Blake woke to the softness of a kiss, the feel of gentle lips on hers. She gave a soft sigh and tilted her face, all the better to receive the sweet caress. If she was dreaming she didn’t want to wake up. With a soft moan she slid her hand up Ryder’s strong shoulders and as she clung to him she knew this was no dream. It couldn’t be, not when Ryder felt so warm, so real.
The kiss, so soft and tender, soon turned insistent. Ryder reached his hand up to cup her chin, tilting her face ever so gently so he could take full control, kissing her with such passion that the embers glowing inside her threatened to burst into flames.
Too soon he was sliding his lips away, but she gasped when those lips left a trail of butterfly kisses along the column of her neck, across her collarbone and then down, down until they caressed the tops of her br**sts.
It was a sweet, sensual caress that made her shiver in response. When Ryder lifted his head to gaze up at her she moaned, wanting more. So much more.
“You’re so beautiful.” Ryder’s words came out in a ragged whisper that revealed the height of his arousal. She wanted this, so badly, but so did he.
Wanting to give him the pleasure he’d just given her, Blake slid her hands under Ryder’s arms, urging him up until she had greater access to his body. Just as he’d done just moments before, she feathered soft kisses along the line of his jaw then tickled and teased her way down his neck until she reached the open V at the neck of his shirt. Spurred on by the tortured moan that slipped from his lips she ventured further down, trailing soft caresses across the breadth of his chest, seeking that sweet spot that would have him sighing in pleasure.
She’d almost reached her goal when Ryder sucked in his breath and reached down to cup her face in his hands. He groaned then bent and kissed her on the forehead. “You’d better stop,” he whispered, his voice tinged with regret, “if you don’t want us to end up doing a whole lot more than just kissing.” He reached up to brush away the tendrils that had fallen across her cheeks then, with a gentle smile, he moved away, back to his seat on the driver’s side. “It’s almost two in the morning. Let me get you to bed.”
Blake sighed, wishing he hadn’t had the fortitude to stop. She wanted a whole lot more than just kissing. She wanted him.
But he was right. And so when he got out of the car and came around to the passenger’s side to help her out she took his hand and walked with him up the pathway to the front door.
And as she walked she knew she was in big trouble. This was the last thing she should be doing right now, the absolute last thing she needed in her life, but like it or not she was falling hopelessly in love with Ryder Kent.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
It was an exhausted couple that trudged down to the kitchen that morning. Ryder looked like he was still half asleep and Blake felt like her eyes were full of cotton wool. They’d gotten up after only three hours of sleep and they were both dog-tired but there was nothing to be done except to push the weariness into the background and get to work. The customers would be pouring in by seven.
To Blake’s relief, when Chris walked through the door he had his sister with him. “She’s ready to roll,” he said with a huge grin. “Let her at ‘em.”
“Thanks so much for coming, Samantha.” Blake went over to greet her. “I hope you’re a trooper like your brother because we’re going to work you like a dog. Are you up to it?”
The slender teenager laughed. “As long as you’re paying, I’m your gal.”
And so began a day that was no less hectic than the one before. Todd arrived shortly after Chris and Samantha and they immediately got to work. By the time the first customer walked in they were ready and when the last one walked out after lunch they were worn out but satisfied.
“You did great, Sam. For someone so small you can really handle those trays.”
Obviously pleased with Blake’s praise, Samantha beamed. “I’ll be back first thing tomorrow,” she said. “See you.” She gave Blake and Ryder a quick wave goodbye and then led the way out the door, the two teenage boys behind her.
Blake turned to Ryder with a sigh. “What a day. I thought it would never end.” She pulled out a chair as she spoke, with every intention of plopping her behind on it and taking a load off her feet.
It didn’t happen. Her bottom was halfway to its destination when the bell over the front door tinkled and somebody else walked in.
“Oh, no,” Blake groaned and threw Ryder a look of desperation. “Not another customer.”
“I’ll handle this.” Ryder moved from behind the bar where he’d been putting away the drinking glasses and headed toward the front entrance but a cheery voice slowed him to a halt.
“Hello, there. Pretty busy today, huh?”
When Blake saw who it was she grinned and dropped down onto the chair. This was not someone who was going to disturb her rest. “Sarah, what brings you over?”
The buxom gray-haired woman walked into the middle of the room and put her hand on her hips. “I came over to tell you that you cost me a customer.”
Blake’s brows shot up. “What are you talking about?”
“Jerome Slater. Yesterday he came to the house in a heck of a hurry, packed up and flew out of town like the hounds of hell were after him.” Sarah laughed. “And I don’t mind at all. Peggy told me about him, that he’d been causing you some kind of trouble. Well, good riddance to him.”
“You’re sure you’re not mad? Like you said, I cost you a customer.”
“Oh, please. I’ve got my hands full with those guys from the phone company. I’m just sorry I let that beast of a man stay at my place, but I didn’t know.” She shook her head. “He came across as so nice but he was nothing but a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
“He’s good at that, fooling people…” Blake let her voice trail away. She glanced at Ryder who’d returned to the bar and now stood watching them. “Could you do me a favor and pour a drink for Sarah?”
“Not at all,” the woman said, waving a dismissive hand. “I’m not staying. I just wanted you to know he’s gone.”
“Thanks, Sarah. I appreciate it.”
“No problem,” she said breezily. “I’ll catch you kids later.”
After she’d gone through the door Ryder walked over to Blake’s table, pulled out a chair and sat down beside her. “You’ll have to prepare yourself,” he said. “This will have to go through the courts.”