I elbow his ribs, regretting the decision when a fit of shivers makes me tremble at the contact.
This is insane. We had sex this morning. I should be sated. Iwouldbe if this game weren’t so thrilling. If not for the predatory looks Ryder’s been giving me since we left the apartment.
The desire in his eyes speaks volumes. I feel like he’s undressing me inside his head whenever he looks at me. My skin tingles with anticipation, the low ache building in my belly making me feel like I’m about to combust.
“We’re good,” Ryder says, his attention back on Arthur, tone clipped, but sincere. “Shit happens. The main thing is that Bianca’s safe. You’ll know better next time.”
Arthur’s shoulders sag. He bobs his head in what I assume is some respectful gesture and glues his back to the wall flanking the entrance.
“Come on, Hailey’s getting impatient,” Ryder says, his hand brushing my lower back for a fleeting second.
“I thought you saidno touching.”
“You made the task damn near impossible.”
My triumphant smile grows wider as we weave toward the table where Hailey and Violet sit on a plush loveseat, their men engaged in a casual conversation close by.
I have no idea what they’re talking about but their relaxed stance tells me it can’t be anything heavy. They’re all wound up tighter than piano strings whenever they discuss business.
Violet waves me over, her face lighting up as I slide into a leather chair beside them. “Fashionably late?” she teases, her voice loud enough to carry over the music. “I wonder why.”
Ryder’s molten gaze burns through me from across the table, every look coursing a fresh wave of heat through my veins.
It’s unbearable. The tension. The need.
Hailey leans forward, looking between me and Ryder while he takes a seat beside Koby. “So,” she says in a hushed voice. “You and Ryder?”
“Broadway told us,” Violet adds. “Denial is no longer a river in Egypt. Spill it.”
“Broadway has a big mouth,” I mutter, accepting a drink from one of Carter’s soldiers. “What do you want to know?”
“Everything!” They say in unison. “We need details.”
“The sex is amazing,” I blurt out, pulling out the big guns.
Hailey’s jaw drops, and Violet lets out a scandalized laugh. “You can’t drop a bomb like that and not elaborate.”
Hailey turns pink, but her curiosity overshadows her embarrassment. “How amazing are we talking?”
I glance at Ryder, my smile growing. He’s chatting with Koby, he’s relaxed in that false way that masks the lust beneath. His attention isn’t fully on the conversation, eyes flicking to me every few seconds, and each time, they’re a touch darker.
“It’s like... he doesn’t just touch me; he consumes me. Makes damn sure I never forget who I belong to.” I take a sip of my wine. “But it’s not all gold. He drives me up the wall, too. Like tonight. The no touching in public rule is torture.”
Hailey tilts her head. “Why won’t he touch you?”
“Because he thinks it’ll make mea bigger target.” I air quote, rolling my eyes for good measure.
I glance at Ryder again, catching the way he scrutinizes me while Koby talks. He’s not even trying to be subtle. His jaw is tight, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he shifts in his seat. My eyes dip lower, under his table, and I catch him adjusting his hard cock. The sight sends a flush up my neck.
“He’s overreacting. Carter and Broadway don’t hide us and we’re still alive,” Hailey reasons.
“Ryder doesn’t care about logic.” I drag my eyes back to the girls. “He just cares about keeping me safe.”
“He will,” Violet says. “You trust him, don’t you?”
“Of course.”
On more than one level. I trust that he’ll keep me safe. I also trust him enough to let him in, let him see every corner of me, no matter how messy or broken.
