Page 47 of Save Me

“No,” she whispered. “Don’t stop…ever…”

Those were possibly the greatest words she’d ever spoken to him.

* * *

“It’s too late in the day now.”

“It’s not that late.”

“Ryleigh, trust me. A good sauce needs to be started first thing in the morning and slow-cooked all day.”

“So we’ll have a late dinner.”

“And then it rests overnight and you have it the next day,” he finished.

“Oh my God…you cannot be this uptight over some sauce.”

Shrugging, he sipped his coffee and enjoyed the simplicity of sitting at his kitchen table with her and having a late breakfast.

“What if…we still go shopping and get the sauce started and let it finish cooking tomorrow? I think it would make an awesome Sunday dinner,” she suggested.

“You plan on still wanting to be here tomorrow night?” he asked lightly, knowing damn well he was asking for trouble by poking at her like this.

“If there’s homemade chicken parm involved, then yes,” she said with a sweet grin, but her tone was her usual snarky self.

“Isn’t Sunday the day you normally have dinner with your family?” And this was definitely asking for trouble.

Ryleigh frowned at him. “If you don’t want me to hang around, Ryker, just say so. You don’t have to go reminding me about my family and all that crap.” Finishing her coffee, she stood and turned to walk away, but he was faster. Reaching out, he grasped her wrist and watched in fascination as her eyes flashed with fury.

“I’ve been trying to get you here for the last six months, Ryleigh. The last thing I’m looking to do is make you leave,” he explained. “However, I am just trying to be considerate about the fact that you have a life too. I know we’re just playing around here and you want this to all be for show, but it’s hard to make any kind of point when you’re avoiding your family.” Standing, he gave her a gentle tug until she was in his arms. “What if…we both went to dinner tomorrow? You know, test the waters and see what happens?”

Her eyes were no longer shooting daggers at him, but she certainly looked apprehensive. “It’s a little soon…”

“Not really. It’s been two weeks and it’s not like I’m a stranger. Both your parents know me, and so do most of your siblings. The only one I haven’t met is your oldest brother.” He shrugged. “Might as well get that over with and then we can see if you’re just wasting your time with me.”

Now her expression softened. “Ryker…I never said I was wasting time.”

“No, but you also made it abundantly clear that even though we were sleeping together that it didn’t change anything. This is casual and I accept that. I’m not going to push you for more. This is all part of your plan. Your rules.”

And she was back to frowning. God, she was so expressive and he could watch her face all damn day.

“When you put it like that…”

“When I speak the truth?” he reminded her. “Just last night you said…”

“I know what I said, Ryker!” she cried, pulling out of his embrace. “This is all just a lot to deal with, okay? I mean…last night we were just supposed to go and hang out with my sister, then we end up in bed together, and now you want to go to dinner at my parents’ house!”

And he pulled her right back in and gently hugged her.

“Can’t we just deal with one thing at a time?” she mumbled against his chest.

It was a stalling tactic at best, but it also meant he could potentially have her all to himself for a little while longer without her family interfering.

“Whatever you want,” he said soothingly. “Whatever you want us to do, then that’s what we’ll do.”

“Thank you.” Her voice was still muffled against his chest and it sounded adorable.

“Of course, if I had to take my pick of what we focused on, I’m totally voting for sex,” he said casually. “Because last night and this morning were outstanding.”

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