Page 111 of Babies for the Christmas Grump

I pace the length of the room, my thoughts spiraling out of control, my anger still burning too brightly to ignore.

The door creaks open behind me, and of course, Ryder follows. Because he never backs down, does he?

“I’m not done talking about this, Sunny.”

I turn on him, my hands clenching at my sides. “Oh, you’re not done? Well, I’m done. I’m done trying to play nice. I’m done trying to keep everything together. I’m done pretending like I’ve got it all under control when everything is falling apart. You don’t get to come in here acting like everything is fine and dandy when it’s not.”

He steps further into the room, his presence filling the space, large and overwhelming. “I never said it was fine and dandy, Sunny. And yes, I haven’t helped, because I’ve been focused on other things.”

I let out a humorless laugh, turning away from him to look out the window. “Yeah, the other mess the hotel is in.”

He doesn’t say anything at first, just takes a few steps toward me. “Sunny… I’m here for you. I’m on your side.”

I close my eyes, letting out a shaky breath as I turn away. I’m trying to hold it together, but I feel his presence closing in behind me.

I can’t stop myself from leaning into him, even though every part of me tells me to pull away.

But before I can think, before I can overthink it, his hand gently brushes my arm, and it sends a shock straight to my core. I inhale sharply, my pulse picking up. I spin around, my eyes locking with his.

And then… the world falls away.

His hand cups my cheek, warm and familiar, and for one breathless second, I look at him. His gaze is fierce, protective, and there’s a look in his eyes that makes my heart stutter.

His lips crash against mine, and I feel it everywhere. The world is spinning out of control, and the only thing that matters is the taste of him, the heat of him, the way he pulls me closer, deeper into him.

His mouth is on mine before I can second-guess it, before I can shove him back into the hallway. The kiss is wild, angry, desperate. All the words we can’t say are pouring out through the clash of our lips.

I moan against him, half from frustration, half from relief. My hands fist in his shirt, dragging him closer. He’s solid everywhere, unmovable, and somehow that fuels the storm inside me.

“You infuriate me,” I hiss when he pulls back for breath.

His lips curve in a dangerous grin, his forehead resting against mine. “Funny. I was thinking the same thing.”

Before I can snap back, he lifts me. My back hits the bed, his weight settling over me, pinning me down in the best possible way.

His mouth trails down my neck, my chest, my stomach. Slow enough to make me squirm, fast enough to keep me begging for more.

“Ryder…” My voice is already shaky, the storm of frustration giving way to need.

He parts my thighs with his hands, pushing my dress higher until the fabric is bunched at my waist. His eyes meet mine, hungry, daring.

“I want to taste you, Sunny.”

Before I can answer, his head dips, and then his tongue is on me. Hot, wet, devastating.

I cry out, hips bucking as he licks a long, slow stroke up my slit, teasing my clit before sucking it into his mouth.

The pressure is exquisite, making me gasp and dragging me higher with every flick of his tongue. He presses my thighs open with his strong hands, holding me down when I start to thrash.

“Stay still,” he growls against me, and the vibration makes me shudder.

I grab at the sheets, my body arching off the bed, shameless cries spilling from my lips. He eats me, starving, his tongue working me over, his pace building until I’m spiraling, my entire body trembling.

“Ryder, I can’t?—”

“Yes, you can.” His voice is dark, commanding, before he buries his mouth against me again.

The orgasm slams into me hard, tearing through me until I’m shaking, gasping, completely undone. I scream his name, clutching at his hair, riding the waves until I collapse back against the mattress.