Chapter 25

Chapter Twenty-Five

RYLAND

“You comfortable?” I ask Gabby as she settles against my chest, her leg draped over mine, her bare body plastered against my side.

“Very comfortable, are you? Because I can still go sleep on the couch.”

“Funny,” I say as I drag my hand through her hair, loving how the soft strands filter through my fingers.

“Are you sure? Because I can really give you space.” She starts to get up, and I close my arm around her, keeping her where she is and making her giggle.

“Don’t fucking go anywhere.”

Her fingers dance across my chest. “Just what I like to hear.” She lifts up and presses a kiss to my jaw, the gesture making me feel so goddamn warm inside that I honestly don’t know what to do with the sensation.

I had one long-term relationship with a girl named Samantha. I thought she was the one who was supposed to be with me until I found out she got pregnant with someone else’s baby. From there, I haven’t bothered with a relationship or gotten close to a woman. I’ve kept my distance and fucked to fulfill a need, but that’s been the extent of it.

With Gabby, my life feels like it’s been flipped upside down, but in the best way possible. I kiss the top of her head and continue to sift my fingers through her hair. “I’m sorry for everything I put you through these past few weeks as I tried to figure my shit out.”

“You don’t need to apologize. I get it, Ryland. I really do. I think I was sifting through some past baggage as well.”

“You were?” I ask, surprised to hear that. “What kind of baggage . . . did someone . . . did someone hurt you?”

“Yeah.” She pauses for a moment, the mood shifting from playful to serious. “His name was Nathan, and for a while there, I thought he was the one thing that I needed in my life to make me forget about everything negative that happened to me in the past. And sure, he was great for a while until he wasn’t.”

“What do you mean, he wasn’t?” I ask, growing tense but trying not to show my anger at the thought of anyone hurting her.

“The last thing I want to talk about right now is my ex,” she says, but even I can hear how damaged she sounds.

“What happened?” I ask, gearing up for something I’m sure I’m not going to like. “Did he hurt you? Touch you?”

“Once,” she says softly.

And all it takes is that one singular word to set off a combustible war inside my chest. He fucking touched her? He hurt her? He better hope he never runs into me because guaranteed, it won’t end well for him.

Keeping my composure the best I can, I say, “How?”

She sits up on her elbow to look me in the eyes. “I’m okay now.”

“I know you are.” I press my hand to her cheek. “You’re so strong, Gabby. But I want to know what he did to you. I need to know.”

With her hand still on my chest, she works her jaw to the side. “He was going through a rough time, not that that’s an excuse, but when he was down about his self-worth, he took that out on the people close to him. Me being that person. He was mean. He couldn’t stand anyone being happy around him. Bennett had a good game, and I came back home—we were living together at the time—and was excited to tell Nathan about it.” My muscles grow tenser by the second as she continues her story. “I tried to talk to him, but he wouldn’t listen, and I knew not to push him to talk, so I went to the kitchen where I grew upset because I could feel him slipping away. He’d been emotionally abusive up to that point, and I thought that maybe there was a chance I could help him, if only he would let me.”

“They won’t accept help unless they actually want it,” I say, knowing damn well the pattern from my dad.

“I found that out quickly when he came into the kitchen with an empty bottle of whiskey in his hand, wobbling from side to side.” She takes a second. I can see the pain in her eyes, so I smooth my hand over her back, letting her know that I’m here for her. “He asked me where his whiskey was, and I told him that he drank it all. He called me a liar and said I was hiding it from him. He threw the empty bottle and nailed me in the head, sending me down to the floor, with the bottle crashing around me.”

“The fuck?” I say, sitting up now. “Where?” I search her head, and as she pulls her hair back in the moonlit room, I can see the faint mark of a scar. “Jesus Christ.” I scoop her up into my arms, cradling her in my lap, so much anger vibrating through me that I’m losing control of all rational thought. “I’m so sorry, Gabby. Fuck . . . I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize for him,” she says, pulling back to look me in the eyes, but I lean in and kiss her scar, so many emotions rolling through me, making me so goddamn sick because the thought of her, lying there on her kitchen floor, bleeding from her head . . . “Ryland.” She pats my chest. “I need you to calm down. I can feel you growing really tense. Your heart is beating a mile a minute.”

“Sorry,” I say as I hold her tight. “The thought of you getting hurt . . . it doesn’t sit well with me.” I let out a shaky breath. “What happened after that?”

“I blacked out and suffered a concussion. Bennett was the one who found me?—”

“Found you? You mean that fucker just left you there to bleed?”

“Yes. He was scared—not that I’m making an excuse for him because what he did was wrong—but he didn’t know what to do, so he sent a text to Bennett that I needed help. Bennett rushed over from his friend’s house, and that’s where he found me. Luckily, Nathan was gone, or else I think Bennett would have lost his mind, which could have affected his entire baseball career. I was stitched up in a few places because of the glass, and that next day, Bennett and his friends helped us move out.”

“Where did you go?”

“I lived in my car for about a week or so. Bennett stayed with a friend, and then I was able to find a very cheap place for a bit.”

“Jesus Christ.” I pull on my hair, unable to comprehend how unfair her life has been, but look at her now. Look how far she’s come. It’s, it’s fucking special. She’s special. She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met, and to see her thriving, to see her and Bennett thriving, it’s beautiful. And to think I almost shut an important door to her career in her face. It makes me livid. I almost contributed to more pain in her life out of self-preservation. I am so weak. “You are so goddamn strong, Gabby. Look what you’ve been able to accomplish, what you’ve done with your life. You should be proud.”

“I am,” she says softly, her fingers dragging over my collarbone. “I should say the same thing about you.” I start to shake my head, but she stops me. “You’ve fought adversity. You’ve fought out of the depths of your childhood and the demons that come with it.”

“I haven’t. Those demons still control me.”

“Do they?” she asks. “Because it seems like you’re opening your heart to me right now. It seems like you’re giving us a chance, something you swore you wouldn’t do. Instead of being the same abusive man your father was, you’re the type of man who fights against such behavior.”

“Because it’s fucking wrong,” I say, my voice strong. “No one should ever be tied at the hands of abuse, ever.” I cup her cheek. “And I’m so fucking sorry you had to experience it.”

“I’m sorry you had to as well.” She presses her forehead against mine as her hand slips behind my neck. Her nose rubs against mine, her lips barely graze my mouth, and right as my grip on her grows tighter, she kisses me.

It’s not a frantic kiss, nor is it a deep kiss like earlier. This is gentle, soothing . . . loving.

I slowly lower her to the mattress and move on top of her. She spreads her legs for me, creating room for my large body, then she lightly strokes my length, making me grow in her palm.

I run the tip of my finger over her slit, and then along her clit. She moans into my mouth as she grows wet around my finger. It’s so fucking addicting, seeing how easily I can turn this woman on. By a touch, a kiss, she’s so goddamn ready for me.

Hell, I’m ready for her too as she brings me to her entrance and encourages me to push in. Keeping my mouth on hers, letting our tongues dance together, I slowly enter her, one inch at a time, the feel of her tightening around me electrifying.

I push, loving her reaction to the way I fill her until I bottom out, unable to go any farther.

That’s when I lift away from her mouth to look her in the eyes. Arms on either side of her shoulders, I glance down at our connection and watch as I pulse into her, fascinated with the way her stomach contracts with each thrust and the sweet sounds of her moans every time I hit her to the hilt.

“I love how you feel inside me,” she says, pulling my attention back to her beautiful face.

“You’re perfect.” I kiss her and sweat breaks out over my back from the feel of being inside her. It’s so damn good. So damn addicting. “You’re strong.” I pulse into her a touch harder. “You’re beautiful.” She wraps one leg around my waist, adjusting the angle and causing her chest to rise when I pulse inside her again. “You’re everything . . . fucking . . . everything.”

I press down on her lower stomach, right above our connection, and her eyes fly open, the weight of my palm adding to the sensations rocking through her.

“Fuck, don’t . . . don’t stop that.”

I keep my hand where it is and I pick up my pace, creating such intense friction that my orgasm starts to build at the base of my spine. A few more strokes will do it.

“I want to come inside you.”

Her teeth pull on her bottom lip before she says, “Fill me with your cum, Ryland.”

“Jesus Christ.” I grip the sheets beneath my hand for better leverage and start pistoning in and out of her, keeping her steady with my hand and owning this moment, showing her I’m in charge, but I’ll take care of her. I’ll protect her. I will be the man she needs.

“Yes, Ryland. Fuck, right there. Yes.”

I push harder, faster, loving her sweet sounds, rocking us up until we hit the headboard. She props her hand against it, keeping her head from banging into it as my pace turns frantic, my orgasm right there, tingling through my arms just as I feel her start to tighten around me.

“Yes, yes, yes, Ryland. Fuck, yes!” she yells. Her mouth falls open, her eyes widen, and then she starts coming all over my cock. I continue to rock into her, hitting her in that sweet spot and making her orgasm last, eating up every second of her convulsing around me until my cock swells, I still, and I come so fucking hard into her, my cum filling her.

“Fucking hell,” I say as I lower my forehead to hers. My nose rubs against hers, then our lips pass over each other. I kiss her once. Twice. And then part her lips so our tongues can meet for a few moments before pulling away, kissing her on the nose and then on the forehead. “You okay?”

She nods as she sucks in a sharp breath. When her gorgeous eyes meet mine, she says, “I’m so perfect, Ryland. So perfect.”

I glance at my phone. It’s six in the morning, and Gabby is passed out next to me, clinging to my chest. I have my arm around her, keeping her close, the same position we were in when we finally fell asleep. If I’m honest, last night was the hardest I’ve ever slept.

Ever.

In my entire life.

There was no tossing and turning, no nightmares, no waking up and staring at the ceiling as my mind raced. I was content, happy, and at peace. I only woke up because I heard my phone beep with a text from Aubree. Out of fear that something is going on with Mac, I check it.

Aubree: How was last night? Please tell me you talked with her.

I glance down at Gabby, still asleep, and text Aubree back.

Ryland: Not to get too detailed, but she’s sleeping on my chest right now. Let’s leave it at that.

Aubree: You took the leap?

Ryland: I did.

Aubree: Wow, Ryland. I’m so proud of you. That’s huge. How do you feel?

Ryland: Oddly at peace .

I stare down at Gabby, her sweet face buried into my chest, looking like she is in a tranquil state of contentment. I could stay like this all goddamn day. I know I can’t because I have responsibilities, but hell, it would be amazing just to have a day like this, a day of me and her, naked, in bed with not a worry tugging us away from each other.

Aubree: This makes me so happy. I think you two are great together. Hattie’s going to lose her mind. Also, if you get married before her, she’ll never forgive you.

Ryland: Whoa, slow down. We’re just taking this one step at a time. Marriage is not a thing at the moment.

Aubree: I’m only teasing. Take as much time as you need because the last thing you want to do is rush and mess this up. Make sure you’re comfortable with every step you take. You know Wyatt and I will be here for any dates you might want to go on. We’re in this together.

Ryland: Thank you. I really appreciate it.

Aubree: Happy for you. Now, can I tell Hattie?

Ryland: Yes, let her get the squealing out with you so when she sees me she’s not as hyper.

Aubree: Wishful thinking, big brother.

Ryland: Yeah, I know.

I set my phone back down on the nightstand and let out a deep breath as I close my eyes, letting my mind drift away and back to sleep because if anything, at least I can have this morning to be lazy. I can be responsible after that, but this morning, this is for us.

Jesus Christ, that feels good.

That’s it, baby, right there.

Fucking suck me hard.

I groan. A hand slides up my stomach and then back down, right to my cock where it starts pumping . . . and pumping . . . and . . .

My eyes fall open, and I glance down between my legs, where Gabby grips my cock, jacking me off as her tongue swipes along my balls.

“Fuuuuuuuck,” I groan, my head falling back to the pillow. “Gabby . . . Christ.”

Her lips find my balls, kissing along them until she opens her mouth and pulls them in.

“Fuck!” I yell as I sit on my elbows and spread my legs wider for her. “Yes, baby, suck on them. Fuck, that’s it, such a dirty fucking mouth.” I glance at my cock and the way she’s pumping it, her grip so goddamn tight, pre-cum already on the tip. “That’s it. Keep going, baby. Fuck, I’m getting close.”

Her tongue slides up the seam to the root of my cock, and then all the way to the tip right before she pulls me into her mouth, where she swirls her tongue around the tip for a few moments before taking me all the way back to her throat and swallowing. The entire time, her eyes are on me.

“Yes, right there. Right fucking there.” I lace my hand behind her head and gently move her forward, hearing the sound of her gagging and then letting her catch a breath. “Gag on me, baby.” She dips back again and lets me hit the back of her throat twice in a row before gagging and pulling away for a breath. “Jesus, so close, so fucking close.”

Her hand moves under my balls and then behind them, where she presses on my perineum. And that’s all it takes. My balls tighten, my cock swells, and I’m busting all over her goddamn tongue.

“Motherfucker,” I yell as I fall to the bed and drape my arm over my eyes. “Jesus, Gabby.”

She cleans me up like the goddamn good girl she is and then smooths up my stomach, where she presses kisses to my neck. I wrap my arms around her. “Give me a second, then you can sit on my face.”

“I already got off.”

I pause and lift my arm to look at her. “Excuse me?”

“When you were sleeping, I woke up from a sex dream I had of us. I was far too horny, and well, I got off.”

“Without me?” I sit up now, causing her to chuckle.

“No, not without you. You were hard as a stone, so I watched your cock twitch as I got off. Then I got you off.” She shrugs as if it’s no big deal.

But it’s a big deal to me.

“What hand did you use?”

“What do you mean?” she asks.

“What hand did you use to make yourself come?”

She holds up her right, and I bring it right to my mouth where I can taste her. When I pull it away, I shake my head and say, “Unacceptable, you wake me, you find me, you wait for me if you’re horny. You deprived me of seeing you unravel.”

Her hand smooths over my chest, her lips turned up at the sides. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were going to be so possessive.”

“You didn’t know?” I raise my brow. “Uh, I’m pretty sure the way I spanked you last night until you came on my cock shows how possessive I am.”

“No, that shows that you like to spank.”

“Gabby,” I say sternly.

“What?” she asks with a devilish smile.

“Not fucking again. You need to get off, you find my tongue, my dick, my fingers, anything. I have the right to pleasure you now. Don’t take that away from me.”

She rolls her eyes but kisses my chest. “Fine, but just so you know, I found it so incredibly hot, and I came really fast. Like there was probably no chance to even wake you up.”

“Moan louder next time.”

She chuckles. “Okay.” And then, to my displeasure, she hops out of bed.

“Where are you going?”

“I ordered breakfast for us.” She slips my shirt on over her head and moves to the entryway.

Groaning because I want to spend longer snuggling—something I never thought I’d want—I check my phone for messages and see it’s just past eight now. After breakfast, we need to head back so I can spend some time with Mac.

I slip on my shorts and make my way into the kitchen, where Gabby’s removing to-go boxes from a bag. I walk up behind her, scratching my chest. “What did you get?”

“Pancakes of course,” she answers while I kiss her neck. “None of that. We need to replenish, and I’m sure you need to get back to MacKenzie.”

“I do.” I sigh as my hands fall to her waist. “How about we do this? I eat breakfast off you, so we have fun and replenish.”

“Why do you think I sucked your balls into my mouth?”

Jesus, she’s just going to say it like that?

“Uh, why?”

“So that you could have fun and then replenish. Now if you’re going to be greedy, then I’ll remember that for next time and won’t suck your balls into my mouth.”

“Christ, we can’t have that,” I say as I float my hand under her shirt to her bare stomach.

“Ryland,” she says as she leans against me, and I start playing with her breast. “We can’t.”

“Mm, I know,” I say, working my lips up her neck to behind her ear, loving the way her skin breaks out in goosebumps. “But fuck, just let me taste a little bit. I need a fucking appetizer.” I lower my hand and slide my finger over her wet clit. “Gabby.” I breathe out heavily. “You can’t be this wet and not let me do anything about it.”

“Then do something.”

She doesn’t have to say it twice. I pick her up, place her on the counter, bring her feet up to the edge, and then spread her right before I start lapping her up.

“Oh my God,” she says, her hands falling to my head. “I fucking love your mouth. God, you’re so good at this. So fucking good.”

The encouragement is all I need to flatten my tongue and slowly drag it over her clit, watching her flex and heave above me.

“No teasing. Make it fast. I want it fast.” She brings her hands to her breasts, lifting her shirt in the process, and starts playing with her nipples, twisting and tugging on them, making her wetter and wetter.

“I want you coming all over my face,” I say as I point my tongue and start making rapid flicks over her clit.

“Oh God, yes, yes . . . right there, oh my God, ahhhhh.” Her moan is wild as I move faster, harder, ensuring she feels the vibration of my tongue as I hum against her.

She claws at my head.

Pulls on my hair.

Cries out in ecstasy as she tips over the edge, shaking against me as her orgasm rides through her fast and hard.

I lap her up, enjoying my fucking feast, and when I lift and let her legs relax, I lick my lips. “Thanks for the appetizer, babe. Now feed me.”

“If you keep looking at me, we’re going to get in an accident,” Gabby says as she curls into my chest. She’s sitting in the middle seat of my truck because the passenger seat was way too fucking far for my liking.

Apparently, once I go in, I’m all in. Something within me has snapped, and my need to keep this woman close, to have my hands on her at all times, is damn near impossible to shake off.

“How do you know I’m looking at you?” I ask.

“I can feel it. Now focus on the road.”

I heavily sigh. “I am. You know I wouldn’t put you in harm.”

“I know,” she answers. “But still, focus.”

I chuckle and kiss the top of her head. After breakfast, which she made me eat in the living room while she ate at the dining room table, we both took a shower. This, naturally, consisted of me bending her over and fucking her until I felt like I couldn’t breathe. After that, I called Mac, told her I was on my way home, and asked her what she wanted to do when I got home.

Play outside.

Push her on the swing.

And build a fort.

I told her all the things we could do.

And now that we’re headed home, I feel an ache inside me, knowing that spending time with Gabby is going to be hard, but I missed Mac and I’m excited to see her.

“I need to talk to you about something,” Gabby says.

“Why does it sound like it’s something bad?” I ask, picking up on her tone of voice.

“No, it’s nothing bad, but I do think we need to seriously set some ground rules if we’re going to make this work.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right.”

“I want you to go first,” she says. “What is your comfort level with Mac? Do you want her to know we’re together? Do you want her to be oblivious? Do you want me to keep my distance until we figure out where this is going? That way, she doesn’t become attached?”

“Huh,” I say, giving it some thought. “I haven’t considered your role with her.”

“That’s okay, you don’t have to answer now. I won’t be offended if you want me to keep my distance. I understand there are sensitivities to account for, and with Mac losing both of her parents, you might want to play it safe.”

“Yeah, maybe. Let me talk with my sisters and see what they say.”

“That’s totally fair, and like I said, you can take your time on this. I want to be sensitive to the situation.”

“I appreciate that.”

“That leads me to school and baseball.” She lifts off me and takes my hand in hers. “I don’t want you to be offended by this, but I’d prefer that we keep things very professional at school and baseball. Meaning no affection whatsoever.”

I hate that rule.

I hate that rule tremendously because the thought of locking her classroom door at lunch and spreading her across her desk is very appealing.

“From your silence, I can tell you’re not a fan of the rule but let me explain.” She squeezes my hand. “I’m new and still trying to prove myself to not just the teaching staff but also the school board and the boys on the team. The last thing I need is for them to find out that I’m seeing the head coach. It just wouldn’t look good.”

“Yeah.” I sigh. “I get that and respect it.”

“So can you promise me right now that you can keep your hands and your dirty talking to yourself?”

“Even dirty talking?” I ask. “Come on.”

“Ryland, I don’t need someone overhearing that you want to fill me with your cum.”

I chuckle. “Why not? It’s a compliment. There isn’t anyone else on this earth who I’d want to fill up with my cum.”

From the corner of my eye, I see her clasp her chest as she says, “As honored as I am to know that I’m a vessel for your cum, I don’t need other people hearing it.”

“Vessel for my cum, huh? Maybe I should change your name to cum vessel in my phone.”

“Do that, and this little relationship is over.”

I chuckle some more. “Noted. Okay, so no funny business at school or at baseball. I think I can do that. What about texting? Can I at least text you dirty things?”

“If you think you can handle that and receive responses from me without getting turned on, then by all means, text away.”

“Hmm, I didn’t consider the responses.”

“Afraid your cum vessel might turn you on in the middle of school?”

“Jesus.” I laugh. “Okay, we’re not referring to you as that anymore.”

“You started it.”

“I know, and I’m ending it.” I kiss her knuckles. “Okay, I’ll get back to you on the dirty texting. From the way I react to you, I’m going to guess that won’t be happening either. So that leaves after school and baseball, and when Mac is in bed. Can I count on you to come to my house?”

“Now that you can count on,” she says. “I’d also prefer to have a date here and there but want to be respectful of your time with Mac, so don’t feel like you need to take me out every week. It’s important to me that you put her first, which I know you will, but I need you to know that I’m not going to be that jealous girl who begs for your time. When you can give me your time, I’ll take it.”

“Thank you,” I say, growing serious. “I appreciate the thought you’ve put into this, making it easy on me.”

“I like you, Ryland, a lot,” she admits, sending a burst of pride and warmth through my chest. “I know why you didn’t want to have a relationship in the first place, so I want to tread carefully, make sure you’re comfortable. All I ask is that you’re open with me, honest, constantly talking to me about how you feel. I can’t have you hiding your feelings on me because that’s when things implode.”

I nod. “I’m not great at that. I’ve been taught to repress feelings rather than talk about them. The only reason I can semi talk about them is because Cassidy used to pull it out of me, and now, apparently, Aubree and Hattie. But I can work on it for you . . . and well, for Mac.”

“Thank you. Now, one last thing I need to talk to you about.”

“Yeah? Just one?” I tease.

“Yes, one. You’re not going to like it, though.”

“Lay it on me. Maybe I’ll surprise you.”

“It’s about Christian.”

“Oh, nope, not going to like it.”

She lightly laughs. “I told you.”

“What do you have to possibly talk about where he’s concerned?”

“You need to be nice to him.”

“I am nice to him.”

Gabby scoffs. “Oh my God, you are so not nice to him, and he’s noticed.”

“He’s noticed? You mean to tell me that he’s talked to you about this? Like he’s looking for sympathy?”

“He was not looking for sympathy. It just came up, and he mentioned that you aren’t very nice to him.”

“Because he’s a douche.”

“Ryland, he’s not a douche. He’s really nice actually.”

“I’m sure he is,” I say, gripping my steering wheel tighter.

“I can see that you’re growing angry?—”

“Not angry, irritated,” I say. “See, sharing my feelings with you. I don’t see how mentioning him has anything to do with us.”

“It does have something to do with us because he asked me out?—”

“He what?”

She sighs and rubs her hand over my thigh. “Deep breaths, Ryland. I’m telling you this because it’s important, so please just listen.”

Realizing that I’m acting like a possessive dick, I give her a moment to explain even though whatever she might say about Christian is only going to make me hate him more. “Sorry. Go ahead.”

“Thank you,” she says while leaning in and placing a kiss on my cheek. I’ll admit, the kiss settles me . . . a little. “What I was trying to say is that he noticed there seemed to be something between us.”

“And he still asked you out?” There goes that anger, skyrocketing all over again.

“In a way,” she says. “He said if nothing was going on, he’d love to take me out. Either way, the asking out doesn’t matter because what matters is that he said he was going to give me some space to figure out what I wanted.”

“What a gentleman.”

“Ryland . . .”

“Sorry.” I zip my lips shut.

“The thing is, if I don’t go out with him, he’ll assume that maybe I decided to give us a chance, but I don’t want him knowing about us and then somehow spreading that around the school.”

“Okay, so . . . what are you trying to say? If it’s that you want to go out with him for a night and then let him down after, that’s not going to fly with me.”

“How else am I supposed to keep us a secret?”

“Wait.” I glance over at her. “Are you serious right now? You were really going to go on a date with him?”

“I don’t know.”

“Gabby, I’m trying not to be the asshole here, but I can tell you right now, you going out with Christian to keep us a secret is not an option. Not even in the vicinity of an option. Think of another way.”

“Then help me.”

“Uh, how about just telling him no, not even needing a reason. No is a full sentence. Period. He doesn’t need to know your personal life, nor does he need an explanation.”

“That seems so harsh.”

“It’s not,” I say. “It’s the truth. It’s what I’d tell my sisters to do. Hell, it’s what I’d tell Mac. No means no, simple as that. Not a single explanation needed. And if he looks for one, then tell him it’s none of his goddamn business.”

“Okay,” she says softly. “I guess I never really thought about it that way. But you’re right.”

“I know I’m right.” My shoulders relax because Christ, that was a stressful minute. I place my hand on her thigh and rub my thumb over her knee, calming my racing pulse.

“You okay over there?” she asks after a few seconds.

“Barely, fucking giving me a heart attack while I’m driving.”

She chuckles and leans into my shoulder again. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine, but Jesus, don’t ask if you can date another man ever again. That shit made me nearly drive into another car.”

Her infectious laughter easily lightens up the mood.

“Got it. Ryland doesn’t want me dating other men. Glad I clarified that.”

“Christ . . . me too.”