Page 26 of Perfectly Imperfect Us
Ryder chuckled with me and I pushed him away, even as I wanted to pull him under the covers with me and lock the door. Responsibilities called. I needed to get back home so I had enough time to get ready for work at Knot a Chain. Virgie watched the clock like an Olympic time-keeping official, threatening to dock pay at the slightest infraction.
“Back to reality,” I muttered, climbing out of bed and reaching for the clothes I’d folded and stacked the night before.
The silence in the room had me looking over my shoulder to find Ryder staring at my legs, his hand stroking his chin, deep in thought.
“See something you like, soldier?” I drawled.
His gaze whipped up to mine, caught red-handed. He nodded sheepishly toward the bathroom, his morning hair all a mess and flopping into his eyes. “I’m off to take a shower. A cold one.”
I burst out laughing, thinking I could use the exact same thing.
* * *
Ryder pulled into his driveway and cut the engine, the luxury vehicle so comfortable I didn’t want to exit. Okay fine, it was Ryder’s company that I didn’t want to leave, but the car was nice too.
“Want to do this again, but this time I’ll make the plans?” I ventured, wondering if expecting a second date was implied or hopeful thinking on my part. I’m sure most women Ryder dated didn’t push him away in a hotel room and make him get double beds. For all I knew, we’d already burned out in Ryder’s mind.
He swiveled in his seat and grasped my hands. “Only if our second date can be tomorrow.”
I frowned. “Why? You leaving town this week or something?”
He smiled and the sun came out from behind the early morning haze that accompanied living by the ocean. “Nah. Just can’t wait any longer than that to see you.”
It was cheesy. Real cheesy. But it made me smile from ear to ear just the same.
“I’ll text you with concrete plans. I just need to look at my work schedule.” I went to reach for the door handle, but Ryder pulled me back, sliding his hands into my hair and kissing me like it was our last day on earth.
We both were breathing heavy when we pulled back some time later. “Yeah, okay. Tomorrow for sure,” I whispered, feeling a little dizzy.
I got out of the car and walked to my house, pausing to wave to Ryder who stood with one hip leaning on the front fender of his car, looking more like a car commercial I’d seen in a magazine than the man I’d just had the most epic date with. My smile was shaky while his was lazy confident.
Stepping through my front door, I closed it behind me and leaned my head back to catch my breath. Did that really happen?
“Guess Ryder was at the sleepover at Skylar’s too?”
Mom crossed her arms over her chest and smirked, having come out of the kitchen when she heard me come in.
“Yeah, about that…”
She huffed and waved her hand through the air. “You’re an adult, so I won’t lecture you. Just remember you are my precious child and deserve to be treated with respect.” She paused and then added, “And remember Aldi down the street watches every coming and going in this neighborhood. If you don’t want your business spread around town, don’t kiss your new boyfriend in the car where she can see you.”
“Mom!” My skin crawled. My own mother had watched me from the window, witnessing that private kiss, and more than likely, Aldi had too.
She shrugged and walked down the hallway to her room. I did the same, an eye on the clock and fervently pushing away my embarrassment. I had exactly thirty minutes to change and get to work. I grabbed some clean jeans and a uniform T-shirt, pulling my hair into a messy bun and adding mascara. I’d already covered my vitiligo with the makeup I had in my purse while I’d waited for Ryder to finish showering this morning. Sure, I’d shown my face to Ryder, but let’s not get too crazy with the no-makeup thing.
My phone dinged in my purse as I rushed out to my truck.
“Don’t let me down now, Ol’ Tucker.” I climbed in, said a little prayer, and turned over the engine. She purred to life at a decibel much higher than Ryder’s luxury SUV, but I was proud of her anyway. I made it to Knot a Chain with a few minutes to spare, clocking in, and heading to the back to get started on stocking.
With Virgie’s eagle eyes up at the front checkout, I pulled out my phone to see a text from Skylar in our group chat.
Skylar:We need details about your sleepover with Ryder this instant. Don’t make me hunt you down at work.
I snorted and replied quickly, knowing she’d make good on that threat if I didn’t.
Ava:It was fabulous. We talked almost the whole night and we both confirmed a second date is happening ASAP.
Kadee:Please make all my fantasies be true and tell me the man kisses like a dream…
