by Jill Shalvis
“I…”
Having her this close again stirred him beyond belief. His heart raced in tune to hers, and he spread his fingers over the small of her back. “All I can say is…don’t.”
“You love me.”
“Yeah. I wasn’t looking for that to happen, believe me. I thought I had all I needed.” He offered a grim smile. “I was wrong, as it turns out. I’ve never felt this way before.” He whispered this, saw her eyes sparkle with unshed tears. Slowly he slid his jaw to hers while his fingers glided up and down her back, very lightly. “I know you think you’ll hurt me, but—”
“Ryan—”
“I’m a big boy, Suzanne.”
“I know. I know. Ryan…”
When he bent his head, she met him halfway, and it took only an instant for their bodies to remember how good it was between them. Their hands fought for purchase—skin, clothing, it didn’t matter. Ryan couldn’t touch her enough.
With his mouth on hers, he lifted her up against him, and though he was insane with wanting her, he managed to get them down the hallway to his bedroom.
He’d actually straightened his bed that morning.
Setting her down beside it, he tore the blankets and sheets free and turned back to her. “Suzanne—”
She’d crawled on the bed and had come up on her knees, making every thought dance right out of his head. He moved to the edge of the mattress until his knees bumped it. They were face-to-face now, and slowly, so slowly, he reached out to run his hands down her sides, her hips, to her thighs, which he gripped the backs of and pulled out from beneath her.
With a gasp she fell to her back. “Ryan.”
“Right here.” He followed her down, meeting her waiting mouth with his, sucking in a harsh breath when she danced her tongue to his. He pressed his hips forward to show her what she did to him, and in response, she dug her fingers into his butt, pulling him harder against her.
Oh yeah, he liked that. But they were too…dressed.
Surging up, he skimmed off her clothes, flinging them over his shoulder one piece at a time to her breathless laughter. By the time he got to his, she was lying there open and gloriously nude, waiting, her hips arching just a little, which drove him right out of his living mind. Finesse flew out the window as well, so that when his legs got tangled in his sweatpants, he simply tore them off. She let out another laugh that backed up in her throat when he bent to her breast.
With a little growl, he sucked hard at a tight nipple, catching it lightly between his teeth, making her clutch at his head, holding him to her as she cried out.
Oh yeah, he liked that, too. By the time he repeated the torment on her other side, she was panting his name with every breath.
Gliding his hands down her body, down her gloriously lush body, he watched as he touched her, as her eyes glazed over, as her head thrashed back and forth on his pillow, and thought this is it for me. She is it for me.
“Love me,” she whispered.
“Always.” He skimmed his fingers down her thighs, then back up, between them now, parting her, exploring her tight, damp center. He found what he sought and gently squeezed.
She let out a strangled gasp and thrust against his hand. “Love me,” she said again, and reached for him. “Please, Ryan, love me.”
“Open your eyes. Watch.”
Her cheeks flushed. “I—”
“Watch,” he repeated a bit shakily now because he was dying, dying, to sink into her. “No holding back, you promised.”
She swallowed hard. “Now, then. Ryan, now.”
“After I taste you,” he whispered, and put his mouth to her.
With the first stroke of his tongue, she bucked right into his waiting mouth. Perfect. With his second stroke, she let out a sobbing breath and gripped his ears so tight it was possible he’d never hear again.
Who needed to hear, he thought, and stroked her. And then again, until she was thrashing beneath him, requiring him to hold her still to keep his mouth on the mark.
“Ryan…please!”
Obliging, he sucked her hard into his mouth, and she came in wild shudders that nearly triggered his own release right there on the sheets. Getting a condom on was tricky, but he managed, then guided himself to her creamy center.
Her eyes, dazed, held his. “Yes. Now. Now!”
His beautiful, passionate, impatient Suzanne. He pushed deeply into her, then deeper still.
“Please, Ryan!”
Oh yeah, he would please. He gripped her hands with his, linking them together as he kissed her again, and then again, making love to her mouth as hard and deep and as urgently as he was making love to her body.
This time when he withdrew, then thrust home, there was nothing gentle or slow about it. “Suzanne.” He couldn’t help but say her name in wonder, and again in awe, as, fingers and mouths and hearts linked, she took him to a place he’d never been before.
When her muscles tightened around him, when she came again, he strained against doing the same. But he couldn’t have held back to save his life.
Burying his face in her hair, he didn’t even try.
HE AWOKE with the sun on his face. For a moment he hovered in a dreamy state, half-awake, half-asleep. He wore only an erection and a dopey grin, both a direct result of the memories of last night.
It was his own little miracle that she’d come to him in the first place, and he still didn’t know why, but he would. After he woke her up properly, by kissing every inch of her body, of course. It was only fair to return the favor, as last night, after finally falling asleep in each other’s arms, he’d awakened with her mouth on him. That wasn’t a memory he’d ever forget. He’d fisted his hands in her wild hair, wondering what he’d done to deserve her in his life. Then all wondering had ceased, and so had thought, when she’d swirled her tongue over the tip of him in tune to her stroking hands. He’d thrown back his head and surrendered as she delivered him the orgasm of his life. He’d still been in the throes of aftershocks when she’d climbed up his body and tangled her tongue with his.
He’d been with his share of women, far less than he’d been reputed to have, but still… He knew what was out there, knew what was expected. He knew how to have recreational sex. He knew how to pleasure a woman, and be pleasured in return.
And never, not once, had he lost control. Not the way he had with Suzanne.
With those three little words of love on his lips yet again, he opened his eyes, rolled over and reached for her.
Only he was alone.
Completely alone.
SUZANNE HURRIEDLY stripped down and stepped into her own shower. She had so much to do, but being in the hot water, with the steam rising all around her, caressing her body…it sidetracked her with thoughts of last night.
Soaping up, her touch reminded her of Ryan’s touch. She smiled dreamily, her brain whirling on high without her permission. Ryan didn’t even have to be in the room to lighten her heart, and she’d never felt anything like it, not with anyone, including three ex-fiancés.
She’d never allowed herself to feel anything like it.
Should she take the time to shave? She ran a hand up her leg and shivered with more memories. Ryan had used his fingers, his mouth, his body to keep her sated. She even bore physical proof, a whisker burn on her throat, one on her breast, and yet another on her inner thigh. Then there was the delicious soreness between her thighs.
He loved her. Loved her. Ryan Alondo loved her.
She knew he hoped to seduce her into accepting that love. If only he knew. He already had, and not just with his body. He’d seduced her with his wit, his smile, with the way she felt when she was with him.
She wanted to do the same for him. She’d better hurry. She had a lot to do.
THAT AFTERNOON, Angel delivered an envelope to Ryan at his office.
“I already have today’s mail,” he said, distracted by the stack of bills he had to pay, the bids he had to put together and the fact that his h
eart had been torn in two.
“It didn’t come by mail,” Angel said cryptically, and dropping the envelope on his desk, walked out of his office.
“Angel!” He frowned when she didn’t come back—when did she ever listen to him?—and opened the plain white envelope wondering what now.
It was an invitation.
Since he’d never had the social life everyone thought he had, he didn’t often receive such things. But someone was having a party.
He wondered if Suzanne would cater it. If she’d ever admit to herself and the people in her life that that’s what she wanted to do.
Damn, stubborn woman—
He opened the invitation and stopped thinking altogether.
Dear Ryan,
You are cordially invited to the opening of my catering company, Earthly Delights.
Tonight, seven o’clock. RSVP isn’t necessary.
Please come,
Suzanne
AT SIX O’CLOCK Ryan walked into his kitchen. Rafe was rifling through the refrigerator. Russ sat at the table in front of a plate of leftovers, having clearly already helped himself.
And then there was Angel, who sat on the counter eating Ryan’s last can of Pringles.
“Hey,” they all said to him, mouths full.
The mooches. “I thought you all had places to live. Other than here.” Ryan went for a glass, filled it with water and downed it. He’d have preferred a beer, but he had a feeling he was going to need all of his wits about him tonight.
At Suzanne’s.
She’d be busy, of course, with the opening of the catering company he was surprised she’d even admitted to having.
Far too busy for him.
Rafe still stood in front of the open refrigerator, staring inside. “I’m still starving.”
Ryan rolled his eyes, as his brother had been born starving. “You can eat at Suzanne’s.”
“Suzanne’s?”
“The opening.” He shoved Rafe aside and shut the refrigerator door. “Surely she invited all of you.”
Angel, still on the counter, kicked a dumbfounded Rafe. “Of course she did.”
“Well, drive yourselves over there.” Ryan knew he had little to no chance in hell of talking his way into Suzanne’s bed, but he didn’t have too much pride to try.
Rafe stood there blinking slowly. “But—”
Angel kicked him again and smiled brightly at Ryan. “Of course. You go ahead, we’ll…uh, catch up with you.” Hopping down, she took Ryan’s arm and propelled him to the door. “You go ahead now, bye-bye.”
Before Ryan could shake her off, she’d shoved him out his own door and shut it.
“Bye-bye to you, too,” he muttered, and got into his car.
HE PARKED in front of the building where it all began, where he’d first dropped out of a tree and seen the woman who would change his life.
It seemed like a lifetime ago, not just a month ago.
He’d certainly lived a lifetime since then, and had seen where he’d like his future to go. But apparently wanting something and getting that same something were two different things.
Seeing Suzanne again in a casual atmosphere, especially after last night, was going to rip his heart right out. But she’d clearly come to some important decisions about her life and its direction, and he’d be there. He’d smile and talk, even laugh if it was required. Anything to help her in the evening ahead.
And if in the process he was crippled by anguish and regret, well, it wouldn’t be much different from how he felt right now, would it.
The building had slowly started to change to better fit its surroundings. With the trees tamed, and two gone completely, it had a more lived-in look, despite the fact that the two storefronts on the bottom floor were still empty. Empty but not deserted, as the dust and grime had vanished under someone’s careful care.
And thanks to Taylor’s insurance, the hole in the third floor loft was nearly mended. There was much more to be done, a complete renovation, in fact. He’d helped Taylor narrow down all her contractor bids, and had suggested several reputable engineers. The rest of the antiques she’d been collecting for so many years would fund the project. In no time, she and the building would be on their way to shining prosperity, fit for its South Village address.
Closer now, he could see a sign in the window of the bottom left storefront unit.
Coming Soon!
Earthly Delights
Catering by Suzanne Carter
She’d decided to open a shop as well? He couldn’t believe it, and his heart nearly burst for her.
Even as he ached for himself.
Expecting a crowd in her apartment, wondering if she’d purchased any more furniture than the kitchen table he knew so intimately, he went up the stairs.
At his knock came nothing but a rustling, then a low oath.
“Suzanne?”
More rustling, then a harried, “Yes! Come in!”
Stepping inside, he took in the place with one sweeping glance and smiled. Nope, still no furniture, but the living room and its floor-to-ceiling windows sparkled clean and smelled like lemons. On the clean hardwood floors, she’d placed a few throw rugs that added a lived-in touch.
She had a live potted tree by one window, which looked similar to what had crashed through her loft window not too long ago.
At this blatant, obvious laugh-at-life, he grinned.
There were candles everywhere, along the walls, on the wide wooden window sills, all lit, casting a lovely glow on the early evening.
There was also one glaring detail he hadn’t failed to notice. Except for him, there were no people. No celebration, no friends, no customers. No one. “Suzanne?”
The swinging kitchen door rattled but didn’t open, and he heard another low oath. “You okay?” he called out.
“I’m…nearly ready— Damn it.”
Cocking his head, he moved closer. He reached out to open the door, but paused when he heard a soft rain of more oaths.
“Idiot,” came her soft scathing voice. “You are such an idiot to think you could pull this off when you’re so nervous you can’t even light a candle.”
Unable to hold back his curiosity, he opened the door. Suzanne was hunched over the table. On a tray was an ice-cream sheet cake, decorated with chocolate writing he couldn’t yet read and a mass of small white candles, of which she was attempting, unsuccessfully, to light.
Instead of her usual hostess outfit of a white blouse and black skirt, she wore one of her loose, gauzy sundresses that he so associated with her and loved. Her long tanned, toned limbs, her nervous smile, her wild hair, all of it, every bit of her, made him physically ache.
“I can’t light the stupid candles,” she said.
“Here.” He ran his fingers down her arm to her shaking fingers, and lit them with her. “But if this is an ice-cream cake, you’re going to melt it before your guests arrive.”
She sucked in a breath and looked up at him. “My guest, my only guest, has arrived.”
15
HE JUST STARED AT HER. “What?”
Suzanne took a deep breath. She needed a hundred deep breaths. She set down the matches, turned her fingers so she could hold his hand and let out a shaky smile. “You’re the only one I invited.”
“So…” He looked confused, poor baby. “You’re not doing this? The whole catering company thing?”
“I’m doing this.” She hadn’t been prepared for the disappointment in his gaze, and realized he didn’t understand. That was her own fault. “I’m serious about the catering, and I’m serious about…”
“You’re serious about what, Suzanne?”
“You. Ryan, I’m serious about you.”
He looked down at their entwined fingers. “You had a funny way of showing it this morning.” He lifted his head and pierced her with those dark, hurt eyes. “Why did you sneak out of my bed like that, without a word?”
“I…” She bit her lower lip, searching fo
r the right words. She’d been searching for them all day, a way to put meaning to how she felt. “I woke up first. You were wrapped around me, all warm and fast asleep and…” She blushed. “So incredibly sexy. I couldn’t stop looking at you.”
“You should have done more than look.”
Oh, his eyes were hot, and deeply intense. Her insides stirred. “Yes, I should have. But I didn’t want it to be in bed when I tell you for the first time. I didn’t want you to wonder if it was the heat of passion or just the moment.”
“When you tell me what?” His expression was carefully blank now, as if braced for a blow.
And her heart cracked. “When I tell you I love you.” Her throat tightened. “I love you so much, Ryan.”
He blinked. Put his hands on her upper arms and lifted her up to her toes so that they were nose to nose. “What?”
She smiled at his hoarse voice, though she was shaking so much she wondered if he’d be able to hold onto her. “Did you know, before you came into my life, I’d never had a man’s undivided attention? A man who really believed in me and what I could do?
I mean I had men who—”
“Suzanne.”
“Wanted me. I had men who—”
“Suzanne.”
She swallowed. Bit her lip. And finally, slowly, looked up at him. “Yeah?”
“Say it again.”
She put her hands on her face. Kissed him lightly.
Sank into him when he wrapped his arms around her. And felt her heart mend itself. “You taught me things about myself,” she said. “Did you know that?
I learned to be me. That it was good to be me. To follow my hopes and dreams, no matter how impossible it looks, no matter what the chances of failure are. The catering, for example. All I needed was a little encouragement—”
“Suzanne.” He put his forehead to hers. “I love you. I’ll always love you. And in a minute, I swear, I’ll give you all the encouragement you want, anything you want, but I really need to hear you say it again.”