Shadow would take it. He adored the sensation of Ridge’s bare skin against his nude body, but still. “Are you serious?” Why wouldn’t he have lube? Then again, Ridge had never brought anyonehere. It was possible whoever he went to for pleasure kept everything they needed. Hot coals of jealousy burned in his stomach.
“There’s no reason.” Ridge never stopped stroking him as he made the confession.
“Why?” Shadow couldn’t stop pushing. Maybe he searched for a reason to cling to the armor of his anger. The more Ridge touched him, the more Shadow recalled the heartbreak.
Ridge kissed the tip of his nose before moving to his cheek. His lips found their way to Shadow’s ear, making goosebumps rise on his skin. “There’s only one you.”
No, seriously. There was noway.
Ridge didn’t stop. “For me, it was never over.” He sucked Shadow’s neck and pumped Shadow’s cock. “I’ve just been waiting for your forgiveness.” He said the words against Shadow’s skin. “I couldn’t screw up anymore.”
Shadow didn’t believe. He couldn’t. “You’re lying.”
Ridge stopped, making Shadow wish he had kept his mouth shut. With his weight braced on his palms on both sides of Shadow’s head, he pushed away and held Shadow’s stare. The light breaking through around the curtains gave Shadow just enough light to see the truth in Ridge’s gorgeous light gray eyes. “You know every need was taken from us. Human connection means nothing to me. You’ve always been the only exception. You’ve always been the only onewho makes me feel and ache. When I look at you or think about you, I’m someone else. You’re the only thing I need to survive.”
They had been stripped of their emotions, or at least taught how to suppress them and hide them. Emotions and dependence on any desires got people killed. No attachments. No anything. Just service to their country. But Shadow couldn’t call Ridge a liar again. He knew Ridge too well, and Shadow felt the same. Ridge was all he saw in his head. He was the only one who made Shadow feel this way. They knew each other.
“I’m sorry.” Shadow’s apology came out sounding shaky. He felt closer to tears than he liked. “I never meant to stealyour life.”
“You didn’t. I threw it away when I told you we were over. But I want it back, beautiful.” He stroked Shadow’s erection, which wouldn’t go away with Ridge holding him. “I have to know you’re mine. Otherwise, there’s nothing.”
Shadow ran his hands down Ridge’s sides before moving to memorize his chest and abs with his fingertips. “I’ve been yours since you asked me to sit on you. It seems nothing can break that.”
Ridge shot forward and covered Shadow’s mouth with his. Talking flew out the window. There probably was a lot of shit that needed to be said. It looked like they had more time for that later. Plus, Ridge no longer toyed with him. There was no teasing. Ridge proved he hadn’t forgotten a thing about Shadow’s body.
Their tongues battled.
Shadow’s hips lifted, seeking more. Every second that passed, he lost a little more control. When Ridge finally tugged him into a powerful orgasm, Shadow lost all control. Pride. Everything flew out the window. A cry tore from him that turned into pleading.
“Holy hell. I want you inside me. I don’t give a fuck what it takes. Nothing is right without you.”
To his shock, Ridge didn’t turn him down with the no lube thing again. He swiped his fingers through Shadow’s cum and used it to get Shadow wet. It was hardly enough for this, but Shadow genuinely didn’t care. This wasn’t physical any longer. He needed the connection. Shadow had to know he made Ridge come. Even though Ridgeeased his way inside, Shadow still could barely take him. Just when he thought he had made a mistake, Ridge hit at the right angle and Shadow saw stars.
“Oh my God. Like that. Don’t stop. I need to watch you come.”
Ridge held Shadow’s legs, keeping total control as he pumped inside Shadow. He made short thrusts that kept Shadow completely focused on every minute detail. His fingers dug into Ridge’s forearms like he tried to keep Ridge from escaping. When he had begged Ridge to fuck him, Shadow hadn’t truly thought he would get a second orgasm. Now he was on the precipice and there was no going back. Shadow stopped breathing. Everything focused on what Ridge did with his dick. When the spring windingtighter inside him finally snapped, a cry tore from his throat.
Ridge lost control. He slammed inside Shadow over and over, riding Shadow’s orgasm. When Ridge threw his head back, straining toward the edge, Shadow couldn’t look away. He knew the moment would sear into his brain. The knowledge doubled when Ridge blew. He didn’t make a sound. Ridge dropped his chin and held Shadow’s stare with fire burning in his eyes. That was when Shadow knew it was all true. The love. The waiting. All of it. Shadow would be damned if Ridge ever suffered again.
Chapter Four
Ridgenevertiredofwatching Shadow and Rain work together. They moved so seamlessly. It was impressive as hell, the way Shadow mimicked every move Rain made, moving in reverse. He knew the flexibility came from years of ballet. That career had been meant to be his cover when they were set upon the world. Watching them, it was magic.
“Are you paying attention?”
Ridge didn’t bother looking Edge’s way. Edge was his heights-sniper partner, and basically the team leader, but Ridgewasn’t dumb. “I know my part. I always know my part.”
Edge sighed. It was a put-upon sound. “Do you need to know Rain’s and Shadow’s parts as well?”
Ridge’s gaze finally slid Edge’s way. His brown eyes flashed with irritation. That didn’t make Ridge want to back down. “Yeah, we kind of do. We’re only here if something goes wrong with them.”
Edge’s features softened. He set his hand on Ridge’s forearm. “If something goes wrong with them, Shadow needs you to know exactly how to save him.”
Goddamn it. Edge saw right through him, and he was right. Ridge couldn’t let anything happen to Shadow. He tempered his tone. “Seriously, I wasn’ttrying to be an ass. I know my part for exactly that reason.”
Edge’s gaze moved over his face. He leaned back in his chair. “You’re back together.”
Ridge couldn’t help the smile that exploded across his face. “Maybe.”
