“Of course, but not before I feed you.”
I’d asked him here on a spur of the moment impulse, before I had time to second-guess anything. And right now? My stomach was full of butterflies, and I hadn’t even let Ryker in yet.
Chapter Nineteen
Ryker
“Heather, you look amazing.”
“Thanks. Come in.”
“What’s that smell?” I asked as she led me to the living room.
She glanced at me over her shoulder. “Roast beef.”
She’d cooked for me? That was... I had no idea why that got to me.
“It’s my favorite.”
“I know. I asked Skye.”
“You called my sister to ask what my favorite meal is?”
“That’s right. I’m excellent at following recipe instructions. And I’m proud to announce that I now even own a meat thermometer and know how to use it. At least, for your sake... I hope I do.”
I swallowed hard. She’d called my sister? Just to surprise me? No one had done anything like that for me. Her gaze turned from playful to uncertain.
“I overstepped boundaries, didn’t I?”
“What? Hell, no.” I grabbed her by the waist, turning her around so she was facing me.
“You just surprised me, that’s all.”
I captured her mouth. I’d been dying to do that ever since she’d been at my office today—kiss her like I really meant it... which lately translated to not stopping, not wanting to let her go. Especially right now, after this welcome.
“Thanks, Heather. You didn’t have to go to so much trouble.”
“It wasn’t too much trouble.”
“Liar.”
“Fine, I am lying. I spent the entire afternoon running around like a crazy person. So even if you don’t like it, you have to say you like it.”
She was avoiding my gaze, moving up and down on her toes.
“Am I making you nervous?” I brought my hand to her face, touching her lips with my thumb.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I... I don’t know,” she said.
“There’s no reason to be nervous. It’s just me, baby.”
Coming home to you.
The thought just popped into my brain, completely unexpected. But hell if it didn’t sound right. Feel right. I’d never had anything like this before.