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My body’s on fire, every nerve lit up as Ryan’s lips crash against mine. He tastes like whiskey, dark and smooth, and I can’t get enough. His scent—sandalwood, rich and warm—wraps around me, making my head spin. Every inch of him is rock-hard against me, his broad chest, his powerful arms, his whole presence overwhelming in the best way. Any thoughts I had about not hooking up with the talent? Gone. Out the window. He’s consuming, his kiss possessive, as if he’s telling me with every movement of his lips that I’m his .

When he asks me if I want to get out of here, I don’t need to think. I just nod, breathless, my mind too hazy with want to form words.

The ride back to the hotel feels like the longest car ride of my life, even though it’s only a few minutes. Ryan’s hand is wrapped around mine as he drives, his fingers firm but gentle, that tension between us building, growing unbearable. The air in the car is thick, charged with anticipation. His thumb brushes over my skin in slow circles, and every touch sends a fresh wave of heat rolling through me. I can’t stop glancing over at him—his jaw tight, eyes locked on the road, but I can see the same fire burning in him, barely contained.

By the time we pull up to the hotel, I’m already out of the car before it’s fully parked, and so is he. We don’t waste a second. We’re practically running to the elevator, our hands locked together.

The second the doors slide shut, his mouth is on mine again, urgent and hungry. His hands are everywhere—on my waist, my hips, my back—his body pressing me against the elevator wall, caging me in. I can feel the solid weight of him, the heat radiating off his skin, and it only makes me want him more.

His cock hardens against me, thick and insistent, and when my hand brushes against the bulge in his pants, he lets out a low groan that sends electricity shooting through my body. That sound... God, I want to hear it again.

I barely register the ding of the elevator doors opening until Ryan pulls back, his chest heaving, eyes dark and intense. Without a word, he grabs my hand, leading me down the hallway. Everything is moving fast, but at the same time, it feels like we’re in slow motion. The heat between us is doing all the talking, making words unnecessary.

When we reach his room, Ryan wastes no time. His hands grip my waist, and in one swift movement, he lifts me up as if I weigh nothing. My legs wrap around his muscular body, and he kisses me like he’s starving—like he’s been waiting for this, for me , forever. I’m lost in him, in the sheer power of him as he walks us to the bed.

He lowers me gently, but the hunger in his kiss never falters. The second my back hits the mattress, Ryan pulls his shirt over his head in one fluid motion, and my breath catches in my throat. His body is... spectacular . Muscles ripple across his abs, his chest, his arms, each one perfectly defined, his tattoos stretching across his tanned skin, making him look even more dangerous. Even more desirable.

A soft sound escapes me, half a gasp, half a moan, as he climbs onto the bed, his body hovering over mine, his hands already trailing up my thighs, sliding under the hem of my dress. The heat of his skin on mine is enough to drive me wild. My breath is coming in short, shaky bursts, and I can hardly think, hardly breathe.

“Ryan...” His name leaves my lips in a breathy whisper, and I can see the effect it has on him. His gaze darkens, his jaw clenching as his fingers inch higher, lifting my dress with them.

“I want you,” I whisper, the words spilling out before I can stop them, and I feel the tension in him snap.

His control falters, and with a growl, he pulls my dress over my head, revealing the lacy black bra and panties I’d barely thought about when I put them on earlier. His hands are everywhere—rough yet gentle, commanding yet tender. He’s got me wrapped up in him, his body pressed against mine, making me feel small and vulnerable, but at the same time, safe. His touch is possessive, like he’s claiming me, like he’s letting the world know I’m his.

And God, I want to be his.

I bite my lip, eyes locked on his as his hands roam over my body, his weight pressing me into the mattress, every inch of him hot and hard against me.

This... this is everything I’ve been wanting, everything I didn’t know I needed.

Ryan’s mouth moves across my body, his beard brushing against my skin, leaving goosebumps in its wake. Every soft kiss across my chest sends sparks of electricity through me. I arch my back slightly as his lips trail down my stomach, leaving a hot path of fire that has my insides twisting in the most delicious way.

His hands grip my thighs, pulling me closer as he kisses his way down, teasing but not giving me what I desperately want. My hands rake up his muscular back, my fingers digging into his skin. I can’t help the quiet moan that escapes my lips as he gently unclasps my bra, tossing it aside like it was always meant to be on the floor between us.

A deep growl rumbles through his chest when his eyes meet mine, full of hunger and raw desire. His mouth moves to my breasts, taking a nipple between his lips, sucking on it gently at first, then harder. I gasp, my body responding immediately, arching up to meet him.

“Ryan…” His name comes out as a whisper, a plea, but he’s in no rush. He’s savoring every moment, taking his time like he’s memorizing every inch of me. His tongue flicks across my skin, teasing and tasting, sending shivers down my spine.

I’m on fire. Every nerve ending in my body is alive with sensation, and the way his hands roam over me, his rough palms against my soft skin, only intensifies the need building inside me. I need him now, but Ryan’s in control. He’s not rushing; he’s savoring every inch of me, as if he has all the time in the world.

His lips trail lower, kissing down my stomach, his tongue leaving a hot, wet path down my thighs. I shudder, my legs parting as his hand caresses me there, his fingers grazing over the fabric of my panties. The sensation sends a jolt through me, and I let out a soft whimper, needing more.

But Ryan is slow, methodical. He presses soft kisses against the inside of my thigh, inching closer to where I ache for him the most. My breath is ragged, and I can barely think as his mouth moves with precision and purpose. His fingers hook around the lace of my panties, and with a deliberate pull, they’re gone, joining the pile of discarded clothing on the floor.

I’m trembling beneath him, a desperate heat building in my core. When he looks up at me, his molten brown eyes dark with lust, I’m lost in him. He’s going to take his time, and I don’t know how much more of this teasing I can handle.

“You’re so beautiful,” he murmurs, his voice rough, sending a shiver through me as his mouth descends once more.

His tongue glides over me, and the world spins.