Page 88 of Something to Someone

“But we’ll have so much fun trying. What do you want first then? I think my mouth and fingers would be a good place to start.”

I moaned and kissed him soundly although quickly. “Yes, but I have to put away all the food first.” I stepped around him, and he groaned as he followed me into the kitchen.

“How about a compromise?” he offered.

“What’s your compromise?” I asked as I started picking up plates and cups left scattered around the kitchen and living room. Proof that people were too busy having fun to worry about picking up after themselves. It was a good mess. One I liked seeing.

“I’ll pour you a glass of wine, you can watch me clean up, then we go to your bedroom. You shouldn’t have to deal with this on your birthday.”

Ryder crossed the kitchen and pulled open the refrigerator door, retrieving the bottle of rosé Natalie and I had started earlier. It was on the tip of my tongue to argue, but he leveled me a serious, sincere look.

“Please,” he said, and I had to nod. He poured me a healthy glass as I leaned against the counter.

He handed me the glass, and I took a long sip.

“So…speaking of parents, I got a text from my dad earlier today,” he said, collecting more plates and consolidating the leftovers behind me. “He said that he and Jessica want to have lunch with us sometime next week. I didn’t commit to anything, though, before I could talk to you.”

I cringed and took another large gulp. Mark was not a bad person at all—he and Natalie had just grown apart, and it had turned out for the best. But he wasn’t necessarily my cup of tea anyway. It was remarkable that he’d contributed to creating his son who I cared about more than almost anyone else. But I guessofficiallymeeting the parents was necessary in every relationship.

“I know it’s going to be awkward and weird, but like your parents, I think he just wants to feel included and make sure we’re…real.”He came back around the island and dropped a few plates in the sink, looking at me with raised brows and an apologetic look in his eyes.

“That’s fine. Wednesday or Thursday work best for me, and if necessary, I can move my Sunday meeting.”

With a wink, he kissed my forehead and walked back around the counter to gather more dishes. “I promise it won’t be too bad, and I’ll make sure I have an excuse ready, so he doesn’t try to extend the meal. I know spending a ton of time with my dad and his girlfriend isn’t high on your list.”

“Yeah, but I love you, so—” I didn’t think. I didn’t contemplate the words before they were out of my mouth. Realizing what I said, I froze and waited for Ryder to say or do something.

But a long-extended silence followed. Still behind me, I was nervous to turn around and look at him, so I stood still and considered maybe I hadn’t just said what I think did.

I barely heard his soft steps on the tile floor and waited with bated breath as he rounded the corner and came into my periphery. He stopped directly in front of me with three stacked trays in his hands. His jaw slack, he narrowed his eyes.

“What did you just say?”

I had two choices in that moment—pretend like I hadn’t meant it and try to change the subject or cop to it. Several weeks ago, I would have been sprinting the other direction. Running from feelings I refused to name or share. But standing in front of Ryder now, I couldn’t imagine waiting to say it a second longer.

“You heard me,” I said. Energy buzzed through me as I waited for his next move. With a neutral expression, he stepped forward and set the trays on the counter next to the sink. He was so much closer now, I felt the need to hold my breath for some unknown reason. Likely to cover up how hard I was breathing or how rapid my heartbeat was pounding in anticipation.

“Say it again,” he said, looming over me and wrapping his hand around the side of my neck. His thumb slipped over my jaw and paused on the center of my chin, just beneath my lower lip.

I wetted my lips and finally breathed again. His eyes bounced from mine to my mouth which he watched in wonder as I admitted, “I love you, Ryder Calaway.”

Shock then elation crossed his face, and I’d never seen a smile so wide or proud. In the next second, he was gripping beneath my assand lifting me into the air. I fumbled to set my wineglass on the counter right before he strode down the hallway and toward the bedroom.

“Fuck cleaning up,” he muttered against my neck. “Say it one more time.”

Smiling, I leaned down, positioned my mouth right next to his ear, and whispered in a low voice, “I love you.”

He groaned and kicked open the double doors to my room. “Fuck, my dick is so hard right now.”

THIRTY-EIGHT

LOVE ME, PEG ME

Caroline

There wascommotion on the other side of the front door, but I knew it wasn’t trick-or-treaters. It swung open a second later, and I twirled the tie of my black, satin robe in one hand as I leaned against the wall at the end of the entryway.

Ryder walked in, shut the door behind him, and took a few steps before he noticed me. A slow smile spread across his face.

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