The temptation, p.19
The Temptation,
p.19
The answer hit me suddenly and made me sad. I wasn’t used to people wanting me, and wanting to do things for me.
My vision blurred. I was tearing up, and for the first time in a long time, I didn’t ball up my fists. I let the tears spill.
Ian pulled me to his chest and held me. “What’s wrong?” he asked, fear and concern clouding his features.
I shook my head. “I just don’t think I’ve ever been wanted like this before.”
“I don’t just want you, Kenzie. I love you.”
Nodding, I wiped the tears from my face. “I love you,” I whispered back, the words tasting foreign on my tongue, and yet so incredibly perfect.
EPILOGUE
* * *
Ian
Hearing those three words from Kenzie was like winning the championship in multiple weight classes. It felt fucking incredible, and even more so because I had to work for her love. Despite her tough exterior, Kenzie was still just a scared little girl, afraid to get too attached to anyone who might up and leave her. I hated that part of her past, but I vowed that I would make her feel loved every single day going forward.
I couldn’t wait to get her home because that was where she belonged. With me.
“Ian, I told you, I don’t need to live here,” she sang as she followed me into my condo.
“It’s either here with me.” I grabbed her around the waist and pulled her close, kissing her soft lips. “Or you can move into my sister’s.” I kissed her again. Sophia was home from treatment and back on track. Thank God.
Kenzie pulled away and looked at me sideways. “You don’t get to decide everything for me. I’m still in charge of me.”
There was defiance in her eyes. I loved this sassy side of her, always rising to challenge me. It made me want to take her over my knee and spank her bare ass, not that I ever would. She would always secretly be the one in charge. Always had been.
“Fine, I’ll get you your own place,” I grumbled. I wouldn’t have her living in that rundown apartment she had now. It wasn’t safe.
She shook her head. “Ian, I can’t just let you put me up somewhere. I have to be self-sufficient. I need to find another job. I can take care of myself.”
After Vegas, Kenzie and I severed ties with Chris, that douche-rocket. It was easy enough for me to move to another MMA gym a few miles away. I already knew a bunch of the guys who trained there. Jonah even followed. But Kenzie was out of a job and refused to let me help her.
“But you don’t have to.” I felt my jaw clench and lowered my voice. “We’ve been over this. If you want me to sleep at night, I need to know you’re safe.”
“Fine, I’ll stay here with you at night, but I keep my place.” She looked up at me with pouty eyes.
I chuckled. “Fine. Keep your apartment. But I’ve got half a dresser that’s empty and waiting for your panties. And over half an empty closet screaming for your sexy dresses.” I drew a line with my finger up her side, tracing the outer edge of her breast. It made her nipples perk up.
Her eyes locked on mine, her mouth in a playful smirk, and my dick instantly hardened.
“Ian. I—” She gasped as I pressed into her. Her eyes drifted closed and she curled into me. “I know this is important to you,” she continued. “I want to be with you, but I need to take it slow. I need you to be patient. This is all very new to me. Feeling loved. Giving love so freely.”
“I know, babe, and we’ll go as slow as you need,” I said. “Take as long as you want. I’m not going anywhere. Well, actually I am.”
I picked her up, hiked up her dress, and wrapped her legs around my waist. She smiled at me.
Fuck, I loved her smile.
“I’m going to take you to bed,” I said and carried her into my bedroom. This was where I’d wanted her all along. Not in the backseat of a car or on the floor of my gym, but right here with me. Where she belonged.
Her arms clung to my neck and she kissed me, moving her lips gently over mine. It had only been a few days since the fight and my face was still cut up and bruised, but I met her kisses with my own, opening her lips and brushing my tongue against hers. Her breathing intensified, and she grappled with the hem of my T-shirt, tugging at it.
I reluctantly set her down on the bed and helped her take off my shirt. Her gaze moved over my body in a hungry way that I loved. She could devour me with just a look. She undid my pants, pulling them down, and looked up at me with questioning eyes.
“What?” I asked.
“I’d push you down on the bed at this point and jump you, but I don’t want you to hurt your hand.” She bit her lip and smiled innocently.
“Where do you want me?” I growled.
“Lie back on the bed, please.”
I did as she asked and she followed me, crawling up the bed and taking me in her mouth. Her eyes locked on mine as she sucked and licked my cock, taking it in like a champ, stroking the base with her hands. I brushed her hair out of her face, and resisted the urge to tangle my fists up in her hair as she brought me close to the edge.
Goddamn, that felt good.
“Kenzie,” I growled.
She pulled away.
“I have to take care of you, babe. I need you to come for me.” I moved to undo her dress.
“Careful,” she warned. “Your hand is still healing.” She pulled my splinted hand away and unzipped her dress, slipping out of it, then joined me on the bed.
“Down,” she said and pushed me back so I was lying down once again.
I chuckled and let her mount me. Her legs straddled me and her warm eyes locked on mine. I slipped my arm around her waist and positioned her over my throbbing cock, then brushed against her opening.
She gasped and arched her back. I loved watching her get off. Her eyes opened and locked back onto mine. “Ian,” she gasped and leaned down, kissing me gently with soft lips. As she kissed me, she brushed her wet folds over my rock-hard cock, then eased herself down onto me.
“Kenzie,” I moaned. I pushed up into her as she grabbed my body, pulling me deeper inside her. She was hot, wet, and tight. She moved slowly at first, but when she clenched her inner muscles, I almost came for her right then. “Easy,” I reminded her.
She smiled coyly but slowed down enough for me to get my shit together, then worked faster. As she rode me, her beautiful tits bounced above me and I cupped them in my hands, pinching her nipples with my fingers. Her walls started to spasm almost immediately.
“Ian,” she cried as she came. Her walls tightened around me as she pumped up and down. I met her thrusts, and seeing her come apart, I was so turned on that I came with her. We clung to each other as our heartbeats raced together.
When we came down, she lay down next to me, curling up next to me, and looked up at me with her beautiful sleepy eyes and smiled lazily.
“Move in with me.” I couldn’t help myself, prodding one last time, forgetting my promise to go slow with her.
She smiled and paused only for a moment. “Okay.”
“Really?” I said. “You’re not just saying that because I rocked your world in bed, are you?”
She chuckled and playfully punched my arm. “Is that a bad reason to want to move in with you?” She paused. “Ever since the night we met, I’ve known I wanted to be a part of your life. Even on the days it was torture to be near you in the gym, so close yet so far away from having you. The harder I fought against it, the stronger my need to be with you grew. I’ve come to realize there really is no fighting it. So yes, I want to move in with you. Because I’m done fighting this. I’m ready to admit to myself that wherever you are, that’s home.”
Kenzie was finally where she belonged, and I couldn’t be any fucking happier. Even if I never got to fight another fight in my life.
• • •
If you enjoyed The Temptation, you are going to love Playing for Keeps. Turn the page for a preview of this cocky foul-mouthed hockey player and the sassy heroine who knocks him off his game.
I've never been so stupid in my entire life.
My teammate's incredibly sweet and gorgeous younger sister should have been off-limits, but my hockey stick didn't get that memo.
After our team won the championship, and plenty of alcohol, our flirting turned physical and I took her to bed.
Shame sent her running the next morning from our catastrophic mistake. She thinks I don't remember that night—but every detail is burned into my brain so deeply, I’ll never forget. The feel of her in my arms, the soft whimpers of pleasure I coaxed from her perfect lips…
And now I’ve spent three months trying to get her out of my head. Which has been futile, because I’m starting to understand she’s the only girl I’ll ever want.
I have one shot to show her I can be exactly what she needs, but Elise won’t be easily convinced.
That’s okay, because I’m good under pressure, and this time, I’m playing for keeps.
• • •
If you like cocky foul-mouthed hockey players, sassy heroines and HOT forbidden sex—this is the book for you! Sexy broken alpha male Justin is willing to risk it all—even his heart for a chance with his friend’s sister.
Get the Book Here
Acknowledgments
My deep gratitude to Liz Hellebuyck for your help with this novel. I’m grateful for your eyes, ears and plotting expertise. Thanks to Diva and Andy for your expert insight into the world of MMA. Any inaccuracies in the story’s portrayal of the sport are due to artistic license. Pam Berehulke of Bulletproof Editing, you are a wonder. Your skills are tremendous, and I learn more every time I work with you. Thank you for your guidance.
A hearty thank you to my agent Jane Dystel and foreign agent Lauren Abramo for your hard work in placing my books in bookstores around the world, and helping to guide my writing career with a steady hand and sound advice. I appreciate your attention to detail and creativity. To my readers, fans and followers. You make this all possible and I am so incredibly grateful to you.
To my husband, John, for always believing in me. You never waver. Never falter. And there is just something so incredibly comforting in that. Thank you for being my rock.
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Other Books by Kendall Ryan
Unravel Me
Filthy Beautiful Lies Series
The Room Mate
The Play Mate
The House Mate
Screwed
The Fix Up
Dirty Little Secret
xo, Zach
Baby Daddy
Tempting Little Tease
Bro Code
Love Machine
Flirting with Forever
Dear Jane
Finding Alexei
Boyfriend for Hire
The Two-Week Arrangement
Seven Nights of Sin
Playing for Keeps
All the Way
Trying to Score
Crossing the Line
The Bedroom Experiment
Down and Dirty
Wild for You
Taking His Shot
For a complete list of Kendall’s books, visit:
www.kendallryanbooks.com/all-books/
Kendall Ryan, The Temptation
