Page 116 of Power Play

“What if I miss you?”

Ryan’s expression changed as he glanced at the Spanish notebook, then returned his attention to me.

“Te extraño.”

My chest ached. “What if I want you to come back?”

“Vuelve.”

“And if you can’t?”

“Then I tell you when I can.”

The simplicity of the answer made me want to cry.

Ryan stood before I could. He moved around the table, stopped in front of me, and turned my chair until my knees rested between his legs. His hands settled along my jaw.

“Mírame.”

I did.

“I want you.”

My breath caught while Ryan’s thumbs moved slowly over my cheeks.

“I’ve been clear about that, but I’m going to say it again because apparently you need repetition.”

“I’m a student.”

“Terrible excuse.”

His mouth curved faintly.

“I want you when you’re dressed like you’re about to meet somebody’s board of directors. I want you in leggings with your hair falling out of whatever the fuck you tried to do with it. I want you when you’re arguing with me, when you’re nervous, when you’re laughing too loud, and when you’re pissed because I made you defend something.”

My heart pounded.

“I don’t care who knows I want you.”

That landed differently because I cared who saw almost everything. Ryan didn’t seem embarrassed by any part of me except the parts he didn’t know existed.

His gaze dropped to my mouth. “I’m going to Flint, and I’m still going to want you when I get there.”

“You don’t know that.”

His eyes came back to mine. “Don’t tell me what I know.”

The quiet command sent heat through me. “I’m—”

Ryan’s expression tightened before the apology escaped.

I stopped myself and tried again. “I’m working on believing you.”

His thumb brushed my lower lip. “That’s better.”

“I don’t need you to promise me anything beyond what we already said,” he continued. “I’m seeing where this goes. You’re seeing where it goes. Nobody else gets a place inside it.”

“Nobody else,” I repeated.