Bachelor at Her Bidding (Bachelor Auction Book 2)(28)

Rachel’s huge blue eyes widened. “Oh, my God, Ryan! I can’t believe you’re…”

“I’ve wanted to do this ever since last Saturday,” he said softly. “Even though my head is saying I don’t have time in my life for any kind of relationship, that I’m not being fair to either of us, the rest of me wants you so badly that I can’t think straight. You’re lovely. And you are most definitely enough. Believe me. You fit just right. I think you’re perfect.”

A tear spilled over her lashes, and he kissed it away. “Don’t cry, honey. You feel amazing. And I want to make you feel as amazing as you make me feel.”

He shifted their positions slightly so he could push deeper, and she gasped.

He stilled. “Too much?”

She shook her head. “It’s good.” Her voice was wobbly and he could hear how brave she was trying to be when she added, “Almost as good as your food.”

“Now that sounds like a challenge. Accepted.” He kissed her, then concentrated on making quite sure that she saw stars, pushing deep inside her, taking it slowly at first and then speeding up as he felt her getting wetter and hotter. Again, there was that breathy little moan that sent a thrill right through his gut – and then his own climax hit him.

When he finally dared to move, he eased out of her and let her slide back down to the ground. “I need to sort this out in the bathroom,” he said, “but, before I do, there’s something really important I need to say.”

He saw the flicker of worry in her eyes before she suppressed it, and leaned down to kiss her lightly. “Your ex didn’t know what he was talking about,” he said, “but I most definitely do. Rachel Cassidy, you’re gorgeous, you turn me on in a big way, and you make me want to break every single one of my rules.” He held her gaze. “Your ex didn’t deserve you. But don’t you ever let him make you doubt yourself. He’s not worth it – but you most definitely are. You’re more than worth it.”

*

Rachel’s knees felt as if they’d turned to Jell-O. In all the years she’d been with Nick, nothing like this had ever happened before; sex had always been in the marital bed, missionary-style, with the lights off.

Probably because pretending that he was with someone else was the only way her husband been able to get through it. And even now the thought hurt.

But Ryan… Ryan had focused on her. On giving her pleasure. He’d made her fall apart in her bed, and now again against her kitchen wall. With the lights on. OK, with the blinds closed as well, but still in the brightest-lit room in her apartment. He hadn’t even waited to take their clothes off. He’d said he was hungry for her.

And he’d said she fit just right…

She was still putting her clothes back to rights with shaking fingers when Ryan came back into the kitchen and kissed her. “Hey. You OK?”

“I think so.” She blew out a breath. “I, um, sorry for being lame.”

“Don’t apologize,” he said. “Your ex made you feel bad for something that was his fault, not yours. Which is the lowest of the low. You’re worth a lot more than that, Rachel.” He kissed her again. “And I feel bad, because I’m going to have to go very soon and pick Gram up.”

“It’s OK. We already talked about this. I know your time’s limited.”

“But it makes me feel as if I’m deserting you, when all I want to do is hold you close and talk to you and do all the normal things that–”

She stopped him by pressing a finger against his lips. “I’m not ready for a relationship right now. Neither are you. So it’s fine. This is what it is. We both agreed to a crazy fling. One with limits, so neither of us gets hurt.”

“I know.” He stole a kiss. “But it doesn’t mean I’m going to treat you as if you’re one of the old bordello girls.”

“You and me – it’s just for fun, it’s just between us, and there are no strings,” she said. “We’re not courting.” Even if half of Marietta seemed to want it to happen. She was sure that people had been singing her praises to Ryan as much as they’d sung his praises to her.

“But we’re going to be friends,” Ryan said. “I like you, Rachel Cassidy.”

His honesty disarmed her a little. “I like you, too.” She stroked his face.

“So can I see you on Monday?”

“Same time, same place?” she suggested.

He kissed her again. “Perfect. And I get the whole weekend to work out what I’m going to do to you next.”

That definitely sounded more like a promise than a threat. Pure pleasure. And Rachel could feel a pulse beating hard between her legs.

“I’m going to explore every inch of you. With my hands, with my eyes, with my mouth,” he said huskily. “And I’m going to enjoy you doing the same to me. I want to watch you touch me. And I want you to watch me touching you.”

Rachel’s knees went weak. “How long is it until Monday?”

“Too long.” He kissed her hard. “But I promise you it’s going to be worth the wait. For both of us.”





Chapter Seven




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Over the next couple of weeks, Rachel was happier than she’d been in years. She saw Ryan from Monday to Thursday, from a few minutes after his shift ended until he needed to go and pick up his grandmother. Sometimes they made love; other times they just sat and chatted, with her sitting on his lap and his arms wrapped round her, and she enjoyed the closeness.