“What are you and Avery doing tonight?” he asked as we descended the steps to the station.
“Nothing special. Just painting our nails, ordering pizza.”
I felt all warm and fuzzy just because he was asking about her. Ryker was different from anyone I’d met before. What would it feel like to be with him? No, no, no. I couldn’t allow myself to even think about that. There was no more room for risks in my life right now.
I searched my brain for a way to change the subject.
“Oh, by the way... I got wind today that your last name is Winchester.”
“It is.”
“As in the Winchesters behind the Ballroom Galas?”
“Yes.”
“Holy shit! That’s amazing. Why didn’t you say anything?”
“It didn’t come up.”
“Well, I think the whole thing is just genius. I’d love to go to one.” Their galas raised a lot of money for charity. They ran several events every year, and one never knew just how many events would take place in a year—which made invitations even more coveted. The station was semi-empty. I groaned when I looked at the digital display. The train had a five-minute delay.
“I’ll wait with you,” Ryker said.
“You don’t have to.”
“And miss out on five more minutes with you? No chance. I’m staying.” His voice was determined, final.
I shivered.
“And warm,” he added, stepping closer. God, I shouldn’t want him, shouldn’t want this, but I did. His nearness, his touch... I wanted all of it. When he lifted his hand, I felt fire dancing on my nerve endings in anticipation. Where would he touch me? My wa
ist, my shoulder? He surprised me by cupping my cheek. For a brief second, I thought he’d rest his thumb on my lips, but he pressed it gently on my jaw before he slid his hand to the back of my head. He brought me closer until his mouth was barely touching mine, kissed one corner softly... then captured my lips. His kiss was demanding and determined. A shudder ran through me. I was consumed by his passion—the way his fingers first pressed against my skin, then tugged at my hair. I needed to be closer to him, touch more of him. When I felt him pop open a button of my jacket, sliding his hand around my waist, my knees weakened. I didn’t think I could feel that skin on skin contact and not make a fool of myself.
He slid his hand slowly around to my back, bunching the fabric of my sweater in his fist. I felt his fingers hover a fraction of an inch away from my skin. The anticipation was killing me. When he splayed his palm wide on my lower back, I moaned against his mouth.
Far from giving me any reprieve, Ryker intensified the kiss until I felt completely owned. That tiny skin-on-skin contact sent me spiraling. I had no idea how I could react like that.
I lost all sense of time and place... right until the sound of the train snapped me back to reality.
Ryker reacted first, taking his hand away and buttoning my coat again. When I attempted to pull away, he kept me in place, threading his fingers through my hair, resting his thumb just above the shell of my ear.
“No, just a minute. We have one more minute until the train arrives.”
“Maximizing every minute, huh?” I teased.
“Every fucking one.”
My knees buckled. After that kiss, I had a hunch that anything he’d say would spur such a reaction. I did step out of his arms, though, because the train was pulling in.
“Umm... not sure when I’ll see you again,” I said quickly.
“But I am.”
“Oh, care to share with me?”
“Nah. When it comes to you, the element of surprise is my best shot.”
He watched me board the train. I didn’t break eye contact as the doors closed, or even as we lurched forward. I kept eye contact right until he was out of sight.