Seized by Love (Love in Bloom: The Ryders, Book 1): Blue Ryder (9 page)

“Me too, and I knew we’d hit it off. No matter how many times you refused to go out with me, I always knew we’d end up together. I think that’s why I never told Sky that I’d asked you out and that you’d turned me down.”

“Oh God.” Lizzie gasped. “You didn’t tell her either?”

He laughed and shook his head. “You didn’t tell her? I thought girls talked about everything.”

“Usually we do, but I never told her that you asked me out. I didn’t want to feel pressured into accepting.”

“And I didn’t want her to pressure you.” He hugged her against him and kissed her again. He hadn’t worn his heart on his sleeve for years, but with Lizzie, there was simply no other way to wear it.

“See how alike we are?” he said. “I know it’s late, and you’re probably too tired, but I have something else planned if you’re—”

“Blue, I don’t want our date to end either, so whatever you had planned is great with me. Tomorrow’s Sunday, and I usually take the day off, so I can rest then.”

“Don’t you want to hear what I had planned?” he asked as he turned off the road toward his house.

“It doesn’t matter.” She rested her head on his shoulder like they’d been dating forever. “Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s going to be perfect.”

Blue lived about as simply as a person could while still having creature comforts to enjoy. His modest cabin was set down a narrow and winding road, deep in the woods of Wellfleet on the way to Cahoon Hollow Beach. He parked in front of the one-story, cedar-sided cabin and helped Lizzie from the truck, holding her close and soaking in the feel of her as he set her on her feet. She surprised him again by snaking her arm around his waist as they walked up to the front door. Again he had to wonder how he’d gotten so lucky to finally break down her defenses.

“I guess I should have warned you. My place is pretty small.”

He unlocked the front door and flicked on the lights, illuminating the cozy cabin. He watched her eyes roll to the right, past the kitchen and up to the vaulted ceiling, then travel to the loft above his bedroom. There were no interior walls in the cabin, other than the ones separating the bedroom and bathroom. Blue loved the open floor plan. As he watched Lizzie running her fingers along the marble bar that separated the living room from the kitchen, he wondered what she was thinking.

She smiled as she took it all in. “This feels very much like you. It’s rugged and gorgeously built, of course.” Her voice held a flicker of flirtation. “And it feels safe. Like you. You feel safe.”

He wrapped his arms around her from behind and kissed her neck. “Just what a guy wants to be called.
Safe
.”

She craned her neck to the side, giving him better access to nibble her soft skin. He traced the shell of her ear with his tongue and felt her shiver against him.

“Okay, safe just went out the window,” she said, turning toward him. “You promised me just kisses, remember?”

“That was like a kiss.” He took a step back and made a sweeping gesture with his hand as he bowed. “Your wish is my command.”

She laughed. “My wish is definitely
not
to only kiss, but this
is
our first date…”

He walked around the counter to put some space between them before he was unable to stop touching her and selected a bottle of wine from the rack.

“I’m glad you like my place. I built this cabin when I first moved to the Cape.” He’d always loved his cabin, and although Sky had been there many times, he’d never brought a woman he was dating home with him.

“But you just bought that lighthouse property. Are you going to move there?”

“When I bought this land, I fell in love with it. It was one of those moments you never forget.”
Like the first time I saw you
. “I could smell the ocean coming over the ridge and the woods buffered me from the outside world. And when Duke and I went to see Bowers Bluff, I had that same feeling. I knew I wanted to be there.”

He poured them each a glass of wine, and they went into the living room, where she looked over family photographs on the mantel while he queued up a movie.

“So, you’ll move there?” she asked.

He shrugged as he came to her side. “I’m not really sure. When I’m out on the bluff, it stirs another part of me. The part that’s ready to start thinking about the future, having a family someday.”

“Aren’t most guys trying
not
to get tied down?” she asked.

“I’m not most guys.” He drew her in close again, and her eyes darkened as she met his gaze.

“No, you’re definitely not.”

He set their wineglasses on the mantel and lowered his lips to hers, gently covering her mouth and taking her in a slow, drugging kiss. Her lips parted instantly for him, and every stroke of their tongues brought a thrum of desire.

“I love your mouth,” he whispered against her lips before kissing her again. “I’ve dreamed of kissing you for way too long.” He didn’t want to stop kissing her, even as he sealed his lips over hers again, knowing he needed to pull back or he wasn’t going to be capable of honoring his promise. She kissed him hungrily, as if she couldn’t stop either.
Damn
, this was totally unfair. Why did he have to be the good guy?

Tearing his lips from hers, he managed, “I made you a promise.” Lust laced each syllable.

She pressed her hands to his cheeks, went up on her toes, and kissed him again. Her body fell against him, as if she’d lost her balance, and he wrapped her in his arms, holding her there, aching to feel every inch of her softness with nothing between them.

“Lizzie,” he warned.

“I know,” she said between kisses.

“Movie.” He forced himself to step back. They were both breathing hard, and he had no doubt that he could sweep her into his arms, carry her into the bedroom, and make sweet love to her all night long. But he’d promised her they’d only kiss, and if Blue was one thing, it was trustworthy.

He moved their wineglasses to the coffee table, and she settled in on the couch. How many times had he envisioned coming home with her, feeling her presence in his home? He slipped off his shoes, then helped her do the same, and as she tucked her feet beside her, he dimmed the lights. The movie started as he sat beside her and pulled her in close again, loving the feel of her against him.

“You have
Love Actually
?” She lifted her head from his shoulder and looked at him with curiosity in her eyes.

“Yeah, don’t tell any of my buddies or I’ll never hear the end of it.” She giggled, and he kissed her again. He knew that bringing her home to watch a movie wasn’t a big, exciting date, but he’d craved time alone with Lizzie for so long, and since he’d never brought a woman home before, it felt like a very big deal to him. And now that he knew how tired she was, he was glad he hadn’t planned a more exciting first date. “You’re dangerously addicting, Lizzie.”

“Don’t go there,” she said softly.

“Why? What’s so bad about my liking you?”

She gazed up at him again. This time her eyes held confusion, and unless he was reading her wrong, a tinge of sadness. “There’s nothing wrong with you liking me. Just don’t get addicted to me. Addictions aren’t safe.”

He kissed her again. “Well, as you said yourself, you’re safe with me. I made a promise, and even if it kills me, I’ll keep it.”

She stifled a yawn and snuggled against him again. “Sorry. I think the late night and the wine are hitting me after all.”

“You can lie down if you want to be more comfortable.” He knew she must be exhausted.

“Why are you so nice to me after I turned you down for so long?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” He smiled. “I’m a nice guy. Don’t you know that yet? Do you really think I’d change because you agreed to go out with me?” He pressed his lips to hers again. “I only want to make you happy, make your life better, and be closer to you.”

“That’s actually why I didn’t want to go out with you.” She dropped her eyes, and he lifted her chin so he could see her face.

“Because I’m nice? I’m not that nice. There’s a huge difference between being
beta
and nice, you know.”

She smiled at that. “You are so
not
beta. I didn’t go out with you because I knew how easily I could fall for you, and my life is complicated. I told you that.” She shifted her eyes away and asked quietly, “Will you lie down with me?”

As Hugh Grant played in the background, they stretched out on the couch. Blue spooned Lizzie, one arm draped over her waist, his knees tucked behind hers, and her sweet ass pressed firmly against his erection. Pure. Torture. The fact that she’d just told him that she knew she’d fall for him only made it more difficult to hold back his emotions. She was painfully honest, even when she gave away her hand, and that made her even more lovable.

She nuzzled in closer and whispered, “Thank you for being trustworthy.”

For once in his life he wished he could break a promise, take her in his arms and love her like he wanted to. Instead, he did the right thing.

“Always.”

LIZZIE AWOKE WRAPPED securely in Blue’s arms. He was sporting another enticing erection, and it felt damn good pressed against her butt. It had been so long since she’d felt the hardness of a man’s body touching hers that she reveled in it. She closed her eyes and relaxed against him, telling herself that their date could go on a little longer before she pulled the plug. It was Sunday, after all, the one day of the week she didn’t need to film or edit her webcast, or even go into the flower shop if she didn’t want to. And what could be nicer than spending the next few minutes snuggled up against Blue?

From her horizontal vantage point, she took in his cabin. It was small but tidy. The cedar ceiling and hardwood floors gave it a masculine, rustic feel. She was surprised to see plants from her shop on top of the refrigerator and on the small kitchen table. Blue was always in and out of her shop, but she hadn’t realized that some of the plants he bought were for himself.

Blue stirred behind her. His unshaven cheek brushed over her skin, and his lips followed. Oh, how she loved his lips and the feel of his stubble against her skin. He pulled her flush against him and kissed her neck again while his hands pressed flat against her stomach and ribs. She loved his big, strong hands, and his sexy moans were heating her up in places that hadn’t heated without her help in a very long time. She couldn’t resist turning to face him. His eyes were heavy with sleep, and his thick dark hair was tousled. He looked too delicious not to kiss. He still tasted faintly of wine, and the second their tongues touched, shivers of electricity rippled through her. He pressed a hand to the small of her back, bringing his hard length firmly against her.

“Do you know how long I dreamed of holding you like this? Kissing you like this?” He kissed her again, and she slid her hand over his muscular back, taking pleasure in the firmness of him, the surety and safety of him.

“Tell me,” she whispered against his lips.

He kissed her again, then pressed scintillating kisses along her jaw as his hands smoothed down her back, over her hip, sending ripples of awareness through her with every touch.

Blue whispered, hot and lustful, in her ear, “Every night since the first day I laid eyes on you.”

When he shifted his weight, bringing one thigh over hers, she moved further beneath him, wanting to feel the weight of him, to feel what it would be like if she had a normal life and could allow herself to give in to her feelings and fall for such an amazing man. Her fingers traveled down his back, trembling by the time they reached his firm behind, which she couldn’t help but hold on to.

“You’re beautiful in the morning. Sorry about the morning breath.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of gum, then ripped it in half, placing one piece on her tongue and the other on his.

“I love a man who’s prepared.” She wanted to stay right there all day long.

He sealed his lips over hers, and she tried to tuck the gum between her cheek and teeth, making them both laugh. He plucked it from her mouth and set it, and his piece, on a magazine on the coffee table.

“Now we taste minty.” He pressed his lips to hers. “But just for the record, that gum was so I didn’t gross you out. I love the way you taste in the morning. No gum necessary.”

“You’re such a sweet talker.” She pulled him into a greedy kiss, wanting to feel more of him, to forget that she had to go back to real life—which she’d already decided could wait another day—and just disappear into him.

His mouth was hot and commanding, his hands were heavy and possessive as they played over her hips and waist, and his body was so hard she could only imagine how good he would feel buried deep inside her. He held her hips as his mouth ravaged hers and his hard length rocked against her, eliciting a wanton moan she couldn’t hold back if her life depended on it.

“Oh, God, Blue…We should stop.” She panted, arching her neck, giving better access to his skilled mouth while she tangled her hands in his hair and held him in place, his teeth grazing over her skin, his tongue sending chills down her spine.

“Okay.” He started to pull away.

“No.” She pressed his mouth to her neck again, as one of his hands cupped her breast. “
Yes
.”

“You’re so beautiful.” His lips met hers as his thumb brushed over her nipple, bringing it to a sensitive peak as he took her in another soul-searing kiss.

She came away breathless, her mind blurry with desire. “Blue,” she whispered urgently.

He lifted lust-filled eyes and met her gaze. “I’m sorry.” His hand slid from her breast, and without thinking, she reached down and put it back on her chest.

“You said only kisses. I shouldn’t—” He tried to pull away again, but she covered his hand and held it in place.

“I wasn’t saying,
Blue
, like
stop
. I was saying,
Blue
, like,
Ohmygod, Blue, you feel so good
.”

He smiled and touched his forehead to hers. “Still. I got carried away. You trusted me, and—”

“And I want this. I want you.”

“Lizzie, if we keep going like this, there’s no turning back.”