Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 90257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
The gruff promise in his voice has my core clenching. It’s carefully that I settle on the edge. A hiss of breath escapes from me when my ass hits the cool tile and I tentatively dip my toes in. Ryder’s eyes stay locked on me as I lower myself into the pool. My arms and legs slice through the water. It feels so odd not to be wearing a suit.
And yet…
There’s something strangely freeing about it.
I expect him to close the distance between us, but that’s not what happens. He gives me both the time and space I need as he continues to tread water a dozen or so feet away. As the quiet settles around us, my muscles gradually loosen. Even when I dip beneath the surface and swim a few laps, I’m still ridiculously aware of Ryder’s presence.
It’s always been like this with him.
Even when we were children.
There was just something about him that drew me and held my attention captive.
Shoving that thought from my head, I say, “One more thing to check off.” Even though I keep my voice pitched low, it still echoes off the cavernous walls.
“Yup. We’re working our way down the list.”
It doesn’t matter where I swim, he turns, gaze staying pinned to me. I’m never out of his line of vision.
“Maybe I should have asked for your help a while ago.”
“Why didn’t you?”
It’s not a question I need to think about. “Because we’ve never really been friends.”
He closes the distance between us one lazy stroke at a time until there’s no more than a foot of space to separate us. “We were always friends,” he says quietly. “I would have helped you with anything.”
Maybe.
“You’ve always been careful to keep your distance.”
“So have you.”
I lift my shoulders in acknowledgment. “It just seemed safer that way.”
“Guess we’re rectifying that situation.”
His fingers snag mine before reeling me to him until I’m close enough for my breasts to press against the steeliness of his chest. Air gets trapped in my throat, making it impossible to breathe.
His eyes are a dark, cobalt blue. In the silvery moonlight that slants through the glass walls, I’m able to see the different flecks that make up the various shades. His eyes are as deep and vast as an ocean.
He nips at my lower lip, tugging it with sharp teeth as his arms slip around me, pulling my body closer until the thickness of his erection presses insistently against the V between my legs. A whimper of need escapes from me as both of his hands drift to my ass, cupping it before hoisting me against him until my legs can wrap around his waist and my pussy is splayed open against his abdominals.
Shock and need spiral through me at the intimate contact.
Not in a million years did I see this scenario playing out. Not even in my wildest fantasies.
“Fuck,” he growls against my mouth.
I couldn’t have summed it up any better myself.
My brain turns into a pile of mush as he takes my lips in a kiss meant to sear my very soul.
No one has ever made me forget my own name.
Or how to breathe.
But that’s exactly the way it is with Ryder.
He’s just…too much.
Too masculine.
Too cocky.
Larger than life.
I’ve always felt the magnetism that wafts off him like pheromones meant to drive girls crazy. To have it all directed at me is heady stuff.
The way his tongue tangles with mine makes me wonder if he’s trying to devour me in one tasty gulp. Or maybe I’m the one intent on doing the devouring.
I’m no longer sure who is the aggressor.
I just know that I want more.
Everything he’s willing to give.
I don’t realize that he’s walked us to the side of the pool until my back hits the scratchy surface of the wall. Before I can ask what he’s intent upon doing, his hands tighten around my waist, and he hoists me from the water before setting me down on the tiled ledge. Water sluices from my body as he pushes my legs apart until he can shoulder his way between them.
My heartbeat kicks up several notches as I stare down at him. As much as I want to squeeze my legs together, I force them to remain open. Barely am I breathing as our gazes stay fastened. He breaks eye contact as he turns his head and brushes his lips against my inner thigh before sinking his teeth into the supple flesh.
I don’t realize how tense I’ve grown until he whispers, “Relax.”
As if that’s possible.
Any moment, I’m going to keel over.
Naked.
In the athletic center pool at Western.
That’s how hard my heart is hammering against my ribcage. It wouldn’t take much for it to turn painful. It’s so tempting to lift my hand and rub my chest in order to ease the growing ache inside.