“Dance with me?”
I hesitate.
“Come on,” he says, crooking his fingers.
There’s no way he’s going to let this go, so I let him pull me into his arms.
My world narrows to the feel of his chest against my cheek, the way his thumb strokes slow circles at the small of my back, and how our hips sway together like we’ve done this a thousand times before.
After a few minutes, I get nervous and back away, putting a few inches between us. When I finally look up, he’s watching me.
“What?” I whisper.
“You’re so beautiful.”
My heart skips and he gives me a small smile. “And based on how quickly you just pulled away, I’m pretty sure you’re doing everything in your power not to fall for me.”
“How do you know?” I volley back.
He leans in close, his mouth a breath away from mine.
“Because if you had,” he murmurs, “you’d let me kiss you right now.”
My lips part in surprise and I take another step back, forcing out a laugh as I wipe my sweaty palms on my dress. “This is getting a little too intense for a fake date.”
He doesn’t respond, just looks at me with those intense gray eyes.
Then his smile fades into something darker, more dangerous. In two strides, he’s in my space again, crowding me backward until my back hits the wall.
“What are you doing?” I gasp, my voice catching as his body heat surrounds me.
“Pretend time is over,” he says, planting his hands on either side of my head. “I’m tired of all this slow-burn bullshit,” he growls roughly. “It’s time we take whatever it is we’re doing to the next level.”
My heart hammers against my ribs. “And what level is that?”
His only answer is to by capture my mouth with his. It’s not the gentle kiss from the hot spring or even the adrenaline-fueled one from outside the bar. This is hunger and need and desperation all rolled into one devastating assault, switching my senses to high alert.
Sliding his hands down my sides, he finds the hem of my dress. Shoving the fabric up, he palms my ass and squeezes, pulling me against him as he deepens the kiss. I gasp into his mouth, which he takes advantage of, swiping his tongue against mine, making me weak in the knees.
I should stop this before it goes any further, push him away. But when his teeth graze my bottom lip, all rational thought flies out the window. My hands find their way into his hair, tugging him closer as heat pools low in my belly.
“Fuck,” he breathes against my lips, his voice rough with desire. “You taste good.”
His fingers dig into my flesh, lifting me to press his rock hard length against my center. A moan escapes my lips, and I feel him smile against my mouth.
“That’s it, kitten,” he murmurs, trailing kisses along my jaw to my ear. “Let me hear you.”
When his teeth nip gently at my earlobe, I can’t hold back my whimper. My head falls back against the wall, giving him better access to my neck, to which he then trails his lips along my skin down to my collarbone.
“Ryder,” I gasp, my fingers tightening in his hair. “We shouldn’t?—”
“Weabsolutelyshould,” he growls, his breath hot against my skin. He slides a hand up, thumb brushing the underside of my breast through the thin fabric of my dress. “Tell me to stop, and I will. But I know that’s the last thing you want right now.”
The challenge in his eyes makes my pulse race and I hate that he’s right.
“I—” My words cut off when he kicks my legs farther apart and uses his other hand to graze a finger up my center over my panties.
“Holy fuck,” he moans. “You’re wet for me.”
