My head remained in a fog the whole rest of the day. I prepared dinner for tonight. I finished with an hour to spare and still no word from him. I crawled into bed and buried myself under the covers.

He hated me.

I hated me, too.

I drifted back to sleep some time later.

A soft knock woke me. I bolted upright.

I wiped my eyes to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.

Ryan stood next to the sliding bay doors. He leaned against the doors with his arms crossed over his chest.

I blinked.

“Hey, little one.” He licked his lips. “You still mad at me?”

I shook my head and wiped my eyes.

“I missed you today,” he said. 

I whimpered, pushed the covers off me, and stood up in the center of the bed. I traversed it in a few steps before launching myself into Ryan’s arms. He caught me and stumbled backward.

I settled in his arms. He perched us on the side of the couch while I attacked him with my lips. I kissed him all over his face.

“Hey,” he said between kisses. “Slow down.” He leaned back.

I grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him toward me as I continued my assault.

Ryan opened his mouth to protest. I silenced him with my tongue and licked his lips. Too tempting to ignore, I bit him.

“Ouch.” His hand touched his lips.

“Sorry.” I licked his bottom lip and sucked on it. Ryan’s lips were like a pacifier to me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and straddled him. “I’m so sorry. About last night and today.”

Ryan stood up and walked toward the bed. He laid me down and pulled my arms from around his neck.

“No, come here.” I reached for him, but he ducked out of grasp and pushed my shirt up and laid tiny kisses down my stomach.

I pulled my T-shirt up over my head. Ryan ran a hand between my legs as his lips continued to taste my flesh. He worked back up to my breast, taking each nipple in his mouth and sucking hard. I arched my back to bring him closer. He snaked a finger inside the seam of my panties and ran it along it. I writhed beneath his touch. My brain latched on the sensation. It was exciting and exhilarating. Ryan’s touch made it all better.

I tilted my hips. Ryan pushed two fingers inside of me, only to the knuckles. His arms rested on my torso, holding me in place.

“What are you doing?” I gasped as he flicked my clit and then his fingers returned to tease my entrance.

“Manipulating you with sex.” He pressed his strong fingers into my center. His thick middle finger rubbed my clit.

“We need to talk about . . .” I squeaked out as he increased the pressure. I looked up at him.

“Not today.”