Page 14 of Ryder

I don’t answer. He chuckles again. I’m glad I provide him with so much humor.

“I think we might need a jar for lying, too. Such a naughty girl.”

His words should infuriate me, but instead, I grow hotter.Ugh. I sigh. “You seriously want my parents to come here for dinner?”

“I do.”

I drop my shoulders and blow out a breath. “Fine. Give me my phone. I’ll tell them.”

“Okay, but I’m only going to release your arms. And you’re going to let me watch while you type, so I’ll know you did as you were told.”

A shiver races through my body. I had no idea I had such a kinky side. I’ve never met a living soul who spoke to me like Ryder does. My face is so heated I’m nearly sweating. “Fine.” I kind of hate agreeing and putting an end to this charade. It’s rather enjoyable.

Ryder releases his grip on me just long enough for me to pull my arms out from where they’re trapped against my sides. Less than a second later, he has one arm anchored around me again, resting below my breasts.

He reaches back, retrieves my phone from the pocket of his jeans, and hands it to me.

I’m trembling as I unlock the screen, revealing what I sent before.

Talking to Mr. Wilde. I’ll be a while.

He tsks me again. “That’s not what I told you to say.”

I sigh and start typing.

Mr. Wilde says to thank you for the pastries, and he’d like to have you over for dinner soon.

Before hitting send, I twist my head to look at him. “Happy?”

“Nope. Change the Mr. Wilde to Ryder. It sounds too formal. I intend to marry their daughter and father their grandchildren. Don’t mislead them.”

I stare at him yet again. “You cannot be serious.”

He points at the screen. “Totally serious. Change it.”

My fingers are shaking as I erase Mr. Wilde and replace it with Ryder. “Now,are you happy?”

“I’ll be happier after you hit send and turn around and ask me to kiss you.”

I snort. “You’re definitely certifiable.” I manage to hit send, wondering what my father is going to think when he sees my weird message.

Mr. Bossy takes my phone out of my hands, pushes the button to darken the screen, and sticks it back in his pocket. My head is spinning as he turns me in his arms and holds me chest to chest. “See? That wasn’t hard, was it?”

I roll my eyes.

“Do I need a third jar for eye-rolling?”

“Or you could just put all my perceived transgressions into one jar and make it easier,” I suggest.

“Good idea. Let’s do that. I think we’re up to about ten with all the eye-rolling, lying, and cussing.”

I shake my head. “You can’t make new rules retroactively. That’s not fair.”

He shrugs and tucks his fingers into the back pockets of my jeans. “I’m older. I make the rules. My decision stands. Now, ask me.”

“Ask you what?” For a second, I’m honestly uncertain, but then I remember and shake my head. “Not a chance.”

He smiles and pulls me closer, if that’s even possible. Apparently, it is because my breasts are pressing against his chest. This man does not play fair. He tips his head to the side and kisses my neck.

---