by Wendi Zwaduk
She traced the letters with her finger, happy to touch anywhere on his body. “Is this the original logo?”
“That’s the prototype, yeah.” His voice came out ragged and husky. “I designed it myself when I came up with the idea for the show. I was just messing around.”
“Don’t discount yourself. This logo has an air of mysticism about it that better fits the show. It’s classy, yet eye-catching.” She placed her other hand on his chest, smoothing her palms to his shoulders. “Why didn’t you use it?”
“Matilda and the other head honchos said it looked tired—but what do they know?”
“Absolutely nothing.” Samara toyed with the hairs at the base of his skull. So soft and silky. Her nipples pebbled behind her bra. Did he feel the tension between them? The desire slowly eroding at her restraint? The warmth of his body radiated to hers. If she moved an inch, their lips would meet again.
Although his lids drooped to half-mast, Ryan shoved his hands into his pockets and nodded to the front room. “I’m gonna call it a night on the couch.”
“Yeah?” No, no. he was supposed to take her, to act like the Ryan she’d seen on the show—all bluster and sex appeal.
“Goodnight, sweetheart.”
Samara nibbled her bottom lip as he shuffled out of the bedroom. Embarrassment coursed through her veins. He wanted her to like him, not the persona from the show. And she’d admitted she liked him! Talk about making a mess out of nothing. She stared at the photos on the walls to regain her bearings, but her breath caught when a streak of lightning illuminated the room. A photo sat curled over on his dresser. Her curiosity got the better of her as she shifted the curled paper. In the image, he wore a tuxedo and smiled while a scantily clad brunette in white clung to his arm.
His wedding picture.
A pang of jealousy hit hard. Duh, she knew he’d been married. He’d told her so. Why did it bother her? Because she liked him more than she wanted to admit. She clutched her stomach, aware of the pounds in places most men found unappealing. He’d made the first move by insisting she join him for a ghost hunt. He admitted he wanted her even after she shoved him away with both hands. He stirred something deep within her. Her body craved his touch and her mind? Arguing with him charged her senses. Was it the Spirit Mate stuff he talked about?
Shedding her tank top and jeans, she pondered her next move. He said he liked her. Was he in the other room thinking about her, craving her touch and kiss? Only one way to find out. “Ryan?”
A thump echoed from the front room, followed by hurried footsteps. “Samara? What’s wrong?” Ryan, completely clothed, burst through the bedroom doorway. “Are you…?”
“I changed my mind. I want you to stay in here with me.”
His mouth opened and closed twice before he answered. He fisted his hands at his sides, tension radiating in his muscles. “I’ll sleep in my clothes so you don’t think I’m trying to take advantage of you.”
“I want you to.” There. She’d been blunt. Told him what she wanted without wimping out. He held the next move. “I’m here for your taking.”
“Huh?” His gaze roved over her body, pausing on her breasts before making the journey to her eyes. “Samara…”
“I’m not going to hide the fact I am very much attracted to you.” She slid the straps of her bra down her shoulders. No turning back now. “I don’t believe I have any special abilities and I’m not buying into this Spirit Mate business, but if part of the grand scheme is to bring us together—I’m game.”
“Babe.” The word came out low, on a groan. “I want.”
She climbed onto the bed, crawling towards him and closing the gap. “You sleep nude, don’t you?”
He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat. “That’s not the question I expected.” He cupped her skull, his thumbs caressing the skin behind her ears and sending a jolt of electricity to her core.
“Tell me the truth,” she replied, kissing his inner wrist.
His lips parted with a sigh. “You’re not gonna go easy on me?” When she shook her head, he continued, his voice hoarse. “Boxers, in case there’s a fire. I don’t want to flash the neighbourhood even if it is pitch black outside.”
A grin curled her lips. She’d created his edgy condition and damn if it didn’t feel wonderful. “You look…tense. Would you rather I wear your shirt?”
Ryan threaded his fingers into her hair and rested his forehead against hers, the warmth of his breath feathering her skin. “I want to see you naked.”
If she was going to screw up her life and throw good sense to the wind, she might as well go all the way. She hooked her fingers into his belt loops, giving in to the bone-deep desire to make love to him. “Stay with me.”
“My pleasure.”
In one fluid movement, Ryan released her and yanked his shirt up over his head, giving her the first delicious view of his chiselled torso. She splayed her hands over his pecs, relishing the feel of his hard body. A light dusting of hair below his belly button led the way to his buckle. The scent of his cologne, woodsy with a hint of soap, curled around her body. His nipples spiked under her touch. Going on instincts, she nipped her way across his chest. The taste of his salty skin exploded on her tongue.
“Yes, Sam.” Ryan groaned. “Like that.”
She wrapped her fingers around the back of his neck and blazed a trail of kisses to his throat. The scratch of his day old whiskers abraded the tip of her nose and chin. Without backing away, Samara reached around to remove her brassiere. No matter how hard she tried, the clasps wouldn’t give way.
“Let me,” Ryan murmured and stilled her hands. “I’ve got it in under three seconds—it’s instinct.” With the flick of his fingers, the bra catch opened. The cups slid from her breasts, baring her upper body.
She giggled under his gaze. “Well done.”
A lazy smile curled his mouth as he edged her back onto the bed. “Gorgeous.” Ryan towered over her, caressing her breast. “Kiss me.”
Samara threaded her arms around his neck, drawing him to her. The moment his lips met hers, she whimpered and opened to him. His tongue tangled with hers, the taste of cola and sheer man washing over her. She dug her nails into his shoulders, clamouring to get closer to him.
When he broke the connection, she panted. In a few short moments, he consumed her thoughts. “Ryan.” How had she managed to live without someone like him in her life?
“I need you.” He clasped her breast, rolling her nipple between his thumb and forefinger. “All mine.” Ryan travelled to her chest, leading the way with the flat of his tongue. He rubbed his stubbly cheek over both nipples before suckling. “I could stay here all night.”
“You could.” Pinpricks of electricity and need surged through her veins. She closed her eyes, unable to process the onslaught of emotions rushing through her. He said they had a connection—did he mean through sex? She forked her fingers into his hair and massaged his scalp. Her pussy throbbed, her juices coating her labia and the pucker of her ass. Her hips bucked with every lick and suck. Was it possible to come from a man’s mouth on her breasts?
Just as he brought her to the edge, Ryan rose up onto his elbows. “I want to taste you.”
Samara stared at him for a split second. Taste?
“Every inch of you is beautiful.” Ryan scooted off the bed and popped the button on his jeans. She gasped when he knelt between her thighs and nuzzled her leg. “Are you wet for me?”
Her tongue felt ten sizes too big for her mouth. She fisted her hands in the sheets. Yes, yes, yes, played on a loop in her brain.
A slow smile formed on his lips. Ryan hovered a whisper-length away from her cotton-clad pussy. She moaned from sheer anticipation. When he buried his nose at the apex of her drenched folds, she bucked her hips.
“Been a while?” he said against her labia, vibrating the sensitised tissue.
“Yes.” Too long.
“Then these need to go.” Before she realised what he’d done,
Ryan yanked the skimpy cotton down her legs. He shoved her panties in his jeans pocket and resumed his position at the end of the bed.
Bare meant nowhere to hide. Samara eased her knees together. Dim light or not, he could see every imperfection.
“Open.”
She froze. It wasn’t a question. He worked in demands. Well, hell.
“Do I need to spank you?”
The idea of him paddling her ass until it tinged a ripe pink had never occurred to her, yet his threat sounded so…erotic. Would he really spank her?
“I can see the wheels turning in your mind.” He tapped her inner knee. “Next time. Open.”
Samara complied, allowing him to see her every secret, but as she did, she closed her eyes. Better not to see him cringe, laugh or find her not up to par.
“You are beautiful, Samara.”
Her breath clogged in her throat as she met his gaze. Honesty glowed in his words. Of all the things he’d said, he hadn’t lied. Without words, he asked for her trust. He might not be the man she expected, no, but he was more.
When he traced her clit with his tongue, her body convulsed. The tremors started in her legs. She arched against him and Ryan perched her feet on his shoulders. He pierced her channel with his tongue, fucking her. Each swipe bringing her closer to nirvana, closer to believing in her own sensuality.
She moaned. As she writhed against his mouth, Ryan caressed the pucker of her ass with his fingers. She tensed a split second. No man had ever breached her rear entrance. With Ryan, the act seemed natural, like he’d been made to love her.
Holy hell. Love? Yeah, the idea that he could love her crossed her mind. And a tiny part of her heart loved him in return—not that she could tell him.
“Come for me, babe.” Ryan spread her pussy lips wide, suckling on her clit.
The orgasm built low in her belly and spread along her nerve endings. A white-hot bolt of pleasure heated her womb. She licked her dry lips and panted. Fisting the sheets, she gave in to the sensations. “Ryan.” Seconds seemed to drag on forever as the residual quakes subsided.
Warmth flooded her pussy and washed over her ass. As she lay limp and emotionally drained on his bed, the thought occurred to her. She’d never come quite so hard before. She shifted a fraction of an inch. The bed was wet. What had she done?
“You came, sweetheart.” Ryan stood and shoved his jeans and boxers past his hips. His cock, at least six inches of steel, pointed to her. The dusky tip glistened with clear liquid. For her? She shivered at the predation and heat in his eyes. Holy crap.
“I’ve never made a woman climax the way you did and I liked it.” He crawled onto the bed, nestling himself between her legs. His cock throbbed against her clit, renewing her arousal. He fused his lips to hers, the tangy spice of her juices on his tongue. Releasing the sheet, she slid her hands along his torso and relished the feel of his body, his spirit enveloping hers. He pumped his hips, grinding against her.
“Do I measure up?”
She swallowed past the lump in her throat. Did he measure up? To what? Her fuzzy brain cleared. Mr. Self-Control needed an ego boost. “You’re fishing for a compliment.”
When she looked away, he slithered against her until she had to look into his eyes. “I want to please you.”
Pink bled across his cheeks or was it the odd colours from the security light playing mind tricks?
“You did.” More than he’d ever believe. She reached between their bodies and caressed his bottom lip with her index finger. “Condom?”
“Another reason I can’t let you go. You’re the smart one. Hold still.” Ryan grappled in the bedside stand. He produced a foil packet and tore it with his teeth. “I haven’t had use for these in a while.” He rose up onto his knees, sheathing his erection with the latex barrier. “Soon I want to feel you skin to skin.”
“Take me,” she murmured.
“I’ll make love to you.”
Ryan pinched her clit, the sparks radiating to the centre of her soul. She groaned and rocked against him. Using his fingers, he pumped into her. “Fuck, I want to make this last, but I can’t wait.”
“Then don’t.”
A wide smile curled his lips. He breached her with one push. She dug her nails into his back, not sure he’d fit. His balls slapped against the sensitised flesh of her asshole, adding to the intensity of his lovemaking.
“You were made for me,” he whispered. “You’re part of my soul.”
Well damn her fears to hell. Smoothing her hands up his shoulders to his arms, she met his fervent thrusts and bucked beneath him. The force of his actions lurched the bed into the wall, the knocking sound bouncing off the walls.
“Samara.” He growled. A wild look of desire and need burned in his eyes. “Come for me, babe. We’ll fly together.”
As if his words were magic, the walls around her heart shattered and the orgasm building within her soul burst. Moving from his arms, she clasped his ass, slamming him into her. “Ryan.”
Perspiration dotted his creased brow. “Fuck, yes.” He forked his fingers into her hair, sealing his mouth over hers and smothering her groan. The pleasure pain radiated from her scalp to her pussy, sending her spiralling to another orgasm.
He tensed, his momentum erratic and brutal. Ryan broke for air, his forehead resting on hers as he slumped down onto her torso. He added a couple of residual thrusts then stilled. “Amazing.”
When he fell back against the tousled sheets, Samara rolled onto her side and cuddled in his arms, tangling her legs with his. She panted to gain her breath, unable to draw enough air into her lungs. “I don’t have to worry about being bombarded by nosy ghosts or evil entities. You’re going to kill me with sex.”
“I doubt that,” Ryan murmured and kissed the top of her head. “I need to toss the rubber, but I don’t want to move.” He sat up and sighed. “Be right back. Don’t go anywhere.” Out of her line of vision, he removed the condom.
Samara caressed her kiss swollen lips with her fingers. Ryan Black was nothing like she expected. He was a man she could love. Love. A worthless emotion. Not in the course of a couple of hours. Still, she wanted to take the chance with him. The splashing of water interrupted her thoughts. Ryan emerged from the bathroom, wash cloth in hand.
“I don’t want to let you go. You make me a better man.” He knelt on the bed and smoothed the warm cloth over her pussy. “Let me take care of you.”
The cleansing took only a moment, but the meaning within the action stayed in her mind. The alpha male in a vulnerable situation, buoying her respect for him.
“I like the flattery, but it’s not necessary.” Samara closed her legs as he stood. He’d been honest—so could she. “I already like you.”
When he re-entered the room, a thousand-watt smile spread across his lips and brightened in his eyes. “Then the feeling is much more than mutual.” He stretched out next to her on the bed, tugging the rumpled comforter over their nude bodies. “Now where were we? My favourite part—holding you.”
She squirmed to get closer. His rapid heartbeat played in time with hers. She rolled her tongue around her dry mouth, measuring the words in her heart. “I have a question. Why aren’t you with anyone?”
Her question socked him right between the eyes. “And let you wound my ego when you learn the truth?”
She crawled onto his chest and rested her chin on her folded hands. “I won’t laugh. I saw the pictures. She’s beautiful.”
Using his index finger, he tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. No point in keeping secrets. “I gave my heart away too easily to someone who didn’t want it.”
She stared at him, silently. Not asking questions, not pushing him to talk. Just listening. Sincerity shone in her eyes. A wave of calm surged through him. He could tell her anything. Time to unload his burden and move on with his life.
“Felicity decided I wasn’t enough for her and walked out. We married too young and fought too much.” He closed his eyes to keep h
is emotions at bay—dissolution, anger, frustration… “She left me for my best friend.”
“Ryan, I’m sorry.”
He opened his eyes as she wiped the tears trickling down his temples. “Lis was a force to reckon with.” He snuggled Samara, resting her head in the crook of his neck. “When I met her, I didn’t realise what I’d got into. She wanted the world and I had nothing but my heart to give. Once she died, my crazy heart wouldn’t give up. I thought I saw her everywhere, but it wasn’t until three years ago she made me believe in ghosts. She came to me.”
“She loved you. Still does.”
Drawing a breath into his lungs, he considered Samara’s declaration and his time with Felicity. The fights, the mood swings…it didn’t seem nearly so awful. Why? Being with Samara took the edge off. He chuckled. Felicity’s words came back to him in a rush. You deserve better.
“She gave me permission to move on. Said she finally realised we didn’t make each other happy and deserved better.”
Samara tensed in his arms. “Oh.”
He turned on his side to stare into her eyes. “Sweetheart, she told me I’d find a woman who was perfect for me. One who can read my mind without knowing it and arrest my soul with just a smile.”
Her voice came out in a whisper. “Did you find her?”
“You’re more than I ever imagined.” He rubbed his erection between her thighs. “And yes, you can hear my thoughts.”
“You’ve knocked a screw loose.” She squirmed out of his arms, the sheet slipping from her body, bearing her breasts. “Twelve hours and white-hot sex isn’t enough to base a relationship on.” She grasped the cotton to cover her nudity. “You barely know me. How do you know I can read your mind?”
“Love can happen in an instant.” He stilled her movements. “When we’re together, the colour comes back into my murky grey world. I can feel your thoughts, like the ability is shared and we’re stronger.”
She stared at him for a long moment. The corner of her mouth kinked. “You’re schmaltzy at four in the morning—but I had an inkling. It was like I could hear you saying you wanted to have sex in all those places. Apparently, I’d tapped into your thoughts. Amazing.”
