aelin smoothedher hands down the skirt of her navy blue dress, hoping it didn't look too wrinkled from being pulled out of a moving box that morning. She glanced over at the front of the outdoor ceremony space, where Ryan stood with his hockey teammates, his long hair pulled back neatly. Even after tangling her hands in it the night before and that morning, her fingers twitched.
She knew what he looked like under that tux. Knew what he felt like.Knew what he was capable of.
In one night, she’d discovered that she and Clark had never made love. He’d said the right words every once in a while, but mostly the wrong ones. He’d never been there for more than his own pleasure and validation.
Ryan on the other hand . . .
Aelin crossed her legs and forced herself to admire the bow on the back of the chair in front of her.
Amaya shifted in her seat. "It’s like a fairy tale."
"I agree." Aelin put an arm around her thin shoulders. Her heart ached, wishing Bailey could see this with them. She would have died at the flowers alone. Aelin pulled out her phone and snapped a few pictures.
"Are you my dad’s girlfriend?" Amaya asked suddenly, her hazel eyes wide and curious.
Aelin laughed and tapped Amaya playfully on the nose. "That sounds like a question for your dad."
“Why can’t you answer it?”
She shrugged. “Parents like to be the ones to talk to their kids about things like this.”
“But if you’re not answering, that probably means yes, right?” She smirked, her legs swinging under the chair.
Aelin nudged her as the music swelled and the crowd hushed. All heads turned to watch Jenna walk down the aisle on her mother's arm. Aelin's breath caught at how beautiful she looked in her flowing, lacy white gown, her blond hair swept up elegantly. She was glowing as she made her way to a misty-eyed Country waiting for her under the floral arch that Aelin knew Ryan had helped put together.
Aelin hadn’t expected to be there that morning. She hadn’t expected to find Ryan on her porch the night before. She’d always dreaded surprises with Clark, but these? They were quickly becoming her favourite.
