Page 16 of Fighting for You

Slapping me on the but, she pushed me toward the bathroom. “You have ten minutes to get ready. We have breakfast before the spa,” she informed me.

I hurried and got dressed and was growing excited by each moment that passed.

Hours later, I had a full stomach and had been pampered to the fullest. Now, we were rushing back to our apartment so I could get dressed.

When I finally arrived at the quaint little restaurant, Ryder was waiting outside for me. A sly smirk played across his features. His large, muscular arms looked delicious as they lay at his sides.

“You decided to show up,” he teased me.

“Well, I was hungry,” I say, nervously tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

Placing his hand on my back, Ryder led us inside to the hostess. It was a foreign feeling to have another man’s hand on my back, but I allowed it. Ryder was being polite and I didn’t want to freak out too early.

Ryder asks for a table out on the patio and I am happy he made that decision. It was a beautiful night and being outside would make this evening more comfortable. We followed the young hostess to our table, where she placed our menus in front of us. I adored this place and knew the menu by heart.

Ryder opened his menu and then, noticing that mine was still flat on the table, glanced up at me. “Is everything ok? We can go somewhere else if you want,” he said.

“Everything is fine. I know this menu by heart,” I laughed.

“Oh, I was worried,” Ryder chuckled. “Well, then I will let you order for the both of us,” he said, folding his menu down.

“You are brave to let me order for you,” I say, smiling at him.

“I was a SEAL. Of course, I’m brave,” he says arrogantly.

I can’t help but laugh at his humor. I feel my face blushing as I realize I am giddy right now.

When our waiter comes, I order both of us ice waters, white wine, and the lasagna with smoked sausage. Ryder watches me with amusement in his eyes.

“So, Meghan. Tell me more about yourself,” he says, leaning back in his chair.

I glance around as everyone else is deep into their own conversations. I bite my lower lip as I wonder what I should tell him. He already knows about Wade.

“That is very irresistible,” Ryder says, leaning across the table.

“Excuse me?” I ask, taken aback.

“When you are deep in thought, you bite your bottom lip. I noticed the first night we met at the gala and again the other day when we had lunch,” Ryder says. His eyes spark as he watches me.

Damn, there is something so attractive about Ryder that it is hard to control my emotions around him. I am now regretting agreeing to this date. While Ryder is nothing short of charming, he is making me feel things I am just not ready for yet.

“I didn’t realize I did that,” I say, lowering my head.

“Hey, did I do something wrong?” Ryder asks, reading my mood change.

Shaking my head, I try not to cry. “No. In fact, Ryder you are perfect. It’s me,” I say.

“I don’t believe in that, it’s not you, it’s me, excuse,” Ryder states. “You are scared and I get it. But, there’s one thing that you just don’t know about me,” he says, his voice deep and low like he is telling me a secret.

“What’s that?” I ask, trying to keep a straight face. Right now, I don’t know whether to cry or smile.

“Ryder, I already told you. I am not looking for more than anything but a friend,” I say.

“And, I agreed to that. For now,” he says, smirking.

“You are very stubborn,” I say.

“You have no idea. I will show you that I can be the only exception to the rule you have created for yourself. Once this date is over, you won’t be able to resist me anymore,” he says, and even he can’t help but laugh.

---