Page 32 of Between the Ropes

I climb in, settling beside him as we lie back, staring up at the night sky. The air is crisp, the steady crash of waves filling the silence between us, but it’s a comfortable quiet—one that makes me feel like I could stay here forever.

Ryan shifts onto his side, propping his head on his arm as his gaze locks onto mine. His fingers brush against mine, the smallest touch, but it sends warmth spreading through me. “I want to know everything about you,” he says, his voice low and sincere.

I smile, my heart swelling at the intensity in his eyes. “Ask me anything.”

He studies me for a moment, then starts simple. “Where did you grow up?”

“Tampa,” I answer, watching as he nods. “You?”

“Miami,” he says, a small smile tugging at his lips. He’s relaxed here, the tension I often see in his shoulders gone. But his expression turns more serious when he asks, “Is your uncle the only family you have left?”

I hesitate, swallowing against the lump in my throat. “Unfortunately, yes.”

His jaw tightens slightly, and he shifts closer, the warmth of his body seeping into mine. “You never have to depend on him for anything ever again,” he says, his voice firm, unwavering. His fingers thread through mine, holding tight. “You have me now. I promise you’ll never need anything again.”

Something in my chest cracks open at his words, the weight of them sinking deep. No one has ever said something like that to me before—no one has evermeantit like he does.

Overcome with emotion, I lean into him, my lips crashing against his in a kiss full of need, gratitude, and something deeper that I don’t dare name yet. He responds instantly, pulling me against him, his arms wrapping around me as if he never wants to let go.

We stay like that for a long time, tangled in each other, lost in the lull of the waves and the steady beat of his heart.

Eventually, we climb back into the truck, and as Ryan starts the engine, I glance over at him, curiosity sparking in my chest. “Tell me about your next match.”

His face lights up, his passion undeniable. “It’s the qualifying match for the championship,” he says, his excitement contagious. “I’ve been working for this moment my entire career. It’s surreal that it’s finally here.”

I smile, warmth blooming in my chest at how much this means to him. “You’re going to be amazing. I can’t wait to watch you.”

His expression softens, and without hesitation, he reaches over and takes my hand, lacing our fingers together as he drives. I glance down at our intertwined hands, something inside me shifting.

It feels like a turning point—like something unspoken but undeniable is settling between us.

And I don’t ever want to come down from this high. Fromhim.Fromus.

24

Being with her feels different—raw and unfiltered. Lying in the back of my truck under the wide-open sky, listening to the waves and the sound of her voice, something shifted. She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever known. It’s not just the way she looks at me, her big aqua eyes full of trust and curiosity, but the way she listens—like what I say matters. Like I matter.

It’s been years since I’ve allowed myself to feel like this, to let anyone get close. But Natalie... she’s in, and there’s no going back. Watching her talk about her life, hearing her open up in ways I know aren’t easy for her, something inside me snapped. I want to be the one she can depend on. I need her to know she’ll never have to face anything alone again—not as long as I’m around.

As I pull into the parking spot outside her apartment, I glance over at her. She’s quiet, staring out the window, her hair a littlewindblown from the beach. There’s a softness to her now, a peace I hadn’t seen before. It’s as if the walls she’s so carefully built around herself have started to crumble.

When she turns to look at me, that small smile on her lips—shy, yet filled with something deeper—it damn near levels me.

“Thank you for today,” she says softly, her voice carrying a weight I know has nothing to do with the ocean or the sunshine.

I reach over, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “You don’t have to thank me. I told you, baby, you’re mine now. I’m here. For whatever you need. Always.”

Her eyes glisten, and she leans into my hand, her cheek pressing against my palm. It’s such a simple thing, but it feels like she’s letting me in a little more.

The moment stretches between us, heavy with something I can’t quite name but know I don’t ever want to lose.

“Come on,” I say, breaking the tension before it swallows us whole. “Let’s go inside.

We walk into her apartment, and Annika is curled up on the couch, a blanket tossed over her legs, a bowl of popcorn in her lap as she watches a movie. Her eyes flick to us, a smirk forming on her lips. She doesn’t even try to hide her amusement.

“Have fun?” Annika asks, her voice teasing, her gaze bouncing between us.

“Yeah,” I answer with a wink, barely stopping as I follow Natalie straight into her room. There’s no more waiting. I’m too far gone for that.

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