Page 39 of Ryder

“Ryder…” How does he get under my skin like this? How on Earth could I possibly be considering having sex without protection? Madness. He has this way of planting a seed and smirking while I stew over it.

Pregnancy? Babies?

He’s definitely certifiable.

Another kiss, and then he releases me. “Let’s go downstairs. You can explore or whatever while Tiago helps unload my truck.”

“I could help,” I say as I follow him. I’m already chuckling because I know he’ll instantly turn me down as if I have two heads.

Chapter15

Ryder

We’re exhausted by the time we finish dinner and head upstairs. It was a long day, dealing with a hundred things. It was also incredibly domestic, and I know Claire was uncomfortable playing Woman of the Manor all day. Gretchen has worked here since before Claire was born, and now, Claire finds herself in a position she never expected to be in.

Another issue we discussed was my parents. I’m grateful Tiago called them on our behalf. My father apparently wasn’t pleased to hear we’d come to Wilde, but he calmed down when he learned Amos had died. He still didn’t elaborate much on whatever happened in the past except to say his father had been intolerable after their mother died. He pined for her, became a recluse, and stopped taking care of things.

I turn toward Claire, who is standing just inside the bedroom. She’s hesitant and quiet now. I have to reach around her to close the door and lock it while she chews on her bottom lip and rubs her arms.

I’m careful with her arms because they’re covered in bruises, so I gently rub up and down her biceps. Goosebumps rise on her skin. “Look at me, Claire.”

She meets my gaze. She looks nervous.

“Baby, stop fretting. We’re not going to have sex.” I assume that’s what she’s worried about.

She rolls her eyes. “You’re a guy. I know you didn’t browbeat me into moving in with you and unpacking my stuff into drawers only to cuddle.”

I flinch. “Claire, I hate that you think I would pressure you to have sex. I would never. I know I joke and taunt you constantly, but I’m serious. I’m not kidding about the fact that I want you in my life forever. We’ll have decades to make love. There’s no rush.”

She glances at the bed. “We’re going to take off a lot of clothes and lie on that fancy bed, then you’re going to kiss me until I can’t think, and I’m going to want more.”

I hear her. “That’s all true, but I will not take my boxers off. You have my word.”

She sighs. “I don’t even know if that’s what I want. I’ve never met anyone who makes me as horny as you do. Hell, I’ve never known anyone who makes me horny at all. It would be easier to just have sex and get it over with.”

I chuckle. “We’re never going to do things the easy way, baby. It’s not who we are. We’re going to argue and torment each other every day because that’s us. We’re also going to fuck hard and love hard. I promise. But not tonight.”

She wiggles free of me and wanders around the room, touching things absentmindedly. “I don’t like being in charge of Gretchen.”

“I know, and we’ll work on that.”

“Gretchen has been here for decades.Sheshould be the woman of the house. I’m not equipped to deal with the role you’ve thrust at me. I didn’t think it through before. I didn’t even havetimeto think it through. I can’t move into this mansion and run it like a plantation from a hundred years ago.”

I follow her, but I keep my hands to myself for now. “Claire, you’re smart and spunky and totally capable of running this estate.”

She crosses her arms again as though cold. “I’m sure Gretchen thinks I’m a child.”

I shake my head. “That’s not true. It’s very obvious Gretchen is thrilled by your arrival.”

Claire glances toward the door. “She thinks I’m up here spreading my legs for the rich heir.”

“Claire,” I admonish, stepping directly in front of her. “She’s not thinking that.”

Her voice rises. “You don’t know that.”

I want her to know this is her home now. Maybe not necessarily this mansion or the pink room, butwith me. Decisions about this estate will not be made unilaterally by me. She and I will be a team.

Wherever she goes, I go. If Claire were to tell me she hates this mansion and everything associated with this town and the people in it, I would take her away and never look back.

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