23. Paige
Chapter 23
Paige
R yker’s eyes bore into mine, intense and unreadable. His hand still lingered on my throat, fingers brushing my pulse. The argument had fizzled out, words evaporating into the thick tension between us. My breath hitched as his gaze dropped to my lips, and before I could process what was happening, he closed the distance.
His lips were warm and insistent, capturing mine in a kiss that stole the air from my lungs. I felt a jolt of surprise and something deeper, something that sent heat spiraling through me. I gripped his shoulders, torn between pushing him away and pulling him closer.
He deepened the kiss, his mouth moving against mine with a fervor that left no room for hesitation. The hand on my throat slid to the back of my neck, tangling in my hair as he angled my head to deepen the connection further. It was consuming, this kiss—a wildfire that burned through every rational thought.
I could taste the hint of mint on his breath, feel the press of his body against mine as he closed the gap between us entirely. Every touch, every movement spoke of a need that mirrored my own. My fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt, anchoring myself against the storm he’d unleashed.
When he finally pulled back, we were both breathing hard, eyes locked in a silent battle of wills. His thumb brushed against my cheek, a fleeting moment of tenderness in the wake of our heated exchange.
For a second, everything else faded away—the arguments, the jealousy, the lies we told ourselves about strength and perfection. It was just us, tangled in an unexpected moment that left me questioning everything I thought I knew about him—and myself.
"We shouldn't do this," I whispered, the words barely audible between our ragged breaths.
Ryker said nothing, but the heat in his eyes spoke volumes. I swallowed hard, trying to steady the racing pulse that thudded against his fingertips.
"Ryker, if we get caught?—"
Before I could finish, he captured my lips again, pressing me against the dressing room wall with a force that sent a thrill through my veins. His body pinned mine, the solid weight of him grounding me even as my mind spun.
I let out a little whimper, unable to contain the rush of sensation.
He pulled away, eyes dark and intense. "Don't make any noises and we won't get caught," he murmured, his voice a low growl that sent shivers down my spine.
I swallowed again, my throat dry, and nodded slightly. The rational part of me screamed to stop this madness, but the rest of me was lost in the storm he'd created. When he kissed me again, I didn't resist. Instead, I melted into him, letting the world outside fade away. His hands roamed my back, fingers digging into the fabric of my blouse as he deepened the kiss.
The scent of him filled my senses—something crisp and clean mingled with an undercurrent of raw desire. Each touch ignited sparks beneath my skin, drawing soft gasps from my lips that I struggled to keep quiet. My hands found their way to his hair, tangling in the dark strands as I pulled him closer.
The room seemed to shrink around us, every inch of space consumed by our tangled bodies and the intensity of our connection. Time lost meaning; it was just us and the shared rhythm of our heartbeats. His lips moved with a demanding urgency that left me breathless and wanting more.
As he pressed closer, his mouth left mine to trail along my jawline and down to the sensitive skin of my neck. My head fell back against the wall, giving him better access as he marked a path with his kisses. Every nerve ending screamed with sensation, each touch sending electric jolts through me.
Somewhere in the haze of it all, a part of me recognized the danger—the sheer recklessness of what we were doing—but it only added fuel to the fire burning between us. The thrill of being caught mixed with raw need, creating a heady cocktail that left no room for second thoughts or regrets.
Ryker's fingers worked deftly at the buttons of my shirt, each pop echoing in the silence of the room. His mouth trailed along my jaw, teeth grazing the sensitive skin there. I knew I should stop him, that this was crossing a line we couldn’t uncross, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
I’d wanted this for so long, had imagined it in moments I’d never admit to anyone. The way his hands moved with purpose, the heat of his body against mine—it was everything I’d dreamed and more.
As he finished unbuttoning my shirt, he slipped it off my shoulders, letting it fall to the floor in a soft heap. The cool air brushed against my exposed skin, a stark contrast to the warmth radiating from Ryker’s touch. He dropped his gaze to my chest, and with a deliberate slowness that made my heart race, he peeled off my bra.
The garment joined my shirt on the floor, forgotten in the intensity of the moment. His eyes roamed over me, dark and hungry, before he leaned in again. Every part of me screamed for more—more of his touch, more of this forbidden thrill.
He brushed his lips against mine once more before trailing them down to the newly exposed skin. My breath hitched as his mouth moved lower, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. Each kiss, each nip sent jolts through me, igniting a need I could no longer deny.
I pressed closer to him, craving the contact as his hands continued their exploration. The sensation of his fingers against my bare skin was electric, every touch heightening the connection between us. I clung to him, letting go of any reservations and giving in to the desire that had been building for so long.
His touch moved with deliberate slowness, fingers brushing over my nipples. The sensation sent a jolt of electricity through me, and I gasped, feeling them harden under his caress.
His eyes locked onto mine, dark and intense, as he watched my reaction. There was something in his gaze that made me feel exposed and vulnerable, but in the most exhilarating way. My nipples marbled under his touch, the contrast between the cool air and the heat of his fingers making my skin tingle.
Without breaking eye contact, he leaned forward. His lips hovered just above my breast for a heartbeat before he sucked one nipple into his mouth. The warmth of his mouth contrasted with the cool air around us, creating a sensation that was almost overwhelming.
My eyes rolled back, unable to focus on anything but the feeling of his mouth on me. Each flick of his tongue sent waves of pleasure radiating through my body, making me arch into him. It was as if every nerve ending was alight with sensation, drawing me deeper into the moment.
The rhythm of his sucking and gentle bites drove me wild, each movement stoking the fire building inside me. I couldn't think, couldn't speak—there was only the raw vigor of what he was doing to me.
Every soft moan that escaped my lips seemed to encourage him further, driving him to explore more deeply with his tongue and lips. The pressure of his mouth increased slightly, adding a layer of ferocity that made my toes curl in response.
My hands tangled in his hair, pulling him closer as I lost myself in the sensation. Every brush of his tongue sent another wave of pleasure through me, making it impossible to focus on anything but him.
Ryker’s mouth left my breast, and the cool air made me shiver. I watched him move to the other nipple, anticipation coursing through me. His tongue flicked against it, and I felt a surge of wetness between my legs, more intense than before.
I bit my lip, trying to stifle the sounds threatening to escape. The heat from his mouth, combined with the cool air on my skin, created a contrast that made me press closer to him.
His hands began to move again, sliding up my skirt with deliberate slowness. The fabric bunched around his wrists as he inched higher and higher until his fingers brushed against my soaked panties. A soft whimper escaped me before I could stop it.
"Shh," he admonished softly, his voice a low growl that sent shivers down my spine.
I bit down harder on my lip, determined not to make another sound. His fingers pressed against the wet fabric of my panties, teasing me with gentle strokes that made it hard to breathe. The sensation was almost too much to bear, and I found myself arching into his touch.
Ryker's thumb brushed over the sensitive spot at the apex of my thighs, drawing another whimper from me despite my efforts to stay quiet. The friction of the wet fabric against my skin was maddening, every touch sending jolts of pleasure through me.
His other hand moved up to cup my breast again, fingers rolling the nipple he'd just abandoned. The dual sensations—his mouth on one nipple and his fingers on the other—were almost too much. My breath came in short gasps as I tried to keep control, but it was slipping away with each passing second.
I felt his fingers slide beneath the edge of my panties, brushing against the slick heat there. The contact made me gasp softly, and I bit down harder on my lip to keep from crying out. His touch was gentle but insistent, exploring with a confidence that left no room for hesitation.
Every movement of his hand seemed designed to drive me wild, each stroke drawing me closer to a breaking point I wasn't sure I could withstand. The tension coiled tighter within me, a hot knot of need that demanded release.
But Ryker seemed content to keep me on edge, teasing me with slow, deliberate touches that left me trembling in his arms.
I clung to his shoulders, my breaths coming in ragged gasps. The heat coiled tighter and tighter, every touch amplifying the intensity.
His thumb pressed against my clit, circling with a pressure that made my vision blur. I felt the climax building, a wave of sensation that threatened to overwhelm me. My body tensed, every muscle coiled in anticipation.
When it hit, it was like an explosion. Pleasure radiated out from my core, every nerve ending igniting in a burst of sensation. I bit down on my lip to stifle the scream that threatened to escape, my body arching into Ryker's touch as I rode out the waves of ecstasy.
His fingers continued their relentless rhythm, drawing out the climax until I was trembling and spent. I slowly descended from the high, my body still shuddering with aftershocks.
Ryker watched me intently, his eyes never leaving mine. There was a raw hunger in his gaze that sent another shiver down my spine. He slowly withdrew his fingers from me, the movement deliberate and sensual.
I watched, transfixed, as he brought his fingers to his mouth. His eyes held mine as he slid them between his lips, tasting me with a slow, deliberate motion that made my breath catch. The sight was incredibly intimate, sending another jolt of desire through me despite the lingering aftershocks of my climax.
Even after everything we’d just done—everything I’d just experienced—I found myself wanting him even more. There was something about the way he looked at me, something that spoke of possession and need that echoed my own desires.
His thumb brushed against my cheek once more before he leaned in, capturing my lips in a kiss that tasted of me and something darker—something primal. It was a reminder of everything we’d just shared and everything still simmering beneath the surface.
Ryker's breath was ragged, his chest rising and falling with a rhythm that mirrored my own. I felt his hardness pressing against me. An idea formed in my mind, wicked and daring. I wanted to see him unravel, to leave him as undone as he had left me.
With a slow, deliberate motion, I slid down to my knees, never breaking eye contact. His eyes widened in surprise, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his features. I reached for his belt, fingers working deftly to unbuckle it and slide it free. The metallic clink echoed in the room, a prelude to what was coming next.
Ryker's hands clenched into fists at his sides as I unzipped his pants and reached inside, pulling out his cock. It was hard and heavy in my hand, the heat of it sending a thrill through me. His jaw tightened, but he didn't make a sound—at least not until I took him into my mouth.
The moment my lips wrapped around him, Ryker let out a low moan that reverberated through the quiet room.
"Uh uh uh," I admonished softly, pulling back just enough to speak. "Keep quiet, Mr. Kane."
His jaw clenched tighter at my words, the muscles working beneath the skin as he struggled to comply. I could see the effort it took for him to remain silent, and it only spurred me on.
With a teasing slowness, I took him back into my mouth, hollowing my cheeks as I sucked gently. The taste of him filled my senses, mingling with the lingering thrill of our earlier encounter. Each movement of my tongue drew another muted sound from Ryker, though he fought valiantly to keep quiet.
His fingers threaded through my hair, not guiding but simply holding on as if for dear life. I moved with deliberate precision, alternating between long strokes and shallow teases that left him trembling. Every so often, I'd glance up at him through my lashes and catch the storm brewing in his eyes.
Ryker's breaths grew shorter, each exhale tinged with the effort of keeping his moans at bay. His hips twitched involuntarily, seeking more even as he tried to remain still.
I continued my ministrations with single-minded focus, determined to push him closer to the edge without letting him fall over just yet. The power of having him at my mercy was intoxicating—knowing that despite all his control and strength, here he was utterly vulnerable to me.
And I intended to savor every moment of it.
His grip tightened in my hair, fingers clenching almost painfully as I continued my slow, deliberate rhythm. I could feel the tension building in him, every muscle coiled tight with the effort of holding back.
I maintained eye contact, never looking away as I took him deeper into my mouth. The taste of him was heady, a mixture of salt and musk that filled my senses. His eyes burned into mine, a fierce intensity that sent a thrill through me.
Ryker's control finally shattered. His hips bucked, and with a low, guttural sound that he barely managed to stifle, he came in my mouth. The hot surge filled me, and I swallowed every last drop without hesitation. The act felt intimate and possessive, a claim on both our parts.
As his release ebbed, his gaze never wavered. There was something raw and primal in his eyes, a connection that went beyond the physical. When I finally pulled back, licking my lips clean of any remaining evidence, his expression softened just a fraction.
Without a word, Ryker pulled me up to my feet. His hands were firm but gentle as they guided me closer. The moment I was upright, his mouth crashed onto mine with a passionate urgency that left me breathless. The kiss was intense, full of need and unspoken promises. His lips moved against mine with a demanding fervor that matched the pounding of my heart.
Every sensation was magnified—the press of his body against mine, the taste of him lingering on my tongue, the heat of our shared breaths. It was as if everything else had faded away, leaving only us and this moment.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him even closer as I lost myself in the kiss.
A knock startled us out of our moment.
"Miss Adams?" a voice said. "We just finished cleaning up."
"I—I'll be out there once I finish with these clothes," I managed to say, my voice cracking.
Ryker said nothing, but the heat from his gaze never left.
This wasn't over, he seemed to say.
And I found myself anticipating just what would come next.