Page 146 of Power Play

“And I’m coming back.”

“I know that too.”

He leaned away enough to see my face. “You remember what I told you?”

I swallowed. “If something changes, you tell me.”

“And what else?”

“You don’t disappear.”

“Yeah.”

His thumb brushed beneath my eye even though I hadn’t cried.

“Nothing changed about wanting you tonight,” he said. “But I noticed you were afraid of people seeing us, and I’m not going to pretend I didn’t.”

I stared at him.

Ryan’s expression was serious, and the guardedness beneath it made my chest ache.

“I’m not asking you to solve it before I leave tomorrow. I’m asking you to think about why being alone with me feels safe and being seen with me doesn’t.”

The words struck the exact fear I had been trying to hide.

“I will.”

“Good.”

He kissed my forehead, then my cheek, before finally touching his mouth to mine softly enough that my heart ached.

“Buenas noches, mi hada.”

“Good night.”

He smiled faintly. “Your pronunciation was terrible.”

A laugh slipped through the pressure in my chest. “I spoke English.”

“Still needs work.”

“You’re an asshole.”

“That mouth sounds more like you.”

I rolled my eyes, and Ryan kissed me once more before opening the door.

He stepped into the hallway and turned. “Text me when you get into bed.”

“You’re leaving from my apartment.”

“I know where I’m leaving from.”

“You’ll be home before I’m in bed.”

“Probably.”

“Then why do I have to text?”