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He paused and thought. “I was so angry, I didn’t know, but I knew we had unfinished business. I wanted you and your family to see that I had made something out of myself.”
I rested my hand on his stubbled cheek. “Men are not made in boardrooms. They’re made at their momma’s knees and working with their daddies in hay fields.”
He took my hand and kissed my palm. His warm breath on my skin excited me. A sultry expression danced across his handsome face. “There are some other things I enjoyed more in that field.”
I blushed thinking about those “other” things.
“I didn’t mean to embarrass you, Miss Shelby.”
“We never did anything that I’m embarrassed about.”
“I’m relieved to hear that.” He kissed the tips of my fingers.
I could hardly breathe, his touch had me so wound up. “What now, Ryder? Where do we go from here?” My heart beat furiously, hoping for the best.
He leaned in and rested his forehead against my own. His unspoken thoughts hung heavy between us. “Let’s start over, Shelby. See if this new you and me can make a go of it here, away from your family.”
The thought made me soar, but doubt crept in. “What if we find we don’t like each other?”
“Darlin’,” he kissed my nose. “I don’t see that being a problem for me. I like you more now than ever.”
“I was hoping you would finally realize that.” I laughed and cried all at once. So many emotions coursed through me.
“Believe me, it’s taken everything I have since our first run-in here not to take you into my arms and show you everything I like about you.”
Oh, Mylanta.
His strong hand brushed through my hair. “What do you say, Shelby? Will you give us another chance?”
“I would love that more than anything,” I choked out.
“Promise me something.”
“Anything.”
He cupped my face and leaned away enough to look into my eyes. “Promise me if you ever have any doubts about how I feel or where we stand, you’ll come talk to me before you go running off.”
“With all that I am, I promise. Will you promise not to go off and start a company without telling me?”
“Deal.” He leaned in. I held my breath waiting. Waiting for and anticipating the moment, but his lips lingered inches from my own.
“What?” I whispered when the kiss I expected didn’t come.
“You’re wearing the same look as you did right before I kissed you for the very first time. Like you’re worried.”
I reached up and fulfilled my wish of running my hands through his hair. Did it ever feel good. “It’s not worry. I just know now, like I knew then, that my life was about to change forever.”
With that, he waited no longer. He brushed my lips gently, once, twice. The third kiss had his warm, wet lips lingering on mine. I closed my eyes and let him seep into my soul. His slow hands trailed silkily down my arms, leaving a path of raised skin. When I shivered, his tongue skimmed my lips, begging for them to part. I leaned in, allowing him access. He took the invitation but didn’t rush. He let me savor his taste. It was like warm milk and honey, sweet and hot, infusing all my taste buds. He was all home and comfort until he deepened the kiss. Suddenly sweet became spicy and the hot turned to fire filling my soul, making me gasp and him groan.
I wanted to evaporate any space between us, but all too soon his lips left mine. He took a breath while I tried to catch mine. I was right. My life would never be the same again. This time, though, I wasn’t going to let go of him.
His forehead rested against mine. “Did I mention I missed you?”
My hands rested on his chest. His heart was pounding as hard as mine. “I think so.” I could hardly think.
“Do you think I can get your number?”
I giggled. “Is this where I give you my email address again?”
He brushed my lips. “No. This time I’m not leaving without your phone number. I’m not wasting any more time.”Chapter Twenty-FourBobby Jay and I sat on the front porch together on Monday at twilight while he waited for Marlowe to finish getting ready for their date. I was waiting for Ryder to pick me up for our second first official date.
Ryder and I were having dinner with his investor and his wife who had come into town. Ryder seemed awful pleased that he could share this moment with me. It was sweet, and I hoped it was the first of many things to come that we would share, including last names someday, but I admit it was a little strange for me. It felt reminiscent of, I hated to even think it, all the dinners my parents attended while I grew up. Just like Momma, I sat there dressed to the nines in a little black dress with my hair done up waiting for the CEO, my corporate beau. I never thought this would be Ryder and me. Not that there was anything wrong with it. I knew Ryder was nothing like Daddy. Ryder wanted to share the moment with me, not treat me like his accessory.
