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“How did you really feel?” he asks.
I watch the fire, listening to the wood snap and pop. "I need to know something first...is there anything going on with you and Rachelle?"
Ryan's eye flick over to me. "What do you mean?"
"I saw she called you the night of the rehearsal dinner when you got up, then she showed up at the wedding like you two were a couple. Did you get back together?" I ask, and it causes a spike of adrenaline to rush through me. Ryan doesn't immediately answer but seems confused.
"No, Kendall. Absolutely not. I didn’t invite her. I wouldn’t do that to you..." he reassures me.
I almost smile, but somehow hold it back. "Then...why did—"
He places his hand on top of mine again, and just his touch causes goose bumps to trail over my body.
He tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear as he smiles at me. "She had called me earlier that day to tell me Joey was sick with a fever and coughing. He’s not vaccinated, and Rachelle was nervous, so I told her to give him some meds and keep me updated. That evening, she called to tell me he was doing better and to thank me for my help. That’s all it was."
My face contorts. "That’s it? Then why’d she show up at the reception?"
“She asked if I had a date, and when I said no, she said she’d come, but I indirectly told her not to worry about it. I guess she took that as an invitation, and when she showed up, I didn’t want to be rude or cause a scene at my sister’s wedding. We’re only friends, nothing else,” he explains wholeheartedly.
Guilt washes over me. I made him out to be the bad guy and thought the absolute worst of him. “I feel stupid for assuming,” I admit. “But I don’t have the best track record with men so—”
"Don’t,” he interrupts. “You're the only woman I want, Kendall. I knew the moment we left the cabin, and then the next day when I woke up and you weren't next to me. Hell, I knew days into our sex-only agreement that I’d want more. I haven't been able to get you off my mind, and it's nearly killed me not having you in my life."
My breathing increases as he says the most amazing things to me—words I’ve been dying to hear. "I owe you an apology too, and I'm not always good at admitting I was wrong, but I should’ve given you the chance to explain before I blew you off completely. However, in my defense, I was really hurt by what you said and reacted out of emotion."
“You had every right to. This is my fault, not yours. I should’ve manned up and told you how I felt, so Eli didn’t even have to question it. So, lesson learned,” he says with a chuckle.
“I think we both learned something here,” I admit. “I should’ve confessed how I felt.”
Ryan leans forward and brushes his lips against mine as he holds me closer. I moan into his mouth as our tongues twist together, and it feels like heaven being back in his arms.
When we break apart, I place my palm against his cheek. "I'm in love with you, Ryan."
He traces his lips with mine before resting his forehead against mine. "Fuck, that feels good to hear.” He laughs. “I've never felt this way about anyone, Kendall. It scares the shit outta me, but I’m not gonna run from it. I’ve fallen for you too, Angel. I’m so deeply in love with you."
Tears well in my eyes, and I can’t contain how happy I am to hear those words. “Thank God. I would’ve been really embarrassed if you hadn’t said it back.”
He chuckles, then our lips crash together, and I feel as if I'm floating. His warmth sends butterflies in my stomach, and it brings me back to all those moments we had at the cabin.
Ryan's phone vibrates, and when we look down, I realize the countdown to midnight has begun. He unlocks his phone, and we watch the seconds tick by.
I hear party favors and fireworks in the background, but right now, all that matters is being here with him.
"Happy New Year, baby." He stands, then brings me up with him. Ryan wraps an arm around me and pulls me closer until our lips collide. Things quickly become more heated between us, and I don’t think I’ll be able to stop once we start.
"I need you," he whisper-pants in my ear. "Come home with me and wake up next to me."
His warm breath brushes against my cheek as a shiver runs down my spine.
“You’re mine, Kendall. Say it,” he demands as he fists my hair.
"Yes," I agree. "All yours."Chapter Twenty-SixRyanSomehow, Kendall and I sneak out of my parents' house without being stopped by anyone, which is a small miracle, considering how many people are here. We climb into the Range Rover, and I'm tempted to pull her into the back seat and make love to her right now, but I also don’t want to rush being with her again. There are things I need to say to her before this night is over, and it won’t be in my parents' driveway.
