Page 90 of A Lot Like Love
“Fine,” Ryder mumbled, pushing up and striding across the room and out into the lounge. “But get that sweater off. You stole it and I want to see what’s underneath.”
He yanked open the door to the sound of Chloe’s laughter.
“Hey,” he said to Nate as his brother almost tumbled into the room, his fist midpound when the door swung back.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
Ryder shrugged. “Could say the same to you.”
Nate grabbed him and pulled him in for a brotherly hug, slapping his back, then pushing him away to look him up and down.
“When did they release you?”
“It was more a case of me talking the doctor into letting me go this morning.”
Nate glanced toward the bedroom and Ryder moved in front of him, not giving him a chance to see Chloe. For all he knew she’d stripped off his sweater already, and he had zero intention of letting his brother see so much as a flash of her body.
“I was just coming to check in on Chloe.” Nate blew out a breath. “That girl can keep up with the best of us. Seriously, she knocked back shots like one of the guys and she still managed to take us for every penny we had on the table.”
Ryder placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder to turn him around. “And that’s exactly why it’s time for you to go,” he told him. “I have some time to make up for.”
Nate folded his arms across his chest, his friendly gaze turning into a hard-as-nails stare. “She’s something special, Ryder. Don’t you go screwing this up.”
He scowled, not liking being told what to do. “Or what?”
“Just man the hell up and tell her you love her,” Nate muttered, turning to go. “You let her go this time, you’re more of an idiot than I thought.”
“This is one thing I’m not gonna screw up, Nate. Now get the hell out of here and don’t come looking for us again.” He chuckled as he pushed his brother out the door. “Don’t call us, we’ll call you.”
Ryder locked the door and wasted no time heading back to the bedroom.
“Chloe, you…” He paused as he realized she wasn’t in the room. “Chloe?”
“I’m in here,” she said through the closed bathroom door. “Just taking something for my head.”
Ryder stripped off his jeans and shirt and got under the covers. With any luck she’d be coming straight back to bed.
“You must have made quite the impression on my brothers,” he called out. “They’re not exactly known for falling for women, but I think you’re the exception to the rule.”
The door clicked open and he pushed up to watch her emerge. She was wearing a pair of black lace panties with a matching bra, her face scrubbed clean and her hair still falling messy around her shoulders. Ryder looked her up and down, spent extra time admiring her breasts pushed together in the sexy bra, her toned stomach and legs golden from the sun.Damn.
“They’re actually pretty cool,” she said, walking to the bed and sitting down beside him.
“Just promise me you’ll never let them see you in your underwear,” Ryder begged.“Please.”
Chloe giggled as he kicked the covers off and grabbed her wrists, pinning her down on her back and straddling her, hard just from seeing her sauntering across the room with her banging body on show.
“Why?” she asked, breathing heavy as he stared down at her.
“Because then I’d have to fight them off, and I don’t want to waste any time.” He gripped her wrists tighter, grinning when she struggled to break free. He transferred his hold so both her arms were above her head, bending low to brush a soft kiss to her lips.
“Did you mean what you said?” she gasped, raising a knee to push him back, her eyes on his as she looked up at him.
Ryder knew what she was talking about. The question in her gaze showed her vulnerability, a softness there that he’d only glimpsed before now. She was always so in control, so confident, and now he could see her vulnerabilities.
“That I love you?” he asked, whispering his question against her mouth.
She nodded, eyes shut as she escaped his hold and pressed both palms to his face, fingers gentle as they caressed his skin.
