Page 145 of Power Play

“Yes.”

“Did I do something?”

“No.”

His eyes searched mine. “Then why do you suddenly look like you’re trying not to cry?”

I hated him for noticing. “I’m not.”

“Charm.”

“Ryan, I said I’m fine.”

The lie landed wrong between us.

His jaw tightened. For a second, neither of us spoke before Ryan dragged one hand over the back of his neck.

“Okay.”

I looked at him.

That wasn’t what I wanted either.

He stepped toward the door, and panic moved through me.

“You’re leaving?”

“You just told me to.”

“I know.”

Ryan’s eyes held mine.

I almost asked why he kept stopping. I almost told him that every time he pulled away, my mind spent hours deciding which part of me had made him change his mind. I almost admitted I wanted him so badly that I had started measuring myself against women he wasn’t even looking at.

None of it made it past my throat.

Ryan reached for the door, then stopped and looked back at me.

“Come here.”

I went without thinking.

His arms closed around me without hesitation or frustration. He pulled me against his chest and tucked his chin over my hair while my hands gripped the back of his shirt.

The tenderness almost hurt worse than rejection would have.

Ryan kissed the top of my head. “Tonight mattered to me.”

My eyes burned. “It mattered to me too.”

“Good.”

His hand moved slowly over my back.

“I’m going to Flint tomorrow.”

“I know.”