“I know better. You’ve trained me well, sweet Elizabeth,” he replies, then kisses my shoulder and neck. God, this feels so good. I may never get up even though wetness is trickling out of me. We can change the bedsheets later. It was so worth it.
As our sweat-slicked skin cools and dries, I tap Ryder’s arm to let him know I need room so I can wiggle around. Once I’m on my back, I snuggle my face into his shoulder. “That was fun.” And it was. Everything we do together, every time we make love, all of it is new for the both of us.
“Give me ten minutes and I’ll turn it into fun-tastic.”
I fall into a fit of giggles. “That was so cheesy.”
“Thank you,” he says happily, sounding proud of himself. He rolls over to his side taking me with him. I snuggle back in and he drapes a leg over mine.
“I hope I didn’t hurt your gorgeous face with my enthusiastic sexcapades.”
It’s Ryder’s turn to laugh, the deep sound music to my ears. “It looks worse than it feels,” he assures me but I’ll make sure to tend to it once we get up.
“Ryder?”
“Yeah, baby.”
“You believe me, right?” He cocks a curious brow my way. “That I’m yours and I love you. Don’t let Jayson get in your head. Trust me when I tell you that he and I will have our own talk.”
“You don’t need to fight my battles for me, Elizabeth.”
“I have a feeling that this is also my battle. Besides, isn’t that what couples do? Fight for each other and stand by one another?” For some reason, my questions earn me a very long, toe-curling kiss.
“Yeah. That’s what they do.”
“Remember your promise to me — that if you ever find yourself falling into a dark place, you come find me and talk to me first.” He nods in acknowledgment and caresses my arm and side before resting his hand over my butterfly tattoos. “Good. Now how about a naked picnic in bed?”
“What’s a naked picnic?”
“It’s where I eat food off your naked body.” I grin mischievously.
“Only if I get to reciprocate.”
“Deal.” I smack a kiss to his lips and he winces. “Oh, baby. I’m so sorry,” I apologize, giving him several tiny, little pecks around his mouth. I’ll have to be gentler with my kisses until his cut has healed.
After our naked picnic, which involves a lot of strawberries, a few grapes, and some dark chocolate I melt in the microwave, Ryder gives me another first when he perches me on top of the kitchen counter and fucks me into delirium. Afterward, we take a quick shower and crash hard into bed. I wake up a few hours later, restless from a memory dream of Jayson that was of him in a tuxedo taking a knee in front of me beside the Eiffel Tower.
I ease myself out of Ryder’s arms so as not to wake him. Even in the dark, I can make out the slight swelling on the side of his mouth. I lean over and plant a feathery kiss to the bruise and sit up, draping my legs over the side of the bed. Scrubbing my hands over my face, I look over to check the time on the clock. One in the morning. I silently groan. I’m still too restless to fall back asleep. I look over at Ryder again. His face is relaxed and peaceful. He’s the most beautiful man I have ever seen. My girlie heart sighs and I shake my head at myself. Ryder takes such good care of me. He takes care of everyone. My man is selfless and good and kind to the core. An idea forms in my head and I ease off the bed, grabbing my phone. Tiptoeing to the other side, I grab Ryder’s phone and sneak out of the bedroom.
When I get to the living room, I sit on the couch and open Ryder’s contacts. Finding the name I want, I enter it into my phone and send a text.
Me: It’s Elizabeth.
I don’t expect to get a response since it’s after midnight, so I’m surprised when one comes through almost immediately.
Fallon: Kitten?
Me: Do we have to go thru that again. Stop calling me kitten.
Fallon:
Fallon: Color me surprised when I say u r the last person I expected to text me.
Me: Well, this is new Elizabeth.
Fallon: Heard Trevor was hanging at Ry’s place last week.
Me: Not choosing sides so don’t start. I hang with who I want.
