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

Not fair?

What more does he expect?

My question had to wait while his lips claimed mine. His tongue danced into my mouth with confidence and passion. The kiss was just as wet as the river we stood in but instead of rushing and cool it was hot and sexy.

The ease of our naked hug switched to intense demand.

My heart felt it. My pussy felt it. He felt it.

It was a small tug demanding to be listened to.

Breaking the kiss, I murmured, “If we both get what we want in this contract, why don’t you agree it’s a fair trade?”

He smiled within our kiss. “Because Vesper, I get you. And nothing, not even me, can compare to that.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

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Ryder

VESPER SHUDDERED IN MY EMBRACE.

I hadn’t meant to say such things. It was too soon and probably unwise, but I didn't really give a flying fuck. We’d spoken about things we shouldn’t have spoken about. We’d admitted how deep we’d fallen. We’d addressed just how terrifying our connection was.

There was nothing wrong with honesty. Time had no relevance here.

Not today.

Not when the sun was out, the water was pure, and the dogs’ selfless energy and joy infected us to be carefree, stress-free, and so damn grateful for what we’d found in each other.

Away from society and family and the dos and don’ts of a new relationship, it was just us. And if I wanted to tie her into naming what this connection was—even if it only lasted a few days or weeks or months—I would.

Vesper wasn’t a woman I was shagging. She wasn’t my veterinarian. She was my woman. My girlfriend. And I would never get over being allowed to call her that.

Dragging her into deeper water, the surface crept up our bodies as our feet danced on the rocky bottom, cushioned with algae and water reeds.

We had no soap or shampoo, but it didn’t stop me spinning Vesper around and pushing her under to wet her hair.

The blonde curls instantly became dark crinkled threads. She was stunning no matter her appearance—dressed or naked, wet or dry.

I was fucked.

Utterly and truly fucked with how much I wanted this girl.

With her back to me, I looked around where a zoo of dogs threaded in bushes and reappeared with mud splattered on their multi-coloured coats. I’d have a terrible time trying to bathe them with minimal running water while the plumber did his fixes.

Forcing myself to remain light-hearted and not chase her running up the riverbank from my heart-filled declarations, I chuckled. “Seeing as you won’t agree to be my girlfriend, let’s agree to seal the deal in another way.”

She giggled and looked at me over her shoulder. “I say that’s the best idea you’ve had all day.”

“Really? I’ve had a few.” I grinned. “I admit that making you stay the night and spending the day with the dogs was a genius one.”

“Well, I only agreed to that because someone rather good looking mentioned it as an option.”

“Rather good looking?” Taking her hair, I wrapped it around my fist and tugged her head back. “Just rather?”

She moaned as I bit her throat, licking at water droplets. “You want it on a sliding scale?”