Page 12 of Save Me

Every time he came to the pub, he did so hoping to run into her. She didn’t keep a regular schedule there so it was pretty much a crapshoot whether or not he’d see her. But when he did? He always found a reason to talk to her and flirt a bit. If she didn’t completely ignore him, sometimes he’d even get to where he asked her out.

It never ended well.

He tried casual conversation, joking, flirting, and once, he’d even started singing, but to no avail. Honestly, he was giving up hope until this whole situation unfolded tonight. And now that he’d had a taste of her, he was more than willing to do whatever it took to prove to her he deserved to be more than a make-believe lover just to piss her family off and get them off her back.

But…he had to start somewhere.

“Ryleigh? What’s going on? Who is…is thatRyker?” Kate asked in disbelief as she stepped closer and Ryker warred with whether or not they should keep kissing or maybe make her wait it out.

Ryleigh’s hand raked through his hair, her nails gently scraping his scalp, and he had his answer.

More kissing.

He was willing to let her set the tone and let this little scene play out however she wanted. After all, it was her idea. So, rather than wasting more time thinking about it, he shut his mind off and let himself feel.

Warm skin, soft curves…they packed a powerful punch. He knew they were going to need to break apart eventually—although breathing was highly overrated at this point—and yet he was reluctant to let her go. If Kate Donovan hadn’t been approaching, Ryker would have Ryleigh backed up against his truck so he could feel even more of her.

Then again, if Kate Donovan hadn’t been approaching, Ryleigh wouldn’t be kissing him, so…

“Ryleigh?” Kate said firmly, with more than a hint of annoyance.

Slowly, Ryleigh broke the kiss. Her eyes were still closed and she licked her lips in a way that made him want to groan. Did she even realize how sexy she was? How desirable?

When she opened her eyes and looked up at him, he could see she was a little dazed and possibly a little confused.

But definitely turned on.

She leaned into him for a brief moment before turning and facing her mother.

And Kate did not look amused.

“Mom? What are you doing out here?”

“I was getting ready to go home and saw you standing here with someone and wanted to make sure you were alright.” She gave Ryker the stink eye. “You show up here for dinner with one man and then come out here and kiss another? Is it any wonder I worry?”

Ryker had to stifle a laugh because he was beginning to see why Ryleigh was so frustrated with her mother.

“I didn’t show up here for dinner with anyone. You lied and lured me here under false pretenses. I ran into Ryker out here and we were talking and then…” She shrugged. “Now if you’ll excuse us, we were going to grab some dessert.”

Kate’s eyes narrowed. “We have dessert in the pub. There’s apple crisp and cobbler and…”

“Thanks, Mrs. Donovan,” Ryker interjected sweetly. “But Ryleigh and I already have plans.” Boldly, he took Ryleigh’s hand in his. “Have a good night.”

With no other choice but to follow through, they walked around to the passenger side of the truck and he lifted her up into it.

And yeah, his hands lingered just a bit on her butt.

Once he had her settled, he casually strolled around to the driver’s side and gave Kate a jaunty little wave before climbing in.

“Holy. Crap,” Ryleigh said breathlessly, and he wasn’t sure if she was referring to the kiss, her mother, the situation, or…all of it.

“So? Ice cream? The place down by the pier is usually pretty decent, right?”

The look she shot him spoke volumes.

“You’re thinking about ice cream right now?” she demanded. “What the hell?”

“We obviously have to go somewhere,” he reasoned. “If we sit here in the parking lot until she leaves, she’ll get suspicious.”

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