Page 66 of Ryder

Ryder’s chest rises and falls as he stares at me. He slowly removes his tie and works on the buttons down his crisp white dress shirt while kicking off his brand-new black dress shoes.

He never looks away from me. “Do you have any idea how sexy you are right now?”

I simply smile and try not to fidget. This is not a situation I’m accustomed to. I’m in the most scandalous panty-and-bra set, and I’m still wearing the white stilettos. I didn’t wear them all day because I might have fallen and broken my neck, but I put them back on before my man carried me upstairs precisely so that I could see his face at this moment.

Ryder removes everything but his dress pants before closing the distance between us. His hands come to my waist and slide up so that his thumbs graze the undersides of my breasts.

My breath hitches. My nipples are so hard they ache.

He kisses me gently. “I planned to send you into the bathroom with one of those packages so you could emerge wearing pale-pink lingerie, but this is so fucking sexy, the lingerie will have to wait for another time.” He backs me up toward the bed.

When my thighs hit the mattress, I reach for the front of his pants, surprised that he lets me unfasten them and lower the zipper. I’m looking at his face the entire time, but I’m fully aware of his erection, and as soon as his pants fall to the floor, I wrap my palm around his thick length over his briefs.

Ryder groans before cupping my face with both hands and kissing me. Not another gentle peck. This kiss is filled with love and desperation. He takes and takes from me, sucking my tongue, tasting every inch of my mouth, pressing so firmly against my lips they will be swollen.

I love it. I moan into his mouth. I can’t believe this is my wedding night, and I’m somehow a virgin. That was never in my plans. The only reason I haven’t had sex is because I’ve never met anyone worth giving myself to. Once I met Ryder, I would have gladly turned over my V-card, but the infuriating man made me wait. And now, we’re here. I’m married to this man, and he’s finally going to claim me.

His hands come to my back, and he unfastens my bra.

I shiver as the straps slide down my arms.

Ryder releases my lips to lean back and look at me as though he’s never seen me before. The man has seen my naked body every day since I moved in, but his gaze is reverent and burns into me, making me squirm.

His fingers move to my breasts and dance lightly over the tips until my nipples are hard, achy points.

“Please…”

“God, I love it when you beg,” he growls. He lowers his fingers to my barely existent panties and lowers them down my legs before pausing to remove my heels. “As much as I love these shoes, baby, I don’t want you to get injured,” he teases.

I’m okay with that. They served their purpose. I’m not sure I’m sophisticated enough to fuck with heels on. Before I finish that thought, he yanks the bedding down the bed, lifts me by the waist, and nearly drops me onto the mattress.

I scramble back, giving him room to join me. I even find the will to be daring, spreading my legs as I prop myself on my elbows.

Ryder growls, watching me intently. He lowers his briefs down his body, finally stepping toward me fully naked. He glances at the nightstand and grabs a box I hadn’t noticed. He holds it up for me to see, lifting a brow. “Yes? No?”

I hold my breath as I ponder his question. He’s asking me if I want him to wear a condom. My breasts grow heavier at the thought of my man taking me bare. I bite my lip. I could get pregnant. He’s made it clear that’s his intention.

Ryder sets a knee on the bed, climbs up, and drops the box next to me before planting his palms on both sides of my head. He’s not touching me. He’s hovering. Teasing. Making me tremble. He holds my gaze. “You’re my world, Claire. My everything. I’ve never had sex without a condom, but I want to be bare with you. I want to slide into you and feel every bit of your pussy around me. I’m sure I sound like a caveman, but I want my come dripping out of you. Only you. I’ve never wanted that before.”

I swallow. It’s hard to respond.

“I want to watch you grow round with my children. I want you to waddle around this massive monstrosity of an estate while we bring it back to life. I want this mansion to thrive under a new generation. I want it to bloom with light and love. We probably won’t be the only people to fill this space with laughter and children. Some of my cousins will show up, too, but there’s enough space for everyone. Together, we’ll turn the Wilde legacy around. This town will come alive, and tourists will return. It will become vibrant and draw people from all over the country.”

Ryder leans in closer and plants a soft kiss on my lips. “It starts with me and you. If you’re not ready to take the chance that you might get pregnant, I won’t rush you, baby. I bought the condoms for that reason. But if you take this leap with me, I promise you will never regret it.”

I lift my palms to set them on his chest and smooth my hands over his firm body. Damn, I love him. I didn’t know I could love someone this much. Some might think we are certifiable for getting married so fast, but I know in my heart this is forever. I know it with such certainty that I’m willing to take him into my body without protection.

“Yes,” I whisper.

A huge smile grows as his face lights up. “Yes?”

I nod. “Yes.”

He reaches for the box of condoms and tosses it over his shoulder before leaning over the top of me to snag something from the nightstand on my side of the bed. He holds up a wrapped box.

I reach for it.

He yanks it out of my reach.

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