Zoe threaded her fingers through his. "I accept."
Which was all he needed to hear. The time for foreplay and talk was over. He eased his hand between her legs, feeling the slick wetness and damp heat that moistened his fingertips. She moaned and clenched her thighs around his hand.
She trembled and sighed, her need aching and obvious. Somehow he managed to roll her onto the mattress and continue what he started, caressing her slick outer folds as she writhed beside him. He came over her and spread her thighs, his thick, hot erection poised at her dewy entrance. Then, placing his hands on her thighs, he locked his gaze with hers and thrust deep inside her waiting body.
She gasped and let out a load moan of satisfaction, tightening around him. He found her slick, warm and snug, everything he'd dreamed of even when he hadn't known her at all. Unable to wait, he began to move, sliding in and out, a motion she met by grinding her pelvis into him, hard. Her inner walls contracted, milking him with every thrust of his body into hers. They were in sync and each motion brought him closer and closer to release. Zoe's vocal moans told him she was right there with him.
Seconds before he reached his peak, she locked her legs around his back, bringing him so deeply into her body, he thought he saw heaven. Then he exploded, his orgasm more powerful than he'd expected and lasting longer than he thought possible.
Zoe came at the same time with a succession of cries that ended with her calling out his name and pulling every last bit of energy and emotion from him, as well.
He collapsed on top of her, completely spent and satisfied in a soul-deep way.
"Wow," she said, her voice muffled beneath him.
"Yeah." He couldn't manage more than one word in agreement.
They lay that way for what felt like a long while until the jarring ring of the motel telephone broke into the sound of their heavy breathing.
"Who could that be?" he muttered.
"There's only one way to find out."
With a groan of complete regret, he rolled off her to the cold side of the bed and answered the phone. He spoke to the motel operator, trying like hell to suppress a laugh at what the person said on the other end.
"I'm sorry and it won't happen again." He somehow spoke in a serious tone. Hanging up, he turned to Zoe.
She lay on her side, spent and still breathing deeply. Her dark hair tangled around her face in stark contrast to the standard white sheets. She was so damn beautiful. He reached down for the blanket they'd somehow kicked off the bed and pulled it over her in case she was cold.
"Everything okay?" she asked.
He looked into her eyes as he explained. "The front desk said the people in the next room would appreciate it if we'd keep the noise level down and be a bit…How did the man put it? A bit more restrained." This time Ryan burst out laughing.
"I'm mortified." Zoe's cheeks turned a deep shade of pink and she smothered her face in a pillow.
He propped himself up on his side with one arm. "Yeah? You could have fooled me." He pulled the pillow off and tossed it onto the floor.
"That phone call doesn't bother you?"
He shook his head.
She raised an eyebrow and studied him in a way that made him look deep inside himself. At any other time, under any other circumstances, being chastised for inappropriate behavior would have put him on edge, but not here. Not with Zoe. She helped him to loosen up.
To his never-ending surprise, the change didn't upset him as much as it should have.
Chapter Six
ZOE HADN'T MEANT to fall asleep. In fact she'd planned on leaving Ryan's motel and spending the night in her own bed. For one thing, she didn't want to set a bad example for Sam and for another, she didn't want to create even more memories with Ryan and forge yet another bond between them. In her mind, there was enough binding them already.
But something about being in his arms had felt so darn good, she'd let herself relax and the next thing she knew, the sun was streaming through the window. Since he'd driven her here, there was no way to sneak out and avoid an awkward morning after.
She rolled over and found Ryan sitting on a chair near the small wooden desk, reading over papers. She sat up against the pillows, pulling the covers up with her.
A little late for modesty, but what the hell. "Morning," she mumbled.
"Morning." He dropped the pen and pushed the papers aside, then stood and walked over to the bed. Leaning down, he planted a long, thorough kiss on her lips.
Nothing awkward or hesitant about it, she thought, and all her anxieties fled. "That was nice," she said softly.
He grinned. "Want breakfast?" He pointed to a Dunkin' Donuts bag waiting on the table.
"You managed to go out, pick up breakfast and get work done, all while I slept?" She glanced at the digital clock, which read 9:07 a.m.
"You were out cold."
"Because someone wore me out last night." Her skin tingled with the memory.
He met and held her gaze, warmth and desire evident in his eyes. "Someone wants to wear you out again," he said, slipping a hand beneath the sheet so he could cup and fondle her breast, arousing her with his touch.
She moaned, making sure to keep her noises more quiet this morning. "I need to get home though."
"Sam?" he guessed correctly.
"Yep. I never meant to spend the night." She flipped the covers off and began to scramble for her clothes.
"Why don't you shower first and then I'll take a quick one and drive you home?" he asked.
She glanced up, last night's clothing hanging from her arms. Just looking at the man made her hungry for him all over again. "Wouldn't it be quicker if we showered together?" She fluttered her lashes at him too innocently, her suggestive tone all too obvious.
Zoe didn't know how much time they would have together once his secret was revealed. Once he ripped Sam from their lives. She didn't know how to cope with all her conflicting emotions and yet somehow she managed to focus only on the here and now. On Ryan and this moment in time.
He obviously felt the same way because he laughed and they did as she suggested. Then they drove back to Zoe's house, where despite her protests, Ryan walked her to the front door.
Even if she wouldn't admit it aloud to him, she appreciated that he was brought up to be a gentleman because she was grateful for the few extra minutes alone with him. Unfortunately, she had something to tell him before they parted that would definitely kill the mood. "Zoe…"
"Ryan…"
They spoke at the same time and she laughed.
"Ladies first."
She hugged her arms close to her chest. "I really don't deserve for you to be so nice to me."
He raised an eyebrow in surprise. "I'm not sure what you're getting at, but if you're feeling insecure, I can assure you that you were amazing in bed." A teasing grin twitched at his lips, his dimples showing when he allowed a full-blown smile.
She flushed hot, remembering the feeling of making love with him, his body buried deep inside hers, filling her completely.
"Did you know you're adorable when you blush? Which I've managed to get you to do quite often." He brushed her cheek with the back of his hand.
"I'm very anti-Mediterranean that way. My olive complexion should protect me from giving myself away," she muttered.
"Well I wouldn't want you to be able hide your real feelings from me. Now what's on your mind?"
She shifted on her feet. The summer sun had yet to reach its peak, yet she was blistering hot, both from nerves and from being around Ryan.
When it came to a guy or a relationship, she was usually the one in control. But she couldn't get a handle on her feelings for this man. "I…We…Last night was amazing," she said first, not wanting to gloss over something so important to them both.
"Yes, it was." His voice dropped an octave. "But I hear a but coming."