Ryan's Love - C.A. Harms Page 0,51

car, which was parked just behind my truck. It was hidden by the darkness and out of view of the house, so I took advantage of our privacy and backed her up against the side, grinning down at her with assurance.

“You coming home with me?”

“Is that a question or a demand?’ She batted her lashes and bit her lower lip.

“Darlin’, it has been far too long since I felt you in my arms. So either you are coming home with me or I’m following you to your place. You can make the choice, but one way or another, I will have you in my bed or yours.”

She shivered, and I knew my demanding tone had affected her. I couldn’t fight the smirk that pulled at the corner of my mouth. Bending my head just slightly, I feathered my lips over hers, teasing. “I’ve missed you, and I want you. Come home with me, baby.”

She nodded, and I took her mouth with mine, giving her just a small preview of what was to come the moment I got her to my place.

She followed behind me, and the drive to my house felt longer than it ever had before. I pulled into my driveway, and after placing the truck in park, I turned off the ignition and practically jogged back to meet her as she pulled up behind me.

I quickly took her hand, led her toward the front door, and rushed to unlock it as she giggled at my need to get inside as fast as possible. I had thought Amber and I were over, so now that I had her, I sure as hell was going to show her just how much she meant to me.

After I opened the door, I tossed my keys on the counter, turned, and stalked back to her, where she stood near the front door. Without a word, I spun her around and began backing her down the hall.

Amber looked up at me, and I could immediately see the hesitation in her eyes. I paused at my bedroom door, and she worried her lower lip, looking over her shoulder.

I placed my fingers under her chin and tilted her head to face me. “What’s wrong?” Her throat bobbed as she swallowed, and she tried to avert her eyes. “Amber,” I whispered, and she immediately shifted her eyes to meet mine. “Talk to me, baby. Tell me what’s going on.”

“It’s just that I feel strange being here, knowing who you shared this bed with.”

I rushed to stop her talking by placing my lips against hers. She sagged against the wall just outside my room and gave in to the kiss.

When I pulled back, she kept her eyes shut. “The only person that has ever slept in my bed is me, besides the few times Olivia fell asleep there too.” She opened her eyes and looked up at me. “It was something I had to do to move on. After the first few months of sleeping on the couch, I decided to get a new bed. I also traded rooms with Olivia. I had to do what I had to do to move on.”

She continued to stare up at me as I skimmed my thumb along her jaw. “You are my second chance at love, Am. You’re my new beginning.”

As she began to relax, I reached around and grabbed the backs of her thighs, then lifted her so she could wrap her legs around my waist.

I carried her to the bed, gently placed her against the mattress, and took a moment to appreciate the sight of her lying there. Having her here in my space was just another step toward our new beginning. It was something I was ready for. She belonged with me.

During our last night together in her apartment, before everything fell apart, I knew there was no turning back. Amber had already made me fall in love with her. She had healed me, and I would forever cherish the gift she had given me.

“What are you thinking?” she asked as she slowly began to remove her shirt.

I grinned and pulled my own shirt up over my head, then placed my knee on the mattress and began crawling toward her just as she slipped the straps of her bra down her arms. I let my gaze roam over her body before I closed the distance between us.

I kissed her exposed chest at the dip of her neckline, then kissed her neck before moving to her jaw. Leaning