His admission makes my heart skip a beat. Truth or lie, it’s the nicest thing anyone’s said to me in a very long time.
I’ve never been lost in anyone’s eyes before, but I fall willingly into Ryder’s. His head lowers and my lips part in invitation. Just one kiss. What can it hurt?
The moment his mouth captures mine, I let out a whimper and sag against him. He tastes just as good as he smells, a heady combination of fruity wine and sparkling citrus. What began as a light exploration quickly turns into something deeper and more passionate. His hands lock around my wrists, lifting them up and pinning them against the wall on either side of my head. His tongue slides into my mouth and I meet its warm glide. Exploring. Craving more.
Arching against him, wanting desperately to touch him, but unable to move my hands, I kiss him back with a wild enthusiasm I normally keep leashed. But he makes me want to let loose and, for once in my life, give in to sensation. To him.
I am in so much trouble. Lines are blurring, and I need to keep a straight head on my shoulders. Yet here I am, canoodling in a dark corner with Ryder after drinking too much alcohol.
Way to be professional.I’m going to stop this, and we’re going to go back to the cottage and retreat to our separate bedrooms.
But first, just one more kiss.
Chapter Eight: Ryder
Kissing Bella is my new favorite thing. She’s so responsive and eager, not holding back as she gives as good as she gets. And, believe me, I’m giving a helluva lot.
I can’t seem to get enough of her sweet taste or the soft whimpers she’s making. Everything feels right. And I vow to give her whatever she wants. Everything she needs. Let’s face it, getting naked with Bella Diamond would hardly be a hardship. But there’s something more to her than what she allows others to see. She puts on a good show—brash and bold and confident, a one-woman force to be reckoned with—but I sense the loneliness right beneath the surface. As much as she tries to hide it, it’s there, and I can relate only too well.
Maybe we can help each other. Ease that lonely ache, even if just for a short time.
Without warning, she jerks away. I instantly release her wrists, and she ducks under my arm.Shit.The last thing I want to do is spook her. We’d been having such a great evening.
“We should go,” she states. I can tell she’s trying to sound brusque, back to business, but she’s still breathy from the fucking amazing kiss we just shared.
Turning around, I try to meet her eyes, but she’s looking everywhere except at me. “If that’s what you want.”
“I do.”
With a nod, I acknowledge she’s probably right. Making out against the old, stone building where anyone could see us probably isn’t the best idea. PDA doesn’t seem like Bella’s thing. But with any encouragement, I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I couldn’t help myself. She’s like a siren, calling to me, and I’m ready to throw myself against the rocks for another taste of her sweetness.
Because that was, hands down, the best kiss I’ve ever had.
Giving my head a shake, knowing I need to keep it screwed on straight, I clench my jaw and don’t say anything else. Things just went from complicated to convoluted. Inwardly, I sigh. We have a job to do, we don’t need distractions. And sleeping together? Big fucking distraction.
Okay, so I’m going to keep my dick in my pants.For now.But once this heist is over, all bets are off. And seducing Bella is going to be at the top of my very naughty to-dolist. Because there’s nothing I’d like to do more than Miss Diamond.
I have no delusions about what the future holds. We have a very small window of time to get things done, and then hopefully experience a night of bliss together. The moment we step back on that jet and return to Denver, she’s going to disappear on me. Return to her disguises and dive into her next job. Without a second thought, she’ll leave me so fast, between blinks, and I’ll have no idea where she’s run off.
Bella remains quiet during the ride back to the country house. It’s been a long day and we’re both exhausted. She practically jumps out of the car the moment I park, staying several steps ahead of me as we go inside. I lock the door behind us and turn to find her already heading to her room. She hesitates for a brief second, and I don’t want to lose the opportunity to say something, hoping she’ll turn her soulful gaze on me again.
“Rest up,” I tell her. “We have a big day tomorrow.”
She looks over her shoulder. “Thank you for dinner.”
“Any time. I’ll see you bright and early.”
“Goodnight.” A soft wisp of a smile curves her lips, and then she hurries over to her room, shutting the door behind her.
I stare at the closed door for way too long, telling myself it’s for the best. “Goodnight, Bella,” I whisper.
Morning comes far too fast. The first thing I notice is Bella doesn’t bother to hide her accent or her eyes. The gray contacts are gone, and I can’t seem to look away from her true color—a striking blue-green that reminds me of the storm-tossed sea.
“What?” she finally asks, shifting in her seat. We’re almost to Heidenreichstein, the village where the castle is located in the province of Lower Austria.
“That’s your real eye color.” It’s not a question.
She frowns, brushing my observation off with a shrug. “The contacts were drying my eyes out.”
