My guy had sent flowers and lunch, and I was going home to him and his daughter. Could this day get any better? I’d even seen an ex and not been shaken up by it. Because he didn’t matter anymore. I’d healed from those relationships, and I was moving on.
This thing with Ryder felt different. I wasn’t falling too soon or seeing things that weren’t there. I could trust myself. Finally.
When I parked next to Ryder’s truck, my door opened before I could grab the to-go bags. I turned to smile at Ryder, and he grabbed the plastic bags of food, leaning down to kiss me.
“What was that for?”
“I couldn’t wait to kiss you, and Faith’s inside.”
I climbed out of the car and closed the door. “Thank you for the flowers and lunch.”
“Did you like them?”
“They were perfect.”
Ryder gave me a sheepish look. “I asked the owner at the restaurant for your usual order.”
“That was so nice of you. You’re too good to me.” I paused after I said that, not quite liking how the words felt on my lips.
“I’m just getting started, so get used to it.” He growled as he stepped into my body.
I sighed into his mouth as he kissed me again. If Stacy had rebuffed his efforts to take care of her, I was going to enjoy every second.
The kiss deepened, his scent surrounding me. It was a good thing he was holding the food because this could get out of hand quickly. When he finally pulled away, he said, “I missed you.”
My cheeks heated. “It was only a few hours.”
Ryder grinned.
Maybe he had to hide his true character, the protective romantic side from his wife. But I loved it. I’d always been independent. I’d had to be because my parents didn’t support my passions, and no one else had ever offered to.
But with Ryder, it felt good. I could be independent and get support from him. It wasn’t one or the other. I wasn’t weaker because Ryder sent me lunch I could get myself. “We’d better go inside before Faith wonders what happened to you.”
Ryder stepped back, still holding the bags of sushi. I closed the door behind me. As we walked toward the door, my legs felt shaky from that kiss. “Is that how you’re always going to greet me?”
Ryder chuckled. “If Faith isn’t in viewing distance.”
I opened the door for him since his hands were full.
“You get the sushi?” Faith asked from the living room.
Ryder moved into the room, setting the bags on the table. “I figured we’d eat in front of the TV.”
“Sounds perfect.” It was something I did when I ate alone, but it would be so much better doing it with someone else.
We arranged the sushi so everyone could grab what they wanted, and Faith queued up a kid’s movie. It was one with a lot of animals, and I thought it would be for younger kids, but the humor was fantastic, and I found myself riveted to the screen.
When the scene at the Motor Vehicle Administration came on, and we realized it was run by sloths, we howled with laughter and watched it over and over again.
When the movie was finally done, Ryder prompted Faith to go to bed, and there was only minimal pushback. I took the opportunity to clean up our trash from dinner.
“You don’t have to do that. I can get it in a minute.”
“It’s no trouble,” I said as I took it to the kitchen, cleaning out the plastic containers for recycling and throwing out the leftovers.
It felt domestic to be in his kitchen while he helped Faith get to bed. When he walked down the steps ten minutes later, I was just finishing up.
He came up behind me, his arms banding around my middle as his chin rested on my shoulder. “I like seeing you in my kitchen.”