Fight Like You've Never Lost (Summer Lake #14) - S.J. McCoy Page 0,88

cut the engine and turned to face her. “I sure do.”

She knew what he meant. He meant her. But she wasn’t going to go there. Instead, she turned to open her door but hesitated when she saw how far down it was.

He appeared in front of her and held his arms up with a smile. “Need a hand?”

She stared at him. She could refuse and possibly break her ankle when she hit the ground. Or she could do what she really wanted to and let him help her.

“Thanks.” He put his hands on her waist sending a rush of desire through her. She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck as he lifted her out. She wasn’t even surprised when he didn’t set her down. Instead, he looked up into her eyes. “God, I’ve missed you, Lee.”

She tried to swallow around the lump in her throat, but it wouldn’t budge. Her eyes pricked with tears and her arms tightened around his neck. “I’ve missed you, too.”

His smile lit up his face and he loosened his arms so that she slid down his front till her feet touched the ground. He didn’t let go of her, though, and once she was down, he crushed her to his chest and claimed her mouth in a kiss that left her senseless. She sank her fingers in his hair and kissed him back. Everything about it felt inevitable. And if they were going to do this then she was going to enjoy it.

His hand slid down her back until it cupped her ass and pressed her against him. He was hot and hard, and she moaned as he pushed himself against her. Part of her knew that this wasn’t going to end well, but she’d worry about that later. For now, she was going to enjoy it. She gasped when his hand closed around her breast and he moaned into her mouth.

Then he lifted his head mid-kiss, and she froze, hoping that he wasn’t just tormenting her. His eyes were glazed with lust. “I didn’t intend to do this. I want to say I’m sorry …” He gave her a rueful smile. “But I’m not. I’ll stop if you tell me to.” His eyes were that deep, stormy blue that she loved so much. “Tell me you don’t want me, Lee, and I’ll stop.”

She shook her head slowly and saw the sadness creep into his eyes. Even now, it killed her to think that she could make him sad. And it wasn’t what she meant. “No. I can’t tell you I don’t want you. I wish I could, but I’m not a liar.” She took hold of his hand and started toward the front door. “You have to finish what you started.”

His fingers tightened around hers as he unlocked the front door and headed straight for the stairs. She registered that it was a beautiful home, that he was leading her up a sweeping staircase. But it washed over her. All she wanted was for him to make love to her.

He closed the bedroom door behind them and put his hands on her hips to pull her to him. It was a move that used to make her wet for him every time, and her body hadn’t forgotten.

“Lee, I—”

She put a finger to his lips. “Don’t spoil it, Ryan. I don’t want to talk to you.”

He frowned and opened his mouth to speak but she shook her head adamantly. “Please?” She started unbuttoning the front of her dress, knowing that if anything could convince him it would be the sight of her naked breasts.

He looked down to watch and then back up into her eyes. “Are you sure?”

She closed her eyes. He’d asked her that their first time. She nodded. “I want you and I feel safe with you.”

They both knew that she purposely omitted the other part of what she’d said that first time—that she trusted him. She didn’t anymore, and the thought made her fingers fumble.

His hands moved to her belt and unbuckled it. Then they covered hers and took over with the buttons. Though it seemed he was as shaky as she was. After fiddling for a few moments, he let out a low growl and pulled. Buttons flew everywhere and he pushed the dress back off her shoulders. It fell to the floor leaving her standing before him in her underwear.

He reached for her, but she shook her head. “You, too.” She wasn’t going to be naked