Page 33 of Hard Ride
She has a right to be guarded. Things between us were confusing when she left, and I didn’t make the situation any easier with that fucking kiss.
I even thought she might say her safe word when I walked in, especially given the shock on her face, but she didn’t say it. And when I ordered her to stand in front of me, she did.
Fuck, no scene was ever as hot as the one I just had with her. Finally getting to touch her, to stroke her, to have her writhe in my arms, and then when I finally pushed inside her, feeling her pussy pulse around my cock as she came…
Everything I ever wanted. Everything I’ve ever fantasized about.
Including the way she’s lying against me now, all lax and warm, and sated.
I told Tate that I wanted to talk to her, and he didn’t protest. He knows how things stand with me when it concerns her, but I’m surprised he didn’t even make a comment. He just went out of the room, leaving me space to talk without him, and I’m not sure what that means, but I’ll have to think about it later. Right now, she’s here, and there are things we need to say to each other.
“Are you okay with this?” I ask, her soft skin warm beneath my fingertips. “With me, I mean.”
“Well, if I weren’t, I would have said my safe word,” she replies.
It’s not the answer I was hoping for, then again, I have only myself to blame for that. And that’s the reason I wanted to talk to her, to fix things between us, and if not for her, then for Tate at the very least.
“I’d like to tell you that I’m sorry for that kiss,” I tell her. “But I’m not. What Iamsorry for is how it complicated things with you and Tate.”
She stares at me for a second, then her lashes lower, veiling her gaze. Hiding from me, the way she hides from Tate. “That’s okay,” she says. “You didn’t complicate it.”
“Katie,” I order softly. “Look at me.”
She sighs. “Why?”
“Because you’re hiding, and I think we’re both done with that, aren’t we?”
Her lashes quiver. “Are we?”
“I’ve tasted you,” I say, patient. “I’ve been inside you. And now you’re naked in my lap. Don’t you think hiding now is a bit like shutting the barn door after the horse has bolted?”
She shifts in my lap, the tension in her body apparent. She might not have resisted my dominance, but she’s resisting my attempt at an honest conversation, and I’m not sure why. No, fuck that. Idoknow why.
With gentle pressure, I force her chin up again, so she has to look at me, and I hold her gaze, looking deep into her blue, blue eyes. Then I bent my head and cover her mouth in a kiss like the one I gave her when she was in Tate’s lap. Slow, hot, and sweet. He’s too impatient with kissing, but I’m not. There’s nothing like a slow, sensual kiss, taking my time to explore and to feel the sub relax under my mouth.
Katie remains tense, but only for a second. After a moment, her mouth opens beneath mine, welcoming me in. She tastes like summer, strawberries and cream, with a hint of something tart. Fucking perfect. I kiss her deeper, keeping things slow and easy, and all the tension leaves her body as she relaxes against me.
It’s only then that I lift my mouth from hers, and this time when she looks up at me, her eyes are wide, the wariness gone.“You’ve been the most perfect little sub,” I tell her. “And in return for the gift of your trust, I’ll give you my honesty.”
She doesn’t speak, but a crease appears between her brows.
“I’ve wanted you from the moment I saw you,” I continue. “The day that Tate brought you over to sit at our table in the high school cafeteria was the worst day of my life.”
Her eyes widen in shock. “Why?”
“Because I couldn’t have you. Tate saw you first.” I let her see the truth in my gaze. “I wasn’t going to poach on his territory, and he’s my brother in every way but blood. And if I wanted to keep our relationship, I knew I was going to have to deal with my feelings for you myself. So, I did. But being your friend and nothing more was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life.”
She blinks, her gaze roaming over my face as if I’m a stranger she’s never seen before. “Seriously?” she asks, still sounding shocked.
“Come on, Katie,” I say gently. “You must have known.”
A blush stains her cheeks the prettiest pink. “I…suppose I had a feeling it might be like that.”
I stroke her jaw with my thumb, unable to keep from touching her. “And I think you felt it too, didn’t you?”
Her blush deepens, but this time she doesn’t look away. “Yes,” she says starkly. “I did. And I’m not sorry about that kiss either.”
Something tight and hot gathers in my chest, a savage kind of satisfaction. “Did you leave because of that?” I ask, the question I’ve been wanting to ask for years. “Because of what happened between us?”
