“I’m sorry, too,” Bailey whispered. “I’m sorry if I’ve been sending you mixed signals. I came to El Lago tonight to tell you how I feel. I didn’t know Dex was going to be there. I don’t want him, not at all. That’s completely over.”
“God, I’m so glad.” He rested his forehead against hers. “I’m sorry for not telling you how I feel. I tried, but I couldn’t get the words out. Just like you, I was afraid of ruining what we have. I shouldn’t have played all those stupid songs. I should have just told you how I feel.”
“I loved the song, Ryan,” she cried. “I loved all the songs. They were so…honest and heartfelt. I loved them, but I would rather you talk to me.”
“I’m trying,” he said as tears dripped from her eyes. It hurt him to see it. “I’m so sorry for being a jerk after our night on the boat. I should have told you then.”
Her mouth turned into a frown. “Everything in my life had imploded, and then you…” She bounced on her heels and said, “I was so afraid of ruining our friendship, but I can’t pretend I don’t want more now.”
Ryan brushed the hair from her face and leaned in to kiss her. The warmth and acceptance he found was like a drug. With every taste, he wanted more. Fisting his hands in her hair, he lost himself in her. She just fit him. Her body complemented his in every way, like a perfectly fitted glove.
“Ryan, I need you.” Her hands slid under his shirt, and Ryan moaned, wishing he could rip the clothes off her. To hell with tenderness. He wanted her so bad, he thought his head was going to explode.
He released her hair and quickly pulled at his shirt until the buttons released. Then he grabbed the bottom of her nightgown and jerked it over her head. His hands went directly to her breasts; he couldn’t help it. The last time he’d touched her like this, he was wasted, and now he wanted the memory to go along with the feeling.
Bailey tugged the button open on his jeans, sending a nervous pulse through his system. The feel of her hands and the way she wanted him made him want to sing from the rooftops. She was so perfect like this, against him, holding him. How had they gone so long as friends and not become lovers sooner?
When his jeans dropped to the floor, he gripped her rear and pulled her closer. He stepped out of his jeans and, with a swift tug, lifted Bailey off her feet. He carried her to the bedroom before laying her on the bed. He pushed up to look at her. Light from the full moon shone through the window, and he could see everything.
She was glowing, the misery gone. Her face was now pink with pleasure.
Bailey reached up, tipped the hat off his head, and ran her fingers through his hair. He closed his eyes and fought to keep from purring like a cat. When he leaned in and covered her nipple with his mouth, she pushed up, rubbing against him.
“Why?” she stammered but inhaled a gasp when he nipped at her with his teeth.
“Why did we wait so long to do this?” he finished for her.
“Yeah…why?”
“It doesn’t matter now,” he whispered, coming up to kiss the skin below her ear. “I’ve always wondered what you tasted like right here.” He nipped her lobe and cupped the other side of her neck to keep her from squirming away.
Bailey’s hand slid over the planes of his bare chest, pulling his attention back to her. She watched the movement as he watched her eyes. The look of longing on her face was a new expression to him. Of all her smiles and all her frowns, Ryan thought he knew everything about her and every look she ever wore, but this one was new to him. He leaned in and kissed her lips, then her jaw, following down to her naked breast. When he sucked her nipple into his mouth, she let out a quiet whimper.
God, he never thought he could have this.
Bailey, like this, had always been unreachable. He had fantasized, but this was beyond anything he thought possible. The fear of losing her had always held him back. He kissed her bare stomach. Her skin was warm to the touch and smelled faintly of jasmine soap. “Bailey,” he whispered. “I’m breaking my promise. Things between us are changing.”
When Bailey cried his name, he tilted his head to look at her face. Her eyes were closed tightly, her chin out and bottom lip clenched between her teeth. The sight was so sexy, he nearly thrust inside her that moment.
He pushed up and hovered over her just as she opened her eyes. Her gaze seared into him. “I want this. I want you. I can’t pretend anymore,” he whispered.
He lowered himself, penetrating her, his eyes still locked on hers. She gripped his hips, and a dreamy look crossed her face, another one he had never seen before. There were so many things he still had to explore with her. The prospect was so appealing, he felt impatient to finish and move on to the next adventure.
Bailey finally relaxed her arch and met his rhythm with her hips, encouraging him to continue. He did, slowly at first, but when her expression became more urgent, and she pushed harder against him, he plunged deeper and faster.
She was beautiful, like the sunrise over the Sierras, shadowed at first, then glowing brighter by the second.
Bailey moved with him, her eyes staying focused on his. The intimacy normally would have scared him away, but not this time. This was Bailey. His Bailey. He had sworn to watch out for her, and always be there when she needed
