Ping. Swish.
“Get a room for crying out loud.”
Ryan’s eyes flew open, and Sara’s shock-filled ones stared back at him. A heartbeat later, she broke their kiss with a squeak and turned her face into his chest. Ryan quickly tucked her under his arm and shimmied sideways to exit the elevator past the rotund woman pushing her way in with a scowl on her face.
“You two should be ashamed of yourselves, carrying on like a pair of horny teenagers. No morals anymore, that’s what’s wrong with—”
Swish. Ping.
Her voice carried even after the elevator took off and Ryan smirked. “Horny teenagers?”
Sara lifted her face off his shirt and sputtered with laughter. “I would’ve thought it was evident we were getting a room.” She hiccupped halfway through another bout of giggles. “I think this might end up in a book somewhere.”
Still chuckling, she pulled at his lapels and started to move backward down the hall. “Come on. We better get out of here before she comes back with the school principal or something.”
Ryan sped up and snugged her back under his arm where he wanted her. “Or worse, she could be out by the pool looking for a willow switch.”
Sara stopped in front of the fourth door down and dug inside her evening bag. “Oh, no, she’s the type who would make you go cut your own, then leave you standing in a room alone, dreading the moment she’d come to use it.”
“No doubt.”
Sara inserted the keycard, activating a blinking green light, and the lock clicked. She glanced up at him through her lashes with a shy smile, stepped inside, and tugged him along behind her. Ryan pushed the door closed with the heel of his boot, and she dropped his hand, moving deeper into the darkened room.
Able to see her clearly thanks to his Wulver genes, Ryan watched her, amazed by how fascinating and beautiful she was to him. If only things could be different.
Ryan clenched his fists. Without physical contact to distract him, the head on his shoulders took back the driver’s seat. Would he be here right now if she knew there was no possible future for them beyond the next few days? Given what he’d gleaned about the kind of person Sara was, he couldn’t be sure. Doubted it in fact.
Damn it, as much as he wanted this, and gods knew he was desperate for her, he needed to be honest with Sara before anything else happened. He owed her that. His wolf’s lip curled, and it mentally shook Ryan by the ruff.
Light flooded the suite’s living area, and Sara flitted to the mini bar. “Would you, um, like something to drink?” She glanced toward the bedroom then back to the fridge with a blush. “Or a snack, maybe.”
Ryan crossed to her and took her hands in his before his attack of conscience died a quick death in the jaws of his libido, but the words stalled somewhere between his brain and mouth.
“Ryan?”
If only they were free to discover if there was something more going on here. Right now, he wanted more than anything to be the one to take that kind of leap with her.
“Is everything okay? You look so serious.” A crease formed on her forehead, and Ryan had to stop himself from smoothing it away. He could never be that man for her, and she needed to know that.
“Sara. Before we…uh.” Ryan’s voice cracked, and her brows reversed direction. “Before anything else happens.” Unable to touch her and still make his mouth work, he released her fingers and raked his own through his hair. “There’s something I should tell you.”
“Ryan.”
His heart screamed, abort! abort! His innate honesty wouldn’t let him. “Please understand, I didn’t intend for us…well, of course I thought about it, hoped for it in fact.”
“Ryan.”
Fool, too late now. His shoulders drooped and he tried again. “I can’t…we can’t have more than—”
“Ryan.” Sara’s grasp was warm and firm on his cheeks and a whisper of her breath graced his face. “Shut up.”
Huh?
She traced her thumb over his lower lip. “There are only two things I need to know, and even though the time we’ve spent together has been short, I’m certain I already know the answers.” She brushed his hair back without breaking their gaze. “First, are you married?”
He frowned. “What?”
“I said…are you married?”
It was his turn to frown. “No—”
She pressed her finger to his lips. “Good, me neither. Second, are you in love with someone?” She lifted her finger a fraction.
Ryan shook his head and attempted to pull his face away from her grasp. “No—”
She pressed down again, but it was the banked passion in her eyes that stilled him. “Me neither, so as far as I’m concerned, nothing else matters.” She shifted closer. “Let’s not complicate things. Can’t we just enjoy the time we have?” She brushed her lips over his.
Ryan’s heart rate shot up, and he was sorely tempted to let the topic drop, but had to try once more or end up hating himself later. “Sara, I don’t want—”
She kissed the corner of his mouth and brought her lush body up against his, and he groaned out loud. “Don’t want what, Ryan?” She kissed the other side. “Me?”
Ryan’s head snapped back and he glared at her. “Are you kidding? Of course, I want you.”
Sara gaped at him. Damn, he hadn’t intended to bark at her. Shoving his own conflicting feelings aside, he leaned his forehead into hers and spoke softly.
“Gods, Sara, I’ve wanted you from the second I saw you, and the more time we spend together, the stronger it gets.”
Her response was husky with desire. “Then prove it.”
His libido cheered and bit off any further argument. Ryan hauled Sara tight against him and took possession of her sweet mouth with no more doubts to hinder him.
*****
Sara wanted Ryan any way she could get him—even if it would only be this once.
It won’t be enough.
Stifle it. You can deal with that later.
Ryan’s mouth came down on hers again, and Sara shoved at the lapels of his jacket, needing it out of her way. “Off.”
He dropped his arms, and she helped him out of it, then she went after his shirt. “More.” He broke their kiss long enough to yank it over his head without bothering to undo the buttons, then was back to kissing her senseless.
The hard muscles under Ryan’s supple skin rippled under her fingertips as Sara explored the broad expanse of his back. Ryan made progress baring her skin as well, running his hands along the sides of her neck and down over her collarbones, sliding her dress off her shoulders in the process.
Sara gasped as his lips followed the reverse path to end with a tiny nip of his teeth and the soothing swipe of his tongue. Her head fell back, giving him more room, and she savored the growing tension between her legs.
“You’re so soft and sweet. I want to touch and taste you everywhere. Would you like that?”
His voice, like warm caramel over smooth chocolate conjured erotic scenes in Sara’s mind and had her breasts begging to be first in line to grant his wish. “Yes.” She grabbed his shoulders and arched her back to convey their message.
Ryan’s nostrils flared, and he licked his lips as though he could taste them already. “We need a wall.”
What? Before she could decide if she’d heard him right, Ryan swung Sara up off her feet and headed for the bedroom. He glanced sideways at her through his ridiculously long lashes with a wicked grin. “There’s something else I’ve been fantasizing about, that involves a span of open wall.”
Her insides fluttered with a trill of excitement. “Um…okay?”
He carried her around the corner and turned her away from the one he picked and slowly let her body slide down his until her feet touched the floor. Lust and mischief danced in his eyes and his expression was…hopeful?
“Trust me?”
Did she know him well enough to? Her gut said yes and told her common sense to get lost. Besides, how could she not when he looked like a little boy itching to tell a big secret? Who would’ve guessed a man like Ryan would be inclined to, well, play? Sara squinted at him and resisted the urge to giggle. “It’s nothing kinky, is it?”
Ryan eased her backward until her spine was up against the cool surface and waggled his brows at her. “Depends on your definition, I suppose, but I think you’ll enjoy it either way.” The humor faded as he leaned in until their breath mingled. “I promise if you don’t like what we’re doing”—he kissed the bow of her upper lip and the air around them seemed to spark with energy of its own— “all you have to do is say stop.” He nipped the plump center of her bottom one.
Remember to breathe, Sara. The lights of downtown Atlanta shone through the window, igniting the ice-blue of Ryan’s eyes to a point Sara swore they glowed. Part of her was compelled to submit under the intensity, while another rejoiced in the feminine power holding him at bay, awaiting her answer.
“Trust me.”
It wasn’t a question this time, and Sara responded on instinct, tingling with anticipation. “Yes.”
A whoosh of air burst past his lips, and the wicked boy was back. “Thank gods.”
Gods?
Ryan kissed her, and she lost her train of thought. He tasted like sin and smelled like heaven, so she whimpered when he took his delicious mouth away. Ryan stepped back and looked his fill while he pulled the neck of her dress down to her elbows, trapping her arms at her sides in the process.
The rush of her blood charging through her veins was exhilarating. With no back in it, the dress had been designed so no bra was needed, and the hunger in Ryan’s face as he stared at her bare breasts made Sara love the thing even more. Feeling more beautiful and confident under his heated gaze than she ever had before, Sara rolled her hips forward and pushed her shoulders into the wall, lifting her breasts higher in offering.
Ryan swallowed hard, and that strange trick of light played havoc with his eyes again. “Beautiful.” His demeanor was all sexual predator as he placed his hands against the wall on either side of her and dipped his head toward the quivering peaks. He wet his lips then lifted his gaze and looked at her as he reached out with his tongue and lapped at the tip of one nipple, sending a shockwave straight to the pulsating spot between her legs.
“More.”
He obliged, this time on the other side, and with a shudder, she drenched her panties.
“Ryan, please.” Sara squirmed to free her arms, but Ryan was having none of it. He slipped one of his hands behind her and trapped her wrists at the base of her spine.
“Not yet.” Ryan pulled one of her greedy nipples inside the hot cavern of his mouth, and her eyes rolled to the back of her head. She would’ve probably hit the floor if he hadn’t lifted her skirt at the same time with his free hand and slid his thigh between her legs. Sara couldn’t help grinding down on the heated muscle he’d given her to ride while he took his time lavishing attention alternately between the sensitive mounds.
When she could no longer see straight, Ryan lifted her off his leg and she nearly cried in frustration. Panting, Sara pushed off the vertical support behind her to go after him, but Ryan again had other ideas.
“Not so fast, love.” The weightless touch of his index finger traveling from the hollow at the base of her throat down through the valley between her breasts was more than enough to plant her back up against the wall. “I’m not done tasting you.” He teased her dress the rest of the way off and helped her step out of it. Her panties followed with equal care, which left her in nothing but her strappy heels and sensitized skin.
She would probably feel self-conscious later, but for once, Sara didn’t care. Right now, she felt sexy and powerful. “Your turn.”
Ryan divested himself of his remaining clothes faster than she’d have thought possible, and she had no chance to ogle his considerable male beauty before he dropped to his knees and ran his hands up the backs of her thighs. “Put your hands against the wall. That’s it. Now shift your feet forward and spread your beautiful legs for me.” As soon as she was where he wanted her, Ryan gently opened her lower lips with his thumbs and brought his mouth to her.
The first hot stroke of his tongue had her flesh weeping and Sara panting as she watched what he was doing. A look of bliss came over his face with that first wet swipe, and the noise she was starting to crave rumbled deep in his chest. “Oh yes!”
He cupped her butt cheeks, holding her firm as he nipped, licked, and suckled her clit until she no longer knew or cared where she was so long as he didn’t stop. All that mattered was the burning knot pulsing under the rhythmic laving of his tongue. “Yes, yes!” Her pelvis started to rock on its own, and she sunk her fingers into Ryan’s thick hair to pull him in closer.
Sara bucked and her breasts bounced in time as she rode hard toward finishing, but it was the inferno burning in Ryan’s eyes as he watched her watching him that sent her hurtling over the edge.
*****
Ryan wanted to brand this moment onto his retinas and carve it into his eardrums. Sara’s breasts were flushed and swaying with the motion of her pumping hips. Her lips were plump and swollen from his kisses, and her soft mewling pants were driving him out of his mind, but it was her eyes holding him captive. He couldn’t tear his gaze from their lust-flooded depths despite the wolf’s glow he feared was rising in his. She was so close to coming, and he had to see it.
“Oh, my god, Ryan!”
He could suck on the taste of her excitement forever, and his own hips jerked sporadically as he flicked his tongue faster between her luscious little clit and the entrance he was dying to bury himself in.
“Ryan!”
Sara’s eyelids fluttered, and her feminine muscles clamped down on his stiffened tongue. The gush of her release and the beauty of her coming so freely snapped his leash, sending a whiplash of ecstasy rocketing from the base of his spine through to his balls. One he barely checked before making a mess of Sara’s sexy shoes.
Ryan had no time to catch his breath before Sara’s legs started shaking and her body started to slide down the wall. “Whoa.” He swept one arm behind her knees and the other behind her back on his way to his feet and clutched her close to his chest. “Where do you think you’re going?”
She blinked up at him with a feline smile of satisfaction. “With you, over there.” She pointed across the room to the bed.
He beat down the overwhelming urge to howl, going in for a quick kiss and nibble instead. “Yes, ma’am.”
He shuffled till his toes found his pants then fumbled to get his foot positioned so he could lift them within reach, not wanting to let go of her.
The maneuver was awkward enough to have her laughing by the time he accomplished it. “What are you doing?”
“I’m sending you fishing for a product of my wishful thinking.”
He wobbled and had to readjust his balance, gaining a squeal out of Sara. “Your what?”
Ryan adjusted too far and started to hop on one foot. “The pocket.” There was no saving it, so he turned his back to the mattress so she’d come down of top of him. “Hang on!”
Sara ignored the pants and flung her arms around his neck. “Ahhh!”
Ryan hugged her in tight and made sure he took the brunt of their fall. They landed with a bounce, and Sara’s hair covered his face, treating him to the clean, fresh scent of her shampoo. He dragged a good sample of it in, and relished the way her soft skin branded him everywhere they touched.
Sara stopped laughing and lifted her head then flipped her hair out of the way. “That was fun.”
Ryan’s thoughts scrambled, and he couldn’t manage a comeback. The look of intent on her face and her husky voice conveyed her message loud and clear. Sara curled her back and walked her hands down his chest toward his stomach. His breathing sputtered as she straddled him keeping the dewy juncture at the top of her thighs open above his throbbing cock.
She slid one shoe at a time off then reached down to take him in hand, making his voice raspy. “Pocket.”
Sara rocked her hips forward, bringing the weeping tip of his penis in contact with her searing heat. “I know, but not yet.” She slid her hand up and down his shaft, holding him vertically stationary as she tipped her pelvis the other way. Ryan gave up trying to hold onto reason as Sara worked herself on him until he was slick with her juices and they were both breathing heavy.
Sara cupped and fondled his sac with her free hand and pumped him faster with the other.
“Holy shit, Sara!” His balls tightened almost to the point of pain and his eyes crossed. Ryan latched onto the blanket with both hands so he wouldn’t grab Sara and mindlessly impale her on his raging erection.
No way could he keep this up much longer. Ryan released the hapless duvet and his hand flailed around beside the bed in search of his pants. Like hell was he going to come anywhere but buried deep inside Sara’s beautiful body. With his DNA, he knew he was no risk, but he needed to ensure she felt safe.
His finger brushed soft wool, and he latched on like a drowning man to a life raft, tugging until his pants were on the bed beside them. He fished around for the pocket, and what he sought met his fingers on the first try. He lifted the packet and ripped it open with his teeth.
“Sara.” In less than a second, he had it free of the foil. “Sara, honey.”
Her eyes were dazed when she finally registered his voice. “Hmm?”
“Unless you’re good with this ending in the next ten seconds—”
Her eyes popped wide and her cheeks flamed. “Oh!” His cock slapped onto his belly she let go so fast. “Oh, shit! Sorry.”
She was adorable. Ryan chuckled as he took care of protecting Sara’s peace of mind. Covered now, he crooked his finger at her. “Come here.” He grasped her waist while she lowered herself down onto his shaft, taking him deep inside her hot sheath.
Her lashes fluttered. “Oh, Ryan. This is better than I imagined.”
She braced her hands on his chest and began the dance he’d been waiting for. Each undulation stroked him, each of his matching thrusts seated him deeper, and each soft moan from Sara brought him closer.
“It’s perfect.”
Ryan’s hands found their way to her breasts, unable to resist the gentle bounce and sway of them. He rolled both nipples at the same time and was rewarded by Sara’s drawn-out moan and her increased pace.
“Ryan…I’m going to…come again.”
Burning tension coiled at the base of Ryan’s spine and snagged his balls, yanking them high up into his body, which then grew a mind of its own. “Oh, fuck yes!” Helpless to stop now, he clenched his jaw to dull the itch around his canines and anchored Sara by her hips, pounding into her.
Each upward thrust punctuated by Sara’s increasing vocal volume sent him spiraling higher. “Yes. Yes. Yes.”
Struggling to keep himself in check long enough for her to get there first, Ryan was beyond verbal coherence. He held on until Sara tossed her head back, and her inner muscles wrapped around his cock, milking him in wave after wave of her release. With a sigh that had Ryan’s masculine ego roaring in triumph, Sara fell forward onto his chest, rubbing her taut nipples against him, and squeezed her still fluttering core tighter in invitation.
The leash Ryan held on his lust snapped. Though no saint, it had been a long time, so his own climax struck like lightning, hitting him fast, and this time it was Ryan’s eyes doing a swan dive into the back of his head.
As his heart rate and breathing slowed to normal, Ryan wrapped his arms around Sara and gentled her back to the same state. He couldn’t seem to quit petting her velvet smooth skin. “That was amazing.”
Sara seemed to be suffering a similar lack of control as she idly raked her nails across his ribs. “It was. You were—”
Schnick. Click.
Sara’s head popped up and panic filled her face as light burst over the bedroom.
“Hey, sis, thanks for letting me know you were leav—”
The odd vacuum of near silence, typical of hotel rooms when their doors first closed, weighed heavy in the room and the moment hung in suspension.
“Holy shit.” Hailey’s voice broke through it and things went downhill fast from there.
“Oh crap!” Sara squealed and flung herself sideways, bringing Ryan and the edge of the duvet cover with her.
“What the—” The room disappeared into a marshmallow of linen, and Ryan lost his bearings until his back hit the floor on the other side of the bed with Sara coming down on top of him. The air in his lungs evacuated, and his stomach muscles protested, leaving his vocal cords very little to work with. “Achk.”
“Oh no, Ryan! Are you okay?” Sara shoved the white puff off his face with the one hand she had free and struggled to lift her head enough to see his face. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to toss us clear off the bed. Are you hurt?”
Ryan hadn’t recovered enough oxygen yet to answer, and before he could, Hailey’s face came into view above them, sporting a smug grin. “Way to go, sis! Mission accomplished.” She rubbed her hands together. “I can’t wait to tell Nicki. Operation Re-pop has been a complete success.”
Sara started to wiggle, jabbing Ryan in the ribs with her elbow and posing an even bigger threat to the octave level of his voice with her knees. “Hailey! Don’t you dare.” Now she was doing a good impression of a fish out of water. “I mean it. You’ll be so sorry.”
Ryan did his best to avoid further injury in the limited room allowed by their feather shroud. “Whoa, easy there.”
Hailey snorted. “Sorry? Yeah right, I think I’ll invite her up to Polaris for an outrageously expensive signature drink to celebrate. Mind if I borrow your sweater?” Ryan could no longer see her, and the sound of her voice was moving away.
Sara squirmed harder. “Hailey Jane Gardener, damn it, you get back here!”
“Oh good, thanks.” The echo from the hallway rushed in as she opened the door. “Feel free to do anything I would. Oh right, guess that ship already sailed.” The singsong lilt of her words made it sound like she was skipping. “See ya later, alligator.”
The door closed, and other than their sporadic respirations, the room’s vacuum was back.
Sara’s beyond red face was turned toward the door, and she growled through her grinding teeth. “I’m so going to kill her.”
Ryan generally considered himself an intelligent man so knew laughing was probably not the best idea, but he couldn’t help himself. Sara all riled up and snarling with her hair standing on end full of static from the duvet, face the color of a beet, and her saucer-wide eyes full of sparks… She was cute as hell.
“Ryan! It’s not funny.” Sara pinched his bicep, but the smirk she was doing a crappy job of staving off took the sting out of it.
Ryan tilted his head and squinted at her. “Re-pop?”
“Oh, god. Just kill me now.” She scrunched up one side of her face. “Don’t suppose you can pretend the last few minutes didn’t happen, could you?”
Ryan laughed harder and hugged her to him. “Not a chance, love.” He kissed her messy hair and sighed. Like hell he was letting one second of this memory go.
It had to last a lifetime.