This Time Around (Maybe) (11 page)

“Ryan, stand up,” I whisper, and by the crestfallen look on his face, he thinks that I’m rejecting him. I step up against him, aware that he’s dressed up and smells like heaven and I’m in my dan
cing clothes. I go up on my tiptoes and kiss him smack on his mouth. “I’d love to start over with you,” I tell him. His eyes light up and he lifts me into the air by my waist. He kisses me hungrily, sucking on my bottom lip before releasing me. Taking the ring out, he takes my hand and slides it onto the correct finger. The diamond is huge, and I know it cost him a fortune. Not that it matters to me. I would have been happy with the simple gold band he gave me the first time around.

“You look surprised,” I
state, giggling at his expression. Yes, giggling. I pull out my key so we don’t have to stand here in front of my door all night, opening it for us to enter. Ryan locks the door behind us, standing behind me so close, I can feel the heat from his body, but not touching me. I inhale, not moving a muscle, waiting for him to touch me. I think I would die if he didn’t. Slowly, he moves my hair off my shoulder, leaving my neck bare. He leans down and places one firm kiss on my neck, and a shiver runs down my spine at that one touch.

I clear my throat
. “I’m going to have a shower. Be in my bed, naked,” I say, tilting my head to take in his expression to my demand. His eyes are heavy lidded, and his lip curls up at the side. When he starts to undo his top button, I quickly head into the shower. Stripping down, I jump in without even testing the water, then squeal at its coldness.

“Are you okay?” comes a deep voice from outside the door.

“I’m fine!” I call out, adjusting the temperature. I grab my pink razor and quickly shave my legs, then put my apple scented body wash all over my body. I’m not going to lie. I’m a little nervous. I know Ryan’s been with a lot of other women since we were last together, and as for me, I haven’t been with anyone. Ryan is still the only man I’ve ever slept with, therefore I haven’t had sex in a long-ass time. I will probably orgasm from him just looking at me. I groan, washing all the soap off my body. I quickly brush my teeth then turn the water off, grabbing my towel and wrapping it around myself. I stare at my reflection in the mirror, taking in my flushed cheeks, wild curly hair and towel-clad body.

It’s time to take my man back.

Chapter Fourteen

Ryan

I sit on her bed, waiting for her. I don’t think I’ve ever anticipated something this much. Okay, maybe back when we were sixteen and lost our virginity, but this sure as hell is a close second. I peel my shirt off and throw it onto the chair in the corner of her room. When she doesn’t come out after five minutes after the water turns off, I walk to the bathroom and open the door without knocking. She’s standing in front of the mirror, obviously over thinking things, like she usually does. She turns to look at me and gives me a nervous smile.

“I’ve already seen you completely naked
, countless times, and now you’re acting shy?” I ask her, unable to stop myself from chuckling. She spins around and narrows her eyes, suddenly letting the towel drop. There’s my fiery Taiya. I don’t want her thinking about anything other than us and our future. No more looking back, living in the past. As far as I’m concerned, none of those other women ever mattered or counted. I grab her hand and pull her into her bedroom, stopping for kisses along the way. Her breasts press up against my bare chest and I groan, loving the feel of her. There’s nothing I want more than to shove her up against the wall and fuck her until we’re both sated, but this is a new beginning for us, and I want to savour her. I grip her ass and squeeze, pulling her into me, as close together as physically possible.

“I love you,” I tell her. I need her to know, to believe it.

“I love you, too,” she says, before returning her lips to mine. She pulls away, dropping to her knees, and the sight of her is almost my undoing. She unbuckles my belt with haste, and pulls my pants and boxers down. Reaching her hand into my pants, she stokes my hardness, and my knees almost crumble. Nothing has ever felt better than her hands on me. Her delicate fingers circle the tip, before stroking my length over and over, until I’m unable to take anymore. I step back and pull my pants and boxers completely off, so we are both completely bare. I spin her around and push her down onto the bed, planning on tasting every inch of her amazing body.

“I need you inside me
, Ryan,” she rasps, her voice low and husky. I lean over her and kiss her greedily, while my fingers caress her intimately. She is dripping wet, and I’m hard as a fucking rock.

“Rya
n!” she growls, when I trail my mouth down her neck. I bite down gently, and she lifts her hips, riding my fingers. I toy with her clit, which leaves her gasping for air. Before she comes, I pull my fingers out, and slide my cock into her. She mouths my name, and I curse. She feels so fucking good; it’s like coming home. I pay attention to her breasts, licking and sucking, just how she used to like it. It only takes a few minutes for her to climax, her back arching off the bed and her fingers digging into my back. I watch her face, her expression. I don’t know what it is about her; I just know that she was made for me. No other woman could ever replace Taiya Rose Knox, she owns me body and soul. I thrust into her quicker now, sliding right out before pushing myself in, balls deep. Taiya makes the sexiest little sounds, encouraging me to take more from her. She’s always been a greedy little thing, and I wouldn’t take her any other way. She lifts her hips up, moving in time with me. She captures my moan with her mouth as I release, my eyes closing as I feel nothing but pleasure coursing through my body.

“I missed you so much,” I tell her, staring into those wide green eyes of hers.

She sighs, “I missed you more.”

“Not possible, trust me. I felt like I was drowning without you.” I slide out of her, and lay down next to her scooping her up in my arms. I absently play with her hair, gently pulling a curl and watching it spring up as I release it. I want to ask her how many men she’s been with since she left
, but I don’t want to ruin the moment. I don’t want us to get into a fight after how perfect tonight was. I’m still surprised she said yes. I knew it was a gamble, but after her avoiding me for another week since our talk, I was desperate. I didn’t want to lose her, so I just put myself out there, hoping it would pay off and she would see just how much I love and need her. And now she’s here in my arms, and mine again.

Everything is right in the world. Is it too soon to ask her to move in with me? Turning more to my side, I kiss her on her neck. “Will you move in with me?” I blurt out.

She turns her head to look at me, surprised. “Now?”

“Yes, why not?” I ask, frowning at her tone.

“What’s the rush?”

“I just want you with me,” I tell her, unable to explain it properly. I just had to have her close to me.

“Can we wait at least a month?” she says.

“You don’t think this is going to work?”

“I didn’t say that,” she says, rubbing her thumb over my bottom lip. I pull it into my mouth and suck on it. She sucks in a breath. “Well… uhhh… Isis…”

“We will sort
it out,” I tell her, rolling her over so she’s straddling me.

“Already?” she asks, breathless.

“I have over a year’s worth of making up to do,” I say, rubbing my thumb over her nipple.

“Is that right?” she purrs, lifting her head back.

“Yes. I need to see if you still like the same positions,” She takes me into her hand and slides me into her, “If you still like me to wake you up with my mouth between your legs...” She groans and starts to ride me, hard and fast. I grip her hips and move with her, going as deep as I can.

This is goi
ng to be a long night, and we’re both going to love every second of it.

****
*

I wake up with a smile on my face, stretching my body lazily.
Taiya is fast asleep on her stomach, her hair pillowing around me. I place a kiss on the middle of her back, on her spine and then force myself out of bed. I don’t think I’ve ever had so much sex in one night in my life, and that’s saying something. I head into the kitchen, and pour some juice and put some bread in the toaster. I’d rung Isis yesterday and practically begged her to stay somewhere else for the night. She agreed, after I promised her a lot of free drinks at the bar. I would never expect her to pay anyway, but I didn’t tell her that. I put some butter and vegemite on the toast and put in two more slices.  I put Taiya’s on a plate, cutting it in triangles like she used to have it every morning.

“You’re making breakfast?” comes a sleepy voice. She walks out naked, not like we have anything to be shy about after last night. And this morning.

“How are you feeling?” I ask, putting the plate and juice in front of her.

“Hungry, tired and thoroughly fucked,” she quips, making me laugh. “No, really. My legs feel shaky.”

I grin, and Taiya laughs. “You should see your face. Full of satisfaction and male pride,” she says around a bite of toast. I don’t bother to deny it. I push her juice towards her, and she blesses me with a sweet smile. This is what I’ve missed out on. I know everything isn’t solved between us but I’m more than willing to put in the work to get us to a happy place. We finish up in the kitchen then head into the shower.

“What’s your plans for today?”
Taiya asks as she gets dressed.

“I have to head into work, you?”

“I have a class to teach at three,” she says, tying her hair up on top of her head.

“Okay, let’s go out for lunch, and spend the day today together until you have to work.”

“Sounds good.”

“I’m
gonna head home and get changed,” I tell her, pointing down at my clothes from last night.

“Okay,” she says smiling. “Maybe you should leave some of your clothes here, just in case.”

I still. “Maybe I will.”

“Good, now go and get dressed so you can feed your woman properly. Toast doesn’t count,” she says, leaving the room.

I smile so hard my cheeks hurt.

Chapter Fiftee
n

“Can you stop with the creepy smiling? You’re scaring the customers,” Jade announces. I couldn’t stop smiling if I trie
d. After having an amazing meal with Taiya, she came back to my apartment and we hung out. She even reminded me just how talented that little mouth of hers was. I’m turned on just thinking about the image of her on her knees, so I try to think about something else.

Drinks.
Taiya. What else do I have to do tonight? Taiya. Jade. Bingo. Semi hard on disappearing.

“What are you thinking about?” Jade asks nosily, leaning forward on the counter.

“I’m pretty sure that’s pillow talk, Jade,” I counter, staring down at the cash register.

“I wouldn’t know since it’s been that long since I got any,” she mumbles, pushing her blonde hair behind her ear.

“Tag still doesn’t want a piece, eh?” I ask, even though I already know the answer. Tag just isn’t interested.

“No, and don’t ask me when he got standards.”

I laugh at that, to the point where one of the customers looks at me like I’m crazy.

“I’m assuming that cheesy grin is all about
Taiya?”

“You’d be guessing right.”

“Good. I’m happy for you,” she says, slapping my shoulder, and then commences to pour a tequila shot.

“Who’s that for?” I ask her just as she downs it. “Really
, Jade?”

“What? I finish in an hour,” she says, shrugging. Face meet palm. What did Reece see in her again?

I turn away from her, not about to allow her to ruin my great mood. “You can go home now.”

“
Cool,” she says, clocking out and walking around to the other side of the bar. She plops down on the stool in front of me and grins. “Three tequilas please.”

I stare at her for a second before I pour her one
and slide it over to her. “That’s all you’re getting.”

I’m saved from whatever smart ass remark she was going to throw my way when Tag walks in, early for his shift. Saved by the bald dude.

“Tag!” I say, louder than necessary, but I can’t help it, Jade’s mood swings are trying to bring me down.

“Happy to see me?” he asks, his eyes darting to Jade knowingly.

“Always,” I say, grinning at him impishly.

He
studies me for a second. “Someone got laid.” I chuckle, but say nothing. I’m a gentleman after all. “You have this glow about you,” he says in a mock high-pitched female voice, gesturing to his face in a circular motion.

“You worry me
, Tag,” I say through laughter. “Why are you here early? Just can’t get enough of me, huh?”

He looks down, scowling. “Karen picked up Bella a little earlier, so I was sitting in the house doing nothing.”

“Say no more,” I say, putting my hands up. Tag hates sharing custody of his daughter.

“
Do you want something to drink? Juice box?” I ask, pointing to Summer’s stash.

“Don’t mind if I do,” he answers. I take out
a juice box and throw it to him, turning to the counter to serve a customer. It starts to get busy, so Tag helps until the bar is cleared. Summer walks in an hour later, carrying her books.