“Of course. These last two months have sucked without you here. Pure hell.” I didn’t see the use in lying, so I decided to just be honest with him. Well, somewhat honest. I was not about to admit all of my feelings to him. That would just scare him off, and I didn’t want that.
“To hell with it,” he growled, suddenly slamming on the brakes, making me jerk forward in my seat. He veered the car off to the side where there was a small dirt track leading through the trees. Before I could wonder where he was taking me, the car came to a complete stop off the road in the middle of nowhere. I should have felt scared or worried, but I didn’t. I felt safe. I always felt safe with Ryder. Even in the middle of the sticks.
Ryder shifted in his seat so that he was looking at me, lip ring pulled into his teeth. I watched as he chewed on it. I tried to work out what he was thinking, but I was completely distracted by his mouth. I moved in my seat so I was facing him. We just sat and stared at each other for the longest time, neither of us looking away or speaking until Ryder finally reached his hand across and rubbed his thumb along my cheek.
“Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?” he whispered, breaking the silence.
“No.” I shook my head and ducked in an effort to hide the blush that was heating my cheeks.
“Well, you do.” He smiled and paused for a moment. “I thought it would be different, you know? That it would be easier when I got back.” His voice was soft yet still husky as his thumb moved across my bottom lip, making me shiver. I had no idea what he was talking about, but I didn’t want him to stop touching me.
“I thought being away from you would lessen how much I want you. Need you.”
My heart beat harder at his words, and my breathing increased as his thumb dragged slowly down over my bottom lip and down my chin, stopping when his hand cupped around my neck. I could feel his trembling hand on my skin. I reached up to entwine our fingers. His eyes widened at our touch. His pupils were so dilated his bright green eyes were almost black. He seemed so serious. I almost believed his words, but that was only because I wanted them to be true. So much. I knew it wasn’t true, though. It couldn’t be. He must have just missed being home and having me around as a friend, and that had confused him into thinking he needed me.
“But it didn’t, Bailey. Being away from you only made me want you more.” It was when he said that, I realised he was serious. There was no hint of uncertainty in his eyes. He was chewing on his lip ring still because he was nervous. Ryder didn’t get nervous, but I could see it then. He was nervous at my reaction. He needed me. My breath hitched when he turned one side of his mouth up into a smile.
“It’s okay, I know that it’s not—” I stopped him from saying any more by leaning over and slamming my mouth against his. I couldn’t hold back anymore. The kiss was heated, passionate, and rough. My hands curled themselves into his hair as his hands moved to my waist. He groaned as I deepened the kiss. I lifted myself up and swung my leg over the centre console trying to move over to him, needing him closer. Realising what I wanted to do, he lifted me slightly and pulled me over to his side of the car so I was sitting across his lap with my knees on either side of his legs.
“Bailey.” He mumbled my name into my neck before kissing the sensitive skin around my collarbone. “I need you. So bad.” My fingers found their way under his shirt, trailing across his stomach. Somewhere in that moment, I decided to give in to my feelings and let him know how I really felt. I needed him, too.
“Take me.” I gasped when I felt his teeth graze across the top of my shoulder. I slipped his jacket over his shoulders and tugged open his shirt. He sat forward and slid it off, throwing it somewhere in the backseat.
“You sure?” He looked up at me, seeking confirmation. I nodded and pressed my lips to his. That was all the confirmation he needed.
“I’m yours,” I whispered.
Chapter
Twenty-One
My mother was standing in the front yard talking to Mrs. Gibbons, our elderly neighbour, when Ryder pulled into the driveway. Dammit. I had been hoping she’d be in her studio working on a new routine or something and I’d be able to sneak in without her noticing. No such luck. Her head whipped around in our direction as Ryder shut off the rumbling engine. I watched as she quickly said goodbye to Mrs. Gibbons and walked toward us, eyes narrowed and lips pursed. Not a look I got to see too often on her features. I knew what she was thinking. She thought I had stayed at Indie’s last night after prom. After Jayden had blown Indie off and I’d changed my mind about going, Indie asked if I would stay at her place to make a proper girls’ night of it. That was the plan. Honestly. Until Ryder showed up and changed everything.
I was late. Very late. And I was going to be in so much trouble. Yes, I knew my mother was kind of laid back and open-minded, and I was beyond lucky to have her, but she still liked to be informed of what I was doing, when I was doing it, where I was doing it, and who I was doing it with. I hadn’t let her know that I’d be late home that day because I was spending it with Ryder. In my defence, I hadn’t expected any of that to occur. At all. Ever. Just thinking about what we were doing the night before right there in this car was enough to cause my cheeks to heat up.
“You should go. Bye,” I said to Ryder as I opened the door and got out.
“Bailey, wait for a—” But it was too late. I had cut him off by slamming the door shut. The last thing I needed right then was him telling my mother what had happened or telling me that it should never have happened. I straightened up and turned to face my mother.
“Bailey.” She raised a questioning eyebrow at me and glanced over my shoulder. “Ryder, it’s lovely to see you again. Glad you’re back.”
“Glad to be back, Mrs. Mitchell.” I was surprised to hear Ryder’s voice right behind me. Before I could turn to look at him, I felt his hand on my waist. “Sorry to bring Bailey home so late. I wanted to surprise her, and we, uhm, just lost track of time,” he explained, pinching my waist slightly and making me squirm.
“Yes, I assumed as much when I realised she was with you and not at Indie’s.” My mother smiled at him and glared at me. Uh-oh. “Would you like to come in, Ryder? I am just about to start dinner.” I silently prayed that he’d say no.
It wasn’t that I didn’t want him around. I did. But I needed to process things. I didn’t know what this meant for us. Everything about the previous night was perfect. He was perfect. But now that the excitement and relief at seeing him again had dimmed, I was beginning to second-guess it all. Maybe we were just too caught up in the moment. Him coming home, the dance, being crowned king and queen. I mean, it had been two months since we’d seen each other. What if he regretted it now?
“Love to.” Ryder smiled as he nudged me toward the house.