Page 18 of Spring Break with a Fire Chief

Ryan: What did you tell them?

Me: I said you’re amazing in bed

I giggle when I hit send. I’m a forty year old woman who realized she’s in love and I need to let him know. I’m scared, he never said it to me either, but I can’t deny it any longer.

Ryan: I need exact words, Maddie

Me: I told them your dick is huge and you eat the kitty like there’s no tomorrow

I stifle a laugh at myself and wait for a reply. My heart races and I can't wipe the smile from my face. I know how talking to him like this used to get him crazy. I’m only hoping I get the same response now.

Ryan: Where are you?

Me: Home

Ryan: Stay there.

I unlock my door then I run to change into sleepwear. I don’t have anything super sexy but I know he always loved me in short shorts with a tank. I brush my teeth, avoiding the open bottle in my fridge. Two glasses of wine and two shots has me feeling just right. It’s enough to make me bold enough to tell him things I need to.

A knock on the door has my heart fluttering and my pulse racing. I open it to see him staring back at me, fire in his eyes, hands clenched. I giggle and lean against the door.

“Are you alright?” I ask him.

He eyes me. “Are you?”

“Just fine.” I turn leaving the door open knowing he’ll follow and I head for the couch before falling onto it.

“You’re drunk.”

“No. Just feeling good.”

I hear the door slam and he stands in front of me now, hands on his hips and one brow raised. “Who brought you home?”

“Wells.” When I see his nostrils flare and his lips draw straight, I smirk. “Jealous?”

He swallows hard. “No. Vienna has his dick in her pocket.” He flexes his hands. “But I don’t like that he was responsible for you tonight.”

This is so Ryan. He always wanted to be first, he wanted to be the one to care for me.

I was so stupid to leave him.

“Sit down.” I pull his hand and he falls to the couch next to me. “How was your night? Areyoudrunk?”

He rolls his eyes and shakes his head. Then he sits up a little straighter, fidgeting around. I know he’s got stuff running through his head, so I’ll wait for him to say it first.

“Maddie.” He clears his throat. “I, uh, I think I owe you an apology.”

I come to kneel on the couch and face him. “Me? What for?”

He’s looking around the room. “The guys were asking me a lot of questions and something came up and Jace reminded me that people can’t read my thoughts.”

I giggle. “And thank god for that, right?”

He laughs. “True.” He sniffs and clears his throat. “That night. I said a lot of things but I didn’t say the one thing you needed to hear. And maybe I’m responsible for you leaving as much as you are.”

I shake my head. “No Ryan, I don’t want you to?—”

“I wanted you to stay.”

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