Page 108 of The Christmas You Crash

“In a hurry?”

“Hell, yes.” He grins, kisses me on the nose, shuts the door, then runs around the car to his side. As soon as he folds his body inside, I say those three words that have been dancing on the tip of my tongue since he arrived at my apartment.

“I love you, Ryder.”

Those icy-blue eyes flutter closed as a smile overtakes his face. He grabs my hand and squeezes before meeting my gaze. “I love you, Alexis. And when we get to my place, I’m going to show you just how much.”

My lower belly flips and hollows out. I want nothing more.

We’re both quiet as Ryder navigates through the city. There’s so much to say, but where do we start?

“Did my dad say anything else to you?” I finally ask, breaking the silence. “Are you in trouble?”

“He can’t get me in trouble for dating,” Ryder says.

“No,” I say, squeezing his hand. “But he can make your life miserable. Find other reasons to bench you.”

“You don’t need to worry about that. My job is my responsibility. I knew what I was doing this morning. And I don’t regret it. So, you’d better not be worrying I am.”

“I’m not worried about that at all,” I reply. I grin so wide my cheeks hurt. “How could you possibly regret claiming all this?” I motion to my leggings, oversized hoodie, and messy hair, which I’d thrown into a chaotic bun on the top of my head.

“Feeling confident, huh?” He chuckles, squeezing my hand.

“Yep.”

“Good.” He tries to hold back his smile. “You should.”

We’re at his apartment building in no time at all, and the moment we stumble into his place, we make a beeline for his room. As soon as the door closes, we’re a tangle of limbs and lips and tongues.

Ryder wastes no time tugging off my hoodie. I’m only wearing a lace bralette beneath it, and my nipples pebble in the cool air. Or maybe they tighten because he looks at me like I’m dessert. Dessert he’s determined to savor.

“Damn, Alexis. You are so beautiful.” His eyes make a slow sweep of my body, and the heat in them is undeniable. So is the love.

“Thank you,” I murmur. My cheeks grow warm, and I fight the inclination to look away. “Now it’s your turn.”

With a grin, Ryder tugs off his shirt and pants. It’s my turn to ogle.

Ryder’s body will never cease to amaze me. And make me drool. He’s muscular, tall, and I love the way he makes me feel small and protected. My primal brain really enjoys it. Though, I hate seeing bruising on his ribs.

“What happened?” I ask, trailing my fingers gently over his body.

“Took a couple rough hits during the game yesterday. It’s fine, baby. Hazard of the job.” His thumbs drag across my cheek.The look in his eyes makes me wonder when someone last worried about Ryder? I’m sure his friends and the Rogues staff care, but before me, did he have anyone to kiss his bruises or bite their fingernails at games when the play gets rough?

“I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to that. I hate seeing you hurt.” I bend down and kiss each bruise, careful not to hurt him further.

Head falling back with a sigh, Ryder tangles his hands in my hair. “I like that you worry. You don’t need to, though.”

“Yeah, you say that, but you were just out for almost a month with an injury.”

Ryder gently tugs on my hair, silently asking me to stand. As soon as I do, he kisses me again and again, his lips curling into a smile as they meet mine. Then he bends down and sweeps me up into his arms. In three steps, we’re at the bed. He lays me down and crawls over me. “I’m always careful, Lexi. But I’ll be more careful now. I don’t want to worry you.”

“You say the sweetest things.”

“Hmm.” He kisses the column of my throat as his fingers dance and play over my collarbones. “Not nearly as sweet as the way you taste.”

And then he positions himself with his shoulders between my thighs, grins up at me, and licks a slow line through my pussy.

“Oh, god.” One swipe of his tongue, and I’m a goner. “I need you, Ryder.”

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