Ryan froze, his hand stopping the up and down movement on her back as what she was saying sank in.
“Bridg, do you feel like I’m—”
Her gaze shot up to his face and she shook her head. “No, no.”
He let out a breath.
“I’m so bad at this,” she huffed, looking away.
He moved instantly, reacting without a thought, spinning them so she was flat on her back and he hovered above her.
“Look at me,” he demanded, waiting until her deep brown orbs met his full on. There was a vulnerability in her eyes he never wanted her to feel with him. “You were trying to talk, and I cut you off.Ishouldn’t have done that. This isn’t about you being bad at anything, baby. Talk to me. Every word you have to say matters to me.”
Her eyes brightened. “I was just going to say that sometimes you say things, and I don’t respond right away. You might feel like I don’t want the same thing or that I’m not there with you. But really—because of Eddie—I learned to stop and think about whether I’m truly comfortable in the relationship. I sometimes need a moment to make sure I’m honestly okay with a situation.” Her lips pulled up on one side in a shy smile. “Does that make sense?”
“Absolutely.” He reached out and pushed a piece of her hair back off her forehead before he pressed his lips against it. “I want you in this with me, but we don’t need to rush anything. I’m happy right here, right now.”
“Me too.” The words brushed against his neck and sent a current through his body. Not just desire, but something warmer, calmer.
His heart skipped.
Love.
He loved her. And she probably wasn’t ready to hear it. He’d just promised not to rush, but his instincts were screaming to go in like a wrecking ball and knock down every wall she had.
11
Ryan acceptingwhat she said so easily meant the world to her. Her ex-husband might have never laid a hand on her, but the emotional damage he’d done could be considered worse than bruises. She left the relationship scarred and feeling worthless for not being enough for him. Even when she was taking care of Aidan single-handedly while getting her nursing degree and cooking and cleaning. She had exhausted herself trying to win his approval.
But Eddie always had something to complain about. Said she wasn’t fun, she wasn’t productive, she wasn’t sexy enough. Nothing she did was ever enough. She had been so messed up that, in an effort to prove she wasn’t useless, she hadn’t touched the money she’d gotten in the divorce or the child support Eddie paid for years. It took an intervention from her friends and parents to finally use it. Even then, it was only to buy her house and eventually invest in the Silver Lining.
Ryan leaned down and pressed his lips against her forehead again. A warmth spread through her, settling in her core. Everything was different with him. The intense desire that flowed through her every time he looked at her hadn’t changed, but on top of that, she felt cherished. Every touch of his hand, brush of his lips, was laced with a powerful protectiveness she’d never experienced.
“Bridget,” he whispered as he dragged the tips of his fingers up her side, stopping at her breast. His thumb brushed back and forth over her nipple, sending small bursts of pleasure through her. “I love how responsive your tits are. Your nipples pebble up so fast, just begging for my mouth to play with them.”
Ryan dropped his head and pulled one tightly between his lips. She moaned and arched into him, wanting more. He grabbed her wrists and pinned them over her head, settling himself between her legs. The weight of his body pressed her deep into the mattress as his erection teased her inner thigh. The ache of need pulsed fiercely insider her.
He continued playing with her nipples, and she rocked her hips against him, not finding the friction she needed.
“Please, Ryan,” she begged and pulled against the hand holding her wrists, but he didn’t release her.
He lifted his head, a small smile pulling at his lips. “Please what?” In his eyes burned a hot desire that made her whimper. “Be a good girl and tell me what you need.”
Each time he spoke those two words, they rocketed to her core. They warmed her, made her brave.
“I want you inside me.”
Her arms were firmly pinned above her head, so she shifted, snaking both legs around his waist and pulling him closer. He groaned, leaning on his left elbow and pulling his body back slightly so he could reach between them and sink his fingers inside her.
“You’re so fucking ready.” But he continued to tease. Circling his thumb faster over her clit, driving her closer to release. She pressed into his hand, seeking more friction, and pleasure spiraled, carrying her to the edge before he pulled away and replaced his hand with his dick in one quick thrust.
She closed her eyes, savoring the fullness of him inside her.
“Look at me,” he demanded. “Watch me and know I’m the only one who makes your body sing.”
Bridget stared deep into his eyes, watching his passion burn, pulling her deeper into the blinding pleasure he was creating. Each thrust hit deep inside her and drove her higher. His eyes glazed over as he lost control. He rutted against her over and over until she came hard, focused on the desire, the satisfaction, the possession in his bright blue irises—and something that felt a lot more tender. Something she felt in her chest. A word she didn’t know if either of them was ready for.
12