“No.”He bit out the word.
The overprotective tone was new.I hated the idea of Chad being disturbed around midnight, and his chihuahua, Ginger, would raise holy hell when Ryan came around to get me.
“What if I stayed at your place?”I asked.
Disbelief swept over his face.“You are not gonna be able to stay in my room.”
I shot him some side eye.“Considering the book haul you gave me last night, I most certainly could.I just need snacks and lime juice.”
He huffed out a breath mingled with a chuckle.“You aren’t day drinking without me.What are you gonna do about dinner?”
I shrugged.“We’re headed to Kickback’s.I can order something huge and have leftover lunch for dinner.”
“Are you always this…” he trailed off, searching for the right word.
“Obstinate?Headstrong?”I suggested.
“That one.Headstrong.”
I grinned and nodded.“Yep.Chad got me a t-shirt to prove it.”
“Fuck.Guess you only need one gun then.”
I smiled.“Excellent.That leaves room for my skimpy sleep shirt.”
He uncrossed his arms, stepped closer, and wrapped those bulky limbs around me.“You’re in my bed, you sleep in one of my shirts.”
“I thought you liked my shirt.”
“I like you in my clothes even more.”
Little did he know, I loved sleeping in his t-shirt, which made it a win-win all around.
Ryan kissed my forehead, then waited for me to look him in the eye.“You don’t leave my room though.I didn’t like the way Tic watched you Monday night.”
My eyebrows furrowed.“Was he the one with the really close haircut—”
“Who looks like a bald, heavyweight boxer?Yeah.”
I frowned.“I wouldn’t have described him that way, but I’ll be sure to avoid him.”
He gave me a squeeze.“If you stay in my room, you don’t have to avoid him.”
“You’re right, but—”
“No ‘buts’ Ivy.If you can’t hole up in my room reading your haul, then you’re hitting Chad’s this afternoon.That’s the deal.”
I sighed and my chest pressed against his.“Fine.Do you have plans this morning?There’s two hours before lunch.I wasn’t sure if you work out or something in the mornings.”
“Nope, but your couch is calling my name.”
Heat surged through me at the memory of last night.That had been hands-down some of the best sex I’d ever had.A repeat of that?Yes, please.
I stopped dead on the sidewalk.
Kristen stood with her head tipped backward, her mouth in a huge gorgeous smile as she laughed straight from her belly.As beautiful as that might have been, my eyes were locked on her hand holding onto Ryan’s bicep like he was her anchor in a sea of humor.
“What’s the problem?”Ryan asked, draping his arm over my shoulders.
