She crossed her arms over her chest. “Really?”
“Yes, really,” he snapped. “You don’t know what kinda guy he is.”
“Maybe. But I didn’t end up with my skirts around my ears in his truck tonight, did I?” She flopped into a chair, covering her face in her hands. “I can’t believe...” She shook her head. “I... I...”
He stared at her then, murmuring, “I’m sorry.” It wasn’t enough. His good intentions didn’t matter. He hadn’t stopped things from getting carried away. Instead, he’d held on to her for dear life, wanting her so bad it hurt. What was worse, he knew he’d do it again if he could. Only this time he’d love her the way she should be loved, take his time, in bed, and worship every inch of her.
“Ryder?” She looked up at him. Her huge hazel eyes sparkled with unshed tears.
If she cried, he’d be useless. He knew what needed to happen next. “It was sex, Annabeth, that’s all.” Damn fine sex, in his mind. “Best if we pretend tonight didn’t happen.” No matter how hard that might be for him.
She sniffed, nodding.
But then an awful realization occurred to him. “You’re on the pill, right?”
Annabeth went completely white, then red, her hands fisting in her lap. “No. No, I’m not. Because I’m a widow. A widow with a five-year-old. I haven’t...since Greg died. So no.”
It was Ryder’s turn to sink into a chair. “Shit.”
“You
already said that once.” She stood, paced into the kitchen, then back. “Why didn’t you use something? I mean, you’re you.”
He shook his head. “I didn’t think... I never thought we’d...” He broke off, words failing him. “It’s you.”
“What does that mean, it’s me?” Her hands were on her hips. “You were all over me.”
“I was trying to get you out of there—”
“For sex.”
He shook his head.
“But...but you kissed me,” she argued, a range of emotions crossing her face. She stopped pacing, to glare at him. “Wait, back up. You came to get me because Jasper called. Then you saw me with Troy and went all caveman? Is that what you’re saying? You didn’t want Troy to have me, but you didn’t want me—” She broke off, red-faced and trembling.
He didn’t say a thing. She was right. Initially, that was what had happened. He opened his mouth, took one look at her, and closed it again.
“So, I was this pathetic—” Her voice broke. “You were trying to stop some sleazy hook-up guy and I—I forced myself on you?”
“You didn’t force anything.” But now wasn’t the time to tell her he’d always wanted her. “Annabeth—”
She held her hand up. “I really appreciate the ride home, Ryder, but I need you to go.”
“Wait.” He gripped her shoulders. “What if you are preg—”
“Do not finish that sentence.” Annabeth glared up at him. “It’s just...sex, right? Tonight didn’t happen. You picked me up and brought me home. The end.”
“Now, Annabeth—”
“That’s it,” she cut him off.
“Wait.”
“No!” she yelled.
He stared at her, gritting his teeth. God, she was stubborn. And beautiful. And soft...and warm. His stomach tightened.
“Just go.” Her voice was shaking. She was shaking.