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I obeyed on pure instinct.
He carried me down a hall I barely noticed and we crashed into one of the walls. Ryker took advantage of the support, pressing his hardness against me in delicious agony as he ravaged my mouth and ran his hands up my rib cage, my arms, threading his fingers through mine and pressing them up above my head, pinning me in place.
A moan caught in the back of my throat, my breath ragged. All I could do was submit to his demanding touches, giving back as good as I got. Female satisfaction purred within me the more he lost control, the more that cool, collected, billionaire CEO veneer turned to ash.
We tumbled into his bedroom, leaving a trail of discarded clothes. Ryker worshipped every newly exposed inch of my skin, possession and awe mingling in his touch, his rough hands both commanding and reverent as he explored my body.
His firm mouth left hot, wet kisses in a trail of fire along my collar bone, his scruff scraping delicious tingles along my heated flesh. I sighed and arched into him, aching for more. My fingers dug into his powerful shoulders, my nails digging into his skin.
Ryker mapped my body with hands and mouth until I was mindless, drunk on sensation. He moved unhurriedly at first, but the pace quickened as need mounted, pressure coiling tightly.
I clutched his back, urging him deeper, closer, crying out his name as we reached a blinding crescendo and fell apart, together.
In the shuddering aftermath of our lovemaking, we laid entwined, my pulse slowing back to a more sedate speed. I drifted on a distant cloud, boneless, curled against his chest, feeling warm and sated.
A brief, sleepy thought drifted through my mind.
Meg, what the hell have you done?
It was the last thing I remembered, along with Ryker pressing a tender kiss to my temple as sleep claimed me.
* * *
With daylight peeringthrough the huge windows and open skylights, harsh reality crept in. Doubts swirled as I woke up and took in Ryker's chiseled, relaxed features, one muscled arm flung over his head, the other wrapped around me, his hand curled over my hip. He was even sexier when he wasn’t frowning and trying to appear so stern and tough.
Was this just another notch in his bachelor belt?
A case of came, saw, conquered?
Worse, would letting him in like this jeopardize my hard-won independence? I'd been down this rocky road before. I was already a fool, I’d been married twice. I wasn’t looking for a third time, no matter how charmed the third time was touted to be.
Geez, Meg. Cool it. No one is talking marriage here.
Sensing my inner turmoil, Ryker's eyes fluttered open, lashes longer and thicker than any man had a right to. He drew me closer, hand gently smoothing back my hair.
"Talk to me," he murmured, his gravelly just-woke voice sending shivers through me. There was no mistaking the command in it though.
Ryker had always been alarmingly astute.
Haltingly, I confessed my fears that last night was merely physical, a temporary escape for him. Emotional walls I'd worked so hard to build came crashing down and I didn’t think I had the strength to build more. I’d shielded my heart for damn good reason after my failed marriages. I never wanted to be vulnerable like this again, but here we were.
Ryker's expression grew serious.
He cradled my cheek, his piercing gaze intent.
"Meg, you’re not a fling. You’re not some random woman keeping my bed warm. Last night, this, means something real to me. And I already know what I want. I want you. I want to explore what this could be between us, if you're willing." The rough pad of his thumb traced my bottom lip tentatively. "I don't take this––us––lightly."
God help me, his heartfelt words dissolved every doubt my bruised heart harbored. I could see in that moment that trusting him and trusting what was between us wouldn't weaken me, but only make me stronger, if I was willing to take a risk.
"I want that too," I whispered, emotion welling in my chest.
Relief broke across Ryker's face, before melting into a wolfish, playful grin. In one fluid move, he flipped me onto my back, leaning down to pepper kisses behind my ear. I couldn’t help but let out a surprised yelp, quickly followed by laughter and squealing at the tickle of his whiskers, my heart thudding with exhilaration.
"Hey!" I protested, trying to sound indignant.
”Caught off-guard, Daniels?" Ryker teased, his voice growly and commanding, resonating with assurance.
"In your dreams, West," I shot back, sliding my leg between his and brushing against him. “I’m just letting you feel in charge."
