(Thanks for the favorites, comments, and ratings!! I'm really excited that my story was so well received... I was worried I was writing too much haha. I'll keep the chapters coming as fast as I can.
Thanks.
~Blue)
***
Angel awoke slowly, luxuriating for once in the feeling of coming to at her own pace. She felt, in order, a pair of arms around her, the feel of soft, silk sheets against her skin, and then the lack of clothing on her body. The last sensation jerked her awake and all her senses became violently aware.
Someone was pressed against her back, the body that belonged to the arms that were under her head and over her waist. The quiet, steady breathing she heard told her that her bedmate was still asleep, but she didn't know how long that would last.
Slowly, the memories of the night before filtered in, and some of her panic went away. No doubt the man behind her was the same that had rescued her and Jordan. She breathed out quietly and moved to slide out of bed.
As she turned, her leg moved back. She made to pull it away, but froze. She had by now realized that she had on her lingerie, and she'd assumed that the man had on shorts or briefs, but her leg had encountered the bare shaft of his manhood. She trembled slightly, even more eager to get out of the bed. Even if he had saved her life, what kind of person slept naked with a girl he'd only known for an hour?
She slipped out from under his arm as gently as she could and put one foot on the floor. He shifted towards her in his sleep, aware that she was no longer next to him.
For the first time, she got a good look at the man who had rescued her and Jordan. His hair was blonde, but darker than hers, and chopped short. It was messy, but in an incredibly sexy way.
She shook her head. What was wrong with her? As she slipped out of the bed, she took in the rest of his physique. His facial features were strong, his lips full. Her eyes slipped down over his muscular chest, hairless and firmly toned. His arms were corded and sculpted. She looked farther down, but the rest of his body was hidden under the sheet. She couldn't stop the little disappointed "aw" that came from her mouth.
"Enjoying the view?" the man asked.
Angel started, jumping to her feet and pulling the sheet around her. Mistake, she thought, and swallowed. His lower half was now painfully visible. Angel felt her eyes widening as she took in his size. Nine inches, if not more.
She'd seen plenty of naked men. Her partnership with Jordan guaranteed it. While she'd never had to let one of them take her to bed, they'd cut it close a few times. She'd protected her virginity fiercely, as had Jordan. Now the thought crossed her mind. This man could force her to... to... She backed away, refusing to even think about it.
The man sat up, reaching for a bathrobe and pulling it on all in one fluid motion. He stood, his arms extended to the side. "I'm not going to hurt you," he said softly. "Trust me, Jenna. I'd rather put a bullet through my head than hurt you."
His voice put her at ease a little bit. Keeping the sheet wrapped around her frame, she let him approach her. He put a hand on her cheek, then ran it up and through her hair. The pleasant tingling returned, and Angel closed her eyes, enjoying his touch.
She felt the terrycloth of his robe in front of her. "You had some questions, I believe," he said in her ear. His voice startled her and she jumped back.
"Yeah," she said, trying to inject some assurance into her voice. "Like, um, who you are. And how you know my name. And why you saved me and Shakespeare, and why I feel like nothing would be better than to get back into bed with you."
Angel bit her lip, blushing furiously. She hadn't meant to say the last part out loud. She watched his eyes for a reaction, but he just smiled, motioning for her to sit on the edge of the bed. "Believe me, pet, I feel the same. I'll explain, everything, I promise."
Hesitantly, she sat next to him. She felt a little ridiculous keeping the sheet wrapped around herself, but the other option was walking around in her bra and panties, so she kept it.
The man ran a hand through his hair, messing it even more. "Where to begin," he mused.
"Name," Angel said. "Let's start with who the hell you are."
He laughed out loud, the sound filling her ears. "Very well, love. My name is Ryder."
"Ryder," Angel repeated, and as soon as his name left her lips his whole body tensed. She shrank back, wondering what she'd done wrong.
Ryder breathed, forcing himself to relax. He'd forgotten what hearing his name could do to him. "It's all right, love. No one's said my name in a long, long time."
