Page 180 of His Virgin Romance Series

“Fair enough,” Devon nodded. “But you should know something about Ryder.”

“Ok?”

“He’s persistent, and he’s smart about it. He plays the long game,” Devon told me. “If he sees something he wants, he will keep at it, till he gets what he wants. And from what I’ve seen… he seems to want you.”

“Not really,” I said, and I tried to keep the disappointment from my tone. “He wants to sleep with me. That’s about all he’s interested in, and I’m willing to bet anything that once he does, he’ll lose all interest in me.”

Devon paused for a moment. “That is his pattern,” he confirmed.

I had been expecting that answer, but it still hurt a little to hear it. “Ryder has earned my grudging respect,” I told Devon. “He’s a strong leader and a skilled fighter. And I appreciate the fact that he’s given me his protection and his expertise in fighting. But he’s not getting anything more from me that I’m not willing to offer. Just because he wants me doesn’t mean he’s going to get me.”

Devon nodded. “I believe you.”

I bit my lower lip and turned my eyes down to the floor. I was glad that Devon believed me because there were moments when I found it hard to believe myself. It was harder than anyone knew for me to resist Ryder, especially when it was clear we both wanted the same thing. But I needed a man who would understand certain things about me. I needed a man who could be tender and loving and understanding, and I was pretty sure that Ryder was not capable of that.

“Wanna show me what you’ve learned so far?” Devon asked, breaking through my train of thought.

“Sure,” I nodded, jumping to my feet and blocking out everything else.

---