Page 13 of A Small Town Risk

My whole body tightens around him, and I’m about ready to climax. It doesn’t slow him down; he keeps going.

“Yes, Ryan,” I yell as I orgasm hard, nearly blacking out.

He stiffens and I hear his cry when he comes. He rests his head on the side of my neck, lying on me as we both catch our breath. I feel so warm and protected. I could stay like this all night.

When he gets up and goes to the bathroom, I cover myself with the blanket.

He returns carrying a hand towel and says, “We didn’t use protection. I’m clean, by the way.”

“I’m clean, too,” I reply. “And I’m on the shot.” I go to slide off the bed.

“No.” His words stop me.

He leans over and pulls the blanket from me, then places a warm towel between my legs to clean me up. I’ve never had a man do this before; it’s embarrassing.

It only takes a few minutes, and he’s done. While he’s walking away. I grab the blanket to cover myself again.

I need to gather myself and talk to him. We can’t do this again. It was a mistake. Before I can come up with something to say to him, he comes back, turns off the lights, and slides under the covers.

“I don’t think…”

“I’m tired. You’re tired. Let’s get some sleep and talk later.”

“Okay,” I say, stifling a yawn. I’ll talk to him after we rest and let him know that us having sex means nothing. It was good and all; it just shouldn’t be repeated. It can’t be repeated.

CHAPTER EIGHT

PARKER

I had a great time.Talk to you later.Ryan.

I balled the note up and threw it across the room. I thought he was different, but this proves how wrong I was. Jerk. Like all the rest, he got what he wanted, and he’s gone. I don’t know why it surprised me. I just wish I would have had the chance to tell him that last night meant nothing. I won’t make this mistake again because I’m through with him. Finished.

I’m in my office downstairs when I hear the door open. I glance up and see it’s Jack, a new customer I’ve been working with. He’s a doctor in Denver. He bought a house outside of Manning Falls to relax on the weekends. The guy is good-looking, with short blonde hair and dark blue eyes. You can tell he must work out by how his clothes fit.

“Hi, Jack. I didn’t know you were coming in today.” I meet him halfway across the room. “I haven’t finished the plans yet.”

“That’s fine. The contractor had some porch questions. I thought since I was here I would ask you out for lunch. I hate eating by myself.”

I have no desire to go out with him. He’s already asked me several times, and I’ve always turned him down. The guy is cocky, and it rubs me the wrong way, but I don’t want him to drop me since I’m almost done with his design.

“I can have lunch. Then I can discuss my plans with you.”

I want to make it clear that this is not a date.

“Fine, we’ll make it a working lunch.”

“Great.” I grab his file with all my plans before heading to the door.

Jack mentions going to the steak house, but I suggest the diner since it’s closer and quicker. And since it’s after one, we shouldn’t have any trouble finding a table because it won’t be crowded.

I don’t look around when we enter, keeping my attention on finding a table. Once we sit, I see Ryan sitting with his brothers and staring at me. He seems pissed if the scowl on his face is any indication. I don’t know if he’s mad at me or something else. It shouldn’t be me; I’m not the one who took off without a word and never got hold of me since.

Trying to ignore him, I open the file and show Jack my plans for his house. The waitress interrupts us when she comes and takes our order. I get the Reuben sandwich; it’s my favorite. Elle is the one who told me about them; she gets them every time she comes here. They are my favorite, too.

The waitress leaves and I show him the rest of the changes. He seems pleased. The tricky part of getting this done right is the additional input from Jack’s parents. I didn’t anticipate designing it for three people when I accepted this job. Jack’s parents are going to be staying at the house, too.

I’m almost finished reviewing everything when I sense someone beside me. I look, and it’s Ryan glaring down at me.

---