Page 111 of Playboy For Hire
“Save it,” I said. “I don’t care. I’m done with this. And done with you.”
I threw a twenty dollar bill down on the table, pushed between Ryder and Tessa, and made my way up the stairs. I was still shaking when I reached the sidewalk, my whole body vibrating. But not with nerves anymore. With power. It had felt really good to say all of that—and I knew Ryder would understand that it wasn’t about him.
There was a commotion behind me. I turned back to look at the entrance to the bar. Ryder was supposed to come running out now, but instead it was Tessa who pushed through the door, followed by Martin, who looked like he’d follow her anywhere. I pressed myself against the building to make myself less noticeable.
“I can’t believe that guy,” Tessa fumed. “Never want to see him again. God, I need a drink, but nothere. Come on, Martin. Let’s go.”
She grabbed his hand. His eyes went wide with surprise, then pleasure. She marched down the sidewalk, still holding his hand. I watched them go. Halfway down the block, she glanced over her shoulder and flashed me a thumbs-up. By the time Ryder made it out to join me, they were gone.
Ryder walked over and put his hands on either side of my face. “Brilliant. You were absolutely brilliant.”
He kissed me, long and hard. When he pulled back, we were both out of breath.
“Yeah?” I asked. “You’re sure I didn’t overdo it?”
“You were perfect.” He took my hand. “They’re going to be talking about that for the rest of the night.”
“Tessa and Martin left,” I pointed out.
“I’m not surprised,” he said. “She said she was looking for a way to boost his confidence, so he’d feel he had a chance with her. She gave him a pretty good, ‘follow me’ look before she stormed off, and he went right after her like a puppy dog. And the rest of the group was just happy to take over the table we vacated.” He grinned widely. “All in all, it was a win-win-win.”
“Oh?” I grinned back. “And what did we win?”
“We won each other.” Ryder’s smile broadened. “And we won the rest of our lives together.”
I pulled him in for a hug, wrapping my arms around him, feeling his solidity and strength pressed against me.
“That,” I told him, “is my kind of prize.”
The End
