He shrugged, voice low and harsh. “I don’t hate you. I just don’t have time for you.”
She sneered. “You are such a prick.”
“And you are a big pain in my ass,” he shot back.
Her hand whipped up and slapped him across the cheek. The crack of skin echoed in the room. Seth’s green eyes darkened, pupils dilated, the anger rolling off him in waves. He caught her wrists, yanking her close until she had to stand on tiptoe.
“Don’t ever hit me again,” he rasped, and shoved her away. He turned to leave, but she grabbed his arm, spinning him back around.
He paused, chest heaving, his gaze shifting from her eyes to her lips and back again. Then, without warning, he slammed his mouth to hers. Surprise and desire merged in her chest. He kissed her fiercely, tongue pressing, exploring. His arms tightened around her waist, pulling her flush against his hard body.
Ryan’s fingers tangled in his hair, her body humming with heat as she felt him respond. Every nerve in her being ignited when she realized how solid he felt against her.
He lifted her easily, her legs wrapping around his waist, and strode through the living room in a heady blur of lust. The carpeted hallway muffled his footsteps as he carried her down a hallway and into the bedroom. He settled her on her feet, then shed his clothes in quick, sure motions until only his boxer briefs clung to him.
She watched, heart pounding, as he reached into the nightstand and withdrew a condom. He ripped it open, the packet’s crinkle sharp in the hushed room. He shucked his boxer briefs, rolled it down his length with slow deliberation, as he stared at her.
His hands framed her face, thumbs brushing her cheekbones. “You are so fucking beautiful,” he murmured, voice rough with need.
He slipped his fingers under her T-shirt feeling the curve of her waist, the soft rise of her breasts. He cupped one breast, thumb teasing her nipple until it peaked, and she groaned. Hequickly stripped off her clothes, leaving her naked, then he picked her up again, placed her on the edge of the bed, kneeled at the foot of the bed, eyes locked on hers and gently pushed her legs apart.
When his tongue brushed her sensitive flesh, her breath hitched. He sucked at her clitoris, patient and insistent, until her back arched and a startled cry tore from her lips. She came hard, her body trembling beneath his ministrations.
Panting, she reached for him, but he rose, ordering, “Move up the bed.” Obedient, she slid against the cool sheets. He climbed between her legs, trailing kisses along her inner thighs. When he hovered above her, his cock nudged against her.
“Open your eyes. Look at me,” he demanded softly.
Her eyes fluttered open, and his gaze smoldered as he guided himself in. She bit her lip, as he continued to thrust. The rhythm was slow at first, but it quickened, bone and muscle moving together until the headboard tapped against the wall.
“Seth… please,” she moaned, her nails grazing his shoulders.
He withdrew and plunged in again, harder, deeper, driving her against the mattress in urgent waves. She wrapped her legs around him, matching his pace, her hips lifting to meet his.
Every stroke sent sparks through her veins. She cried out his name as she chased another orgasm, squeezing him with trembling thighs. He slid a hand between them to her clitoris, rubbing in time with his thrusts, and she shattered around him, crying out as pleasure washed through her.
He groaned, his thrusts slowing, and with a final, shuddering rush, he came. His arms went slack, and they rode the aftershocks together, breath mingling in the quiet glow of lamplight. Outside, the world waited, but in this moment, they neither needed nor wanted anything beyond each other.
****
Seth rolled away from her, pushed himself up from the edge of the bed and trudged into the bathroom. The tiled floor was cold beneath his bare feet. He peeled the condom off and dropped it into the trashcan. He turned the shower on, and steam curled in the air as he stepped into the glass shower stall. The rush of scorching water splashed between his shoulder blades. He exhaled a groan.
“Well, that was a dumbass move, Harrison,” he murmured into the steam, but couldn’t deny how hot every moment had felt.
The shower door clicked open, and he turned, heart thudding, when Ryan slipped inside, steam outlining her silhouette. She reached for the bar of soap, its scent mingling with the heat, and worked it into creamy lather between her palms before gliding her soapy hands over his chest. The suds glided slick and cool across his skin.
“Ryan—” he began, his voice rough.
“No. I will not let you ruin it for me.” She leaned close, her breath warm against his chest.
“Ruin it?” he echoed, chest rising under her touch.
“I know you’re regretting it, Seth. It’s no secret you don’t like me, but you do want me, and that was the hottest sex I’ve ever had. You will not ruin it. You can berate yourself all you want, but not in front of me.” Her tone was soft but firm, as immovable as the tiles behind her.
He bit his lower lip to keep from grinning. “Yes, ma’am.”
She paused, soap foam clinging to her hands, then laughed softly, a low, amused sound that vibrated in her chest. “Now you’re getting it.”
Seth’s chuckle died away into something more serious. He traced a thumb over her collarbone. “I just don’t want either of us to get hurt, Ryan. Once this is over, we go back to beingstrangers, never seeing each other again. I sure as hell don’t want a broken heart.”
