Chapter 9
nine
. . .
Ryker
I've never given a woman a key to my place before.
Never wanted anyone in my space, in my life.
Been a lone wolf since I was seventeen, fighting my way through a world that wants men like me—violent men, dangerous men—to stay in our lane.
Keep the streets safe, then disappear. But watching Amanda move around my kitchen, humming some pop song while she makes coffee, wearing nothing but my t-shirt, I realize she's not just in my space.
She's fucking essential to it now. Two weeks.
That's all it's been. Two weeks since I stood between her and that piece of shit ex.
Two weeks of claiming her body, her trust, her innocence.
And now I can't imagine my life without her in it.
She hasn't been back to her apartment in ten days. Her clothes have migrated here piece by piece, her girly shampoo now sits beside my basic soap in the shower, her favorite mug has a permanent spot in my cabinet. It's time to make it official.
"Hey," I call, reaching into my pocket. "Come here a second."
She turns, sunshine smile lighting up her face. I'll never get used to that—how she looks at me like I'm something good. Something worth smiling at.
"What is it?" she asks, padding over to where I'm leaning against the counter. Her bare legs go on for miles beneath my shirt, and I have to force myself to focus. Sex later. This first.
"Got something for you." I hold out my palm, revealing the silver key nestled there.
Her eyes widen, flicking from the key to my face and back. "Is that...?"
"Key to the house." I clear my throat, suddenly feeling like an awkward teenager instead of a grown man who's buried himself inside this woman more times than I can count in the past two weeks. "Want you to move in. Officially."
"Ryker..." Her voice is soft, wondering.
"Not asking." I need her to understand this isn't optional. Not for me. "Telling. You belong here now. With me."
She takes the key with trembling fingers. "This is fast."
"Don't care." I pull her closer, one hand sliding down to grip her ass beneath my shirt. "Never been patient. Want what I want. And I want you here. Every day. Every night." Hell, she has been anyway. I’ve never let her go back to her apartment.
Her eyes shine with unshed tears, but she's smiling. "Yes."
"Yes what?" I need to hear her say it.
"Yes, I'll move in with you." She rises on tiptoes, pressing those sweet lips to mine. "Though I basically already have."
I deepen the kiss instantly, unable to resist when she offers her mouth. One hand tangles in her honey-blonde hair, the other still gripping her ass. When we part, we're both breathing hard.
I straighten, turning her to face me. Her pupils are blown wide with arousal, lips parted, cheeks flushed. Beautiful.
"Let's take this to our bed," I suggest, emphasizing the 'our'. "Want to do this right."
I lift her easily, cradling her against my chest as I carry her to the bedroom—our bedroom now. Set her gently on the bed and strip my shirt from her body, leaving her naked and perfect against the dark sheets.
"Look at you," I breathe, taking a moment just to admire her. "Most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
I strip quickly, cock already hard and heavy between my legs. Her eyes track the movement, tongue darting out to wet her lips. That small gesture nearly undoes me.
I settle between her spread thighs, taking my time now. This isn't about punishment or claiming or possession. This is about worship.
My hands slide up her sides, thumbs brushing the undersides of her breasts. "So soft," I murmur, leaning down to place gentle kisses along her collarbone. "So fucking perfect for me."
Her hands come up to grip my shoulders, nails digging in slightly as I take one pink nipple into my mouth. I lavish attention on each breast, sucking, licking, memorizing every gasp and moan.
"Please," she whispers, arching beneath me. "Need you inside me."
I position myself at her entrance, easing in slowly this time. Savoring the tight heat that grips me like a vise. "Feel how perfect we fit?" I breathe against her neck. "Like you were made for me."
"Made for you," she agrees, wrapping her legs around my waist to take me deeper.
I begin to move, slow deep strokes that have her gasping beneath me. My hands roam her body, worshipping every curve, every dip, every inch of soft skin that belongs to me now.
"One day," I murmur, one palm pressing gently on her lower belly, "you'll be round with my baby right here. Swollen with my seed. Everyone will know you're mine."
Her inner walls flutter at the words, a telltale sign she's close. The breeding talk drives her wild every time.
"Yes," she moans, rocking up to meet my thrusts. "Want that. Want to have your babies."
The words trigger something primal in me. My pace increases, each thrust deeper, more purposeful. "Gonna fill you up," I promise darkly. "Keep you pregnant. Keep you mine."
"Yours," she gasps, hands clutching at my back. "Always yours, Daddy."
I slide a hand between us, finding her clit with practiced ease. Circle it slowly, matching the rhythm of my thrusts. "Come for me, little girl. Let me feel you."
She shatters beautifully, back arching off the bed, inner muscles clamping down on my cock. The sight of her lost in pleasure—pleasure I've given her—pushes me over the edge. I bury myself to the hilt and release with a groan, emptying deep inside her.
Afterward, I gather her trembling body against my chest, stroking her hair as she comes down from her high. The possessive beast in me is satisfied knowing my seed is inside her, possibly taking root, making her irrevocably mine.
"Did you mean it?" she asks quietly, tracing patterns on my chest. "About wanting me to have your baby?"
I tilt her chin up, making her meet my eyes. “Why do you think I’ve never used protection, sweetheart?”
She gasps then, like she’s just now realized I’ve been fucking her raw. She fucking adorable.
My cock twitches against her thigh, already stirring back to life despite having just come.
“S-so, I could already be pregnant?” she asks.
“Are you okay with that?” I realize it’s a little late to be asking her that, but children with her is inevitable. I want it all with her. Need it all.
She nods, sudden shyness making her duck her head. "I've never wanted anything more."
I roll her beneath me again, suddenly desperate to be inside her. "Then let's make a baby, princess."
Her answering smile is brighter than the sun, and as I sink into her welcoming heat once more, I know with absolute certainty: this woman is my future. My home. My everything.