“Let’s go,” I growled, not bothering to disguise the edge of possessiveness in my voice.
The guy beside her opened his mouth like he was considering saying something, but one look from me convinced him otherwise.
Riley’s eyes widened in surprise, her breath hitching softly at my abrupt tone. But she didn’t protest as I practically dragged her toward the parking lot, though she glanced up at me with a mix of confusion and curiosity that only made me want her more.
We crossed the crowded pits without saying another word, my grip firm around her hand as we passed people who stepped quickly out of our way. By the time we reached my Harley, my body ached with the desperate need to finally have her alone. Without interruptions, where she belonged.
The ride back to my house was torture. Riley’s arms wrapped around my waist as we sped down darkened roads, her body pressed flush against my back. Her heat was a constant distraction, and every bump or lean sent another spike of needracing through me. By the time we pulled into my driveway, my self-control was hanging by a thread so thin it barely existed.
I killed the engine, climbed off the bike, and turned toward her. Her cheeks were flushed, her breathing was slightly elevated, and her eyes were wide as she looked up at me. Without saying a word, I lifted her off the bike, catching her hips in my hands as she slid down my body, the contact enough to send sparks of electricity through every nerve ending I possessed.
Riley’s lips parted as she searched my face for answers to questions neither of us was willing to ask right now. Without hesitation, I slid one hand into her hair, and my mouth crashed onto hers in a claiming kiss that left no room for doubt or hesitation.
Her response was immediate, her lips parting beneath mine, and her body arched instinctively into my hold. Heat surged through my veins, my arousal unrelenting as I crowded her against the side of my Harley, pressing my hips flush to hers until she gasped softly against my mouth, the sound going straight to my cock.
I broke the kiss just long enough to drag in a ragged breath, my voice rough as I spoke against her lips. “We need to be inside. Now.”
Her eyes flashed with desire, her mouth still swollen from my kiss, and she gave a shaky nod. Without another word, I led her toward my front door, my hand firmly gripping hers, determined to finally claim what I'd known was mine from the moment she’d walked into The Pit.
9
RILEY
The front door barely clicked shut behind us before Ryot had me pressed against the hard surface, his mouth claiming mine again in a kiss that stole what little breath I had left.
The house was nice, but I barely registered any of it. My pulse was thundering in my ears, and all I could focus on was the feel of his tongue tangling with mine and his hard length pressed against my stomach.
I knew I shouldn’t be here with his rough hands gripping my waist like he wasn’t going to let me get away. My secrets were too heavy. Shawn and his dangerous friends were still out there. The longer I stayed, the more likely everything would explode. But I was so tired of fighting the attraction between us.
I wanted to let myself have this, even if it all blew up in my face later.
He ended the kiss, his eyes burning with desire as they searched my face. His hand came up to cup my jaw, his thumb brushing my lower lip. “Tell me you want this, Riley. That you need me as badly as I need you.”
Ryot made me feel safe in a way I hadn’t since my dad died. I’d actually relaxed tonight and let myself enjoy the momentinstead of constantly scanning the crowd for threats. All because of him.
I was falling harder than I thought possible. Which was why I hadn’t told him about why I’d shown up in Crossbend broke and terrified. The last thing I wanted was for Ryot to get mixed up in the mess with Shawn.
And maybe it was wrong of me, but I was going to take this time with him now while I had the chance.
I slid my hands up his chest, feeling the hard muscle beneath his shirt, and whispered the words that sealed my fate. “Yes, I want you, Ryot. So much.”
A low, satisfied sound rumbled in his chest as he pulled me flush against him again. “Thank fuck.”
Ryot took my mouth in a deep kiss that left no room for second thoughts. His tongue swept against mine, while his hands gripped my butt, holding me tightly against him. I melted into him, letting go of the last threads of hesitation.
Without breaking the kiss, he swept me off my feet like I weighed nothing. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he carried me through the house, his long strides eating up the distance to his bedroom.
He kicked the door open and laid me down on his big bed, following me down so his body covered mine. The weight of him felt perfect, and his growled words only made it better.
“Been wanting this since the moment you first sassed me in my garage. You have no idea how many nights I’ve thought about you right here, under me, saying my name.”
Heat pooled low in my belly as I admitted, “I’ve dreamed about this, too.”
“Fucking hell, baby.” Ryot sat back on his knees and reached for the hem of my tank top. “Lift up.”
I did, helping him pull it over my head. His eyes darkened as he took in my simple black bra and the flush already spreading across my skin.
“Look at you.” His hands cupped my breasts through the fabric, his thumbs brushing over my nipples until they hardened. “So damn gorgeous. These sweet tits have been driving me crazy every time you lean over an engine.”
