Page 27 of Sever
Chapter Thirteen
Megan
There are many things in my life I just “know.”
Like, I know that even though I’m an accountant, I will tear my hair out at tax time. I know that the second I pick up the phone to order Thai, Chrissy will walk through the door. It’s like she can smell my takeout thoughts.
Every day, a thousand small things happen that I just . . . know.
Just like I know that when I walk out the door tonight, Ryder will be waiting for me.
When he surprised me at lunch, I didn’t really know how to react. He said all the right words, words that hit me in all the right places.
Now I just hope I don’t live to regret what I said.
My leg bounces under my desk. I wonder what will happen when I see him again? We have so much history that being with him feels like home. On the other hand, so much of it is unresolved that I'm constantly on edge around him. We’re going to need to talk about everything, and I know that is a huge reason why I am so anxious.
“Miss Hendrix, how is everything going?”
Mr. Duncan appears in front of my desk, the standard issue, incredibly unflattering strip light bouncing off his shiny head. There was a time when he attempted a comb-over. Thankfully, it was a short-lived phase because keeping a straight face around him had been torture. He’s such a straight-laced guy, it still makes me wonder why he’d agree to have me doctor the books at the MC. If this all goes to shit, his neck will be on the line, too.
I smile. “It’s going well.”
“Good, good.” He messes with a pot of pens on the edge of the desk, nearly knocking it over. I reach out and catch it. There’s an uneasy silence before he asks, “May I ask why you’re in this office today?” He raises an eyebrow.
“Just a change of scenery.” I shrug, hoping to play it off, not really wanting to go into any kind of explanation about Ryder and me.
“As long as it gets done.” He gives me a nod before heading back to his office.
Looking at the clock, I notice that it’s time to leave and grab my stuff. As I’m walking by Connor’s desk he stands up.
“Megan?”
I turn, knowing that however uncomfortable this might be, I deserve it. I’ve sent him mixed signals and feel like total crap about it, so this is my penance.
“So are you with him now?” His glance moves toward the front door then down to his shoes as he kicks at the leg of his desk.
I nod. Why is this so hard? “It's complicated. I'm sorry. I know we went out and I maybe sent you mixed signals but, honestly, it wasn't fair of me to say yes in the first place.”
He doesn’t respond, just gives me a quick nod and then walks away. Taking a deep breath, I head toward the door.
And toward Ryder.
As I push through the heavy industrial doors, I see him, standing next to his bike, under the shade of a huge tree. The dark jeans he’s wearing are tight, showing off his toned thighs and, if he turned around, I’m pretty sure they’d be hugging his ass. Ryder has always been the most attractive man I’ve ever met—even in high school. Now that he’s older, his appeal has only gotten stronger.
As I cross the street to get to him, I have no idea how to react.
Do I give him a hug?
Should I kiss him?
Before I can debate any more, he reaches out and pulls me toward him. “Tomorrow you’re back at the garage.” His lips press against mine and the familiar scent of him fills my nose and intoxicates me. “Missed seeing you all day.” His deep voice sounds in my ear, sending chills down my spine.
He hands me a helmet and my heart leaps at the thought of being on his bike. I slip the bulky plastic over my head and then, with his help, lift my leg over the bike, sliding in to sit close behind him, my legs encasing his thighs. His hands take mine and he wraps them around his waist, giving me a tug that forces me to rest my cheek on his back as he pulls away from my building. Being this close to him, having my body pressed against his again, feels right. If I close my eyes, it’s almost like we are kids again, like nothing ever happened to us.
Like nothing ever changed.
The bike stops and I open my eyes. We’re at my place. Nerves rack my stomach, jumping and weaving their way through my whole body because I know that as soon as we get inside, we’ll have to talk. Old wounds will be opened, and I'm nowhere near ready to do that yet.
