Page 23 of Hungry Hearts

“Life hasn’t been easy, and going out with a man hasn’t been anywhere on my priority list.”

“How many times have you had to replace the front door?”

“What?” I look over at the glass door. “Um, never. Why?”

“I only imagine the hordes of men trying to get to you. I know if you turned me down the other night, I’d have been at your door knocking it down until you said yes.”

“Very caveman of you. Knock down a lot of doors do you?”

“Not a one.” He cocks his head. “The ladies leave them wide open for me.”

“For the record, telling a woman you have a plethora of women and open doors waiting for you is not the way to reach a woman’s heart.”

“What if it’s not the heart I’m reaching for?”

I should be offended. I’ve always been a romantic and sex was something that came after a relationship was formed. Yet the way his words, his touch, his heated stare, make me feel alive, maybe this is what I need in my life right now.

Everything in my world is serious. I’m a good girl, the girl next door, the sweet friend, the nice girlfriend. Not a pushover, but never one to cause problems. Ryder makes me feel...new.

“I’m kidding, Maia. I mean, I’m not. It’s that honesty thing I’ve got going on. I’ve never been interested in winning a woman’s heart, so this is kind of new to me.”

His confession is why I’m not offended by his crudeness.

“I’m not looking for anything serious right now, Ryder.”

“Is this where you kick me to the curb and tell me it was nice knowing you, but don’t let the door hit me in the ass on the way out?”

I turn to him, tucking one foot under me. “No. It’s me telling you I’d like to see you again.”

“Yeah?” His face lights up like a Christmas tree. “Like all of me? Naked me?”

He’s teasing, but I’m not.

“Naked you is my favorite.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

NAKED YOU IS MY FAVORITE.

Fuck.

Me.

Now.

I should be offended that my humor and charm aren’t her favorite. Butfuuuck. My angel, so sweet and angelic on the outside, and fucking wet and hungry on the inside. She’s my favorite flavor.

But I’m no fool. Flirting and talking dirty is hard for her.Hard.My inner pre-teen self giggles. I’m hard for her, always. Maia is different though. While she may have said naked me is her favorite, I don’t believe her.

She’s been hurt in the past, or at the least, she’s lonely and in need of companionship. While my dick wants me to take her on the couch, or for some privacy, fuck her against the wall in her tiny office, my brain is telling me to tread carefully.

If I want more than sex from her, and I think I do, I’ve gotta put the brakes on my Ryder Hard persona. Fuck that. Not the brakes. Maybe slow things down a notch or two. The clock hanging on the wall across from us tells me we’re going to have company in fifteen minutes.

“I should go.” I set my cup on the coffee table and stand, holding out my hand for her.

“You don’t have to go,” she says, her words not matching her tone. Her eyes dart around the still-darkened salon.

Of my many stellar talents, reading women is one of them. She doesn’twantme to go but sheneedsme to go. I tug her into my chest and cup her face with both my hands.

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