Claimed by Love (Love in Bloom: The Ryders, Book 2): Duke Ryder

by Melissa Foster

  Her fingers trailed along his, so soft and feminine. “Love you, too.”

  He turned her in his arms, needing to look into her beautiful eyes. She smiled as their bodies met, and he pressed his lips to hers.

  “I meant every word, baby. I thought I was falling for you, but I’ve fallen. I’m there. I love you.”

  “Me too, Duke. I didn’t realize how much I was bottling up inside of me, but…” She blinked up at him, looking sweeter than life itself. “I can’t run from what I feel for you.”

  He kissed her again. “I’ll never give you a reason to run. Did I embarrass you or make you feel uncomfortable by the way I touched or spoke to you? I was just overwhelmed with emotions. I wanted to be as close as we possibly could, and I wanted to give you as much pleasure as I could.”

  She bit her lower lip and her cheeks flushed pink. “No. I mean, I’ve never done that before, but I liked it. I like everything with you.”

  “Me too, baby. Me too.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  DUKE AWOKE TO Gabriella’s hot mouth on his chest and her delicate hands playing softly over his nipples, down his ribs, and over his abs. She kissed her way back up his body, and he groaned. She slicked her tongue over his lower lip. She had the sexiest mouth. God how he loved her mouth and every word that came out of it.

  “Morning, handsome.” Her eyes were dark with desire, her voice husky and so seductive he was already hard as steel.

  “Miss me?” He wrapped his arms around her waist and swept her beneath him. She laughed, and it was the sweetest sound. It cut straight to his heart.

  “Maybe a little. I liked sleeping in your arms. Your body is like a furnace at night.”

  “So you’re heat seeking? Is that what you’re doing?” He nudged her legs apart with his knees. “Because I’ve got a heat-seeking missile you might like.”

  She giggled. “No. Yes. God, that’s not what I meant.” She wiggled beneath him, positioning his shaft to enter her. “I meant during the night.”

  “Oh, baby, I’m always up for fooling around during the night. During the day, in the morning, in the shower. You name it, and I’m yours.” They’d dozed for a few minutes after making love last night. Then they’d showered together, and Duke had taken his time washing her body before they made love in the shower with all the tenderness that the first time had lacked.

  He rocked his hips, pushing his cock into her as he sealed his mouth over hers. He sank in deeper, and they both moaned with pleasure.

  “God, you feel so good,” she whispered.

  “We feel so good.”

  Their bodies moved in perfect harmony. She met every thrust with a lift of her hips. Duke reveled in the feel of her heat surrounding him as they kissed, and she ran her hands up and down his back, sending shivers of heat through his limbs.

  He lifted her leg at the knee and brought it up beside her chest, driving in harder. Her eyes fluttered closed, and she dug her nails into his skin.

  “You’re so beautiful. Come for me, Gabriella.”

  Seeing her skin flushed with heat, feeling her muscles tightening around him, and hearing the sexy noises coming from her luscious lips brought him right up to the edge.

  “Duke. OhgodDuke…”

  He had a burning desire, an aching need, for more of her. He captured her mouth and kissed her with reckless abandon. His tongue took, his lungs gave, and his emotions whirled. Holy hell, his body, his heart, all of him was a slave to her. Duke couldn’t think past the woman beneath him, the pleasure she deserved, the pleasure she gave. Her sexy moans filled the room as their passion claimed them, and the world spun away.

  They were covered in a fine sheen of sweat, their breathing erratic.

  “Wow, waking up to you is really nice,” Gabriella said with a sated look in her eyes. “I’m glad you were my first.”

  Hopefully your only. “Me too.”

  Duke kissed her lips, the edges of her mouth, her cheeks, then her lips again.

  “Baby, I have businesses all over the world. I own a company jet, a yacht that I rarely ever use, and five houses.” He kissed her again. “I never realized how little those things meant. Everything I need is right here in this bedroom—and we could lose the bedroom tomorrow and pitch a tent on Elpitha, and I’d still have everything I’d ever need, as long as you were in my arms.”

  **

  GABRIELLA PLAYED DUKE’S words over and over in her mind all day, which was exactly what she needed as she returned phone calls and reviewed case files that were full of unhappiness. She was mystified by love, which she’d never spent much time thinking about until she met Duke. How had she made it through her whole life without ever feeling a need for a man? Without feeling like she was missing out on something because she’d never been in love? All it had taken was an afternoon with Duke to know she’d wanted more of him. The heart, she decided, was a strange and wonderful thing.

  “Are you going to have that ‘I’ve had the best sex of my life’ look on your face all day?” Addy asked, with one hand on her hip and a smirk on her lips. “Because if you are, I might just back out of our little shopping adventure and go in search of a penis instead. I’m feeling a little jealous.”

  Gabriella laughed. “I have a feeling that this smile is here to stay. You know how I always worried that it would feel awkward to wake up with a guy?”

  “Yeah, and you call me a freak?” Addy sighed. “God, morning-after sex is the best.”

  “It wasn’t just that. Although that was utterly amazing.” She gazed out the window, thinking about when Duke had dropped her off at her office that morning. He’d insisted on opening her car door and had taken his time saying goodbye, despite the fact that he had an early-morning conference call to attend to.

  “Are you going to follow that up with something meaningful, or did you lose your train of thought?”

  Gabriella pointed at her friend. “You are a smart-ass. Addy, the way he doted over me this morning, tenderly washing me when we showered…” She pointed at Addy again. “Don’t look at me like that.”

  Addy held her hands up in surrender. “Hey, I’m cheering you on, baby. Continue.”

  “He was so…loving. He asked my opinion as he dressed for work and complimented me as often as he teased me as I dressed. I swear his arms circled my waist a million times, and that talented mouth of his…Never mind about that.” She paused to push the dirty thoughts away. “He made me feel more than comfortable. He made me feel wanted.”

  “Aw, Gab. You so deserve this. You’re a tireless advocate for all things right, and I’m happy for you. But seriously, you could have told me you loved him before you told him.”

  Gabriella gave her a deadpan stare, making Addy laugh.

  “I do want to talk to you about something before we meet the girls.” She came around the desk and leaned against it. “I’ve been thinking a lot about what you said last night. About our jobs not being conducive to believing in romance. After finally releasing all that negative energy about the island and feeling the effects of it, I felt so free. I think it’s time to take control of the things that impact my life in a negative way.”

  “You’re firing me because I eat all your chocolate and made lewd comments about your man, aren’t you?” Addy was trying her hardest to stifle a grin, and failing miserably.

  “Yes, right after we discuss changing the direction of my practice.”

  Addy’s eyes widened. “Oh my God. You’re going to actually do it? After two years of all talk and no action, you’re actually taking action? That man must have a hell of a dick, filled with smart jizz or something.”

  Gabriella swatted her arm. “You’re a pig. Some guy is going to totally dig that nasty mouth of yours.”

  “No shit. I can tie a cherry stem into a knot with my tongue.”

  Gabriella couldn’t help but laugh, then she thought about what Addy’d said.

  “Seriously? That’s kinda cool.”

  “Yes, seriously.�
� Addy rolled her eyes.

  “I bet that equates to doing something fun with your tongue and a guy’s…you know…but I have no clue what.”

  “You’re so cute, Gab. But as far as my tongular talents go, blow jobs are like ice cream, so they don’t help much. Lick, suck, add a little teeth, a little hand action, give a little tug on his sac right before he comes, and voilà. Happy man!”

  “Teeth? Ouch.” She was not about to let Addy know she was mentally taking notes. Teeth and tug. Got it.

  “Sweetie, you need to watch a little porn, or maybe we should visit an adult toy store.”

  “I never knew how much I didn’t know,” Gabriella admitted. “I think I’ll have to ask Duke for a few pointers.”

  “We need to talk.” Addy pulled her down onto the couch and whipped out her phone. “Do you really want to ask your man, or do you want to surprise your man?”

  Gabriella spent the next hour glued to Addy’s phone. The woman knew more about sex than Gabriella knew about law. She was a sex goddess, the queen of all things sexual and kinky, and Gabriella was taking mental notes like her life depended on it. By the time they left to meet the girls, Gabriella felt armed and dangerous in the sexed-up department. Of course, given who she was in love with, she had a feeling she’d pale in comparison to his idea of sexed up. But she was an eager student, and Duke was an excellent teacher.

  **

  TRISH AND SIENA were as close as Addy and Gabriella, and the four of them instantly hit it off. They spent two hours shopping and chatting, and when they stopped for a drink afterward before going their separate ways, Gabriella felt like she’d known them forever.

  NightCaps was bustling, as always. They claimed a booth and settled in. Gabriella’s phone vibrated with a text from Duke. Miss you like crazy. Take your time. Have fun. Xox.

  She felt guilty that he had to wait for her instead of going home. She sent off a quick reply. You can go home if you want. I can stay at my place.

  His response came quickly. Home isn’t home without you there. I’m happy to wait. Besides, I’m studying Greek so I can sweet-talk you in your own language. His words wrapped around her like an embrace. She felt so lucky, so happy, so…in love.

  “Was that from my brother?” Trish was wearing a short-sleeved blouse that revealed a tattoo of a butterfly just above her elbow. It was big and colorful and fit her outgoing personality perfectly.

  “Yes. I was telling him he didn’t have to wait for me.”

  Trish and Siena exchanged a glance and said in unison, “Yeah, right.”

  “Ryder men never leave their women behind,” Siena explained. “Besides, he’s going to want to see all that sexy lingerie we made you buy.”

  Gabriella hadn’t needed much coaxing to buy the silk and lace. Just the idea of seeing Duke all hot and bothered over her made her want some for every night of the week.

  “I have never seen my brother so head over heels for a woman before,” Trish said. “Not that I’ve seen him with a woman, uh, ever. He’s always kept his personal life separate from his family. Until you.”

  Siena reached over and patted her hand. “No need to blush. It’s a good thing. Love is always good.”

  Gabriella loved knowing that they not only accepted her but that they seemed genuinely happy for her and Duke.

  “Now, if someone could just order up some love for me, we’d be all set.” Addy eyed the men in the bar.

  “Me too,” Trish said. “I’ll be acting in a film with Boone Stryker in a few months, and I thought…”

  Addy choked on her drink and pounded on her chest, eyes wide. “You’re acting with Boone Stryker? The rock star?”

  “He’s super cute,” Gabriella said. “And I love his music.”

  “Yup, but don’t get too excited. He didn’t even show up for the meeting today, and that tells me more about the guy than his looks ever could. Can you say ‘diva’?”

  “I hate those kinds of guys,” Siena said. “As a model, I have to work with way too many of them. They’re prissier than the girls.” She looked around the bar and giggled.

  “What?” Trish looked around.

  “I was just remembering when Cash and I first met. He gave me my first screaming orgasm here.” Siena sipped her drink.

  Gabriella’s head whipped in her direction. “Here?”

  “Under the table?” Addy said playfully.

  Was Gabriella the only one who thought that was a little risqué?

  “Yes, here,” Siena said with a glint of amusement in her eyes. “It’s a drink. Oh, you thought...”

  “You are wicked,” Trish teased.

  Siena leaned across the table and whispered, “But I’d have totally done that with him here, under the table, in the bathroom, behind the bar.”

  “Please! He is my brother!” Trish teased.

  “You and me, Gabby. We’re going to be very close,” Siena said. “Because I can’t share juicy details with Sis over here. But you and me? We can compare notes.”

  “Sounds fun to me.” More notes. Yay!

  They talked for a while longer, and as they gathered their things to leave, Cash, Duke, and Jake came through the doors. Duke’s piercing gaze was locked on Gabriella. Her pulse quickened as she imagined kneeling beneath the table between Duke’s legs and putting her newfound talents to good use.

  “Hey, baby.” He swept one arm around her back and kissed her, a little more deeply than was probably appropriate, and she loved it.

  “How did you know we were ready to go?” Gabriella asked.

  “My beautiful wife texted me,” Cash said, as he draped an arm around Siena.

  “He’s trained me well,” Siena said, gazing up at him. “He worries about me at night. Can you imagine what he’ll be like when we have a baby?”

  “Oh my God, are you…?” Trish asked.

  “No, but we’re talking about it.” Siena wrapped her arms around Cash. “Soon, we think.”

  “Really?” Duke’s eyes warmed. “That’s great, you guys. You’ll be incredible parents.”

  “Baby talk. I’m outta here.” Jake’s eyes filled with wickedness as he ran them down Addy’s body.

  Duke leaned in close to Gabriella and whispered, “Baby talk. Why does that make me want to get inside you?”

  Gabriella didn’t know what excited her more, the idea of making love with Duke or one day having a family with him.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  WHEN DUKE AND Gabriella arrived at his house, the moon hovered over the water, casting a long orange shadow like a red carpet waiting to greet them. They walked along the stone path that ran along the side yard, to the patio overlooking the water.

  “You really do have your own little paradise out here.” Gabriella stood before the waist-high stone wall surrounding the patio and sighed. “No wonder you were drawn to the island.”

  Duke gathered her hair over one shoulder and kissed her neck. “It feels like paradise when you’re here with me.”

  “You’re such a sweet talker.” She leaned back against his chest and sighed. For the first time since she’d moved away from the island, she was truly happy. She wasn’t waiting to return or wishing her life was different. She felt like she was right where she was supposed to be. Maybe Duke was right and everything in life really did happen for a reason.

  “Have you ever thought about making free-form gardens down by the water? Or maybe creating little sitting areas defined by flower beds and a few flowering trees?”

  “I’m thinking about it now.” He kissed her neck. “When I bought this place, I thought I’d spend a lot of time out here but never have. I’d like nothing more than to spend time out here with you.”

  She turned in his arms. “Me too.”

  “I was thinking, when I was dealing with the investment that we’re not talking about, you mentioned not taking on more divorce cases. Were you serious? That’s a really big decision. Let’s sit down. Do you want to talk about it?”

  Her gaze sof
tened, which was the opposite of what he’d expected. He thought she’d feel stressed over such a major decision. They toed off their shoes, and Duke lay on his back on a lounge chair. Gabriella stretched out beside him, resting her head against his chest.

  “This is nice.” She began unbuttoning his shirt as she spoke. “I’ve been thinking about changing up my practice for a long time, but I never realized how much the day-to-day negativity was dragging me down until you and I became close. I have a great practice. And a big part of that is handling divorces, but I also work with adoptions, surrogacies, and smaller family issues, which I really enjoy.” She ran her finger nervously along the waist of his slacks. “It’ll mean less money, but money has never meant much to me. I need it to live, of course, but I would rather be happy than have tons of money.”

  “That’s one of the things I admire about you.”

  “Thank you. But it’s just who I am.”

  She parted his shirt and ran her fingers ever so lightly just above his waistband. Heat spread straight to his groin. “That feels incredible, baby.”

  “Close your eyes,” she whispered.

  He closed his eyes. “Mm, sexy time.” Even without his eyes open he knew she’d blush at that, given what he’d walked in on her and Addy talking about. Hell, he’d thought about it ever since.

  Her tongue stroked over his nipple. “I might have watched a little porn with Addy.”

  His eyes flew open. “With Addy?” Holy Christ.

  “Get that grin off your face. There’s no chance of a ménage in your future.”

  “Baby, you’re the only woman I want. But if you—”

  She smacked him, and he laughed. “I’m kidding!”

  Gabriella shifted her body between his legs. Her eyes darkened as she ran her fingers along his jaw, then brushed her lips over his and said, with a shy and intensely sexy look in her eyes, “I was doing research. For you.”

  “I love you just as you are, baby, but that is the sexiest thing I’ve ever heard.” He slipped a hand to the nape of her neck and captured her luscious mouth with his, kissing her deeply as she rocked seductively against his eager erection.