Page 16 of The Wolf's Pregnant Rejected Mate

That should do it. The shouting should start now.

But it didn’t.

“Tess.” Ryder’s voice deepened. He reached out, then stopped. “I understand why you did it. But I would never forgive myself if I failed you. You must see that. I am going to get you home, but you have to listen to me.”

Tess’s hands froze. She stared at the floor, the impossibility of what he was saying running through her mind. Did that mean he actually cared for her? Not just because of Mica, but because he thought she was worth something on her own?

“But you don’t even like me,” she mumbled.

“You drive me crazy,” Ryder said. “More than I want.”

She lifted her gaze to his. Her heart pounded, and her wolf growled, bold and demanding. Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward. “You drive me crazy, too. And I meant what I said before. I know you don’t want me as a mate. I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’ll never find one. That doesn’t mean I want to give up everything. If you don’t want to hold me, that’s fine. But if you do, don’t hold back because you assume what I want.”

Ryder’s eyes darkened as his gaze swept down her. “Fuck.”

“Ryder—”

“I know you don’t like the word. But that’s what it is.” He stepped closer and reached for the tie, holding the blanket in place. “Tell me, Tess. Tell me you want me to fuck you.”

Tess’s cheeks burned… and so did the rest of her. “I want you to fuck me.”

He loosened the blanket and let it fall to the floor. Then he carefully, slowly cupped his hands around her face and drew her in for a brief, tentative kiss. Tess reached out, placing her hands on his chest. The heat of his skin seeped through the T-shirt into her palms. They tingled at the contact. Ryder kissed her again, his eyes open and staring into hers. Slowly, he tugged the overly tight undershirt over her head. His fingers traced the imprints that the seams had left on her skin. He explored her, watching the progress of his hands.

The soft reverence in which he touched her nearly brought Tess to tears. He looked at her as though she was beautiful. She’d experienced men lusting for her before. But neverdesiringher. It always felt like they were after a warm squeeze to stick themselves into, a conquest. Never about wanting her.

Her hands remained on his chest as her breathing became more rapid. “What do I need to do? I don’t want to just lie there.”

“You can undress me,” Ryder murmured. “You can touch me. You can touch yourself, show me what you like. Most of all, tell me what you dream of. Tell me about your fantasies.”

Tess bit her lip. She let her hands move over Ryder’s body. His gaze darkened, and his breath came faster as they touched one another. Feeling bold, she pulled his shirt up and then undid his jeans. He was starting to harden already. Tess pulled his jeans down to the floor. Should she take him into her mouth? What if she wasn’t good at it?

“Tell me what you want, Tess,” Ryder whispered. “Tell me what you’ve fantasized about.”

“I’m not sure where to start,” she admitted, blushing.

Ryder chuckled as he hooked his fingers in the waist of her boxers and slowly pulled them down. “Don’t be shy. Pick anything. I promise I won’t be shocked.”

He knelt, kissing her hip as he pulled the boxers off.

“I want to try everything,” Tess blurted. She tangled her hands into his hair. “I want to be kissed all over. I want it soft and sweet, but I also want it rough. I want to be dominated, and I want to dominate. I want you to eat me out, and I want to deepthroat you. I wanteverything.”

Ryder kissed her hip again, then worked his way down her thigh slowly. Tess had to curve her body in to see him over her breasts and belly. She panted, waiting.

He smiled and gestured to the nest of blankets. “Lie down. Let’s start with something a little more soft and sweet, shall we?”

Tess nodded, her throat dry. This was really happening. Excitement and nerves coursed through her both. Her natural inclination was to hide herself from his view, to be ashamed of her body. Yet when he looked at her, she didn’t feel ashamed.

She laid down, getting comfortable. “Do you want to use my mouth first?”

Ryder shook his head. “No. I’m not going to last long enough for that. Open your legs and touch yourself for me.”

“Are you sure?” she stuttered.

He grinned at her, sliding his hands up her legs. He gently pressed her thighs apart, kneading his fingers into her skin. “Show me.”

Tess reached down. Her position wasn’t right, so she propped herself up more. She opened herself up and slid her fingers over herself. Ryder’s gaze was focused on the movement of her hand as she found her clit. It was sensitive, already at a hard little point. As she started to stroke it, Ryder’s breathing became more rapid.

He was so beautiful. The chiseled line of his jaw, his steady eyes, the intensity of his strong body. How could someone like that really be interested in her? And yet—he was here. His hand joined hers. He pushed two fingers into her, and his thumb joined hers on her clit. Tess stiffened, gasping out.

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