Page 31 of A Small Town Risk

Readjusting my legs, I feel a slight discomfort in my lower region. We might have overdone it.

I carefully disengage myself from him and slip out of bed, gingerly walk to the bathroom. It’s enormous and decorated in warm gray and blue tones, with a vast free-standing bathtub. I swoon. I’m a bath person, and this is a thing of beauty. I glance back into the bedroom, and Ryan is still sleeping. I close the door so I won’t wake him.

The water reaches halfway up the sides as I ease into the tub. I wince as the warmth comes into contact with the sore, overused body parts. I lean back and close my eyes. This is heaven. I could live in this spot.

A noise alerts me I’m not alone. I open my eyes, and Ryan stands beside the tub, looking at me with a worried expression.

“How are you?” He squats down so we’re at eye level.

“A little sore.” I won’t lie to him, especially if he’s thinking about going another round; I don’t think my tender parts could handle it.

He gently brushes my hair out of my face.

“May I join you?”

Before I can answer, he’s bending over, taking off his boxers. I can’t tear my eyes off his body. The man is a work of art, and he’s all mine. He stands, and his hard cock is at eye level. I run my tongue over my lips, wanting to get a taste.

“Skooch forward,” he tells me.

I comply, and he settles in behind me, pulling me backward until I’m leaning against his chest.

“We need to talk,” he says.

“Yes,” I agree, biting my lip.

“I’m sorry about that Nancy mixup and the pain it caused.”

Nancy. I rage just thinking about her.

“Parker?”

“I believe you.” I rest my head against his chest, collecting my thoughts. He doesn’t rush me, but lets me take my time.“My parents had an awful marriage,” I say.

“I know.”

“Dad cheated on Mom all the time, and she didn’t call him out on it. It’s hard not to think all men are like him, or my old boss, or most men I’ve met.” I turn around so I’m sitting on his legs, facing him. “I’m relationship-challenged and afraid of ruining this.”

He kisses me. “You won’t ruin this.”

“You don’t think?”

“No.”

“I love you, Ryan.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

PARKER

Once it became official that Ryan and I were a couple, he wanted me to move in with him. I thought, why not? Now, I just have to unpack and put things away.

Everyone is downstairs preparing supper when my phone dings on the nightstand beside the bed. It’s Dad. I’m not answering it. I’ve ignored all his other texts and calls, so he should get the message and stop trying to contact me. I should block his number, but I haven’t done it yet.

Elle knocks on the door and peeks inside.

“Is supper ready?” I ask, setting the phone back down.

“No, it’ll be a bit longer. I just came up to help.”

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