Page 45 of Hook Up

Wandering to the teak wood great room, I breathe deeply of the sea air flowing through the open windows, reminding myself I’m really here.

With Ryder.

Talk about surreal.

“For you.” Ryder hands me a cocktail before pulling me close, his mouth slanting over mine. “We’re alone, at last.”

“So this is how the other half lives.” I place my hand on his chest, putting a couple of inches between us. “This is howyoulive.”

“Not exactly, but this is a special occasion. It calls for a celebration.”

“What are we celebrating?”

“Us. Together. Living the life we’re supposed to live. How does that sound?”

Blinking back tears, I raise my glass in a toast. “That sounds incredible.”

“You’re incredible.” Ryder sets our drinks aside as he holds out his hand. “I want an entire dance this time, so I pulled out the big guns.”

I wrinkle my brow at his words, but then the strains of my favorite love song since the age of ten floats into the air, and I give up the ghost. My heart doesn’t stand a chance. Even if all of this is an elaborate ruse, I’m jumping into the deep end with no lifejacket. I suppose where Ryder is concerned, it’s the only option for me.

Even if he smashes my heart to smithereens in a few months.

Ryder wraps his arms around me, a softness in his azure eyes that I know is reserved for me.

“You remembered,” I sniffle, a tear rolling down my cheek.

“I don’t know how many times you’ve danced to this song, but I always considered it ours.”

“I’ve never danced to it with anyone before. I never wanted to.”

“And now?”

Raising on tiptoe, I steal a kiss, desperate to be closer. “I never want to stop.”

So we don’t. Instead, our gazes remain locked on each other, our bodies pressed close, until the last note rings out. There’s no need for words in those precious moments. Our hearts already know what we’re desperate to say, but scared to speak aloud.

After the song ends, Ryder leads me outside to the patio, the full moon playing off the pool and ocean waves just beyond the estate walls. Suddenly, I don’t want to wait any longer to make Ryder Gray mine.

We’ve both waited long enough.

Crooking my finger at him, I offer up a mini striptease, lowering the zipper on my dress and letting it slide to the ground.

Even in the dark, I see the fire blazing in his eyes. There’s no mistaking the desire.

“I was thinking,” I murmur, edging closer to the pool as I pop open my bra and toss it aside, “it’s such a nice night to go swimming. Care to join me?” Sliding off my thong, I stand naked before him, smiling when he adjusts himself, a grunt of approval escaping his mouth.

With a saucy grin, I dive into the warm water, letting the exquisite beauty of the place sink into my bones.

Strong hands grab me as I break the surface, and I wrap my body around Ryder as I claim his kiss. This time, I’m taking the lead.

Scratching my nails along his shoulders, I drag my tongue against the side of his neck, smiling as his hands tighten on my ass, pulling me flush against his erection.

“Gigi,” Ryder moans, his fingers sliding inside me and curving to hit the spot that makes me scream. “Tell me what you want. I mean it, I’ll give you anything.”

Pulling back, I capture his lower lip between my teeth. “That is such a tempting offer. The possibilities are endless. Anything?”

Ryder smirks, walking us over to the side of the pool. “What would you like? A new car? A diamond necklace?”

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