Page 165 of What are the Risks
“I’m sorry, Wheels.”
“About?”
“Freaking out the other night. I don’t want this to end either.”
His relieved exhale swept across my neck. “And to answer your mum’s question?”
I turned in his arms, facing him. Even though I’d already told him once today, fear lingered in his expression. I was the reason it was there, and it was my responsibility to erase it.
“I’minlove you too, Wheels. And I’m not just saying that because you’re a professional football player. I’d still want to be with you even if you were a washed-up college athlete.”
He chuckled. “As romantic as ever, Rubz.”
His lips hovered over mine, as if waiting for permission or something. I closed the gap without a shred of hesitation. I had none of it left. I was all in.
The kiss was achingly familiar, and somewhere inside me, I already knew his would be the last I’d ever have. And that didn’t scare me one bit.
Unfortunately it ended all too abruptly, thanks to his stupid Seattle cap getting in the way. Chuckling, Ryker slid it off, tossing it back inside through the open door.
“I can’t believe you were picked up by Seattle,” I grinned, still partly in shock. “Hopefully I land the graduate position.”
“You will, Rubz. Without a doubt.”
Pressing onto my toes, I looped my arms around his neck. “I’m coming with you anyway. You’re stuck with me now, Wheels.”
“Thank fuck.”
This time when we kissed, there was nothing to come between us. I melted against Ryker as his mouth moved over mine in a rhythm only he’d mastered. The giddiness I’d felt the first time he kissed me hadn’t faded.
I doubt it ever would.
Ryker lifted me effortlessly, wrapping my legs around his waist as he carried me inside and gently lowered us onto the bed. Even though he had a fancy suite and a room full of people waiting for him a few storeys up, something told me we wouldn’t be leaving my room for the rest of the night.
As his tongue moved against mine, wind swept through the open door, rustling my hair and sending a shiver down my spine. I felt paralysed – by anticipation, by happiness, by him.
Sometimes it felt like wasted time having waited this long to get together. But no matter what, I couldn’t bring myself to regret my relationship with Noah. Without that and the way it had ended, I couldn’t say for certain that Ryker and I would have found our way to each other – and I would forever be grateful that we had.
I broke off the kiss, running my hand along Ryker’s jaw. “Can I ask you something before you take my clothesoff?”
“Always, Rubz.”
“Will we be living together in Seattle?”
When Ryker didn’t immediately answer – and by that I meant he hadn’t mumbled something before I blinked – I panicked.
“We don’t have to... obviously,” I backtracked. “It was just a thought.”
Ryker smiled, amused. “Do you want to?”
It didn’t matter if we were moving to a city where I didn’t know anybody, or back home where I knew everyone, my answer was yes. After years of a long-distance friendship, followed by a few months as hookup buddies – or whatever you wanted to call it – I didn’t want space between us anymore. Even if it was only a few miles.
I wanted to say goodbye in the morning, knowing we’d be back together at night. I wanted to call him from the store, asking what he felt like for dinner. I wanted to message him saying I was on my way home, only for him to reply:Me too.
A vulnerable part of me went to deny it, worried I was coming on too strong. But then I reminded myself that Ryker and I had always been honest with each other, and whenever we strayed from that, nothing good ever came of it.
“I do. I know that’s kind of crazy, so I wouldn’t be offended if you didn’t want–”
Ryker cut off my insecure tangent with another kiss. “I want to.”
