Page 29

Chapter Twenty-Nine

The ride back to Birchwood Hollow felt endless. Twenty-four miles of tortuous anticipation stretched between us and my little house. Ryder kept both hands firmly on the wheel, his knuckles white from gripping it so tightly. The silence between us crackled with electricity.

I stared out the window, watching the dark shapes of trees blur past. My heart hadn’t stopped racing since we left the restaurant parking lot after Ryder’s kiss. Every time he turned the wheel, even the smallest amount, the muscles in his arms tensed.

“If I haven’t said it already, you look so incredible,” Ryder said, his voice rough. “That dress… shit, it’s killing me.”

I turned to look at him, catching the heat in his gaze when he glanced my way. “Thank you for dinner and the wine. It was absolutely amazing.”

“I’d rather be tasting you right now,” he growled.

My breath caught in my throat. The intensity of his words made heat pool low in my belly. I shifted in my seat, my thighs pressing together as desire built between them. I tried to think of anything else, but everything led back to Ryder.

After about five minutes of this delicious torture, Ryder’s deep voice broke the silence. “Hey, why don’t you slide over?”

I hesitated only a second before unbuckling my seatbelt. I moved across the bench seat, sliding until my hip pressed against his. The truck suddenly felt much smaller, filled with his masculine scent — fresh pine, earthy musk, and something distinctly Ryder.

He lifted his right arm and wrapped it around my shoulders, pulling me even closer. I nestled against his side, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breathing and the solid warmth of his body. Without thinking, I placed my hand on his thigh, feeling the powerful muscle tense beneath my touch.

His hand began tracing lazy patterns on my bare shoulder, sending shivers down my spine. His fingers slipped beneath the thin strap of my dress, testing the boundary between fabric and skin.

I watched the dark road ahead, streetlights and passing headlights occasionally illuminating the cab, bathing us in golden light before plunging us back into shadow. Each time the darkness embraced us, Ryder’s fingers grew bolder, venturing lower along my collarbone.

My hand twitched on his thigh, wanting to explore higher. I tried to resist since he was driving, but the solid heat of him beneath my palm was just too tempting. I slowly inched my hand upward, feeling his muscles flex beneath my touch.

“Mm, Everly,” he warned, dragging my name out like taffy.

I bit my lip, battling my better judgment and losing spectacularly. My hand slid between his legs, cupping the hard ridge straining against his pants. A growl rumbled deep inside his chest, and the truck swerved slightly before he regained control.

“Christ,” he breathed, his arm tightening around me.

I could feel how ready he was, how much he wanted me. The power of it was intoxicating. I stroked him through the fabric, feeling him throb against my palm.

“I need to pull over,” he said, his voice hoarse. “Right fucking now.”

“Where?” I said, looking around.

“Anywhere,” he whispered.

The truck slowed as Ryder steered onto a dirt turnout surrounded by tall pines. The moment the engine cut off, he twisted in his seat, his hands cupping my face as his mouth crashed down on mine.

His kiss was hungry, demanding, his tongue sweeping into my mouth as he devoured me. One large hand tangled in my hair while the other slid down my neck, tracing the edge of my dress where it dipped low between my breasts.

I moaned against his lips, pressing closer to him. My fingers fumbled with his belt, desperate to feel his skin against mine.

Our eyes locked as he reached over, sliding the straps down my shoulders until my dress fell, my breasts glowing in the dashboard lights. His hand slid up my thigh as I stroked his length, my dress bunching around my middle. When his fingers brushed against the damp silk between my legs, I gasped.

“Fuck,” he said, gripping the front of my underwear. “Are these special to you?”

I shook my head, and in one quick motion, he ripped them away from my body. His finger dipped inside, finding me slick and very, very ready.

“I’ll buy you new ones,” he whispered.

I arched against his hand, crying out when he slipped another finger inside. “Oh, god.”

“You’re so beautiful, especially like this,” he murmured, his breath hot against my skin.

I shifted position, my eyes never leaving Ryder’s as I leaned down toward his lap. His eyes darkened, pupils blown wide with desire as he realized my intention.

“Shit, Everly,” he groaned, his voice strained as my lips brushed against the tip of his cock.

I took him into my mouth slowly, savoring the way his breath hitched. His hand tangled in my hair, not pushing, just holding on like I was his anchor in a storm. I loved the hardness of him against my tongue, the taste uniquely his.

“Holy fuck,” he whispered hoarsely.

As I worked him deeper, I felt his other hand sliding up the back of my thigh, tracing the curve of my ass. His fingers found me from behind, dipping gently into my wetness.

I moaned around him as his talented fingers stroked me, matching the rhythm I’d set. The dual sensation of pleasuring him while he touched me was overwhelmingly erotic. Each time I took him deeper, he rewarded me with firmer touches, his fingers circling my clit before plunging inside me again, making my whole body shudder.

The truck’s windows had fogged completely, creating our own private world. The only sounds were our labored breathing and the occasional wet sounds of our bodies connecting.

“God, Everly, you’re killing me,” he said with a deep moan. “So fucking perfect.”

His praise spurred me on, and I took him deeper than I thought possible. Ryder’s fingers never stopped their relentless rhythm, pushing me closer to the edge.

“Look at me,” Ryder commanded.

I lifted my head, meeting Ryder’s gaze — his eyes dark and hungry in a way that made my insides melt. In that moment, I couldn’t bear another second without feeling all of him.

“Shouldn’t we wait?” he asked, breathing heavily. “Until we get back to your place.”

“No, I need you,” I whispered, my voice barely recognizable to my own ears. “Now. I can’t wait.”

Ryder didn’t respond with words. His hands gripped my waist, effortlessly lifting me across his body until I was straddling him. The steering wheel pressed against my back, but I didn’t care even a little. My dress was bunched up around my waist, my body completely exposed to him while his hard length pressed insistently against me.

His hands tightened on my hips as he guided me down, sliding himself into me with ease. I sank down slowly as he filled me, exquisitely perfect and overwhelming at the same time.

“Fuck, Everly,” he groaned, his forehead dropping to my shoulder. “You feel so goddamn good.”

I braced my hands on his broad shoulders, using them as leverage as I began to move. The confined space of the truck cab made each movement slow and careful, intensifying every sensation.

Ryder’s hand slid up my sides, shifting the silky fabric against my skin before cupping my breasts. His thumbs brushed over my nipples, sending sparks through my entire being.

He growled as I glided up and down him, my thighs shaking. I couldn’t form words, I could only feel him inside me, his rough hands on my skin, his hot breath against my neck. Each time I dropped down onto him, he thrust up to meet me, hitting a spot so deep inside that the top of my head tingled.

The truck rocked slightly with our movements, the suspension creaking as our pace increased. I didn’t care if the whole world knew what we were doing — nothing existed outside of this moment, outside of Ryder.

“Oh, god, Ryder,” I said, gasping for air as tension coiled tighter within me.

“Let me see you,” he growled, one hand sliding between our bodies where we were joined, his thumb finding my clit with unerring precision. “Come for me, Everly. Now.”

His command, combined with the perfect pressure of his thumb, sent me hurtling over the edge. My entire body clenched as my orgasm crashed through me in overwhelming waves. I cried out, my nails digging into his shoulders through his shirt.

Ryder’s eyes glowed brightly as he grabbed my hips, holding me firmly as he thrust up into me twice before he came with a deep, throaty groan. He buried his face against my neck, a string of curses and my name falling from his lips.

For several moments, we remained locked together, our breathing gradually slowing. I rested my head on his shoulder, my body feeling too heavy to move. His hands stroked soothingly up and down my back.

“You okay?” he murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to the side of my head.

I nodded, a small laugh escaping me. “Better than okay. Although I’m not sure I’ll be able to walk tomorrow.”

His deep chuckle rumbled through his chest and into mine. “Worth it.”

As our heartbeats returned to normal, I became aware of the slightly awkward position, half-naked, cramped against the steering wheel of his truck on the side of a deserted road. I carefully extracted myself from his lap and attempted to put my dress back in place.

Ryder glided the strap over my shoulder, his expression growing serious. “I don’t want you to think this is all I wanted from tonight.”

“I know,” I whispered. “It’s just hard to… not want to… with you.”

“It’s an irresistible pull,” he said, zipping his pants.

I settled into the seat beside him as he started the truck again. “It’s kind of weird. I’ve never felt anything this strongly before.”

“Neither have I,” Ryder admitted. “I really like it, though. It’s going to be hard when you leave.”

“Let’s not talk about that right now,” I said, resting my head against his shoulder. “Let’s just enjoy our time together while we get it, okay?”

“Okay,” he said, kissing the top of my head again.

The rest of the drive passed quicker than I expected, snuggling against Ryder’s warm side. His arm stayed draped around my shoulders, occasionally squeezing me closer as if reassuring himself I was really there.

“Sorry about your underwear,” Ryder said as we turned onto my road.

“It’s fine,” I said, looking down at my legs. “Although I’m not sure how I’ll get out of the truck without flashing everyone.”

“Lucky for you, no one lives around you.”

I frowned. “Not so lucky for my now deceased neighbor.”

“Oh, shit,” Ryder said, wincing. “I didn’t mean that, I just meant you live out in the country.”

As we approached my driveway, Ryder’s body suddenly tensed beside me. His arm tightened around my shoulders, then slowly withdrew as he sat up straighter, eyes narrowing at something ahead.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, following his gaze.

Ryder’s jaw tensed. “Someone’s here.”