Two to Tangle (A Tangle Valley Romance #2) - Melissa Brayden Page 0,56

grounds of their university. They knew he’d done it but couldn’t prove it. “That’s infuriating,” Ryan murmured, as the detective in charge was interviewed.

Gabriella pointed passionately. “This happens so often. Juries these days expect DNA, and when there’s none to present, prosecutors hesitate to bring charges. It’s rampant. I know this from my comfy nights on this very couch. Murder is my jam.”

“I’ve been missing out,” Ryan said in jest, but she was every bit as enthralled as Gabriella now. Comfy night was both fun and educational. Okay, a little bit tension filled, too, but the desirable kind.

“You should see last week’s. I think I still have it.”

“Cue it up,” Ryan said with conviction, taking another blissful bite of popcorn. She caught Gabriella staring at her happily. “What? Why are you passing me this brand of smile?”

“I can’t tell if you mean it. Do you really want to watch another one?”

“Do Otters take Muskrats to school on the ball field?”

Gabriella gasped at the unexpected smack talk and snatched the bowl of popcorn in punishment, but Ryan caught the side and pulled it back into her lap, along with part of Gabriella, whose lips were now surprisingly close to hers. The struggle for the bowl was placed on hold as their eyes connected. For Ryan, it wasn’t even a decision, and Gabriella must have agreed because they both leaned in across the bowl, slow enough that it was purposeful, a clear decision. Ryan dipped her head lower and captured Gabriella’s mouth in a kiss that was soft, tentative, sweet. They were testing the waters. But, hell, that didn’t last. The kiss caught fire and escalated to hungry in a matter of amped-up moments. The evening news had taken over on the television, but it all seemed to fade into the background, leaving Ryan aware only of the sounds of their uneven breathing and the need to get as close to Gabriella as humanly possible. Without breaking the kiss, Gabriella expertly set the bowl on the coffee table, which was wonderful because there was nothing between them now, and their hands were free to roam. And they did. She pulled Gabriella closer as she pushed her tongue inside Gabriella’s mouth, overwhelmed by the sensation. Her entire body felt warm, her skin tingled, and her center ached the more they kissed. Either she’d hauled Gabriella there fully, or she’d climbed into Ryan’s lap herself. Didn’t matter. She now had fantastic access, and nothing had ever felt better. As they kissed, she slipped her hands beneath Gabriella’s pink hoodie, pleased to find no T-shirt underneath. She ran her hands up the warm skin at the small of her back, which only upped her need. She swallowed, steadying herself, feeling her longing take over in a manner she wasn’t prepared for, but did her best to go slow and keep her wits about her. She wanted to be attentive and respectful, but if given permission, she’d have Gabriella on her back in three seconds flat, so she could worship her body properly.

Picking up on Ryan’s cues, it was Gabriella who pulled down the zipper on the front of her hoodie, revealing smooth skin and a black bra that offered more than a generous glimpse of what was beneath. Good God. Gabriella Russo smiled, and Ryan’s eyes feasted. Gabriella had full breasts, the tops of which said hello. With her arms around Gabriella’s waist, Ryan kissed the center of her chest and traced the outline of her bra before diving in, kissing all around it. She felt Gabriella’s hands tangle in the back of her hair, and that sent a shot of heat straight downward, the ache between her legs becoming ever more pressing as the seconds ticked by. She pulled the hoodie down Gabriella’s shoulders, bringing the fabric to her elbows. No woman on Earth was this beautiful. She brushed her lips reverently across one shoulder, kissing down, zeroing in on those breasts until something tugged at her. She blinked, realizing it was the sound of a knock. Two seconds later, the door to their left opened, and Madison walked in.

“Hey, I was wondering if you—” The words died on her lips and she let her head drop, averting her eyes. “Oh. Okay. I’m so sorry. My bad entirely.” She turned and immediately headed for the door as Gabriella struggled to get her top back into place.

“Hey, Maddie. It’s okay. Wait a sec.”

Ryan held her position on the couch, realizing this embarrassing moment in history