Smoke and Fire: Part 3 (3 page)

But every King had their own job. Since they lived forever, she supposed there wasn’t a need to have someone else know computers.

Kinsey always thought of herself as very good at what she did, but Ryder ran rings around her without even trying. He had four or five programs going at once while doing multiple searches. The two dozen screens weren’t nearly enough.

She wasn’t sure why he performed searches on certain people, but once he had the information, the screen vanished and he moved on. Kinsey wanted to know what he did with the data as well as why he looked into those people.

More and more, she found herself thinking about him. And not just about him being a dragon. Several times she actually caught herself thinking about living at Dreagan and being his.

Lexi did it without a problem. And there were other women there as well. They didn’t have an issue with the men being dragons.

Kinsey could finally admit to herself that it wasn’t so much that Ryder was a Dragon King—although, seeing him shift had terrified her.

She’d held onto that fear for months, because it was easy. Being with him, talking to him again made her realize he was still the same man she knew. He was just an immortal dragon.

Then she could concede that it wasn’t him shifting that made her so angry. It was the fact that he hadn’t shared his secret with her.

Three years ago, their relationship had progressed to the point of them talking about spending their lives together. Then to have him up and leave without an explanation only to discover his secrets now?

It broke her heart all over again.

The reasons behind him not sharing didn’t matter. The other Dragon Kings managed to do it without an issue. But not Ryder.

Because she wasn’t meant to be his mate.

Her pieced-together heart shattered all over again.

Kinsey’s vision blurred as tears filled her eyes. She hastily blinked, but a tear managed to escape. How unfair life was to give her something that meant everything, only to take it away.

On top of that was an even crueler situation as Ryder was brought back into her life—but only as a reminder of what she’d never have.

She discreetly wiped away the tear and sniffed. Her gaze jerked back to her screens when Ryder looked her way.

“It’s late.”

Kinsey nodded, unable to speak.

His chair squeaked when he shifted. “You didna touch much of your food, Kins. Did you no’ like it? Tell me what you’d like next time, and I’ll make sure it’s here.”

“It was fine,” she mumbled.

Ryder blew out a breath. “Let’s call it a night. My eyes are crossing.”

She knew that was a lie. Ryder could look at these screens for months without it bothering him. He was giving her an excuse to go to her room.

And she took it.

“I’ll see you in the morning then.” Kinsey got to her feet and walked from the room without looking his way.

She met Dmitri on the stairs and gave him a small wave. It wasn’t until she was in the room that she leaned back against the door and closed her eyes.

After a moment, she flipped on the lights and began to take off her clothes. Everything was piled in the chair. Mostly because she wasn’t obsessed with folding every piece of clothing. But also because she didn’t have the time or inclination.

Kinsey removed her bra and grabbed the olive green tank top and put it on. Then she washed her face and brushed her teeth before climbing into bed.

Except, unlike the last two nights, she didn’t fall right to sleep. She was wide awake, staring at the ceiling.

And thinking about Ryder.

Foremost in her mind was their kiss. Her lips still tingled from it. His taste … chills raced along her skin. She could still taste him.

The power, the desire.

The hunger.

If he hadn’t pulled back, she wouldn’t have been able to. For three years she’d yearned to have his lips on hers again. When it happened, she’d been too shocked to move at first.

But her body remembered what to do. Her arms went around his neck and she eagerly opened for him.

Her body pulsed with need. A need that only Ryder had ever been able to call up—or quench. She squeezed her legs together and rolled onto her side, but it didn’t do any good. Her sex ached to feel Ryder slide within her, filling her as only he could.

Kinsey had no idea how long she laid there thinking of Ryder and replaying all the times they’d made love in her mind when the door opened.

She remained on her side. The light from the hallway lit the room in an expanding triangle as the door opened. A large form filled the crack before the door was quickly—and quietly—shut.

Kinsey didn’t move a muscle. Who was in her room and why? She was getting ready to scream Ryder’s name when the form stepped away from the door and the shadows there. The glow from the moon shed little light, but it was enough for her to see wide shoulders and a profile she recognized all too well.

Ryder.

With her fear gone and replaced with curiosity, Kinsey slowly released the breath she’d been holding. Ryder was in her room.

Ryder was in her room!

What the hell? She was furious.

Wasn’t she?

Unfortunately, fury wasn’t anywhere close to what she was feeling. That was reserved for exhilaration. And anticipation.

Her heart rate increased, and it became difficult to breathe. All because Ryder was in the room. She wished now she was on her back so she could watch him. He’d moved out of view, walking behind her to the opposite side of the bed.

When the bed shifted with his weight, Kinsey could barely contain herself.

What about your pledge to ignore him? Weren’t you done with him?

She was just a woman, a woman with desires. She’d have to be dead not to want him. And she was anything but dead.

He’ll break your heart again.

It was already broken. What did it matter if she gave in and took some pleasure? After the past three years, didn’t she deserve that much?

At this, her subconscious was quiet.

There was a sigh from Ryder as he lay back upon the bed. For several minutes, he didn’t move. Then he turned toward her, stroking her hair.

Just like in her dreams!

Had they been dreams? Was this the only time he’d come into her room? She’d been dead on her feet the past two nights, so a nuclear blast could’ve gone off and she wouldn’t have known about it.

Her heart beat double when his hand came to rest on her waist. Then, slowly, he scooted close until their bodies were molded together, her back to his front.

The covers stopped her from knowing if he had his pants on, but there was no denying he was bare-chested. She used to run her hands all over his chest and the dragon tattoo every chance she got.

And she wanted to do it now.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” he whispered.

Kinsey squeezed her eyes closed. Those words hit her squarely in the chest. She wanted to believe him, to take those words and hold them against her heart forever.

But Ryder used to say sweet things like that all the time before he’d left her.

“Doona ever leave, Kins.”

If he kept this up, she was going to cry. To have the man she was in love with leave unexpectedly, and three years pass with no contact only to have him say everything she’d dreamt he would say was brutal.

And glorious.

This time she knew what was going to happen. This time she understood her place in his world perfectly.

This time, she’d be the one to leave.

She played a dangerous game. She was the lamb and Ryder the lion. He’d shredded her heart and her life effortlessly before. He could do it again.

Warm lips met her shoulder where he placed a light kiss. “Doona be afraid of me. I’ll always protect you.”

Kinsey moved back against him, allowing her shoulder to rub against his bare chest. Heat radiated from him, cocooning her in everything Ryder.

Another kiss was placed on her ear before he tenderly nuzzled her neck. She felt his cock thicken and grow against her back. Her nipples hardened and moisture gathered between her legs.

She knew Ryder well enough to know he’d never take advantage of her when she’d made it clear she didn’t want him. If she was going to have her night in his arms, she was going to have to make the move.

Kinsey covered his hand draped over her waist with hers. Then she turned her head to look at him over her shoulder.

He froze, waiting to hear what she would say or do. Kinsey took his hand and placed it on her breast. They gazed at each other for long seconds.

Then he squeezed her aching nipple through her tank top.

Chapter Twenty-seven

Ryder stared into striking violet eyes, unable to believe that Kinsey wasn’t just awake, but wanting him to touch her.

He ran his thumb over the hard nub of her nipple. Her lips parted and her eyes rolled shut. His cock jumped with yearning. He wanted inside her right that minute, but he pulled himself under control.

Three years had passed since he’d last held Kinsey. He wasn’t going to rush anything. They had the entire night without interruptions. Hours of nothing but them, the night, and desire.

Ryder rolled the nipple between his fingers, hating the shirt in his way. She rocked back her hips, rubbing against his arousal and causing him to moan.

“I missed that sound,” Kinsey whispered.

He moved so he could roll her onto her back. Her lids opened, meeting his gaze. Desire was there, thick and evident. No longer was she trying to hide it or pretending that she didn’t want him.

“What else did you miss?” he asked.

She touched his hand and then his face. “This and this.” Then she placed her hand on his chest, right over the dragon head. “This.” She reached down and cupped his rod through his pants. “And this.”

If it was possible, he wanted her even more. His cock was impossibly hard, aching to slide into her wet heat and claim what was once his.

Ryder massaged her breast, continuing to tease her nipple as he did. She pressed her head back into the pillow while pushing her breast into his hand.

He loved her breasts. They were full, heavy. And extremely sensitive. He’d loved to drive her wild just by playing with them.

“Please,” she begged.

Ryder knew she wanted his mouth on her nipple, but he wasn’t finished teasing her yet. When he didn’t move to do as she asked, Kinsey kicked her legs out of the covers.

As soon as he saw the black lace panties, he nearly lost control. As sexy as they were, he’d much prefer her out of them—and the shirt.

Ryder glided his hand down her side until he found the hem of her shirt. He slipped his hand beneath and pushed up the shirt as he reached for her breast once more.

The moment his hand clasped around her breast, she moaned loudly. The sound was music to his ears. Entirely too much time had passed since he’d heard that beautiful sound.

With her lovely breasts now exposed and her shirt bunched around her neck, Ryder situated himself atop her. Immediately her legs parted so she wrapped them around him, bringing him close.

If only his pants were gone.

Her hands roamed around his shoulders, arms, and back. Every time he pinched her nipples, her back arched. Ryder wanted to pause time and savor every millisecond.

From her breathing, to her moans, to the feel of her warm skin against his palms. He was in paradise, and he couldn’t get enough.

Ryder wrapped his lips around a nipple. He flicked his tongue over the rigid bud before sucking. Then he moved to the other one.

Kinsey’s fingers dug into his shoulders, her breathing becoming more irregular. “Ryder,” she moaned.

Unable to help himself, he rocked his arousal against her. The pleasure was intense, but not nearly enough. He wanted more.

He wanted all of her.

For eternity.

Ryder lifted his head and placed his lips on hers. This time he didn’t hold back. He poured every ounce of his hunger, his yearning into the kiss. He released his desire and let it flow between them.

In seconds the kiss turned fiery, each trying desperately to get closer to the other. It was a frantic, sizzling kiss. One that scorched from the inside as well as the out.

Kinsey pushed him onto his back, straddling him. She held his gaze and jerked off the tank top. He grasped her wonderful breasts, kneading them.

Her head fell back as she began to roll her hips. But Ryder wasn’t yet ready to hand over the reins. He flipped her over and stood.

He unbuttoned his pants while she smiled, watching. Ryder pushed them down his hips and stepped out of them. Then he grasped her ankles. She let out a gasp while smiling. Ryder yanked her, stopping when her butt reached the edge.

Holding her gaze, he dropped down onto his knees. Her smile faded, replaced by desire. It filled the room, palpable and intense.

He lifted one ankle to his mouth and kissed it. Caressing up her long legs, he touched and kissed every part of her until he reached her hip. Then he gently placed her leg down. He repeated the process on her other leg, opening them so he could see her sex.

Ryder gazed at the dark curls that hid her most sensitive area. He’d waited a long time to taste her.

Kinsey was breathless waiting for Ryder to lower his head. When he did, his tongue tenderly licking her clit, she fisted her hands in the covers and moaned. He laved her sex as if he were a starved man.

Pleasure erupted within her, swarming her with warmth and need. Every care and worry soon evaporated into nothing as her entire being was centered upon Ryder.

It was as if they hadn’t been separated by three years. He knew exactly what to do to bring her to climax quickly, effortlessly.

It rolled over her like a wave. The pleasure so profound that she was unable to do anything but experience it. No thought, no sound came from her.

As the climax faded, Ryder rose over her. She opened her eyes and touched his cheek. How she’d missed him and the way he could make her feel.

“No dark thoughts,” he said.

No dark thoughts. An excellent idea. Kinsey didn’t want the past, the present—or the lack of a future—to intrude on her special night.