Song for the chapter: Ocean Eyes, by Billie Eilish

Ryker had pulled me towards his bed, making us both fall backwards on it. I couldn't stop smiling now that he had openly admitted his feelings, told me the reasons he did what he did.

Not that it was okay, but I can understand why he did it. I guess, if roles were reversed, I'd do the same for him. I'd wanna help and provide for him in any way I can, and that was his way.

He kept running his fingers through my hair, pulling me close to his body. He nestled his face into the crook of my neck, begging me to tell him about everything he had missed out on. It wasn't much, mostly just moving. He immediately looked up at me with a frown on his pouty lips and apologized for not being there to help.

I told him it was okay, that it wasn't a fun process, anyway. He pouted, resting his chin on my shoulders as I went on with the boring details of my move. When I asked him what he had been doing, his cheeks turned a bright red.

He didn't wanna tell me, but I kept prying, so eventually he admitted that last night wasn't the only time he'd been out, just 'watching' me. He promised it wasn't in a creepy way, but in a protective way to make sure nobody would mess with me as I was walking anywhere. I pushed my hands through his hair, smiled at him.

My poor, misunderstood Ryker.

Somehow, he brought up the fact that Kyler called him yesterday.

"What did he want?" I ask.

"Nothing. He's a pain in the ass."

"Ryker."

He lets out a whine. "Maddison. I don't wanna talk about my stupid brother when I just got you back."

My stomach flutters.

"But I wanna know. What did he want?"

Ryker let's out a low, frustrated groan. "He was asking me to come with them this weekend to some meeting with international partners. Said something about family being important, but I'm pretty sure that he's just trying to get me there because there's something in it for him."

I push my hand through his hair, because it's my favorite thing to do, and it causes him to look up at me.

"Maybe you should go."

"Fuck no."

I smile. "Come on, Ryker. He's your brother."

"He only cares about what that fucktard of a father thinks, not me."

"Have you tried, though?" I ask gently. "I mean, really tried? You're an adult now. It's time to try and move on—try and fix your relationship with him. As much as you may hate to admit it, that's your blood and you only get one."

Ryker's fingers brush lightly against my cheek, leading up to my ear as he tucks some hair behind it. The corners of his mouth turn upward slightly as he stares at me.

"Is that why you try so hard with your dad?"

I inhale, nodding slightly. "I mean, he's not perfect. But he's family. He's all I got left besides Joey."

He stares at me for a long time, just staring at my eyes. I feel the most vulnerable when he stares so intensely at me like that. With another deep inhale, he finally gives a single nod.

"Fine. Okay. I'll go. But only if you come with me."

"What? Ryker, I-I can't go with you. That's family and personal, I have no business being—"

His lips crashed on mine in the most delicious way, his lip ring pressed right on the skin under my bottom lip. It sent a shiver through my body.

"I may only have one family by blood," Ryker says, his lips brushing against mine with every word. "But you're mine by choice."

Oh my—

"I won't go without you."

His hot breath was fanning my face, making this so much harder. I gulp and my eyes flutter closed.

"Okay. If that's what you want."

I felt Ryker's smile before he kissed my lips again. I had missed the feeling of this, feeling complete and whole and one with him since we've been apart. But that's the past. And I wasn't taking him for granted a second longer.

I loop my arm around his neck and press my chest against his as his tongue swipes across my bottom lip. I don't hesitate, granting him full access to roam and explore my mouth with his tongue. He's moving slowly, like he's savoring every moment.

"Fucking hell," Ryker groans when I nibble on his lip. "I missed you so much, baby."

I chuckle breathlessly as he presses his lips on my neck, sucking gently. I tilt my head, arching my back to press my chest closer on his. I could feel his hands roam up my bare legs, reminding me I hadn't put back on my jeans from earlier.

He stops, his hand quickly leaving my legs. He moves his lips, his eyes wide with confusion and anger.

"What? Wh-what did I do?" I ask, breathing heavy.

"No, no. It's not you, baby. It's me. Fuck." He looks down. "I shouldn't be doing this to you."

My eyebrows furrow together. "What?"

I prop up on my elbows as he leans back, looking down shamefully.

"I touched you before when I shouldn't have. I didn't make anything official between us and I just...took it because I'm selfish as hell. I'm sorry I did that to you. That I disrespected what you believe, what your mom taught you."

I look at him, my heart beating wildly in my chest. I reach for his hand and place it over it, holding his gaze.

"Ryker, you're the only person who's ever made my heart beat so fast to the point it's made me question if it's even healthy or not." I smile. "You're the only one who's truly known me, who knows my body, my personality, my heart. This," I pat his hand. "This belongs to you. My heart, my body...it's all yours."

I drop his hand and grab his face between my hands. "Don't you realize that this is what I raised believing in? That someone like you would see me for who I am, flaws and all, and love me despite it? That you'd respect me, love me, and treat me the way I deserve to be treated? That's all my mom wanted for me, what she told me that God had in store in my partner. The fierce love she described, Ryker..." I chuckle. "I see it in your eyes every time you look at me."

I press my forehead on his. "So I'm not sorry, Ryker. Because you're the only one I want to touch me, to explore my body. You're the only one I want whispering things against my skin, telling me how much you need me and how much you love me. All my firsts, that matter, have been with you, Ryker Brooks. And I'm not sorry for that."

"I think I just fell a little bit more in love with you, Maddison James."

I smile, which only lasted a second before his lips crashed down on mine. There was a new sense of urgency as his lips claimed mine, hungry and possessive. He pressed my back against the bed, hovering over me, but still supporting his weight with one arm.

"Tell me how much you missed me."

I felt my stomach tighten as his dominant words echoed through the room. The desire in his eyes was like a fire, which made the warmth feeling in between my legs ever so present.

"I missed you so much, Ryker."

I slid my hands under his shirt, which earned a hiss of pleasure from him. He helped me take it off him, my eyes scanning every inch of his broad, defined body.

"Tell me it hurt you as much as it hurt me."

I looked at him, the need to know how miserable I was without him clear as day in those stormy, hazel eyes. I lost concentration when his big, calloused hands slipped under my shirt and made a b-line straight for my breasts.

His hands slipped under my bra, kneading both breasts with equal pressure. My eyes rolled to the back of my head, my legs tightening around his waist.

"Tell me that you need me as much as I need you."

I opened my mouth to talk, but all that came out was a moan—he was torturing me, taking my nipples between his fingers and rolling them, then squeezing my breasts and repeating the action over again.

"I-I," I moan a breath. "I n-need you, Ryker. I hated being without you."

Ryker somehow manages to pull the shirt over my head, leaving me in my bra and panties. I immediately wanted to cover up, but Ryker's heated gaze was fixated on my body, which made me feel oddly confident.

He hovered close to my face, his lips barely brushing against mine.

"I couldn't bare being without you, Maddison." His breath was hot on my lips. "I felt like my heart was ripped out, and you took it with you, and you had it with you this whole time."

My heart was beating so loud I could hear it in my ears.

"You still have it, baby. Don't give it back."

My breath quickens. "Ryker," I grip his shoulders. "I'll take care of yours if you take care of mine."

Ryker smiles before kissing me again, then trailing kisses down my cheek, to my neck, and down my chest. When he's kissing the valley of my breasts, I feel breathless. His hands reach up to the straps on my shoulders and he looks at me cautiously.

"Is this okay?"

I nod, reassuring him. He pulls the straps down my arms, then reaches for the thick fabric covering my breasts. He's watching my every reaction as he reaches behind me and unclasps it, making my breath hitch.

I feel the fabric loosen, Ryker grabbing it and tugging it upward. I feel the cool air against my now bare chest, which makes goosebumps spread across my skin.

Ryker's pupils dilate as he takes in the sight before him.

"You are," he tosses the fabric aside and presses his warm hands on my sides. "Exquisite."

I swallow a moan as he leans forward an kisses the top of my breasts, then trails his lips downward. He takes my left nipple in his mouth, which causes me to cry out in pleasure. I throw my head back as his hand messages the other breast, his thumb flicking and rolling my nipple between his fingers.

"Ryker," I moan, loud.

His tongue flicks my nipple before he takes it between his teeth and very gently tugs, making me tug his hair and my body shake.

"Tell me that you're mine, Maddison." Ryker says against my skin.

"Oh God," I use one hand to grip the sheets, my knuckles turning white as he continues his assault on my chest.

"Tell me I won't lose you again."

It takes every ounce of willpower I have to open my eyes, but when I do, I see his pleading eyes looking at me. So I take a much needed breath and smile.

"I'm not going anywhere, Ryker. You're not losing me again."

Ryker pushed up, his lips crashing against mine. My bare chest rubbing against his felt so good in a way that I never knew I needed, that I never knew would feel this amazingly intoxicating until now.

Ryker ground his hips against me, the friction between his hardness in his jeans against my flimsy cotton underwear was driving me insane. I moan when his tongue pushes against mine, dominating in every way.

I take Ryker's bottom lip, by his lip ring, and bite. A growl escapes his throat as I tug it towards me. I release his lip, our eyes locked on each other's.

"I love you."

"I love you," I repeat, breathless.

No warning came before Ryker's hand plunged inside my panties, stroking my slit.

"So wet," he groans. "Fuck, so wet."

I moan at his words, his fingers still moving up and down my slit. He kisses my jawline as I tremble at his touch.

"Do you have any idea how beautiful you are, Maddison?" His deep, husky voice asks, still teasing my slit. "How fucking delicious you look writhing away at my touch?"

His fingers push into me, making me gasp and cry out. His pumps in and out of me were fast and rough as I tightened my legs around his waist.

"How truly beautiful I find you like this? Trusting me with your whole body?"

I moan at that, tightening the grip I had around his shoulder.

"Harder, Ryker."

"Oh, fuck," he moans himself before his pumps become more aggressive, giving me what I wanted.

The way I was moaning startled myself, but I couldn't help it. He had this affect on me nobody else did.

"You're the most beautiful girl, Maddison." Ryker's breathless, but it's hot as hell. "Fuck, you're so damn beautiful."

My legs were shaking, the knot in the pit of my stomach so tight it was unbearable.

"I-I love you, Ryker." I look at him. "It's only you."

His eyes grew wide and wild, placing a sloppy kiss on my lips.

"Come for me, baby. Come all over my fingers."

"Oh g—"

I cry out, embarrassingly loud, as I reach my climax, feeling myself release all over Ryker, just as he instructed. Ryker watched in awe as I closed my eyes, taking a minute to collect my breath and come down from the incredible high he just gave me.

He moved his hand out of my panties and leaned beside me.

"You have no idea," he whispers beside my ear. "How beautiful you look when you orgasm and cry out my name. It's a fucking breathtaking sight."

I playfully hit his chest. He wraps an arm around my waist and brings me close to him.

"I mean it, Maddison. I love you."

I smile. "I know. I love you, Ryker."

He kissed my neck, us lying there for a while until Ryker fell asleep. I twisted in his arms and faced him, admiring his beauty. I wrap my arms around his body, trying to ignore how I was still almost naked, and keep him close.

I don't ever want to let him go again.

A/N

Surprise! Double update! Enjoy, loves 😚

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