3. Ryan

Chapter 3

After making sure she made it back to the apartment, I drove home wondering how the day took this turn. All I know is, now that I've found my kitten, I don't ever plan to let her go. Even if it means there's a good chance her brother is going to kill me.

After spending the night tossing and turning while thoughts of Michela tease my mind, I wake up ready to pursue my sweet girl.

Saturday begins with the warm, fresh air of early summer whispering promises of a perfect day. School doesn't start for several weeks, so she's spending her time getting her things unpacked. I can't think of a better way to help her take a break from all the work than showing her around Silver Spoon Falls. She deserves a day off, and I want to share my hometown with her.

"Good morning!" I greet her with a bright smile as she steps out of the apartment building, looking radiant and ready for adventure in her light blue summer dress with her silky hair pulled back in a loose ponytail.

"Morning, Ryan," she replies, returning my smile with one that makes my heart do a little flip as my cock turns to stone. "So, where are you taking me first?"

"You'll see," I say, a playful glint in my eye as I lead her toward the town square. "We're going to go for a walk." Since her apartment is one block from the town square, I parked my truck at the Trust Fund Café, figuring we'd have breakfast before we start our tour.

We walk the short distance to the Trust Fund Cafe, a local favorite known for its laid-back vibe and mouth-watering brunch menu. The air is warm but not hot, and the sidewalk is full of people starting their own weekend adventures.

As we step inside the cafe, the familiar aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon greets us. The place is abuzz with Saturday morning chatter, the kind of comforting murmur that sets the perfect backdrop to a day of exploration.

"Table for two, please," I tell the hostess, who nods and leads us to a cozy corner table by the window.

Michela takes a seat, glancing around with visible appreciation. "This place is adorable. I can see why you like it."

"Wait until you try their pancakes," I say, handing her a menu. "They're legendary."

We order a spread that could feed an army—pancakes, eggs benedict, fresh fruit, bacon, and, of course, steaming mugs of coffee. As we wait for our food, the conversation flows effortlessly. We talk about her plans for the upcoming school year, what she thinks about the town, and my work.

Our food arrives, and the pancakes are every bit as fluffy and delicious as I promised. Michela's eyes widen with the first bite, and she gives a little sound of approval that causes all the blood in my body to head straight for my goddamn cock.

"You weren't kidding," she says around another mouthful. "These are incredible."

"Told you," I reply, feeling a warmth that has nothing to do with the coffee.

We savor our breakfast, sharing bites of each other's dishes and laughing over silly stories. By the time we finish, I have no idea how I'm going to survive the day without dragging her back to my house for a different kind of tour.

I give my head a shake, trying to get control of my raging desire. "Ready for the tour?" I ask as we step out of the cafe, the early summer sun a bit higher in the sky now.

"Lead the way," she responds, slipping her soft hand into mine. My heart kicks into overdrive, and I notice she's affected by me, too.

Our first stop is the town square, which is buzzing with life. We wander through the farmers' market, sampling homemade jams and looking at handcrafted goods. Michela's excitement is infectious, and I can't help but get caught up in it myself.

"This place is so adorable," she comments, examining a hand-painted ceramic bowl.

I take her to the town square fountain. The rumor mill in town swears that the insanely large number of happy unions in town is due to the "magic" water. "I've heard about the Silver Spoon Falls water," she looks over her shoulder at me, adding, "and its unique powers." Staring into her eyes, what I'm feeling for her nearly overwhelms me.

Before things get out of control, I take her hand in mine to continue our exploration. From there, we visit the antique shop, the cozy bookstore, and the little bakery known for its legendary pastries. Michela's eyes light up at each new sight, and I find myself falling even harder for her with every stop.

As the afternoon wears on, we make our way back to town and find a quaint little diner for a late lunch. We share a meal as the air around us crackles with sexual tension. It's during dessert, a delectable homemade pie, that I broach the next part of our day.

"I was thinking," I begin, trying to sound casual. "I want you to come to The Sterling Rope tomorrow night."

She looks intrigued, her fork pausing mid-air. "The BDSM club?"

"Yeah," I say, watching her carefully. While I love working at the club, I've suddenly discovered that nothing is more important to me than Michela, and it's time to lay my cards on the table. "I want you to come to the club with me."

Michela stares into my eyes and bites her juicy bottom lip. "It sounds… interesting, but do I need a membership to get in?" I guess my kitten has been investigating the club.

"I talked to the owner and got you a visitor's past." I don't want there to be any confusion about my intentions. "There's only one woman I ever want to take to the club, and that's you. I need you more than my next breath."

"Oh." Her eyes widen as she stares, unblinking, her mouth falling open in disbelief. She takes a deep breath and blurts out. "I want that, too, but my brother…" she pauses for a second. "But you're not just anyone to him. You're his best friend, and I'm his little sister. Our world has rules, and I'm scared of what he might do if he feels betrayed or blindsided."

The knot in my stomach hardens into a solid lump. Lorenzo is indeed protective, fiercely so, and his position in the underworld adds a dangerous dimension to our situation. But Michela… she's fucking everything to me. Choosing my words with care, I tell her, "I understand your concerns. And you're right—this isn't just about us. Lorenzo's feelings and principles do complicate things. But I care about you deeply, and I won't let fear dictate our lives."

Care about her deeply? I almost smack my forehead at my poor choice of words.

Seeing Michela again drove home exactly how I feel about her, and those feelings are as far from brotherly as you can fucking get.