Page 61 of Rekindle My Heart

“Erica?” He inhaled a deep breath, then relaxed back, taking her with him. “Lavender. It’s you.”

“Yup.” She gently pushed against his chest, but he didn’t release her. “Um, Ryan. I’m here to check your concussion. Let me see your eyes.”

“Mmm, hmmm. You have beautiful eyes,” he mumbled, then nuzzled her hair.

Okay. She wasn’t sure how to extract herself. And damn it… did she really want to?

Yes, yes, remembering her little pep talk in the hallway. She wanted to. She needed to.

She shoved harder this time. Those dark eyes popped open. The stream of light from the streetlamp outside cut across his face. He stared at her now. She could see his dilated pupils, but she couldn’t say if he was fully awake.

His brows furrowed. He cupped her cheek, caressing. Strong fingers slid into her hair and with light pressure, guided her face down to his.

It felt right. Natural. She didn’t fight it. Letting him take the lead, her heart stopped as his lips found hers. With each touch of his mouth, her pulse stammered. Lord help her. She tipped her head and changed the angle, bringing him closer.

He groaned. His tongue slipped out—licked, teased, even caressed the seam of her lips.

Her mouth parted. A tiny gasp slipped out, taking a rush of emotion she fought to suppress all these years with it.

Once their mouths locked in a battle of possession, Erica’s mind blanked of anything but the man under her. His hands held her to him, the movement of his chest in time with hers.

With each breath, her nipples tightened. His chest hair brushed her shirt—a tissue-paper-thin shirt. The one barrier preventing skin-to-skin contact. Oh, how she really wanted to feel that soft, downy hair on her breasts.

With long steady fingers, he traversed the length of her side sending goosebumps down her arms. Thousands of tiny receptors all tuned in to Ryan’s every touch.

He broke their kiss and stared into her eyes. The sound of their panting breaths filled the silence. She shifted, and Ryan’s growing erection nestled into the vee of her thighs. Home.

He blinked.

She blinked.

Need swam in his eyes.

With unsteady hands, she fisted the edge of her tee. Do something. Get off him.

Erica leaned back, then pulled her shirt over her head and dropped it onto the floor. It seemed her body had a different idea of getting off than her brain.

His dark eyes watched her as he trailed a fingertip across the swell of her breast, gently stopping at the delicate ink above her heart. He didn’t speak but continued his journey, tracing the edge of her areola with a fingertip. His motions spiraled closer to the hard tips. A shiver that started at her breast zipped down her spine. Small releases danced along each vertebra.

What she could see of Ryan’s eyes were coal black. He rose and took the tight nub between his lips, and a tidal wave of pleasure washed over her.

She was on the edge of an orgasm, and he had only touched her breasts.

Her mind started to question. Why had she pushed him away?

A low growl cut the moment. Karma barked in the other room.

Ryan tensed beneath her. Realization cracked the shell of this cocoon they were in.

Another bark came, accompanied by his low, protective growl.

Erica slipped off Ryan and picked up her shirt, slipping it over her head. “I better go see what he’s barking at. It’s probably a bunny in the yard.”

Ryan gripped her forearm. “Wait. I’ll go see.”

“I’m sure it’s nothing.”

“Humor me.” He stood in boxer briefs, sidearm snug in his palm. The picture of a warrior ready to slay her demons.