Page 92 of Liberating Bells
This man is everything I could ever want. I can’t believe it took me this long to take matters into my own hands and stand up for myself and what I deserve.
The game ends in a sweep. Bennett shut out the other team from getting any goals in the second half, and the boys walked away with a win. Josie and I cheered the whole time, and my throat feels slightly scratchy from the exertion, but at least my headache has eased.
After the game finishes, Ryan runs over to the fence blocking off the stands from the field. He leans over, locking his eyes onme as I walk down the steps toward him. I trot over to where he’s standing, and he reaches an arm across the fence, locating my waist and pulling me into him. My body lights up with energy the minute his hand comes into contact with me.
Ryan captures my lips with his and kisses me like he hasn’t seen me in ten years. I knot my fingers in his hair and let him devour me. The kiss awakens some part of me that has been dormant for weeks. I moan into his mouth, and his fingers tighten around me in response.
“Okay, lovebirds, break it up before you scar these teenagers for life,” Josie teases next to us.
Ryan pulls away and looks at his friend wryly. “Cockblocker.”
Josie sticks her tongue out at him and then steps forward. “Nice game, Ry. Those guys looked great out there.”
Ryan runs a hand across the back of his neck and grins.Good Lord, this man is attractive. “Yeah, they did really well today. I’m glad you both could make it.” He glances back toward the team, who are starting their trek to the locker rooms. “I better get going,” he says, his voice low. He turns to me, his vivid green eyes meeting mine. “I’ll see you at home?”
My insides clench, and I force myself to acknowledge his question. I love the way that sounds—home. Ryan is home. He leans over the fence and kisses me again. His arm wraps around my waist, his hand resting above my rear. As he pulls away, he leaves me all hot and bothered again. His eyes spark as if he knows what he’s doing to me. Looking me up and down, he winks at me and turns to jog off after his team.
Josie walks with me to my car and then gives me a hug before trekking off to find hers. I hop in and settle my things before starting the engine and pulling out. Ryan would probably be another hour or so before he makes it home.
I press my legs together as I drive, feeling the ache between my thighs ease slightly. I’m not sure what it was about seeingRyan this afternoon after his victory, but it ignited every molecule in my body to the point that I would have jumped that fence and ravished him then and there if he would have let me.
Things have been going slow for us. I didn’t feel right about falling straight into bed with Ryan immediately following everything that happened with Mark. It hasn’t even been a week yet, but I’m not sure how much longer I can hold out. Even though my logical side says wait, the rising heat of the moment is telling me that getting naked in bed with Ryan isexactlywhat needs to happen.
Tonight should be special. We haven’t really had a chance to celebrate together. My mind begins plotting all the ways I could seduce him tonight. Not that I think I really need to do much, as I seemed to have the same effect on Ryan that he did with me. I just have to make sure he knows that this is what I want. Ryan would never put me into a situation where I felt uncomfortable.
Up ahead, I see a flashing sign for a local Tennessee Distillery outlet. I’m immediately struck with the idea of getting him a little congratulatory present. I pull into the parking lot and hurry inside, scouring the shelves and looking for the perfect one. I finally choose one and then head up to the cash register to pay. The clerk sticks the whiskey into a brown paper bag and hands it to me with a smile.
I stop by the drugstore too and buy a nice bow. When I’m on the road again, my eyes dart to my passenger’s seat where the items are sitting, and smile to myself. He’ll love this.
Once I get home, I set the bottle on the counter and position the bow just right. I glance at the clock on my cell phone. Ryan should be home shortly. Hurrying into the bathroom, I hop into the shower. I run my loofah over my body, the sweet strawberry scent of my soap flooding my senses. I keep my hair out of the water, so it doesn’t get soaked. When I’m done, I walk into the guest bedroom where all my clothes are still stashed.
I rummage through my drawers, trying to find my sexiest pair of underwear. Most of my sexiest lingerie is still at Mark’s house. I was initially in too much of a rush to think about what clothes I would need when I left. It didn’t occur to me that I would want to look sexy for Ryan in the immediate future.
But I need this. Tonight.
I settle on a purple lacy set. And turn back and forth in the mirror, making sure that everything is exactly where it needs to be.
I hear the lock click, signaling Ryan’s return. Quickly, I reach for the silk nightgown I found in my drawer and pull it over my lacy underwear set. Giving myself one last turn in the mirror, I feel satisfied.
My bare feet pad against the wood floors of the hallway, and I step out to meet Ryan. He’s still standing by the door, setting his things down on the floor. I pull my hands behind my back and watch him. He stands up and looks around, his eyes falling on my figure in the entrance to the living room.
Ryan goes stock still as his eyes roam over my appearance. I see his jaw clench and his eyes smolder. “Well, hello there, gorgeous,” he mutters in a low voice.
My knees go weak as he takes three long strides across the living room, coming to stand right in front of me. His hands wrap around my waist, holding me up as he lines our bodies together. He crushes his lips to mine in a sensual kiss and runs his fingers up my sides. They tease along the edges of my sensitive breasts, and I gasp into his mouth. Even through the material, I can feel the sensations of his touch.
He devours me for a few minutes before breathlessly pulling away. His eyes are lit up like embers. Looking me over, his lips turn up in a wicked smile. “I could get used to this. What’s the occasion?”
I wrap my arms around his neck and press the length of my body against his. “You won tonight.”
He chuckles and kisses me. “This wasn’t our first win, but I’ll take it anyway.”
“I got you something, too. Kind of a victory present,” I say softly.
Ryan looks at me with tender eyes. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“I know, but I wanted to,” I tell him. “You’ve done so much for me. I wanted to do something nice for you.”
I pull away from him and move over to where the whiskey bottle is sitting on the counter. I pick it up and show it to him, a big smile on my face. “It was one of the nicest ones they had. They told me it’s their most popular blend.”
