He had a million questions, but all he said was. “What happened?”
She gulped and set the glass down, her entire posture stiff. “He died in a car accident, two weeks before our wedding.”
“Jesus, Sam,” he rasped, aching for her. He couldn’t even begin to imagine the soul crushing grief she’d gone through and was still going through, if the look on her face was anything to go by. Setting down his plate, he leaned forward and placed a comforting hand over hers which where clenched tightly in her lap, regretting bringing up the question. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay,” she mumbled, even though it most certainly wasn’t. “It happened a while ago and I’ve learned to deal with it.” She lifted her hands, dislodging his and picked up her plate, scooping a forkful of vegetables. “So, what type of games do you play?”
He went with the deliberate change in topic, knowing she didn’t wish to discuss it further. From that moment, the conversation moved from personal to discussions centred on the movie, with him making wisecracks about certain scenes.
Gradually, Sam relaxed again and he even got her chuckling at his jokes. When the movie ended, she picked To All the Boys I’ve Loved to watch next. Halfway through, she fell asleep, sprawled out on his couch with her head on his thigh and him absently stroking the silky strands of her hair while he thought about the heartbreak she’d endured, which made his own seem trivial by comparison.
Sure, Nicky’s betrayal had blindsided him, but could that even compare to losing someone you cared about in so permanent a manner? No hopes for a possible second chance, nothing, just a loss that could never be gotten back.
Long after the credits rolled, he sat there, lost in thought while Sam slept on, oblivious.
Sam stirred and stretched lazily, coming back to full consciousness slowly. Rolling over onto her stomach, her eyes fluttered open and she frowned in disorientation as unfamiliar light blue walls swam into view. She was in a room that clearly wasn’t hers, sunlight filtering through gaps in the soft cream curtains, spilling into a tastefully furnished room.
It took a moment for her brain to catch up and when it did she sat up with a gasp, dislodging the covers as memories flooded her poor brain.
Ryan. The kiss. Watching TV on the couch.
“Oh goddess!” Her frantic gaze swept over the guest room, color rushing to her cheeks as she rose from the bed, bare feet sinking into a luxurious faux bearskin rug. She’d fallen asleep on him instead of sleeping with him, not only that, she’d ruined the mood by bringing up the last topic of conversation a man intent on seduction wanted to hear.
What on earth had possessed her to slip up and mention Zahir? Why, Sameera?
Cringing internally, she headed to the bathroom and stared at her reflection accusingly. If she told her therapist about last night, the woman would probably suggest that Sam had subconsciously tried to sabotage the evening by bringing up her ex or some other theory. Was that really what she’d done?
She groaned, resting her head against the cool glass tile. How was she going to face him this morning?
After several minutes spent in thought, an idea hit and she quickly brushed her teeth, took a quick shower and changed from yesterday’s clothes into a pale yellow cotton dress, hair pulled back into one thick braid. Grabbing her purse, she left the room. The living room was deserted, which meant Ryan was possibly still sleeping. With a relieved sigh, she tiptoed to the front door.
It didn’t take long to find a place that served breakfast. Thirty minutes later, takeout bags in hand; she stepped out the elevator on his floor and nearly ploughed into Ryan who was staring down at his phone, a worried look on his face.
“Sam,” Relief swept over his expression as soon as he noticed her. His gaze roved over her, coming to rest on the bags. “Oh thank god.”
“Is something wrong?” She asked, alarmed. She took in his rumpled look, bed hair, clothes that looked like they’d been thrown on in haste. “Are you okay?”
He leaned against the wall, eyes drifting shut and raked a hand through his already ruffled hair with a sigh.
“Give me a minute and I will be.” he muttered. Opening his eyes and seeing her puzzled expression he managed a wry smile. “I thought you left.”
Comprehension dawned. Her heart slammed against her ribcage and it was suddenly hard to swallow. She shoukd have sent him a text to let him know before leaving. “Oh.”
She held up the bags. “I wanted to surprise you with breakfast, by way of an apology.”
Ryan looked puzzled. Straightening he pierced her with those grey eyes that set her pulse racing with renewed lust. “Apology for what?”
“For last night,” she explained, feeling her face heat at the awkwardness of the situation. He thought she’d run this morning, mortified by the events of last night and she thought he’d be upset at her for ruining a perfectly good evening. “I didn’t intend to ruin the night or fall asleep, and I’m…”
Her words cut off because Ryan closed the space between them in two strides, slipped an arm around her waist, pulled her against his body, and kissed her.
Hard.
All rational thought melted from Sam’s brain the instant their mouths met in a kiss that quickly fanned the embers smouldering between them. He moved, pushing her until her back hit the wall opposite, his mouth greedy and insistent and she melted into him, bags falling unheeded to the floor as her arms entwined around his neck, pulling him closer for a deeper kiss, moisture pooling between her legs even as her mind screamed yes! Finally!
“You nearly drove me crazy just now,” he broke the kiss to pepper drugging kisses down her neck, his hands sliding under the hem of the short dress to cup her ass, the imprint of his fingers burning even through her flimsy lace panties. “I woke up and you were gone and I damn near lost my damn mind.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, shivering as his hold tightened and he lifted her off her feet. Instinctively, she wrapped her legs around him, letting him carry her back into the apartment, kicking the door closed with his foot.
“I’m going to want more than a verbal apology, Princess,” he growled, capturing her mouth once more and at that moment, Sam would have happily given him the moon if he asked. He set her down on the couch and stepped back, his grey eyes almost black with desire and continued in a commanding tone. “You’re going to do exactly what I say, got it?”
A part of her almost rebelled at the thought of surrendering control, but she squashed it and nodded assent. “Yes.”
He rewarded her with another bone melting kiss, his hands tracing the deep scooped neckline of her dress. “Take this off.”
She stood, reaching for the hem and pulled the dress over her head, leaving her in a black lace bra and matching panties. His gaze turned molten, sweeping over the sight exposed to him. “The underwear too, baby.”
With trembling fingers, she reached for the clasp and undid the bra, letting her breasts fall free, nipples pebble hard and aching. Slipping two fingers under the fabric, she slid down her panties, stepping out of them to stand naked, vulnerable. She wanted to ask him to take off his clothes, but held her tongue, letting him guide things his way.
“Lie back and spread your legs,” he pointed to the couch, his voice a husky whisper and she obeyed, letting her legs fall open for his hungry gaze. She looked up at him, loving the adoration in his gaze as he looked his fill. “So fucking beautiful.”
He fell to his knees and crawled closer. “You’re so gorgeous, all spread out for me. I can’t wait to taste you, to eat you until you beg me to stop.”
“Ryan…” His name was a breathy whisper, her entire body taut in anticipation.
His fingers danced over her naked skin, flicking over an aching nipple, catching the flesh between thumb and forefinger, a gasp torn from her throat as he lightly squeezed, pleasure shooting from that point straight to her core. He repeated the same with the other nipple, then moved south, tracing over her stomach, lingering at the top of her thighs before slowly, torturously dipping down to the place she needed him most. Her back arched off the couch with a cry as he played with the little nub of pleasure, when he slid first one finger, then two inside her wet heat and played her until her first orgasm crashed over her and she sobbed his name, while he kissed her.
While she was on a high from coming, he replaced his fingers with his mouth, giving her slit one long lick. She cried out as he did it again, fingers gripping the edges of the couch as she writhed against him, pleasure quickly spiralling out of control once more as his expert tongue licked, circled and sucked her clit until she came again.
“No fair,” she gasped, as she came back down. She forced her heavy lids open and glared at him. "You're still fully clothed. Time to get naked, Silverton."
A wide grin split his face and he wriggled his eyebrows at her. "Or what?"
"Or I get up from this couch and carry on with this all by myself." To show him how serious she was, she touched herself between her legs, fingers instantly coated with slick wetness. Holding his gaze, she brought those fingers to her mouth and tasted her sweet saltiness. "And you only get to watch, not participate."
His breath came out ragged as he watched her, and without another word, he was on his feet, clothes falling off with record speed. Her mouth watered at the sight of him, all delicious muscles, lean hips and a very, very impressive erection.
"Nice view." She smirked, sitting up so she could touch him, his cock level with her face, but she ignored it for now, focusing on running her hands over the hard, straining muscles of his abs, her mouth following the trail set by her hands.
"Fuck, Sam…" Satisfaction bloomed within her at the expletive, enjoying the effect she had on him as she took her sweet time, finally turning her attention to turgid length, now jerking and leaking precum. Her hand couldn't quite enclose his girth, finding him hot and velvety hard as she stroked, gentle up - down movements, mouth closing over that glistening tip that had him gasping, his hands coming up to tangle in her hair, guiding her movements as he thrust into her willing mouth.
Sam sucked him a few more minutes until with a muffled curse, Ryan pulled away. With a speed that left her dizzy, he bent and scooped her into his arms, long strides eating up the distance to his bedroom. Barely registering much more than a huge kingsize bed set on a dias before he placed her down in the center, her body sinking into the soft mattress.
He followed her down and kissed her until they needed to draw breath, he left her, but only to grab a condom from the nightstand and pull it on, his movements hasty, while she watched, clit throbbing at the thought of the incoming pleasure.
Ryan's body covered hers, mouths meeting in another drugging kiss, as he lifted her ass in the air, angling her better and slid deep.
They gasped in unison, Sam's head spinning at the incredible feeling of him within her and locked her legs around his waist, arching up into his thrusts, even as his hips slammed into her, driving him deeper, hitting the sweet spot that sent her hurtling over another precipe, screaming from the pleasure of her climax.