“Oh yeah?” D asks, gripping River’s jaw and dragging her face to his. “How good?”
“I can’t fucking cope with that,” Kat mutters the second D pushes his tongue past River’s lips. “I’m done. So fucking done.”
She downs her cocktail allowing anyone who’s watching to believe I followed orders like a good boy and didn’t throw three shots into it.
I shouldn’t be enabling her, but fuck. That look on her face when Evelyn stood up to leave ripped me apart inside.
She shoves the empty glass into my chest and spins to leave.
“Kat, wait,” I call quietly, so as not to distract D. Not that I really think that’s possible right now.
“What, Ryder? Did you want something?” Anger and disappointment drip from every word and I once again chastise myself for what I did yesterday, how I added to the hurt she’s battling with every day.
“Let me take you home,” I beg, needing some time alone with her.
“Nah, I wouldn’t want you to put yourself out on my behalf. Excuse me.”
She takes off toward the bathrooms and I can’t help but watch her ass sway as she goes.
Goddamn it, Kitten.
Glancing at D and River, I find that the other two members of her harem have joined in with the dancing, and I move before my brain registers that I’ve made a decision.
Confident that Kat’s not going to come back out here to witness this, I head out the back of the bar and then to the side exit that’s beyond the bathroom.
I stand there in the dark for no more than three minutes, wondering if I read this all wrong before the heavy old door is pushed open, filling the darkness around me with the glow from inside for a few seconds as she tries to make her escape.
She makes it two steps before I reveal myself.
“Running off somewhere, darlin’?”
“Leave me alone, Ry,” she shoots over her shoulder, but I’m closer than she’s expecting and she gasps in shock when I reach for her arm and spin her around.
“Don’t tease me, Katrina,” I warn.
“That’s rich coming from you,” she snaps. “Thanks for the drinks. I appreciate it. But I can’t do this anymore. I can’t watch everyone else enjoy themselves while I—”
Taking advantage of her parted lips, I take what I’ve been craving since I put a stop to what she started yesterday and slam my lips down on hers.
Her palms find their way to my chest, shoving gently, but I don’t back away.
I can’t.
And not two seconds later, it becomes pretty obvious that she isn’t either when her fingers twist in my shirt, pulling me closer and hungrily sucking my tongue into her mouth.
9
KAT
My head swims as Ryder kisses me. Only, kiss doesn’t do justice to the way he devours me. His tongue licks into mouth, greedy and possessive as his hand slides along my throat and holds me right where he wants me.
“Fuck, Kitten,” he rasps, a deep, throaty rumble that makes my core pulse with need.
“I want you,” I whisper, kissing him back. Kissing him with everything that I have.
The frigid air whips around us, but I barely feel it, my body burning up at the way he kisses. Presses me into the brick wall and cages me there.
“Ryder,” I whimper, my hands running all over his body, needing to feel him.