Sophia’s pulse still hammered in her chest as she watched Ryder roll a condom onto a big, mouthwatering erection that was the cause of many fond memories. And damn, she was so ready to make more. Her body heated, despite the fact she still trembled with aftershocks from a fierce orgasm he just gave that robbed her strength.

Ryder was even more magnificent than she remembered. Muscles and ridges graced his body, and he had a sexy sprinkling of hair that criss-crossed down his abs right through the middle of that sexy Vee of his that drove her nuts.

Suddenly rejuvenated, she rose to her feet and took him in her hand. “Let me help.”

He pulsed, and her body responded in kind. Sweet mercy. It was amazing how much she already ached for him. The restraint he showed was remarkable. He shook, but didn’t make a move to touch her.

She released him and drew in a breath as his eyes met hers, deliciously dark and hungry. God, could she relate.  His flesh gleamed in the soft glow of the lamps, and flickering light of the television.

They stared for a beat, then lunged at each other, touching, stroking, caressing every inch in a frenzy of moves, like they wanted to touch everywhere at once. She certainly did. His mouth was hot and demanding on hers, stoking the fire he’d started several minutes ago.

“Sophia,” he murmured after releasing her mouth to place kisses down her throat. “Missed this.” His voice was thrillingly gruff.

She used her mouth to get reacquainted with his body, tracing her tongue over his collarbone, a pec, flicking a nipple, eliciting a rough groan from deep in his chest she felt clear into hers. “Me, too.”

Sucking in a sharp breath, he threaded his hands in her hair and covered her mouth with his again, which worked for her because his kisses were amazing. It was long and wet and deep and she trembled with pure need, while returning the favor. Warm, deliciously rough hands, sent a thrill through her when they left her hair to cup her breasts and his wicked fingertips teased her nipples. It was as if he remembered just exactly how she liked it.

In a swift move, he cupped her ass to lift her up. “Wrap your legs around me,” he said, and walked the two feet to the nearest wall as she obeyed the quiet command.

She moaned at the sheer pleasure of brushing his erection where she ached the most. A second later, her back met the wall. “Cold,” she squeaked.

“Not for long,” he said against her neck. “But this first time is going to be fast. We’re too combustible.”

“Good,” she said, cupping his face, forcing him to meet her gaze. “Because I’m about ready to burst.”

The need darkening his gaze clogged the breath in her throat.

“Wait for me.” He gripped her hips and brushed her center with the tip of his erection.

Sophia gasped. “Yes.” She rocked against him, urging him to move.

Needing no further instruction, Ryder thrust deep with one sure, shocking push, filling her to the hilt, and memories from years ago flooded her senses.

That…that was what she missed. Pure bliss.

Gasping in tandem pleasure, they stared at each other a beat.

“God, Sophia.” His gaze smoldered. “Even better than I remembered.”

She sucked in a breath. “Me, too.”

Heaven help her, she’d never felt anything so intense, so achingly incredible, with anyone but this man. He filled her completely. The perfect fit.

Bending down, he kissed the curve of her neck, sending goose bumps down her side. He tightened his grip on her hips, and began to move. Her whole body tingled. She was close. So blessedly close to that blissful edge again.

She moaned and arched closer. He scraped his thumb over her, just above where they were joined. That was it. All it took. She cried out, arching against him as she burst into a million and one pieces. He threw his head back, gripped her hips, and drove hard and deep inside her, muttering her name as he followed her with his own release.

***

Sun streaked through the blinds in a three-slice pattern on the floor as Ryder woke up from one of the best nights he’d ever had…might even have topped his epic New Year’s Eve. It was no wonder since the same woman was the reason behind both historic nights. Turning over, he reached for Sophia but the bed was empty.

The sound of the shower shutting off sent a rush of heat through his body at the memory of her kneeling down, grasping his hips, while working him over until she’d melted every last bone in his body.

“Good morning.” She smiled, breezing into the room, wrapped in a towel, just like that day he’d walked in on her.

But unlike that day, he wasn’t running away from the need and awareness she sparked in him.

“Good morning.” He got out of bed and strode to her, thrilled when she met him halfway. Pushing her wet hair off her shoulder, he bent down to kiss a path to her ear. “Why didn’t you wake me up?”

It was funny how much had changed in a little over a week. But it was a good change. A welcome change.

She hadn’t kicked him out of her bed. Nor had she asked him to stay. The amazing woman left that all up to him. After the way they’d combusted in her living room, he never even thought about leaving her last night.

“I was worried that perhaps I’d worn you out.” She skimmed her hands down his torso, brushing her thumbs across his abs, causing them to quiver.

“You know,” he said against her wet skin. “If you reach a little lower, I think you’ll find I’m far from worn out.”

Laughing, she did just that. “So it would seem.”

He bit the curve of her neck and rocked into her hand. “Nothing fake about it.”

“Mmm…” Tipping her head, she gave him better access, while her fingers grew bolder, stroking him full tilt. “It’s a shame I have to go to work.”

Reaching between them, he slipped his fingers into her cleavage, gave a quick tug, and her towel fell onto their feet. “You can’t go just yet,” he said, sweeping her into his arms.

“Why not?” Her playful gaze sparkled beneath a raised brow.

He fucking loved that he was staring into one brown eye and one blue eye. Loved that they both stripped away all pretense and came at each other without anything to hide.

“Because.” He set her on the covers, then grasped her ankles and spread her legs. “It’s time for breakfast in bed.”

***

For most of the day―okay, for all of the day―Sophia walked around with a smile on her face. She couldn’t help it. She was happy. Content. Satisfied. All thanks to Ryder.

Her mind revisited the amazing things the man had done to her last night…and this morning, and heat rushed through her tired and sore body. And just like that, she was instantly rejuvenated, which was good. She was on her own today, but Ryder and the college students were scheduled to help tomorrow and Sunday.

Today she was feeling inspired, so she started work on painting one of the background scenes. She was halfway done when Phoebe breezed into the area backstage where the sets were built and stored.

“Hey, Sophia.”

“Hi. What’s up?” she asked, setting her paintbrush down. “Will I be in your way during rehearsal tonight?”

Phoebe shook her head. “No. You’re fine here.” Her gaze narrowed and mouth twitched.  “I wanted to apologize for leaving you in the lurch last night, but something tells me it’s not necessary.”

“You’d be correct.” She grinned. Couldn’t help it.

Dammit.

Her friend leaned against a ladder, a smile spreading across her face. “Anything to do with a certain, good-looking carpenter from your past?”

She nodded. “It has a lot do with him.”

“That’s great. But what changed?”

“He did,” she replied. “He finally realized I wasn’t going to make any demands on him. That I wasn’t looking for forever.”

They had commitments. People depending on them. Lived in two different states. The list was endless.

Phoebe cocked her head. “You going to be okay spending time with him, then leaving at the end of the summer?”

“Yeah.” She lifted a shoulder. “Why not? I left him before.”

“But you’d only spent two days together.” Phoebe shook her head. “That’s a lot different than two months.”

She waved a hand. “It’ll be fine. I already know going in that it’s just a summer fling thing. And that makes a difference.”

“I hope you’re right.” Phoebe sighed, gaze not so convinced. “I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“Thanks,” she said, doing her best to reassure her friend. “I don’t have time to get hurt. I have more productions to help you with, besides this one. Plus, South Pacific renderings to produce.”

Phoebe pushed from the ladder and nodded. “Then I won’t keep you, especially from this background. It already looks amazing, Sophia.”

“Thanks,” she said again.

Glad to have pleased her boss, she picked up her paint brush and continued…with a smile on her face.

***

It was July 1st, and Ryder sat on Ethan’s deck, enjoying a beer with him and Jeremy and Ben, while the women were all at tonight’s show. He had no idea where June had gone. It flew by. Because you had fun, his mind supplied. That was, indeed, true. A smile tugged his lips. They’d finished the sets early last week, and the show opened last night.

Sophia was already halfway through designing sets for the youth production of Grease, and he looked forward to start helping with them over the weekend. It was amazing to watch her creativity and expertise at work.

“There he goes, smiling again,” Jeremy said, with a roll of his eyes.

Used to the teasing by now, he just flipped him off and drank his beer.

“You’re just envious because he’s getting some and you aren’t,” Ben said, slouching while his baby girl slept on his chest.

Ever since that night he and Sophia watched the Mets and…combusted, Ryder had garnered a different outlook. He stopped hesitating where she was concerned. If he wanted to see her on days he wasn’t volunteering at the theater, he stopped in to see her. If he wanted to have lunch with her, he brought her lunch. Or they met at Timbers Grille in the resort, or his dad’s restaurant, or sometimes, they even met at her condo and had a really great lunch.

She never seemed to mind, either. In fact, he got the impression she would be happy to see him every day. Which was great, except he craved her company every day too, and he didn’t want forever.

Because of that, he made a point to go a day or two without exposure to her sweetness. It was also the reason he had yet to bring her to his house. They only had sex in her bed.

But, he was beginning to realize that wasn’t fair. And that it put a selfish spin on their fun.

“Wait a minute.” Jeremy reeled back. “Who said I’m not getting any?”

Ben smirked. “Does that mean you’re giving the pretty author something to write about besides parking tickets?”

Ryder’s chuckle mixed with Ethan’s, and this time it was Jeremy who waved his middle finger.

“I think that’s a negatory.” Ethan grinned.

“That’s too bad,” he said, holding up his hand and wiggling his fingers. “Because a date with Rosey Palmer and her five sisters doesn’t count.”

Jeremy snorted. “Fuck you, Ryder.”

“I wouldn’t want to make Rosey jealous.” He laughed and the others joined in.

“Or Sophia,” Ben said.

Ethan nodded. “You’ve been seeing her a lot, Ryder. And that’s a good thing.”

“Yeah.” Ben’s tone turned serious. “She’s good for you. You’re happy. Content.”

Jeremy leaned forward and held his gaze. “They’re right. All kidding aside, it’s good to see you giving yourself a break. It’s about damn time.”

Not one for touchy feely moments with the guys, especially when they’re directed at him, Ryder lifted his beer in a mock toast and drank. It was much safer to keep his feelings buried than to confront them. The last time he’d done that he’d gotten burnt.

Yeah, it was definitely much safer to keep things light and physical with Sophia.

The Fourth of July was in a couple of days. It was time for some fun that wasn’t so selfish. A special plan started to formulate in his mind. With luck, they’d make that holiday memorable, too.