Page 35 of Beneath Southern Stars

Kissing his way back to my lips, Ryan places a sweet and gentle kiss on my lips and rests his forehead on my own. Our breaths are labored as we both gasp.

“Stay with me.” Sincerity and vulnerability lace his words.

“What about Pepper?”

Ryan leans back, his smile small as he stands holding me like I weigh nothing. My legs wrap around his waist as he tangles his fingers in my hair, pulling me in for another kiss.

“We’ll close the door. I want to be with you. Say you’ll stay.”

There should be a battle in my head. I know this is taking things to a level I may never recover from. Rationally it is impossible to have the level of feelings I have for this man. Yet, I want nothing more than for him to take me to bed. To claim me as his.

“What are you waiting for?”

Something primal flares in his eyes and in only a few long strides we cross the threshold to his bedroom. As he slowly lowers me to the floor, I turn and scan the room. It’s dimly lit by a single lamp; I can make out the large king-size bed in the middle of the room. A flutter of nervousness settles in my belly as the reality of what we’re doing settles. It isn’t enough to give me second thoughts as Ryan’s arms wrap around me from behind, his mouth nuzzling into my neck and hands cupping my breasts. My legs threaten to buckle as he pulls the lace down, exposing me completely.

I turn, my sensitive nipples brushing against his skin. He cups my face and scans my eyes. If the room was brighter or I allowed myself, I could tell myself a thousand stories of what his look says. Instead, I take a step back and undo the button of myjeans. Swiftly Ryan does the same and I’m back in his arms as he gently lays us on the bed.

Every pass of his lips on my skin and stroke of his finger activates my nerve endings. My body is on fire, heat from his skin on mine. He whispers in my ear. How beautiful I am. How good I feel. His fingers slip low to my panties and below. He strokes me to climax easily, my back arching as he captures my nipple. The sensation is overwhelming, my need to scream his name rolling on my tongue.

I’m a heap of flesh, panting as I come down from the crest as he settles between my legs, his weight not at all unwelcome. My legs fall open, welcoming him as we become one. Whether it’s the way we fit or how natural this moment is, I’m not sure but every part of my soul glows with pure lust and need. And for a split second I recognize the first crack in what is sure to be heartbreak.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Ryan

Sleep evadesme as I hold Laney’s warm body close to mine. Her head rests on my bare chest, the little puffs of breath as she exhales skirting over my skin. Being with her tonight has my head more twisted than ever before. As much as it pains me to think it or even compare, it’s never been this way with someone. Not even Katie.

We came together as though we’ve known each other for years. Familiarity with each touch. The first time was about need. The second, about exploration. Her hands were tentative as she discovered each part of me. Lips soft and gentle as she brought me to my knees. I’m getting hard remembering.

A quiet buzz pulls me from my thoughts and I pause, trying to place the sound. Quietly, I slip out of bed, careful not to jostle Laney. Tugging on my jeans but not fastening them, I pad through the house. The first signs of morning blanket the sky as night turns to morning. Vibrating on the counter is my phone. I swipe it up and see a few missed calls from last night and string of text messages.

All but one from Gordon. That lone text is from Cora.

CORA: No matter what sob story he gives, do not agree. Stay in Magnolia Grove.

Not wanting to wake Laney or Pepper, I open the slider and step onto the deck, tapping Gordon’s contact information as I do.

“Ryan, thank goodness. I’ve been trying to get ahold of you.”

Sighing, I lean on the railing facing the river.

“I see that. You know I’m not answering the phone in the middle of the night, Gordon.”

“It was ten, not exactly the middle of the night. Whatever, look we have a situation.”

Gordon has been my manager for years. He understood my taking a step back this past year. In fact, he supported the decision. Sure, he commented on the sympathy aspect of this choice, but he also knows I don’t play those publicity games. Never have and won’t ever do so. It’s not who I am.

Against my better judgment I ask, “What kind of situation?”

“Maggie Gibson has pulled out of all events and the producers ofCountry Christmas Liveare asking if you can take her place.”

He’s got my attention now. “What’s wrong with Maggie? Is she ill?”

I can envision Gordon waving his hand dismissively. None of the Penny Dreams ladies are his client and if you aren’t making him money, you’re the least of his problems. But Maggie is my friend. Her star has risen fast, and the pressure is tremendous. Plus, she was dating some idiot movie star who has had her on all the gossip sites lately.

“Monique says she is fine. They’re calling it exhaustion. Anyway, word got around quickly, and the producers are scrambling. Cora and Priscilla were their first call, but neitherwill agree to any work unless it’s the three of them. That’s when they called me.”

I scoff. “They must be desperate. I’ve been off the grid for over a year.”

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