Free Rider's Kiss by Anne Rainey Page A

moment to gaze at her in the dark interior of the car. She was illuminated only by the dash light, but it would have to be enough for now. He wanted to memorize every curve, every line. Her body would be stamped on his brain forever. Right now, he wished like hell they were already back at his hotel room. When his gaze traveled downward, Rider noticed her clutching her hands in her lap as if nervous. He reached out a hand and covered hers. “You okay?”
    Her gaze darted to his, then quickly away. “Just…just a little nervous.”
    He squeezed her hand. “Would it surprise you to know that I’m nervous too?”
    She snorted. “I seriously doubt that.”
    “Believe it, sweetheart,” he growled as he looked out the windshield. He was only a few miles from his hotel, thank God. “I feel like I’ve waited for this moment forever.”
    “What are you talking about?”
    Rider felt her staring at him, but because he was hyperaware of just how distracting she was to his concentration, he didn’t dare take his sight off the road. And right now he needed to focus on getting them to the hotel in one piece.
    “I’ve thought about you,” he replied as he stroked his thumb over the back of her hand. About seeing you in the nude. About making love to you. About waking up next to you in the morning and doing it all over again.” He flipped his turn signal on and took a left.
    “You’ve thought about me?”
    “Yep, but I kept my distance for one reason only. You were always way out of my league.”
    “Oh please,” she said with no small amount of disbelief in her voice. “I’ve always been a total nerd and a plain Jane. How do you figure I’m out of your league?”
    “You were one of those girls who got straight As, always crossed her Ts and dotted her Is. I managed to get in trouble at least once a week and sure as hell never saw my name on the honor roll. I had no business anywhere near you.”
    “I’m having a hard time believing the fearless Rider James felt inadequate,” she whispered as if talking to herself. “That’s going to take some time to digest.”
    When he arrived at the hotel, he shut off the engine and turned toward her. “None of that matters now. All that matters is you and me and this night.” As he got out of the car and came around to open her door, she peered up at him with a mixture of excitement and fear in her amazing hazel eyes. He liked the excitement, but fear was the last thing he wanted to see. He held out his hand, and she took it. The measure of trust she granted him in the small gesture made his heart swell with pride.
    A few minutes later, they stepped through the hotel room door. As he turned the lock, a shock of need ran through his bloodstream. He grasped her around the middle with both hands, spanning her waistline. God, she was perfect for him. Victoria would fit his body the way no other woman ever had. He watched her eyes heat up. He pulled her close, closer still, fitting her to him, and kissed her long and deep. The sturdy counter of the small kitchenette was a mere three feet away. Rider walked backward, pulling her along with him, their lips locked together. Without breaking contact with Victoria’s soft mouth, Rider carefully turned, then lifted her and sat her down on the cold Formica top.
    Victoria’s startled hiss brought him to a halt. She took her lips from his and stared as if scandalized. “Here, Rider?” Her hushed whisper turned him on something fierce. Everything about her made him ache with hunger and need.
    He grinned. “Here. Or in the bedroom. Maybe even the shower. I’m not opposed to the floor either.” He winked. “Actually, all of the above, if I have my way.”
    Rider began unbuttoning her blouse. When it fell open and he caught sight of her lace-covered breasts, he groaned. “I need to taste you,” he murmured, then dipped his head and sucked one already erect nipple into his mouth, bra cup and all.
    “Rider,” she groaned.
    The sound