Page 86 of Hook Up

Ryder’s hand tangles in my hair, pulling me close. “Deal with this.”

He’s aiming for my lips, but our noses bump and I fall back, laughing.

Thank God, so is Ryder. “Sorry,” he mumbles, rubbing his nose. “Maybe we try that again?”

“Absolutely, but first, you are taking a shower. A real, honest to God shower. Then, I expect hours of make-up kisses from you.”

I don’t give him an opportunity to argue as I lead him to the bathroom.

“I’m pretty damn ripe,” Ryder concedes, taking a whiff under his arm as we wait for the shower to heat.

“To say the least. Promise me I can burn these clothes, along with your sheets.”

Guiding him under the spray, Ryder releases a low groan as he leans against the tile. I’m by his side in a flash, my clothes in a heap outside the shower door. I can coach him through the shower and offer him some privacy, but he’s been alone in this dark hell for weeks. Time for him to share the burden.

I grab the sponge and soap, working across his skin with gentle strokes as he collapses on the built-in shower bench. Have to hand it to the architect, this bathroom is a thing of beauty with its three shower heads and Mediterranean-style tile. It’s also half the size of my last apartment, but that’s hardly a surprise.

Returning my gaze to the man in front of me, I offer up thanks to another architect, because when God designed Ryder Gray, he went all out. The man is the perfect male specimen.

With or without sight.

“Admit it, you feel better.”

“Being near you feels better. It’s been hell these last weeks without you, Gigi.” His voice is thick with emotion, the fear and loneliness he hid behind the stern facade bubbling to the surface.

“I was right here. As close as you’d let me.” Standing in between his legs, I work the shampoo across his scalp, earning a moan of approval.

“You don’t have to do this,” Ryder murmurs, but he makes no move to stop me.

“I’m your wife and I want to do it. I missed touching you. These past few weeks have been pretty damn lonely.”

“Tell me about it. What am I going to do?”

“Stop being mean to me, for a start.” My fingers work the muscles of his neck, trying to loosen the tension he’s been carrying since the accident upended his world.

“It broke me even more than not being able to see,” Ryder whispers, his voice laced with pain. “The idea that you didn’t want me anymore.”

“Let’s promise to stop making assumptions about each other since we’ve proven we’re terrible at it. I really suck at disliking you, Ryder, but I’m pretty damn good at loving you.”

“You’re amazing at loving me, even when I don’t deserve it. Thank you for the last week. I didn’t want you to go.”

“Could have fooled me,” I giggle, stealing a kiss from his full lips before returning to the task at hand.

But Ryder has other ideas as his hands drift up my back, his lips dusting kisses across my abdomen. When his tongue flicks against my breast, swirling around my nipple, I release a sated groan.

“You keep making those sexy sounds and I’m going to take you right here in the shower.”

“Promise?”

His teeth nibble along my tender skin before his head collapses against my stomach, his grip tightening around my body. “I love you, Gigi. Please don’t leave me.”

Straddling him, I tip his chin up, kissing away his doubts. “If I haven’t left by now, you’ll have to pry me from your side with a crowbar.”

Cupping my face, Ryder claims my mouth, his tongue tangling with mine in a provocative dance. But it isn’t hurried or rushed. He takes his time, exploring every inch and reclaiming what he thought he lost.

We pull back, our foreheads touching, our hearts once again one.

“I don’t want to sleep alone tonight. The nightmares—”

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