He pulsed, and her body responded in kind.Sweet mercy. It was amazing how much she already ached for him. The restraint he showed was remarkable. He shook, but didn’t make a move to touch her.
She released him and drew in a breath as his eyes met hers, deliciously dark and hungry. God, could she relate. His flesh gleamed in the soft glow of the lamps, and flickering light of the television.
They stared for a beat, then lunged at each other, touching, stroking, caressing every inch in a frenzy of moves, like they wanted to touch everywhere at once. She certainly did. His mouth was hot and demanding on hers, stoking the fire he’d started several minutes ago.
“Sophia,” he murmured after releasing her mouth to place kisses down her throat. “Missed this.” His voice was thrillingly gruff.
She used her mouth to get reacquainted with his body, tracing her tongue over his collarbone, a pec, flicking a nipple, eliciting a rough groan from deep in his chest she felt clear into hers. “Me, too.”
Sucking in a sharp breath, he threaded his hands in her hair and covered her mouth with his again, which worked for her because his kisses were amazing. It was long and wet and deep and she trembled with pure need, while returning the favor. Warm, deliciously rough hands, sent a thrill through her when they left her hair to cup her breasts and his wicked fingertips teased her nipples. It was as if he remembered just exactly how she liked it.
In a swift move, he cupped her ass to lift her up. “Wrap your legs around me,” he said, and walked the two feet to the nearest wall as she obeyed the quiet command.
She moaned at the sheer pleasure of brushing his erection where she ached the most. A second later, her back met the wall. “Cold,” she squeaked.
“Not for long,” he said against her neck. “But this first time is going to be fast. We’re too combustible.”
“Good,” she said, cupping his face, forcing him to meet her gaze. “Because I’m about ready to burst.”
The need darkening his gaze clogged the breath in her throat.
“Wait for me.” He gripped her hips and brushed her center with the tip of his erection.
Sophia gasped. “Yes.” She rocked against him, urging him to move.
Needing no further instruction, Ryder thrust deep with one sure, shocking push, filling her to the hilt, and memories from years ago flooded her senses.
That…thatwas what she missed. Pure bliss.
Gasping in tandem pleasure, they stared at each other a beat.
“God, Sophia.” His gaze smoldered. “Even better than I remembered.”
She sucked in a breath. “Me, too.”
Heaven help her, she’d never felt anything so intense, so achingly incredible, with anyone but this man. He filled her completely. The perfect fit.
Bending down, he kissed the curve of her neck, sending goose bumps down her side. He tightened his grip on her hips, and began to move. Her whole body tingled. She was close. So blessedly close to that blissful edge again.
She moaned and arched closer. He scraped his thumb over her, just above where they were joined. That was it. All it took. She cried out, arching against him as she burst into a million and one pieces. He threw his head back, gripped her hips, and drove hard and deep inside her, muttering her name as he followed her with his own release.
***
Sun streaked through the blinds in a three-slice pattern on the floor as Ryder woke up from one of the best nights he’d ever had…might even have topped his epic New Year’s Eve. It was no wonder since the same woman was the reason behind both historic nights. Turning over, he reached for Sophia but the bed was empty.
The sound of the shower shutting off sent a rush of heat through his body at the memory of her kneeling down, grasping his hips, while working him over until she’d melted every last bone in his body.
“Good morning.” She smiled, breezing into the room, wrapped in a towel, just like that day he’d walked in on her.
But unlike that day, he wasn’t running away from the need and awareness she sparked in him.
“Good morning.” He got out of bed and strode to her, thrilled when she met him halfway. Pushing her wet hair off her shoulder, he bent down to kiss a path to her ear. “Why didn’t you wake me up?”
It was funny how much had changed in a little over a week. But it was a good change. A welcome change.
She hadn’t kicked him out of her bed. Nor had she asked him to stay. The amazing woman left that all up to him. After the way they’d combusted in her living room, he never even thought about leaving her last night.
“I was worried that perhaps I’d worn you out.” She skimmed her hands down his torso, brushing her thumbs across his abs, causing them to quiver.
