Page 46 of No Mistake

“Of course, I remember. I relived that kiss a thousand times while you were away.”

“But you didn’t call, not even a text. I thought... I thought I must have been such a terrible kisser, that you...”

“Awe honey, no. Nothing could be further from the truth. And shit, now I feel like an asshole. I didn’t reach out, one, because I wanted you to enjoy your week with your sister. And two, because you’d been brushing me off, I thought absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that.” Shit, if he’d known, he would have called her every damn day. “I’m sorry, I made you feel that way.”

“And then when I plucked up the courage to kiss you, you broke it off. I thought I must be really bad at it. I shouldn’t have done it. It was a mistake.”

Fuck, he knew it had upset her. “Babe. That kiss, you initiating it, was a dream come true. No mistake. The only reason I stopped it was because of what’s going on. It’s an emotional time for you, and you’d had wine. I didn’t want to take advantage of that, or worse have you regret it afterward. I never meant to hurt you. I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry, too. I never gave you a chance to explain. But every time something like that happens, my mind goes straight there, and I hate it, and it wouldn’t be fair to you. I’d be mistrusting you all the time. Thinking you want to control me. Playing games. Doubting you.”

“After what he did, I understand that.”

Mark had really shredded her confidence. Ryan held her tight against his chest, forcing down his own anger.

“I don’t want to control you, Sophie. Ever. I want to be with you, share things with you, get to know you, make you happy. You’re everything I dream of having in my life.”

He tilted her head back so he could see her eyes.

“Thank you for telling me. That took courage, but now I understand. I need to gain your trust, and I’m prepared to do that. I want to show you how you deserve to be treated.”

She held his gaze, the uncertainty still there. Her next words floored him.

“Kiss me.”

“Sophie, we don’t have to. We can take this as slow as you like.”

She nodded. “I know. But right now, I just want you to kiss me. Please.”

Fuck, how could he refuse? He lowered his head and kissed her softly, tenderly. Damn, he wanted to do so much more. Cupping her face in his hands he kept kissing. She tasted of sweetness and tea, and he couldn’t get enough. Her arms went around his neck as she opened her mouth to him, filling him with heat.

The ring of his phone startled them both. He reached for it, seeing Dex’s name. Shit, no way he could ignore him.

“Dex.”

“Get your ass back here,” Dex snapped, “there’s been some developments.”

“On my way. About earlier I—”

“Just get back here. And Ryan—”

“Yeah.”

“You better have your fucking head straight.” Dex hung up.

Shit. In all the years he’d known Dex, he’d never spoken to him like that. Well, at least the short conversation had the same effect as a cold shower; his cock completely deflated.

“You have to go?” Sophie looked at him expectantly.

“Yes.” He kissed her gently on the cheek before getting up. He hated not being able to tell her everything. She looked at him, those beautiful eyes now full of fear as reality set back in.

“I’m sorry. Shit timing. I’d much rather stay here.”

“Don’t be. I understand your job. Just be safe.”

Fuck, he loved hearing her say that. Damn, he could get used to hearing it every time he went to work.

Chapter 10

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