Page 31 of Bite Your Tongue

Reluctantly, I do before slightly turning my body toward him. “So, what are you doing here? I know you’re not catching a flight because the team has to fly back together tomorrow.” I grin, nudging him. “Are you picking someone up, Mr. Ryder Cambridge? Are you being a dirty dog tonight?”

“I hope so,” he says, his eyes fixated on my lips. “Your brother asked me if there was something going on between us.” He pauses, thinking for a second. “Well, actually, he asked me if I was into you.”

My eyes must grow large as the panic sets in my stomach. My brother got me a brand-new car when I moved and then paid my way so that I could come to Florida to see my best friend. I don’t want to betray him.

He might have been a dick to me when we were kids, but now that he’s grown up … Smith is way too good to me.

“And?” I whisper. “What did you say?”

“The truth,” he says matter-of-factly, and by this point, my eyes must be bugging out of my damn head. “Well, my truth, notourtruth. Don’t worry; I wouldn’t tell him what we’ve done. I don’t feel like being murdered.” He stops, exhaling quickly. “I told him that I’m into you. That’s all.”

Out of all the things I thought might come from Ryder’s pretty lips, that wasn’t. it. For a moment, my heart flutters, but that’s until the self-doubt that fills my body and mind creeps in. Or perhaps it’s just that part of me that can’t stand serious conversations. Whichever it is, I hate it.

“Wow,” I say, raising an eyebrow. “You’re working really hard to get that blowie tonight, huh?”

“Please.” He chuckles darkly. “I could have any woman in this airport drop to her knees and suck my dick simply by telling her who I was, Brat. So, no, that isn’t it,” he answers coldly. “Did I love the way my cock fit in your throat? Yes. Did I almost come when you got so turned on from sucking me off that you cameundone without me even touching you? Fucking right. And do I get my own hand wet in the shower and picture it’s your lips? Yeah, I do.” He pauses, reaching over and stroking his thumb across my chin. “But that’s not why I’m here, Saylor. Not in the least.”

All his words assault me at once, and I’m somewhere between sweating, squeezing my thighs, having a stomach full of butterflies, and melting into a puddle on the floor. All while being distraught too.

“So then, why are you here?” I whisper, searching his face. “Honestly.”

“Because I can’t get you off my mind,” he says straightforwardly. “Because … I might have had a crush on you since the first time we met, but now, you’ve fucking invaded every ounce of my brain, and it makes it really hard for me to concentrate.” His hand moves up to my face, cupping my cheek. “I wanted to fuck you out of my system, but it’s not as easy as that.”

I sit here, completely frozen. Maybe it’s because I truly am shocked—I thought it was just about the sex for him. Which, I guess, it still could be. I’m a good lay; he might just be hungry for more. But he’s at the airport right now … chasing me down.

So, either he likes me—like … really likes me—or my vagina is some top-tier, gold-type of shit.

It’s probably the latter. Either way, I’m flattered.

It’s almost as if my mind won’t allow my lips to speak, and for however long, I just stare at him.

“I’m not dating or hooking up anymore,” I say quickly. “I mean, not, like, forever. I don’t want to be old and alone or anything. But for the time being, I need to work on me.” I inhale, telling myself to calm down and stop blurting out a bunch of random things. “So, while I’m flattered, the last—oh, I don’t know—ten guys I’ve been attached to practically ruined my lifeby killing my self-esteem.” I look down. “And then there’s the whole thing with Rowan and the drama that created on the team.”Not to mention the sex video, but I’m not telling you about that.

Before I can say anything else, his hands grip my cheeks, and his mouth captures mine, holding me hostage. I don’t kiss back—at least, I don’t think I do, but who really knows? When a guy like Ryder Cambridge lands his lips on yours, trust me … everything gets a little fuzzy.

And that’s exactly why I need to be careful when it comes to this man. Just like the others who have loved and left, he won’t be any different. I suppose it would be fun, a bright, burning flame. But everyone knows that flames burn out.

Leaving behind nothing but cold.

Tearing away from his hold, I quickly stand up. “Stop it!” I hiss, thankful that the airport is a ghost town tonight so that no one else can watch me make a fool out of myself.

“Stop what?” He smirks. He freaking smirks, only pissing me off more.

“Saying dirty things to me. Talking to me.Kissingme!” I drag my hand over the top of my head, inhaling a sharp breath through my nose. “You are my brother’s best friend. You were friends with Rowan.” I hold my arms out at my sides. “I cannot do this with you, Ryder. It was supposed to be a one time thing, and you’ve made it into a whole entire shit show.”

“Flight 7310 with service to Charleston—we will begin boarding momentarily. Please make your way to the terminal if you haven’t done so already,”a voice says over the intercom.

My heart begins to pound. I thought I gave myself plenty of time, but I still haven’t even gone through security.

Reaching down, I grab my stuff.

“I have to go. Security takes too long,” I say, glancing behind me at the security line, thankful there are only a few people in it.

Pushing off the chair, he stands, hovering over me. “If this is really what you want—space—then I’ll give it to you. But just so you know, space isn’t what I want. I want you to miss your flight and come back to my hotel with me right now so that I can fuck you until the sun comes up tomorrow.” When he takes in my glare, he holds his hands up. “Fine, fine. Just tell me, Sail-On, what would make you happy?” His eyes roam my face. “Do you really want me to leave you alone, or can I, at the very least, be your damn friend?”

“Guys like you aren’t friends with girls,” I scoff. “That’s impossible.”

“I am plenty capable of being your friend,” he deadpans before holding his hand out. “Give me your phone.”

---