Page 27 of Bear In A Boutique
“Well… the other thing women love is a man with tattoos, which you have on your very strong back.”
He’d never tire of how her cheeks flushed when she was flustered.
“You liked what you saw when I took my shirt off at the festival.”
She scoffed. “Every man and woman at the ax cage liked what they saw.”
Lightly gripping the camera strap, he tugged her forward, so she stepped into him.
"I only care what you think.”
Her nostrils flared just a bit. "Of course, I liked it.”
There weren’t many times in his adult life that he felt out of control. Olive tested that every time they were together, and the more time they spent together, the more out of control he felt. His body did what it wanted where she was concerned, and his heart had no intention of stopping him. Sliding the strap over her head, he set the camera down and slid a hand into the soft curls behind her head.
A rush of breath came from her lips. “Are you going to kiss me?”
“Do you want me to?”
“I never wanted you to stop yesterday.”
Ryker gripped her hips, picked her up, and set her on the counter. Her legs parted for him to move between them, her thighs embracing his hips as he cupped the back of her head and leaned into her.
“We can’t keep doing this.”
Her small hands wrapped around the back of his neck. “I know.”
A deep, primal growl came from his bear, the sound working through him and rumbling from his throat before he fisted her hair and crushed his lips to hers.
Chapter Nine
Ryker Mitchell was playing with her heart, and she was letting him.
This man had ignored her, avoided her, made it clear he wasn’t interested, then made a three-sixty with no warning and suddenly couldn’t keep his hands off her.
Her heart wasn’t coming out of this in one piece. He would crush her but kissing him felt too good to make him stop. Instead, she gave herself over to him completely as the kiss deepened, and the hard jut of his hips bruised the insides of her thighs. His palm met her lower back and slid her forward, so her ass was on the edge of the counter and her center pressed into his pelvis and the hot, growing bulge under his jeans.
He'd seen the text message on her phone, and he’d been pissed on her behalf. His anger and protectiveness had been so genuine. It shouldn’t be a turn-on when a man’s body language suggests he’s ready to kill for you, but holy hell, she’d never beenmore turned on in her life. She wanted to show him just how much.
Gripping his forearms, she wrapped her legs completely around him, moaning as he tipped her back and kissed her neck. Her body moved with no thought from her as she ground herself against his erection. Breathtaking sparks of pleasure overrode what little common sense she had left. If they didn’t stop, she was going to let him have her right here on the counter in the middle of the store… where a customer could come in at any moment.
Oh my God, they had to stop. “Ryker—”
But he was already pulling away, brow furrowed as he looked over her shoulder toward the back of the store. Prickles raced down the back of her neck. Had someone come in the rear entrance? Had she forgotten to lock it?
“Stay here.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Do you smell that?”
He walked away before she could answer. Slipping off the counter, she gave her shaky legs a moment to recover before following him. His scent was the only thing she noticed until she reached her desk and the slight aroma of something burning became dominant.
Her heart sank. Not again.
Despite his warning to stay put, she hurried down the hall after him. The smell became thicker as she reached the utility room. A sudden loud crack split the air. The lights went out.
“What just happened?”
