Free Turn It On: Turner Twins, Book 1 by Vivian Arend

she’d thought wrong.
    Max sat quietly until the door beside her opened. Ryan hoisted her bag over his shoulder before holding out a hand. Wordlessly, he led her to the entrance of a tall apartment house. By the time they were in the elevator, tears had begun to form.
    He punched the button for his floor with more than adequate force before pinning her to the back of the lift with his body and taking her lips in an assault that left her breathless and needy. She closed her eyes and tangled her fingers in his hair, accepting his silent chastisement for not sharing with him, answering with powerful desires of her own. The bell rang, the elevator doors slid open and Ryan pulled her out, his lips hovering over hers. He walked only far enough to press her back against the hallway wall before dropping his mouth on hers again, binding her wrists together in his clasp. Max kissed him fiercely, needing his touch to chase away the rest of her anxiety.
    Ryan dropped his head on her shoulder and slowed his breathing. His hand rose to cup her cheek. Max remained still, welcoming the warmth of his body against hers, the gentle caring in his touch.
    “Don’t keep secrets that hurt,” Ryan said quietly. “I’m here for you. Not just for coffee and laughing and Italian food. You should have told me. Understand?”
    Max nodded, meeting his gaze as he lifted his head. He brushed away a tear lingering in the corner of her eye. “Good.”
    He hurried her into his apartment. Max glanced around curiously until he blocked her view, caging her against the hall closet. “Ryan, are you planning on hanging me up for the night? Or gluing me to the wall?” she teased, trying to lighten the mood.
    He tugged at her light jacket. “I’ll tell you what I am planning, so there’s no further confusion. First, I’m sending you to my room to unpack while I reheat the dinner I made at your house. After we eat, I’m taking you to bed and making love to you until you forget everything else and sleep like a baby. And I’m planning on waking you in the night to make love again.” As he spoke he removed her outer layer and slipped opened the top buttons of her blouse. Her heart pounded as the back of his knuckles brushed her skin.
    She stared at him, blood rushing through her as she considered his words. Considered the proprietary expression in his eyes and on his face. The day had turned out to be an emotional roller coaster. She’d longed to see him since his call, longed for his kiss and his embrace. The past days she’d thought hard about what getting involved with him would mean. He was more than she’d imagined and everything she wanted. It wasn’t because being with him wiped away the fear right now. She wanted him in spite of the fear clinging to her soul.
    It was past time for this to happen.
    “What if I told you I’m not hungry for dinner?” she whispered.
    Fire rolled through his eyes and ignited something deep within her. “Good.” He swept her into his arms and carried her through the apartment. His gaze stayed steady on her and she brushed a hand over his cheek, nodding her approval. The walls passed in a blur of beige and brown until she was lowered carefully onto a cool cotton quilt, Ryan joining her on his bed.
    Around her was dark wooden furniture, the deep mahogany colors of the bedding and the curtains creating a neat and tidy haven. His military background was apparent in the room, softened only by a few personal touches on the dresser and walls. Then she couldn’t see anything as he possessed her lips once again.
    Ryan took the lead and demanded a response, nibbling and licking, biting and soothing away the snap of pain that followed. His hands cradled her head, angling to new directions as the whim took him, his tongue in possession of hers, stroking, teasing.
    Lighting her on fire.
    Breathless, she pushed him away, sucking in oxygen in the hopes the spinning would settle and let her see more than stars swirling around