Page 39 of Ignite

At least the makings of a smile threatened the corner of her mouth.

“And tonight?” I only slightly exaggerated my deep breath, “You are smoking hot. Consider my lack of restraint a direct response to your hotness.”

Stop talking.

Stop talking gibberish.

Stop talking, right now, before she decides that walking thirty kilometers back home is safer than spending the night with you.

Her smile—the first genuine one I’d seen since the bar—became my reward.

By the time she returned, her wet hair had been pulled into a loose, messy bun and my sweatpants had never looked better. I chanced opening my arms and loved the way she fit snuggly against my chest. Of course, my cock twitched to remind me that he wanted the chance for a do-over. Later, maybe.

“Do you want to talk about what that was all about?”

“No.”

“Then how about I order us a couple of pizzas? There’s bottled water while we wait.”

“I thought you bought a bottle of wine?”

“Yeah, I had different ideas for that.”

“Tell me more.” Even I could hear the teasing was forced. Still, I went along with her ruse.

“I thought we’d have time for me to spread you across the bed, pour cold droplets across your breasts, and rub it across your stomach.” I let the idea wash over her while flicking through menus on my phone.

“That all?”

I didn’t look up, pretending to check out meal deals, “Oh, there’d be sucking. A lot of sucking wine from your navel.”

“Is that all?”

I couldn’t get a read on her mood; was she enjoying the idea or repulsed by it? “Then, I’d dip my tongue into the cold wine and tease your nipples until you begged me to fuck you.”

“Glad I was able to save you some time.” Her words were bitter, but her tone held a world of hurt.

“Rylee, you’re gonna have to talk to me.” I set the trap.

“Why would I do that?”

“Because my ego isn’t big enough to think that riding me for five minutes was enough to satisfy you.”

Finally. I’d earned a genuine giggle and soft eyes. Yes. I wanted to scream and dance around the room. Hell, I wanted to take out billboards and tell the world that I’d made Rylee giggle.

“Oh, it takes more than that to satisfy me.”

“Then how about you let me wine you and dine you? Then, we can discuss whether or not you want to be satisfied.”

I held out my phone, ready to dial and hoping like crazy she wouldn’t ask me to call an Uber.

“Meat lovers pizza, with extra meat.” She gave me the answer I needed.

“You really are a girl after my own heart.”

“Does he have a real name?” I asked, keeping the conversation light while we sat on the bed and waited for our food to arrive. The room still smelled of sex, but Rylee didn’t seem to care, curled up with a pillow in her lap, and if I dropped my arm off the headboard, it would drop around her shoulders.

Rylee shook her head, laughing, “No. Well, I’m sure he does but he’s been Old Man Hobbs since I was little.”

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