Chapter 15
Emma
Hearing the knock on the door, the knot in my stomach tightened. The sound of my heart beating seemed so loud; I feared he might hear it through the door.
"Hey," I said, finally opening the door after forcing him to wait outside while I calmed myself down.
"Hey, Em." He walked in without any suitcases.
My concern registered on my face.
"My bag is in the truck," he said, reading my mind. "I thought I would make sure there was still room at Emma's Bed and Breakfast before I carried my stuff in." He kissed my forehead to reassure me.
"I'll provide the bed, but you'll need to provide the breakfast. Cooking is not my strong suit," I admitted.
I went to the kitchen to grab him a drink while Sierra pounced on Ryan, bestowing him with her best welcome back reception. Steadying myself against the refrigerator, I tried to keep my nerves at bay. Following me into the kitchen, he eyed the wall and then turned his attention to me.
"Hmm…" he started backing me against it, his erection giving away his intentions "…I believe this is the wall where it all started. I would reenact the crime, but it has been too long since I've had you, so I think I'll jump to this part." He threw me over his shoulder and walked to the bedroom. He's back! I was doing my happy dance inside my head.
Tossing me on the bed, he unbuttoned his shirt. The muscles in his forearms pushed against the rolled up sleeves. His gaze was dangerous and hungry, overwhelming me with his eyes, his dark brows a stark contrast to his vibrant green eyes.
By the time he had his shirt off, the area between my legs was pulsating. He ripped off my top, popping off the first few buttons, and pulled my shorts down, tugging them off me in slow motion, his eyes more mischievous when he reached my panties as he taunted me shamelessly.
"I'm going to fuck you," he whispered, his hands caressing my body.
I wanted to scream. I wanted him in me, filling me. Our chemistry was stronger than anything I had ever experienced. His lips worked their way down my belly with the confidence and sensuality of someone used to pleasing women.
"No…" I pulled him up toward me "…I can't wait. I have to have you. Now. I need to watch you inside me, fucking me." My breathing was heavy, my face hot.
I wrapped my legs around him, and he entered me cautiously at first, but once he felt how wet I was, he didn't hold back.
"Your body up against me, it's all I've thought about since I left," he said between breaths.
He pulled back so only his tip was left inside me and then pushing deeply, thrust himself inside me again and again. I could feel my blood rushing through me. Using my legs to bring him in closer, he moved faster. My hips moved to meet each thrust, his warm thickness filling me, the intensity building until I could take no more. I exploded in a wave of ecstasy that rippled through my entire body like the aftermath of a small earthquake.
At that moment all the worry, the missing him, and the doubts I had this past week disappeared. He was here now, and I was happy.
Overwhelmed, I was ready to cry.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Ryan turned on his side. Facing me, he propped himself up on his elbow while rubbing one hand over my belly.
"Nothing, I'm good. Fantastic, now that you're here and back inside me." I followed his large, strong hands as they caressed me. I loved watching him touch me.
"I'm here, Em, and it is my full intention to spend as much time as possible inside you," he said, his lips curling up into that familiar wicked, half grin. "I will, however, need some sustenance. Let's go grab a bite." He hopped out of bed, pulling his boxers on, lightening the mood.
I put on a pair of jeans and my standard four-inch heels while Ryan went to retrieve his suitcase. I was dressed and ready to go by the time he got back. He put his bag down in my room, and we were out the door.
We decided to eat at the Dusty Boot. Holding hands across the table, I figured this was a good time to ask him about Grand Lake.
"You remember Charlotte?"
"Of course, Em, why?"
"And Bob from the cookout?" Ryan's face tensed when I mentioned Bob, which I thought strange since they seemed to get along well.
"Yes. Why, Emma, what's wrong?"
"Wrong? Nothing's wrong, silly. I was wondering … well, Charlotte wanted me to ask you if you would be interested in going to Grand Lake on Saturday. They're taking their boat up and thought it would be fun if we all stayed the night and headed back on Sunday. If … if you're going to be here."
He began stroking the inside of my palms with his thumbs. "Of course I'll be here. I am here until Monday, unless you kick me out sooner. So does this mean Charlotte accepts me now?"
"Well, she wants to. She promised to be on her best behavior. She's just protective, worried you might be some sort of sociopath."
Ryan got quiet and let go of my hands. "Em, I'm not a sociopath. Sexual deviant maybe," he joked. "I understand her being concerned. She's a good friend. Sure, let's go."
He sat at the table, playing with the salt shaker. I could tell he was apprehensive. "Ryan, we don't have to go if you're uncomfortable."
"No, it will be all right. We'll have fun. Bob and I get along great. Is Sierra coming with us?"
"Of course," I said, happy he had agreed to go but nervous given his apparent uneasiness. “I’m so glad you and Bob got along so well. I think it eases Char’s and my concerns.”
“Your concerns? Em, you’re not seriously worried that I’m a sociopath are you?”
“No, of course not. I just meant, knowing as little as I do about your past, it helps to know that both Sierra and Bob like you. And they are both pretty good judges of character.” I smiled nervously.
“I agree. Sierra’s liking me should help you know I’m a good guy. Dogs have pretty good instincts. But, Em, there are things I prefer not to tell you right now, but I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable or unsafe. Ask me anything you need to. I won’t lie.”
“I know, I believe you. Maybe, in the same way you’d prefer not to tell me whatever it is you don’t want me to know, I’m also not ready to ask. Let’s stick with the plan and ride this thing out.”
Ryan took my hand. “What if we can’t? What if this thing gets too real?”
I desperately wanted a way to lighten the conversation. It already was too real, which was why I didn’t want to know whatever he was hiding. I didn’t want this to end.
“That sounds like a question we should put on the ‘don’t ask’ list.” I took a bite of Ryan’s chocolate cake.
“You’re a little bit crazy, but that works for me.” Ryan laughed.
We finished eating, stopped at the local grocery store to get some supplies, and came back to my house. We spent a lazy evening playing a game of Scrabble, which I won. "Too bad I didn't bet you that I could beat you at Scrabble," I teased.
"I would pretend you did and let you do all kinds of wonderfully naughty things to me, but it's late, and you need your rest. Tomorrow is a workday for you."
As much as I liked the idea of doing perverted things to him, he was right. I was exhausted.
Ryan scratched behind Sierra's ears. "Come on, girl, I'll take you for a walk while your mom gets ready for bed."
I crawled into bed and drifted off within minutes, wrapped in the comfort of Ryan's arms.
Ryan was already up and in the kitchen when my alarm went off. I wandered in, my eyes barely open. He handed me a cup of coffee.
"What are you doing?"
"I believe our arrangement was you provide the bed and I provide my services." He bent down and kissed my forehead, ignoring my dislike for this whole forehead-kissing thing. He turned me around, smacked me on the butt, and pushed me toward the bathroom. "Now go take a shower while I finish cooking."
I came back into the kitchen dressed and ready for work. Ryan promised to take Sierra for her run after I left.
"Everything smells delicious." I sat on the stool at the island and dug in.
I watched him as he flipped through the Westword, Denver's local paper that highlighted all the events and happenings around town. Although I also used their app, I still preferred the old-school feel of a newspaper and always picked up the latest printed edition.
At that moment, I was so content. This amazing man, who I shared my bed with last night, was sitting at my counter wearing nothing but his boxers, reading my copy of Westword, eating the breakfast he cooked for us. It didn't get any better than this. Oh wait, it does! He will be here when I come home! I embraced myself, giggling lightheartedly.
Ryan peered over his paper, arching his brow. "That playful laugh is one of the first things that drew me to you…" his smile widened "…but why are you giggling?"
"Just happy, but I guess I better go."
He got up and put his arms around me.
"If you think you're going to get away with kissing me on the forehead …"
Ryan caressed my face, cupping my chin in his hand, and leaned in, parting my lips with his tongue—tenderly at first then harder. I was aware of his hardness pressing against my belly.
"Do you think you could be a little late for work this morning?" he whispered, his mouth caressing the back of my ear.
"I wish I could, but Char and I are meeting with a client this morning to discuss a project we need to deliver on Friday." I bent down and kissed the head of his cock over his boxers. "I will see you both later." I laughed and left for work.