Page 93 of No Rhyme or Roughing

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Instead, I guzzled my water and waved for him to continue. “Go on. You’re going to say whatever you want regardless of my opinion.”

He leaned in, lowering his voice. “Darlin’, you’re trying way too hard to convince yourself you don’t love him. That means something.”

“Does it?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure?” I looked away. “I don’t think so.” But I knew he was right. “Dammit.”

Jameson slapped a hand on the bar. “Another round of water for the young lady, please. She’s in love.”

I clapped a hand over his mouth. “Don’t say that.”

He bit my fingers, and I snatched them away.

“Let me ask you something,” he said as the bartender slid another water in front of me.

“You’re going to, whether or not I let you.”

He laughed. “True. Do you think about him all the time, like you can’t get him out of your head?”

I shrugged, though the answer was obvious.

“Does his touch feel different than mine did? Warmer somehow? Like electricity under your skin?”

“He gives me orgasms.”

A few patrons turned to look at us. My face burned.

Jameson grinned, unbothered. “When he talks, do his words stick with you, like they matter? Does his smile seep into you until all you want is to make it happen again?”

I couldn’t look at him. My lips pressed into a thin line. “Who is she?”

“This isn’t about me.” His tone softened, tinged with sadness.

I grabbed his hand. “Who is she?”

His shoulders sagged. “Someone I screwed up with a long time ago.”

“Do you really think love can last?”

“It can if you work for it.”

I laced my fingers through his on the bar. “Let’s make a deal.” Jameson was a betting man; deals came as easily to him as breathing. “You go find that girl and apologize for whatever you did. Just tell her you’re sorry. And I’ll try not to be afraid of Ryder.”

He studied me for a moment then nodded. “Deal.”

We left soon after, and I returned home to an empty house.

It was nearly dark when Ryder walked in. I met him in the living room.

“Can we talk?” I needed him to say yes.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

RYDER

Those words.Can we talk.Ominous, dark, crushing.

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