Wine and Scenery (Citizen Soldier Book 7)

by Donna Michaels

What he couldn’t believe was how strong the urge was to pull her onto his lap and suck her full lower lip into his mouth. She must’ve read some of it in his eyes, because her demeanor changed from outraged to aroused.

  Her breathing changed, too, as if breath clogged her throat. She sank back down on the couch and blinked at him. “Ryder.” She cleared her throat. “You shouldn’t look at me like that.”

  “Like what?”

  “Like you want to ravage me from head to toe.”

  A smile tugged his lips, as he lost his mind and reached for her. “I was thinking toe to head.”

  “That’s different then,” she said, reaching for him too, gaze locked on his mouth.

  Once again, he could tell she wanted it on hers. And because that was exactly what he’d wanted, he ignored the alarm bells going off in his head, and closed the remaining distance between them.

  Her flowery scent filled his nostrils, increasing the heat already coursing through his body. Sliding his hands up into her hair, he held her where he wanted her and skimmed his mouth over her jaw, grazing her skin with his teeth, before capturing her sigh in a kiss he’d wanted to take for days.

  Lazy, deep, tasting her in slow, thorough sweeps that had her trembling in his arms. He missed this. Missed the crazy, all-consuming out-of-control need she invoked, and the way she responded in kind. Her hands were in his hair now, and her tongue met his in a hungry, wild manner, driving him fucking insane. He had to be insane to be kissing her again.

  Christ…what was he doing?

  Stiffening, he broke the kiss, pushed her aside and stood. “Damn, Sophia. I’m sorry.” He backed up a few feet, and worked to get his breathing under control. “I shouldn’t have done that. I came here to watch the game, not…”

  “What?” She rose to her feet and held his gaze. “Not kiss me like you can’t get enough.”

  He nodded. “Yeah. That.”

  Her dress was askew, a good portion of one of her gorgeous breasts bared where his hands longed to stray.

  “It’s funny,” she said, regaining his attention. “Never took you for a coward.”

  A coward?

  Frowning, he reeled back. “What are you talking about?”

  She folded her arms across her chest, plumping up her delicious curves. The lower part of his anatomy was still cocked. Now it was loaded.

  “You’re running away again.” Her shrewd gaze locked onto him.

  He narrowed his eyes. “Is that what you think I’m doing?”

  “Aren’t you?”

  “No.” He thrust a hand through his hair. “I’m trying to save you.”

  She reeled back. “Save me from what?”

  “Me.”

  Her features softened, and she moved close, with a determined gleam in her eyes. “Ryder?”

  “Yeah?” He tried to step back, but an armchair prevented his escape.

  “I’ll let you in on a little secret.” Her palms met his chest, and his heartbeat thundered in his ears.

  “What?”

  “I don’t want to be saved from you.”

  His heart rocked in his chest. Her confession made it hard for him to remain strong. Even his body was already caving, because his hand rose to brush a strand of hair back from her face. “Sophia, I’m not a forever kind of guy.”

  Instead of stiffening, or pushing him away, she smiled at him, and spread her fingers on his chest. “That’s good, since I’m leaving here in a little over two months.”

  “What are you saying?” He needed to be sure, because his interpretation sounded too good to be true.

  “I’m not looking for forever, either.” Again, she smiled, but this time, she emphasized her words by rocking against him. “Is there anything else we need to clear up before you kiss me like you can’t get enough?”

  The last of his misgivings disappeared under the sexy invitation in her eyes. “Nope.”

  He cupped her face and gave her what she wanted, what he wanted, too. Hungrily, and deeply, he feasted on her taste, sweeping his tongue inside her mouth to reacquaint himself with her essence.

  She moaned and slid her hands under his shirt, stroking his abs in soft, circular motions. Damn, that felt good. And when she unhooked his jeans and slid the zipper down, he groaned, needing to feel her hands around him.

  But not yet. He’d never last.

  Releasing her lips, he dragged his mouth down her throat, while his hands made quick work of her dress, tugging it all the way down her trembling curves. He stepped back and watched the material fall to her feet, and everything inside him tightened at once.

  She kicked off her sandals, and wiggled out of her lacy underwear, until she stood before him, completely naked.

  “God, you’re so beautiful, Sophia.” Even more than he’d remembered.

  He ran his hands up the curve of her waist, across her ribs to brush his palms over her pert nipples.

  “Ryder…” Her voice was low, strained, needy.

  So was he. All of him.

  Dipping down, he captured a beauty in his mouth, while rolling the other between his thumb and forefinger.

  She gripped his head and cried out, pressing her body into him. He switched sides, enthralled by her moans and the way her breath hitched in her throat. If it weren’t for the need ripping through him, he’d gladly continue to drive her wild. Drive them both wild.

  But he needed more. Needed to taste her.

  He dropped to his knees and kissed a path over her quivering belly, while he slid his hands up her legs. “You might want to sit for this,” he said, gently pushing her down into the arm chair.

  Caressing the soft skin behind her knees, he bent down to brush open-mouthed kisses up her inner thigh. She spread her legs, and the view took his breath. For the first time in his life, Ryder wasn’t sure he could hold on.

  But he had to. He had to taste her. To make her cry out in a pleasure too strong to contain.

  Using the pad of his finger, he stroked her center, finding her wet and ready, and his erection throbbed behind his zipper.

  “Ryder,” she whispered, breathing already unsteady. “How soundproof are these walls?”

  “Very. Besides, Mason’s condo is empty next door.” Anticipation upped his pulse, because he knew why she was asking.

  Sophia gripped his shoulders and smiled. “Good, because I could never be quiet with you.”

  “No need,” he murmured against her thigh, and holding her gaze, dark with need, he slid his finger inside.

  She cried out and thrust forward. “I…I’m not going to last.”

  “Good.” He slid his finger in and out. “Let me know how much you like it,” he urged, before placing his mouth on her too.

  A low, sexy, sound ripped from her throat. “Yes. That’s g-good…so good.” Her grip on his shoulders tightened. “Don’t stop.”

  Not an option.

  She was fucking perfect. Her little moans, and loud cries, they all filled him with an inner peace he could never explain.

  Changing the angle, he upped his strokes and watched her head fall back as she tightened around him and let out the sexiest, loud, needy moan he’d ever heard.

  Clenching his jaw to keep from following her over, he prolonged her orgasm with a series of quicker strokes. When her cries eventually stopped, he slowed his thrusts, watching her come back to earth. Her body went limp and she slumped against the back of the chair.

  She was magnificent.

  He released her and stood to quickly shed the rest of his clothes.

  “Wow, Ryder.” She sucked in a ragged breath, satisfaction glowing in her gaze. “That was even more intense than I remember.”

  Fishing out a nearly expired condom from his jeans, he smiled down at her. “We’re nowhere near done.”

  Chapter Ten

  Sophia’s pulse still hammered in her chest as she watched Ryder roll a condom onto a big, mouthwatering erection that was the cause of many fond memories. And damn, she was so ready to make mo
re. Her body heated, despite the fact she still trembled with aftershocks from a fierce orgasm he just gave that robbed her strength.

  Ryder was even more magnificent than she remembered. Muscles and ridges graced his body, and he had a sexy sprinkling of hair that criss-crossed down his abs right through the middle of that sexy Vee of his that drove her nuts.

  Suddenly rejuvenated, she rose to her feet and took him in her hand. “Let me help.”

  He pulsed, and her body responded in kind. Sweet mercy. It was amazing how much she already ached for him. The restraint he showed was remarkable. He shook, but didn’t make a move to touch her.

  She released him and drew in a breath as his eyes met hers, deliciously dark and hungry. God, could she relate. His flesh gleamed in the soft glow of the lamps, and flickering light of the television.

  They stared for a beat, then lunged at each other, touching, stroking, caressing every inch in a frenzy of moves, like they wanted to touch everywhere at once. She certainly did. His mouth was hot and demanding on hers, stoking the fire he’d started several minutes ago.

  “Sophia,” he murmured after releasing her mouth to place kisses down her throat. “Missed this.” His voice was thrillingly gruff.

  She used her mouth to get reacquainted with his body, tracing her tongue over his collarbone, a pec, flicking a nipple, eliciting a rough groan from deep in his chest she felt clear into hers. “Me, too.”

  Sucking in a sharp breath, he threaded his hands in her hair and covered her mouth with his again, which worked for her because his kisses were amazing. It was long and wet and deep and she trembled with pure need, while returning the favor. Warm, deliciously rough hands, sent a thrill through her when they left her hair to cup her breasts and his wicked fingertips teased her nipples. It was as if he remembered just exactly how she liked it.

  In a swift move, he cupped her ass to lift her up. “Wrap your legs around me,” he said, and walked the two feet to the nearest wall as she obeyed the quiet command.

  She moaned at the sheer pleasure of brushing his erection where she ached the most. A second later, her back met the wall. “Cold,” she squeaked.

  “Not for long,” he said against her neck. “But this first time is going to be fast. We’re too combustible.”

  “Good,” she said, cupping his face, forcing him to meet her gaze. “Because I’m about ready to burst.”

  The need darkening his gaze clogged the breath in her throat.

  “Wait for me.” He gripped her hips and brushed her center with the tip of his erection.

  Sophia gasped. “Yes.” She rocked against him, urging him to move.

  Needing no further instruction, Ryder thrust deep with one sure, shocking push, filling her to the hilt, and memories from years ago flooded her senses.

  That…that was what she missed. Pure bliss.

  Gasping in tandem pleasure, they stared at each other a beat.

  “God, Sophia.” His gaze smoldered. “Even better than I remembered.”

  She sucked in a breath. “Me, too.”

  Heaven help her, she’d never felt anything so intense, so achingly incredible, with anyone but this man. He filled her completely. The perfect fit.

  Bending down, he kissed the curve of her neck, sending goose bumps down her side. He tightened his grip on her hips, and began to move. Her whole body tingled. She was close. So blessedly close to that blissful edge again.

  She moaned and arched closer. He scraped his thumb over her, just above where they were joined. That was it. All it took. She cried out, arching against him as she burst into a million and one pieces. He threw his head back, gripped her hips, and drove hard and deep inside her, muttering her name as he followed her with his own release.

  ***

  Sun streaked through the blinds in a three-slice pattern on the floor as Ryder woke up from one of the best nights he’d ever had…might even have topped his epic New Year’s Eve. It was no wonder since the same woman was the reason behind both historic nights. Turning over, he reached for Sophia but the bed was empty.

  The sound of the shower shutting off sent a rush of heat through his body at the memory of her kneeling down, grasping his hips, while working him over until she’d melted every last bone in his body.

  “Good morning.” She smiled, breezing into the room, wrapped in a towel, just like that day he’d walked in on her.

  But unlike that day, he wasn’t running away from the need and awareness she sparked in him.

  “Good morning.” He got out of bed and strode to her, thrilled when she met him halfway. Pushing her wet hair off her shoulder, he bent down to kiss a path to her ear. “Why didn’t you wake me up?”

  It was funny how much had changed in a little over a week. But it was a good change. A welcome change.

  She hadn’t kicked him out of her bed. Nor had she asked him to stay. The amazing woman left that all up to him. After the way they’d combusted in her living room, he never even thought about leaving her last night.

  “I was worried that perhaps I’d worn you out.” She skimmed her hands down his torso, brushing her thumbs across his abs, causing them to quiver.

  “You know,” he said against her wet skin. “If you reach a little lower, I think you’ll find I’m far from worn out.”

  Laughing, she did just that. “So it would seem.”

  He bit the curve of her neck and rocked into her hand. “Nothing fake about it.”

  “Mmm…” Tipping her head, she gave him better access, while her fingers grew bolder, stroking him full tilt. “It’s a shame I have to go to work.”

  Reaching between them, he slipped his fingers into her cleavage, gave a quick tug, and her towel fell onto their feet. “You can’t go just yet,” he said, sweeping her into his arms.

  “Why not?” Her playful gaze sparkled beneath a raised brow.

  He fucking loved that he was staring into one brown eye and one blue eye. Loved that they both stripped away all pretense and came at each other without anything to hide.

  “Because.” He set her on the covers, then grasped her ankles and spread her legs. “It’s time for breakfast in bed.”

  ***

  For most of the day―okay, for all of the day―Sophia walked around with a smile on her face. She couldn’t help it. She was happy. Content. Satisfied. All thanks to Ryder.

  Her mind revisited the amazing things the man had done to her last night…and this morning, and heat rushed through her tired and sore body. And just like that, she was instantly rejuvenated, which was good. She was on her own today, but Ryder and the college students were scheduled to help tomorrow and Sunday.

  Today she was feeling inspired, so she started work on painting one of the background scenes. She was halfway done when Phoebe breezed into the area backstage where the sets were built and stored.

  “Hey, Sophia.”

  “Hi. What’s up?” she asked, setting her paintbrush down. “Will I be in your way during rehearsal tonight?”

  Phoebe shook her head. “No. You’re fine here.” Her gaze narrowed and mouth twitched. “I wanted to apologize for leaving you in the lurch last night, but something tells me it’s not necessary.”

  “You’d be correct.” She grinned. Couldn’t help it.

  Dammit.

  Her friend leaned against a ladder, a smile spreading across her face. “Anything to do with a certain, good-looking carpenter from your past?”

  She nodded. “It has a lot do with him.”

  “That’s great. But what changed?”

  “He did,” she replied. “He finally realized I wasn’t going to make any demands on him. That I wasn’t looking for forever.”

  They had commitments. People depending on them. Lived in two different states. The list was endless.

  Phoebe cocked her head. “You going to be okay spending time with him, then leaving at the end of the summer?”

  “Yeah.” She lifted a shoulder. “Why not? I left him before.”

  “Bu
t you’d only spent two days together.” Phoebe shook her head. “That’s a lot different than two months.”

  She waved a hand. “It’ll be fine. I already know going in that it’s just a summer fling thing. And that makes a difference.”

  “I hope you’re right.” Phoebe sighed, gaze not so convinced. “I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

  “Thanks,” she said, doing her best to reassure her friend. “I don’t have time to get hurt. I have more productions to help you with, besides this one. Plus, South Pacific renderings to produce.”

  Phoebe pushed from the ladder and nodded. “Then I won’t keep you, especially from this background. It already looks amazing, Sophia.”

  “Thanks,” she said again.

  Glad to have pleased her boss, she picked up her paint brush and continued…with a smile on her face.

  ***

  It was July 1st, and Ryder sat on Ethan’s deck, enjoying a beer with him and Jeremy and Ben, while the women were all at tonight’s show. He had no idea where June had gone. It flew by. Because you had fun, his mind supplied. That was, indeed, true. A smile tugged his lips. They’d finished the sets early last week, and the show opened last night.

  Sophia was already halfway through designing sets for the youth production of Grease, and he looked forward to start helping with them over the weekend. It was amazing to watch her creativity and expertise at work.

  “There he goes, smiling again,” Jeremy said, with a roll of his eyes.

  Used to the teasing by now, he just flipped him off and drank his beer.

  “You’re just envious because he’s getting some and you aren’t,” Ben said, slouching while his baby girl slept on his chest.

  Ever since that night he and Sophia watched the Mets and…combusted, Ryder had garnered a different outlook. He stopped hesitating where she was concerned. If he wanted to see her on days he wasn’t volunteering at the theater, he stopped in to see her. If he wanted to have lunch with her, he brought her lunch. Or they met at Timbers Grille in the resort, or his dad’s restaurant, or sometimes, they even met at her condo and had a really great lunch.

  She never seemed to mind, either. In fact, he got the impression she would be happy to see him every day. Which was great, except he craved her company every day too, and he didn’t want forever.