6. Ryan

RYAN

"Don't peek, Ryan," Amelia warns me. "I mean it. No matter how tempted you are, don't you dare peek. If you do, I will be livid."

I try to keep a straight face, but I can't help but laugh. "I won't. I promise."

A few minutes ago, Amelia insisted that I take a seat in the living room and allow her to blindfold me with a scarf. I'm not sure what she's up to, but I have a feeling it has something to do with my birthday, since she knows it's today. I don't usually make a big deal out of my birthday, but it's not like I mind celebrating it, either.

I listen to the sounds of rustling as Amelia takes care of whatever she's doing. After a while, I hear her leave the living room. There are some muffled sounds on the other side of the house, but I can't figure out what's going on.

"Okaaaay," she sings when she returns. "Ready?"

I smile. "Ready."

I feel Amelia tug on the scarf, and it falls away from my face. When my vision is returned to me, I see a living room decorated with a hodgepodge of ribbons and a homemade banner that says HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN in big uneven letters.

And then Karin appears in the entryway of the living room, holding a plate of three cupcakes topped with flickering candles. I don't know if it's the glow of the candles or what, but it's the most beautiful sight I could ask for. I can't keep my eyes off Karin as she carries the cupcakes over and sets them down on the coffee table in front of me. I didn't even know Karin was home yet, but now the muffled sounds I heard a few minutes ago make sense.

"Happy Birthday, Ryan," she says, smiling as she sets the plate down.

"Happy Birthday, Ryan!" shouts Amelia, gleefully spinning in the neon pink party dress she has on.

"Wow. Thank you," I say, caught off guard by how much this all means to me. I lean forward to blow out the candles, but Amelia stops me before I can.

"Don't forget to make a wish," she says.

I smile, silently think of my wish, and blow out the candles with a single breath.

Three hours later, I've danced to the entire party playlist Amelia made. I know I need to leave soon, but I'm soaking up these last few minutes before I go. This evening was close to perfect, and I don't want it to end yet.

When I come back inside from taking out the trash, I look over at the couch and see Amelia sprawled across the cushions, asleep, a contented smile on her face. I gently take the party hat off her head, then walk into the kitchen, where Karin is tidying up.

"She's passed out on the couch," I say, setting the party hat on the counter.

"Aw," Karin says. "I'll wake her and get her to bed."

"I could carry her up, if you want."

"You wouldn't mind?"

"Of course not."

"Give me two seconds. I'll come with you."

We head back into the living room together, and I carefully scoop up Amelia from the couch. She murmurs in her sleep but doesn't wake up. When we reach Amelia's room, Karin goes in first and pulls back the sheets.

I lay Amelia down and Karin tucks her in. I watch as Karin presses a kiss to her daughter's forehead and whispers something soft that I can't hear. Then we walk out of the room together, Karin closing the door behind us.

"Thank you, Ryan," she says, smiling softly at me. "I mean, not just for that. But for everything you've done for us."

"It's what I'm here for."

"I can tell it's more than just a job to you. You care. That means a lot to me."

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

She looks at me for a few quiet moments. "I feel like I need to apologize again for last week. I crossed a line that I shouldn't have. I'm sorry again for doing something so inappropriate."

The memory of our kiss, still so vivid in my mind, makes heat spread through my sternum. "I'm sorry for kissing you back."

"For the record, if our situation was different…" she says, but then her words drift off.

I study her. "What? Finish that sentence."

"I'd want…I don't know." She laughs a little. "God, look at me. Getting all flustered."

"It's sweet."

"I'd want to date you," she says in a rush. "That's what I wanted to say."

"I'd like that," I say, my chest growing even warmer.

Our eyes are locked, and the air between us feels charged with electricity. It's taking so much fucking effort right now to not push those beautiful curves of hers up against the wall and kiss her.

"I'll walk you out," she finally says.

But her voice sounds weak. And when we start to walk back up the hallway, she moves slowly, as if it's taking great effort to move her feet.

"Would it be so wrong?" I ask.

She stops walking and looks at me. "What?"

"If we started to date."

"I think a lot of people would say it's wrong."

"What do you say, though, Karin? Because I don't care what other people think."

"I think it's probably a bad idea."

"What if we waited until after the summer? When I'm no longer working for you?"

"Well…sure. That would be different."

"All right. I'll be here, then. The first day of fall. On your doorstep with flowers."

Her eyes turn warm. "Okay."

"What's your favorite kind of flower?"

"Oh, I don't know. They're all beautiful."

"I'll get you every kind, then."

She laughs. "You really don't need to do that. But the thought is sweet."

The next thing I know, she's stumbling forward. I reach out and catch her before she falls.

"Careful," I say, giving her a protective squeeze.

"Damn it," she says, shaking her head. "I swear, I can't go a day without tripping over one of Amelia's toys."

"Does your foot hurt?"

"No." She wets her lips. "I'm okay."

"Good," I say, still holding onto her.

"Ryan…"

"Don't worry. I'm not going to kiss you. We'll wait, like we talked about."

Her chest rises and falls as she breathes. Then, quietly, she says, "I don't want to wait."

"No?"

"No."

I move closer to her, desire pulsing through my body. "You're saying you want me to kiss you?"

She nods.

"Anything else?"

"Yes. Everything else."

My cock throbs, pushing against my fly. "I'd hate to keep you up all night."

"It's okay." Her cheeks turn a pretty rose-pink. "I don't need to sleep."

Her hand slips into mine and she pulls me into her bedroom, locking the door behind us. The minute I hear that little click, I pull her into me and claim her irresistibly sweet mouth with mine. As our lips meet, she moans into our kiss, a noise that makes my cock harder than ever.

Jesus. I don't know how I've lasted this long without her.

We move toward her bed, breaking our kiss only so that I can peel off her top and throw it aside. As she wriggles out of her pants, the sight of her bare curvy hips makes me delirious with desire. I watch in awe as Karin strips off her bra and panties and lies back on her bed, a heated but sweetly shy look in her eyes.

I tear off my clothes and join her. She spreads her thick thighs for me, breathing heavily as I move over her. I reach down, fist my cock, and drag the head over her wet sex, smearing my pre-cum all over her.

"Ryan," she moans, sliding her hands up my arms and squeezing tight.

I nestle my cock against her slit and push an inch inside her. Then another inch. And another. And then, with a groan, all the rest.

Karin gasps, pressing her head back against the pillow. I breathe heavily as I slowly slide in and out of her, driving into her velvety hot cunt.

Certain things in life feel undeniably right, and this is one of them. We're right together. We have a future together. I know it with every ounce of my soul.

I pay close attention to the sound of Karin's moans as I roll my hips and thrust hard and deep into her, chasing what makes her feel good. And when she comes, it's the most beautiful thing. I lose myself in her, feelings of real, genuine love whispering in my heart. Karin. Karin.

As her name leaves my lips, I know I'll be saying it for the rest of my life.