Page 59 of Caught from Behind

Well, I’m going to do it right back.

“Come on, chérie,” I say, taking her hand, trying to draw her inside.

But she drags her feet, plants her palm in the center of my chest. “I said, I like it out here.” Her smile is soft, beautiful?—

Stubborn.

Mine.

Giving in for the moment, I draw her closer and say, “Tell me something no one else knows.”

She stills, head tilting to the side, moonlight clinging to the ends of her lashes. “What do you mean?” she asks quietly.

“I mean,” I say, smoothing back her hair, “I know the Ella who gives Knox a run for his money, and I know the Ella who’s fiercely protective of the people she loves”—her body stiffens—“and I know the Ella who takes forty-two alarms to wake up in the morning unless I’m between your legs and tongue-fucking that gorgeous pussy of yours?—”

She clamps a hand over my mouth, expression scandalized. “Riggs!”

I nip at her palm, peel her fingers free. “So, tell me something no one else knows.”

I expect her to remain scandalized…

But as always, she surprises me?—

“I’ve masturbated to the sound of your voice more times than I can count.”

All the blood in my body rushes to my dick, and as much as I like that—fucking love it—that’s not the answer I want.

“No, chérie,” I murmur, drawing her even closer. “Tell me something that’s not going to have me bending you over this railing and fucking you senseless.”

A hand down my chest, mischief in her smile, her eyes. “That’s not a deterrent, honey.”

My dick is so fucking hard it’s a miracle that I’m still upright, but I ignore the need burning through me. Something deep inside is telling me that I need to keep moving forward, need to own every part of her.

But I can see she’s scared.

So…I can give her mine first.

“I have the first teddy bear my mom bought for me.”

She freezes, and then she gives me a fucking gift. She smiles, her hand lifting to cup my cheek. “That’s beautiful, honey.” A beat. “What was she like?”

“I don’t…” I sigh. “I don’t remember. She died when I was young.” I shake my head. “Sometimes I think I have flashes of her face, of her scent, but…I’m not sure. I don’t know if it’s my mind filling in the blanks, creating false memories, or if they’re real.”

Her expression gentles. “I hate skiing,” she murmurs. “Even though I pretend to love it.”

I grin. “I kind of got that when Knox said you’d rather hang in the lodge.”

“The stink,” she grumbles. “Giving away my secrets, trying to steal my matchmaking crown.”

“He’ll never win.”

“Damn right, he won’t.”

Laughing, I kiss the top of her head, feeling her body tremble. We should go in, but I can’t bring myself to end this moment.

“I have the cilantro tastes like soap gene,” she whispers. “And I love Snickers bars.”

More pieces of her.

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