Page 122 of Clashing
Scarlett
One month later
Itriedtofocusonthe salad I was making, but two holes burned into the side of my head. “Stop looking at me like that.”
He didn’t stop. He never stopped. He was relentless.
“I’m serious.” I glared down at Grayson, who sat beside me, waiting for scraps. “I’m not supposed to feed you outside your normal meal regimen. You know this.”
Grayson licked his chops, and his whip-like tail wagged swiftly against the tiles.
How am I supposed to say no?“Oh, fuck it.” I plucked a piece of chicken, and Grayson’s eyes bugged, drool dripping from his mouth. “Don’t tell Ryker.”
The moment I tossed Grayson the chicken, and he chomped it, Demon leapt from his bed in the living room and skittered into the kitchen, tail wagging and puppy eyes in full force. I pursed my lips. He sat and flicked his tail.
“Fine, but I’m serious! Don’t tell Ryker.” I flung a piece of chicken to Demon, who jumped to catch it. “Now shoo. You’ll get me in trouble.”
At least this time, they listened. Ryker repeatedly lectured me that they’d listen better if I showed consistency by not giving them scraps, butdamn. How could anyone say no to those faces?
The rumble of an approaching engine curved a smile on my lips. I peered out the windows overlooking the front yard and access road. Ryker pulled in on his motorcycle, and a few seconds later, the familiar groan of the garage sounded below.
After our first date, Ryker asked me to move in with him. I couldn’t deny I wanted out of that apartment. Plus, I couldn’t deny I wanted to spend more time with him. Maybe it was crazy that I’d said yes, but maybe we’d always been a little unconventional.
Telling Dan went better than I’d hoped. He understood the apartment was tainted now and wanted me out of there as much as Ryker did. With the help of Ryker’s friends, I was out within two days.
Living with Ryker opened a new door for us. Sure, we had our small bickers, like any couple moving in together, but we resolved them as quickly as they started. The occasional disagreements were nothing compared to all the positives. Our intimacy ascended to a heightened level as we uncovered new layers of vulnerability, especially as we both worked through therapy.
While he’d been seeing a counselor, today was his first day in group therapy. Hence the special dinner.
As soon as the door to the garage opened, the dogs bolted. My heart swelled as they preened under Ryker’s attention. I’d never get tired of seeing that adorable, soft side of him.
“Hey, sugar.” He circled the kitchen island and approached me from behind, arms encircling my waist. “What are you making?”
“Chicken carbonara.” I angled my head to meet his lips with mine. “You said you wanted to try it.”
“Smells fucking amazing.” He spun me around and pushed his forehead to mine. “What’s the occasion?”
“You taking the group therapy plunge.” I draped my arms over his shoulders and twisted my finger in his hair. “I’m proud of you.”
“Well, shit, if you’re going to cook a nice dinner every time I go, maybe I’ll go more times a week.”
My breath hitched when his lips planted on my jaw. My neck. His hands roamed over my spine and slipped into my back pockets.
My eyes fluttered as he placed a hot kiss against my pulse. “How’d it go?”
“Good.” His lips lifted to my cheek. “Real good. Thanks for encouraging me.”
“Always.” I hugged him and settled my head against his chest, where the even beat of his heart warmed mine. “I’m glad it went well.”
“Did you feed the dogs again?”
“What?” My head snapped up and I pulled away to check food I didn’t need to check. “Of course not. You asked me not to.”
He grasped my chin and turned my face toward him. “Are you lying to me, Scarlett?”
I shrank under a pout. “They were giving me puppy eyes.”
He clicked his tongue and let me go. “Oh, for fuck’s sake.”
