Page 24 of Ryder

“Ryder…” I say, imitating his tone. Or mocking it.

“I’m glad you don’t want to remodel the room you picked,” he says out of the blue.

“Why’s that?” I’m sure his answer will make me end up with at least two more naughty marks in the imaginary swear jar.

“Because that means I can start browbeating you into moving in with me. I don’t have to wait for a plumber, painter, sander, or furniture to arrive from out of town.” He grins triumphantly.

I laugh because it’s impossible not to. He never ceases to surprise me. “You’re going to wake up tomorrow and think,Claire who?”

“I am not,” He slides his hands down until he’s gripping my ass against the car. “I meant every word I’ve said to you, Claire. You’re mine. Don’t you dare wake up tomorrow and doubt me. FaceTime me when you get in bed so I can see your room and tell you goodnight.”

I scrunch my face. “I’m not going to show you my childhood room.”

“Baby, you so totally are. I can’t wait to see it. Is it pink?”

I laugh. “It’s most definitely not pink. It’s never been pink. I don’t have a single idea why I fell in love with the pink room upstairs. You’re not really going to move into it, are you?”

He cocks his head. “Of course I am. I never even unpacked my suitcase last night. I’m going to move everything into that room and put it all in the drawers. I’ll leave you the lower ones since you’re short.”

I giggle. Sheesh. He’s relentless.

“I’m also going to claim the room next to it and figure out where the studs are so we can eventually add a connecting door.”

I narrow my gaze at him. “Are you so old that you think couples should sleep in separate rooms?” I’m kidding. I know he doesn’t think that. The man can’t keep his hands off me. No way would he want to sleep in different rooms.

He grins. “Nope. We’ll need it for a nursery.”

I gasp. Holy smokes, he’s relentless. It’s crazy enough for him to act like we’re an item, but moving in? Babies? He’s lost his marbles.

He kisses me and speaks against my lips. “I’m going to visit your bakery in the morning.”

My breath hitches. “You don’t need to do that.”

He narrows his eyes. “I’ll be there first thing because, after that, I have to unload my moving truck so the company can come pick it up. They’re sending someone in the afternoon.”

“Then you should do that instead of coming into the bakery,” I encourage.

He grips my butt cheeks and squeezes. “You’re mine, Claire. It will be much easier for you to accept and acknowledge that if everyone in town knows it, starting with your parents. I won’t pretend I’m not going to claim you. Not even for a minute. So, tell them whatever you need to tonight because tomorrow, when I come to visit, I will kiss you possessively in front of everyone.”

I gasp. “Ryder, you can’t do that.”

“Oh, baby, yes, I can. Are you worried about telling your parents about me?”

I inhale slowly. “A little, yes.”

“Because of my age?”

I shrug. “Partly, but mostly because I’ve never been in any relationship that warranted me telling them. They’re going to be skeptical.”

“That’s okay. It’s understandable. I’ll win them over.”

I stare at him. He’s serious. Still, it’s hard to believe he means everything he says. It’s like I’ve fallen through a crack in the universe and found myself in another dimension. I refuse to believe it can be real. I’m going to wake up tomorrow and find out this was all a dream.

Ryder kisses a path to my ear, nibbles on my neck, and whispers, “You’re mine, Claire.”

He’s so possessive. I should probably be offended at the way he claims me like a caveman, but I’m not. I tingle all over when he says that. I feel like I’m floating above the ground. Nothing is real.

He kisses down my neck, dipping into my cleavage. When he reaches the swoop of my tank top that barely covers my bra, he licks along the edge of lace.

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