Page 4 of Roped By Ryan

“Oh.” I barely resist the urge to fan myself as I drink my wine.

Ryan takes mercy on me and dials the heat down a notch or two. “Enough about me. How have you been?"

I play with the wineglass stem, gathering my thoughts. "Well, I worked two jobs to get through school, but I loved every minute. I graduated top of my class and got a job teaching third grade at Silver Spoon Falls Elementary. Plus, I saved enough money to buy a nice little starter home.”

He frowns at me. “I can’t believe Lorenzo and your uncle let you work two jobs to get by.”

“I didn’t give them a choice.” I had no idea Lorenzo never discussed the situation with Ryan. “I wanted to do it on my own.”

“I bet that went over like a fart in church.” He chuckles as I roll my eyes at his silly analogy.

“Pretty much.” I smile back and shrug. “It was harder to convince Uncle Leon. Lorenzo stopped trying to tell me what to do years ago.”

“He might act like he’s letting you do what you want, but I’m betting he’s still trying to run the show,” Ryan tells me unnecessarily.

“By the time I was six, I knew how to make Lorenzo do what I wanted,” I admit, giving away one of my biggest secrets.

“You are something else, kitten.”

We fall into an easy rhythm, sharing stories of our respective struggles and triumphs over the last few years. The ambiance of his home, combined with the wine and the crackling fireplace, makes this evening feel almost surreal. It's as if the years apart evaporate, leaving us with the connection we always had. Now, I just have to hope he’s feeling the same way I do.

It’s getting hard to keep my eyes open, and I realize it’s time to call it a night before I’m tempted to jump Ryan’s bones. "Thank you for tonight, Ryan," I say softly, looking around his stunning home once more. "It's been really nice catching up."

He walks me out to my car and opens the door for me. "The pleasure was all mine, Michela. I’m going to follow you back to Silver Spoon Falls." I open my mouth to argue, but he places his finger across my lips. “I’m not letting you drive back to town after dark alone.”

“Careful, Ryan. Your inner caveman is coming out,” I tease and slide into the driver’s seat.

“I’ll show you my inner caveman.” He smirks and leans over to kiss my lips. My mind turns to mush as his warm lips move over mine. I melt back into the seat and lose track of everything around us. He steps back and gives his head a shake. “Now, be a good kitten and drive straight to the apartment.”

Chapter 3

Ryan

After makingsure she made it back to the apartment, I drove home wondering how the day took this turn. All I know is, now that I’ve found my kitten, I don’t ever plan to let her go. Even if it means there’s a good chance her brother is going to kill me.

After spending the night tossing and turning while thoughts of Michela tease my mind, I wake up ready to pursue my sweet girl.

Saturday begins with the warm, fresh air of early summer whispering promises of a perfect day. School doesn’t start for several weeks, so she’s spending her time getting her things unpacked. I can’t think of a better way to help her take a break from all the work than showing her around Silver Spoon Falls.She deserves a day off, and I want to share my hometown with her.

“Good morning!” I greet her with a bright smile as she steps out of the apartment building, looking radiant and ready for adventure in her light blue summer dress with her silky hair pulled back in a loose ponytail.

“Morning, Ryan,” she replies, returning my smile with one that makes my heart do a little flip as my cock turns to stone. “So, where are you taking me first?”

“You’ll see,” I say, a playful glint in my eye as I lead her toward the town square. “We’re going to go for a walk.” Since her apartment is one block from the town square, I parked my truck at the Trust Fund Café, figuring we’d have breakfast before we start our tour.

We walk the short distance to the Trust Fund Cafe, a local favorite known for its laid-back vibe and mouth-watering brunch menu. The air is warm but not hot, and the sidewalk is full of people starting their own weekend adventures.

As we step inside the cafe, the familiar aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon greets us. The place is abuzz with Saturday morning chatter, the kind of comforting murmur that sets the perfect backdrop to a day of exploration.

“Table for two, please,” I tell the hostess, who nods and leads us to a cozy corner table by the window.

Michela takes a seat, glancing around with visible appreciation. “This place is adorable. I can see why you like it.”

“Wait until you try their pancakes,” I say, handing her a menu. “They’re legendary.”

We order a spread that could feed an army—pancakes, eggs benedict, fresh fruit, bacon, and, of course, steaming mugs of coffee. As we wait for our food, the conversation flows effortlessly. We talk about her plans for the upcoming school year, what she thinks about the town, and my work.

Our food arrives, and the pancakes are every bit as fluffy and delicious as I promised. Michela’s eyes widen with the first bite, and she gives a little sound of approval that causes all the blood in my body to head straight for my goddamn cock.

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