“Friends,” I say again. “Sure.”
“I’m an adult, you’re an adult. As long as we’re happy and we’re not hurting anyone, then what’s the matter?”
“I’m not happy.”
“What?”
I slap a hand over my mouth. I didn’t mean to say that; I’m not even sure it’s true. The words just popped out, and now I’m stuck with Ryan, his hand frozen just below my belly button, his eyes locked on mine and asking silent questions.
I take a moment to gather my thoughts, and I sit up in bed, his hand sliding off my waist. I decide to be honest. “I said I’m not happy.”
“Which part don’t you like?”
“I don’t feel right about lying to everyone.”
“Then don’t lie.”
“What?” It’s my turn to be confused as I watch him watch me. “Isn’t it a little late for that? I don’t want to spoil Lawrence and Lilia’s weekend.”
“Don’t lie to them, then.”
I shake my head. “I’m not understanding.”
“Come with me to the wedding tomorrow as my girlfriend.”
I squint at him. “I’m already your fake girlfriend, that’s the problem.”
“I didn’t say fake. I said girlfriend.”
I blink again. “Are you just saying this to appease me? Then you’ll ‘break up’ with me in two days? It’s the same thing.”
“Maybe I’m not being clear.” Ryan stands, his long legs carrying that athletic figure over to the door and closing it. This time, he locks it, and when he turns back, his eyes are ablaze with intensity. “I want you to be my girlfriend. The whole deal. Exclusive. Mine. I’m-not-sharing-you-with-anyone-else sort of girlfriend. No breakups, no fake anything. Be mine, Andi.”
“Ryan…” My heart is leaping at the possibilities, but I can’t get my hopes up. “Are you serious?”
“Look, I didn’t want to get into anything with you, either. I truly didn’t. My career’s on the line if I fuck up, and your career is just starting to take off—I’m sure of that, too. We live across the country from each other. The timing of us meeting is horrible, but I can’t let you go.”
“I want to be your girlfriend,” I whisper. “I missed you more than I thought it was possible to miss another person while you were away.”
His eyes light up, and he’s crossing the room before I have time to process what’s happening. One of his hands swoops beneath my legs, adjusting me on the bed so I’m spread eagle, my belly exposed as my shirt slides up.
“Say it again,” he murmurs against my neck. “Tell me you’ll be mine.”
“Yes, Ryan, I love you.”
He doesn’t answer me, but he doesn’t need to. He works the button on my jeans free with the other hand. For the second time today, my pants are coming off, and his are still on.
“No,” I say firmly. “If you’re taking my pants off, yours are coming with.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice.” His eyes flash. “I can’t wait a second longer.”
“Are you sure now’s the time?” I gasp, sitting up far enough to help him get rid of his jeans. I nod toward the door. “There are people arriving downstairs, and dinner is in ten minutes.”
“I said I wanted to take my time, but I can’t wait. I need you now. I’ll make it up to you later. Slow, sweet, whatever the hell you want, but now—”
“Now,” I say, urgent with my need. “There’s no time for slow.”
He agrees by kicking his pants to the floor. We survey each other for several long seconds before everything bursts into a rush of desire, need, and latent sexual tension that’s been burning since the morning I left his house weeks ago.
As I reach for him, he’s pinning me to the bed. Somehow, he’s gotten a condom on again, and it takes him all of one second to feel that I’m ready.
He slides in, slow, steady, exhaling a loud breath. “You are so perfect, sweetheart.”
I raise my hips to meet his thrusts, incapable of speech. His hand grips the back of my head, his mouth tears at my lips in a fusion of need and hunger, and we begin to move together.
My hands are on his back, nails digging into his skin as I hold on for the ride. His breath swirls with mine until it’s impossible to tell where his ends and mine begins. I’ve never felt more on fire. The only things I’m aware of are the tiny waves of pleasure building, building, building in my stomach.
A cry slips through my lips as I reach the ledge, holding on, waiting for him to join me as we catapult off the steepest of cliffs. Ryan groans, his lips pressing hard against my neck, and I let go. Together, we erupt, fireworks smoldering toward the ground as we let the tremors carry us into a blissful, post-sex haze.
“Holy cow,” I say, clapping a hand against my forehead. “That was incredible.”
“I was going to say something earlier,” Ryan whispers against my ear, launching into a long overdue, luxurious kiss. “And then I forgot.”
My mind is destroyed, so I’m not even sure what he’s talking about. I close my eyes and enjoy every sensation. “That’s okay,” I say. “I’m pretty happy with how things turned out.”
He waits until I open my eyes, and then meets my gaze. “Actually, I remember now.” He cups my cheek in his palm, running a thumb over my lips. In a voice husky, he murmurs, “I love you too, Andi.”
I open my mouth to respond, my arms pulling him against me, when we’re interrupted for the third time today.
“Dinner!” Mrs. Pierce calls from downstairs. “Come eat, kids!”
“They’re going to know we had sex,” I say, giving him a conspiratorial smile. “They’re going to think we’re addicts.”
Ryan looks completely undisturbed by the thought, nuzzling against my neck, holding my hand tight in his grip. “Who cares? We are dating, after all.”
I grin, my smile so bright I feel like an idiot. I want to stay here all day.
Unfortunately, that’s not possible.
“Ryan, is Andi in the shower?” Mrs. Pierce calls through the door. “Come down and greet your brothers! We’re eating in five minutes whether you’re here or not—unless Andi needs more time.”
I shake my head no, already in motion as Ryan climbs off of me.
“Be right down,” he yells back. “She’s just changing her…” He looks at me with a blank expression.
“Clothes?” I hiss.
“Clothes,” he finishes. Lowering his voice, he looks to me. “I blanked.”
I shed the rest of my clothes as I head to the bathroom. Luckily, I’ve packed plenty of undies and a nice cocktail dress that works for any occasion. I rinse off in record time, shimmy into my dress, throw a sweater over my shoulders, tie my hair into a semi-fancy messy bun, and re-emerge from the bathroom.
“Damn,” Ryan says, straightening a shirt over a nice pair of slacks. “You look amazing. We should have sex more often.”
“Are you saying I don’t normally look great?”
His eyes widen. “No! No, not at all. I just meant—”
I interrupt his babbling with a hard kiss to the lips. “I’m joking. Couples do that you know. Ready for dinner?”
He takes my hand in his and, together, we descend the steps.
At the bottom, a herd of Pierce boys wait for us.
“Anderson, this is my girlfriend,” Ryan says with a smile, introducing me to a taller Pierce brother. This one looks older, distinguished, as if he’s left behind the hockey ways for more civilized activities. “Meet Andi. She’s from Los Angeles.”
I smile, basking in the introduction as I shake Anderson’s hand.
My girlfriend. I replay the words in my head for the next five minutes as Ryan introduces me over and over to his family members. It’s music to my ears, and I know then that I can’t be happier than I am right now.
CHAPTER 40
Andi
“Andi made the asparagus,” Mrs. Pierce says, handing it across the full table. “It’s to die for. Beck, try it. I promise you’ll like it.”
Beck, one of the middle brothers, wrinkles his nose. “I’ve never liked anything green—no offense, Andi.”
“Really, it’s nothing special,” I say. “Just something my mom taught me.”