better.” His eyes locked onto hers. The earlier amusement that danced in their green depths changed to desire.
He tilted her head back and pressed his mouth to hers. Her body arched in an attempt to close the space between them. She wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him to her. His lips lightly brushed over her cheek and down her neck. She tipped her head to the side, giving him easier access.
“You do have a big ego,” she mumbled.
He nibbled on her ear lobe and whispered, “It’s only going to get worse if you keep looking at me the way you do.”
Her brain short-circuited as she grasped for something sarcastic to say in response. He brought his mouth back to hers and dug his hands into her hair. Her body caught fire as she struggled with the clothes that separated his flesh from hers.
She unbuttoned his shirt, slid it over his shoulders and down his back, letting it fall to the floor. She dropped her arms long enough to pull her own shirt over her head and unhook her bra. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she ran her hands softly over the rippled muscles along his back.
A moan erupted from her throat as his hands gently brushed her naked breast. Her nails dug into his back when he slowly rolled her nipple between his fingers. She fumbled with the buckle of his belt, wanting him more than she’d ever wanted anyone.
She stumbled when he suddenly stepped out of her grasp. His face was flush, and his breathing labored. He held up a finger, as he struggled to speak.
“B … Bed … we need to get to the bed.” He walked over and lifted her into his arms, pulling her close against his chest. “Our first time can’t be on the kitchen counter. That’s more of a third or fourth time.”
Cradled in his arms, she leaned in, running her tongue up the length of his neck. He moaned, the vibration sending flashes through her body. Running her hands through the soft mat of dark hair on his chest, she slowly rolled his nipple between her fingers as he’d done to her.
“The floor is going to have to do if you don’t stop for a second. We’re almost there.”
“I don’t see what was wrong with the count — ”
Her cell phone rang. They stood frozen in the center of the living room. She buried her head into the crook of his neck and willed it to stop. The ringing stopped, and both of them breathed a sigh of relief.
She smiled up at him and gently kissed him. He’d taken only one step forward when her phone rang again. This time, she pushed out of his arms and reached for her purse.
“I’m so sorry, it’s my mother’s ring tone, and she wouldn’t call back if it wasn’t important.” Her hands shook as she pressed the connect button.
“Mom, what is it?”
“It’s Ryan. I’m so sorry; I don’t know how it happened. He fell and I can’t stop the bleeding. We’re on our way to the hospital. I’m sure he’ll be fine, but I wanted you to know. I feel horrible.”
Lexie reassured her mother before hanging up. She shoved her cell phone back into her purse and threw it over her shoulder.
“Grayson, I’m sorry, I have to go. It’s Ryan. He’s on his way to the hospital, and I have to get there.”
Before she could finish her sentence, he’d gathered their clothes, tied his shoes, grabbed his keys, and was waiting by the open door.
“Hurry, Lexie.”
Chapter 8
The minute they’d been cleared to enter the back hall of the emergency room, she spotted her mother walking toward them with Ryan in her arms.
She rushed forward, and her heart raced when he turned his tear-streaked face to her.
“Mommy.” His voice hitched as he reached his arms out to her.
“Oh baby,” she crooned, holding him close. “What happened? Are you okay?”
“I got stitched.” His sadness faded and his face beamed with pride as he lifted his bangs to show her the bandaged spot on his temple. “It hurted, a lot, but I only cried a little.”
“You’re so brave,” she kissed his cheek.
“What