Chapter Seventeen
Rygaard
We lay there tangled together, her head on my chest, both of us catching our breath. My heart’s still racing, hammering against my ribs like it’s trying to break free.
Presley’s fingers lazily trace circles over my abs, making me twitch and laugh under my breath.
“What’s so funny?” she murmurs sleepily.
“You’re ticklish,” I tease, tightening my arms around her just a little.
“Mmm, maybe." She yawns, nuzzling into me. “Or maybe I’m plotting my next move.”
I chuckle and run my hand up and down her bare back. “Oh yeah? And what evil plan is brewing in that pretty, little head of yours?”
She props her chin up on my chest, her hair falling messily around her face, and gives me this mischievous smile that melts every part of me.
“Round three," she says sweetly. "But this time, I’m in charge."
My eyebrows shoot up. “Already trying to steal my crown, Princess?”
She bites her bottom lip and shrugs, trying and failing to look innocent. “Well, you did say I could bend you to my will eventually.”
“Eventually!” I laugh, flipping us so she’s beneath me again, squealing. “Not five minutes later!”
She giggles, smacking my chest playfully. "Semantics."
I pepper kisses along her cheeks, her nose, her forehead, making her squirm and giggle more.
"You," I say between kisses, "are going to be the death of me."
“And you," she teases back, "are already whipped. Completely, hopelessly whipped.”
I pretend to look scandalized, clutching my heart. “Lies and slander!”
She grins wickedly. "Admit it, Rygaard. You’d do anything I ask."
I stare down at her, my heart swelling so much it almost hurts. “Yeah," I say quietly, brushing her hair back from her face. "Anything."
Her smile softens, and for a second the teasing fades into something deeper. She cups my jaw, eyes sparkling even in the low light. “Good. Because after round three... we’re going to my place and you're making me pancakes.”
I burst out laughing, dropping my head to her shoulder. “Pancakes? I just rocked your world, and you want breakfast ?"
“Hey, a girl’s gotta keep her strength up.” She winks. “You’re a lot of man, Rygaard."
I groan dramatically. "Fine. Pancakes. With chocolate chips, or you're not getting a damn thing outta me later."
She laughs so hard she snorts, and it’s the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard.
I pull her closer, already planning to give her everything she asks for and more.
Because Presley isn't just my first.
She's my forever .
“Our night’s just beginning, Princess, and I plan on giving you every orgasm you ever thought you missed out on."
I nudge her legs apart, savoring the little hitch in her breath.
"Are you sore at all?" I ask, my hand trailing up to cup her breast, giving it a firm squeeze.
Mischief flickers in her bright eyes. "Are you sore, Princess?
" I ask again, my voice lower, rougher. She shakes her head, but I arch a brow. "Use your words, baby girl."
"A little," she whispers, then clamps her mouth shut.
"You what?" I coax, fingers teasing the sensitive skin just below her breast. "When I ask you a question," I say, squeezing just a little harder, "I expect an answer." She whimpers at the authority in my tone, sending a jolt straight to my cock.
"Y-yes," she finally stammers, a little breathless. "I’m sore... but I like the ache. There's this fire burning inside me, and I think if I come again... it'll finally go out."
Holy. Fucking. Shit.
My sweet, perfect Princess, asking for more.
Her small hands dance along my back as she holds her breath, waiting for my reaction. I don't speak, I just smile and lean in to inhale her scent: lilac and cherry blossom. Pure Presley.
"Fuck, Prez," I groan. "You smell so good."I’ve never been able to control myself around her. She’s got this natural pull, this gravitational force that tears down every wall I ever built.
We practically grew up together, neighbors, best friends with her brother, Rafe.
She was just one of the guys... until she wasn't.Until the day I noticed the curve of her hips, the swell of her breasts.Until the day I started making threats to any other guy who so much as looked at her. Rafe thought I was just an honorary big brother. He didn’t know the truth.
I didn’t want to protect Presley from the world. I wanted to keep her for myself.
“Ry, you’ve already had your fun down there," she teases, tangling her hands in my hair, tugging me lower. "But if you’re really craving a repeat performance... who am I to deny you?"
"I love it when you take charge like this, Princess," I groan, letting her guide me between her legs.
And then I devour her, tongue and lips working feverishly until her thighs tremble and my face is slick with her sweetness. "You almost lost control, didn't you?" I tease against her dripping folds.
She nods, gasping out, " No, sir. "
Fuck me. "You don’t know what hearing you call me 'sir' does to me," I rasp, dragging my body back over hers.
"Open your legs, Prez," I order, though I don't wait, positioning myself at her entrance. Our eyes lock, heat and need burning like wildfire between us. No words. Just us . "Brace yourself," I whisper, and thrust deep inside.
"Ry!" she cries, arching her back as I fill her completely.
"God, you feel amazing, baby," I groan, setting a hard rhythm.
“Harder," she pants, tugging me down for a kiss.
I grin against her mouth, tossing her legs over my shoulders and sinking even deeper. She gasps, a sound of pure pleasure. "Presley," I moan her name like a prayer.
"Say it again," she demands, breathless.
"What?" I tease, though we both know damn well what she wants.
"Say my name, Ry."
" Presley ," I breathe, driving into her harder, faster, our bodies slamming together perfectly.
"That's my boy," she whispers, and damn if that doesn't make me even crazier for her.
Bracing my forehead against hers, I fuck her like it’s the last thing I’ll ever do, chasing both of our releases."I’m close," she whimpers."Good," I growl, gripping her hips tighter. "We’re coming together."
One, two more thrusts, and we fall apart at the same time, shouting each other’s names as pleasure rips through us.
“My God, Presley,” I pant, rolling off of her but never letting go. Propping myself up on an elbow, I stare at her.
Her eyes are closed, that gorgeous smile stretched across her flushed, radiant face. Her golden brown skin glows, hair splayed messily around her like a damn halo. She looks like everything I’ve ever wanted, everything I never thought I deserved.
She opens her eyes and catches me staring. "Why are you looking at me like that?" she asks, laughing softly.
I don't even hesitate."I love you, Presley," I whisper.
I’m not expecting anything back, hell, I barely even know if I deserve it, but I need her to hear it.
"I’m not expecting you to say it back," I start, but she presses a finger to my lips, stopping me.
"I love you, too, Rygaard," she murmurs. "I think I always have."
Everything inside me snaps into place, perfect and right.
But then she frowns a little. "What are we going to tell Rafe?"
I pause. Rafe’s my best friend, like a brother, and yeah, he’ll probably freak. But he knows me. Knows I’d treat Presley like a queen.
"You let me worry about Rafe," I tell her. "For now... let's just enjoy this. If that means sneaking around until the time’s right, so be it. Only if you’re okay with that."
She hesitates, then sighs, her back turning slightly away.
"I hate lying to him," she admits.
"I know."
"But..." She turns back, her smile bright but a little mischievous. "If it means I get to have you ... then I'll do it."
I press a kiss to her temple, pulling her close until she’s flush against my chest, her scent wrapping around me.
"I don’t want this night to end," she whispers into the crook of my neck.
"Me neither," I murmur. "We’ve still got a few hours. Rest now, Princess."
She yawns adorably against me, and within moments, soft snores fill the room. I hold her tighter, my heart damn near bursting.
"That’s my sweet girl," I whisper against her hair. "Obedient. Loved. Mine. "
And with her in my arms, I drift off to sleep with a smile that won't leave my face.