One of his hands moved up to the back of her neck, supporting her as she leaned backward, sprawled out on top of the tangled blankets. Her eyes flickered under her lids, trying in vain to see something beyond the shift of light. He kissed her again, almost absently, the tip of his tongue darting out to touch hers, almost like a hasty caress, before pulling back.
She heard the crumpling sound of her dress being lifted and pushed aside long before she felt the rush of cool air on her bare legs. She imagined that he would kiss her there again. Perhaps they would go further this time. Thekiss, as she’d thought of their first encounter, was not something that would result in a baby. And Ryder hadn’t even done anything for himself. Perhaps this time would be different. Perhaps…
She gasped aloud, and the thought died in her mind as he slid two fingers against the join of her legs. This time, his touch was firmer and more assured, different from when he’d pressed his tongue against her. He stroked a slow, languid line against her, almost leisurely, and she was sure she heard a chuckle.
He repeated the action, unhurried, until Megan’s back arched in her attempt to push against him. At once, he withdrew his hand, and she nearly wept with frustration.
“Ye seem eager, lass,” he observed, sounding infuriatingly cool. “Better nae open yer eyes before I tell ye.”
“Can I really nae open me eyes?”
“Nay, you may nae. And if ye want any sort of finish, ye had better mind yer manners.”
“Memanners?”
“I believe it is polite to saypleasewhen ye want somethin’.”
Megan considered throwing a pillow at his head. She decided against it, screwing up her eyes to avoid the temptation of opening them.
“Please,” she breathed. “Please, Ryder.”
He said nothing for a moment, and she was momentarily afraid that the game was over and that he’d lost interest. Then he gave a low, almost angry growl, deep in his throat. The mattress by her head shifted as he leaned his weight against it and kissed her roughly on the mouth.
Sliding his fingers against her, she sucked in a surprised breath when he put one fingerinside her, a strange intrusion that amplified the sensation.
He shifted his hand, a slow, rocking movement that seemed to echo right the way from the crown of her head to the soles of her feet. He seemed to pull back, just a little, and she could feel his eyes on her face, watching her closely. Megan tightened her hands in the bedclothes. She wanted to open her eyes, to watch him watching her, to see the expressions flit over his face. Shewanted to glance down and watch his hand moving between her legs.
He began to speed up, slick fingers sliding against her, and as the pleasure built up inside her, Megan bit at her lower lip, tasting the faint tang of copper.
“Come on now, lass,” he breathed, his voice cracking. “Are ye going to finish for me now?”
Her climax came quickly, almost taking her by surprise. She fisted her hand in the blankets by her head, and despite her best efforts, her eyes flew open.
Ryder was leaning over her, resting on one elbow to look down into her face. He was flushed, something hot and ravenous in his eyes.
Almost at once, he looked away, carefully withdrawing his hand. Megan lay where she was for a moment, breathing heavily and trying to regain her composure. Her thighs were slick, and despite the residual pleasure of her climax, she couldn’t help but feel that something was missing. What was it? What else could she possibly need?
Ryder climbed out of bed and poured himself a goblet of wine. Megan didn’t even remember putting the jug of wine aside, but there it was. He drank the wine in one deep swallow.
“Well,” Megan managed, when she trusted her voice enough to speak. “That was a fine goodbye.”
Ryder chuckled dryly. “I’m good at goodbyes.”
The silence stretched out again, with Megan aware of her own ragged breathing.
Why is he actin’ so strangely, so distant?
“Unless,” she hazarded, licking her lips, “it’s nae a goodbye?”
There. She’d said it.
I want to stay. She might as well have shouted those words at him. There was relief in speaking one’s mind, after all.
Ryder didn’t turn to look at her. He poured another goblet of wine.
“It is a goodbye, lass,” he murmured after a moment. “What happens between us is… it’s a game. A way to pass the time. Ye cannae imagine that ye are the first lass to share me bed?”
Her throat tightened. The pleasure from their intimacy had vanished as quickly as if it had never been there at all.
