by Soraya Lane
“So I’m taking it he’s not your paternal grandfather.”
At least opening up to Chloe had gotten her to move closer. After he’d complimented her backside earlier she’d sure as hell made him work for it. Truth was he never talked about this kind of shit with anyone, had never wanted to, until now.
“His parents were long dead, but we were close to my other grandparents because Mom saw them every day. They were pretty tight.” He shrugged. “I know from what everyone says that my mom was great, but I just don’t get why she married a douchebag like my dad, not when she was so beautiful and had everything she needed. But then maybe that’s why she went for the complete opposite of what she’d grown up with, a bad boy from the other side of town.”
Chloe raised her glass to his when his second cocktail arrived. “You were right. Your dad is every bit as crappy as mine.”
“Add to that a temper that could have heated Texas, and a half-bottle-of-bourbon habit each night, and that’s my childhood for you. I was just lucky I had two older brothers to keep an eye out for me, before Granddad took over.
Chloe sighed. “I know you wanted to prove yourself, but why did you really leave home? Was it more than just wanting to show you could go it alone?
“I took off when I was eighteen, became a pro bull rider. They all hated the idea of me riding for a living, but I loved it and it gave me a buzz every time I got up there. And I knew I could make it. Call me stupid, but when I’m told no, it only makes me want something all the more.”
Chloe grinned. “It just so happens that I’ve noticed that particular trait of yours.”
“When Granddad became sick I came home. It was about time I showed him I gave a damn instead of causing him more gray hairs, and I’d proven all I needed to prove.” He paused, taking a sip of the new daiquiri that had been placed in front of him and deciding he liked it. “So tell me when you started hustling?”
“You make it sound so dirty.” Chloe was smiling again and part of Ryder wanted to do anything to make sure her smile stayed fixed there.
She tossed her long blond hair over her shoulder, missing one loose curl that he reached forward to push back for her. His head was full of images of how her hair would look tumbling down her back when she was sitting astride him, but he’d asked her a serious question and he wanted to hear her response.
“I’m pretty sure you made quite an impression on some of the men you played.” Ryder could hear the huskiness of his own voice, no longer caring what they were talking about. He had an itch that needed scratching, and he wasn’t going to be satisfied until he’d well and truly gotten it out of his system.
“When I was younger I just had to watch and learn, then I was a good distraction for my dad to use.” She pushed her shoulders up into a shrug. “He was great at bluffing, so even when he didn’t have a decent hand he’d usually clean up. But not always.”
Ryder reached for her hair again, twirling a strand around one of his fingers and shuffling his stool a little closer so her legs were arrowed between his open thighs.
“And how about you?” he asked. “Are you lucky or are you good at bluffing?”
Her thick dark lashes hid her eyes so just a glimpse of her chocolate irises were visible when she glanced up, her hair falling forward again. “Why do I get the feeling that we’re not talking about poker anymore?”
He grunted. “Because we’re not.” He’d tried to just talk, but all he could think about was having his hands on Chloe.
Ryder’s gaze fell to her mouth, watched as her tongue darted out, her top teeth pressing into her full lower lip. Then her eyes met his and she leaned into him, her breath warm against his mouth as she hesitated then tasted his lips, her mouth hovering, still, before moving again and starting to find a rhythm. Ryder shoved forward so their thighs were jammed together, running one hand down her shoulder, catching in her hair.
He couldn’t stifle a groan when her tongue clashed with his, her mouth open wide as she kissed him over and over again.
“I think we need to go back upstairs,” he mumbled against her mouth when she gave him a second to breathe.
“No,” she murmured straight back. “You’re not going anywhere.”
He groaned again and took hold of her shoulders, pushing her back just enough to let him breathe. “Seriously, we need to go.”
“Why?” she asked, her mouth twisted to the side in a smile so foxy he wanted to wipe it straight off her with his own mouth. “You don’t want anyone to see you making out with me?”
Ryder chuckled and stood up, scooping his hands under her butt and removing her from the stool. Her body was hard up against his and he put his arm around her shoulders and spun her around so they were facing. He dropped a kiss into her hair.
“I don’t give a damn who sees us, but if anyone gets a look at me they’re gonna think I’ve got a loaded goddamn pistol in my pocket.”
Chloe glanced down, then burst out laughing, covering her body with his and tucking her face into his chest.
“Settle down, cowboy. You have been with a woman before, haven’t you? Or is that why you’re so excited?”
“You might get away with talking smack down here, but once we’re up there?” He tugged her closer, his arm locked around her neck in a playful hold. “You’re at my mercy then.”
Her laugh was wicked. “Or maybe you’ll be at mine.”
As much as he wanted to throw her over his shoulder and take her upstairs, he didn’t. Instead he paused, forced himself to stop, and looked her straight in the eyes.
“I’m not going to hurt you, Chloe. Not all men are assholes.”
She smiled at him, gaze trained on his. “I know.”
“What makes you so certain I’m not?” he asked as he stroked her face, torn between wanting to be gentle with her on the one hand, and rough as hell with her on the other.
“Same reason you trusted me to win back your ranch.”
He smiled. “I doubt that very much. I just wanted an excuse to see you again.”
“Liar.” Her words were soft, but the heat in her gaze hadn’t died.
“All I’m saying is that you don’t need to doubt me. I might be a douchebag sometimes, but I’m an honest one.” He laughed. “And I really do believe you’ll win it. The thing is, me trusting you is a no-brainer. Things can’t get any worse for me.”
“You’ll get your money back, Ryder,” she said. “When I give my word, it’s binding.”
“You’re gonna make a damn fine lawyer one day, you know that?”
“Lawyering isn’t what I’m interested in right now.”
“Oh yeah?”
Chloe licked her lips and made him laugh, but it also made him hard again. The faster he got her back upstairs, the better. He adjusted the front of his jeans and grabbed her hand, pausing only to speak to the concierge as he dragged Chloe toward the elevator.
“Send a bottle of champagne up to our suite,” he instructed, before bending down closer to Chloe, his lips over her ear. “You want me to order steaks and fries now?”
She looked confused. “Why?”
“Because after the night I have planned for us, you might get hungry.”
Her cheeks turned red but she never looked away. “The champagne will be just fine. For now.”
Ryder nodded at the concierge and led Chloe to the elevator. She spun around and faced him while they were waiting, arms slung low around his waist, leaning up to nip his lower lip.
“Maybe we should roll the dice a few times before we go up.”
He growled at her, the noise in his throat nothing short of guttural.
“You’re a bad influence, Ryder King.”
He nipped her lip straight back and made her squeal.
“Don’t I know it.”
Chapter 8
Ryder’s body was like a rock, every inch of him muscled and hard. She surrendered as he pushed her against the wall outside their room, somehow simultaneously inserting the key ca
rd and kicking open the door. He dragged her in, mouth hot and wet to hers as he held her arms above her head and pinned her wrists with one of his big hands.
“And here I was thinking we were just going to be friends,” he said, lips moving against hers, his voice low. “Wrong on all counts.”
Chloe fought to release her hands but she may as well have been locked in place with chains. She turned her head, refusing his kiss. “You don’t strike me as the kind of guy to have friends that are girls.”
He took his hand off her waist and cupped her chin, forcing her to face him again. It was impossible not to be lost in the web of his gaze, his piercing blue eyes seductive as sin.
“Why do you say that?” he asked, kissing her again, lips plucking at hers over and over, so soft and then so hard. His tongue tangled with hers, fusing their mouths together and making her moan.
“Because you couldn’t be friends with a woman without having sex with her.”
His laugh was a throaty rumble. “No, darlin’, I just couldn’t be friends with you without wanting to have sex.”
Ryder let go of her wrists, giving her a three-second reprieve before scooping his hands under her butt. He walked farther into the room, hesitating then moving again. She had her arms locked around his neck, legs wrapped around his waist. There was nothing soft about him, the planes of his shoulders and the ripple of muscle down his back beneath her fingers making her want to dig her nails in. To slice into his skin and make him bleed.
Only she didn’t get the chance. Ryder threw her on the bed, looking down at her, his body blocking the light from the window, towering over her as she lay beneath him. Desire thrummed through her, knotting in her belly and rippling across her skin. Ryder’s blue eyes were intense, his lazy smile telling her he was about to do something wicked to her. Something that would make her toes curl. He was so damn self-assured he didn’t even have to ask if she wanted him back. But he’d told her she could trust him, and she did—if she didn’t she wouldn’t be lying on his bed right now.
“So, darling girlfriend, you like it gentle or rough?” Ryder kicked off his boots and unbuttoned his shirt, dropping it behind him. His abs were perfectly defined, skin taut and tanned, and the arrow of hair that disappeared south into his low-slung jeans … it made her want to explore every inch of his delicious body.
Chloe licked her lips, her mouth suddenly dry. She pushed up onto her elbows, unable to drag her eyes away from him. He winked as he peeled off his socks then undid the top button of his jeans, her breath catching as he hesitated on the zipper, then stopped.
She was actually about to do this. She was going to have sex with the man she’d sworn she wouldn’t touch, yet from the moment they’d been alone together, there had been no way in hell she’d ever be able to honor the promise she’d made herself. Shelly had been right. He was completely irresistible.
“So? You haven’t given me an answer,” he said, his drawl alone making her wet between the legs. “Or are you having second thoughts?”
Ryder dropped to his knees and put one hand to her shoulder, pushing her back. Her heart started to race, her breath coming in short bursts as he straddled her, his solid thighs locking her in place.
“Chloe?”
He raised an eyebrow, eyes locked on hers, not giving her a second to glance away.
“You’ll have to wait and see,” she told him, groaning in pleasure as he slipped a hand down the front of her low-cut dress and touched her breasts.
“Let’s get rid of these clothes, shall we?”
His question was barely audible, almost impossible to hear with her head tipped back, arching up into him as he removed his hands and pushed her dress up instead and dropped his mouth to her skin. It was hot and wet, the most seductive of touches, and she held her arms above her head to let him remove her dress completely. Ryder was relentless, mouth moving fast, sucking the soft skin of her breast, just above the lace of her bra.
Chloe wiggled, trying to free herself so she could wrap her legs around his waist, but Ryder wasn’t budging an inch. He did raise his head though, cupping her face in his hands and tenderly kissing her, sucking on her lower lip before dipping his tongue into her mouth.
“You,” he murmured into her ear when he finally pulled away, letting her catch her breath, “are so beautiful.”
“Said the lion to the lamb,” she whispered into his ear.
Ryder pushed up onto his elbows, his body heavy against hers even though he was supporting most of his own weight. “I’ve wanted you from the moment you caught my eye at the rodeo,” he told her, dropping a slow, sweet kiss to her mouth. “And now I want you naked,” he said, pushing himself back up, a determined glint in his eye that sent a fresh wave of desire through her body.
She shook her head when he went to slide her panties off, and he just laughed, kicking his own jeans off instead, one side of his mouth tilting up into a grin, when he caught her eye.
“Too fast?” he asked.
“No,” she choked out, her own gaze dropping to his boxers, his erection impossible not to notice. “I just wanted us to be even.”
“Good,” he said, stripping off the last of his clothing so he was stark naked before her. “Because now it’s time to go slow.”
She gasped as he pushed her back down, cupping her breasts, one finger flicking beneath the lace to slide past her nipple. But he was focused on moving down her body, his hands firm on her waist as he dipped his head, making a trail with his tongue from her belly button to the top of her panties, stopping there and licking back and forth. Chloe moaned loudly, not resisting when he slipped his hands beneath her butt to raise it, pulling her panties down. He yanked them down to her ankles and she used her toes to discard them completely, wantonly raising her pelvis when his mouth dipped back down again, her breathing erratic as she waited to feel his warm lips, his wet tongue, against her sex.
Ryder delved deep inside of her with his tongue, licking then sucking, gentle at first, slowly warming her up and then becoming more insistent. One hand cupped her breast, his fingers over her nipple, and she arched her back so she could press herself harder onto his mouth. “Don’t stop,” she panted.
He tweaked her nipple between his forefinger and thumb, making her moan even harder, but his mouth never stopped. Her body went rigid, the intensity of his mouth so wet against her sending waves of pleasure through every inch of her. Just when she thought she couldn’t bear it anymore, she started to ride the steadily building wave of climax, her body humming as she clenched her fingers in Ryder’s hair, locking him in place in case he dared try to move.
“Ryder,” she whispered, rocking into him one last time as spasms of pleasure sent her slack against the bed, her legs locked around his head as she turned to liquid, riding out the final waves of ecstasy.
Chloe kept her eyes shut, let her arms fall loose by her sides, but she wasn’t allowed even a moment of rest. Ryder had hauled his body up, no longer at the end of the bed. He nudged her thighs back apart, moving in between them, both of his hands seeking out her breasts and caressing them, thumbs insistent on her nipples. She was so sensitive to his touch, her entire body on high alert.
“That was just to get you warmed up,” Ryder said, his voice so deep it was almost menacing as he placed his hands on either side of her head. There was a fire in his eyes burning so hot she was scared of being scalded.
Chloe reached for him, arms around his back as she drew him closer, opened her mouth to kiss him, inviting him in with her tongue. Her body still felt like liquid, but there was no part of her that didn’t want Ryder inside of her.
“Let me,” she said, pushing him back a little, wanting to return the favor.
“No,” he ordered. “On your back, now.”
She obliged, voluntarily putting her hands above her head after she slipped her bra off. His grin was wicked as he lowered himself, nudging her thigh aside and rubbing his length against her. He was rock hard and she reached for him, sl
iding her hand up and down, loving the groan she received in response.
“Stop,” he growled.
She didn’t until he grabbed her wrist and forced her to. “We need protection and if you keep going like that I won’t get a chance.”
Chloe raised her eyebrows. Lucky one of them was thinking sensibly.
He jumped off the bed and unzipped his bag, and was nestled back between her legs in no time. He tore the edge of the packet and pulled the condom out, but she took it from him, rolling it on and admiring his body at the same time. She’d never been with a guy so … She smiled. Built. He was muscled all over, abs rock hard and the other part of him that she cared about was even harder.
Chloe looked up at him, laughing when he pushed her back, his elbows falling close to her ears when he dropped down, her body now completely hidden by his. She gasped when he slowly, gently pushed inside of her, their eyes locked, neither looking away. Chloe couldn’t help the moan that escaped her lips, and Ryder responded by moving his mouth over hers at the same time that he rocked deeper.
She wrapped her arms around him, nails digging into his shoulders, making sure he couldn’t get away. Chloe called out his name, locked her legs around his butt, matching his every move. But he escaped faster than she could stop him, flipping them both so she ended up straddling him.
“I was liking that,” she muttered, hands flat to his chest, gasping when he pushed up hard.
“Just liking it?” he asked, one eyebrow raised.
Sweat gleamed across his forehead, his dark hair was pushed back off his face, and his eyes drew her in like magnets. “Okay, so I was loving it,” she corrected.