Had they been dreams? Was this the only time he’d come into her room? She’d been dead on her feet the past two nights, so a nuclear blast could’ve gone off and she wouldn’t have known about it.
Her heart beat double when his hand came to rest on her waist. Then, slowly, he scooted close until their bodies were molded together, her back to his front.
The covers stopped her from knowing if he had his pants on, but there was no denying he was bare-chested. She used to run her hands all over his chest and the dragon tattoo every chance she got.
And she wanted to do it now.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” he whispered.
Kinsey squeezed her eyes closed. Those words hit her squarely in the chest. She wanted to believe him, to take those words and hold them against her heart forever.
But Ryder used to say sweet things like that all the time before he’d left her.
“Doona ever leave, Kins.”
If he kept this up, she was going to cry. To have the man she was in love with leave unexpectedly, and three years pass with no contact only to have him say everything she’d dreamt he would say was brutal.
And glorious.
This time she knew what was going to happen. This time she understood her place in his world perfectly.
This time, she’d be the one to leave.
She played a dangerous game. She was the lamb and Ryder the lion. He’d shredded her heart and her life effortlessly before. He could do it again.
Warm lips met her shoulder where he placed a light kiss. “Doona be afraid of me. I’ll always protect you.”
Kinsey moved back against him, allowing her shoulder to rub against his bare chest. Heat radiated from him, cocooning her in everything Ryder.
Another kiss was placed on her ear before he tenderly nuzzled her neck. She felt his cock thicken and grow against her back. Her nipples hardened and moisture gathered between her legs.
She knew Ryder well enough to know he’d never take advantage of her when she’d made it clear she didn’t want him. If she was going to have her night in his arms, she was going to have to make the move.
Kinsey covered his hand draped over her waist with hers. Then she turned her head to look at him over her shoulder.
He froze, waiting to hear what she would say or do. Kinsey took his hand and placed it on her breast. They gazed at each other for long seconds.
Then he squeezed her aching nipple through her tank top.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Ryder stared into striking violet eyes, unable to believe that Kinsey wasn’t just awake, but wanting him to touch her.
He ran his thumb over the hard nub of her nipple. Her lips parted and her eyes rolled shut. His cock jumped with yearning. He wanted inside her right that minute, but he pulled himself under control.
Three years had passed since he’d last held Kinsey. He wasn’t going to rush anything. They had the entire night without interruptions. Hours of nothing but them, the night, and desire.
Ryder rolled the nipple between his fingers, hating the shirt in his way. She rocked back her hips, rubbing against his arousal and causing him to moan.
“I missed that sound,” Kinsey whispered.
He moved so he could roll her onto her back. Her lids opened, meeting his gaze. Desire was there, thick and evident. No longer was she trying to hide it or pretending that she didn’t want him.
“What else did you miss?” he asked.
She touched his hand and then his face. “This and this.” Then she placed her hand on his chest, right over the dragon head. “This.” She reached down and cupped his rod through his pants. “And this.”
If it was possible, he wanted her even more. His cock was impossibly hard, aching to slide into her wet heat and claim what was once his.
Ryder massaged her breast, continuing to tease her nipple as he did. She pressed her head back into the pillow while pushing her breast into his hand.
He loved her breasts. They were full, heavy. And extremely sensitive. He’d loved to drive her wild just by playing with them.
“Please,” she begged.
Ryder knew she wanted his mouth on her nipple, but he wasn’t finished teasing her yet. When he didn’t move to do as she asked, Kinsey kicked her legs out of the covers.
As soon as he saw the black lace panties, he nearly lost control. As sexy as they were, he’d much prefer her out of them—and the shirt.
Ryder glided his hand down her side until he found the hem of her shirt. He slipped his hand beneath and pushed up the shirt as he reached for her breast once more.
The moment his hand clasped around her breast, she moaned loudly. The sound was music to his ears. Entirely too much time had passed since he’d heard that beautiful sound.
With her lovely breasts now exposed and her shirt bunched around her neck, Ryder situated himself atop her. Immediately her legs parted so she wrapped them around him, bringing him close.
If only his pants were gone.
Her hands roamed around his shoulders, arms, and back. Every time he pinched her nipples, her back arched. Ryder wanted to pause time and savor every millisecond.