Air Ryder (Harper's Mountains Book 3) (8 page)

“You’re going to give me hickeys,” she accused as she stood and unbuttoned her jean shorts.

“Mmm,” he grunted, swatting away her hands. “Owls don’t do claiming marks. Don’t mean I want to leave you completely unmarked, though.” He slid her shorts down her legs slowly. She’d already taken off her shoes when they’d laid out the blanket, so there was nothing to trip him up from removing them completely and tossing them with his on the forest floor.

“Mmm hmm, yep,” she murmured as she stared down at his huge dick, jutting out like a damn tree branch between his legs. The head of his cock was swollen and capped by a drop of moisture. “Mark me. Yep. Hickey,” she said, trying to convince him she’d been listening, but whoa fuck, she couldn’t remember how to use her words.

Ryder’s eyes were gold and stunning as the sunlight hit them just right. They raked down her body, hitting all the hot spots as a feral smile took his face. She’d never seen a man look this hungry in her life, and he was giving that look to her. Normally, she would’ve been embarrassed about being laid bare and vulnerable in front of a man like this, but it was impossible not to feel like a complete goddess when Ryder was looking at her like this.

She moved to straddle his hips and get this show on the road, but he stopped her with an iron grip on her waist, and before she knew what was happening, he buried his face between her legs and ran his tongue up her wet slit.

Her legs went—just boom—knees gave out, but Ryder was holding her in place, supporting her completely now as he sucked gently on her clit.

God, this should be mortifying. She was out in the woods, in broad daylight, and when she looked down, both of her nipples were drawn up to tight little buds, and Ryder’s red hair was shining gold between her legs. But it was pretty damn hard to focus on how embarrassed she should be when he was laving his tongue against her and easing her toward release with every gentle suck on her sensitive nub.

Legs shaking, Lexi let off a helpless noise as the pressure built in her middle. Running her hands through his hair, she closed her eyes against the saturated sunlight and relaxed into his affection. Three more licks, and she was desperate for his tongue to be inside of her because orgasm was coming in hard and fast.

“Ryder,” she pleaded.

She swore she could feel him smile against her, the tease. She gripped his hair harder, pulled him closer, couldn’t help herself because she was gone now. And right before she lost it completely, Ryder adjusted his angle and plunged his tongue deep into her. The first pulse of ecstasy exploded around his tongue, but he wasn’t done. As she threw her head back and cried out, Ryder stroked into her over and over, drawing out every single aftershock until her legs were numb and she was a jumble of incoherent thoughts.

Ryder eased her down with his strong hands on her waist, kissing her stomach, her belly button, the line between her ribs. Each breast got a hard suck before he allowed her to finally settle on his lap. And then he was kissing her lips, and she could taste herself. With anyone else, that would’ve been strange, but with Ryder, it was just natural. And he didn’t seem to care at all. In fact, he kept smiling against her lips, and once, he chuckled.

She pressed herself against his erection and glared. “You aren’t supposed to laugh during sex.”

“False. If you aren’t having fun, you’re doing somethin’ wrong.”

She giggled and rested her forehead against his shoulder and rolled her head back and forth slowly. “As long as you aren’t laughing
at
me.”

Ryder leaned forward, bit her neck, and then tickled her ribs until she was squirming and laughing. “Stop, stop, stop,” she crowed. “You’re turning me off.”

“First off, I can hear lies, and second”—he dragged his fingertips up her wet folds, his lips smiling against hers—“you sure as fuck don’t feel turned off.”

She let off a low, gleeful laugh and nipped his bottom lip. Cheeky man, but maybe he had a point. She’d never had this much fun with a man during intimacy. It had always been wham, bam, thank ya ma’am, but Ryder had just made sure she came before he even took his own pleasure. And he was making laughter a natural part of sex with him. Fuck yes to all of this.

Feeling bold, Lexi kissed down his chest, bit his nipples gently, then went lower and lower. With a grin, she bit his hip, and then his other, and reveled in the fact that every time her teeth grazed his skin, he rolled his hips and relaxed his legs a little more. And when she gripped him at the base of his dick and looked up to tease him, she was stunned at how striking her man was. Gold eyes locked on her like she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen, the corners of his lips lifted in an adoring smile, his freckles stark against his fair skin, his muscles on his shoulders, pecs, and abs flexed to perfection. How had she gotten lucky enough to land in this moment with him?

Humor leaving her, she focused on making him feel good, just like he’d done for her. She slid her lips over the head of his cock and sighed happily as he gripped her hair and groaned. He was noisy when she did something he liked, and there was something infinitely sexy about that. Ryder bent one of his knees beside her, widened his legs, and rocked his hips the next time she took him. He was big, so she had to use her hand to help, but he didn’t seem to mind. And the smoother she got with her rhythm, the more he relaxed. Eventually he started panting, his abs flexing with every breath. He rolled his head back and his grip tightened in her hair, as if he was getting close, but he was still gentle with her.

He blew out three sharp breaths and murmured in a panicked tone, “Stop, stop.”

For an instant, she thought she was doing something wrong, but when she eased off him to ask, he flipped her over on her back so fast, her stomach dipped. Stunned at the strength and speed he’d been hiding, her body froze in defensiveness, but Ryder didn’t seem to notice. He lowered his body to hers and kissed her lips. He was so heavy, so solid, so warm. So perfect molded to her as though he was made to fit into the cradle of her hips.

He curved his body, and she could feel it—the flex of his abs against her soft stomach, the racing of his heart, the swollen head of his cock pressing against her entrance. And all the defensiveness melted from her body. She’d never wanted anything more than this moment of connection with Ryder.

She rolled her hips invitingly in a silent plea. Ryder angled his head and thrust his tongue into her mouth, then slid into her slowly. Then out, and the next time he rolled forward, he buried himself deeper.

She was stretching with him, moving with him, sheathing him, and damn, it felt so good to be this close. The second he went deep enough that he bumped her clit, the pressure he’d conjured earlier was back and more intense. He moved in and out of her with a slick sound, and she arched her back against the blanket, desperate to be even closer to his warmth. The strange hot sensation in her chest was back, and Ryder grunted against her neck where he was sucking on her skin. It grew hotter with every stroke Ryder pushed into her, but it wasn’t painful. Just there. Ryder bucked faster now, harder. Spreading his knees wider, he pushed her legs farther apart and pounded into her, gripping the back of her hair, holding her back to keep her pressed tightly against him. He rested his forehead on hers. His teeth were gritted, his eyes gold, and he was as lost as she was now. She fucking loved him like this. Ryder’s skin slapped against hers as he thrust into her, and now she couldn’t help herself.

“Yes, harder!” she cried, closing her eyes because suddenly, the sunlight was too damn bright. There was so much heat in her chest.

She clawed at his back and shoulders, didn’t care if she broke his skin. If he was going to leave hickeys, she was going to leave him all clawed up.

“Fuck, Lexi!” he gritted out, holding her even tighter.

So fast and hard, and the pressure and heat were all too much. Lexi shattered from the inside out, screaming out his name as her orgasm blasted through her. On the second pulse, the heat turned to fire as Ryder slammed into her hard and throbbed inside of her. He groaned with every erratic thrust into her now as shot after shot of wet warmth pulsated into her. Ryder gasped and clutched at his chest as if he felt the hot poker she did. Clenching his teeth and squeezing his eyes tightly closed, he murmured her name again in a raspy voice. His rhythm changed and slowed as their orgasms pounded on.

And when at last he leaned down and drank her lips softly, the pain in her chest was replaced with a fluttering, happy feeling. Ryder sipped at her for minutes, or maybe hours, she didn’t know. Lexi lost all sense of time as he pulled her over on her side and held her close, wrapped his arms around her and made her feel so safe as he kissed on and on.

Completely sated, Lexi eased back and smiled emotionally at him.

Ryder’s chronic smile was gone, and in its place was a tender expression as he tucked her hair behind her ear. Lexi smoothed the slight frown from his eyebrows, ran her fingertips down his cheek, down his neck, and hesitated at a small scar under his collar bone. It was raised and silver, but perfectly straight, as if it had been done on purpose.

“What’s this?” she whispered, resting her cheek on his outstretched arm to better see him.

“Owls don’t mark each other, but boars mark the people who are theirs. Mason gave my mom two cuts when I was five, claiming her. My dad had just signed away parental rights, and I wanted Mason to keep me so bad. He was hurt in a boar war in Damon’s Mountains, and the crews thought he wouldn’t make it. I remember just sitting at the foot of his bed and crying because I wanted him to stay.” A thin rim of moisture lined Ryder’s eyes, but he kept his gold gaze steady on her. “I’d made up my mind that no matter what, I was his boy. So I took a sharp stick and cut a mark into my skin. It was too shallow, and the scar wouldn’t take because of my shifter healing. So when Mason finally woke up, my mom told me I had to tell him what I’d done so he could get onto me for hurting myself. But instead of punishing me, he knelt down in front of me, pulled his pocket knife from his back pocket, and gave me one mark. And he hugged me up and told me I was his.” Ryder swallowed hard. “And that’s why I don’t like to talk about my real dad. I have no right to mourn. Mason might not be blood-related to me, but he’s my dad.”

So incredibly thankful that he’d shared that with her, Lexi scooted closer and hugged Ryder close. She’d loved him before that admission, but now her heart belonged to him completely.

“Lexi?” he murmured against her ear.

“Yeah?”

He pressed his lips to her cheek, let the kiss linger there before he whispered, “I think you’re what I’ve always been looking for.”

Ryder blew out a harsh breath and forced himself to stop shaking his leg under the table. Serena had texted him twice this morning, promising to let him see Dottie for their Tuesday call. Head games. It was like she sensed he was on the mend after the wreckage she’d turned his life into, so now she was back to sink her claws in deeper. Wouldn’t work, though. His heart belonged to Lexi now.

Still, he missed Dottie so fucking badly.

It was time to call Serena, but he couldn’t make himself hit the connect button on his laptop. The thought of even talking to his ex made his stomach feel like he’d eaten a dozen gas station burritos. This was the moment he had to choose between hanging onto Dottie, or letting her go and cutting ties with the woman who’d tried to destroy him.

Alana sat across the table from him, straightened her bright pink Alana’s Coffee & Sweets apron, and lifted her gold eyes to him.

“You smell like fur,” he gritted out. She was a brawler. If he was in his owl form right now, she would have every feather on his body puffed up defensively.

“As your second best friend, I don’t want you to call Serena. That woman is poison, Air Ryder. I like Lexi for you instead.” Whoo, full nick-name. Alana was serious.

Ryder pulled up Serena’s messages and pushed his phone across the table.

Alana’s deep scar on her lip stretched as she read the messages out loud. “You there? I have been thinking a lot about everything and how much I hurt you. I’m sorry, Ry-Ry. I just want you to come back to me so I can make it up to you. I’ll spend the rest of my life making you happy. Me, you, and Dottie can be a family again. To show you I’m serious, I promise I’ll let you talk to Dottie today when you call. I love you, Ry-Ry.” Alana gagged and scrunched up her face. She tucked a fallen curl behind her ear, settled the phone on the table, and leveled him with a look. “You want to know what I think?”

“You’ll tell me even if I say no.”

“Yep. I think bitch-face saw you post about how happy you are on your social media. She’s following you, Ryder. She’s one of those women who doesn’t really want you but wants you chasing her. I’m sorry about Dottie, but don’t call Serena. Don’t do it.”

“I wasn’t considering a call to rekindle things, Alana. Lexi has me now. I wanted to say goodbye to Dottie. I just have a feeling this is my last chance to see my dog, you know?”

“Ryder, you love her too hard.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean when you pick something, you give it your whole heart. You did that with Dottie, I know. But this is one of those things where you need to stop lookin’ back and realize what you have in front of you.”

“Lexi.”

“Yeah, and Sprinkles and your crew, your friends, your family. You want everyone you love gathered close for always, but you have no control over Dottie, and seeing her one last time isn’t going to help anything. It’s going to give Serena motivation to keep you under her thumb.” Alana stood up and ruffled his hair, shoved his head. “I’ve known Lexi for a long time. We went to middle school and high school together, and she was always steady. She was kind to everyone. Lexi is a good woman who would never treat you like Serena has done. Covet her, Ryder. Don’t call your ex.”

Alana sauntered off behind the display case of pastries to help a customer, and Ryder leaned back on the bench seat. She was right. Saying goodbye to Dottie wasn’t worth hurting Lexi over. Not after the day they’d spent together. Not after she’d put this warm, happy feeling into his chest. He’d rather sever his own arm than hurt her.

Lexi had showed him something he thought no one would ever be able to. She showed him what a monster Serena had been, and not just for cheating on him. For draining his savings and using his dog as leverage. How had he put up with that shit for so long?

Because you wanted the bond so badly.

Thank God for Lexi showing him what a healthy relationship could be.

She’d opened his eyes to so much, and now he wanted to get his shit together more than ever before. He wanted to get his business off the ground and save money for a family. He wanted to fix the hole in his middle so she would never have to question if she was enough to make him happy.

Ryder wanted to give her everything.

His computer chirped, and he dragged his gaze to the glowing screen. Serena was calling. Seeing his dog one last time was right there, right at the click of a button. All he had to do was accept, but if he did this, it would hurt Lexi. A vision of betrayal in her eyes flashed across his mind, and he winced away from the thought. He couldn’t do this. He loved Lexi. Real love, not the forced kind.

Ryder slammed his computer closed and grabbed his cell phone. He scrolled through the last couple of pictures he’d taken until he came to his favorite of Lexi.

He’d taken it after they’d slept together out in the woods the other day. She’d just gotten dressed, and she was sitting with her back to him, arms wrapped around her drawn-up knees as she overlooked his favorite view—the one he hadn’t shared with anyone else. Her long, black hair was hanging in silken waves down her back, and he’d planned on sneaking a picture of her, just like that. But right before he’d taken the picture, she’d turned and given him such a beautiful look over her shoulder. Her green eyes were bright and happy, and a stunning smile stretched her lips. Shocked by her beauty, he’d rushed the picture, but it had somehow still come out perfectly clear. His girl and his favorite view, surrounded by his favorite woods, and this was now his favorite picture of all time.

Alana had been right about him looking to the future and appreciating what he had.

Ryder had never posted about who he was dating on his accounts. They were for fun, and his followers had come to expect half naked pictures and jokes from him. But right now, he wanted to shout to the world that Lexi had come in and dumped his life upside down in the best way. On each account, he posted the picture of his beautiful Lexi with the caption:

I searched the world and finally found her. #sexylexi #backoffboys #allmine #hoohoo #pussyryder #sheisgoingtokillmeforpostingthis #writediedhappyonmytombstone

His notifications started going crazy with the likes and comments, but he wasn’t in the mood to absorb the attention right now. All he wanted to do was call Lexi and hear her voice.

He tucked his computer under his arm and made his way behind the counter. Alana was helping a couple choose pastries, but he snuck into the conversation, hugged her shoulders, and kissed her cheek with an animated smack. “I’m bringing a plus one to the wedding, okay?”

Alana giggled and wiped his kiss from her cheek. “Well, ask Lexi nicely then,
Ry-Ry
. Girls like romantic gestures.”

He offered Alana a wink and made his way to the door. “I know what I’m doing.”

“I feel like that’s not a true statement,” she called from behind him, but he wasn’t up for the banter.

Ryder had a dozen plans rattling around in his head right now and a lot of prep work to do before tonight.

The bell dinged above the door as he exited, and in a rush, he tossed a wave back to Alana, who was watching him through the window as if he’d lost his mind.

But he hadn’t. His head had never been so clear.

It was his heart he’d lost.