Page 8 of Hungry Hearts

“And then you’d have my number.”

He leans forward and whispers in my ear, “But still no name.”

“I’m...I’m not ready for that yet.” My body sizzles with need.

Ryder pulls back and rests both hands on my hips, making slow circles with his thumbs. “If you’re not ready, we can go somewhere.”

“Not that. I’m ready for sex. I think. It’s been way too long and I’m—” My eyes grow wide at my admission, but he’s too polite to give me a hard time about it. Instead, Ryder’s gaze softens in understanding. “I need this. More than you can possibly understand. But if I give you my name it makes it all too real. I need to live in a fantasy tonight.”

“You want me to be your fantasy?”

“You’ve already lived up to the expectations of all the heroes in the books I’ve read.”

“Those fictional guys have nothing on what I can do for you,” he pauses, waiting for me to give him my name. “Angel.”

“I’m not an angel.”

“You’re a vision.” He traces my bottom lip with his thumb, keeping a breath of air between our bodies, waiting for me to make a move, to give permission.

If he used the key card and pounced on me like easy prey, I would have had the willpower to push him away. But the more he hesitates, the more he waits for my permission, the more I want him to have his dirty way with me.

“I have a pint of Snickers ice cream in the fridge,” I whisper across his lips.

Ryder’s hand goes still on my hips and he pulls his head back. “Do you want ice cream?”

I shake my head. “I want...” I take a deep breath, reaching for the gin that still flows through my bloodstream to give me confidence. “I’m in the mood for a sinful treat. Chocolate, nuts, and caramel. Vanilla isn’t on the menu.”

He curses under his breath. “Tell me to stop, and I will. No questions asked. No guilt. No pressure.”

“Is that like...do I need a safe word or something?”

“Fuck.” Ryder slams his mouth on mine and the kiss ends as quickly as it started. “No. Not tonight. But if you want to stop, we will.”

Not tonight.My panties are damp with need. I’ve never had kinky sex before, only read about it. It’s never crossed my mind that I’d actually be interested in it, but Ryder is stirring up all sorts of funky things in me tonight. He’s helping me come out of my shell and become a new person. One without the weight of the world on her shoulders. Without expectations from the past.

If only for tonight.

“I don’t want you to stop.”

He spins me around and pins me against the wall, planting his hands on either side of my head. When I think he’s going to attack my mouth, he stares at me instead. “You’re beautiful.”

My knees wobble under the intensity of his eyes. They’re probably words he uses on all the women he seduces, but right here, right now, he makes me feel like I’m the only woman in the world he wants.

“Are you going to kiss me?” I lick my lips and his gaze follows the track of my tongue.

“Do you want me to?”

I nod. “In my fantasy, you do.”

He leans in closer, his lips once again hovering over mine. The restraint in this man is impressive and infuriating. “Where?”

Oh, lordy. Someone turn up the air conditioning. “Everywhere,” I whisper.

His nostrils flare and the veins in his neck tell me he’s straining to hold his composure. I don’t want him to, though. I want my fantasy night of hot fudge and sin. Tomorrow, I’ll go back to my regular life and be that angel he so accurately pegged me for.

Ryder finally lowers his mouth to mine and sips at my lips. He takes gentle nips and I lift my hands, resting them on his chest. His kisses are feather-light. Vanilla. Simple. Respectful. I feel him treading carefully with me, and I hate that he thinks he needs to.

I clutch at his shirt and pull him in closer, then lean into his kiss, giving now instead of receiving. His moan touches my tongue and I open my mouth for him, accepting his kiss. His hands move from the wall and cup my head, massaging my scalp as he keeps our kiss tasteful.

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