“I’m heading back to my room.”
“It just so happens I have a room in the same house you do. Since we’re going to the same place, maybe we can walk together.”
“I suppose.” The truth was I didn’t want to leave him. I desperately yearned for his touch, his kiss, his…things I hadn’t allowed myself to think about.
“Good.”
He didn’t try to take my hand, but he did take Jade’s sandals. “I’ll carry these for you.”
Suddenly I felt like a juvenile, with the cutest boy in school offering to carry my books.
That had never happened, and it wasn’t happening now. Ryan Steel was so far above anyone who could be considered the cutest boy in school. Ryan Steel was a fucking god.
“Would you like to meet for breakfast tomorrow?” he asked.
“I was going to get up early and go work out before breakfast.”
“Great. How would you like a workout partner?”
I couldn’t help myself. A laugh escaped my throat. Ryan Steel had no idea how hard I worked out.
But I looked him over. Clearly he was in great shape. Maybe he could keep up with me. I guess we would see.
“Sure. I’m attending the six a.m. yoga class, and then I’m heading to the fitness center for some lifting. Then breakfast after that. Sound good?” No way would he be getting up at six a.m.
“Sounds great.” Then he laughed. “You look surprised.”
“I didn’t think you were the type of guy who would be up at six a.m.”
“Have you forgotten that I help run a ranch? My normal rising time on work days is five a.m., Detective.”
I couldn’t stop the smile creeping up on my lips. “All right, cowboy. Six a.m. it is.”
We didn’t talk much for the rest of the walk, and in about fifteen minutes we had reached the bungalow that housed our party. It was a six-bedroom house. My room was on the second floor, but Ryan’s was on the first. Like a gentleman, he escorted me up the stairs.
“It’s been a pleasure, Ruby.” He leaned in toward me and gave me a chaste kiss on the cheek.
All my instincts told me to grab him, drag him into my room, and take him into my bed. Never mind the fact that I wouldn’t know what to do with him once I got him there.
I doubted an instruction manual was needed though. I knew everything, but I was all theory and no practice. What I didn’t know, I was sure he did.
Maybe I should’ve had a little more wine…
“I’ll knock on your door tomorrow at a quarter to six. Be ready.”
He smiled. God, he was gorgeous. “I will be.”
He turned, and I watched his well-formed ass amble down the hallway to the staircase.
It was late, nearly one in the morning, but I was still on Colorado time. So I fired up my laptop. Time to see if I could locate dear old Dad.
Chapter Eight
Ryan
When I went downstairs, I was surprised to see my two brothers and Bryce just getting in.
In a low voice, so as not to wake up anyone who might be sleeping, I said, “Where are the ladies?”