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“On a whole other subject,” Ava began, “have you picked what you’re wearing for your date tomorrow?”
Glad of the topic change, I replied, “No, not yet.” Honestly, I hadn’t thought much about it. I wanted to be excited. Coop, a personal assistant to one of the legion’s commanders, was a sweet guy. He might not make my heart leap or pound, but I doubted he’d stomp all over it either.
“You know, I was stunned when you told me that Coop asked you out. I could tell he wanted to, but I didn’t think he’d actually do it.”
“Why not?”
“Well he’s just so unassuming, and you’re kind of scary.”
I almost drew my head back. “What?”
“Not in a bad way. You have this innate, unshakable self-confidence that’s as hot as it is intimidating. It makes you fierce in everything you do—how you have fun, how you fight, how you protect, how devoted a friend you are. And you’re not easily impressed by, well, anything. I’ve seen super assertive guys flounder around you. So hearing that shy little Coop made a play took me by surprise.”
I set my hands on my hips. “I don’t think I’m scary. I’m very nice.”
“Oh, you’re both. Although you can be sweet as honey, your bark is not worse than your bite.” Ava paused at the sound of a knock on the front door. “Salem will get it,” she said.
The guy was in the living area with some of the other guests—Stuart, Paige, and Max. Only Cassie and Ryder hadn’t yet arrived.
I heard footfalls, door hinges creak, and then Cassie’s cheerful voice. She spent a minute or so talking with the others before padding into the kitchen, where she then gave both myself and Ava an enthusiastic hug.
Cassie’s brow furrowed as she counted the placemats. “Who else is coming?”
And then came another knock at the door. My stomach did a slow roll.
“Ooh, that’ll be Ryder,” said Ava. “Now that we’re all here, I can dish the food out.”
Cassie looked at me, her brows flying up. “Ryder?”
I nodded, feigning casual. My friend gave me a look that said she wasn’t fooled.
Cassie turned to Ava. “I thought Salem didn’t like him.”
Ava snorted. “He’s got no issue with Ryder, he has an issue with the issue that he thinks I’m attracted to Ryder, which really should be a non-issue.” She crossed her eyes.
Soon, everyone began filing into the kitchen. Butterflies took flight in my stomach as I caught sight of the man in question. Tall, dark, trim, tattooed, and hot as fuck, Ryder Kingsley was a man who drew the eye. He was cool, self-possessed, impossibly sexy. I’d never known a person who seemed to breathe so easily. It was like he was totally at peace with who he was and where he fit in the world.
Although he was incredibly composed, there was an edge of restlessness there. Like that of a lone wolf who felt the call of the wild. More, he exuded a powerful sexual energy that never failed to turn heads.
Right then, his vivid green eyes locked on me. “Maya,” he greeted in that voice that was all whiskey and smoke. It was like a punch to my gut. Memories of the many things he’d said during sex—some sweet, some dirty, some pure filth—drifted through my brain.
“Hey,” I greeted simply.
He slowly stalked past me to greet Cassie and Ava. He had a very steady, confident, purposeful stride. Always moved like he had somewhere to be and something important to do. And I damned every hormone in my body for wishing that one of the things he had to ‘do’ was me.
Ava directed everyone to their seats. I found myself sat between Cassie and Ryder. Awesome.
“How’s it feel to be back?” Stuart asked him while Ava passed out drinks.
“Good, now that I’m free to come and go as I please,” replied Ryder.
Max rested an arm over the back of Paige’s chair. “You fully settled into your new apartment now?” he asked Ryder.
“It was easy enough,” the guy replied. “Fletcher got the place ready for me as a welcome home gesture.”
Ava smiled. “Did he give the place any flamboyant touches?”
Ryder grunted. “There was a mermaid vase. I made him take it with him. Which he seemed pretty pleased about, so I think he wanted it for himself anyway.”
Between bites of food and swigs of NSTs, we all talked and laughed and joked. It wasn’t long before we moved onto desserts. I then helped Ava clear the table, glad to put some physical distance between myself and Ryder. Finished, I reluctantly returned to my seat.
Cassie nudged me with her elbow. “So, you looking forward to your date with Coop?”
I sensed Ryder tense beside me, which was weird, but whatever. I didn’t look his way as I replied, “Sure. It’s been a while since I’ve been wined and dined.”
