Page 137 of Out of Bounds

"Don’t do that again," he warned.

I took a drink of water to hide my smile. "I wanted to give you a reward."

"A reward?"

"You did good," I admitted and a flush crept up my neck at the thought.

"Good…?" The frown disappeared. A grin crossed his lips and all the irritation vanished. "I’m glad you had a good time."

"I had a great time," I murmured.

"I know. You had a great time all over my face."

I choked on the water and pulled it back before I could spill it on the table. God, how did he just…talklike that? I could cuss out reporters all day every day to defend Ryan but gazing into those dark honey eyes and talking about how he made mefeel?I might as well have lost my vocal cords.

"You’re shy," Ryan said, surprised.

"Shy?" I repeated, pushing past the blush. "Be real. I’ve got to be the least shy person you’ve ever met in your life. I could walkthrough that football locker room and not give a shit. I’m notshy."

Ryan shifted forward on the table, watching me. Those dark eyes trailed over my face and I couldn’t help that my breathing slowed. I couldn’t change the effect he had on me.

"Kassie?" His voice lowered, liquid honey that felt like it dripped on my body. "I want to fuck that pretty pussy until you come on my cock."

My heart dropped six inches in my body, I could actually feel the breath leave me, and I ducked my head, blushing so hard I knew I couldn’t look at him again. My eyes were glued to the table. I couldn’t even find the words.

"I—I—"

His fingers reached for my chin and tilted me back up to look at him. My blush deepened. I didn’t even know that was possible.

"We’re in…public…" I finished, my words weak.

"Like you give a shit what people think about what you do."

He’s right.

No one ever read me so well. But it was so hard to explain. The truth was, kissing and sex and everything in between was so…intimate. It required trust. And I’d never been the trophy winner for giving that out. Openlytalkingabout it was openly acknowledging the truth that I’d given that trust to someone. Given it toRyan.

Almost an impossibility for me.

Ryan tilted his head back, smirking. "I found it."

"Found what?"

"I found the way to trip you up like how you get me."

Another blush, another show of trust. I took a deep breath. "Do I even want to hear what we’re here for?"

"Oh. Right." He nodded and reached for his phone again.

The moment he wasn’t focused on me, I could finally breathe again. I watched him scroll through his phone and nod to himself about something. He looked like he was preparing for one of those important analyst meetings.

He rolled back his shoulders. "Kassandra Ragar, the last few months have been a successful and worthwhile venture. You’ve been an important addition to the Romans’ team. This has been beneficial for both parties."

"Huh." I chuckled, confused. "Okay."

"I’d like to change the nature of our association."

"Association?" I repeated.

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