Page 50 of Redemption

Staying here was just one inner thought. But she voiced it, and a shocking amount of confidence bloomed after he agreed. Victoria inhaled. She was finding her way back to herself simply by spooning.

“Doing okay?”

“Better than I expected.” She tilted her head back, and her forehead scratched against the morning whiskers on his chin. “Mm.”

“Mm, what?”

His stubble was a gentle reminder that Ivan Mikhailov hadn’t broken her. She could feel. Sense. Be. Honestly, the idea, that pinprick of awareness, was enough to celebrate because not too long ago, she thought she was empty inside.

Victoria drew back and let her fingers touch Ryder’s chin, following the prickly line of his jaw.

“I need to shave,” he murmured.

“It works on you.” She inspected her fingers’ path. His sharp chin and full lips were inches from her own as she planted her chin on his shoulder.

Ryder repositioned, pulling one hand back and tucking it between his pillow and head as he casually continued to rest with her against him like it was no big deal she was inspecting him, touching his face. His eyes were closed, and he had the longest eyelashes. They didn’t flutter. And those lips… perfect. Pink. Full.So perfect.

“You’re staring,” he mumbled with a slight smile.

“Your eyes are closed,” she whispered. “How did you know mine weren’t too?”

“You can tell when someone’s looking at you. Can’t you?” Still he didn’t open his eyes.

“I don’t know. I think so.”

“My senses are on point.”

She inched closer. “What are you sensing?”

Was he as relaxed as he seemed? She wasn’t. With every passing breath, her chest tightened with lust-pounding arousal that was to blame for this boldness. She was a victim, but in Ryder’s arms, she didn’t feel that way.

Her hot breaths accelerated. Even her boiling blood ignored warning signs her brain dropped as she was transfixed by his lips, making her mouth water, wondering how it would feel to brush hers to his.Soft. Plump.He probably kissed as amazing as he sounded. Smooth and seductive… Holy hell, her panties were wet. The realization hit her across the face.

“I’m in the moment, love.” He drew in a deep breath, making his chest expand. “Enjoying my time with you. Whatever happens, happens…”

What did that mean?

The innermost intimate muscles of her body reacted as a thousand thoughts raced through her mind. He wanted more? But the move was hers—because of what happened to her. The tender tissue under the silk of her panties throbbed. Her clitoris wanted attention. Her slit wanted his fingers stroking her slick skin the way he’d teased her back and side all morning.

Victoria didn’t care anymore, not about Ivan or what happened—fuck, she did. But not now, and pushing that hell away, she wanted to kiss him and dipped her head close, hovering her lips above his. But didn’t, couldn’t, and still, he didn’t move.

The control that man had—more than her because she wanted to scream and explode over a kiss that hadn’t happened yet. Ryder’s warm breath tickled the pout of her bottom lip.

A millimeter of charged space was between them, and he wouldn’t. She knew that now. It had to be her. Had she ever kissed a man first? Probably. It wouldn’t have mattered before. What did she think about that? She was… maybe frightened, definitely excited.Victoria chased away the final worry of nerves and let her lips dance across his.

Ryder groaned a satisfaction that rushed through her like white water rapids, and his mouth parted. The weight of his heavy arms wrapped around her.

“So sweet, love.” The hot touch of his tongue pressed into her mouth. He wasn’t just awake. He was alive. Hungry. Needy. A throaty groan rumbled in his chest, and she felt it flow through her. Ryder rolled on his side, taking her with him. “Easy. C’mere.”

“Mm-kay.” Her legs threaded with his powerful ones, and his huge weight of muscles and confidence surrounded her.

“You okay?”

She nodded into the words-tangled kiss. Everything that she’d imagined about his lips paled in comparison as he slowly teased her tongue with his. Velvet slices tangled and danced together, and her hips moved in motion with the rhythm of their mouths.

She opened her eyes to find Ryder peering down at her. He wasn’t on top of her, but leaning over, and there was a depth to him watching her, like he was worried she might break.

“This is a good way to wake up.” His lips seemed pinker than before, and his eyes glowed greener than she remembered.

---