Chapter 6

SIX

Ryder

It's late as I walk down the street towards Wet and Wild. I know that Maple is closing tonight and I want to catch her before she can head home. I think that our date the other night went well, and we've been texting since, but it's not the same as actually seeing her and being with her.

I've spent every day for the past nine months thinking about Maple and wishing that I was with her. Now that I've been out with her— now that I've kissed her, all of those feelings are so much stronger. I need to see her for my day to feel complete, for me to feel right.

Most of the other stores on the block are closed, their windows dark, and doors locked up tight. Wet and Wild is the only one that's still all lit up, but as I get closer, I see the lights start to turn off one by one.

I see Maple behind the counter, gathering her purse and I smile as I knock on the front door. Her head snaps up, and our gazes lock. I grin at her, and she smiles, looking happy to see me too.

She unlocks the front door, and I step inside the dark shop.

"Hey, I'm glad that I caught you."

"What are you doing here? Were you working at the bar? Did you just get off?" She asks.

"No, I just wanted to see you."

Maple tries to hide it, but I can see her smile before she ducks her head.

"I missed you," I tell her, taking a step closer to her and wrapping my arms around her waist.

"I missed you too," she admits, and my heart beats hard in my chest.

I've wanted Maple for so long, since the day that I first saw her, and it feels like maybe she's finally starting to want me, too.

"Are you hungry? I thought that I could make you dinner," I tell her as my hands rub up and down her back, pulling her closer with each caress.

"You cook?" She asks skeptically, and I laugh.

"I do. It's one of my secret talents."

"What are your other secret talents?"

I smirk as I lean down closer to her.

"Wouldn't you like to know," I whisper in her ear, and she shivers.

I see her swallow hard, and I fight a grin as I pull back and take her hand.

"How does grilled chicken and some roasted vegetables sound to you?" I ask her as I lead her out the door.

"Delicious," she says as she locks the door behind us and drops the keys in her purse.

I take her hand and lead her over to my truck.

"Did you drive today?" I ask her, and she shakes her head.

"No, it was nice out, so I walked."

"You can't be walking home in the dark."

She rolls her eyes, and I grit my teeth. I know that I could tell her not to, that it isn't safe, but I doubt that will stop her. I'll just have to make sure that I'm here to walk her home every night. It's a good thing that I already put my two weeks' notice in at the bar, so I'll be free to spend my nights with my girl.

I start the truck, and we make the short drive over to my place. I park out front and jump out, rushing around to open Maple's door before she can beat me to it. I hold my hand out to her to help her out of the truck and lead her inside.

I spent most of today cleaning my place so it's clean when we walk in. I have all of the ingredients for dinner, and I lead Maple into the kitchen and pull out a chair for her.

"Have a seat. Can I get you something to drink?"

"Um, just water is fine. Do you want me to help with anything?"

"No, I've got it. You relax. How was work?" I ask her as I fill a glass with water and hand it to her.

"It was good. We were pretty busy, actually. We had two bachelorette parties come through, and some older ladies in town stopped in, too."

"Is it weird seeing people that you know buy sex toys?" I ask her as I preheat the oven.

"Not really. Maybe it's because I don't really know that many people that well here. Or, I don't know, I guess that I was just raised to believe that sex was normal and natural and to not judge people."

"That's a good point."

I start cutting up the vegetables and tossing them in olive oil and spices before I slide the tray into the oven.

"I just need to go start the grill," I say, excusing myself.

I head out to the deck and start the grill. Once it's hot enough, I put the chicken on the grill and head back inside to Maple.

Maple is sitting at the kitchen table, watching me with a soft smile as I walk back in. Something about seeing her here, in my home, makes everything feel right.

"You know, I never imagined you as someone who could cook," she teases, her eyes sparkling.

I laugh as I grab a bottle of olive oil to brush on the chicken. "I've got a few tricks up my sleeve."

"I'm starting to believe that," she says, her tone light but her gaze lingering on me in a way that makes my heart race.

As I move around the kitchen and outside, flipping the chicken and checking on the vegetables, I keep stealing glances at her. She looks so comfortable here, so at ease, and it makes me want to keep her here as long as possible. Finally, the food is done, and I plate everything, bringing it over to the table.

"Dinner is served," I say, setting the plates down.

"This looks amazing," she says, her voice filled with genuine surprise as she digs in. "And it tastes even better."

I smile, watching her enjoy the meal.

"What do you usually like to eat?" I ask her as I dig in.

"I usually just make sandwiches or some kind of frozen meal. Olive is the one who likes cooking, and she was always around to cook for us growing up. I guess I was spoiled."

"I can teach you a few things. Or you're always welcome over here when you're hungry."

"I might just take you up on that," she says as she eats another piece of chicken.

When the meal is over and the plates are cleared, there's a comfortable silence that settles between us, the kind that feels intimate, like we don't need to fill it with words.

I stand by the counter, watching her as she finishes her water. The dim light of the kitchen casts a warm glow around her, making her look even more beautiful, if that's even possible.

Without thinking, I move towards her, taking her hand and pulling her gently out of the chair. She stands up slowly, her eyes widening just a little as I guide her closer.

"Maple," I murmur, my voice thick with emotion.

She looks up at me, her breath catching, and for a moment, neither of us says anything. The only sound in the room is the soft hum of the refrigerator, and all I can focus on is the way her hand feels in mine, the way her lips part slightly as she stares up at me.

I can't wait any longer. I cup her face with both hands and bring my lips down to hers. The kiss starts slow and soft, like before, but this time, there's a hunger behind it. She melts into me, her hands sliding up my chest and around my neck as I pull her closer, deepening the kiss.

Her body presses against mine, and I can feel her heart racing in time with mine. The kitchen around us fades, and all I can think about is how right this feels—her in my arms, her lips on mine.

When we finally break apart, both of us are breathing hard. She looks up at me with those wide green eyes, and I smile softly.

There's something in her eyes, a glint of lust, and I swallow hard as I stare down at her.

"Maple," I whisper, and she licks her lips.

"I want you," she whispers, and my grip on her tightens.

I'm about to ask her if she's sure and assure her that I'm not in any rush, but before I can, Maple takes a step back and pulls off her shirt.

My mouth drops open as I take her in.

"Fuck me," I whisper, and she laughs.

"Alright," she agrees cheekily, and my cock presses hard against the zipper of my jeans as I stare down at her.