The Year of Living Shamelessly (40 page)

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Authors: Susanna Carr

Tags: #Fiction, #Romance, #Contemporary

BOOK: The Year of Living Shamelessly
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“Yep.” He took another step and guided them into the shadows. Her spine was against the wall, and the party around them faded into swirling colors and white noise. She felt like they were in their own little world.
 
“You don’t have to,” she said, and instantly wanted to kick herself. But she also didn’t want him to feel pressured. “Everyone already knows we belong together.”
 
“Do they know that you love me beyond distraction?” he asked with a smile.
 
“When did you figure it out?”
 
“I got the hint when you bound yourself to my bed. And I figured you knew I was crazy about you.”
 
Her heart skipped a beat. “No, I didn’t know that.”
 
“Are you kidding me? I’ve been in love with you for so long. I don’t know when it happened. It’s like it suddenly sneaked up on me. One day we were in my truck, laughing over something. I looked over at you and the realization hit me so hard, I slammed on the brakes. I don’t know what it was about that moment. Maybe because of the way you were smiling, or the way you were looking at me. All I knew was that at that moment I loved you and I wanted to be with you, always.”
 
“You never said.”
 
“I’m not good with words,” he admitted. “But I thought you could tell. Why else would I look after you? Chase you and bring you home from that damn club? Why else would I leave town so you could find a family guy?”
 
She pulled her hand away and allowed the sheaf of papers to fall to the ground. Katie linked her hands over his shoulders. “I don’t want anyone but you, Ryder.”
 
“Come on, you guys. It’s almost time for the countdown,” Melissa called out as she walked past them and into the crowd.
 
Ryder didn’t respond, his gaze never leaving Katie. “So are you going to marry me?”
 
“Was there ever any doubt?”
 
“Yes!” Ryder wrapped his arm around her waist and held her against him. “Why do you think I made sure I had the house documents before I asked?”
 
“I would have said yes no matter what,” she confessed as she curled into him, her breasts pressed against his chest. “But what about the house? It’s a big risk.”
 
“We’ll make it.” He brushed his mouth against hers.
 
Where were the lists of reasons why she shouldn’t have the house? “How can you be so confident?”
 
“I’ve seen you in action, Katie,” he said over the crowd counting down. “You fight for what is yours.”
 
“And so do you.” She kissed him hard as the cheers exploded around them. Confetti and curls of ribbons rained down as balloons bumped against their heads and shoulders.
 
“Happy New Year, Ryder,” she said against his mouth.
 
He lifted his head. “Hey, you were right.”
 
“About what?” she asked dreamily as she raised her leg and curled it against his hip.
 
“You swore that I was going to wake up in your bed on New Year’s Day.”
 
She laughed and hooked her other leg over his lean hip so she was astride Ryder.
 
“Behave yourself, Katie,” Ryder teased as he glided his hands down to her hips, fitting her snugly against him. “We’re still in public. You don’t want to scandalize the town with your wanton behavior.”
 
Katie crossed her ankles, effectively caging him with her body. She had no intention of letting him go. “They’ll have to get used to it.”
 
EPILOGUE
 
 
December 31
TWO YEARS LATER
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
He was naked. Gloriously, beautifully, wonderfully naked.
 
Katie Kramer Scott’s pulse skipped a beat. She knew it was bad manners to stand there and stare. The least she could do was cover Ryder’s body with hers, breasts to chest, hip to hip, and share her body heat with his.
But she couldn’t. Not yet, when she could watch and savor the moment quietly. Sprawled against the king-sized mattress, arms flung out, Ryder was in the exact position she had left him in when the sun rose. After she had rode him hard and long, and held him until he fell back to sleep.
Ryder had been a willing victim to her insatiable carnal need. Now he slept soundly, replete and satisfied. The thick, dark blue comforter had fallen on the floor at the foot of the bed, exposing his magnificent masculine beauty.
Her gaze hungrily traveled down Ryder’s naked body. He was a glorious sight, and not just because the winter morning light shone on his muscular form. He was in her bed.
Their
bed.
Katie considered what would be the best way to wake him up. Should she smooth her hands along Ryder’s golden brown chest, letting her hands sink into the luxurious mat of hair before following the trail to his thick and aroused cock? Or should she greet him in the morning by cupping his cock with both hands before pressing her lips against the crown?
Decisions, decisions. She loved waking up with him, and she enjoyed having the freedom to touch Ryder anytime, anywhere. It had been worth the wait.
Katie shivered as she felt a curl of the winter morning cold. Skimpy nighties and arctic winter mornings really didn’t mix. Fortunately Ryder knew how to warm her up.
She gripped two hot coffee mugs and padded barefoot into the master bedroom. This room was the first area they had renovated in the Merrill house. She hadn’t thought much about what she wanted it to look like, but with Ryder’s input, it had become a warm, sensual and inviting room that she never wanted to leave.
And, in the past two years, she had transformed herself into the woman she’d always wanted to be. She was the confident, sensual and powerful woman of her dreams. It was no longer a guise. Instead she had shed her insecurities, thanks to having Ryder at her side. Katie hadn’t been aware of her gradual transformation until recently. It had happened so naturally.
Her clothes weren’t so daring, at least outside of the bedroom, and she’d been quick to return those leather stiletto boots, but it didn’t matter. Ryder had been right—what she’d thought were her weaknesses were actually her strengths.
She was still curvy and soft, and she’d used her good-natured traits to attract the man she had always wanted and captured him for good. She no longer needed guidance from the celebrity magazines. She knew what she wanted out of life and she went after it her way.
Katie froze when she heard the chime of the ankle bracelet she had worn since Ryder had given it to her a few days ago for Christmas. She looked down at the slender strand of gold with the jeweled heart charms and heard Ryder stir. She was beginning to wonder if he’d placed it on her ankle so he could hear her stealthy approach. More than once she had used the element of surprise to her advantage.
Ryder’s eyes opened, his gaze colliding with hers. A silky heat curled deep in her belly. He immediately relaxed and stretched as he watched her set the coffee mugs on the bedside table.
“Good morning, Ryder,” she said softly.
He reached for her. “Come back to bed.” His voice was gruff with sleep.
She was tempted to fulfill his request, but once she got back under the covers, she knew she wouldn’t leave for hours.
“I can’t,” she said with genuine regret. “We’ve got to get ready for the party.” This was going to be their first big party now that the renovations on their house were complete. It was by no means finished. For now it offered the warmth, love and protection for her and Ryder. But Katie was sure that taking care of the Merrill house was a journey, adapting it to meet their needs once their family grew. She planned to be in this house with Ryder for the rest of her life.
“That won’t be for hours,” Ryder said. “Come lie with me.”
She compromised and straddled his lean hips, his cock pressing against her. Katie moved forward and flattened her hands on his pillow, trapping Ryder. She leaned down, grinding her hips against him, as she placed a kiss on his lips.
“I love you, Ryder.”
His eyes gleamed. “I know.”
Katie scoffed and grabbed the pillow from his head. She got in a good whack before he rolled over, taking her with him. He tossed the pillow on the floor and pinned her to the mattress. She was well and truly caught. Katie wiggled her hips, not because she was trying to escape, but to torture Ryder.
“Tell me more,” Ryder insisted as he kissed her lightly on the lips. “Tell me that you’re mine.”
“If you insist.” She smiled slyly. “You are mine.”
“I know.” His eyes darkened.
She saw the trust and desire. She saw the love as clearly as if he had spoken it. He had made her feel loved and appreciated every day.
Ryder tilted his head to one side. “Why are you smiling like that?”
“Like what?” she asked innocently as she bucked her hips against his.
He closed his eyes and clenched his teeth, but her maneuver didn’t distract him. “I know you, Katie. You’re up to something.”
“I’m smiling because I know something that you don’t.”
“What is it?” he asked as he kissed a trail down the curve of her throat.
“I took a home pregnancy test this morning.”
Ryder froze. He looked up and stared at her with wide eyes. He swallowed hard, but said nothing. She saw the nervousness and hope flickering in his dark eyes. He moved slightly and rested his large hand against her stomach. Emotions welled up inside her at the protective gesture.
“That’s right, Ryder.” Katie draped her arms over his shoulders and drew him down for a kiss. “I’m pregnant.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
 
Susanna Carr
lives in the Pacific Northwest. Visit her Web site at
www.susannacarr.com
.
 

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