Page 32 of Revenge Saints

He leans into my neck, lips brushing my skin in a soft kiss that burns. His free hand wraps around my throat, fingers tightening, and I groan, fighting the urge to throw him onto the floor and take what he’s clearly begging for.

His wrist twists in my grip, and I release him before I hurt him. “What the fuck are you doing?” I growl.

But Ryker doesn’t give me a second to think. His hand drops, palming my cock through my jeans, and a low, guttural moan escapes me.

“Fuck this,” I snap, twisting toward him. My hand tangles in the back of his hair, yanking him closer until our mouths crash together. He gasps, lips parting, and I take full advantage, devouring him, owning his mouth like it’s mine and only mine.

He shifts, his body pressing flush to mine, and his fingers makequick work of my jeans. My whole body tightens.

Shit.

Knox is still in the bedroom with Aspen. They could walk out any second. And if they do?

Ryker will bolt. I know it. He’ll vanish like he always does when it gets too real.

“Stop,” I mutter, pushing him away harder than I meant to. “Ryker!”

His eyes widen, hurt flickering before he masks it. He stands abruptly, chest heaving.

“Sorry,” he chokes, but the word hangs unfinished as he turns and storms off toward one of the rooms.

Fuck.

I shoot up after him, heart pounding like a fucking war drum.

He slams the door, but I kick it before it closes.

“Ryker!”

“Fuck this, Max!” He snaps, and I see it, the way his body shifts, going full combat mode. I straighten up, squaring my shoulders. I know him.

It’s his defense. His walls. His way of keeping people out.

Too bad I don’t give a single fuck about that.

“It’s not what you’re thinking,” I start, trying to explain.

“You keep saying I never make a move,” he cuts in. “That it’s always you. And the one fucking time I do, you shut me down!”

The pain in his words guts me.

“Aspen and Knox are in the bedroom, Ryker. If they came out, you’d shut down. You’d spiral, and you know it.” I step closer,locking my gaze on his. My body’s bracing and ready for impact.

“She saw us,” he snaps, pointing toward the closed door.

“She saw us kiss,” I try to keep my tone calm to ground him.

“And Knox doesn’t give a shit!” He steps in, eyes burning.

“He never did, Ryker. You’re the only one who did.” I glance at his feet; he’s grounding himself. Preparing.

This fucker wants me to pin him.

I smirk.

“Ryker,” I say low, rolling my shoulders as my muscles tense. I crack my neck side to side. “I’m not fighting you when you’re actually pissed at me.”

He scoffs, eyes darkening.