Page 48 of Hook Up

“You’re referring to sex and while I know you are the most incredible woman in the fucking world, that wasn’t what I meant.” Nuzzling my nose, he offers a final smack to my ass before hopping out of bed.

“What did you mean?” I ask, kneeling on the bed, a curious smile on my face.

But Ryder only offers me a wink as he heads into the kitchen.

A fluttery feeling rushes through me as he disappears down the hallway. No way in hell is he getting away with that cryptic statement. Chasing after him, I capture him by the counter, wrapping my arms about his waist. “No food until you clarify your earlier statement.”

“Only trouble there? I’m taller and have longer arms.” With that, he takes a huge mouthful of the omelet, earning a fake huff of annoyance from me. “Want some?”

He offers me a forkful, snatching it away at the last moment and shoving it in his mouth.

“Jerk. Forget it, I didn’t want to know, anyway.” I shoot him a glare, but he sees right through my facade. He calls me a marshmallow and, where he’s concerned, he’s right.

“Hey Gigi,” Ryder calls after me.

“Yes, Mr. Gray?”

“This is the best week of my life.”

I pause in the hallway, my breathing shallow as my heart pounds in my chest. Ryder is a man used to worldwide adoration and accolades. That a few days of sex and sun with me can even come close? Talk about thrilling. “I doubt that. You’ve won countless championships, stood on numerous podiums, and are worshiped by women and men around the globe. This pales in comparison, I’m sure, but it’s a lovely sentiment.”

“No,” Ryder argues, his voice firm as his eyes dare me to look away. “Everything pales in comparison to you.”

“You keep saying things like that and I’ll fall head over heels in love with you.”

He releases a sigh, a frown crossing his features. “I thought you already had.”

I’m not sure whether it’s the tone of his voice or the slight slump of his shoulders, but suddenly, I don’t want to respond with some pithy barb.

I want to respond with the same brutal and beautiful honesty he offered me.

Crossing the kitchen, I grab his hands, reaching up on tiptoe to kiss him. “I have.”

It’s only two words, but they’re the hardest words I’ve ever uttered. They lay my soul bare. Ryder’s for the taking.

The energy between us changes in that moment as he hoists me into his arms and sprawls me across the dining room table.

Within seconds, he sinks inside me, a low moan rising from us both as he fills me.

“I’m addicted to you.”

There’s such emotion in the words and the intensity with which he speaks them. So much so that I believe him. Some may call me mad or naïve, but I believe him.

I can’t hold back the emotions any longer. The dam around my heart breaks, and the flood of feelings rushes through me. “I love you, Ryder. I’m so in love with you.”

There’s a split-second where the words hover in the air before the most beautiful smile breaks across his face and his lips claim me. “I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember. I’m glad you finally caught up to me.”

“I caught up eight years ago, but you broke my heart.”

“May I have it one last time?”

Does he know what he’s asking? How desperately I want to be his and for it to be real? Belong to him and only him? “You won’t break it?”

Ryder dusts kisses across my jaw, smiling against my skin. “Be mine, Greer. All mine. I want to build a world with just the two of us, our family, and a lifetime of memories. What do you say?”

Tears prick my eyes, the love for this man flowing through my every pore. “Best idea ever.”

Chapter 8

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