Free More of Me by Samantha Chase Page A

envisioned their first kiss, but in the moment, it was all he could think of to do. Her lips had gone soft and pliant under his, and when she had let her hands come to rest on his chest before gliding up and going around him, it had nearly brought him to his knees. He touched his tongue to hers and heard her soft whimper.
    For all he knew, the wedding was over and people were milling around them, but he didn’t care. Casey was in his arms where she belonged, kissing him like he had dreamed, and it would take an act of God to make him let her go.
    â€œRyder,” she sighed when he moved his lips from hers to travel down the silky expanse of her throat. “Wait.”
    Okay, maybe not an actual act of God, but a soft plea from her.
    Reluctantly, Ryder pulled back and looked at Casey. Her skin was flushed and her eyes were slightly glazed, and she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. He waited to see what she wanted to say because he didn’t want to do anything that would make her uncomfortable or ruin the possibility of his getting a second chance with her.
    â€œWhat are we doing?” she asked breathlessly.
    He couldn’t help but smile. “I would have thought it was obvious.”
    A small chuckled escaped before she could stop it. “That’s not what I mean.” She looked up into his eyes and saw his every emotion just like she always had. “This is crazy.”
    Ryder shook his head. “No,” he said solemnly, “it’s not. It was always like this for us, Case, and it doesn’t matter if it’s been twelve years, twelve hours, or twelve minutes, it’s always going to be like this for us.” He watched as her eyes widened, and he hoped he hadn’t said too much. Unable to help himself, because it was all or nothing, he said exactly what his heart was telling him to. “I want you, Casey. I’ve always wanted you. Seeing you again made me realize everything that’s been missing from my life.”
    She took a step back as panic began to build. “No, you don’t really mean that, Ryder. It’s been too long; you don’t even know me anymore.”
    He took a step toward her, unwilling to let her get away. “I do know you. I know that right now you’re starting to feel a little bit panicked, wondering what you’ve gotten yourself into. But at the same time, you’re feeling a little bit excited at what this could be. You hate that we’re here right now and you’re probably worried that you left your purse at the table and then wondering how you’ll be able to go in there and face the five ex-aunts without them knowing that we’ve kissed out here.”
    More than anything Casey wanted to deny what Ryder was saying, but unfortunately he was spot on. “How…?”
    Ryder reached out and cupped her face in his large hands. “I know because I know you. I can’t take back what I did twelve years ago, but I can promise to make it up to you. If you’ll let me.”
    It was on the tip of her tongue to just say yes; Ryder Montgomery was the one. True, she always considered him to be the one that got away, but now he was back and saying everything that she had always longed for him to say. But could she trust him to not break her heart again?
    â€œIt’s too much, Ryder; it’s too soon.”
    He leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. “I’m not going anywhere,” he promised. “When you decide what it is that you want, I’m going to be here waiting.” And with that, he took her hand and led her back into the grand ballroom, back to their table, where they were met with five pairs of inquisitive eyes.
    Luckily, no one made a comment about their absence or about the fact that all of Casey’s lipstick was gone, and some of it was on Ryder. Rather than sitting down, Ryder reached for Casey’s wrap, placed it around her shoulders, and then