But there were concerns. She’d never been a casual sex kind of person. She had to care about the person first. But she did care about Alex. She loved him—in a “we became friends when your wife got sick and then she died and we formed a family but just as friends” way. What if sex changed that? What if itruined what they had? What if they broke something precious to both of them and it could never be mended?
And what if they didn’t? What if it turned out they could be as tight as always but at the same time Alex did all those delicious things to her that had never seemed quite that delicious with Dustin?
“I’m confused,” she said, petting Lucy, who was curled up next to her on the sofa. Her cat offered a softmurbut not much else.
Ryleigh reached for her phone. She needed to talk to someone—to bounce the problem around and look for solutions. Because while she knew the safest, most sensible response was a polite but firm no, somehow she couldn’t get there. Which meant she wanted to have sex with Alex, and what was up with that?
As always the first person who came to mind was her sister. Only she wasn’t sure she wanted Jax to know just yet. It was the same with all her girlfriends. There was no one she felt she could share her dilemma with. Which left one person. The one who’d caused the trouble to begin with.
I can’t stop thinking about what you said. I’m confused and wary and possibly interested. I need to talk about this and you’re the only one I can talk to. Only this is about you, so I need you to stay neutral and be my friend and not try to convince me of anything.
She sent the text, then glanced at the time. It was four in the afternoon. If Alex was with a client, she wouldn’t hear from him for a while. If he wasn’t—
Her phone chimed with a new text.
I’ll be at your place in fifteen minutes.
“We’re going to have company,” she told Lucy, who didn’t seem impressed by the statement.
Ryleigh got up, prepared to get ready for Alex’s visit, only to realize there wasn’t anything she needed to be doing. But sitting quietly and waiting seemed impossible, so she paced through her condo until she heard his knock on the door.
Instantly her stomach lurched and nerves flooded her. She felt faintly sick to her stomach and shy at the same time.
“This is insane,” she muttered as she flung open the door and glared at him. “You’re messing with my head.”
“I’m sorry.”
“That’s not good enough. You said a thing and now it can’t be unsaid. I’m actually nervous about talking to you. I don’t want that. I want us to be friends.”
He stepped into her place and shut the door, then drew her close and held her.
“I’m sorry,” he repeated. “I messed up.”
“You did. Us having sex. That’s crazy talk. We’re family. We can’t do that kind of thing.”
“You’re right.”
She stepped back and looked at him. “You’re completely lying. You absolutely want to have sex, if not with me then with someone.”
“I would, to quote Ramon, like to get laid, yes.”
The outrageous statement spoken in his lawyer voice made her smile. “You’re impossible.”
“That’s true.”
They walked into the living room. Lucy ran toward Alex, then circled him, rubbing against his legs. He picked her up and held her.
“Hey, pretty girl. How are you doing?”
He carried her over to the sofa and sat down. Ryleigh settled on the chair opposite. Lucy made herself comfy on his lap and headbutted him for more pets.
“How long has this been on your mind?” she asked.
“A few months. And by that I mean sex in general. Not sex with you. I know I’m not ready for anything serious, but a guy has needs.”
She waved that away. “There are apps and stuff.”
He grimaced. “I’m not interested in doing it with someone I don’t know. Then you broke up with Dustin and it occurred to me you were the perfect candidate.”
