Page 62 of Hungry Hearts

“She’ll love that. I can come by another time.” It breaks my heart that he’s so accepting and doesn’t give me a hard time about it.

“I’m so sorry, Ryder. I had no idea until they arrived five minutes ago.”

“Hey. Don’t worry about it. Today’s a busy day for you both. I just want Ruby to have a good birthday.”

I close my eyes and fall back on my bed. “She’d have a better birthday if you were here.”

He’s silent on the other end and I don’t blame him. How is he supposed to respond? I flat out told him it was a bad idea to be here when my in-laws are here and that I didn’t want to deal with whatever tension there may be.

“What if I come over after they leave?”

“I have no idea when that will be, but it won’t be until later tonight. Probably when your busiest time of night is.”

“I told you I’d take time off to be there. Call me when it’s a good time to come over.”

“Ryder, you don’t have to do that.”

“Iwantto. Birthday parties are my favorite. And as an added bonus, I get to figure out how to sneak in a make out session with Ruby’s sexy-as-fuck mom.”

If we hadn’t known each other for only a month, I’d tell him I love him. Because I think I do. I’m falling hard for this man with the kind heart and dirty mouth.

“Thank you.”

“For what? I haven’t even given Rubes or you your gifts yet.”

“Me?”

“Birthday gift for the six-year-old. Orgasms for Mama Maia.”

“You’re relentless.” I laugh.

“I’m horny and obsessed with you—your mouth, your tits, your ass, your pus—”

“Okay. Stop or I’m going to have to figure out how to manage this birthday party with wet panties.” I cover my mouth with my hand in disbelief that I said that out loud. Those are texting words, not actual conversation words.

“Fuck. Me,” Ryder groans. “There’s no way I can drive in this condition. I’m going to take a cold shower and rub one out imagining your mouth on my cock instead of my hand. It’s the only way I’m going to survive the next few hours.”

Heat works its way down my neck and I roll to my side, wishing Ryder were here with me. Wishing our situation was different.

“I heard you can go blind if you do that too often.”

“The only way to fix that is by coming over here and sitting on my face.”

Warm moisture gathers between my legs. “That would solvemyproblem, not yours.”

“Appetizers first. Then the main dish. Then dessert.”

“Ryder.”

“Mm. Say my name again. I’m going to record it and play it over and over again while I’m in the shower.”

“You’re ridiculous.”

“I miss you.”

Well, hell. It’s official. I’m in love.

“I miss you too.”

---