Page 21 of How to Avoid a Billionaire

“Not often. Sometimes a late night sandwich, but I have a housekeeper who cleans and makes the occasional meal when I’m in.”

“I should have known that. You have a butler.”

He chuckled. “James isn’t just a butler. He handles quite a few personal tasks and some business.”

She held up a hand. “Never mind. I get it.”

“Come here to me.”

She drifted into his arms, and he kissed her lips. She ran her hands up his chest and stretched to her toes to lock them behind his head. Ryder squeezed her at the waist and moved around to her ass to do the same there. Her pussy clenched in anticipation of more, but he drew away.

“I have something you might like.”

“What?”

He walked away, and she followed until they reached a room she realized she hadn’t seen, a theatre room. She’d always dreamed of having a house with one in it. Several rows of cushiony chairs lined one side, and at the end a gigantic screen filled the wall. Ryder walked through a door at the back, and she heard switches clicking. The next instant, the screen lit up with the opening DVD menu to a sci-fi B movie.

She burst out laughing. “You did not get that movie.”

He stuck his head out of the door and winked. “I did, and there are others. We can watch them when we’re not sailing or doing other interesting things.”

“I told you I love sci-fi. You didn’t mention you like them too.”

He returned holding a remote and led her to the couch in the middle row. “I have to have some mystery, angel.”

“That’s mystery?”

“Yes.”

“You’re nuts. I can’t keep up with you. One minute I think I’ve got you, and the next I’m lost.”

He sat down and drew her into his arms. His lips on her neck sent chills racing down her arms. “Don’t worry. I’ll always find you.”

Melanie blushed. Yup, her defenses were crumbling faster than she could mentally reinforce them. When Ryder got up to get them a drink, she gave herself a lecture and waited for his return. Afterward, they sipped red wine and laughed at the low budget movie. She sat between Ryder’s legs with his arm around her middle and leaned on his chest.

He pointed at the screen. “Watch here when he turns around. You’ll see the zipper in the suit.”

She gaped. “I never noticed that. I’ve watched this movie three times. You weren’t lying.”

He shrugged, a sexy grin lighting his expression. Her heart pounded, and it had nothing to do with the danger the heroine was in on the screen. Ryder’s gaze slid from her face to her cleavage, and he followed his line of sight with his fingers. One button popped open at his prodding, and then another. She moaned when he skimmed the line of her bra and pushed farther to brush her nipple.

“Look what we have here.” He gave the tiny peak a pinch, and she caught her bottom lip between her teeth. The low rumble from his moan raised chill bumps on her arms. “You’re a naughty woman. Why are these so tight?”

“I don’t know,” she quipped. “Might have something to do with you playing with them.”

“And if I were to go lower?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He clicked with his tongue and the roof of his mouth. She tried to roll away from his hand when he reached for the button on her jeans. Before she could hit the floor, he caught her and dragged her back. Lightning fast movements landed her face down on the couch and him behind her, straddling her hips. Ryder leaned over her, large hands pinning her wrists to the cushions.

Melanie thought fast. “Ouch!”

Ryder’s weight disappeared in an instant, and he had her in his arms standing at the side of the chair. The concern in his expression stopped her lie cold.

“I hurt you. I’m sorry, angel. Tell me where.” His gaze raked her form, but she wiggled to get down. He set her with caution on her feet, but he didn’t let her go. “I forget my size and strength sometimes. You’re so small…”

“I’m not that little!” A thrill raced over her at his words. “If you weren’t a giant…”

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