Page 69 of Between the Ropes

His fingers graze mine across the table, sending a shiver up my spine. The world fades away, leaving only the warmth of the sun, the crash of the waves, and the man in front of me—unstoppable, unshaken, and completelymine.

Later, we change into swimsuits, and Ryan scoops me up effortlessly, carrying me toward the pool. I laugh, the sound light and carefree, and wrap my arms around his neck. The water is warm, soothing against my skin, but it’s nothing compared to the heat building between us.

I can feel him, hard against me, and a soft moan escapes my lips before I can stop it. Ryan doesn’t miss a thing. His eyes darken, a low growl rumbling from his throat.

“You’re killing me, baby,” he murmurs, his voice rough with desire.

I let my hands drift down, massaging him through his swim trunks, and he tilts his head back, a deep, guttural moan escaping his lips. “Fuck, Natalie,” he groans. “You have no idea what you do to me.”

He grabs my hand, leading me toward the waterfall. The water cascades down in a shimmering curtain, creating a secluded, intimate space behind it. The sound of the water is deafening, but it only adds to the intensity.

Ryan unties the strings of my bikini top, letting the pink fabric fall into the water. His eyes devour me, his hands sliding up my body to cup my breasts. His thumbs brush over my hardened nipples, and he groans, leaning down to take one into his mouth.

I gasp, my fingers digging into his shoulders as he flicks his tongue over my sensitive skin. He gives the same attention to the other, his teeth grazing lightly, sending shivers down my spine.

“Ryan,” I breathe, my voice trembling with need. “I want you.”

He looks up at me, his eyes blazing. “Tell me what you want, baby. Tell me how bad you need me.”

“I want you to fuck me under this waterfall,” I say, my voice steady despite the pounding of my heart.

His jaw tightens, his restraint hanging by a thread. He lifts me effortlessly, laying me back on one of the smooth, flat rocks. The cool surface contrasts with the heat of his body as he climbs up, positioning himself between my legs.

He hooks a finger under my bikini bottoms, sliding them off slowly, teasing me. The sound of the waterfall, the beauty of everything around us—it’s overwhelming.

Ryan tugs off his own swim trunks, tossing them aside. His cock stands thick and hard, and my mouth waters at the sight. I want to taste him, but the way he’s looking at me—like he’s about to devour me whole—I know he has other plans.

“Fuck, I need to taste you again,” he growls, lowering himself between my thighs. His beard brushes against my sensitive skin, and I shiver under his touch.

When his tongue finally meets me, I’m lost. His slow, deliberate strokes build the pressure with each pass, his groans vibrating against me. My body trembles, my moans echoing around us as he drives me closer to the edge.

“Ryan,” I gasp, my fingers tangling in his hair. “Please, I need you inside me.”

He teases me for a moment longer, his tongue working magic, before finally rising to his knees. He lines himself up, his eyes locked onto mine. Slowly, he thrusts into me, and I nearly lose my breath at the sheerperfectionof it.

“Fuck, baby,” he groans, his voice thick with need. “You feel incredible.”

His pace is steady at first, each thrust deep and measured, but soon, the urgency builds. His hands grip my hips, pulling mecloser, deeper, and our bodies move in perfect sync. His eyes never leave mine, the intensity in them making me feel seen, cherished, loved.

“I’m yours,” I whisper, my voice barely audible over the waterfall.

“And I’m yours,” he replies, his thrusts deepening. “Always.”

As we come undone together, I know with absolute certainty—thisis all I need.

50

The past week with Natalie in Key West has been surreal. We’ve existed in our own little bubble, wrapped up in each other, forgetting about the rest of the world. No pressure, no distractions—just us. Every morning, I’ve woken up next to her, and every night, I’ve fallen asleep with her in my arms. It’s been perfect, but I know it can’t last forever.

Reality is calling, and I’ve got a job to do. But this time, I’m not letting anything come between us. I won’t lose her again. She’s mine, and I’ll fight for her every single day if I have to.

Our flight to Memphis is quiet but comfortable. Natalie leans against my shoulder, her hand resting on my thigh. She hasn’t said much, but I know she’s nervous. She hasn’t asked Joel for her job back yet, but I can tell she’s hopeful. I don’t blame her. She’s damn good at what she does, and UXW would be stupid not to take her back.

When we arrive at the arena, the familiar buzz of energy hits me. The smell of sweat, the hum of conversations, the distant echoes of the ring being prepped—it’s home. I’ve missed this. The adrenaline, the crowd, the anticipation. But as much as I’m dialed in for my match, my top priority right now is Natalie.

We walk in together, and I feel the shift immediately—heads turning, conversations pausing. They’re not used to seeing me like this, not used to seeing me with her. Let them stare. It feels good to have her by my side, to finally show the world that she’s mine.

She gives me a small smile, squeezing my hand before slipping away to find Joel. She wants to handle this on her own, and I respect that. But I still watch her go, already missing the warmth of her hand in mine.

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