Page 56 of Release Me

“Hey, has Ryan been home?”

“Came and left.” She put on a cute little dress that made me want to drag her into her room and bend her over her bed. A pang of disappointment stirs in my stomach that I won’t feel the inside of her again. She turned out to mean a lot more than I expected. Without Tasha’s shadow hanging over me, I might have developed feelings for Ryan beyond friendship.

“She coming back tonight?”

I shrug. “She’s going to hang out with that guy she met in the elevator. You tell me if your sister is gonna bang him or come home early.” If this Kyle guy turns out to be a dick, I’ll fly home from Alaska to kill him myself.

He checks his watch. “I warned her not to come home before three, if she does at all.”

I frown. “Why?”

“Because I made plans for you.” Connor nods toward the door, where an orange-and-gold lioness stands, painted from head to toe, naked except for a pair of heels, a thong, and pasties.

Becca spots me and her face breaks out in a wide smile.

My dick instantly swells. “You’re kidding me.” How did he manage this?

“Good surprise, right?”

“Yes,” I agree.

“All right, then.” Connor’s hand tightens around the back of my neck. “Maybe now you’ll stop fucking my sister.”

My mouth drops open as I turn to meet his glare.

“You twoactuallythought I wouldn’t figure it out? Dude, I can sniff out fuckery from a mile away.”

Shit. “Sorry, man. I … it just …” I’m at a loss for words.

“Your dick just fell into her?”

Fuck. I set my beer down and take a step back, forcing my arms to my sides. “Just not the nose. I can’t be on a plane for that many hours with a broken nose.”

Connor’s scowl fades with a chuckle. “Come on. I’m not gonna hit you.”

“Oh, thank God.” He may be easygoing, but those fists would do some real damage. “Why didn’t you say something?”

“Because Ryan’s been happier than I’ve seen her in alongtime.” A rare, serious look passes over his face. “And I knew you’d treat her well.”

“Yeah, of course I would. I mean, Idid.”

“I know you did. Just do me one favor and don’t tell her that I know.”

I frown curiously. “Okay?”

“It’s a fun game we have, where she thinks I’m a clueless idiot and I play into it.” Connor slaps my back. “Okay, your lioness awaits. Merry Christmas. See you in the morning. Make sure you leave yourself enough time to wash off all that paint.”

28.Ronan

“Cab’s waiting downstairs,” Connor hollers from the kitchen.

Stuffing my ruined sheets into a trash bag—there’s no way that paint is coming out and I don’t give a shit—I sling my duffel bag over my shoulder and walk out of my room.

Ryan is standing in her doorway in her crab shirt, half asleep, her hair mussed. “I just wanted to say bye.” Her voice has that early-morning scratchiness I love.

“Hey, I was gonna text you.” My unease stirs. “I didn’t think you’d come home last night.”

“It was late. Around four.”

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