Page 27 of Mountain Challenge

“Not exactly an old man. Though youareolder than me. I’m twenty-nine.”

“That’s why I have gray hair, and you don’t.”

Their burgers arrived. Ry insisted on paying, leaving a generous tip for the delivery person. Isla quickly plated the food, making sure the sweet potato fries were close to her. “These things,” she said, grabbing one and biting into it, “are the best I’ve ever tried.”

“Mind if I steal one?”

“I got them to share.” She munched on another one. “You’ve really never tried snowboarding?”

He shook his head. “Never.”

“I could teach you. It’s so much more fun than skiing, when you get the hang of it.” The words were out before she could stop herself.

This time, Ry didn't hesitate. Those gorgeous lips of his curled in a small smile. "I'd like that. It’s a date."

Isla’s heart beat a mile a minute. A date. She hadn’t meant it as such … had she?Who are you kidding? You want to spend more time with him.

"How badly is your shoulder hurt?"

"I should probably take it easy this week." His eyes crinkled at the corners. "But I’m up for it next week whenever you are.”

"I'm free next Sunday," she said. She didn’t open the tattoo studio on Sundays—which didn’t mean she didn’t usually spend the day inside, working. But she didn’t have to. Laura’s voice resonated in her mind. She could take a bit of time off.

Isla put down her half-eaten burger. As usual, her eyes had been bigger than her stomach.

“Next Sunday it is, then. I’ll make sure I’m off-duty that day.” One last large bite, and Ry’s burger disappeared. He pushed his plate away and leaned back cautiously. "Thank you for dinner."

"I think I should be the one thanking you. For dinner, and for bringing my car back."

Ry nodded, but gave a small wave that told her she’d have trouble getting him to accept money for the tires. God, he was good-looking. His cheeks seemed to have recovered some of their color, and he seemed one hundred percent more relaxed. A tad less … worried … yes, that was the right word. Less worried than he’d been when she’d opened the door. She liked knowing that she’d been able to help him in some way.

He stood up, staring at her intently with those bright green eyes of his. "I didn't just come to give you back your to give you your car keys. Or I did, but I also wanted to see you." He paused and inhaled sharply. “I’d like to get to know you better.”

It seemed like a moment of truth. She could stay silent and show him the door, or she could be honest and tell him she wanted to spend some time with him as well.

Isla took a deep breath. The relationship with Roland might have changed her, but she'd never been a coward. "I wanted to see you, too."

She stood up and walked over to where Ry was standing. Her hand came up to touch his chest, careful to avoid his shoulder. She could feel his strong, steady heartbeat.

“I should go …” he began, then trailed off.

“Stay. Stay the night.” Isla reached up on tiptoes, tilting her head up just as his came down. Their lips met halfway in a kiss that was as gentle and quiet as their last one had been explosive, the contrast between his soft lips and the rough skin around his mouth the biggest turn-on. Isla gave a small moan, pressing herself even closer to him.

12

Ry

God, she tasted good. As good as she smelled. Of something sweet and floral. Of strawberries. He couldn’t get enough of her mouth, and he couldn’t get enough of her.

She pressed her breasts against him, close enough that he could feel her puckered nipples. He pulled the neck of her tank top down, baring those breasts for his viewing pleasure. His cock hardened as the little barbells came in sight. Those little angel wings he remembered so well.

He broke the kiss because he needed to take those sweet nubs in his mouth. Fuck, but the piercings were sexy. “Did it hurt?” he asked. “When you did this.”

She nodded, moaning. “It was the sexiest pain when I had it done. The perfect bite of pain and pleasure.”

His cock hardened even further. Isla liked a little pain with her pleasure.

She laughed. “Of course, there was nothing sexy about it the next day. Then it just fucking hurt.”

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