“I know I’ve seen you naked before, but fuck. You’re spectacular, Sloane.” He brushed his fingertips across my shoulders and moved them down to my hands. We linked fingers, and he leaned forward to kiss my lips. Almost as if he was scared.
“What are you smiling about?” he asked, breaking the kiss.
“Nothing,” I said. “Absolutely nothing. And shouldn’t your mouth be busy right about now?”
He raised one eyebrow and then dipped his lips to kiss my cheek.
“Yes, my love.” I shivered and nearly threw myself on him. But I held still as he kissed my cheek again, then my other cheek, then my chin, before tilting my head up and starting to kiss his way down my neck. Every now and then he’d flick his tongue out and taste me. His beard scraped against my sensitive skin, making every nerve jump and tingle. Shit, this was amazing. He was never allowed to shave again.
“You taste so sweet, Sloane. I bet you’re even sweeter the lower I go.” I wasn’t sure about that, but I couldn’t really think at the moment. All my senses were concentrated on one thing. His mouth on my body. I curled my hands in his hair, wishing I could get him even closer, if that were possible.
Ryder got down on his knees and looked up at me.
“As adorable as this is, I think it needs to go,” he said pulling the strap of my bra down and over my shoulder.
“Just don’t rip it. Or else I will never sleep with you again,” I said as he pulled the other strap over my shoulder and snaked his arm around my back, unfastening my bra on the first try.
“You’ve practiced,” I said, and he rested his chin on my stomach, his faced tilted up.
“Maybe. It’s all for you, Sloane.” Sure, it did bother me that he’d been with girls before, just as I was sure it bothered him that I’d been with other guys. But what the fuck did it matter now? He was with me, I was with him, and that was all I cared about.
“Good,” I said as he pulled my bra off and tossed it to the side with my dress. My panties were the next to go, and I leaned against him as he helped me step out of them. I waited for his next move. He buried his face in my stomach and held me.
“I’m sorry about the first time we were naked together. But I’ll do my best to make up for it. Right now.”
I stroked his hair back and leaned down to kiss the top of his head.
“I know you will,” I said. He stood up so abruptly that I lost my balance. Ryder was there to catch me and then I was lifted completely off my feet.
I didn’t really care where we went, but he appeared determined to take me to the bedroom, so that was where we headed. He kicked the door in like a conquering prince.
He was gentle as he laid me on the bed and gazed down at me.
“This is one of those times when I wish I could draw or paint. I’d want you just like this.”
“Like one of your French girls?” I said, making a Titanic reference.
He smiled and sighed.
“I don’t even know where to start. You might need to give me some direction, Sloane.”
“What is this? Sex by number?”
“No. I just want you to tell me what you want. What do you want, Sloane? Say it out loud.” He was asking me what I wanted, but his tone was commanding. My heart raced with excitement.
“I want you. Just you. Get started and I’ll let you know if you’re going in the right direction.” He probably wouldn’t need much direction at all.
“As you wish, my love,” he said, starting to strip his shirt off.
I sat up.
“Can I undress you first?” He nodded and let go of his shirt. I got to my feet, grabbed the hem and pulled it over his head. Ryder’s body was a beautiful, scarred thing. Some of them were barely visible, faded with time. Some were more recent.
“I love these,” I said, brushing my hand across the tattoos on his torso. “And I love these,” I said, touching a few of the scars. “Someday you’ll tell me how you got each one, yes?” I met his eyes and he nodded slowly.
He’d gone from being commanding to being . . . almost skittish. He quivered under my hands, as if he would bolt.
“Are you scared of me?” I asked.