Page 55 of Power Play

“How small?”

“Tell me what you want right now.”

The question settled through me.

Ryan didn’t suggest an answer. He didn’t tell me what would be appropriate, practical, smart, or safe.

He waited.

My gaze drifted toward the books. “I want the reference guide.”

“You already have it.”

“I want another glass of wine.”

“You can have the bottle.”

“You’re ruining my attempt to evade the question.”

“I know.”

His hand tightened slightly at my neck, angling my face toward his.

“What do you want, Charm?”

My fingers curled into the front of his T-shirt before I had enough time to second-guess them. “I want you to stop looking at me like you’re waiting for permission.”

Ryan’s eyes held mine. The muscles beneath my fingers tightened, but he didn’t move closer.

“I am waiting for permission.”

My heartbeat struck hard enough to make my chest ache. “You don’t seem like a man who waits for much.”

“I wait when it matters.”

Every easy answer disappeared.

I tugged gently on his shirt. “Then you can stop waiting.”

Ryan lowered his head, but his mouth stopped close enough to mine that his breath warmed my lips.

“You sure, mi hada?”

I nodded.

His eyes sharpened. “Use your words.”

“I want you to kiss me.”

Something dark and satisfied moved through his expression. “That wasn’t so hard.”

“You’re making me reconsider.”

“Too late.”

His mouth met mine.

The first touch was slower than I expected, warm and deliberate. Ryan’s hand held the side of my neck while the other settled around my waist, and for several seconds he kissed me like the whole point was proving that neither one of us had imagined what had been building between us.