Page 50 of The Lessons

But now he was holding my hand.

“It was just Josh,” I said, purposely remaining vague.

“Mmmhmm.” Ryan regarded my hand carefully, wrapping his fingers around it before bringing it up to his mouth. “And who is Josh?” he asked as he gently kissed my fingers.

I was immobilized as a tingling wave blew through me. How was it possible to feel a kiss everywhere in your body?

“Natalie?” he asked gently as he moved his mouth down my wrist, leaving a trail of soft kisses in its wake. “Who is Josh?” His voice had changed again. Now it was easy and confident.

“Sorry,” I replied breathlessly, completely engulfed in sensation. “I told you…just a friend.”

“A friend, eh?” He gently rested my fingers on my thighs and moved his hand back up to my neck, tucking my hair behind my ear.

I turned my neck, opening myself to him. “Yes,” I breathed.

“He was holding you pretty close for a friend,” Ryan murmured, his lips closing in on mine.

I was panting. I wanted more. I needed more. I wanted all of him. Right now. “Ryan, I—”

I was interrupted by a jolt. The elevator whirled to life as all the electronics came back online. The lights flickered, and then we started lowering down toward the lobby.

I had never hated fix-it men so much in my life.

Ryan stood and offered me his hand to help me up. A few moments later, the doors parted.

A suited manager and a sweaty engineer in dirty coveralls greeted us. The manager stepped toward us.

“My most sincere apologies, Mr. and Mrs. Andrews. Are you all right? Can I get you anything? Are you hungry? Something at our restaurant, perhaps?”

I smiled inwardly despite my brain fog.Mrs. Andrews…that had a nice ring to it.

Ryan wasn’t as amused. “That won’t be necessary,” he said abruptly, any softness that had been in his voice now gone. “Thank you.” He pulled me by the hand, leading me out of the front doors of the hotel.

Outside, the sun was blinding, and I fumbled through my purse to locate my sunglasses.

“Are you sure you don’t want something to eat? He said he’d comp the whole thing.” I had I finally found my aviators and slipped them on.

“Natalie.” Ryan ignored my question. “This was a mistake. I’m sorry.” His tone was brusque and all business as he glanced down at his watch. “It’s getting late. Can we reschedule?”

I started to open up my mouth to protest, but as I did, he turned to walk away.

“I’ll be in touch. Talk to you soon, Natalie.”

Before I knew it, he had rounded the corner and was gone. It was like he couldn’t get out of there fast enough. I stood there on the sidewalk, tourists and shoppers whirling around me, but I was frozen, dumbfounded.

Wait. What had just happened?

Chapter Sixteen

Ten Years Ago

Ryan

I looked over at the psychologist.

Psychologist.

The fact that I had to see a psychologist to talk about my problems was so fucking embarrassing. Nevertheless, the judge had known about my family and ordered the sessions in lieu of an assault charge. My lawyer told me they were being generous and made me accept on the spot.

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