Frayed Rope (15 page)

I hear a quick knock at my back door and Norma starts wagging her tail. Knocking still causes my heart rate to spike, but it’s getting milder as time passes.

It’s stupid really, what psychopath knocks?

“Come in!” I holler from the island where I’ve begun cutting fresh bread to go with the stew.

“Smells good in here, Elle,” Ryder says as he shuts the door behind him.

He looks damn good again today in a black long sleeve Henley and dark jeans. The sleeves are pushed up so I can see his tattoos and he has a hat on which always makes him look a little younger. His stubble is still present, ensuring to keep his rugged and manly good looks.

“Well I’ll be honest, I wasn’t expecting company. But as you can see I have enough in this pot to feed a family so you might as well stay and eat.”

He has a slight grin on his face that makes me wonder if he just came for the food.

“I don't want you to think I just come over here for your cooking.”

The full on smile gracing his face after that statement makes me want to invite him for dinner every day of the week. Maybe lunch too. Fuck, maybe I might even start making breakfast.

“So you didn’t time your arrival to when I’d be cooking dinner then?” I ask on a half-smile. I still can’t seem to manage a full one.

“Actually, I just came over to make sure there were no leaks after I fixed up the eaves and gutters. But if you’re offering food I won’t pass it up, beautiful.”

I turn my head away since the beautiful comment still fucking irks me a bit. Not a lot, it’s nice to hear a man call you beautiful. I just have trouble taking the compliment seriously after everything I’ve been through. I shake it off for the time being and try to keep this dinner as platonic for the moment as possible.

“Well like I said no worries I have lots. Grab a beer and a chair, it’s just about ready.”

I carry the bread over to the table while he grabs a beer from the fridge.

“So, no leaks I take it?” I ask to keep the conversation going.

I don't want him to make any moves yet. If I can keep this to friends with mild benefits without the amount of passion he began to show me last night, this may work. He takes a seat at the table and tilts his head to study me.

“No leaks,” he replies in a short manner which doesn’t sit well with me and tells me he’s catching onto my game.

I’ll have to up my acting skills.

“Well that's good news,” I reply as I dish out two bowls of stew.

I carry them to the table along with the spoons and settle in, avoiding as much eye contact as possible.

“You alright, babe?”

Of course he would pick up on something. I never fully asked him what he did in the corps or what exactly he does with his security company now, but from the way he assesses people and places I’m sure he’s had some form of lie detecting skills.

“Rainy days, Ryder. Mellows me out a bit I guess you could say.”

It’s not a total lie. Between the book, the wine and the heat from the fireplace I was quite good and mellow before he showed up. He seems to believe it because his features softened considerably.

“I hear you,” he replies before shoveling a huge spoonful of stew in his mouth.

“This is delicious.”

I know it is—everybody loved my stew.

“It’s all in the beer,” I reply on a smirk before eating.

Ryder went through two and a half bowls before he declared himself full and rinsed his dish, putting it in the dishwasher.

“A man who helps in the kitchen,” I say, shaking my head. “Still leaves me a little speechless.”

I grab the dishcloth and head back over to wipe the table down. I’m almost finished when I feel warm hands on my hips and hot breath in my ear.

“I can think of more ways to make you speechless vixen. But it doesn’t involve cleaning up the kitchen,” he rasps with a long lick up my neck.

I can’t help the small moan that escapes the back of my throat. His fingers dig into my hips a little and then begin to work their way up. For fear of his hands going under my tank top I decide to turn this power play around.

I turn in his arms and run my hands up his chest. His palms slide down to rest on my ass which is what I was hoping for. I take in the tanned skin and sharp cut jaw. His silky dark hair falls to his nape. I run my hands up around the back of his neck and brush my fingers through it. It’s much thicker than mine and incredibly soft. I lean up on my toes and summon the inner vixen I left behind long ago, but he seems to know.

“Handsome, I’m sure there are a number of ways you can make me speechless,” my raspy voice declares.

Sometimes I hate it, but in times like this I know it adds to the seduction.

“But I’m a fair woman who likes to keep things even.”

I run my hands back down his solid chest toward his belt buckle. I slip my hands underneath his shirt and touch his bare skin. His sharp intake of breath doesn't go unnoticed.

“That being said, I believe it’s my turn to make you speechless this time.”

I lean forward and press my lips to his neck. I sneak my tongue out as I begin to undo his belt. His hands put more pressure on my ass and he pulls me forward until my hands are squished between us.

“Fuck, you’re full of surprises,” He says before grinding his erection against me.

As much as I would love to feel it inside me, it’s my turn to play tonight. I push back and pull his belt lose as I continue my assault up behind his ear. I pop the button on his jeans and lower the zip.

I pull my mouth off his neck and look at the tension on his face before easing my hand inside his jeans.

Commando.

Christ that makes me happy.

My hand touches his smooth velvet skin and I attempt to wrap my hand around his incredibly well-endowed self. My eyes widen, while he glances back at me with pure lust.

He’s not a gherkin!
I chant to myself.

“I guess you’re full of surprises too,” I smartly say while I stroke my hand down and back up again.

His breathing is becoming slightly labored and he squeezes his fingers into my ass. He tilts his head to the side and studies my face.

“What were you expecting, beautiful?” he chides playfully and thrusts his hips forward into my hand while leaning down to kiss my neck.

“Well I’m not sure, but to be certain I should have a better look.”

I keep eye contact as I pull his jeans down below his ass. I move backwards until I feel the chair and I lower myself onto it. His gaze is challenging me to look down, and when I finally do I’m floored.

He’s long, thick and perfectly smooth. I love a well groomed man and have refused this very act for those who can’t keep that shit cleaned up.

Ryder doesn't have that problem.

In fact, I’m eager to get started and my panties are soaked just thinking about it.

“Meet your expectations vixen?” his whisky rough voice cockily asks as I sit stunned on the chair.

Fucker knows just how perfect he is down here and I’m sure I won’t be the first woman to tell him so.

Later.

For now I nonchalantly say, “Yes, it’ll do.”

He starts to respond but doesn't get the chance to finish because I lick the head of his shaft while running my hand down to the base and underneath his balls.

I sneak a peek and he’s watching me intently, biting his lips. I lean forward remaining eye contact as I lay wet open mouth kisses down the length of his shaft, adding a bit of suction on the way. I lick my way back up as he hisses out in pleasure.

“Fucking Christ your mouth feels good.”

He runs his fingers into my hair and rests his hand there. I open my mouth and take him in as far as I can. His smooth flesh feels good against my tongue and I hum in pleasure. His fingers tighten in my hair; I know he’s enjoying this. I add one hand back in on the action as the other moves back down between his legs. I stroke in and around before gently rolling his balls between my fingers.

“Fuck! So fucking good, Elle.”

I release his cock from my mouth and keep at it with my hands while lick around his balls with my tongue before taking one into my mouth.

“AAARRRGGGHHH, FUCK! FUCK ELLE, I’M GONNA COME!”

I shove his cock back into my mouth as far as I can seconds before he shoots down my throat. I swallow every last drop and kiss the tip before looking back up at him. It’s a mixture of sated pleasure and awe on his face.

I did well.

I stand slowly and begin to tuck him back in.

“That was fucking perfect, and I’m not lying when I say I’ve never had my dick sucked so well beautiful. Fucking perfect.”

He paused on the last bit and I have a feeling he would have made good use of his dick but I continue tucking him away and doing up his jeans.

“My pleasure, handsome. As I said, I like to keep it even.”

I smirk at him before placing a chaste kiss on his chin. He won’t let me stop there and pulls on my neck to claim my mouth. The passion in this man is unbelievable. I pull away with a small smile on my face to keep the mood light and not progress his passion any further. I don’t want to send the wrong message and I’m half hoping he has the idea that this will be much like his trysts with Ginger. Mildly sate our needs on a casual basis, minus the hooker attire and whiny voice.

“I gotta hit the ladies room handsome. You can finish putting the dishes away.”

I tap him lightly on the chest and walk back through the kitchen.  I swing my arms out to grasp the counter as I slip across the floor.

“Fuck!”

The bottoms of my socks are soaked and so is the majority of the kitchen floor. I notice water running out of the cupboard underneath the sink and fall to my knees.

I fling the doors open and get a blast of freezing cold water.

“SHIT!”

I reach under the sink to turn off the valve that supplies water to the faucet and the decrepit old piece of plastic shit breaks off.

“GOD DAMMIT!”

Ryder storms into the kitchen and I bark at him.

“Top drawer under the toaster. Pliers!”

He grabs them and turns my way to help, but I rip them out of his hands and dive back under the sink. A few more turns than necessary due to the rust and the fucker finally quits giving me a shower.

“Finally.”

I sigh as I sit back on my knees and use the dish towel to wipe the water off my neck. Everything is soaked.

“Looks like a split in the line between the valve and the faucet. I can fix it for you tomorrow Elle. It’s a little late to head into the hardware store now.”

Ryder is now squatting down beside me looking under the sink. He still has his boots on so his socks are dry but his shirt didn't fare so well.

“Ya, not a big deal. Just shocked the shit out of me and makes me wish it were the hot water line,” I say on a shiver.

I move to stand up and he lends me a hand. The water is pouring out of my cardigan as he grasps my arm. I shake my head and move to walk around him but he’s a statue. I look up at his face to find his eyes planted firmly on my chest. I don't need to look down to know he’s taking in the effects of a wet white tank top with no bra on underneath. I’d like to say the no bra is a fluke, but I hate the fucking things and usually the minute I cross the threshold of home it comes off.