A Hollywood Bride(47)

“Being related to someone biologically doesn’t guarantee you’ll be a good parent,” he continues, tightening his hold on me. “Just look at my folks. They’re so busy with their lives and making snide jabs at each other that they don’t care about us at all…except when we can be used to make a point. You’re going to be an awesome mom, Paige, and your baby deserves the best, just like every other baby in the world.”

My lower lip trembles. My gaze is wet as I lift my face to look at him. “You shouldn’t say stuff like that.” If you keep on like this, I may fall in love with you, irrevocably and forever.

“I know.” The smile he gives me is rueful, like he’s reading my unspoken thoughts. “But I’ve never wanted to say the words before. I never felt what I felt back in that doctor’s office, Paige.”

Something breaks loose inside me. This man, outwardly perfect and wonderful, inwardly flawed and struggling and all too human…this exhilarating, exasperating man who could have anyone and is wanted by everyone…this man is saying the sweetest thing anybody has ever said to me, and he’s saying it like it’s the most obvious sentiment in the world. He has faults—and issues—and he may be letting his past destroy his future, but he’s really trying to connect with me despite it all.

His words burn through my fears and worries until all I know is that he has my heart. He’s had it for a while now. I just didn’t want to admit it because I knew our relationship would end a year after we exchanged wedding vows.

Why am I wasting what little time I have with him? Demanding explanations is an exercise in stupidity. Assistant, fiancée…who the hell cares? I should cherish every moment we have together and make as many good memories as possible before it ends…because that’s all I’ll have of him.

I lean forward and kiss him. My mouth is clumsy, and my hands are shaky with emotion, but I have to taste him right now.

He hesitates as I move my lips over him. But it doesn’t take long before he parts his own and pulls me to him. And even though it’s only our lips touching, it’s so intimate and sweet it makes my heart pulse with longing.

We continue kissing until I’m light-headed with want and something more…and with every second that passes, our kiss deepens until I don’t think we can ever untangle our mouths. Every cell in my body is fully attuned to Ryder. I sense his every shudder, every contraction of his muscles, the way he holds me, as though I might vanish if he isn’t careful. Liquid heat spreads through me; my whole body feels as if it’s bubbling and melting, like sugar over fire.

He slowly runs his hand down my back until he reaches the end of my navy blue top. His fingers move underneath, and he gently caresses my bare skin. “You’re so soft,” he whispers.

His gaze focuses on me, and I lean back slightly to pull my top over my head. I want him to see me exactly the way I am because I know I’m beautiful in his eyes.

He lays me back on the bed and sighs softly as he looks me over, his face etched with admiration. He kisses me again, then drags his mouth along my jaw, his lips as light as a butterfly on a flower. They travel down my neck, and he licks the particularly sensitive spot over my collarbone until I’m quivering. I’m already soaked, and he hasn’t even touched my breasts.

He dips his head until he can bury his face between my cleavage. The sight of his dark head against my pale skin is intoxicating. We haven’t been together in a while, and I want him inside me now—even though at the same time I want to prolong this as much as possible.

His hand moves up, cups a breast, bra and all. When he turns his head to the other one, I shrug until the bra strap falls and the cup pulls away. He kisses the underside, his breath tickling my nipple until it hardens. I move my legs restlessly. “Please,” I beg, shoving my hand into his hair and guiding him toward where I want him the most.

He goes without any resistance, pulling the tip of my breast into his mouth. I cry out at a pleasure so sharp it almost hurts. He scrapes his teeth along the soft flesh, then traps the nipple between the roof of his mouth and tongue and sucks, his cheeks hollowing.

I buck, my hips leaving the matress. “Ryder…” I sob out. My nipple’s never been this sensitive, and desire has tightened its grip to where I can barely breathe.

He merely hums in response. The vibration travels all the way to my clit, and I squeeze my eyes shut at the most exquisite sensation. I arch my back, silently begging for more.

And he obliges.

He is relentless, a conqueror on a mission. It’s not just his tongue, but his teeth, lips, beard stubble…everything working together to drive me insane. He doesn’t neglect my other breast, making sure to massage it, priming it. To anchor myself, I dig my hands into the mattress, each arm tight and straight by my side. The position also arches my back and pushes my tits forward, but I don’t care as long as he keeps going.