Page 64 of A Game of Love and Betrayal

The wooden divider was rough against his fingers as he dug his hand into the wall. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”

He couldn’t stand the silence anymore.

“Do you… what you said… is it…”

“It’s true,” he whispered.

She blew out a long breath. “Because you can’t lie.”

“That’s right.” He exhaled, his heart still thundering. “I’m standing at the wall.” He needed to tell her.

A silken chuckle that would follow him into his dreams came from her. “Me too.”

He slid down the barrier until he sat on the floor. Resting his head against it, he breathed in deeply. They were close, separated only by this wall. How thick was it? Two or three inches? That was nothing. It would be easy to rip it down and see his vampire for the first time.

He wouldn’t. Not yet.

But soon.

“I wish I could see you right now,” he admitted. “I want to know everything about you.”

That glimpse of golden hair hadn’t been nearly enough for him. He was beginning to realize nothing would ever be enough. Not until she was fully his in every way.

His headphones echoed with the rustling of fabric. “I’m not going anywhere, Ry.” She sounded almost… sad about that. But he had to be mishearing her. “Not today, not tomorrow. I’ll be here every day. There’s no one else I’d rather speak with.”

“I love speaking with you, too,” Ryker said.

Another pause, then she whispered, “I’m not as eloquent as you, but it seems I’ve taken a liking to you, too. It’s… I didn’t… It took me by surprise.”

“Just a liking?” His voice was teasing, but he couldn’t hide the undercurrent in his words as he pushed deeper. “Is that all you feel for me?”

He hadn’t planned to ask the question today, but suddenly, hearing her answer was the only thing that mattered.

Waiting with bated breath, he rubbed his hands down his jeans. He straightened an invisible crease in the denim as time slipped on. He was a powerful water fae, the son of a Representative, and yet he was riddled with anxiety. Did she know she could crush him? That her words meant the world to him?

Even so, he wouldn’t push her. He never would. Sometimes, time was the best gift one person could give to another. He would give her as much as she needed, and he wouldn’t go anywhere.

Brynleigh sucked in a deep breath. “Maybe… I think… Maybe it’s more.” Her voice shook as if she was afraid to admit it. “I think…”

“Yes?” Hope sparked in his stomach, and his fingernails dug into his palms. His arms were empty, waiting for her.

“It’s really scary to admit this,” she breathed. “I don’t… I’m not suppo… but…” A shuddering breath escaped her. “I think I could fall in love with you, Ryker.”

Those last words were barely more than a breath, but he heard them as if she’d screamed them in his ear. That spark of hope exploded into a burning flame. He would cherish it for the rest of his life.

A long moment passed as her words settled into his heart.

He pressed his forehead against the wall. “Me too, Brynleigh.”

“You could fall in love with yourself?” The teasing tone in her voice was back. “I had no idea you thought so highly of yourself.”

He chuckled. “You know what I mean.”

Her voice was a soft caress in his ears. “Yes, I do.” She sighed wistfully. “I wish I could see you.”

He groaned. “I know. Soon.”

Maybe if he kept reminding himself that it wouldn’t be long, the next two weeks wouldn’t feel like an eternity. At the moment, he doubted it.

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