Free Jane Shoup by Desconhecido(a) Page B

was some
truth to them. She wasn’t really anything special, and Ryan was. He was
gorgeous and he had a good heart. He’d been shy because of the stuttering, but
that would change now. His confidence would bloom; he’d realize how special he
was, and he would see that she wasn’t.
    She pulled on Ryan’s
bathrobe, moving slowly, and crept out. Soft music was playing, a fire was
crackling in the hearth and Ryan lay propped against the headboard, waiting for
her. His clothes were on, thank goodness. Only his shoes had been removed.
    She was having second
thoughts; he could tell. Why? “I brought more wine up,” he offered.
    “I think I had enough,” she
replied. “Although it was really good,” she added quickly.
    He slid off the bed,
knowing he had to turn things back around. “You look good in that robe.”
    She dropped her eyes,
embarrassed. She knew better.
    He reached out and tipped
her chin up. “What is it?”
    “I don’t know. I don’t want
to rush anything,” she blurted.
    He nodded patiently. “It’s
why I haven’t asked you to marry me yet.”
    He said it totally straight
faced. It was so unexpected, most of her tension instantly evaporated.
    “Come here,” he said,
taking her by the hand and pulling her to the bed.
    She had a struggle making
sure the robe stayed closed. The back of the bed was cushioned with soft, fluffy
pillows, and she allowed herself to be pulled next to him in a semi-reclining
position.
    “Relax,” he murmured. “It’s
comfortable. We’re each with exactly who we want to be with…I hope.”
    “I am.”
    “I am, too,” he stated.
    He kissed her head,
savoring the smell of soap on her skin. “It doesn’t matter if we make love.
It’s still the first best night of my life. I just want to be with you.”
    The words were so perfect.
He was so perfect. Was he just saying what she wanted to hear? Mitch had
charmed her at first, too. He’d been very loving and complimentary...until
she’d committed herself to their relationship.
    “Jenny — ”
    She looked up at him. His
eyes were searching, as vulnerable as ever.
    “Tell me what you’re
thinking,” he asked with a quiet intensity.
    “That you’re too good to be
true,” she admitted.
    His eyes widened
momentarily, then he shook his head. She wasn’t setting him up for a joke, he
knew, but—
    She drew back, surprised
and alarmed that she’d hurt him somehow.
    “No one’s ever said
anything like that before,” he said.
    “I find that hard to
believe.” Her voice was soft, tremulous. “And if it’s true, they will. Your
lack of self-confidence was probably holding you back, but — ”
    She was unbelievable. She
really and truly did not see him as a freak of nature. She never had. “I don’t
care what anybody else thinks, Jen. Only you.” He reached over and kissed her,
a sweet, tender, close-mouthed kiss.
    “I love how your lips feel
on mine,” she murmured with her eyes still closed.
    He kissed her again,
lifting her face to his. He lowered her on the bed and partially covered her
body with his own. His tongue became insistent and demanding as it claimed
domain of her mouth. He’d said they didn’t have to make love — but his
body and soul were ravenous for her. He straddled her and leaned up to pull off
his shirt. He looked down in time to see her eyes rake over his chest. It made
him want to devour her. He reached down and opened the robe, then lowered his
mouth onto a breast.
    She stroked his hair, and
concentrated on the sensation of being suckled. She wanted him, and he wanted
her. If it were just for tonight, and then he was going to tire of her or try
to mind-fuck her, at least she would recognize it. She wouldn’t keep getting in
deeper and deeper with him. She moaned softly and strained upward toward him.
She wasn’t going to hold back anything tonight. If she felt like moaning, she
would moan. If she felt like screaming and clawing him, she’d do that, too. He
was beautiful, sweet,