I’d assumed it was a group of racist rednecks. Until I realized Jacko Lamont from Granny’s church was in it. I’d assumed it was full of no-good criminal types. Until I heard about them helping rebuild the park playground after a tree had fallen on the climbing structure. And I’d for sure assumed it was at least full of toxic masculinity and macho straight guys until Ryder Richards kissed me stupid.
Before I could respond, Ryder chuckled. “And maybe that’s not exactly accurate. I’d like to spend all of our time together outside of work. Preferably I’d be able to touch you like this while we’re spending that time together,” he added with a wink that made my heart sigh.
“You are good enough,” I admitted. “I didn’t give you any credit when we first met, but… then I started to notice how good you were at your job, how competent and dedicated you are. Everyone in town raves about your work ethic, and even though you’re a big flirt… well, I can’t say you aren’t also a really hard worker.”
I reached up and ran a finger down his stubbled throat before continuing. “I’m attracted to people who take their work seriously. But…” Why was I so hesitant to say the words?
“But?” he prompted gently.
I leaned in and hid my face in his chest. “You also have a really nice body,” I whispered to the dragon inked into Ryder’s skin. “And I kind of want to lick it all over. Starting with this tattoo.”
The deep rumble of his laughter made me smile. His arms tightened around me, and he pressed a kiss to my ear. “You’re fucking adorable. And competent,” he teased. “Can’t forget how hot your work ethic is too. Apparently that’s a thing. I wonder if PornHub has a selection of videos of sexy men simply checking off items on their task list with authority…”
I laughed even as I chastised him for making fun of me. Ryder tumbled me down onto the rug until we were kissing and laughing and touching. The fire snapped nearby, and the moonlit snow continued to drift past the windows. How did I get so lucky? Surely this was some kind of New Year’s dream?
What would happen when the clock struck midnight? Would Ryder turn back into a pumpkin?
I pushed those thoughts away and vowed to enjoy this night no matter what the future held. I’d already had more fun in a few hours with Ryder Richards than I’d ever had with another man. And I didn’t want it to end.
6
Ryder
I was giddy with hope. Seeing Colin let go and laugh made me feel invincible. If I could make him laugh and smile, maybe I had a chance to win his affection.
We kissed and teased and rolled around on the furry rug until both of us were gasping and hard. The laughter died down quickly as we reached for each other’s clothes again.
“I can’t decide which I like more,” I confessed against his ear. “You in my shirt or out of it.”
His quick breaths against my skin brought goose bumps up all over me as I plucked at the buttons on the shirt.
“Ryder?”
“Mmhm.” I pressed a kiss into his temple.
“I do want you to fuck me. Before… when I said…”
“Shh,” I said, “It’s okay.”
“No, I just wanted you to know I was scared. I didn’t want to be some quick fuck on a jobsite for you.”
I pulled back and met his eyes, sobering instantly. “You are not a quick fuck. I have real feelings for you. How can I convince y—”
Colin grinned easily, and all was right in my world again. “No, I know. I know that now. I just wanted to make it clear. I want you like that. Very much.”
The relief I felt was instant. “Thank God. I’ve been dreaming about this for a long time.”
I stopped fussing with the buttons and pulled the shirt over his head until he was only sitting there in his boxer briefs. The bulge in the front was tempting as hell, especially since I still had the taste of him on my tongue.
“You’re so fucking sexy,” I murmured, leaning over to take one dark brown nipple between my front teeth and tug. My hands moved down the crisp chest hair to the trail that narrowed over his flat abs and led behind the elastic of his underwear.
Colin hissed when I snuck my fingers under the band and brushed the head of his cock. He was already hard, and I was torn between sucking him off again and moving straight to fucking.
That wasn’t even the right word for what I wanted to do to him. I’d always thought the phrase “making love” was something cheesy that only women used, but now, with this beautiful man in my arms, I started to wonder if that was something real, something the two of us could have together.
I wanted to love him with my whole body, use every single cell I possessed to show him how much I treasured him. He was smart and funny and endlessly patient with everyone but me. With me, he was stubborn and frustrating and so incredibly endearing.
I moved my hand back up to cup Colin’s cheek. “Thank you for being here with me, for letting me show you how I feel.”
His eyes widened, the bright whites stark against his warm brown pupils. “You aren’t kidding, are you?”
I leaned in to sip from his mouth. “Not one bit. I feel like I’m dreaming,” I admitted.
“Me too. I’m afraid this is some kind of joke.”
I searched his eyes. “I would never do that to you. Please tell me you know that, at least.”
His hand came up to cover mine on his face. “I do. I promise. You look so worried, like you think I’m going to bolt again. I don’t think anyone could fake that.”
He was right. Part of me was waiting for him to run away again. I sighed, but before I could admit the truth, he beat me to it.
“I’m here to stay, Ryder. If you’ll have me.”
My heart thundered and all I could do was nod. After that, I spent a long time worshipping his skin, running my lips everywhere in the warm amber glow from the fire. The light caught pink and silver sparkles on some of the decorations nearby and gave the room an otherworldly feel. The sounds of Colin’s gasps and groans filled the air, quickly drowning out the crackling pops from the fire.
For every sound he made, I wanted ten more. I stripped my own clothes off and then peeled his underwear down his slender legs, kissing every inch as I went. He squirmed and begged. His fingers reached into my messy hair and tugged. When I finally moved back up to kiss his mouth, he was frowning.
“You’re torturing me,” he said in a rough voice.
“Mmhm,” I said, nuzzling his neck again and sucking a particularly sensitive spot I’d discovered earlier.
“Ry, fuck. You’re making me… fuck, fuck.”
“Mm…” I reached down and jacked his hard cock before finally searching out my jeans for my wallet. “You sure, baby?”
Colin’s chuckle was relaxed and easy. “You’re asking me that while you’re looking for a condom?”
“I’m prepared to beg.”
The laugh turned deeper. “Unnecessary but not unwelcome.”
I found what I needed and crawled back to him, kissing him again because I simply couldn’t get enough. “Please, Colin Kearns, will you be mine? Will you come home with me when the snow melts and let me show you I can be worthy of you? Will you give me a chance?”