Page 79 of Ronan

“Oh … you two used to be joined at the hip. I didn’t think anything of it when I didn’t see her at your house. I thought she was avoiding me. I had no idea you two weren’t on speaking terms. What happened?”

“It’s a long story and I’m being rude to my company. Did you need me to pick anything up for you?”

“No, I’m good. Byron stopped by with groceries for me yesterday. In fact, he was the one to get me to thinking about reaching out to Anika.”

I jerk my head back and pull a frown. First of all, Byron needs to mind his damn business. Secondly, who the fuck asked him to drop anything off to my mom?

I hate when people try to get in the middle of shit that has nothing to do with them. He may have some type of feelings about the loss of his family, but he has no idea why my mother and I don’t fuck with Anika. He needs to keep his nose out of my family business.

“Oh really? Since when has Byron been the deliveryman?”

“Danny, why do you treat that boy like that?”

“Like what?”

“I remember when you were little, and he was your best friend. Since … once Linda and Myron … when they died, you … Freddie and I both noticed you stopped behaving the same around Byron.”

Ronan places a plate before me as I sit at the kitchen island. He kisses the top of my head then nuzzles his face into my neck. I close my eyes and tell myself this isn’t the time for this conversation.

“Mom, this is a conversation for another time. Like I said, I’m being rude.”

“Fine, Danika. You keep treating good men like this and see what happens.”

“Love you, Mom. I’ll be by later.”

“Unless you’re bringing me a nice young man to meet that you’re dating, keep your big head where you are. Get on my nerves.”

I burst into laughter. “Bye, Mom.”

I hang up and place my phone down on the island. Happily, I pick up my fork to dig into my pancakes and sausage. The buttermilk flavor bursts in my mouth, causing me to close my eyes and hum.

“These are so delicious.”

When I open my eyes, he’s still standing beside me, looking at me intently. I put my fork down and fold my arms across my chest. For months, we’ve been in our own little bubble.

He keeps trying to tell me something, but I’ve managed to cut him off whenever he gets that serious look on his face. I don’t want this to change.

I’m happy. I have my book life, my alter ego, and then there is him. Life is good right now. We don’t need to change that.

I think fast before he can say anything to change all of that. Lifting from my seat, I reach across the island for the maple syrup. Once I have it, I place it in front of me and push my plate aside.

Then I retake my seat and pull Ronan’s shirt I have on over my head, tossing it away. A heated look comes to his eyes as he looks my naked body over. Whatever he was going to say is forgotten as he plucks me from my seat and places me on the countertop.

He steps between my legs and cups my face, then takes my lips for a deep kiss. I moan into his mouth and push my hands into the back of his basketball shorts. He sucks on my tongue as I rake my nails over his tight, hard ass.

“Why haven’t ya told yer mother about me?”

I’m caught off guard as his question sinks in. I thought I had distracted him. Slowly, I drag my nails up his back in hopes that I can derail him this time.

“Danny, I asked ya a question,” he says firmly.

“I heard you, but do you really want to talk about my mom?”

I reach for the syrup and begin to pour it over my chest. His nostrils flare and his eyes blaze with passion and desire. I’m not about to tell him my mother wants me to date to find a husband.

Ronan would have me call her back to set up a dinner where he’d likely ask for permission to ask for my hand or some shit. I’m not giving her or this man that kind of encouragement.

When he dips his head and traps my nipple between his lips, I know my distraction has worked. He groans around my flesh in his mouth and reaches between my legs. I begin to whimper and keen as he fingers me while sucking deeply at my hardened peak.

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