Ryder (Resisting Love #2.5)(10)

“I guess I was a little over dressed,” I say with a shy smile.

“No, you look perfect.”

I swallow hard. He is so charming. Ryder sets up all of the food, which turns out to be Chinese from one of my favourite restaurants.

“How did you know I love the food there?” I ask with a small frown.

“I did my research,” he says with a smug look. He pulls out a flask filled with coffee, and two bottles of water. We eat our food while talking, getting to know each other. Ryder tells me about his childhood, his family and about his band. I tell him all about my mother, and my own childhood. I almost moan when Ryder pulls out my favourite dessert in the whole world, a chocolate lava-cake from a posh restaurant called ‘Revere’ and I haven’t had one in three years, since I left Perth. My mouth waters, and Ryder gives me a full on belly laugh.

“How did you…” I stop and remember that I told Tee about this dessert one night in Ireland when I had a huge craving for it.

“I can’t believe she remembered that! I can’t believe you went all the way to Revere just to get it for me! That’s really sweet, Ryder,” I say softly. I lean forward, and gently touch my lips to his. He lets out a deep sigh, before wrapping his arm around my neck and pulling me closer, his lips capturing mine in a deeper kiss. I pull back and exhale deeply, before giving him a lopsided smile. Then I grab my dessert and dig in. I moan loudly.

“This is the best dessert ever. It’s like an orgasm in your mouth!” I say in between bites. Ryder makes a choking sound, putting down his own dessert.

“It’s pretty amazing, but I just tasted your lips, and I have to say they beat this chocolate thing hands down,” Ryder says, his eyes locked on my lips. My tongue peeps out and licks my full bottom lip, and I hear Ryder suck in a breath.

“Lexi?” he says in a strained tone.

“Yeah?” I say, taking the last bite of my dessert.

“Kiss me,” he demands. I oblige, all but jumping on him, fusing my lips to his. My dress rides up my thighs as Ryder runs his hands up and down the back of one. Ryder finally pulls away, panting. I can feel his arousal through his jeans, the outline of his thickness evident. I gulp at his large size. I glance up at him to see him staring at me quizzically, his breathing slowly evening out.

“We just made out for a long ass time, and your lipstick is still perfect,” he says randomly.

“Really? That’s what you’re thinking about right now?” I laugh. He gives me a sheepish smile and shrugs.

“It’s a superpower,” I say with a wink. It’s really just a stain lipstick; it has an insane staying power.

“I was staring at your heart shaped lips and couldn’t help but notice,” Ryder says.

“Is that why you call me the queen of hearts? Because of my lips?” I ask, one eyebrow raised.

Ryder grins, all teeth. “Your heart shaped lips, yes. But it’s also your heart shaped face, but most of all…” he says as he moves closer, gripping my hips with his hands and laying me on the blanket on my stomach. “Most of all it’s this heart shaped ass. It's perfection,” he groans and he palms my backside. I giggle as he bends over me and bites the left cheek.

“Ouch!”

Ryder rubs the spot he bit and chuckles, pulling me into his lap. He buries his face in the crook of my neck and shoulder, taking a deep breath and nuzzling me.

“You smell like strawberries and cream,” he whispers, kissing a wet trail up from my shoulder to my ear lobe. I shudder. Ryder reluctantly pulls away, and smiles at me.

“We better head back before it gets too late,” he says.

“I had a really nice time with you, Lexi. I feel like I've known you forever,” he says, his grey eyes staring into mine. I almost stop breathing when he pushes a curl of hair behind my ear.

“The feeling is mutual.”

I squeal when he stands with me in his arms, tickling me a little before putting me down. We pack everything up and head back to his truck. We drive home quietly; our hands intertwined the whole way. He opens the door for me and kisses me softly on the temple as I get out.

“That’s going to be a hard first date to beat,” I whisper. Ryder pulls back, his eyes searching mine.

“If all goes well, hopefully that will be your last first date,” he says simply. I gulp. Ryder’s lip twitches.

“Come on, let’s go home.”

We walk to the front door hand in hand.

*****

Tee is standing in the kitchen, arms crossed.

“What were you guys doing out so late?” she asks, her eyes narrowed to slits. I almost laugh at this picture. Tee is wearing a pink striped robe, her hair in a towel. Her fluffy superman slippers tap the floor impatiently.

“On our date?” I say innocently. Tee stares at her watch and huffs. Ryder walks over to her and playfully pinches her cheeks.

“Go to bed, mother hen, she's home safe and sound,” he says, shaking his head.

“It’s not that, I’ve been stuck here alone all night and I'm so damn bored!”she says.

“What about your new friend?” Ryder asks. Tee rolls her eyes but doesn’t answer.

“Lexi, why do you have grass in your hair?” she asks with a laugh. “Rolling in the hay, huh? First date, Lexi! At least you ended that dry spell,” she teases, and then yawns.