I follow to keep an eye on Oly, but Rylan trails close behind me.
I notice several lawn toys that weren’t there before and spin around to look at Rylan.
“What did you do, Rylan?”
“I had Cyclops and Icarus run to the store and grab some toys for her.”
“I’ll get my wallet and pay them back.”
He advances on me and wraps an arm around my body, pulling me in and away from the guys, who are all finding seats around the fire ring as they start to get a fire going.
“Sugar, you aren’t giving them or me any money. I didn’t do it expecting anything in return. I want to spoil both of you. I told you earlier you deserved more, and I’m going to prove that to you.”
“I can’t. I want to, but I can’t.”
“Give me a chance.”
I’m distracted from answering when Oly yells for me to watch her playing with a bubble gun and shooting Romeo with it.
By the time Harley shows up, my nerves are frayed. I want to flee because Rylan is making me feel things I don’t want to.
When we’re all seated around the large round picnic table to eat, he sits with me, keeping an arm around me or making sure he’s touching me in some way. He’s wearing down my walls, and it scares me.
Once we’re done eating, I know I need to get out of here. If I don’t, I’m going to give in to him, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for that. He’s not thinking of this as one night, but the beginning.
We’re all back around the fire, and Oly is still playing with the guys. I watch as Harley gets up and heads for the house. I follow behind her, ready to get out of here.
“Would you mind driving Oly and me home? I’m getting a headache and not feeling the best. Oly’s also getting tired,” I lie. I hate it, but I’m freaking out here.
“Okay. Give me a second.”
She grabs a beer for Aftershock and heads back outside. I start gathering our bags to get ready to leave.
Before I know it, Rylan is there. He spins me around and cages me against the counter, where I was putting food away, not wanting to leave a mess in his beautiful kitchen.
“You want to leave, sugar?” he asks as he looks me up and down.
I can’t answer him because I really don’t want to.
He leans in and whispers in my ear, “Give me a chance. Remember, I owe you more kisses. I have some lips I missed kissing earlier.”
I blush and shake my head.
“Rylan, I shouldn’t.”
“Marnie, you want this as much as I do.”
He’s right, I do. I can’t stop myself from giving in.
“Just tonight, Ry,” I tell him.
“Not until I’m done with you. Which will be never, sugar,” he swears before he drops his head and takes my lips again.
He kisses me so deeply and thoroughly that when he finally lifts his head, my head is swimming.
When he leads me back out to the group, he leaves me at the circle, then goes over to where Icarus is showing Oly how to use a sparkler.
He sets off fireworks, and Oly claps, wanting more. It’s so past her bedtime, but when a couple of the men Rylan called prospects step up with the fixings for s’mores, I can’t bring myself to stop him from giving her this experience. He’s not only making me feel things I don’t want to feel, but the way he is with Oly is what finally cracks a hole in my heart that I’ve kept locked away for so long.
