Page 67 of What are the Risks
“You’d drive me crazy with your protein diet.”
“You could use the extra protein. You’re too small.” His large hands roamed along the length of my ribs, the warmth seeping through the thin fabric of my dress. “Seriously, I could snap you, Rubz.”
“Please don’t,” I managed, masking a shudder as my skin tingled, like an electric current ran through his fingertips.
My body had never reacted to Ryker like this. Though honestly, I doubted it was even about him. It was just the fact thatsomeonewas touching me... it had been a while.
Even though Noah and I had been forced to go months without seeing each other, knowing he was there had filled a void I hadn’t realised existed until I lost it.
Ugh. Bri was right. I needed to get laid.
I held up a third finger. “Your love language is touch and I hate cuddling.”
“I’m touching you right now,” he countered, one eyebrow raised in challenge.
Oh, I was very much aware.
My dress had bunched up from writhing beneath him, so my underwear was barely covered, and I wasn’t wearing a bra because I hadn’t packed a strapless one, which I could only hope Ryker hadn’t noticed.
Drawing a steady breath, I continued listing deal breakers. “Not to mention it’d be freaking weird. I’ve had a burping contest with you before. It’s a hard rule of mine to never date someone I’ve had a burping contest with.”
Ryker’s dimple deepened. “I happen to think the fact you can burp the alphabet is seriously impressive.”
“No, you don’t. You’re only saying that because you don’t want to be wrong.” I attempted to shove his shoulder, but he didn’t budge. “Have you ever hooked up with a girl who has burped in front of you?”
“No. But–”
“There’s another reason!” I exclaimed. “You’re way too stubborn, Wheels. You always have to be right and in control. It’d drive me insane.”
“Dating me would drive you insane?” He flinched in mock offence. “You have three seconds to take that back, Rubz.”
“And if I don’t?”
With a smirk, he shifted his hands over my ribs, threatening me with another tickling onslaught.
“Three,” he whispered.
I quickly sealed my mouth shut.
“Two.”
His hands inched closer.
“One.”
I squeezed my eyes closed, bracing for impact, only it wasn’t his hands on my body that stole my breath... it was his lips on mine. Uncertain at first, but quickly gaining confidence when I didn’t push him away.
A sound escaped my throat – something between a whimper and a moan – caught between pleasure and surprise.
I briefly opened my eyes, checking this wasn’t some prank or magical act where he’d switched places with someone – that it really was Ryker kissing me. Sure enough, it was still his body above mine, still his leg wedging between my thighs, and still his palms collapsing over my ribs to hold me steady.
When it became clear I was kissing him back – why was I kissing him back? – Ryker used his tongue to part my lips. As mine met his, a dizzying shudder rippled across my skin, paralysing me from the waist down.
Before I could wrap my head around what was happening, my arms instinctively looped around his neck, tugging him closer as I threaded my fingers through his dark hair. My limbs had taken control, and my brain was at the mercy of what felt good.
Ryker’s mouth moved over mine without hesitation, just pure confidence and skill. I hadn’t taken a breath in what felt like a lifetime. Was I even breathing?
Resting one hand over his jaw, I could feel the steady thrum of his pulse beneath my fingertips. It was pounding as fast as my heart.
