He let go of the blanket, lazily stroked his thumb on my outer thigh until his hand disappeared under my dress. The second goose bumps formed on my thighs, our gazes locked. He slid his hands to my inner thighs, stopping just at the hem of my panties. He kissed one corner of my mouth before biting my lower lip. When he stroked over my panties, I shuddered, clenching my thighs. I wanted him so much, and the way he pressed the drenched fabric over my sensitive skin was pure torture.
“Baby, fuck. You’re wet.” His voice was almost a growl. My entire body was on fire... even more so when Ryker traced the strap of my bra with his other hand, as if he was seconds away from taking off my clothes. To my surprise, he dropped both hands.
“This wasn’t part of the plan,” he said.
“Enlighten me. What are you planning?”
“At least a couple more dates before we move on to the overnighter.”
“Mmm, you think I’m so easy to win over, do you?”
“All evidence points that I’m on the right path. Plus, I’m willing to learn.”
Oh, man. He was making it harder and harder for me to climb out of his lap and see him to the door, and that feral glint in his eyes made one thing clear: he was walking a fine line, and was very close to falling over the edge.
I had to be the one to keep my head cool. The only problem was that I already felt very... seduced.
Reluctantly, I climbed out of his lap. He immediately rose to his feet, walking away from the couch, as if staying too close made it too tempting to fall back into each other’s arms. Well, the risk was very real.
As I walked him to the door, I suddenly remembered that Avery had asked him to come to her science fair.
“Ryker, I’m sorry Avery ambushed you with her fair. Don’t worry about it. I’ll tell her she can’t invite people just like that.”
“Heather, I want to come.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“But it’ll just be a group of kids standing next to posters. A bit boring.”
“You’ll be there?”
“Of course.”
“Not boring, then.”
I was smiling from ear to ear when we reached the door.
“What do you think, far enough from the couch?” he asked.
“Far enough for what?”
“Kissing you without the risk of wanting to yank off your clothes.”
Ahh, by the edge in his voice, I had a hunch he still wanted that very much. Before I could answer, he gripped my hips and kissed me, deep and wet, and just didn’t let go... not until I felt a hard surface behind me.
He chuckled. “Fuck, woman, I’ll just pin you against the wall.”
“You already are,” I pointed out.
“I think not touching is a better strategy.” He took a step back, holding his hands in the air. I was that tempting, huh? Good to know. Because I couldn’t just shove him out the door like this, I gave him a quick peck on the lips before bidding him goodbye.
I did a little dance in my entrance hall after Ryker left. I couldn’t believe tonight. It had been... I didn’t even know how to describe it. I just couldn’t wrap my mind around everything... including all the budding feelings I already had for him. Ryker had swept into my life like a hurricane. I hadn’t been prepared. I still didn’t feel prepared. And yet I already knew that falling head over heels for this amazing man would be inevitable.
Chapter Eighteen
Ryker