Chapter Fourteen

      Ryan stared at her for a long moment. The second his eyes met hers, something inside Betsy seemed to lock into place and she couldn’t look away.

      Then his lips curved upward in a smile that pierced her skin and traveled straight to her soul. She stood absolutely still as he reached out and touched her cheek, one finger trailing slowly along her skin until it reached the line of her jaw.

      She stopped breathing when he leaned closer, brushing his lips across hers. The friction sent shivers and tingles spiraling through her body.

      Betsy finally found her voice. She spoke his name, then paused, not sure what she wanted to say.

      “Let me make love to you.”

      His request, spoken in a husky voice, sent blood flowing like warm honey through her veins. He moved his arm so her hand slid down to his and he gently locked their fingers together.

      Betsy’s heart fluttered. A thousand butterflies lodged in her throat. Her body quivered with anticipation. It had been a long time, but she felt sure that with Ryan it would be different. Better. Magical even.

      She gazed into his eyes. Could he hear her heart pounding?

      “Please,” she said, not sure what she was asking for but knowing she wanted it all. Ryan was a smart guy. She was confident he’d figure out a way to meet her unspoken desires.

      Before she could blink, his clothes landed in a heap somewhere behind him. Like a game of follow the leader, Betsy took a deep breath and tossed what remained of hers on the floor next to his.

      When she’d been a child, teachers had told Betsy it was impolite to stare. But she was no longer a child and she couldn’t help herself. Broad shoulders. Flat abdomen. Muscular legs. And—she swallowed past the sudden dryness in her throat—indisputable evidence of his desire for her.

      Heat flooded her face, yet she didn’t look away.

      “Do I meet with your approval?” Even though a slight smile teased the corners of his lips, his eyes were dark and serious.

      “You’ll do,” she said, then belied the lighthearted tone by blushing. “What about me?”

      The second the question left her lips, Betsy wished she could pull it back. There was no way she could measure up to the previous women in his life unless she dropped ten pounds, worked out for a month straight and gained a cup size.

      Instead of a quick comeback, his gaze lingered. Then his eyes lifted to meet hers. “You’re beautiful.”

      Hating that she’d put him in the position to feel obligated to offer up a sentiment, she ducked her head and shrugged.

      “Hey.” He moved closer and lifted her chin with his fingers, his eyes like molten steel. “I mean it.”

      Betsy shook her head slowly from side to side.

      “If you won’t take my word, I guess I’m going to have to show you.” His voice was heavy with resignation, but the gleam in his eyes told her showing was going to be a good thing.

      For both of them.

      Ryan took her hand and urged her to lie on the bed, then slid in beside her. Betsy’s mind barely had time to register they were naked and on her bed—ohmigod—when he pulled her close. He smelled of soap and a familiar male scent that made something tighten low in her abdomen.

      “You are incredibly beautiful.” His breath was warm as he spoke softly into her ear right before he took the lobe between his teeth and nibbled. “And you’re all mine.”

      Shivers of desire rippled across her skin as anticipation coursed up her spine.

      “That vanilla scent of yours drives me wild.” He planted kisses down her neck while his hand lightly stroked her belly. “I want to be inside of you. I want to fill you completely until your pleasure makes you scream.”

      Scream? Betsy had never screamed in her life. Unless she counted the time Keenan dropped a spider down the front of her dress. Still, she was open to the possibility.

      She closed her eyes and reveled in the feel of his hands on her skin. Each sensuous stroke fueled the fire building inside her. When his hand slid upward from her stomach, Betsy forgot how to breathe.

      “I think,” he said in a low, husky tone, “your breast will fit perfectly in my palm.”

      Betsy opened her eyes just in time to see Ryan’s hand cup her breast. But he didn’t stop there. He circled the peak with his finger. Her blood began to boil. He touched the tip of his tongue to the tip of her left breast. Her need became a stark carnal hunger she hadn’t known she was capable of feeling.

      Thankfully he didn’t stop there. Or she’d have had to beg. He circled the nipple, then drew it fully into his mouth. Shock waves coursed through her body.

      The gentle sucking soon had her arching against him. He couldn’t seem to get enough of her breasts, kissing and licking each pink peak thoroughly, dragging his teeth across the sensitive skin. And she couldn’t get enough of his touch.

      Betsy squirmed in frustration. She pushed her hips against him, rubbing his erection. She wanted... She needed...

      Even if she wasn’t sure exactly what she needed, Ryan knew. His hand dipped south, slipping through her curls and between her legs.

      Her breath caught in her throat as he rubbed against her slick center. No man had ever touched her like this. No man had ever made her ache like this. When his fingers found her sweet spot, she nearly rose off the bed.

      “Don’t stop,” she begged.

      “Not on your life.” He kissed her and slipped two fingers inside.

      Her muscles automatically tightened around them. Betsy inhaled sharply.

      Ryan’s lips lifted in satisfaction. “You’re wet.”

      Was there any doubt? Betsy wanted to ask. Instead she opened her legs wider, moving sensuously against his hand, letting him know in every way possible that she wanted more of this, more of him.

      With gray eyes so dark they almost looked black, he shifted so that he knelt between her legs and began kissing his way down her belly. Part of her suspected what he was going to do while the rest of her couldn’t believe it was really happening. She’d heard talk...she’d read about it in books...but no other guy had ever...

      Leaning forward, he pressed his open mouth against the sensitive skin of her inner thigh. The sight of his dark head between her legs, the brush of his tongue dampening her flesh, was the most erotic experience of her life.

      She rocked her hips, brazenly