Page 109 of Power Play

Every thought inside my head stopped.

He said it like it was simple, with no reason to soften the statement or hide behind ambiguity.

“I’m seeing where this goes with you,” he continued. “If I’m doing that, I’m not entertaining somebody else at the same time.”

My heartbeat thudded beneath my ribs. “You mean—”

“I mean exactly what I said.”

“We aren’t together.”

“I know.”

“So you’re saying—”

“I’m saying I’m not fucking anybody else.”

The directness made heat spread everywhere, and Ryan’s mouth curved.

“You’re turning pink.”

“You say things like that very casually.”

“No, I say things like that clearly.”

“That distinction doesn’t help me.”

“It helps me.”

I looked down at our knees, but he leaned closer.

“Works both ways.”

My eyes snapped up.

Ryan waited without looking jealous or insecure. He looked like a man asking a question he expected an honest answer to.

“You want to know if I’m seeing anyone else?”

“I know you’re not.”

“That’s arrogant.”

“I pay attention.”

I shook my head, and Ryan kept his gaze on mine.

“What I want to know is whether you want to.”

The question settled deeper. “I don’t.”

“You don’t what?”

I hated him for making me say everything.

“I’m not interested in anyone else.”

Something changed in his face, subtle and satisfied, with enough possession beneath it to send a thrill down my spine.