up his shoulders and stare at him as shadows from the firepit play across his face.
“I love you too, Rider. I think I have for a long time.”
“If I’m being honest, I never got over you freshman year,” he whispers. “And I’m sorry I ran. But I’m not running anymore. I’m not that freaked-out kid any longer. I’m ready for this.”
He kisses me. Deep and long and hard. Electricity shoots through me. Down my spine. Zinging lower.
And then I’m in his arms. My feet leave the ground, and I wrap them around his waist.
With a panting breath, I rip my mouth away and rub his shoulder. “Are you sore? Do you need to ice anything?” The man played four quarters of the most intense football game I’ve ever seen. Maybe I shouldn’t be scaling him like a jungle gym.
A wolfish grin tugs at his lips. “I definitely have something that needs attention,” he mutters as he grinds his enormous erection between my legs.
I chuckle and thread my fingers through his hair. “Well, we can’t have that. I should probably check for swelling.”
“And swelling you shall find.”
Laughing, I slide down his big body and gently push him down on to the bench behind him, where I stand between his splayed legs. I glance around, but the trees in the backyard block the view from his neighbors.
“The guys promised to be out all night, and no one can see back here. The side gates are always locked.”
“Does this mean you’re all mine tonight?”
“Tonight. Tomorrow night. Every night.”
My heart swells with love. With gratitude for this second chance that we’ve been granted.
Since I’m warmer now with the heat of the firepit behind me, an exterior patio heater I hadn’t noticed before, and the wall of Rider’s solid body in front of me, I slip off my jacket and Bronco t-shirt until I’m down to my long-sleeved Henley that buttons to the middle of my chest.
I’m not typically a strip-down-in-the-backyard kind of girl, but after a day of so many firsts, I’m feeling bold.
With a grin, I unhook my bra and tug it out through the arms of my shirt. After I pull out my ponytail and shake my hair, I glance up shyly as I pop out each button on my shirt, until it gapes open on my chest.
“You’re fucking beautiful, Gabriela, inside and out. So sexy and sweet. I’m lucky to have you in my life.” He reaches out, tangles his hand in my hair, and places open-mouth kisses on my lips, my neck, down to my chest, where he nudges aside my shirt and sucks one very attention-starved nipple into his mouth.
Groaning, I let my head fall back while he laves my skin, all the while palming my other breast in his giant hand.
“Let’s take care of that swelling,” I tease as I sink down onto my knees.
I graze his muscular thighs with my nails as I slide them against the smooth fabric of his slacks. “You look handsome as hell in this suit, by the way.” But it doesn’t hide a thing when he’s in this state. I outline his thick length with my finger. “This looks serious, sir.”
His heated stare has me squirming even though I’m the one unclothing him. First the button, then the zipper, until I reach his boxer briefs, which are stretched to the brink. When I release him from the fabric, he springs up to greet me.
“Missed me, huh?”
“You have no idea.” He laughs while he runs his hand through my hair.
I lick the drop of moisture off his wide head before I suck it. Softly at first. Teasing with licks until he gives me a pained groan.
Watching him watch me is turning me on so much, I squeeze my thighs together to ease the pressure.
When his jaw clenches, I take him to the back of my throat. Work him over with my hand. Hum in approval when he fists my hair.
I’m surprised when he gently pulls me off him.
“It’s my turn.” His gravelly voice sizzles through me, and I nod. He motions toward the hot tub. “Wanna take a dip?”
“I don’t have a swimsuit.” I laugh when I realize I’m standing there with my shirt open, and his pants are halfway down his hips. “But maybe we don’t need them.”
We watch each other as we strip out of our clothes. I shiver, but then he wraps my shoulders in a thick towel.
He drags the heater closer to the hot tub and spreads out another