“Of course I did. The question is, didyouhave a good day?”
Ry nods, watching me. “Being on the ice with the guys was great, and Aiden’s a fucking natural. The fact that you didn’t force him to play junior hockey is mind boggling.”
“You try to force a teenager to do pretty much anything he doesn’t want to do.” I shift on my feet and bite my lower lip.
“What’s wrong, Trouble?”
“Nothing’s wrong. It’s been really good to see Aiden relax and laugh. To be comfortable around your friends. Thank you for including him.”
For referring to him asyour kid.I’m shocked I didn’t lose it and crumple into a blubbering mess as soon as Ry said that.
He narrows his eyes on me.
“Aiden belongs wherever we are, sweetheart.”
Swoon.
I chuckle and tuck my hair behind my ear. “I always had a crush on you, but if I’d known just how dreamy you can be, I would have embarrassed myselfyearsago.”
He slowly walks to me and ghosts his knuckles down my cheek.
“Always?” He tips his head to the side as his eyes roam my face.
“Pretty much.”
“Fuck, was I just blind? Or stupid.”
I smirk. “I think things worked out the way they were supposed to. Now, I have another question for you.”
He kisses my forehead, sending little sizzles of electricity down my body. “Ask, baby.”
“How did you do this?” I point to the dress and shoebox on the bed.
“I made some calls,” he replies with a shrug, as if it’s nothing at all.
“I could have brought something from home if you’d given me a heads-up.”
He shakes his head. “I wanted you to have something new. And I wanted it to come from me.”
“Thank you.”
He brushes my hair back over my shoulder, and there are more sizzles.
“You’re so fucking beautiful, you take my breath away.”
Hello, butterflies. Welcome to the party.
“I haven’t even gotten ready yet.” My hands glide up his T-shirt-covered chest and then into the thick dark hair at the nape of his neck.
“Doesn’t matter.” He presses his lips to my forehead again and then moves them down to my lips for a soft kiss.
“When are we leaving?”
He checks his watch. “In about an hour.”
I feel my eyes widen as I gape up at him. “Anhour? Ryker, I need more than that to get ready.”
“No, you don’t. Just put the dress on, and you’re good to go. I told you, you’re fucking gorgeous just like this.”
