Page 31 of Forever Fallen

“Here,” he began, heading towards the stairs. “So you can trust me that this isn’t some nefarious plan to torture you or scare you to death – I’m going to go check the oven.”

“Why?” Sophie bit out quickly, looking alarmed. “What’s wrong with the oven? Is it broken?”

“No,” he laughed, shaking his head as he walked past her, taking a deep breath and smelling that rich scent. “I made dinner for my wife…” he whispered as he passed her.

She stood there, unmoving and looking stunned, as he continued his descent.

Ryan walked into the kitchen and peered inside to see the casserole looked done. Flipping off the oven, he opened the junk drawer again to fish out the corkscrew and opened the wine.

Smelling it to make sure it hadn’t turned rancid or wasn’t old, he poured a glass for Sophie. As he rounded the corner to climb the stairs, she was looking in the bathroom skeptically, afraid to step inside.

“Are you planning on electrocuting me?” she asked bluntly.

“No…” he balked, laughing. “Geez Sophie. Don’t you trust anyone to do something nice for you?”

“Nobody does this,” she sputtered nervously in obvious confusion, glancing back and forth from the bathroom to him.

Ryan climbed the stairs slowly, knowing she was skittish and processing the fact that he’d done all of this for her… and he was so glad. Just seeing her reaction made him feel something so indescribable deep within his soul.

As he got to the landing, he smiled softly, seeing she was still standing there nervously. Her wary eyes watched him as he stepped closer to the door.

“Poison?”

“Wine,” he corrected, fighting back a smile. “No electrocution, no poison, and no death threats of any sort towards you.”

“But…”

“Sophie,” he said softly, handing her the glass of wine. “You had a terrible day that most people would never want to deal with – and I just wanted to do something nice for you. Take a bath, relax, and have a glass of wine. When you’re finished? Dinner will be ready.”

“What?” she whispered tearfully, her eyes searching his. “You did? This is all for me? Really?”

“Relax…” he said gently, rubbing her on the shoulder and upper arm. “Take a few minutes for yourself. I insist.”

“Did you set up a camera in there?”

“No,” he laughed loudly, throwing back his head in delight, before looking at her. “You certainly are creative, my sweet Sophie. I wish I had even been sneaky enough to think of something like that.”

“Is the lock on the door broken?”

“I promise it’s not,” he smiled.

“And that isn’t poison?” she said skeptically, eyeing the glass in her hands.

Ryan took the wineglass from her and sampled a small sip, feeling something warm stir within his stomach as he realized she was watching him closely.

“No poison…” he said softly, handing the long-stemmed glass back to her. There was something so intimate about taking sip from her wineglass before giving it to her.

Sophie drew in a ragged breath as her eyes watched him.

“I’ll be downstairs when you finish enjoying your bath. Take your time and then we can talk,” he said softly, stepping away from her and walking towards the stairs, intent on giving her some time and leaving her alone.

Walking into the kitchen, he poured himself a glass of the wine and moved to sit in one of the high-backed chairs in the living room, before turning on the television. Sipping the wine and watching the news, he heard several heartbreaking sobs from upstairs.

Setting down the glass, he kicked off his shoes and quickly made his way up the stairs, before knocking on the bathroom door.

“Sophie…”

“Don’t you dare pull a fast one on me, Ryan Merrick!” she snapped tearfully. “If you come through that door? I am not responsible for what happens to you next!”

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