Page 41 of Ryder

We’re both laughing now. I like this. I like making her smile. I’m relieved she’s no longer panicking about our sleeping arrangements. I walk her backward until she’s flat against the wall next to the bathroom, grip her hips, and kiss her.

I start with her lips until she’s whimpering and then nibble a path to her ear, where I bite down just hard enough to make her shiver. “How about if you use the bathroom first.”

She sighs softly. “I need a shower.”

“Do you need any help?”

“Mmm. Tempting, but no.”

I don’t want her to feel pressured, so I turn her and point at the door. “Go on.”

She looks back at me as though she doesn’t fully trust me not to follow her inside. “You sure you don’t want to micromanage me?”

I growl. “Baby, you’re on thin ice. I’m trying to be a gentleman here. If you keep pushing, I’llmacromanage you. I bet I can find something to restrain your wrists to the showerhead while I wash your sexy body, teasing every inch of you until you need to come so badly you beg me.”

She stops walking and grabs the door frame, staring at me. After several seconds, she licks her lips. “Ryder…?”

“Yes, baby?”

“I’m scared out of my mind that this is an apparition. That you’ll lose interest in me after a few days. I’m scared I’ll be left with a broken heart and never be able to pick up the pieces. I’m scared of losing myself. I’m scared of not being mature enough for you. I’m scared that you’ll be displeased with my inexperience when we have sex. I’m even a little nervous about actually having sex for the first time. But you should know, when you say things like that… When you tease me about all these things you dream of doing to me… I want that. I want you to restrain me and wash my body. I almost can’t stand upright at the thought.”

I approach her slowly and stroke her cheek with one finger. “I know that, baby. It’s why I keep teasing you. Eventually, you’ll trust that I mean every word, both the fact that I’m yours forever and that I’ll make good on my threats. I will take you places you’ve only ever dreamed of and make you scream so loud they hear you in town. When you’re sure I’m serious and you believe me, we’ll go there.”

She inhales slowly as her eyes close. “Okay,” she whispers before stepping back and shutting the door.

I’m left staring at the door, knowing that in a minute, she will be naked on the other side, just a few feet away from me. I want her so badly I’m trembling. But I want her to feel my conviction deep in her soul before we consummate this. I don’t want my girl to have any doubts about me. I’ll show her I mean every word every day until she’s certain.

Chapter16

Claire

I feel decidedly young as I wait for Ryder to come out of the bathroom. I forgot to take anything to put on after my shower, so I emerged wrapped in a towel. Ryder traded places with me, and as soon as I heard the water running, I hurried to the chest of drawers, opened the middle one, and grabbed one of his T-shirts.

That’s what I’m wearing now. That, and a pair of panties. I don’t own sexy panties, so I’m wearing plain cotton bikini bottoms. Maybe I should get something sexier. But like everything else I might want, I don’t need everyone in the town to know my business. I certainly don’t need a rumor mill going around that I went into one of the boutiques and bought lingerie.

I’ll have to get creative and order some things online like Ryder suggested. And then there’s the problem of money. I have a little savings, but not the kind of money I should be using to purchase sexy lingerie. That would be extravagant since my family is behind on rent and barely able to put food on the table.

I plug my phone into the charger on the nightstand next to me, pull the covers up to my chin, and stare at the ceiling. I turned out the lights, but it’s not pitch black or anything. The curtains on the window are aesthetic. There are no blinds.

Granted, we’re far enough out in the middle of nowhere that it will be pretty dark on nights with no moon, but tonight, there’s almost a full moon.

I flinch when the door to the bathroom opens. I can’t keep from watching Ryder as he approaches me. Also, my mouth goes completely dry. Damn, he’s ten times sexier in tight boxers. His legs…pecs…abs. Even his damp hair… Sheesh.

He pulls the covers back on his side of the bed, sets a knee on the mattress, and climbs up. I can’t even swallow as he slides into bed and props himself up on one elbow, facing me. He’s not touching me at all except with his gaze. The intensity makes me feel like he has enveloped me with his entire body.

“You look like you’re about to be led to your execution, Claire.”

I clear my throat and force myself to roll onto my side, facing him. “I do not.”

He smiles. “That’s better. I like it when you’re looking at me. Let’s address some of the concerns you expressed before you entered the bathroom.”

I wince. “Could we not? I was just rambling.”

“I want you to be able to talk to me, baby. About anything at any time. I don’t want you to feel like you’re not my equal. You will always be my equal. I may tease you and put on an act insinuating otherwise at times, but only because I like the way you get all ruffled when I do so.”

He reaches out and strokes my cheek. “You may be young, but you’re mature. You may not have the same experience I have in some areas, but that does not make you less. I’m sure there are things you can do that I can’t. Things you know about that I have no knowledge of.”

“Are you trying to equate rolling out pastry dough and pleasing a man in bed? Because those two things aren’t on the same playing field.”

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