Page 60 of Fighting Dirty
“Here, have another corn muffin.” Tiffany dropped one on his plate. “I’ve got three plans for how to handle him when the time comes.”
Tossing her a lopsided smile, he stated sternly, “Stop trying to distract me with your mother’s fantastic home cooking. That ain’t a nice thing to do to a starving man.”
She dazzled him with a million-megawatt smile. “You caught me out on that one. If it’s any consolation, you’re nowhere near as easy to get one over on as Stuart, babe.”
“You know something, Tiff? I love that you’re coming into your own on this whole Stuart thing, but these kinds of situations never go down quite like we think they should when we’re face-to-face with someone. Especially not an unbalanced psychopath like your ex. I want you to stay in lockstep with me on this one. Understood?”
She lifted her eyebrows but didn’t try to argue. Openly, anyway. “Yes, sir, I surely do. So, are you ready for that fantastic cake your father picked out for us?”
“Sure thing, Tiff. As a matter of fact, I’ll help you fetch it from the kitchen.”
Her mother sighed. “For crying out loud, Tiffany, just take the man upstairs and spend some time talking this thing out. You’re both on opposite sides of the page right now, and it’s making me nervous.”
Tiffany scowled, dropping the sweet act. “Fine, but we don’t do much talking in the bedroom.”
Ryder stammered, “That’s not true.” Gaping at her mother, he tried to look innocent. “I promise, it’s not.”
The woman rolled her eyes as Ven and Hickory tried not to laugh.
~ Tiffany ~
Not even taking time to get curious about the bedroom she grew up in, Ryder immediately began pulling off his clothing at the speed of light. “I don’t know why you had to tell her that. Now she’s going to think I’m some kind pervert.”
Straddling his lap wearing only her panties, Tiffany teased, “You are a pervert, so it’s not exactly a lie.”
Pulling her down, Ryder wrapped his arms around her slim waist. “I am? This is the first I’ve heard of it.”
Wiggling to get comfortable, she sighed. “God, I missed you.”
Peering up at her, his eyes were dancing with mischief. “Really? How about you tell me all the things you missed about me.”
“Everything. I missed every single thing about you.” Scratching his neck gently with her nails, she leaned in for a kiss that slowly turned heated.
Ryder pulled her hair, tilting her head back so he could get to her throat. The tiny bite of pain made her nipples hard and her clit throb in tune with her heartbeat for him.
Suddenly, his hot mouth closed over the column of her throat. He kissed, nipped, and licked his way to her collarbone. A soft moan escaped her mouth.
“That’s what I like to hear. I missed hearing all those sexy little noises when you’re under me.”
Purring her contentment, Tiffany answered in kind. “I missed every damn thing you do to provoke those sounds. I swear every single minute was a struggle not to come running home to you.”
Pulling her back, he gazed down into her eyes. “You consider being with me home?”
Nodding, she felt her hair pull in his grasp. “Home is wherever you are. You’re all I want, baby.”
“Say it.”
“What?”
“You fucking know what. Don’t tease me, Tiff. I’m too close to the edge.”
“I love you.”
“And?”
“I belong to you and no one else.”
Pulling her close, he wrapped his arms around her and just held her. One large, rough hand slid gently up and down her back. “I thought I was losing my mind without you, Tiff. It taught me what that crazy ex of yours is probably feeling and makes me think he’ll never quit coming after you.”