Page 18 of Ryder

“That won’t be necessary,” I say as if we’re discussing a business luncheon instead of my possessive interest in Claire. “I’m sure Claire can keep her hands to herself long enough to eat.”

She drops her hands and groans. “Ryder! Stop it.”

I chuckle. Tiago and I haven’t spent much time together in recent years, but we’re cool with each other. I know he won’t judge me for falling hard and fast for a woman.

In fact, he’s amused. His chest is shaking as he chuckles quietly. “See you at lunch.” He turns and walks away.

Claire doesn’t move from where she’s standing several yards away. Light is streaming in the window, passing through the harp, and leaving long lines of shadow across her. She looks like an angel.

She glances at the door.

“You’re not leaving,” I growl.

“You can’t take over my life, Ryder. I’m a grown woman. I have responsibilities.”

“You don’t need to be anywhere today. You already let your parents know you were staying. I promise to release you from the magnetic pull early enough for you to get a good night’s rest before you have to work in the morning.”

“My brain is muddled,” she admits.

“That’s because you’re so into me you can’t focus,” I tease her.

“I think it’s the other way around,” she says, tilting her chin.

“Oh, baby, it goes both ways, I assure you.”

She crosses her arms and rubs her biceps. “Why do I think this is a bad idea? You’re going to have me so confused by the end of the day that I’ll be ruined for all other men.”

“I certainly hope so because there will be no other men.” I step toward her. I can’t resist.

She steps back. “You can’t really mean that. We just met. I’m like a shiny new toy. You’ll get bored and discard me, and I’ll be left with a broken heart, picking up the pieces.”

“Never.” I step closer again. I don’t know how I know that to be true, but I do. “Claire, never,” I add gently.

She unfolds her arms and rubs her temples.

“Give me a chance to prove myself,” I tell her. “I won’t let you down.”

“I’m worried it might even be worse if you’re telling me the truth.”

“Why’s that, baby?” I’m almost in her space again.

“Because I don’t know who I am when I’m near you.”

“Maybe you’re exactly who you were always meant to be. Maybe you’ve just found yourself.” I reach out a hand, wanting her to take it. I want her to come to me. She will. I’ll wait.

Chapter8

Claire

He’s not wrong about the magnetic pull. I’m incapable of keeping space between us. When he holds his hand out like that, I can’t stop myself from taking it.

Of course, he immediately pulls me against his chest because I’m learning that’s what he does. Consumes me. Smothers me. He’s a spider web, and I’m a captured moth.

“Ryder…”

“I love the way you say my name. It always sounds like a warning,” he teases.

“It’s more like leery exasperation,” I say grumpily.

---