Casey’s quiet remark got Ryder’s attention.In the act of dressing for the day, he came out of the bedroom in nothing but his blue jeans.Casey was standing by the kitchen table, her morning cup of coffee forgotten as she stared at the headlines in disbelief.
“Ruban Heir Saved by Traffic Jam”
“How do they find these things out so fast?”
Ryder put his arms around her, reading over her shoulder as he cuddled her.When he saw the headline, he sighed.Because of who she was, she would always be news.
“It doesn’t matter.As long as they leave you alone, they can print your favorite recipe for toast for all I care.”
She dropped the paper on the table and leaned against him.“I don’t have a recipe for toast.I can’t cook.Remember?”
He grinned.“Then you have nothing to worry about, right?”
She laughed and turned in his arms.“So it would seem.”His eyes darkened as he cupped her hips and pulled her close, letting her feel what was on his mind.
Her robe slipped open, revealing the clean bare lines of her body beneath.Ryder groaned and lowered his head, razing the tender skin on her neck with a series of nips and kisses that left her trembling for more than this sensual tease.
Casey shivered.“Make love to me.”
With a flip of his wrist, her robe fell to the floor at his feet.He reached out, tracing the shape of her breast with the tip of his finger, then encircling her waist with his hands, holding her fast—wishing he could hold on forever.
“You are so beautiful, Casey Dee.”
Her head lolled as his hands began to work their magic.
Skin tingled.Nerves tensed.Muscles coiled.
He lowered his mouth, trapping her lips and swallowing her sigh.
Heat built.
When his hand dipped between her thighs, she groaned.
Honey flowed.
She reached for his zipper, then for him, needing him—guiding him—to her—in her.
It happened fast.One minute she was standing, the next she was on the cabinet with Ryder between her legs.“Buckle up,” he whispered.
Casey wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist.It felt as if everything inside of her was fighting to get out.Her heart was pounding against her chest.Her blood was racing through her veins.That sweet, sweet heat was building in her belly and she wanted the release.Clutching at him as hard as she could, she buried her face against his shoulder.
“Oh, Ryder, please now.”
He began to surge against her in a hard, even rhythm.Over and over.Minute upon minute.Rocking.Hammering.Driving toward pleasure.Too close to hold back.
Casey’s senses were swimming.There was nothing upon which she could focus except him inside her.And suddenly gravity shifted and she lost her sense of balance.Grabbing him tighter, she arched toward a thrust, crying aloud.“Ryder…Ryder…I’m coming undone.”
Sweat ran down the middle of his back as she held him, encompassed him, pulling him deeper and deeper toward total release.He shifted his hands from her back to her hips—pulling her forward—moving faster.His voice was harsh, his words low and thick with oncoming passion.
“Then let it happen.I’m coming with you.”
One cry broke the silence, then another, deeper and more prolonged, followed by soft, shaken sobs and gentle words of praise.
A short time later, Ryder picked up his wife and carried her out of the room.The newspaper that had sparked the mood lay forgotten on the floor.Had Casey seen it again, she would now have disputed the claim.The traffic jam wasn’t the first thing to save her life.It was the man she’d found in the flatlands down at Sonny’s Bar.
CHAPTER 12
“This is all I have to go on.See what you can come up with.Oh, and I want this kept confidential, understand?”
