Page 38 of Ryder

I stand next to the bed, hands on my hips. “Of all the things in my suitcase, you felt the need to start with bras and panties? Considering you were the one to pack them also, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.”

He chuckles. “I’m a guy.”

“You’re a bossy, domineering guy.”

He shrugs as he returns and snags me around the waist. “The fact that I’m bossy and domineering is what attracts you to me.”

I slouch against him. He’s right. Damn him. “It’s only you, though.” I shudder. Smith is bossy, too, but I don’t like him at all. I now loathe him.

“From now on, everything is only me, baby.” He kisses me again and turns to grab more of my clothes.

It takes us about five minutes to empty everything into drawers, and then Ryder stows my suitcase and bags in the closet. It’s all so domestic, as though we’ve known each other for months and decided to move in together. We haven’t even known each other for forty-eight hours.

“This is crazy,” I say as I follow Ryder into the attached bathroom, where he starts putting my toiletries into drawers. He sets my shampoo, conditioner, and body wash on the edge of the tub.

I’m in a stupor. I can’t breathe as he sets my box of tampons next to the toilet. My face heats.

He puts my toiletry bag under the sink and turns toward me. “I didn’t notice any form of birth control.”

My face heat doubles. He’s so matter-of-fact about things people who just met do not discuss.

He grabs me around the waist yet again. “I’m not saying I care one way or the other. I’m just asking if you’re taking anything, have an IUD, prefer to use condoms, or don’t care if you get pregnant.”

I gasp. “You say that likeyoudon’t care if I get pregnant, either.”

He kisses me. “I don’t. I’m forty. If you want to have ten kids, we should get started.”

I swallow hard. “You’re certifiable.”

He grins. “You’ve mentioned that a few times. I’m going to develop a complex.”

“You should. People don’t meet, move in, and talk about having babies so fast, Ryder.”

“Maybe most people don’t, but some do. When you know, you know.”

“I’m twenty-two. I’m not getting pregnant. I don’t have kids on my radar yet.”

“I’m forty. You might have to push up your timeline if you want our kids’ dad to be able to walk them down the aisle without a cane,” he teases.

I groan.

“You didn’t answer me.” He lifts a brow.

Sheesh. “I hope you brought a brand-new box of condoms with you because you’re going to wear two at a time until I can get on birth control. That might take a while since there’s no way I’m going to the town doctor to get it, and there’s no way in hell either of us is going to buy condoms in the local pharmacy. The entire town would assume we’re sleeping together in less than an hour.”

He gives me his signature smirk. “Are we? Sleeping together?”

I shove at him and roll my eyes. “No.”

“But you know we will be eventually,” he teases.

I sigh. “I assume so.”

He grabs my ass. “I’m going to place an order for delivery that won’t come from anywhere nearby. If you want, I’ll add condoms to the list.” He gives me a wicked grin.

I try to wiggle free of him unsuccessfully. “We’re using condoms, Ryder.”

“I’ll let you think about it.”

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