Page 74 of Hungry Hearts

He’s looking at her as if she is his world. They both have the same glow. My heart squeezes in my chest and I return the frame to the wall. There’s a series of pictures I didn’t pay attention to before. All include her husband. All capture her radiance. The last one has my throat swelling.

Her husband in his uniform, holding Ruby as a baby while Maia looks down at them with her beautiful smile that lights up the room. It’s a smile I’m jealous of. A smile I’ve been on the receiving end of, but not like this.

She’s at ease, comfortable and relaxed. Glowing. The pit grows in my stomach and I step away from the wall of shame. I don’t belong here, in Maia and Ruby’s life. In their house. Fucking her like a whore against the wall.

She deserves a family man. I’m not him. Hell, I barely talk to my own family. It’s not like we’re dysfunctional or fucked up, we’re just not...close. There are no family photos that capture moments like the ones on Maia’s wall. We existed. My parents co-exist.

I don’t deserve her attention. Flynn’s words haunt me.I’ve never seen two people more in love. They never fought and matched each other perfectly. You can’t compete with that.

Maia comes up behind me and wraps her arms around my waist. She presses a kiss between my shoulder blades. “Thank you for a perfect ending to my day.”

That’s what I am to her. A good fuck. I slip out of her embrace and tuck my hands in the front pockets of my jeans to avoid touching her. Her cheeks are still red and her lips are swollen from my kisses.

She looks thoroughly fucked and happy, but not in the way she is in the pictures on the wall behind me. She glances over my shoulder at the wall of memories and her smile dips. Her focus is on the picture that fell while I was balls deep inside her. Their wedding photo. The glass cracked.

A metaphor, no doubt. I see the regrets, the shame, in her eyes. I’m not a man of serious words, so I revert to my stupid no filter, no depth, all-I-care-about-is-getting-laid mode.

“Glad I could oblige in fucking you senseless. Now go get some sleep.” I kiss the top of her head and walk away, leaving her standing alone in her kitchen.

Not completely alone. She has the ghost of her husband and my heart in her hands.

I’m halfway across her front lawn when I hear the front door open behind me.

“Ryder. Wait.”

I stop walking but I don’t turn around. Maia marches in front of me and jabs a finger into my chest.

“What was that?”

She’s angry. Hurt. I did this to her. Good. She needs to understand I’m not worthy of her. I quirk my lip. “That was three orgasms, fucked against the wall, and bent over your counter. Just as promised. You’re welcome.”

“Don’t do this.”

“Do what?” I keep my tone light so she can’t read into my soul.

“You’re upset about the pictures of Adam. Talk to me”

I don’t respond and look over her shoulder at the front of her house instead of in her disappointed eyes.

“Ryder. Tell me what’s going on inside your head.”

As tempted as I am to make a dick joke, I bite it back. She deserves better. “I don’t do this.”

“Do what?” her voice softens.

“Talk about...serious shit.”

“Well, I don’t dothis.” She points at my crotch. “Meaningless sex. If you walk away right now, that’s what tonight will be.”

I let out a heavy sigh and rub my hands across my face. “Maia. I don’t deserve you.”

“What makes me so worthy?”

I peer at her between my hands and snort. “You’re kidding, right?”

“I’m a widow, a single mother, living paycheck to paycheck, with average looks. I’m not the queen or even the princess you and Ruby like to pretend I am.”

“You’re so fucking wrong, Angel.” No longer able to keep my hands to myself, I trace my thumb along her bottom lip. “Your soul is genuine and beautiful. You’re the most selfless, humble, sexy woman I’ve ever met.”

---