Gage laughed softly. “I’ll see about getting you a ride now.”
He stood, holding up his phone. The idea of leaving this room was suddenly unbearable. She wanted that perfect moment back, that sensation of gravity between them as they had looked into each other's eyes.
Did I really just look into his eyes for a whole twenty minutes?
Rylee struggled with herself, but only for a second. She couldn’t fight this, and she knew it.
“No, wait!” she cried, her voice bursting from her chest. She felt like she was close to panicking as if the greatest chance of her life was slipping away, and if she didn’t do something immediately, she’d regret it forever. Gage paused, his finger hovering over the phone screen.
“What?” he asked.
Rylee couldn’t think. She tried to stand as if she was going to take his phone and hurl it out the door. As she rose, she faltered, trying to get her injured leg under her.
“What are you doing?” he asked, confused. He grabbed her shoulders and pushed her back down.
“Keep your foot up,” he said, his tone firm. “We can put the ice back on soon, but the elevation is vital. Tell me what you want, and I’ll get it for you. Don’t get up.”
Rylee was pressed back against the couch, his hands resting on her shoulders. The pressure of his touch was throbbing through her, every inch of her skin begging to be caressed by those big, strong hands. She stared up at him, her lips just inches from his. He seemed to realize how close they were for the first time, and she saw uncertainty flicker across his face.
She could sense him trying to withdraw. It was as if all that warmth slowly turned in on itself as he prepared to let go of her and move away. She cried out softly, a small plaintive sound.
“Gage,” she whispered, pleading. It was desperate, like the prayer of a dying man. Heartfelt, needy, begging.
He bent down and kissed her, answering her prayer. Rylee threw her arms around his neck, pulling him down on top of her. She moaned around the kiss, feeling a lust charging through her like she had never known before.
The wave rose in him, a direct answer to her passion. She could tell by the way his hands moved on her that he wanted her just as badly as she wanted him…maybe even more.
Rylee ran her hands over his body, thrusting her hips up as he wrapped his arms around her to pull their bodies together. She opened her mouth wide, relaxing back against the soft couch as she urged him to kiss her even more deeply.
She slid her arms across his back and chest, her hands fluttering up his massive arms so she could rest her palms on his cheeks. He pulled back, just slightly, to look into her eyes.
There was no doubt, no fear in either of them. The surging tide between them was undeniable. With a cry of pure joy, Rylee leaned in and pressed her lips to his, her tongue searching his mouth to find his. Gage cradled her head, giving in to her and to his own body.
Rylee had never been so excited. She hadn’t even known that making out could be this good. So much of it was his hot body, his gorgeous face, and his strength.
But even more than that, it was the way his hands touched her firmly but with great respect. It was the way he had cared for her injury and refused to let her go home alone.
She could release her passion in a way she never had before because she felt truly safe for the first time in her life.
FOUR
GAGE
Rylee writhed in his arms, her hands going around his waist to draw him even closer. Gage moaned as he felt the last vestiges of resistance going down like stone walls under artillery fire.
He couldn’t stop himself. He didn’t have a chance. It had taken every last ounce of his strength to keep his eyes from sliding up her long legs while he was applying the ice pack to her ankle.
The whole time, he had known she was aroused. The scent rose from her body, surrounding them in a cloud of pure lust that destroyed his inhibitions. He’d been hoping everything would be okay if he just didn’t touch her.
But then, she had to go and touch him.
He barely knew where he was now. Gage’s entire world had narrowed to Rylee…not just her scent but the warm press of her body, her breath coming fast, and the thrill of her hands stroking him anywhere she could reach.
He sat up, pulling his T-shirt over his head. He saw Rylee’s eyes widen and her lips part just a little. Gage realized she was admiring him and paused, letting her take a good look. She sat up slowly, her hands coming up so she could run her fingers across his chest.
“You’re gorgeous,” she murmured. Her voice was low, as if she didn’t trust it. Gage didn’t know how to react. He’d never had anyone worship him before.
The scent of her and his own pounding blood were threatening to obliterate his will, but he stayed still. There was no way he was going to interrupt this beautiful woman while she explored him. The torture was utterly delicious as she traced her fingertips along his chest, pausing to examine prominent muscles or scars.