Smoldering Hunger (36 page)
Authors: Donna Grant
She was just as ravenous because she quickly unbuttoned his jeans and slid her hands inside to cup his arousal. In minutes he was inside her.
V began to wonder why he had slept in his mountain for so long. It was time to spread his wings—in more ways than one.
After a moment, she flipped on the lights and began to take off her clothes. Everything was piled in the chair. Mostly because she wasn’t obsessed with folding every piece of clothing. But also because she didn’t have the time or inclination.
Kinsey removed her bra and grabbed the olive green tank top and put it on. Then she washed her face and brushed her teeth before climbing into bed.
Except, unlike the last two nights, she didn’t fall right to sleep. She was wide awake, staring at the ceiling.
And thinking about Ryder.
Foremost in her mind was their kiss. Her lips still tingled from it. His taste … chills raced along her skin. She could still taste him.
The power, the desire.
The hunger.
If he hadn’t pulled back, she wouldn’t have been able to. For three years she’d yearned to have his lips on hers again. When it happened, she’d been too shocked to move at first.
But her body remembered what to do. Her arms went around his neck and she eagerly opened for him.
Her body pulsed with need. A need that only Ryder had ever been able to call up—or quench. She squeezed her legs together and rolled onto her side, but it didn’t do any good. Her sex ached to feel Ryder slide within her, filling her as only he could.
Kinsey had no idea how long she laid there thinking of Ryder and replaying all the times they’d made love in her mind when the door opened.
She remained on her side. The light from the hallway lit the room in an expanding triangle as the door opened. A large form filled the crack before the door was quickly—and quietly—shut.
Kinsey didn’t move a muscle. Who was in her room and why? She was getting ready to scream Ryder’s name when the form stepped away from the door and the shadows there. The glow from the moon shed little light, but it was enough for her to see wide shoulders and a profile she recognized all too well.
Ryder.
With her fear gone and replaced with curiosity, Kinsey slowly released the breath she’d been holding. Ryder was in her room.
Ryder was in her room!
What the hell? She was furious.
Wasn’t she?
Unfortunately, fury wasn’t anywhere close to what she was feeling. That was reserved for exhilaration. And anticipation.
Her heart rate increased, and it became difficult to breathe. All because Ryder was in the room. She wished now she was on her back so she could watch him. He’d moved out of view, walking behind her to the opposite side of the bed.
When the bed shifted with his weight, Kinsey could barely contain herself.
What about your pledge to ignore him? Weren’t you done with him?
She was just a woman, a woman with desires. She’d have to be dead not to want him. And she was anything but dead.
He’ll break your heart again.
It was already broken. What did it matter if she gave in and took some pleasure? After the past three years, didn’t she deserve that much?
At this, her subconscious was quiet.
There was a sigh from Ryder as he lay back upon the bed. For several minutes, he didn’t move. Then he turned toward her, stroking her hair.
Just like her dreams!
Had they been dreams? Was this the only time he’d come into her room? She’d been dead on her feet the past two nights, so a nuclear blast could’ve gone off and she wouldn’t have known about it.
Her heart beat double when his hand came to rest on her waist. Then, slowly, he scooted close until their bodies were molded together, her back to his front.
The covers stopped her from knowing if he had his pants on, but there was no denying he was bare-chested. She used to run her hands all over his chest and the dragon tattoo every chance she got.
And she wanted to do it now.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” he whispered.
Kinsey squeezed her eyes closed. Those words hit her squarely in the chest. She wanted to believe him, to take those words and hold them against her heart forever.
But Ryder used to say sweet things like that all the time before he left her.
“Doona ever leave, Kins.”
If he kept this up, she was going to cry. To have the man she was in love with leave unexpectedly, and three years pass with no contact only to have him say everything she’d dreamt he would say was brutal.
And glorious.
This time she knew what was going to happen. This time she understood her place in his world perfectly.
This time, she’d be the one to leave.
She played a dangerous game. She was the lamb and Ryder the lion. He’d shredded her heart and her life effortlessly before. He could do it again.
Warm lips met her shoulder where he placed a light kiss. “Doona be afraid of me. I’ll always protect you.”
Kinsey moved back against him, allowing her shoulder to rub against his bare chest. Heat radiated from him, cocooning her in everything Ryder.
Another kiss was placed on her ear before he tenderly nuzzled her neck. She felt his cock thicken and grow against her back. Her nipples hardened and moisture gathered between her legs.
She knew Ryder well enough to know he’d never take advantage of her when she’d made it clear she didn’t want him. If she was going to have her night in his arms, she was going to have to make the move.
Kinsey covered his hand draped over her waist with hers. Then she turned her head to look at him over her shoulder.
He froze, waiting to hear what she would say or do. Kinsey took his hand and placed it on her breast. They gazed at each other for long seconds.
Then he squeezed her aching nipple through her tank top.
Ryder stared into striking violet eyes, unable to believe that Kinsey wasn’t just awake, but wanting him to touch her.
He ran his thumb over the hard nub of her nipple. Her lips parted and her eyes rolled shut. His cock jumped with yearning. He wanted inside her right that minute, but he pulled himself under control.
Three years had passed since he last held Kinsey. He wasn’t going to rush anything. They had the entire night without interruptions. Hours of nothing but them, the night, and desire.
Ryder rolled the nipple between his fingers, hating the shirt in his way. She rocked back her hips, rubbing against his arousal and causing him to moan.
“I missed that sound,” Kinsey whispered
He moved so he could roll her onto her back. Her lids opened, meeting his gaze. Desire was there, thick and evident. No longer was she trying to hide it or pretending that she didn’t want him.
“What else did you miss?” he asked
She touched his hand and then his face. “This and this.” Then she placed her hand on his chest, right over the dragon head. “This.” She reached down and cupped his rod through his pants. “And this.”
New York Times
and
USA Today
bestselling author
Donna Grant
has been praised for her “totally addictive” and “unique and sensual” stories. She’s the author of more than thirty novels spanning multiple genres of romance including the bestselling Dark King stories,
Dark Craving
,
Night’s Awakening
, and
Dawn’s Desire
. Her acclaimed Dark Warrior and Dark Sword series novels feature a thrilling combination of Druids, primeval gods, and immortal Highlanders who are dark, dangerous, and irresistible. She lives with her two children, a dog, and four cats in Texas.
Want to know when Donna’s next book is available? You can sign up for her newsletter at
www.DonnaGrant.com
, follow her on Twitter
@donna_grant
, or like her Facebook page at
facebook.com/AuthorDonnaGrant
. You can sign up for email updates
here
.
Don’t miss these other spellbinding novels by
The Dark King series
The Dark Warrior series
The Dark Sword series
From St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Thank you for buying this
St. Martin’s Press ebook.
To receive special offers, bonus content,
and info on new releases and other great reads,
sign up for our newsletters.
