Page 26 of Ryder

I laugh softly. “Uh, huh, not so tough with an angel riding you.”

He pulls me down, kissing me without hesitation. “I’m glad you came.”

“Me too. Several times.”

He squeezes my butt. “Wise ass.”

“My ass is very wise, thank you. My cherry is also well and truly popped.”

“Jesus.”

“What? Like you didn’t secretly enjoy the idea that I was pure until I met you.”

“Oh, you’re so much more than that.”

I feel it all the way down to my toes. I snuggle down onto his body, resting my head on the crook of his shoulder. I’m spent, and when I feel him roll me onto my side and slip out of me, I don’t fight him. I didn’t expect to stay here tonight, but I did tell my friends I was going to find Ryder. I’ll text Tess, one of my best friends, to let her know where I am.

I hear him moving around the room, then the toilet flushes. I snuggle into his pillow; it smells like him. Brut mixed with engine oil and a woodsy scent I can’t place. Who’d have known that was hot? This bed is far too small for the two of us, but somehow we seem to make it work. He comes back to bed, pulls me into his arms and whispers, “Sleep.”

My eyes spring open. “You’re not kicking me out?”

He balks. “You really think I’d do that?”

“No.”

He rubs his nose against mine. “Let’s not mention any of this to Luca, okay?”

I roll my eyes. “Like I’d discuss my sex life with my brother.”

“Tell me the real reason you waited.”

“I told you. I’ve never felt that spark with anyone. I didn’t see my virginity as some precious gift or anything, but I also didn’t want it to be with some jock in a frat house after drinking kegs of beer. That’s not really my style.”

“Still a princess then.”

I ignore the jibe. “Say what you want, I have standards.”

“Glad I meet them.”

I love how warm he is. With his arms wrapped around me, I don’t want to be anywhere else. I want to savor this moment for the rest of time.It’s only tonight.

“Of course you do. I’ve always had a thing for you, for as long as I can remember.”

“You used to always follow me, Bronc, and your brother around everywhere we went.”

“Get over yourself. I was a kid.”

“You were persistent.”

“Luca was very protective of his friends.”

He snorts. “Asshole got better with age.”

“You’re right, he’s very protective of his sisters. I think something happened as he got older. The night you got kicked out, he was mad at you being here, until I explained things.”

“I know. We had the same conversation. He knew I never did anythin’. I also didn’t throw you under the bus.”

“I see now that it was the right thing to do,” I say without hesitation. “Even if it hurt at the time.”

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