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Dropping his gaze to the floor, he runs a hand through his hair, messing it up further, and his polished appearance crumples. Ryland’s disheveled appearance, the deep creases around his eyes, and his downturned lips break through the walls around my heart.
“If I stay, you know… it changes everything.” My voice is shaky.
Ryland nods. We stare at each other for a long moment, neither of us moving, not even taking a breath. The elevator doors slide open, forcing us out. He takes my hand, shielding me with his body until we reach his room.
Once inside, Ryland locks the door and turns to face me. The air between us is charged with electricity. I can feel the heat emanating from his body, and my heart races in anticipation.
“If you stay, it changes everything,” he agrees. “But I don't want you to go.”
The words send a thrill through me. I feel like I'm on the edge of experiencing something incredible, but the nagging voice in the back of my mind won’t pipe down.
“Why didn’t you tell me how you felt earlier?”
“You were so young,” he replies softly, avoiding eye contact. “Then, of course, there was your brother.”
“Fair enough. But then what? You lived your life and had other girlfriends?”
“What girlfriends?” Ryland tenses, eyebrows furrowing. “Can you name one?”
“Actually, no.”
“Dating was never important because I was waiting for one person in particular.” His eyes twinkle.
“Me?” I ask, not trusting my voice to stay steady. I hold my breath as he trails his finger along my collarbone. My heart races, but I want this.
“Yes, you. And now you’re here with me, and there’s no way in hell I’m letting you go.”
My heart races at his admission. He wants me and has for a long time.
“You can’t keep me in a hotel room forever,” I tease. A blush spreads across my cheeks, and I glance around the room. We’re in a luxury apartment, and I could absolutely live here happily.
He chuckles softly. “Are you sure about that?”
“No.” I swallow hard, feeling a wave of emotion, but unable to look away. Ryland’s eyes drop to my lips. “What about my brother?”
“I’ll talk to Zane. Don’t worry. I know how to handle him.”
“Does he know how you feel?”
I'll need to face Zane too, but I'll figure out what to do later. This isn't the time. I put further thoughts of Zane out of my mind for now.
“What matters is how you feel. Do you want to do this?” he asks.
I bite my lip. He’s got that sexy smirk on his face, and my throat fills with emotion. Being the object of his desire feels like a dream. I can’t resist him. No man has ever looked at me like this, not even in my fantasies.
“More than anything.”
“That’s my girl,” Ryland says in a gruff voice.
I force myself to speak, but my voice is barely a whisper, “What did you call me?”
“You heard me,” Ryland says in a low voice, thick with emotion. He pauses and continues in an even quieter tone. “I mean it. I’ve been holding out, waiting for you, but you were always my girl.”
I’m taken aback by the intensity of his words. He makes me feel safe and desired at the same time.
Ryland
Everything feels like it’s falling into place. Our friendship is growing into so much more, and there is trust between us. It’s a relationship I will handle with care forever.
