She reached for her shirt and he snatched it way. “You’re not going to need that. Wrap up in the blanket. I’ll get our clothes.”
Taking her hand, he opened the deck door, led her through and kicked it closed behind them. He had no intention of letting her go. With that rabbit-in-the-headlights look in her eyes, he was afraid she might run. He kept her hand firmly in his as they climbed the metal stairs with the cable-wire handrails to his bedroom.
LUCY’S BREATH CAUGHT. Ryan’s bedroom had a large picture window that shared the same view as the deck. His bed faced the scene. He turned on a small lamp sitting atop a dresser. It gave off just enough light to see well but not so bright as to be harsh.
Ryan led her to the bed. He let go of her hand and rested his hands on each of her shoulders. He gently pushed down until she sat on the edge. He backed away, just out of touching distance. Despite still being wrapped in the blanket, she felt more undressed than he was. She wanted him close, close enough that she could run her fingers over his muscled chest before she lost her nerve. Lifting a hand, she reached out. Capturing it, he gently squeezed her fingers and backed up a pace. He grinned. “I’ve created a monster.”
“Ryan—” She started to stand.
“Just listen a minute.”
She sank to the edge of the bed.
“In this room there will be no barriers. Be it clothes, emotions or thoughts. We can do and say anything without it leaving these walls.”
“O’Doherty law,” she murmured.
“Yes.”
The more he spoke the less she could control her hands. They shook. She clutched the blanket, hoping he wouldn’t see.
Ryan removed his socks and shoes, dropping them on the floor. His hands went to his jeans, flipping the button from the hole. She couldn’t look away, her concentration on the movement of his fingers. The only sound in the room was their breathing.
He pushed his pants down to the floor and stepped out of them. The evidence of his desire tented his boxers as he stood in front of her. The heat between her legs, banked when they’d come in the house, flowed again. This time it grew stronger. Ryan looked like a god standing before a display of multicolored lights. She was speechless.
“You’re scaring me, Lucy. But I love it.”
She blinked. “There’s that ego.”
“Yeah, and the way you’re looking at me only makes it and other parts grow.”
Unable to help herself, she stared at his manhood, which stood tall and proud between them. She promptly blushed when her gaze met his pleased one.
Completely confident, he came toward her. Why shouldn’t he be? She drew in a shallow breath. He was stunning. The total cliché Irish package—dark skin, expansive shoulders, thick hair and a grin to die for. The mind-boggling thing was that he was hers for the taking.
He stood so close, all bare and beautiful. She didn’t know where to look, finally focusing on a spot on the wall. He reached out a hand. She placed hers in his.
He tugged her to him, giving her a kiss that started a fire in her. “Now you go stand where I did.”
“What?” Her heart fluttered in her chest. She drew the blanket tighter.
“You heard me. It’s your turn. I’m going to watch.”
She shook her head. “I can’t.”
“I think you can. I went first so it’s only fair that you go.”
She dragged the blanket with her and turned to find him sitting on the bed where she had been.
“Let it go.”
She shook her head. “I’ve never stripped before.”
“Look at me, Lucy.” His words were said so softly yet with such force that he left her no doubt he’d accept nothing less than her compliance. Her gaze found his.
“I want to make love to you. All of you. Your mind, body and soul. I want a strong, self-assured woman in my bed and I know you are that woman. Let the blanket go.”
She fought a war in her mind. Part of her wanted to let the blanket fall but the insecure side screamed not to. Ryan’s expression never wavered. He believed in her. Did she believe in herself?
Taking a deep breath as if preparing to jump off a cliff into water, she let go. Unable to stop herself, her arms covered her breasts.
“Put your arms down. I want to admire you.”
Her confidence level wrenched upwards. Ryan wanted to admire, not just see.
“You are a goddess. Your hair is gorgeous. The way it falls over your breasts and flirts with your waist. I want to feel it all around me. Caress all the places it touches.”
She bit her bottom lip.
“Now your socks and shoes.”
Lucy bent to do his bidding. Her breasts hung before her and she knew without looking that his focus centered on them. In a fit of courage she pulled her hair away so that he had a clear view.
When her gaze met his again, his held a pained look. His eyes were hooded and his lips tight, as if he was working to restrain himself. Still she hesitated at the snap of her jeans. What if he didn’t like what he saw?
“Lucy.”
He wasn’t asking, he was demanding that she meet him halfway. She flipped the button and unzipped her jeans. With a shimmy, they fell to the floor. Ryan’s look flicked downwards but quickly returned to hold hers. She stepped out of her pants and stood before him in her pink panties.
“All or nothing, Lucy, your choice. This can start here or you can run and hide.”
The last words made her loop her thumbs in her panties and shove them down.
She didn’t miss his gasp in the silent room.
“Perfect. Completely perfect in every way. Come here.”
She gradually moved toward him. His eyes held her mesmerized. He hadn’t touched her but his gaze spoke of admiration, desire as it stroked each part of her body.
Ryan widened his legs and she walked between them until her knees touched the bed. He placed his hands on her waist. They trembled slightly. That encouraged her. It was empowering to know she affected this strong, highly intelligent man so.
He pressed his lips to her belly.
A quiver ran though her.
“You’re a beautiful woman. Every silky inch of you.” His lips slipped upward in a caress that made her skin tingle. “All glorious woman,” he murmured against her ribs before his mouth moved down the curve of her hip. “Perfection.”
He liked what he saw.
Lucy’s hand cupped the back of his head and held it there. For the first time in a long time she felt like a complete woman, whole again. This man before her had just given her a precious gift.
Ryan leaned back on the bed and pulled her on top of him. “I want you, Lucy. Now. I don’t think I can wait any longer.” His lips found hers and his kiss was hot and demanding.
She shifted, settling more intimately against his hard body, and deepened the kiss in answer.
Minutes later he rolled, taking her with him so that she was beneath him. “Let go a sec.” She did. He stood, found his pants and pulled a packet from a pocket.
“You