Page 21 of Devoted Love: A BWWM Romance

The end of the year rolled by with the holidays. February is creeping upon us, and this project is finally nearing completion.

“Are you coming back for the fundraiser?” Taylor sits on the table beside me while I pack up.

“You know that’s not my scene.”

“What about Ryker?”

“We haven’t talked about it.” I see him heading in my direction. “Let’s talk about it later.”

“I need to get going myself. I want to put the kids to bed.”

“Kiss my babies for me.”

"I will." We hug, and she leaves. Taylor's babies are absolutely edible. I babysit every chance I get, but it's getting harder every year with my auntie card growing.

“Your place or mine?” Ryker nips my earlobe.

"Mine. I need to pack. And I need your signatures on these." I give them to him, and he grabs a pen from the table, scribbling his signature. "You didn't review them."

“I trust you.”

I smile. “Can you do the same for each of your directors? I’m pushing to get this done by mid-week.”

“I’ll do it while you pack up. Did you drive?”

"Perfect. No, I didn't, but I have to leave soon. Thirty minutes or less."

“All I need is fifteen.”

“I’ll be right here.”

Ryker strolls off, and I pack up my laptop. I take a few pictures of the flow chart we created on the wipe board. I walk over to the couch to wait and make a packing list. He sits on the edge of a desk watching me watch him. I lower my phone.

Taylor joked about Ryker setting my clothes on fire, but it's far from a joke. The chemistry between us grows. Now with us bouncing between his place and mine, I'm wondering how this trip will go without him.

He winks, and I laugh. Stop flirting and hurry, I mouth. I return to my list making because I won't get it done with him around tonight.

“Princess…” I glance up and feel all eyes on me. “What time is your flight?”

“Ten.”

He flags me over while talking with Sarah. I stop next to him while she covers his schedule for tomorrow. Ryker takes my messenger bag and drops it over his body. I gather his suit jacket and toss it over my arm.

“Reschedule everything before noon.”

“Ryker, that will throw your entire week off.”

"Do it. Email the final schedule in the morning." His voice is firm and final. "Goodnight, everyone." He reaches for my hand and leads me to the door. "Did you order dinner?"

“Yes. We should arrive before they do.”

“Perfect.”

We walk to the car, and he opens the door. I sit and let my head drop back.

“Do you need to stop anywhere else?”

“No, I got everything from my office earlier. You didn’t have to change your schedule.”

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