Page 16 of Hungry Hearts

“Ryder,” I whisper. “I work here.”

“From what I learned, you own the place. It’s nice,” he says, not taking in his surroundings but keeping his gaze locked solely on me.

“Can I have my keys?” I close my office door and cross my arms.

He leans one shoulder casually against the wall, his back to the hallway and Kaitlin’s snooping eyes and ears. Thankfully, he’s a wall of muscle and she can’t see the looks he’s giving me or my reaction.

“You left without saying goodbye.” His tone is light, but I see a shadow of disappointment in his eyes.

Ryder was nothing but thoughtful and generous to me last night, and I took off like I was ashamed of him, like what transpired between us meant nothing to me, when in fact, it’s the exact opposite.

“I had to work.”

He nods, accepting my poor excuse, then his eyes soften as he reaches out and glides a finger along my jawline. “I have zero regrets about last night.”

“I don’t either,” I quickly say.

“I’d like to see you again.” My eyes grow wide and I glance over his shoulder. “Dinner,” he clarifies.

“Like, a date?”

His grin finishes off my underwear. I’m so done for with this man. “Like a date. We can start now.”

“Now?”

He pushes off the wall and looms over me, not in a threatening way, but in a domineering way that I like way too much.

“A coffee date.”

“I, uh, have a client coming at noon.”

“Perfect. That gives us fifty minutes to get to know each other better. Although, I don’t think it can get much better than last night.”

My cheeks warm under his heated stare. “Um. Sure. Can I have my keys now?”

He shakes his head. “You’ll get them with coffee.”

“You’re holding my keys hostage?”

“Think of it as insurance that you’ll show. I’ll follow your lead.” He turns his body, giving me space to walk in front of him down the hall, but I don’t move.

“Ryder, I...these are my employees. I don’t want them to think...”

He lets out a sigh. “That you’re going out with thecourier?”

“No. It’s not that.” I pull my bottom lip between my teeth and glance again at Kaitlin, who is doing a poor job of hiding her grin. “I like to keep a professional distance between my staff and my clients.”

It’s sort of the truth. They know way too much about my personal life, and I love them for the support they’ve given me, but this is different.

Ryder dips his head and whispers, “So, I’m your dirty secret?”

“No, I—” I stare into his baby blues and see them dancing with mischief. He’s too confident to be offended.

“It’s okay. Believe it or not, I like having boundaries as well.” He tucks his hands in the front pockets of his jeans and rocks back on his heels. “Tell you what. I’m gonna head around the corner to the coffee shop I passed on my way here. If you show, you show. If you don’t...my heart will continue beating, but not as fast or as full anymore.”

He tosses me a wink before turning on his heels and walking out the door.

With my keys.

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