Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 65354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
“You need something to drink,” he called out, and I smiled. I was dehydrated, and felt him hold something cold against my hand. I opened my eyes and allowed him to settle me against the cushions as I took a long drink of water. Ryder sat beside me with his glass, watching me intently as he sipped it slowly.
“How did you do that?” I asked, and he shrugged one shoulder.
“Was it too fast for you?”
I thought about my answer. “We were kissing. We were clothed, and I didn’t expect it. You didn’t take advantage of me.” I looked at him as he breathed out in relief. Concern crossed my face. “Oh, I managed to… and you didn’t?”
“It’s okay. I’m not here for that,” he assured me as I thought back to guys I’d been with in the past. Nobody had ever been more concerned for me than themselves.
We remained quiet for a while, and I thought about what happened. Even when I’d had sex with the few men I’d tried to have a relationship with, it never felt the way it did just now with Ryder.
“Will you come to the pre-season game tomorrow night?” Ryder broke into my thoughts, and I blinked before looking up at him. “I can get tickets for you, Tori, and anyone else you want to bring along.”
“I’d like that. It would probably just be Tori,” I replied, knowing that she’d love it.
“She’s your best friend?” Ryder asked, and I smiled.
“I only hang out with her. I mean, I know people I work with, but we’re not close outside of the shop.” I knew that most girls my age had a group of friends and preferred to stay home or do low-key activities. I withdrew when Mom died and didn’t connect with people as I dealt with everything. Tori was the one person who reached deep inside me the first time I met her at school, and I slowly started to tell her everything. She helped me through the painful memories and sleepless nights that continued to plague me.
“Usually, I see girls come to the games in groups like they don’t know what to do without one another.” Ryder mused as he took me in. “You seem like you’re happy letting Tori have the spotlight.”
“You met her. It just shines down on her naturally. I’m okay with that,” I replied as he smiled. “I’m surprised you’re here with me, to be honest. Most guys want Tori.”
“I’m not most guys. She’s great, but it was you who took my breath away that night at the bar.”
I blushed.
“You looked like an angel. When I talked to you, I couldn’t help but feel drawn to you.”
“Oh, my God. Nobody has ever spoken to me like that. Not since… never mind.” I shook my head slowly. My mom always said I was an angel, and Ryder brought up old memories.
“Tell me,” he urged, moving closer and stroking my jaw with his hand.
“You just reminded me of someone,” I told him vaguely, leaning in for a kiss to distract him from his question. He moaned gently but responded slowly, pulling me closer as he slid me over his lap.
Now I wondered who was distracting whom.
We remained like this, kissing slow and hard. My body screamed for more, but I thought about him as I rocked slowly over his hard cock. I wanted to make him come the way he did me. I kept rolling, moving my mouth down his neck, and taking his skin between my teeth. This wasn’t me, and I was never this bold. I gasped as he slipped his hands down to cup my ass, warning me of what I was doing to him. “I know,” I assured him as he held me tight, pressing into me.
“Elyse… fucking hell. You feel so good.” He claimed my lips in a long kiss as he jerked once, then twice. I breathed in as he pulled away to gasp my name. I did it and smiled as I dropped my face into his neck. “I don’t think I’ve done that since I was a teen.”
We sat there for a few minutes in silence, his arm around my shoulder and his hand on my crossed knee. My head was swimming with thoughts. Could this be more than just a fling? Could I trust Ryder with my feelings? Could I let him know about the burden of my past?
I found myself falling asleep, something I rarely did with other people around. Sleep made me vulnerable. I woke only when Ryder shifted a little.
“Sorry, did I wake you?” he asked, kissing me on the forehead.
“Yes,” I murmured. “But don’t worry about it.”
“I should get going.”
“I understand.” I half wanted him to stay, but I needed to be alone.
He kissed me at the door and told me that he’d text me the information about the game. That made me blush all over again.