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The door squeaked as she opened it.
Not far enough for him to get an eyeful, but far enough for him to catch smoky eyes and a mane of curls.
“Door held up,” Ryder said, nodding to the slab of wood.
“Squeaks,” Smokey pointed out on a shrug.
“You gonna let me in?” Ryder asked.
“You gonna fix the squeak?”
“I can do that,” Ryder grinned.
Smokey stepped back and swung the door open.
And Ryder did a top to toe of tawny curls tumbling over the shoulder of a breezy kimono, cotton tee and short shorts, and tanned legs down to bare feet with ballet pink toes.
He stepped inside and nudged the door closed, snaking one arm around her waist and pulling her close with the other hand sliding up into her hair.
Ryder buried his face in her neck and breathed deep.
He felt the tense of her surprise.
“Just wanna hold you,” he said, lips moving against her skin.
Then he felt her shiver and didn’t even try to fight his grin.
She relaxed against him, and as that trust slid low and settled deep, Ryder’s grin shifted into something much more satisfied.
He untangled his fingers from her hair but kept hold of her hand as he made his way into the den. The couch was floral and screamedgirly, but against the neutral colors and textures of the rest of the room, he decided that if Smokey had been going for boho chic, she’d nailed it.
Ryder sat, his shoulders taking up half the space.
Smokey perched on the edge of the seat.
Ryder settled back and watched her.
She watched him back and fidgeted with the edge of her kimono.
“Tex told me about the hospital. Thank you for helping him,” Ryder said.
At the mention of work, some of the tension bled out of Smokey’s shoulders. She shrugged, “Just doing my job.”
“You were doing more than your job, and we both know it,” Ryder argued. “You were handling a situation I dragged you into with grace and a whole lot of empathy, and I appreciate it.”
“Oh,” Smokey said, seeming surprised by Ryder’s words. “You’re welcome.”
“Just had you in my arms, Smoke,” Ryder went on. “What do I need to do to get you back there?
Smokey’s eyes wide.
Ryder leaned forward, elbows to knees. “Gonna give you the truth,” he said, “and I’m not trying to scare you. I’m actually going for the opposite. Figuring that a woman like you, so smart and loyal, will get it.”
Smokey blinked, “Okay.”
“I’m halfway through my thirties,” Ryder started. “I don’t chase ass, and I don’t waste time. I don’t want to spend half my life with shallow relationships and then wake up one day and wonder why I don’t have anything to show for the life I’ve lived.”
Smokey let out the breath she’d been holding, so Ryder went on, “I’m old enough to know what I do want, and that’s a woman with a big heart who understands my way of life and isn’t scared to live that life with me.”
