Wild Embrace (Wilder Irish #11) - Mari Carr Page 0,42

at her place. When it was just Darcy, Ryder, and Gavin left in the Collins Dorn, Gavin said he was going to head down to the pub to watch the hockey game and hang with Uncle Tris, who was manning the bar, for a little while.

“So?” she prompted, once Gavin was gone.

Ryder gave her a quizzical look. “So what?”

“What did you think of Friendsgiving? Of a Collins event?”

Ryder frowned, blowing out a long breath as she held hers. He’d said he didn’t like people, crowds, or noise. Three things that were impossible to avoid in her family. Until that moment, Darcy hadn’t really thought about what she might consider a relationship deal breaker, but as she looked at Ryder’s serious expression, she realized she would struggle to be with a man who didn’t like her family.

“Wellllll,” he drawled. “I hate to say this to you, mainly because I’m not the type to admit I was wrong easily…but they’re great, Darc. I mean, I’ve met them, known them, liked them all for years, but most of those interactions were one-on-one whenever I ran into them on the street or in the pub. I’m not sure why I was so determined to avoid the big gatherings. Tonight was a lot of fun. They’re easy to be around. You’re really lucky, blessed with your family.”

She hugged him, so delighted by everything he said. “I know I am. They mean everything to me.”

Then…something occurred to her and she looked around, frowning.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

She’d been so worried about Ryder’s feelings about her family, she hadn’t put two and two together. “We’re alone in the dorm. You realize that never happens, right?”

Ryder grinned as he stepped closer to her, placing his hands on her waist. “Buttercup,” he said.

“Yeah?”

“Where’s your bedroom?”

She took his hand and led him down the hallway to her room on the end. It was the largest room in the apartment and had been shared by her mother and aunts Keira and Teagan growing up. As soon as they were inside, Ryder closed the door, locked it, then leaned against it.

“Darcy—” he started.

She knew what he was going to say the second he opened his mouth, so she cut him off at the pass. “I’m sure, Ryder. I’ve never wanted anything more in my life.”

For a moment, he looked as if all the air in his body had slowly seeped out, and she realized how tense he’d been. “I want you too. More than I can say.”

He pushed away from the door and walked toward her. She met him halfway, their lips touching as he wrapped his arms around her waist, hers looping over his shoulders. Their tongues tangled, his breath sweet from the apple pie, bitter from the coffee. It was as if she was getting her dessert twice.

They remained there, content to kiss, to explore, to caress. Ryder wasn’t rushing her, wasn’t attempting to push her too fast.

She appreciated that.

Until she didn’t.

Darcy wanted—needed—skin to skin, his body on top of hers, inside hers.

“Please,” she whispered after several minutes, twisting her head to suck in some much-needed air.

Ryder gripped the back of her neck with one large, strong hand, forcing her passion-drunk eyes to focus on him. “Those things I said in my office yesterday…the things I want to do to you…”

She nodded, letting him know she knew exactly what he was referring to. God. It was all she could think about last night as she’d tossed and turned and fantasized and masturbated her way through two orgasms.

“Not tonight,” he said.

She frowned, her shock giving way to panic.

No. No fucking way.

She was too ready for this, and if he seriously tried to leave her here, still a damn virgin, she’d bar the door and do the tying up herself.

“Ryder, please. Don’t—”

He kissed her, this touch rougher, more possessive. He was using the kiss to stop her from talking.

It was effective.

Dammit.

“It’s your first time, Darcy. No games tonight. Just you and me. Do you understand?”

Darcy swallowed the lump in her throat, fighting tears. Every freaking thing he’d said tonight had seriously moved her to tears. Beautiful tears.

“Darcy. Tell me you understand.”

She nodded. “I do. I want that too.”

“Are you on birth control?”

Her cheeks suddenly felt warm and she was certain she was blushing. “Yes. The pill.”

He paused for a moment as if considering her answer. “And you take them? Faithfully?”

She nodded. “Every morning.”

Ryder didn’t move, and she fought to understand the sudden…well, she couldn’t tell what she was seeing on his face. It