His voice is rough and dangerous and I have to fight not to clench my thighs together in response.
Forcing the shiver away, I give him an innocent blink as I take another sip of my coffee. “Whatever do you mean, Rye?”
His jaw flexes as he slowly closes the book and sets it aside.
Rising from the stool, he rounds the island with predatory grace, keeping his eyes locked with mine.
As he stands before me, he’s so close, the fresh scent of his sandalwood body wash assaults my nose. His storm gray eyes are dark and his pupils are blown, with a fire burning in their depths that practically turns my legs to jelly.
His voice drops to a murmur as his fingers brush against my bare arm. “You knowexactlywhat I mean.”
I swallow hard, doing everything I can to maintain my composure. “I’m just having my morning coffee.”
“Dressedinthat?” His eyes flick down to my barely there outfit again. “Where’s your robe?”
Ignoring his last question, I ask, “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” I flutter my lashes, attempting to feign innocence, all while fighting to keep my breathing steady.
“Nothing,” he answers, taking the mug from my hand and setting it on the counter away from me. The movement brings him even closer. “In fact, I think it’s perfect.”
My breath catches as his hand comes up, fingers tracing the curve of my collarbone, then slowly trails them down my arm, leaving a riot of goosebumps in their wake.
The shower turns on upstairs and Ryder’s eyes flick up, then back down to mine. A slow smirk pulls at his lips.
Then his hands grip my waist, and before I’m able to process what is happening, he effortlessly lifts me up and onto the counter. My bare thighs hit the cool marble, making me gasp.
“You think you can just come down here and pull a slow-burn on me?” he murmurs as his fingers start tracing light, maddening circles on my thighs.
His touch sends sparks of electricity up my legs and straight to my core, making my breath hitch. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I squeak.
He leans in until his lips are a whisper away. “Two can play, kitten.”
Oh,shit.
Then his mouth, hot and demanding, crashes down on mine. His tongue forces its way past my lips, claiming my mouth as he explores.
What started out as gentle circles, turns to fingers digging into flesh as he shoves my legs wide open and steps between them.
Just as I thread my fingers through his hair and arch intohim, he breaks the kiss, leaving me gasping, my lips tingling as my body aches for more.
Then, without warning, he bends down and hoists me over his shoulder.
“What are you doing?!” I yelp.
Blood rushes to my head, and all I can see is his firm, muscular ass. The only response I get is a grunt as he secures one arm tight around my thighs.
Palming his other hand on my ass, he squeezes, then gives it a smack, forcing another yelp from my throat as he takes the stairs, two at a time.
When we get to my bedroom, he stalks inside and deposits me unceremoniously on my feet in the middle of the floor.
Disoriented from being suddenly upright again, I can only stand there and wobble as his eyes rake over me, blazing with heat and something along the lines of triumph.
His sweats ride low on his hips, showing off the vee in the middle of his tapered waist. And he’s hard.
“Get dressed, Noia,” he orders, voice low and controlled as he shoves a hand through his already disheveled hair.
Then he turns and walks out, closing the door firmly behind him.
Mouth open in shock, my heart pounds as my body continues to thrum with need.
