Chapter Twenty-Seven
Since that night, four days had passed, and Sophie had no idea what she and Ryder were doing. They still weren’t seeing each other. Still weren’t talking. By all accounts they were still avoiding all contact.
Except at eleven o’clock each night when they texted each other from bed, saying all sorts of filthy, dirty things until they came and went to sleep. By some unspoken agreement neither called, or suggested calling, but the things he said to her while she lay there drove her crazy.
It was . . . odd. But she wasn’t complaining. It was better than nothing. At least she’d started sleeping again, started eating, and stopped walking around in a fog. She didn’t feel so horrible, but she suspected that was because their nightly texting connected them.
The interview in Chicago loomed in her mind like a dark cloud hovering over her. The festival was this weekend, and it would be crazy and busy, so she wouldn’t have time to think about the interview, but she drove back Monday night. She hadn’t said anything to Ryder, not wanting to ruin this brief respite of time with him, but she’d have to tell him soon.
But tonight, she was going to do her best to have fun.
She took a deep breath and climbed out of her car, grabbing the bottle of whiskey she’d brought for Mitch and Maddie on her way. Her friend was in the mood for a party, so after making sure that Ryder wouldn’t be there, she’d agreed to go to the small get-together.
Maddie claimed Ryder was working. Sophie didn’t have to be confronted by him, but she had no idea what to expect tonight at eleven. She supposed she could slip into a spare room. The farmhouse had enough of them.
She rang the bell and flung open the door, calling out into the house, “Maddie?”
“In the kitchen,” Maddie called back.
Sophie walked through the swinging door, her gaze immediately falling on the spot on the kitchen counter where Ryder had kissed her the first time before skirting away. She smiled at Maddie, who wore a jean skirt and white T-shirt that definitely showed she’d gotten her pre-baby body back.
Sophie whistled. “Someone’s looking hot.”
Maddie smoothed her hand over her stomach and beamed. “It finally fit. All that running and doing sit-ups finally paid off.”
“You look great,” she said.
“She does,” Gracie agreed, winking at Maddie. “Better you be subjected to James’s training schedule than me.”
Maddie rolled her eyes. “You’re the worst.”
Gracie turned to Sophie. “Ready for the big festival tomorrow?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be. How about you?” Sophie asked. Now that Gracie’s bakery in Chicago was up and running, she’d decided to open a Revival storefront and put Harmony Jones in charge of the operation. It opened next month, but Gracie and Harmony had a booth that would feature all the delicious pastries they had to offer.
Gracie shrugged. “Ask me six weeks from now. James is forcing me to take a two-week vacation in France after the opening and before he has to head back to school.”
Sophie clucked her tongue and gave her an exaggerated look of sympathy. “Ahhh . . . you poor thing. However do you manage?”
She sighed. “It’s a rough life, but someone has to do it.”
Sophie laughed and Maddie’s head tilted. “You’re looking better.”
She shrugged. “Thanks.”
Cheryl walked in, and Sophie’s chest squeezed as she remembered the first time with Ryder when they’d been so crazy. She smiled. “Hey, Cheryl.”
“Hi.” Cheryl glanced at Maddie. “I just wanted to make sure you didn’t need anything.”
“We’re good.” Maddie winked at her. “How’s things going with Bill?”
A pretty flush filled Cheryl’s cheeks and she cleared her throat. “Great, actually. Thanks for inviting us over.”
“It’s our pleasure.”
Cheryl looked at Sophie, her brow wrinkling. “I guess I owe you a thank you.”
At least someone had gotten a happy ending. Sophie shook her head. “I didn’t do one thing, but I’m glad it’s working out so great with Bill.”
“It is.” Cheryl fiddled with her hair and pointed toward the backyard. “I should get back.”
“We’ll be out soon,” Maddie said.
When she left, Sophie said, “I’m glad they are happy.”
Maddie turned and leaned back against the counter. “And what are we going to do about you?”
“There’s nothing to do.” Sophie straightened her top.
“Have you talked to Ryder?” Maddie’s voice was full of speculation.
“No.” The response was immediate, but to her horror she felt her cheeks heat.
Gracie pointed at her. “You have.”
She shook her head. “I swear, I haven’t.”
“She’s a big, fat liar,” Gracie said to Maddie.
“I’m not, I have not talked to him.”
Maddie’s eyes narrowed. “It’s something.”
Again she shrugged, as though it was no big deal. “We might have exchanged a few texts, but we haven’t spoken and nothing has changed.”
Gracie grinned. “By the look on your face, I’m guessing they weren’t ordinary texts.”
“It was just checking in.”
Gracie waved a hand. “You are a horrible liar.”
Maddie bit her bottom lip and her gaze slid to the back door. “That makes me feel a little better.”
Sophie’s heart banged against her ribs. “What did you do?”
“I didn’t do anything.” She sighed. “I swear when I told you he wasn’t going to be here it was the truth. But I guess his plans changed and he decided to come.”
Sophie’s throat went dry. “Ryder’s here?”
“Yes. I’m sorry.”
Sophie’s stomach took a leap off a cliff. “Does he know I’m coming?”
Maddie’s gaze slid away. “I, um, kind of said you weren’t going to be here.”
Sophie closed her eyes and prayed for strength. “How could you do this to me?”
“You texted him, that’s half the battle,” Gracie added helpfully. “Think of it this way, you get it over with and you guys can figure out how to be neighbors.”
They didn’t understand, and she wasn’t about to explain. So she shook her head, “Let’s get this over with.”
* * *
When she walked outside, wearing tight capri jeans and a pinkish scoop-neck top, her hair loose, Ryder wasn’t surprised to see her, even though Maddie had said she wasn’t coming. The truth was, all his instincts promised she’d be there, and he’d needed to see her.
Needed to look at her.
Hear her voice.
He wasn’t going to do anything about it, but he needed to see her face and remind himself she was flesh and blood, and not words on a screen. Of course their late-night texts were stupid. It kept them connected instead of building up the wall he needed to resurrect between them.
Every night he’d promise himself he wouldn’t do it, but as soon as he slid into bed, his dick would get hard and he’d start thinking of all the things they’d done, and the next thing he knew they were in the thick of it.
He’d told himself he’d stay away from the Rileys’ tonight, but here he was, unable to keep away from her.
He was weak.
Their eyes met. A hushed silence fell over the party-goers, lasting two beats before the din of conversation continued.
They’d moved on. But Sophie and Ryder hadn’t.
Their gazes clung.
She sucked in a breath before wetting her bottom lip, and gave him a little wave of her fingers.
He nodded, and they managed to rip their attention away and back to the party. She sat down next to Gracie, Maddie, and Harmony at the outdoor table, and the four of them bent their heads and huddled together for some deep conversation.
He sat there with narrowed eyes and watched her.
“You’re going to burn a hole into her.” Mitch handed him a beer and sat down.
He took it and took a long drink, draining half the bottle. “Thanks.”
Out of all of them, Mitch Riley was the one he knew the least. Between Maddie, his career, and their new baby, he didn’t get out as much as the rest of them did, but Ryder liked the guy.
Mitch chuckled and shook his head. “I feel like I should apologize for my wife.”
Ryder raised a brow. “Did she plan this?”
Mitch shrugged. “I’m sure in her mind she didn’t. I’ll ask her tonight and she’ll have some perfectly plausible explanation that will sound really good. But it won’t change the fact that while she might not have been outright manipulative, she still put the dominos in place and hoped they’d fall in her favor.”
Ryder’s gaze slid to Sophie, who hadn’t looked in his direction once since she walked in. He shrugged. “It’s not a big deal. This town is small, our friends are connected, it’s bound to happen sometimes.”
“Maddie means well, you know. Her friends are like sisters to her, and she can’t stand to see them upset.”
Ryder couldn’t stand to see Sophie upset either, which was how he’d gotten himself into this weird limbo mess to begin with. “I’m glad she had such good friends taking care of her.”
Mitch pointed to his beer. “You want something stronger.”
Ryder looked down at the bottle, remembering how he’d licked salt from Sophie’s neck that first night he’d kissed her. “Yeah.”
Mitch got up and Ryder turned his attention back to Sophie. James had joined the women and his hand rested on Gracie’s neck, his fingers stroking over her skin. He gazed down at her, and Ryder’s body tightened, recognizing the look he gave his wife for what it was. He’d given that look to Sophie many times, letting her know with a single glance her respite was over and he was going to take her the first chance he got. That he expected to have his way with her. That it was his right to do so. That no wasn’t a word he expected to hear from her.
Not that she ever said no to anything.
He both was and wasn’t surprised to see the professor wearing it. Ryder had obviously never thought too much about the guy’s sex life, but he couldn’t miss what he witnessed in front of him. The guy had a quiet assurance about him that was hard to miss, so Ryder guessed it made sense. James tightened his grip on Gracie’s neck, leaned down, and whispered something in her ear.
Her spine straightened. She turned and said to her friends, “I’ll be back.”
Then she slid her hand into James’s and they disappeared in the direction of her house.
The remaining women rolled their eyes at each other and kept right on talking, letting Ryder know this was not an uncommon occurrence.
Mitch returned and handed him a glass filled with brown liquid. “It’s whiskey. Sophie brought it.”
“Thanks.” He downed half of it in one gulp, looking back at the woman in question.
He missed it. Missed what he had with her. Missed being with her. But he had to put it out of his mind. At this rate, he wouldn’t make it another ten minutes, let alone the rest of the night.
Maddie looked toward them, beaming at her husband and crooking her finger. “Wanna play Cards Against Humanity? I bought an expansion deck.”
Mitch chuckled and shook his head. “God, she’s devious.”
Having fondly been on the receiving end of his own devious woman, he asked, “Well yeah, but would you have it any other way?”
“Nope.” He stood.
Ryder followed, sliding onto a chair across from Sophie. Their gazes met.
The cords of her neck worked as she swallowed.
Maddie opened the black box and said, “Let the games begin.”
Sophie’s attention dipped to his mouth, and her tongue snuck out, licking over her bottom lip.
He stifled a groan. This was going to be a long night.
* * *
Three hours later, Sophie’s head spun. As the night wore on and drinking ensued, the awkwardness between Sophie and Ryder faded, but the sexual tension between them was enough to choke her.
They still hadn’t really spoken, other than to pass each other chips or drinks or talk about the game. They didn’t flirt.
But their chemistry was like an electric current.
His attention dipped to her mouth.
She bit her lip.
His silver eyes darkened.
She traced a path over her collarbone and he tracked the movement with predatory eyes. They’d abandoned Cards Against Humanity after it got old and moved on to poker.
He was the dealer.
He met her gaze. “How many, darlin’?”
She sucked in a little breath. God, how she’d missed the sound of that. She took two cards out of her hand and pushed them across the table to him. “Two, please.”
Their fingers brushed, sending a rush of tingles up her arm.
He smirked at her.
She narrowed her eyes.
He gave her two cards, his thumb brushing over her palm. She picked up her cards and saw the chance she’d taken by ditching her low pair had pulled her a flush.
Mitch bet, then everyone called. When it came to her she went to raise, but then she met silver eyes. Suddenly she couldn’t stand it one more second.
He was making her crazy.
She was sitting there, her skin oversensitive, her breasts achy, insatiable heat between her thighs distracting her. She needed five minutes away from his penetrating stare to collect herself, because right now she felt like she did when he brought her close to the edge, only to pull back, wait until she cooled, and start all over again. Except there was no cooling off part.
She was just on fire.
She put her cards on the table. “I fold.”
She got up and left the table. Instead of stopping in the kitchen, where she’d be further reminded of things she’d done with Ryder, she walked down the hallway and into the office. She sank onto the chair and attempted to collect herself.
He was the devil. Pure evil. He had to know what he was doing to her.
She put her head between her legs and took deep breaths, jerking up when she heard a noise. She looked up.
It was Ryder.
He said nothing, just stared at her long and hard, with an intensity that made her want to shift in her seat.
Heart hammering in her chest, she stood. “I should get back.”
“You should.”
Neither moved.
They just stood there.
Her breathing kicked up.
He reached behind him and shut the door.
And then they were on each other.
Their mouths hot and hungry and mean. They always kissed like they were starving but now they were crazed, all clashing lips, dueling tongues and teeth.
Their hands moved everywhere, clutching and pulling. Raking over their skin.
She warred between the desire to touch him and wanting to sink into the feel of his big, strong hands on her body.
He growled, low and deep in his throat, before swinging her around and slamming her against the door. She let out an oomph. He captured the sound with his mouth before bending at the knees and picking her up. Her legs wrapped around his waist and she clutched at his shoulders, her head falling back against the door, and he ground his hard cock against her needy center.
He fisted her hair and yanked her head back. “I’m not going to stop.”
“Good,” she whispered. “Don’t. I need you so bad.”
He made a fierce, feral noise. Whipping her around, he pushed her to the floor. His fingers snaked up her under her top, covering her breast and rubbing over her nipple. He murmured in her ear, “You need my cock, darlin’.”
She raked her teeth over his jaw, loving the sharp intake of breath he made, and told him the truth. “I need you.”
He moaned, covered her mouth with his. He stroked against her tongue, licking her lips, feasting on her. She raised her legs and arched, circling her hips, silently begging for him.
He unhooked her bra and pulled at the hard peak, twisting and pinching in that way she loved. Movements frantic and jerky, he levered up, yanked her top above her breasts, and covered her nipple with his lips.
With hands, tongue, and teeth he tortured her until her hips were moving and she moaned incoherently. “Ryder, please.”
He lifted his head. “I can’t get enough of you.”
“Me either.”
“I want to drive you crazy, punish you for all the time I haven’t touched you.” He met her gaze. “But I want you too much to wait.”
She squeezed her hips with his thigh. “Take me.”
Their gazes locked, and a silence thick with emotion made her breath stall in her chest.
Everything slowed.
She reached up and touched his face, her fingertips brushing over his high cheekbones. His teeth scraped her palm, holding the flesh captive and laving her with his tongue.
Unable to hold it in any longer, she whispered the words she’d never told anyone before, meaning them with all her heart. “I love you.”
His whole body stilled and she saw the surprise flash across his features before they softened. “I love you too, Sophie.”
Her eyes welled with tears. “I’ve never been in love before.”
“Me either.”
She half laughed and sobbed. “It totally sucks.”
He laughed too, before smiling. “It totally does.”
She tilted her head, and he kissed her.
It was soft and sweet for about thirty seconds before it turned raw and demanding, hinting at desperation. He pulled away, leveraging up and peeling her jeans off before pushing his jeans down his hips.
She’d think about everything else later. Right now all she cared about was him inside her, taking her, claiming her. Making her his.
In this moment, all she wanted was to pretend it was easy.
So she did, and when he slid inside her she felt at home.
* * *
They pulled into their separate driveways and got out of their cars, and just stood there, staring at each other.
Ryder shoved his keys into his pocket and gazed at her. Her mouth was swollen from when he’d kissed her, her hair disheveled. When they’d returned to the table, they’d received a lot of sly glances because it didn’t take a genius to figure out what they’d been doing, but no one made any comments.
As mind-blowing as the sex had been, that wasn’t what floored him. He’d been shocked she’d told him she loved him. It was the last thing he’d ever expected. He’d known, of course, because only love could make someone as miserable as they’d been, but he’d never thought she’d admit it. Or even recognize it.
Love wasn’t easy for Sophie. And as much as the primal part of him was satisfied with hearing her say those three little words, the rational man knew they still had a lot to talk about.
She took a deep breath and seemed at a loss for what to do.
So he crooked his finger and said, “You coming with me, darlin’?”
She glanced at his house, an expression of longing washing over her features that took the air right out of his lungs. She clutched at the strap of her purse and bit her lip.
He tightened, prepared for her rejection.
She swallowed and stepped toward him. “I have to tell you something.”
Dread settled tight in his stomach. “What’s that?”
She squared her shoulders. “I have an interview for the job on Tuesday.”
It was like a kick in the stomach.
Not even for tonight could he pretend she wouldn’t be leaving. That there was nothing he’d be able to do about it. Regardless of what he did, if he stayed away from her or not, it was going to gut him. Denying himself wouldn’t save him. Nothing could save him. So he nodded. “Are you coming with me?”
She blinked. “You still want me?”
He walked over to her and slid one arm around her waist and the other around her neck. He dipped down and brushed his lips over hers. “I will always want you, Sophie. You’re a part of me now, and there’s nothing I can do about it.”
Tears spilled over her cheeks and she rose to tiptoes to press herself against him. “I’m sorry.”
She buried her face in his neck and he held her tight. He kissed her temple. “We sure made a mess of things, didn’t we?”
She nodded. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Soph.” Sometimes it wasn’t enough, and maybe this was one of those times. She still didn’t seem inclined to talk about a future, but he could make this offer, to show his support. “Do you want me to come with you to Chicago Monday?”
She pulled back and searched his face. “You’d do that for me?”
He rubbed his thumb over her lower lip. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”
Something eased in her expression before her face clouded over once again. She shook her head. “This is something I need to do alone.”
He didn’t question her, just accepted this was what needed to be done. “Just as long as you know you don’t have to do it alone.”
“I know. The offer means everything. Thank you.”
“Sophie.” He took a deep breath and told her the truth. “I want a future with you. I don’t want to be without you. If you want, I’ll move to Chicago with you. You going back home doesn’t have to be the end.”
Instead of her expression easing, she frowned. “Can we talk about it when I get back?”
His chest tightened. “Do you promise we will?”
“I promise.”
He’d let himself have this weekend. Let her do what she needed to do in Chicago, but then when she got back they’d have it out and see where they stood. He’d move. He loved her enough to move. He loved her more than Revival. He could make it work. “Tonight will you sleep in my bed?”
She kissed him, long and deep and soul-searching before pulling back to whisper against his lips, “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
He took her hand. “Then come with me.”
And she did.