Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“She sure did.”
I lifted my head, and he thankfully left his hand there. I’d never been a super touchy person until Ryder. He could have his hands on me all day, every day, and it still wouldn’t be enough. “I’m sorry. Part of the responsibility for that rests on me. I’ve never discussed your relationship with your parents with her. To be honest, I didn’t even think of it.” I winced. It’d been a while since I’d even given his parents a thought. Did that make me an asshole?
Ryder shook his head. “Stop. Don’t waste a second feeling guilty about that. I could have told her just as easily.”
“What did they say?”
“Not much, actually. It was more cryptic statements and disapproving glares than any actual comments.”
“I’m sorry.” I scooted even closer until we were fully pressed together and would have a hell of a time prying our tacky bodies apart. Just how I liked it. “You deserve so much more than that.”
“Well, I got it.”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Your mom picked up on their judgment and sang my praises.”
My heart soared. Thank you, Mom. Ryder needed that. “She did?”
Ryder nodded. He blinked quickly as though fighting emotion he didn’t want to leak out. “She did,” he whispered. “She said some really wonderful things. Practically made me sound like a saint. My parents were basically speechless and looked like idiots by the time she was done.”
I owed her the biggest hug, a vat of her favorite iced coffee, and a giant cinnamon roll from the bakery she loved.
“Want to know something sad?”
“What?”
“I’m almost twenty-five, and it felt like I experienced a real mother for the first time in my life.”
“Baby…” The immense gratitude I felt toward my mom was nearly eclipsed by my heartache for the man I loved. Ryder deserved a family who loved everything about him. Who valued his choices and supported him in his goals and dreams, especially when he had such noble ones. I kissed him deeply, trying to pour all my love into it. He clung to me, holding me just as tightly. “She’s yours anytime you want her. In fact, you can consider her your mom from this day on.”
He grimaced. “While I’m sure you mean that in the sweetest way, it might get awkward if we start introducing ourselves as boyfriends who have the same mother.”
I snorted, but it quickly turned into a full-blown laugh I couldn’t stop. Ryder joined in, and we laughed until my stomach cramped and tears rolled down our cheeks. “Okay,” I said once I could breathe again. “You have a point there. Let’s call her your honorary mom.”
He grinned. The green fleck in his crystal blue eyes sparkled, taking my breath away. “That works.” After a few moments, he sighed. “Guess we can’t spend the entire afternoon in bed, huh?”
“I wish,” I answered as I rolled to my back. “I still have one class and a shift at Top Shelf.”
“About that…”
“Nope.” I hopped out of bed and headed to the bathroom. “We’re not talking about me quitting my job. You will not be my sugar daddy,” I called as I flipped on the shower.
“All right. All right. I’ll drop it.”
I could practically hear his eyes rolling, but this was an issue I would not relent on. I’d already moved in. Once we sold the house, many of my money problems would disappear, or at least lessen significantly. Maybe then we could revisit the idea of cutting back my hours at the club, but no sooner, which reminded me of another important topic we needed to discuss.
“I finally heard back from Kenny,” I yelled above the spray into the bedroom.
Ryder appeared at the bathroom door, sexy form on full display for my viewing pleasure. He grabbed the overhead doorframe, making his toned arms pop and his abs ripple. His soft cock hung between his legs, covered in drying cum. It probably didn’t feel great, but it was hot as hell to see the evidence of his pleasure clinging to his cock.
“Hello?”
I blinked. “Huh?”
Ryder laughed, then winked. “As much as I love you drooling over me, I asked what Kenny said.”
Oh, right.
“Uh, he said he’d meet me at the house on Sunday evening at seven.”
Ryder blinked. “Wow. Not gonna lie, I kinda thought he’d tell you to fuck off.”
With a grunt, I stepped into the shower, leaving the door open for Ryder to either join or enjoy the show. Of course, he chose to step in with me.
“I thought so as well,” I said as I grabbed the sandalwood-scented body wash Ryder was obsessed with. “He probably needs something from me.” I shrugged. “Either way, I’ll go tell him about my decision to sell the house.”
Ryder snatched the bottle from me and squirted a large dollop onto his palm. After lathering the gel, he began to wash me, starting at my chest. “How do you think he’ll react?”