I called over to Milena’s Ristorante, the nicest restaurant in town, and made a reservation for tomorrow night since I’d be off early.
Then sitting back in my chair, I contemplated how well things were going. I’d been content in my life before this fake marriage, but Trina added that extra element that made contentment even better. Yes, she was unpredictable and challenging, but I liked that about her. Usually.
She was also a hot, passionate woman. She might be guarded in life, but in bed, she was open, receptive and responsive. If I was lucky, perhaps I could convince her that she could be like that outside of bed too. That she could trust me with her heart.
14
Trina
As it turned out, I didn’t need counseling to calm down. What I needed was Ryder to fuck my brains out. I re-entered the mayor’s office feeling more settled and ready to do my work. Fortunately Sinclair was busy, and so were Brooke and the mayor, so I was able to do my work for the rest of the day in peace and quiet.
That evening, I got home before Ryder, but I waited like he asked, and as he promised, he made me a nice dinner. It was so strange that work had once been a steady place for me and Ryder had been a source of strain, and now the two were switched. I looked forward to seeing Ryder. He was a good listener and while not always very serious in life, sometimes his levity was nice.
The next day at work, I kept my head down and my opinions to myself. Even so, by the end of the day, I was tense and annoyed, and eagerly headed back to Ryder’s house knowing he’d help relax me. I knew he was off earlier today so I was surprised when I walked through the door and wasn’t met with delicious smells from his cooking.
“Ryder?” I walked up the hallway toward his room. The door was closed, so I knocked.
He opened it with his signature sexy smile. “Hey.”
I was surprised to find him in nice slacks, a crisp button-up shirt, and even a tie. God, did he have a date? Jealousy shot through me like a flash fire. “It looks like you have plans.”
He arched a brow, no doubt noting the anger in my tone. Then he gave me his slow grin. “I do have plans. So do you.”
“I do?”
“It’s our anniversary, so I’m taking you out to dinner. Go change and I’ll pour us some wine before we go.”
I studied him for a moment unable to stop the fear that there was a punchline somewhere. Was this some sort of game? His affable expression suggested he was sincere. That made me worried that he was taking this marriage thing a little too seriously. Fake marriages didn’t need to celebrate milestones like anniversaries.
“It’s just dinner,” he said, with a shake of his head. I wondered if he thought I needed therapy too.
I told myself that I enjoyed my time with him and that he was being Ryder; fun and spontaneous, so I went to change. I hadn’t packed a fancy dress as I didn’t expect to need one during this fake marriage. I’d picked up the dress I wore to the senior event from my house when Sinclair told me to go in her stead. It was the nicest thing I had now and would have to do.
I hoped he didn’t mind that I was wearing something I’d worn before.
I changed and then went into the bathroom to redo my make up and touch up my hair. I spritzed on a little perfume and then went to meet him in the kitchen. When I walked in, his slow sexy smile spread on his face.
“I love that dress on you.”
“You do?” I looked down. I knew the coloring was nice with my skin tone and hair, and I liked how it fit, but I hadn’t imagined it would make a man like Ryder look at me like he wanted to devour me. I was a smart practical woman, but I couldn’t deny liking that Ryder thought I looked sexy. I wondered if I could find the dress in a different color. Maybe a royal blue. That looked good with my hair too.
“I do.” He handed me a glass of wine, which I figured was probably designed to soothe my edges.
When we finished, he helped me into his truck and drove me to Milena’s Ristorante.
“Wow, Milena’s. I guess this fake marriage is going well.”
He grinned. “And they said it wouldn’t last.”
I laughed, surprising myself at how free and enjoyable it felt. “Is this something we can afford? I mean I’m a lowly secretary and you’re a starving artist.”
He took my hand as we walked to the door. “There’s no lowly about you. The mayor’s office would be a chaotic mess without you. And me, I make just enough to splurge on my wife every now and then.”
His use of the word “wife” made my heart do a cartwheel in my chest, followed by a worried tingle up my spine. No matter how much I was enjoying this fake marriage, it was a temporary situation. I couldn’t let myself imagine what it would be like if it were real. This was just a fun moment in time, but it wouldn’t last even if we wanted it to, which I doubted he did. Ryder was a glass-half-full type of guy, so he was going to make the most fun out of any situation, including being stuck fake married to me. But that didn’t mean his feelings went beyond friendship or attraction.
Once we were seated, ordered our meals, and had a glass of wine, Ryder asked, “So, how’d things go at work today? Still feeling under siege?”
I shrugged. “I was able to avoid everyone.”