Can't Touch This (Can't Touch This #1)

“Three.”

“Three.”

Ryder blinked. “Wait, are we counting down or admitting a number?”

I groaned. “Why was this not simple?”

He pressed his forehead against mine. “Wait…three. That’s your tally?”

I hesitated. “And three is yours?”

His face melted into a relieved grin. “We’re the same?”

“You’re my fourth,” I said. “I’m yours, too?”

He nodded. “Lucky and last fourth. Who said third time was the charm?”

We fell into each other’s arms. I’d never been so jelly legged or heart full. “Thank God that’s over and done with.”

Everything else fell away.

Knowing he hadn’t been promiscuous blanketed me with relief. What we had truly was worth searching and waiting for. However, even if he’d been a man-whore, I doubted I would’ve been able to stop loving him.

But having his tally equal mine was much nicer. I wasn’t going to lie.

After squeezing the living daylights out of each other, Ryder murmured, “Seeing as we were so rudely interrupted before. How about we finish what we started?” He backed me once again against the tree, his fingers tickling my knee as he bent to scoop up my hem.

Instantly, my body picked up where we left off, tingling for him.

My head fell back as I let my legs spread a little. “I wouldn’t be opposed to more outdoor sex.”

He shuddered, taking his time climbing my trembling thigh. “I think we need to return to basics and remember exactly why we fell in love with each other in the first place.”

Something Michelle said itched the back of my mind.

I stiffened.

What did she mean about loving and not being gentle?

Ryder sensed my sudden hesitation. His fingers paused. “Are you okay?”

I bit my lip, wishing I could ignore it but knowing if I didn’t bring it up now, I would never have the guts and always wonder. Dropping my gaze, I whispered, “She said you were really gentle with her. That being gentle meant you loved her more than you love me because we get it on in random places and sometimes do it rough.”

Ryder frowned. “She never knew me, Ves. Hell, I didn’t know me back then.” He nuzzled into my neck. “I’ll let you into a little secret—the same secret I told her after she tried to kiss me. Up until you, I’ve kept my desires on the down low. I’ve never been this free with anyone. When I take you hard, or if we role play, or have a quickie in places we shouldn’t, it turns me on so damn much and makes me fall even harder. The fact we aren’t gentle means I love you more than I’ve loved anyone because I’m relaxed and happy with you.”

Cupping my face, he brushed my lips with his. “And for the record, the only people I’ve ever loved are Rupe, Hippo, and my parents. And about a thousand dogs but I’m sure you can understand.”

“I understand.” I returned his soft kiss. “I think if we had to give away pieces of our hearts to every animal that’s ever touched us, we would’ve gone through a billion by now.”

“And that is why we’re so bloody perfect for each other.” He kissed me harder. “Because we share that connection and understand it.” His kiss turned deeper, his tongue slipping into my mouth.

As we fought to get closer, his fingers once again returned to their task of pushing aside my underwear and finding how wet I was from our tete-a-tete in the corridor.

“Christ, Ves, I’m never going to get enough of you.”

His finger slid to hook inside me.

I shivered in bliss. “I’ll never get enough of you.”