Page 84 of The Restoration Program

“Your turn,” she said. She pushed at his chin when he did not move, sitting up on her knees. She ran her hands through her hair and touched her own body and watched his face.

“You’re sure?”

“Shut up,” Nicole said, arching a brow. “Don’t pretend you’re not seconds away frombegging.”

Ryan smirked at this as he adjusted, laying on the couch. She looked on with parted lips as his pants lowered and revealed how hard he was. The moment he settled, she squirmed out of his grasp to stand on his chest. She took a second to learn the rhythm of his breathing before she dropped to hands and knees, crawling down his body. She left a trail of kisses and teasing nibbles along the way, pausing to grin when his breath hitched and made her sway.

When at least she reached his cock, his breaths deepened with anticipation. He’d never said it in so many words, but she knew he’d been waiting for this since the moment she’d come home. The fact that she had to fight for balance was strangely titillating. Something as mundane as hisbreathinghad an otherworldly effect now. She glanced back to see that his head was tilted back, fingers digging deep into the backrest and cushion. The energy thrumming through his body made her dizzy with ecstasy all over again.

Her knees hugged his dick like a stallion that had been awaiting its rider. A little moan escaped his lips, sending a wave of gratification through her. Feeling him shift position, she peeked back again. A hand reached toward her, aiming to grab both her and his cock as one.

“W-wait!” she squealed instinctively. “I got this, Ry.”

“It’s okay, I’m just helping.”

“No!” Nicole squeezed him, fingers and knees. “N-no, Ry, just.. Just letme.”

The fear in her own voice surprised her. Fear that he would lose himself in the midst of passion and squeeze her hard enough to bruise. Hard enough tobreak. He gripped the cushion instead.

“You’re so perfect,” he panted. “Oh my god,Nicki. You’re so perfect.”

The busboy’s sweaty face flashed in her mind’s eye. She banished the intrusion with a groan, redirecting her anguish into passion.

Something changed in the way he was tensing beneath her. She felt it building in him like a countdown.

Three.

Two.

Ryan’s hand crashed around her, pinning her.

His grip slackened, and Nicole slumped forward, breathing heavily. She put up no resistance when Ryan gingerly wrapped his hand around her middle and lifted her up.

“Sorry,” he said huskily. “I couldn’t help myself.” He tucked her near his chest. One toned arm wrap kept her close, cocooning her with his body.

Nicole suppressed the lingering fright from the sudden grab, the sensation of crushing strength directed around her. She shook her head, determined not to let a second stain marr their wedding night.

“Well… I was that good?” she said.

“Amazing,” Ryan purred. He pulled her close and gave her gentle kisses. “So amazing, babe.”

“Mm, tell me more.”

He pushed a hand back through his hair. “Seeing you on me like that… Your little legs wrapped around my cock—Jesus.”He gave a weak, breathy laugh and held her close.

Her heart rate slowed as she watched his bare skin flicker orange in the candlelight. Her ribs throbbed from his excited trip. He’d beenexcited.That was a good thing.

“I love it when you hold me like this,” she sighed.

“Yeah?”

Nicole stretched her hand over the plane of firm muscle. She found a freckle under his collarbone she’d never noticed before and circled it with her finger. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever felt before. I feel so completely surrounded. Like the world can’t get to me through you.”

“Definitely not.” Ryan gave her a squeeze that left her breathless. She shuddered out another happy sigh. He touched the diamond resting over her heart. “If the world doesn’t know that you’re mine yet, it will.”

DAY EIGHTY-EIGHT

“You two aredisgustinglycute.” Darlene had a specific inflection of sigh reserved for each wedding photo that Nicole clicked through on the laptop. Dropping her chin in her hand, Darlene pouted. “I still can’t believe you didn’t invite me.”