My heels click against the hard floor and suddenly I'm wishing I'd worn flats. I admit; I'm not the most graceful person in heels; I only wore them because they looked good with the skirt. I didn't expect to be asked to dance tonight. Stopping at the first open space, Ryder wraps his arms around my waist, pulling my body close to his muscular chest. I've hugged him before but it was a friend hug; the one arm, lean in without touching hug. I could get lost in his strong arms and that would be fine by me. The heat coming from his body ignites a fire within me, settling at my core. I've known for years that he works out religiously every day; and I've dreamed about his arms around me.
"Are you ok?"
"Yeah. Sure. Why do you ask?" I can feel my cheeks warm and I'm suddenly glad he can't read minds.
"You left for a moment." He said. "Please tell me you weren't thinking about Jared. He doesn't deserve you Miranda. You should be with someone who will love you like no one else."
"Surely you haven't forgotten about the night I sent you a picture of him and that woman he was all wrapped up with? You even came to the club to see for yourself. You remember that right? That alone should make you want to hate him." He scolded. He has no idea how dead on he is. I do believe I deserve someone who will love me back as much as I love them.
"Oh, I remember perfectly." I stated sharply. However, Jared had more important things going on at that moment to be worried about me standing there watching the whole horrible scene unfold before my eyes. Hopefully the skank was worth the money though, because she definitely looked like a professional to me.
I would like to believe I warrant someone like Ryder. He's the perfect friend, always there to pick up the pieces, always there to celebrate achievements, and lifts me up when I'm down. His ex doesn't know what she lost when she let him go. He slips his finger under my chin and looks into my eyes. His eyes are so dark that you can barely tell there is a pupil in there.
"Miranda, he's not worth it. We've both been through a rough few months. Let's just enjoy ourselves, and enjoy each other." Her stomach does a flip. "You know you're my best friend right? I just want to see you happy." He says. That's when I realize he doesn't feel the same as I do; and we will never be more than just friends.
I rest my cheek against his strong chest and sigh. "Nah...I wasn't thinking about Jared."
"Good girl. That's what I like to hear."
I smile against his chest and close my eyes, enjoying the way his body feels against mine. I breathe in deep and enjoy the smell of his cologne. He has a unique smell of his own, woodsy, masculine and all Ryder.
Ryder's right hand lightly drifts down my back and stops just above my hip, while the other hand moves in little circles on my back. I sigh and tighten my arms around his waist, wishing we could stay like this forever. Thoughts of waking up next to him play out in my mind causing a surge of heat to spread through my body and stop at my core. These feelings I have for Ryder are wrong. I know they are. I know that once you cross that line with a friend, everything changes. It could be the best thing in the world or the worst. I'm afraid it would be the latter of the two. I don't think I have it in me to have my heart crushed again so soon; and especially by my best friend.
"Have I told you lately what a wonderful friend you are?" I tilt my chin up to meet his sparkling green eyes, which are even darker now with a hint of something that looks like desire.
"You have, but feel free to tell me again." He says with a panty dropping smile.
I smile and playfully shove him with both of my hands against his chest. He doesn't budge, causing my cheeks to flush with warmth. "I'm being serious Ryder;" my full pink lips forming a pout after spouting out the truth. "I don't know what I would do without you. I can tell you anything, cry on your shoulder and you're always there for me and never judging." Ryder slowly moves his hand to the back of my neck sending a shiver down my spine in the process. He threads his fingers in my hair, never breaking eye contact and covers my mouth with his. His kisses become more and more urgent. He kisses and nips at my bottom lip, taking it in like the air you would breathe. My head is spinning, my knees weak, and as I tried to take a step back, I couldn't because his hold was too strong. His dark green, midnight eyes hooded with desire meet mine, sending a gush of fluid straight to my core and soak my panties.
"I've wanted to kiss you like that for so long." He said, resting his forehead against hers. It no longer mattered that they were standing in the middle of the dance floor; right now it was just the two of them and that's all they cared about or needed.
"Miranda look me in the eyes and tell me you don't want me. Tell me you're not as turned on as I am and I'll take a step back and we can go back to being just friends; but the way your body reacted to mine just now is more than just friends."
My head is still spinning with all the different emotions swirling around inside. Do I tell him the truth? That he's always been so much more than a friend; and take the risk of losing our friendship when he gets tired of me. Do I play it safe and lie to him and keep our friendship safe? My stomach twists into knots, I need to make the decision whether to take a chance and put it all out there or not. If I don't at least try, I may live to regret it later on.
"Ryder;" I say, my voice barely a whisper. "You've always been so much more to me than a friend. I just..." I didn't get a chance to finish my sentence when his mouth crashes down on mine; his tongue licking my lips and forcing its way in, tangling with mine. The throbbing between my legs is almost unbearable. I'm tempted to jump him right here and wrap my legs around his waist, demanding that he take me right here. It's like he read my mind when he grabs my hand and pulls me from the dance floor.
"Where are we going?" I asked, trying to keep up with his long strides. I curse myself again for not wearing flats.
"Home." He says his voice sounding urgent. He doesn't even look at me; he just keeps weaving through the crowd as he leads us to the exit. The ride to his apartment is full of sexual tension. The heat from his hand resting on my leg causes painful throbbing in my pussy. I cross my legs and squeeze them together tightly trying to ease the ache, but it doesn't help. I know that Ryder is the only one who can take care of that.
Ryder turns right into the parking garage beneath his apartment building and jumps out to open my door. He practically drags me into the elevator, pins me against the wall with his muscular body and places a hand on each side of my head as he rests his forehead against mine.
"I don't know if I can wait until we get inside." He says; his voice deep and husky. My knees suddenly feel shaky and I'm afraid I'll fall. I place my hands on his shoulders and squeeze, digging my nails into his flesh. I cover his mouth with mine and push my tongue inside. I suck on his tongue causing a growl to escape from the back of his throat.
"I need you now, Ryder," I say, tugging his shirt free from his jeans. He breaks our contact long enough to turn and press the stop button, causing the elevator to jerk to a stop. He grabs the bottom of his shirt, pulls it over his head and tosses it on to the stained carpet below. He grabs my hips with his strong hands, roughly pushes my skirt above my hips and growls when he sets sight on my tiny underwear. He brushes his knuckles over the lace of my panties caressing the sensitive bundle of nerves. Letting my head rest against the cool metal of the elevator wall, I arch my back, pushing my drenched pussy farther into his digits. He slips a finger under the thin strap of elastic and snaps it letting the tiny scrap of lace fall to the floor. He trails his finger through my slit, and then licks and sucks the juices from it before pushing it deeper inside me. I bite my lip and moan as I roll my head from side to side. He slides his fingers in and out and then adds another, stretching me delightfully while his thumb presses hard against my clit. I shamefully grind my pussy against his hand as my climax builds within.
"Ryder." I can barely breathe out as he picks up the pace bringing me closer and closer to the edge until I fall over and he holds my limp body against his.
He lowers his head and
kisses me softly with his silky soft lips. "You ok?" He asks.
Unable to form words, I nod with my head resting against his muscled pecs. He pulls my skirt down and back into place, and then picks up his shirt and my panties, slipping the tattered material into the pocket of his jeans. He turns, pushes a button and the elevator begins to move, taking us to his floor.
When the elevator stops, he ushers me out and towards his door as he places his warm hand on my lower back. He shoves his other hand deep within his pocket and takes out a pewter initial key ring. He unlocks the door, pushes it open and guides me inside.
"Can I offer you something to drink?" He asked, lightly brushing his knuckles over my cheek. I look up at him with chocolate eyes framed by thick dark lashes and blink slowly, allowing him to see the passion that still burned there.
"Ice water would be nice." I said, letting my little pink tongue sweep across my pink pouty lips. Looking at me with hooded eyes, he leans in and covers my mouth with his in a slow passion filled kiss.
"I can't believe we've wasted so much time on other people when what we needed was right in front of us all along. I knew there was something special about you the moment I met you four years ago." He said, nipping at her bottom lip.
"Make love to me Ryder." I murmured against his lips. He wasted no time as he scooped me into his arms, and carried me down the hall to his bed. Stopping beside the bed, he slid me down his body until my feet touched the floor. After making sure I was steady on my feet, he takes a step back, with his eyes fixed on mine.
"Strip for me Miranda. I want to watch." He said in a husky voice. He deftly watched as I grabbed the bottom of my shirt pulling it over my head and tossing it onto the thick gray carpet beneath their feet. I slowly trailed my fingers across my breasts until I could reach behind me and unhook my bra, letting it fall from my shoulders and dropping it on the floor alongside my shirt. Not taking my eyes off Ryder, I gradually moved my hands over my bare stomach before reaching around and unzipping my skirt. I held it in place and captured him with my dark chocolate filled eyes, and ever so leisurely let the skirt drop around my feet to step free. After standing before him completely naked except for the stilettos; I bend at the waist slightly lifting a foot behind me, reach to remove my shoe, and gasped when I heard a deep husky voice.
"Leave the shoes on." He said as he walked to me in two short strides closing the space between us. He cupped his hand at the nape of my neck threading his fingers into my hair, letting the silky brown locks glide between his fingers. Leaning my head to the side to give him easier access to my neck, he trailed light kisses across my jaw line, and then to ear, nipping at the lobe. I moaned and closed my eyes enjoying the warm sensation that was spreading throughout my body. He lifts me up and places me in the center of his king sized bed. The coolness of the silk comforter causes goose bumps to form over my body, making my nipples to peak even harder. His eyes followed the curves of my body causing his cock to strain beneath his jeans, almost to the point of being painful. He didn't waste any time stripping out of his jeans and boxers and tossed them onto the heap of clothing on the floor. He crawled onto the bed and lowered his massive sculptured body onto mine, settling between my thighs. The feel of our skin against one another threatened his control. It took all he could not to pound into me, but that's not how he wanted their first time. Neither did I. It needed to be special. Although we hadn't slept together before, our connection together was strong; and we both deserved to be loved passionately.
Ryder lightly swirled his tongue around my pink hardened nipple and then sucked it into his warm mouth. I rolled my head to the side moaning I arched my back, grinding my pussy into his hard cock. I was so aroused that I could feel my juices dripping from me and wetting the silk beneath me. He lifted his head letting his eyes drift over my naked body. "I want to taste every fucking inch of you. I'm going to tongue fuck you and swallow every damn drop of your sweet honey." He said in his husky voice. He trailed kisses from my nipples down along my side, and then across my stomach stopping at the v between my legs. He lifted my right leg and rested it over his shoulder. He breathed in deep, letting a moan escape from the back of his throat. "You're so fucking beautiful." He said. I moaned his name as he licked my slit and thrust his tongue in and out of my pussy, and then flicking his tongue over my clit before lightly biting my sensitive nub. I could feel my climax building higher and higher and my control was wearing thin. I wanted this feeling to last forever, but one last nibble against my clit was my undoing. I screamed his name as my juices flowed onto his tongue and he lapped up all of my sweet honey. Just before I came down from my high he lowered himself over me, positioning his cock at her my entrance; and without hesitation he slammed into me, balls deep and began to move at a frantic pace.
"I knew Ryder wanted to take it slow and make love to me because I could feel him holding back, thinking that's what I wanted and deserved; but I need to let him know it's ok to let go of his control. He wrapped his hands around my thighs lifting my hips from the bed. He thrust harder and deeper as my hot pussy clamped down on his cock pulling him in. I knew his balls had to ache drawing tight against his body like they were and I could feel his release building within him threatening what little control he had left. His eyes were fixed on mine, thrusting one more time before spurting his hot release inside me, claiming me. He rolled onto his side, careful not to crush me with his weight. Wrapping his strong arm over my waist, he pulled me tight against his sweaty chest. The only sound that could be heard was our synchronized breathing as it slowly returned to normal, and the pounding of our hearts in our ears. I nestled in close enjoying the warmth of Ryder's hard body against my back. We lay silently wrapped in each other. I wondered if he was thinking about the same things as me. How in the hell had they known each other for so long and never felt this connection? Maybe they did and just chose to ignore it, but whatever the reason; I'm happy now that it's out in the open. I just hope he won't regret it. I know I don't. I lay wrapped in his arms feeling safe, but most of all, I feel loved. I closed my eyes and lost myself in my thoughts of our lovemaking, and eventually letting sleep take over.
Ryder awoke with a warm soft body nestled against him. My long brown hair fanned out over my pillow and tickled his nose. He inhaled deeply taking in my strawberry shampoo and my own unique scent. He replayed our lovemaking over in his mind; the way my body responded to his, the little sounds I made, and the way I screamed his name when I fell apart underneath him. He never in a million years would have guessed that I would feel for him the way he feels about me. He'd always felt connected to me somehow; but it was only tonight that he knew for sure what it was. He saw it in my eyes on the dance floor and then he knew. We were meant for each other. He couldn't believe he'd wasted so much time dating others when our perfect match was right before our eyes. He not only thought that no one he'd ever dated could hold a candle to me; but he also thought I was beautiful, sweet, humble, generous, and caring. The list went on and on. He reached out and pushed a few stray strands of hair from my face and tucked it behind my ear. My eyes fluttered open and found his looking back at me. The intensity in his green eyes spoke volumes to me about my best friend. The line had been crossed and now comes the hard part. I rolled to my side and trailed my fingertips along the stubble that now covered his jaw line.
"Good morning." I said, looking up at him through my dark lashes.
"Good morning to you." He said as he cupped my jaw and lightly rubbed his thumb over my full pink lips. "How did you sleep?" He said with his eyes still on my lips.
"I think that's the best night sleep I've had in a long time, quite honestly." I said, with my gaze still on him.
"Ryder, we..." He cut me off when he placed his mouth on mine, kissing me deeply, so deeply I felt it all the way to my toes. When the kiss broke we were both breathless and lost in each other's eyes. After what seemed like hours of intense green eyes on me, I swallowed around the lump in my throat and made the first atte
mpt at conversation. I knew one of us had to get this over with, and it may as well be me.
"Ryder, we really should talk about what happened last night. I'm afraid we've made a horrible mistake." I said, biting my bottom lip. My brows pinched together, I waited for him to respond.
"Miranda, how could you possibly think this; we, are a mistake? I've wanted you from the first day I met you, but the timing was never right. One of us was either with someone, or getting over someone." He reached out and cupped my cheek and lightly brushed his lips against mine. "I personally think this is perfect timing. You can't deny the feelings you have for me; and don't you dare tell me it's just friendship, because last night was not about two friends." He said motioning between the two of us with his hand. "Last night was about two lovers who finally found each other. Miranda, you're the best thing that's ever happened to me. Look me in the eyes and tell me you just want to be friends and nothing more. I'll get dressed and be on my way and we'll forget last night like it never happened. We'll go back to just being friends."
Ryder's words stung hard. How in the hell am I supposed to respond to that while my naked body lay mere inches from him; his hard morning erection pressing into my lower stomach. If I lied and told him I felt nothing, he'll probably walk away and I'll never see him again. If he stays, I'm sure things won't be the same. There would always be this awkward feeling between us. If I told him the honest truth, I'd probably scare him away. My feelings for him have only grown stronger over the years no matter how hard I tried to ignore them. I swallowed hard and looked into his gorgeous light green eyes. "Ryder. I don't really think you want me to answer that," I said, my voice cracking as I spoke.
Ryder had rolled to the side again, and then lied on his back. He draped an arm over his eyes and took a deep breath. He didn't know why he couldn't have just kept his fucking mouth shut; but he was pretty sure he'd not only just lost his best friend, but he'd just lost the only woman he'd ever truly loved. "Miranda, just be honest with me. I'm a big boy, I can take rejection." He said, turning his head to face me. I know he felt a pain in the pit of his stomach as he watched me battle with myself.
My Dirty Little Valentine: An Erotic Anthology Page 21
