* * *
Emma lay in bed, a little bit chocolatey and a whole lot satisfied. “That was amazing.”
“As good as what you read about in romance novels?” Ryan asked, an oddly serious look on his face.
“What?” Where in the world did that question come from?
“You told me that day at Off-the-Grid,” he said. “You wanted the kind of sex you’d read about in romance novels.”
Ooh.Yes, she did remember saying that. At the time, she’d mainly been trying to push his buttons, but it was true, too. She’d wanted the kind of toe-curling, mind-blowing sex she’d read about and hadn’t been sure was possible in real life. Was this why he’d shown up with champagne and gooey accessories? If so, that was…well, it was adorable. And also maybe the most romantic and thoughtful thing a man had ever done for her.Oh, her heart…“Actually, I think we crossed that one off in Charlotte. You’ve got nothing to worry about in that department.”
He smiled, his expression softening. “Good to know. Shower?”
“That’s a definite yes.” She was a sticky mess, and he probably was, too. She slid out of bed and led the way into the bathroom. “How long do I have to take these quickie, lukewarm showers?”
“Another week or so,” he said. “So as much as I’d like to utilize this shower for a different kind of quickie, better not.”
She pouted. “That’s a tragedy.”
“Indeed.” He was smiling, but his cock was already hard again, jutting toward her in silent invitation.
“Maybe we should wash each other? You know, to be speedy.” She hopped in, crooking a finger in his direction.
“I like the way you think.” He stepped in behind her and grabbed the bar of soap.
She gasped as his hands slid up her sides to cup her breasts. The lukewarm water was a definite turnoff, but his hands were hot enough to make up for it. She helped herself to some suds and took him in her hands.
He was rock hard beneath her touch, but equally intent on keeping his word to get them in and out of the shower quickly. So they lathered up—while working themselves into a lather—rinsed off, and dashed back to her bed, where Ryan took her right outside herself with pleasure all over again.
“That was amazing,” she murmured against his neck as they lay tangled in each other’s arms.
“It’s the craziest thing,” he said, stroking her hair. “You and me, together like this.”
“Maybe that’s part of what makes it so great. We’ve known each other so long, there’s none of that awkward getting to know you stuff.”
“Maybe.” He sounded thoughtful. “I’ve never slept with a friend before. Hell, you’re my only female friend, Em. I guess we just proved that saying about men and women not being able to be friends without wanting to sleep together.”
“Yes.” She giggled. “Although, I have to admit, I’ve never had sexy thoughts about Ethan or Mark.”
His arm tightened around her. “Good.”
They were quiet for a minute, just lying in each other’s arms.
“We’re kind of alike, I guess,” he said finally. “No real family to call our own. Just our own little makeshift family of fellow misfits.”
“Yeah.” Her throat felt tight. She’d been lucky; she hadn’t ended up in foster care, but she’d always felt out of place in the Mackenzies’ home. They’d been wonderful, but they weren’t family. Ryan understood. “The misfits of Haven. That’s us.”
“It made it bearable…having you guys,” he said.
“Even if you treated me like I was a pesky little gnat?” She nudged him playfully.
“You were a pesky little gnat in high school.” There was humor in his voice. “But you turned out okay.”
“That’s good to know.” She giggled, glad they could find humor in such a serious topic. Then she sobered. “Do you think about your mom a lot?”
He was silent for a few seconds. “Yeah. You?”
She nodded, as tears burned in her eyes. “Every day. I could have used her advice a time or three when you were making me crazy last month, trying to keep us in the friend zone.”
