“Did my brother put you up to keeping an eye on me? Did he send you to babysit me?” she asked. Ryder pulled into his driveway and cut the engine. The last thing he wanted to do was argue with Tatum. He wanted to take her into his house and finally make her his but the way she was looking at him made him lose all hope of that happening.
“Hart asked me to keep an eye on you. Stopping by your work was my idea and dinner was definitely my idea. If you remember correctly, your brother warned me to stay away from you, Honey,” he said.
“I remember,” she whispered. “I just don’t want to be your obligation, Ryder.” He laughed and unbuckled her seatbelt, pulling her onto his lap. He was surprised that she actually allowed him to do so.
“If anyone should feel like an obligation, it should be me,” he said, looking down at his leg. “You’ve been taking care of me, if you remember, Tatum.”
“But I did that to you,” she said, pointing to his busted up leg. “I wanted to make things right and take care of you.” He knew she felt bad about running him down but she also needed a place to stay. That thought nagged him daily and he worried that was the only reason she agreed to move in with him. Now that she had found a good job and was getting back on her feet, Ryder worried that Tatum was going to find a place to rent and leave.
“I appreciate that, Honey,” he said, stroking his big hand down her back. “But you don’t owe me anything, Tatum,” he said. “What happened was an accident and you don’t need to take care of me. I want you here with me because you want to be, not because you feel guilty or need a place to stay for a bit.” She looked out his driver’s side window and back at him.
“I like staying with you, Ryder,” she whispered. “And I don’t mind taking care of you.” He was so damn happy to hear her say that but she still wasn’t making him any promises to stay with him.
“Then stop looking for a new place to rent,” he said.
“You know I can’t stay with you, Ryder. This was only temporary—until you were back on your feet and I could find a job. I found a good one and it’s time for me to find a place to live.”
“You have a place to live. Hell, I’ll even charge you rent if that’ll make you feel any better,” Ryder offered.
“Rent from you?” she stuttered.
He shrugged, “Sure,” he said. “Why not?”
“Because it’s crazy—that’s why not,” she said. He pulled her down and kissed her, knowing that changing the subject wouldn’t work for him and arguing with her was getting him nowhere. Ryder loved the way she wrapped her arms around his neck and turned to straddle his lap. Her hot core was covering his cock and she shamelessly rubbed herself on him, trying to gain some friction. He felt the same way but knew that taking her in his driveway was a good way for them both to end up in jail, and that was the last thing they needed. Ryder wrapped an arm around her waste and shoved his door open to get out of his pick-up. He put her down and grabbed his crutches, wishing he didn’t need them anymore. He hobbled his way to his home, not bothering to check to see if they had an audience with his nosey neighbors, because he honestly didn’t care.
Ryder shut his front door behind him and pushed Tatum up against the wall in the hallway. “Now’s the time to tell me to stop, Honey,” he said. “You have all the say here. We won’t do anything you don’t want to do, Tatum.”
She smirked up at him and nodded, “Well, you did buy me dessert and all,” she teased. Ryder couldn’t help but laugh, she was the sweetest damn woman he’d ever met.
“True,” he said. “So, this is pay back for the cheesecake then?” he asked.
“No,” Tatum breathed. “It’s because I want you,” she admitted. “I’ve fought it for weeks now and I’m done fighting. The question is do you want me, Ryder?” she whispered against his lips, pushing his overly long hair back from his face.
“So fucking much,” he admitted. “More than I’ve ever wanted any other woman in my life” He wasn’t lying about that either. He was so used to hook-ups and quick fucks that Tatum made him half crazy waiting for her. He wanted her for so much more than just a quick fuck. He wanted something more with her but every time he mentioned wanting a family and kids, she shut him out and put her walls back up.
“Then take me, Ryder,” she breathed. “Make me yours.” That was all the permission that Ryder needed and his cock was full steam ahead.
“This is the part where I’d pick you up and carry you to my bed, Baby, but I’m a little out of practice with these things,” he said, holding up his crutches.
“How about I just agree to follow you to your bedroom, Ryder?” she asked. “I’m sure you can think of something to make up for the whole not being able to carry me thing, on our way down the hallway.” Tatum followed him down the hall to the master bedroom, anxious to get to the bed.
She winked and he chuckled, “Challenge accepted,” he agreed. Ryder watched as she sat on the edge of the bed and patted the spot next to her. He sat and tossed his crutches to the side.
“You sure you’re up for this?” she asked. Ryder looked down to his erection and smiled back at her.
“You could say that,” he teased. He ran his hand down her face and cupped her jaw, loving the way she leaned into him. “I’ve wanted you for too long to let my fucking leg get in the way,” he growled.
“I’ll be gentle,” she whispered, stroking her hands down his chest and God, it felt so good to have her touching him.
He chuckled, “Isn’t that supposed to be my line?” he teased. “I know this is your first time, Tatum. I’ll make this good for you, I swear.”
“I know you will, Ryder,” she said. “I’m not worried about that. I’m worried about your leg, really.”
“How about you let me worry about my damn leg, Baby?” he asked. He ran the pad of his thumb over her soft bottom lip and it trembled. Ryder was done waiting for what he wanted. It was time he started taking control of his life and make Tatum his. He just hoped like hell that didn’t scare her off.
“Okay,” she breathed. Tatum started unbuttoning her blouse and he felt like he was holding his damn breath.
“Slow down, Honey,” he said, pulling her hands into his own. “I want to take my time with you, Tatum.” She shyly nodded and he laid her back on his bed. Her dark hair spilled around her and she smiled up at him. “God, you’re so fucking beautiful,” he breathed.
“Ryder,” she whispered and reached for him. “Please.” He lowered himself on top of her and she writhed against him. He loved how responsive she was to him. He kissed her lips and when she pulled him down like she couldn’t get enough of him, he lost his shit. Ryder tried to be patient and finish unbuttoning her shirt but instead, he found himself tearing the buttons from her blouse as he exposed her white lacy bra. He stopped kissing her long enough to look her over again—she was the sexiest fucking woman he’d ever seen.
“Baby,” he murmured against her skin. He kissed his way down her body, freeing her perfect breasts from her bra. Tatum moaned when he sucked her taut nipple into his mouth. He loved her taste and the sexy way she moaned his name, arching her back to thrust herself deeper into his mouth. Ryder reached down to her waist and pulled her leggings down her body, rubbing the palm of his hand over her barely there lacy panties. God, she was his walking wet dream.