It’s in that very second her dark, lustful eyes meet mine as her climax releases her that I realize she owns me, too. There’s nothing I wouldn’t give her. Something runs very deep between us, something that even I don’t fully understand, and it steals any remainder of the control I thought I had.
I yank myself out from her tight heat. “Get down,” I order.
She all but drops to her knees, and I grasp my cock, and none too gently I stroke hard and fast, staring into her eyes that encapsulate a soul I crave to protect.
My muscles burn and flex, the overwhelming pleasure clenching my jaw. “Where?”
Red-cheeked and dozy-eyed from satisfaction, she opens her mouth, and just as I took all of her, she takes all of me, until she drains me dry.
“Fucking hell,” I grunt, when the last of my seed spills onto her tongue. Breathlessly, I rest a hand on the wall and give myself one final stroke, glancing down at her.
She leans up and kisses my spent dick, then gives me a sexy grin. “I don’t think I can move.”
“Then don’t. I like you there on your knees for me.” I lean down, cupping her chin and then do what I seemed so incapable of doing earlier. I seal my mouth across hers and kiss her softly.
Chapter 8
Hadley
Late into the night, I’m not sure what woke me but sleep is not in the plan. My mind is racing and I don’t want to wake up Ryder, who’s sleeping soundly next to me, with all my ridiculous tossing and turning. I leave the bed as quietly as I can and grab the fuzzy blanket off the chair in the corner of my room, as well as my cell off the night table, and wrap the blanket tight around my shoulders. I hear the end of the blanket dragging against the floor behind me as I pad my way to the door leading to my balcony.
When I reach outside, the warm air hits me and I finally feel like I can breathe again. My head is a confusing mess, which is working its way into my muscles, making them tight and anxious. I move to the outdoor couch underneath the sconce on the wall and curl up in the corner, staring at the sparkling lights on the Bay Bridge.
With a long sigh, I glance at my phone, seeing a text from my good friend Maddy.
Dude. Check out this beach in Thailand. Wish you were here.
God, I can’t say I don’t wish I was there either, especially now that soon my life might become very public. From the rocky cove to the green water to the blue sky, I stare at the picture of paradise and wonder why I stay in the city and don’t live a wild life like Maddy, who works odd jobs so she can travel the world.
I text back: Gorgeous! Wish I was there, too. Keep sending pictures. San Fran is dreary these days. Miss you!
Well, stop missing me and come see me!
Maybe soon. Promise. Because getting out of San Francisco might be necessary if this video gets out and the press stalks me.
That’s good enough for me. Gotta run. Later, dollface.
I send a heart emoji as my final message, not really sure what else to say. Things just seem so crazy, so out of control. Ryder and I have lived in this safe space for a year now, never crossing that boundary. And now that we have…I admit to myself, I’m a little scared, right down to my bones.
“Hadley.”
I glance up, finding Ryder standing in the doorway, wearing only his black cargo pants. Strong stance, thick thighs, great bulge in his pants, V at the hips, ripped abs, wide chest and shoulders, and eyes…lips…God, no man has ever been so fuckable. “Now there’s a view worthy of gawking.”
If it wasn’t for the flash of heat that burns across his expression, I might think he didn’t hear me. “Why are you out here?” he asks.
I shrug.
He watches me closely then sighs. “Listen, about tonight, I should have worn a condom. That was reckless of me, and I’m sorry—”
I nearly roll my eyes at him. Men, they won’t ever change. “First of all, I’m not upset that you didn’t wear a condom, and that’s not why I’m out here. If I wanted you to wear one, I would have said something, so stop looking so torn up about it.” He doesn’t look convinced so I gently add, “Besides, I know you wouldn’t be so reckless if you weren’t clean. I also know you wouldn’t have done that if you didn’t think I wasn’t clean, too, or on birth control, which I am. I’ve been on the pill for years. I’m a big girl, Ryder. My body. My rules.” I see his shoulders sag in relief and can only assume I’ve let him off the hook. “Sometimes life happens, and reckless or not, you just gotta roll with it.”
His expression softens a little as he glances over my bare legs, then he looks out to the bridge. When he turns to me again, his features are hard, as is his voice. “
It’s not wise for you to be out here.”
I frown. “Do you honestly believe someone is sitting out there photographing me?”
“Yes.”