I brush my lips over her cheek. She closes her eyes, pushing up on her toes and inching closer.
Her lips press to mine hesitantly. Once. Twice. I pull her to me, angling her head and taking her mouth, savoring her trust.
Her tongue glides against mine, and I pull her closer, wanting more, but I won’t rush this or her.
Her frozen fingers dig into the back of my neck, tugging me to her. Ryder is careful and timid, but determined, as if she’s afraid our time is running out.
I slide my hands around her back, holding her. I kiss her over and over again, keeping her safe and wanting to believe this can last.
She pulls away, breathless, her fingers running over my jaw. She peeks up at me, her bottom lip tucking between her teeth.
I grin, wanting to hoist her right back to me and dive in again, but I refrain. Instead, I take her hand, guiding her in front of me and wrapping my arms around her.
I rest my chin on the top of her head, watching the light breeze ruffle the water. I take in the feel of her relaxing into me, remembering how it felt to wake up with her powerful body next to mine.
I don’t want to leave. I don’t want to go back to someone wanting to ruin me or Ryder walking into danger where I can’t follow.
I don’t want whatever this is to end—Ryder beginning to trust me.
Her soft words break through my worried thoughts. “How long can we stay?”
Not long enough.
“A little while. I told the kids we’d have a card game marathon since it’s our last day.”
She turns, sliding her arms around me and resting her head against my chest. “Thank you for bringing me here. This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.”
It’s a punch straight to my throat. I want to tell her this is just the beginning, but I hold it back.
I inhale and push it out, breathing her in and pressing my lips to her temple.
I squeeze her a little tighter. “How about some breakfast?”
She peers up at me. “You have food?”
I shrug. “I grabbed graham crackers, marshmallows, and some of the kids’ Halloween candy.”
She frowns.
“How about we build a fire and see who can make the best s’more?”
Her eyebrows arch upward. “Matthews, are you saying you’re going to eat nothing but a sugar sandwich for breakfast? I think this fresh mountain air has gone straight to your head.”
I grab her hand, linking my fingers with hers, and lead her toward the fire pit. “Jones, has anyone ever told you rules are meant to be broken?”
Chapter 37
RYDER
“Like this?”
Maggie leans over, inspecting my work. “Yep. That’s perfect. And Cole said you can’t cook,” she scoffs.
“I’m not sure I’d call pigs in a blanket cooking, Mags,” Cole says from the table where he and the kids are arguing over a heated game of UNO.
I glance at him across the room, holding Quinn over his shoulder, and there’s a flash of that slick smile that curls my stomach inward.
“If we’re making it and you’re eating it, it’s cooking,” Maggie says, popping open another can of crescent rolls.
