Page 108 of Release Me

That sexy, crooked smirk curves the corner of Ronan’s mouth. “You’re trying to poach people from my list. I don’t know. That might cost you.”

“Oh yeah? How much?” I ask before really thinking that question through.

The mood in the room shifts in an instant as Ronan’s gaze skates over my face, along my neck, dipping down to my cropped tank top, his eyes like fingertips trailing over my skin. Can he see the gooseflesh that’s erupting?

That same headiness I felt in his office yesterday swirls around us now, taunting me, threatening to pull me under with its spell.

“I need to get back to the office,” Ronan says softly, apologetically, even as his square jaw clenches.

I swallow against the flare of nervous excitement as I stare him down, my body vibrating with need. I want this man. Here, now. I want him, and I think he wants me. Thiscan’tbe me misreading the situation a second time. “Are you sure?”

“That Ineedto? Yes.”

My adrenaline surges. “Do youwantto?”

A strangled sound escapes him. “Sloane.”

I can’t hear myself think as I step in between his splayed thighs. “It’s a simple question.”

“But it’s not a simple answer.” He reaches up. My hair clip suddenly loosens, and my hair tumbles down around my shoulders. “No, I don’t want to leave.” A cool, calloused hand slips around to the back my neck. “But I’m not sure you’re upfor what I want.” His thumb drags back and forth over my skin.

The touch radiates all the way down to my suddenly hardened nipples. Heaviness swells deep inside my belly, my body aching to feel his hands all over me. Everywhere.

It’s been so long since I let a man’s hands on me, and I’d like the memory of those particular hands—Cody’s—erased from memory. I’m tired of being so guarded all the time. Hell, I’m thirty-one and I’ve never had sex because it was there, in front of me, available.

At this moment, I just want tofeel.

Emboldened by something I can’t understand and throwing caution out the window, I whisper, “Try me.”

Heat ignites in his eyes with my invitation, and the seconds seem to hang between us. “Fuck it,” he curses, pulling me forward, our lips colliding in a crushing kiss.

I haven’t been kissed like this … ever. I’veneverbeen kissed like this, with such pent-up energy. Ronan’s like a bull released from its cage into the rodeo ring. Somehow, I’m ready for it—I think a part of me has been since the day Ronan walked into the Sea Witch for the first time. My hands settle on his head, my fingers weaving through his silky hair, gripping small fistfuls as our mouths meet each other’s intensity, our tongues stroking each other as we both seem desperate to get closer.

I’m vaguely aware of Ronan’s free hand sliding up under the hem of my shorts to grip my ass, the tips of his fingers teasing dangerously close to sensitive flesh. I want him closer. I want to feel himeverywhere.

With ragged breaths, I break free from him long enough to hook my thumbs under my shorts. With a quick tug, they tumble to the floor, along with my panties. I shake them off and then peel off my top and unfasten my bra, letting it fall to the floor with the rest of my clothes.

“Oh, fuck me.” A pained expression fills Ronan’s face as his eyes rake over my naked body.

“I plan to.”

With lightning-quick movement, I’m off my feet, Ronan’s powerful hands seizing the backs of my bare thighs as he pins me against the kitchen wall.

Our lips collide once again, the tempo and fervor even more intense as my fingers fumble blindly with the buttons of his shirt, throwing the two sides open so my hands can drag over his beautiful torso, memorizing its hard curves as they make their way down.

He adjusts his stance, giving me access to unfasten his belt buckle, then the zipper, before pinning me to the wall again, this time freeing his hands to wrestle his pants and briefs down over his hips.

“Oh fuck.” I echo his earlier words as his erection springs free, hot and heavy and rigid. My fist just barely curls around it when Ronan leans into me, lining our bodies up.

I abandon all thought as I guide his tip into my entrance.

We both curse and moan as Ronan sinks into me, each skillful roll of his hips helping him bury himself deeper.

I cling to his shoulders, momentarily overwhelmed by the size of him, the fullness almost too much. I love this feeling, as my body stretches and primes itself, welcoming him in. I don’t want him to stop or even slow.

Ronan begins thrusting with reckless abandon. I’m vaguely aware of the rattling pictures but I ignore it all, my cries growing loud and unabashed as he fucks me against my kitchen wall, our lips a messy tangle of tongues and ragged breaths, my hands groping his straining biceps.

“I’m coming,” Ronan hisses suddenly, his fingertips digging into my flesh. Seconds later, his deep, guttural cries fill my house as his cock pulses inside me.

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