Page 81 of Cold Carnage

His fingers threaded through my hair, not guiding but simply holding on as if for dear life. I moved with deliberate precision, alternating between long strokes and shallow teases that left him trembling. Every so often, I'd glance up at him through my lashes and catch the storm brewing in his eyes.

Ryker's breaths grew shorter, each exhale tinged with the effort of keeping his moans at bay. His hips twitched involuntarily, seeking more even as he tried to remain still.

I continued my ministrations with single-minded focus, determined to push him closer to the edge without letting him fall over just yet. The power of having him at my mercy was intoxicating—knowing that despite all his control and strength, here he was utterly vulnerable to me.

And I intended to savor every moment of it.

His grip tightened in my hair, fingers clenching almost painfully as I continued my slow, deliberate rhythm. I could feelthe tension building in him, every muscle coiled tight with the effort of holding back.

I maintained eye contact, never looking away as I took him deeper into my mouth. The taste of him was heady, a mixture of salt and musk that filled my senses. His eyes burned into mine, a fierce intensity that sent a thrill through me.

Ryker's control finally shattered. His hips bucked, and with a low, guttural sound that he barely managed to stifle, he came in my mouth. The hot surge filled me, and I swallowed every last drop without hesitation. The act felt intimate and possessive, a claim on both our parts.

As his release ebbed, his gaze never wavered. There was something raw and primal in his eyes, a connection that went beyond the physical. When I finally pulled back, licking my lips clean of any remaining evidence, his expression softened just a fraction.

Without a word, Ryker pulled me up to my feet. His hands were firm but gentle as they guided me closer. The moment I was upright, his mouth crashed onto mine with a passionate urgency that left me breathless. The kiss was intense, full of need and unspoken promises. His lips moved against mine with a demanding fervor that matched the pounding of my heart.

Every sensation was magnified—the press of his body against mine, the taste of him lingering on my tongue, the heat of our shared breaths. It was as if everything else had faded away, leaving only us and this moment.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him even closer as I lost myself in the kiss.

A knock startled us out of our moment.

"Miss Adams?" a voice said. "We just finished cleaning up."

"I—I'll be out there once I finish with these clothes," I managed to say, my voice cracking.

Ryker said nothing, but the heat from his gaze never left.

This wasn't over, he seemed to say.

And I found myself anticipating just what would come next.

Chapter 24

Ryker

As Paige left, the door clicked shut behind her, leaving a heavy silence in her wake. I leaned back on the bench, rubbing my temples. Glad she was gone. I needed a moment to think, to breathe.

Why the hell was I letting myself get caught up in her? It made no sense. She was a complication, a potential disaster waiting to happen. Everything she represented was a threat to the stability I’d built around myself. The team couldn’t afford this distraction, and neither could I.

But… fuck.

My eyes closed involuntarily as memories of our heated encounter flooded back. Her mouth, hot and eager on me, the way she took every inch without hesitation. The memory sent a shiver down my spine, reigniting the fire that never fully went out since that night.

I shouldn’t have let it happen. I knew that. She knew that too. And yet, the thought of letting her go now felt like an impossibility. The taste of her lingered on my tongue, and the feel of her lips haunted my skin.

She wasn’t just another distraction; she was different. And maybe that’s what scared me most. It wasn’t just physical—though that was undeniably electric—it was something deeper, something I couldn’t quite grasp or control.

I couldn’t let her go now.

And maybe… deep down… I never had from the moment our paths crossed.

I opened my eyes, staring at the empty dressing room. Paige had left more than an impression; she had carved out a space in my thoughts that refused to be ignored or dismissed. The image of her with Brendan flashed in my mind again, stoking that familiar burn of jealousy.

What the hell was happening to me?

This wasn’t who I was supposed to be—vulnerable, off-balance. Yet here I was, grappling with emotions I thought long buried and forgotten.

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