Page 25 of Between the Ropes

I stalk across the room, my jaw clenched, my eyes narrowed. The music pounds, but all I hear is the blood rushing in my ears. When I reach them, I don’t waste time. I don’t ask questions.

“I need to talk to you,” I say, my voice sharp, cutting through the noise.

Kyle glares at me, but I don’t even give him a second glance. My eyes are on Natalie, on the way she blinks up at me, her cheeks flushing as she stammers, “Oh, okay.”

She looks so damn cute, her eyes wide, unsure. But that’s not why I’m here. There’s something deeper—something that goes beyond cute. It’s that pull again, dragging me straight to her. And Kyle? He’s a problem I don’t have time for. I’ll deal with him another time, in the ring. We’ll get it all out on the mat, once and for all.

He mutters something under his breath, but I ignore him. He’s lucky I’m not in the mood to deal with him right now. I grab Natalie by the wrist, gently but firmly, pulling her close as I steer us toward the far end of the bar. It’s quieter here, more private, the rowdy UXW crowd still in the background but muted by the distance.

We stop in a shadowed corner, the dim lighting casting soft lines across her face. My heart’s pounding, my body thrummingwith energy I can barely contain. Her back hits the wall, and I step in close, my body just inches from hers.

I can feel the heat rolling off her skin. I can hear the quickened rhythm of her breath. She’s waiting, eyes wide and searching, and I can’t wait any longer.

My hands move on their own, cupping her face, my thumbs brushing against her soft skin. Her lips part, and before she can say anything, I close the distance. “Tell me I’m not the only one who feels it.” My voice is scratchy, my eyes searing into her.

“It’s all I can think about,” she admits softly.

I move in closer, and I kiss her, like I’ve been holding back for far too long. It’s hard and demanding, full of passion and heat, like I’ve been waiting for this moment forever.

She melts into me, her lips soft against mine, her breath mingling with mine as my tongue slides over hers. She tastes sweet, like the margarita she was drinking earlier, mixed with something that’s all her. It’s intoxicating, overwhelming, and I can’t get enough.

Her hands are in my hair, fingers threading through the strands, pulling me closer, and I groan into her mouth, pressing her back harder against the wall. Her body fits against mine perfectly, her curves molding into my muscles, and I feel the tension that’s been building between us crack open, raw and electric.

I kiss her deeper, my hands tangling in her hair, feeling the silky strands slip through my fingers. She’s kissing me back with the same urgency, her body leaning into mine, her chest pressed against me, her heart racing just as fast as mine.

We’re lost in it, like the rest of the world doesn’t exist. There’s only her, only this moment. I don’t care about the noise, the people, or the fact that we’re in a crowded bar. All that matters is the way her lips move against mine, the way her body responds to every touch, every breath.

The kiss lasts longer than it should, but when we finally pull apart, her eyes are soft and wide, her chest heaving with every shaky breath. She looks at me like she’s seeing me for the first time, and maybe she is. Maybe I’m seeing her for the first time too. And fuck, she is so beautiful.

My forehead rests against hers, both of us trying to catch our breath. I feel the weight of everything—everything we’ve been holding back, everything that’s been building between us since the moment we met—settle between us.

“Let’s get out of here,” I whisper, my voice rough, breathless.

She doesn’t hesitate. She nods, her hand sliding into mine, and I lead her out of the bar, the noise and the crowd fading behind us.

19

My body’s on fire, every nerve lit up as Ryan’s lips crash against mine. He tastes like whiskey, dark and smooth, and I can’t get enough. His scent—sandalwood, rich and warm—wraps around me, making my head spin. Every inch of him is rock-hard against me, his broad chest, his powerful arms, his whole presence overwhelming in the best way. Any thoughts I had about not hooking up with the talent? Gone. Out the window. He’s consuming, his kiss possessive, as if he’s telling me with every movement of his lips that I’mhis.

When he asks me if I want to get out of here, I don’t need to think. I just nod, breathless, my mind too hazy with want to form words.

The ride back to the hotel feels like the longest car ride of my life, even though it’s only a few minutes. Ryan’s hand is wrapped around mine as he drives, his fingers firm but gentle,that tension between us building, growing unbearable. The air in the car is thick, charged with anticipation. His thumb brushes over my skin in slow circles, and every touch sends a fresh wave of heat rolling through me. I can’t stop glancing over at him—his jaw tight, eyes locked on the road, but I can see the same fire burning in him, barely contained.

By the time we pull up to the hotel, I’m already out of the car before it’s fully parked, and so is he. We don’t waste a second. We’re practically running to the elevator, our hands locked together.

The second the doors slide shut, his mouth is on mine again, urgent and hungry. His hands are everywhere—on my waist, my hips, my back—his body pressing me against the elevator wall, caging me in. I can feel the solid weight of him, the heat radiating off his skin, and it only makes me want him more.

His cock hardens against me, thick and insistent, and when my hand brushes against the bulge in his pants, he lets out a low groan that sends electricity shooting through my body. That sound... God, I want to hear it again.

I barely register the ding of the elevator doors opening until Ryan pulls back, his chest heaving, eyes dark and intense. Without a word, he grabs my hand, leading me down the hallway. Everything is moving fast, but at the same time, it feels like we’re in slow motion. The heat between us is doing all the talking, making words unnecessary.

When we reach his room, Ryan wastes no time. His hands grip my waist, and in one swift movement, he lifts me up as if I weigh nothing. My legs wrap around his muscular body, and he kisses me like he’s starving—like he’s been waiting for this, forme, forever. I’m lost in him, in the sheer power of him as he walks us to the bed.

He lowers me gently, but the hunger in his kiss never falters. The second my back hits the mattress, Ryan pulls his shirtover his head in one fluid motion, and my breath catches in my throat. His body is...spectacular. Muscles ripple across his abs, his chest, his arms, each one perfectly defined, his tattoos stretching across his tanned skin, making him look even more dangerous. Even more desirable.

A soft sound escapes me, half a gasp, half a moan, as he climbs onto the bed, his body hovering over mine, his hands already trailing up my thighs, sliding under the hem of my dress. The heat of his skin on mine is enough to drive me wild. My breath is coming in short, shaky bursts, and I can hardly think, hardly breathe.

“Ryan...” His name leaves my lips in a breathy whisper, and I can see the effect it has on him. His gaze darkens, his jaw clenching as his fingers inch higher, lifting my dress with them.

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