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“It’s okay, I’m living in a good place. I’m living above my new restaurant. I bought the building just like Beatrice told me to. It has great security.”

“Thank God,” he said as he pulled her closer.

“So, see? See why we’re not a good fit?”

“Because your mom is an out-of-control addict?” Ryker asked.

“It’s worse than that. I have no point of reference on how to interact with a normal family. That’s why your invitation scared the hell out of me. It just won’t work.” Amy reached for a napkin from the coffee table but missed. Ryker snagged it for her, then gently wiped her tears away.

“My family is easy. They do all the talking. All you ever have to do is sit there and occasionally nod your head. Oh yeah, you have to root for USC.”

“Huh?”

“Always gotta root for the home team, Honey.”

Amy wiped the last tear from her face, pissed when she saw that mascara was on the napkin too. But she was going to finish her piece and settle things once and for all. She pushed off of Ryker’s lap and stood up in front of him.

“So you heard me, right? You get why and how I’m fucked up, right?”

“I thought we agreed that everybody is fucked up.”

“Stick with me, McQueen,” Amy pointed at his chest. “I’m not going to put up with your lip. I just laid myself bare; I want honesty, is that asking for too much?”

Ryker shook his head.

“So, I’m on the special side of fucked up when it comes to moms and families. Would you agree?” She lifted up her sleeve and pointed to her scar.

“Yes, Honey, I agree,” he sighed.

“So can you see that from my point of view where I think you would be better with someone else? Someone who could better fit with your family?”

“Your point of view is skewed.” Ryker yanked his fingers through his shaggy blond hair.

At last, the gentleness was gone, and his frustration was showing.

“And my last point is, I really want to have sex with you. Can we do that, and maybe skip the relationship part?”

“What did you say?”

Seeing that look on his face was priceless.

“You heard me,” she smiled.

19

Even with her make-up smeared, Amy was the hottest woman Ryker had ever seen. When she moved closer and straddled his lap, he thought he would swallow his tongue. Her dark brown eyes beckoned him to kiss her, and even though he was going to say no to her invitation, he was definitely going to kiss her.

He pressed her back just a little bit so that she wouldn’t be sitting on his erection, because mercy, there was only much temptation one man could handle. Then he thrust his fingers through her hair like he had been dying to do since he had seen her in the lobby, and drew her in close.

He laughed when he felt her grip his shaggy hair and pull his head backward. “My show,” she muttered.

“Sundays are usually Ladies’ Night, so go for it,” he grinned.

Her eyes glittered and her grin turned wicked. She twisted his head a little to the right, then she smashed her mouth against his, and Ryker thought his head was going to explode. He’d briefly tasted her pillowy lips one other time, but now to have them dancing sensuously against his, coaxing him to open for her—

Damn!

She’d bit his lip.