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She huffed out a laugh. “That can’t be it.”
“It is. This guy already has a wife and kid at home, and if he was able to convince you to be his side piece, he’d have birthday cake at home, and birthday cake with ice cream on the side. That’s what I’d call a lucky bastard.”
Her laughter sounded against the backdrop of singing crickets. “Is food the only thing you think about?”
Our eyes connected, the heat flowing back and forth between us like a live wire. “Not the only thing, Persephone.”
She let out a shaky, shuddery breath. “Ry.”
“He’s an asshole,” I rushed on, because the last thing I wanted was to make her feel like I was hitting on her after that guy propositioned her at work. “Want me to kick his ass?”
“Yes. No. He’s not worth it, but thanks for listening. You’re the best.”
She laid her head on my shoulder and we sat together in a peaceful silence, watching as the stars slowly popped out over the ridge, illuminating the night sky.
Persy
Sitting in the backyard with my head resting on Ryan’s head felt nice. It felt perfect, like home. This, right here, was what it should be like to be in a relationship. Comfortable and content, not constantly worrying, overanalyzing, and second-guessing if you have spinach in your teeth, if your make up is on point at all times. I didn’t want a man who expected me to be done up at all times, wearing sexy clothes and body shapers.
I wanted to be comfortable and happy, free to be me.
Ryan dropped a kiss on top of my head and sighed. “Anytime, Persephone. If you change your mind, I’ll be there.”
I closed my eyes at his sincere, deep words, at the masculine scent of him working its way into my brain. I froze. As soon as my eyelids shut, another image came to me. Ryan on top of me, arm muscles bunching and flexing as he thrust into me. His shoulders straining as he held my thighs over his forearms, pounding hard and fast, forcing animal sounds from my lips. Bad idea.
“I know, Ryan. Enough about me. Tell me about your day. Did you get a chance to start on the Porsche yet?”
I felt his smile on the side of my head. “It’s better now, let’s just say that.” He griped a little about the teenagers he’d hired to help in exchange for learning a skill. “I know they’re just kids, dammit, but I was really looking forward to get my hands on the Speedster.”
I laughed; he sounded like a kid who couldn’t wait to get his hands on the newest toy or gadget. “You could just start without them, right?”
“I could, but I think Clyde has a future in mechanics. He’s smart and a quick learner. If only I could get the kid to give a damn about commitment and responsibility.”
“Start without him. That will be his punishment, to learn that the world goes on even if you don’t show up. Missed opportunities and all that.”
He sighed, and I knew what he was thinking because he was a good man. A decent guy. “I know you’re right, but that just seems wrong.”
“Fine, let that beautiful car sit there. Neglected and sad and alone.”
Ryan laughed. “Laying it on a little thick, don’t ya think?”
I shook my head. “No. I think it’s laid on just thick enough. After stewing on it for a while, I know you’ll agree.”
Silence fell between us, as it often did, and it never bothered me like it did with other men. The silence was comfortable. Peaceful. I could actually think instead of wondering if we’d simply run out of things to say to one another.
Ryan. He was the best, and these damn sex thoughts refused to go away. It had been more than three months, why were the images lingering? Obviously, you’re not ready to give up the fantasy, my mind taunted. That was the absolute truth—I wanted another night with Ryan, more than I wanted anything in that moment.
And I would take it, if it wouldn’t ruin our friendship. Which it would.
I sat up as another thought occurred. What if it wasn’t all that great? All that earth-shattering? What if it was merely the haze of alcohol that made me think it was so great? “It was a fluke. Had to be.”
“What?”
I froze at Ryan’s deep voice, his question. Shit. “Our night together, it was a fluke, right? It only seemed so great because we were all dressed up and drunk on champagne. Right?”
“And tequila, don’t forget the tequila.” He flashed a playful smile, which he punctuated with a slow wink.
As if I could forget anything about that night. “Ryan.”
“Fine. What do you want, Persephone? The truth, or do you just want me to agree with you?”
