“No.” I shake my head. “Not at all.”
“Then, no.” He smiles. “He’ll be fine.”
“Are you Satan, Ryder?”
“Some people think so.” He looks amused. “If you agree with them, feel free to go inside and delete my number. I’ll happily leave you alone forever.”
“You mean that?”
“No.”
Silence.
I stare at him, feeling compelled to move closer, not the slightest bit concerned or worried.
He takes the lead and closes the gap between us, running his fingers through my hair. “For what it’s worth, regardless of who I am, you’re better off with me, and I think we both know that.”
From the way he’s looking into my eyes, I’m tempted to invite him inside, but I can’t risk him seeing that he’s the subject of my makeshift research project.
“Thank you for your help, Ryder,” I say, attempting to kill some of the tension. “I mean, again.”
“You’re beyond welcome, again.” His fingers are still entwined in my hair. “How much longer do I have to wait for you to officially move on?”
“Depends on how long it takes you to ask if I want you or not.”
His lips curve into another devastating smile. “Come again?”
“I need you to ask me if I’m interested in you, not just assume.”
“Okay, Autumn.” He tilts my chin up with his fingertips. “Is it okay if I show you the type of man you belong with?”
“That’s not the question I’m looking for.”
“Yes, it is.” He caresses my cheek. “Is that okay with you?”
“I don’t have any more love to waste, Ryder.”
“It’s a bit early for love.” His touch sends a jolt through my body. “Am I that charming?”
“I can’t be with another man who hurts me or keeps secrets.” I pause, looking deep into his eyes. “Can you tell me how you already knew my name, or how you crossed paths with my husband?”
“No.” His voice is terse, but he quickly softens it. “I can’t ever tell you that.”
“Why not?”
“Because you just said that you don’t want me to hurt you… I won’t.”
Before I can say another word, he presses his lips against mine, rendering me speechless and thoughtless all at once.
I shut my eyes as he grips my waist, as he pulls me flush against his chest and shatters every fantasy I’ve ever had about kissing him.
Sliding his tongue between my lips, he makes it more than clear that his mouth was made for mine. That my kisses belong to him.
I let out a moan as I wrap my arms around his neck, waiting for him to demand more, but I can taste his restraint. He’s not pushing things with me, not right now.
“We’ll have to finish this some other time,” he whispers as he pulls away, leaving me wet and bereft. “I only came over to say that I need you to start your job with me this weekend.”
“And if I still need time to consider your offer?”
“Friday. Eight o’clock in the morning.”
“Did you not hear what I just said?”
“Wear a black dress and pack a bag for the weekend.”
“After I explore my other options, I’ll give you my availability.”
“I’ll call at six to wake you up.” He presses his lips against mine again, instantly killing my weak argument with another soft yet tempting kiss.
This time, when he pulls back, he looks as if he’s tempted to stay. “Enjoy reading the rest of your romance novel. Goodnight, Autumn.”
“One last thing I need to know,” I say. “Are any parts of my job illegal?”
“I’ll never let you go to jail.”
What? “It’s a yes or no question.”
“It’s a trust me.” He looks as if he’s about to say something more, but his cell phone sounds in his pocket.
Keeping his eyes on me, he holds it up to his ear.
“Yes?” He pauses. “How much is it off by?… I see.” He clenches his jaw. “No, that’s okay. I’ll handle it personally.”
He ends the call.
“Change of plans,” he says. “You need to start a little sooner.”
“You mean, like Thursday?”
“I mean, like tonight.”
End of Episode 16
Episode 17
Ryder
Autumn is still standing in her open doorway, her chestnut brown hair tousled all over her head, her deep brown eyes staring into mine.
Her puffy pink lips are moving a mile a minute, pitching me another set of questions that I have no desire to answer.
I should’ve called you instead of coming over…
The more I stare at her, the more I see how immense of an issue the two of us will be. How I should walk away and leave her abandoned in this world she knows, instead of pulling her into the realm of mine.
Then again, we’ve had far too many “coincidences” at this point, and I’ve never been this attracted to any other woman before.
I’ve never been this intrigued either…
“Did you hear what I just said, Ryder?” Her raspy voice snaps me out of my thoughts.
“No,” I say. “I need you to repeat it.”