Ryan leaned his head down onto hers while he continued to laugh. “Thank goodness. I was getting worried.”
“Sorry you broke your bathroom door for that.” Her voice was quiet, mouse-like. She knew her face fully revealed her embarrassment in an evil crimson color, so she kept her head buried in his chest. She wasn’t just embarrassed about the spidernow, but she was becoming more and more aware of only being covered in a towel.
“Don’t worry about the door.” Ryan smiled and sifted his hand through her damp hair. “My sweet Lucie.”
“It’s embarrassing, isn’t it? For me to be afraid of spiders.”
Ryan smiled. “No. It makes perfect sense, actually.”
That was a weird response. She pulled back and looked up at him. “What do you mean?”
Ryan met with her green emeralds and raised his hand up to gently cup her cheek. “I want to talk to you, Lucie … about us.”
She looked down at herself and scrunched up her nose. “Perhaps this talk should happen AFTER I have clothes on.”
He chuckled. “I guess. Though afterward we may end up taking them back off again.” He winked at her and grinned widely. “There are clothes for you right there, on the stand. There isn’t a bathroom door for privacy, but I promise I won’t peek.”
Lucie backed away from his warm arms, which dropped slowly from her sides. He wanted to continue holding her just like she wanted to continue being held. Her eyes met with his, the longing evident in his darkened eyes. She watched as his eyes trailed down her body. A loud sigh escaped his mouth, and he turned his head away.
“You better get those clothes on quickly.” Ryan growled lowly, shooting her a sideways glance. His look carried a promise of what was about to happen soon if she didn’t.
Lucie grabbed the shirt and flicked a glance at him. He was still looking the other way. She quickly pulled the large t-shirt over her head and let her towel drop to the floor. She could see Ryan’s body stiffen at the sound of the towel hitting the ground, and she couldn’t help the small smile that rested on her lips from that. She quickly pulled the shorts up and straightened herself out.
“There, done,” she said, looking herself over. She was wearing a pair of girl shorts which she guessed were Tonya’s, but the shirt was a man’s t-shirt. She tilted her head and looked up as Ryan turned around. “Why the guy shirt?”
“Because … that is my favorite t-shirt. And it belongs on my favorite person.” His lips curved upward, quite satisfied with the way it looked on her.
“Plus, it sends a hidden message, right?” Lucie raised her brows at him as he grinned widely.
“That shirt is mine, and so is the wearer.” Ryan shrugged. “You look better in it than I do.”
Lucie smiled sadly. She wanted to belong to him … but it was time she told Ryan plainly.
“Ryan, I’d like to say something,” Lucie said quietly.
Ryan took a step toward her. “I need to tell you something too.”
Lucie held her hand up to stop him from advancing. “Wait. Please, let me go first.”
Ryan sighed with a small frown. “I really think me going first would be better.” He looked into her almost pleading eyes. “Alright, gorgeous, the floor is yours.”
She played with her fingers nervously and took in a deep breath. “Ryan, you seem like a great guy. Honestly, I really like you, and that isn’t just the mate pull talking. But … this isn’t just about me. This is bigger. And I’m not the only one going through this. Derrick also has to give up his fated mate. This is Derrick’s sacrifice as much as it is mine. And I’m sure I’m not the person he would have chosen for himself. Even so, I’m sure we can come to an agreement. Derrick and I just need to have a good talk about our expectations and how to make this work. But I believe he’s a good guy … no, I know he is. And I won’t betray him. I’m sorry, Ryan. I know you’ve been waiting for your fated mate, and I’m so sorry it ended up being me. But look at me as ifI’m already taken, please. Our species deserve for this to work. It can’t just be about me and what I want.”
“What do you want?” Ryan’s eyes fixed on her.
“That doesn’t matter.”
“No, Lucie. I’m asking you. If this treaty didn’t exist. If you didn’t have any obligations but to yourself … what would you want?”
Lucie shook her head and frowned. “Why? Why even bring that up? What does it matter?”
“It matters to me, Lucie. I need to hear it. I need to hear for once how you really feel. It’s important to me.”
“If I had a choice …” She looked into his sweet, amber eyes. She knew exactly what she would choose. “I would choose you.” She watched a smile spread across his lips as he took a few steps toward her. “But I don’t have a choice.” She raised her hand up to stop him from advancing, but he didn’t. He stepped into her outstretched hand and pressed into her touch.
“Lucie, I also choose you. Here, now and forever. You’re the one I choose. I want you, and not because of the mate pull. I’m choosing you on my own. You’re my partner. The only reason my heart is beating.” His intense gaze captured hers. “The thing is?—”
Loud thudding echoed on the bedroom door, causing Lucie to jump backward. Ryan clicked his tongue, growling lowly. He then stormed over to the door and whipped it open. “WHAT?!”
