Swinging around, I glance at Hunter and sigh. “Looks like I made another new friend today, hey, buddy?” His tiny nose wiggles from side to side, and I smile as a sense of accomplishment washes over me at the same time as nerves fill my stomach. I love the idea of spending an evening with Lunar, but I’m not stupid. I know she lives with Ryan, and I’m pretty sure he will be there, too, which is more than a little awkward. But I’m hoping it won’t get too weird.
Taking a deep, centering breath, I try to calm my jittering stomach. I reach out, grab Hunter, and head toward my office to finish off some paperwork, where I spend the rest of the day in a state of nervous distraction. Even though I’m working and busy, my stomach continues to let me know I’m heading out to spend the night at Ryan’s house. Eventually, I’m distracted enough to get lost in social media, and I’m carried away, answering the messages from Ryan’s live feed. When I look up at the clock, it’s already six forty-five. Lost in my work, I hadn’t noticed the time ticking away.
“Shit,” I murmur to myself as I shut down my new MacBook and straighten all my notes on my desk. I’m running late, andLunar is no doubt waiting for me. I should have kept a closer eye on the time.
Gathering my things quickly, I grab Hunter and head for the door. Walking briskly to my car, I load my new pet inside and make my way toward Ryan’s house without changing.
The drive isn’t far, but long enough to have my stomach doing backflips the entire way.
Does he know I’m coming over tonight?
Will he be there?
Is he going to talk to me after today?
I don’t have any clue or any answers to those questions. All I know is I’m now officially late, and that’s bad for my first invitation from Lunar.
Good one, Tillie!
Pulling up in the drive, my fingers are clamped around the steering wheel so tightly I’m sure I’ll need to pry them off. I take a long, deep breath in and let it out slowly as I close my eyes, trying to calm myself.
Why am I so worked up?
This is stupid.
Just go inside!
I open the door and step out with Hunter in hand, nervously hoping Lunar doesn’t mind me bringing him. I didn’t have time to drop him off at home. With a cage in one hand and a handbag in the other, I stroll up the path toward the door, still in my sneakers and yoga gear that I didn’t bother to change out of earlier. Before I can even press the doorbell, the door flies open, and Lunar stands there wearing a gorgeous smile, a Betty Homemaker apron, and her hair up in a messy top knot.
“Hey, stranger, I thought you were ditching me.”
I shake my head. “No, of course not. Just got lost in paperwork and the guys’ social media campaigns.”
She giggles and pulls me inside the house. “You work too hard.”
“Mm…” She looks down at Hunter’s cage and smirks. “Nice accessory.”
While I place his cage on the floor, I laugh.
We walk into the dining room, which is attached to the medium-sized kitchen. The house isn’t huge, but it’s incredibly nice and practical and not really how I imagined it would be. I guess I thought it would be more of a bachelor-style come rock star pad, but it looks more like a family home, which is surprising but in a good way.
Danger walks down the stairs to the left of the kitchen and waves at me while Lunar stands in the kitchen, stirring a giant pot of something that smells amazing. I make my way to the kitchen bar and smile, watching Danger admire Lunar’s ass.
Suddenly, thunderous footsteps thump down the stairs. We all look up to see Ryan rushing down wearing only a pair of tight white briefs and… nothing else.
My eyes open wide, taking in his almost naked form, and my hand shoots up to my mouth in shock as Ryan pauses, looking right at me. I’m embarrassed because even though he isn’t as toned as Danger with a ripped six-pack, seeing Ryan practically naked is making my heart race, my breathing stop, and goose bumps riddle my skin.
Ryan gawks at me, looks down at his briefs, then smirks and stands taller as he strolls into the kitchen like he isn’t bothered by his lack of clothing. “Didn’t know we were having company?”
“I thought if I told you, you’d crack the shits… and she’smyfriend. I wanted Tillie to come over for dinner,” Lunar says matter-of-factly.
“Yeah, but tomyhouse,” Ryan replies, his tone tense and slightly territorial, frustration lacing his words while I tense up.
I shake my head. “I can go.”
“Ryan!” Lunar chides while glaring at him.
He swallows hard, but his face is stern, and his mouth has a slight downturn on each end.
