Chapter 14
Soon after finishing his last song, Chase joined the group of friends. Anna looked around and felt warmth suffusing her as she realized she was surrounded by people who genuinely cared for each other, and for her. She smiled to herself as she noticed Chase stare longingly at Reagan, who seemed determined to avoid his gaze. The chemistry between those two was palpable, even to someone like Anna who didn’t really know either of them very well.
She was pulled back into the conversation when she heard Callie mentioning the self-defense class. Anna froze momentarily, waiting to see what Callie would say about why they had gone in the first place. She couldn’t be open about her past, not when she still held onto a very real fear that someday, everything would be stolen from her when Tim found her.
She felt her shoulders relax when she heard Callie speak.
“We all just wanted to feel strong and capable of taking care of ourselves. I mean, sure, we have you guys, and you’re amazing and respect us, and know how to treat women well. But you’re not always around, and many men are not as amazing as you three, and Noah even though he’s not here right now.” Callie smiled at the men sitting with them, and Anna realized Callie was right. She was surrounded by not just wonderful, strong women, but respectful and powerful men.
Ryan raised his glass to toast Callie’s words. “We’re the lucky ones, to have such incredible women in our lives.” A wicked smile came over his face. “Cheers to the assholes who were not good enough for you. I personally want to thank them for leading each of you here, to us, and by thank them, I mean with a punch to the face.”
The table erupted with laughter and responding cheers as everyone drank to those words. Ryan leaned over to whisper softly in Anna’s ear, “Words can’t begin to describe my rage over what happened to you. But I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I am so grateful you ended up in my bar, and in my arms.”
Anna turned to him, and lifted her hand to brush against his cheek. “I’m grateful too. I never wanted to be trapped with someone like Tim for so long, so I refuse to give him any credit for us meeting. Instead, I’m grateful to Aunt Theresa for loving me, and giving me her house. That’s what really brought me to Portland, and to you,” she replied, her voice infused with gratitude and affection.
Ryan lifted his glass again, in a private toast between the two of them. His voice was solemn, and laden with emotion.
“To Aunt Theresa.”
Tears were building behind Anna’s eyes, and she blinked to try and keep them away. Giving Ryan a small smile, she drank to his toast.Thank you, Aunt Theresa, thank you for saving my life.As the words crossed her mind, she realized just how true they were. Deep down she knew, if she had stayed with Tim after learning the truth about him, her life would never have been safe. Even here, hundreds of miles away from him, the threat still loomed. But tonight, in Ryan’s arms, with friends around her, Anna chose to feel safe. To feel happy.
* * *
Ryan was more content, and happier with his life than ever before. He suspected that nothing could top this, not even playing soccer in the pro-league would have come close to how fulfilled he felt right now. Looking around the bar, now empty of customers, he took in the sight and sound of his friends laughing as they all put on their coats ready to head home. When his eyes landed on Anna, just in time to see her laughing at something Callie was saying, he could swear he felt his heart skip a beat. She was quickly becoming the center of everything in his life, and instead of running scared, all Ryan wanted to do was run toward her, toward their future.
Striding over to her, Ryan wrapped his arms around her, pulling her back against him. He leaned down, loving how petite she felt in his arms. “Let me take you home, sweetheart. Tonight has been so amazing, I don’t want it to end.”
She twisted in his arms to give him a sultry smile. “I don’t either. You’ll stay with me tonight?”
“That’s not even a question.” He captured her upturned lips in a passionate kiss. Vaguely aware of the others leaving, Ryan deepened their embrace, pressing her even tighter into his body. He wanted to lose himself in her, forget where he ended and Anna began. Their tongues danced together, and the little moans Anna was making caused an answering growl to come from his throat. He pressed his hard length against her, reaching his hands down to cup her ass. When she gasped, Ryan let go of even more control and swept her up into his arms. Ignoring the cheers and laughs of their friends who were watching, Ryan carried Anna toward the back door. He effortlessly walked to his truck, reveling in the feel of the feather-light kisses Anna was pressing to his neck.
“Anna, baby, you’ve got me so turned on I don’t know how I’ll wait to get you home to take you.”
The sexual tension in his voice was palpable and earned a breathy sigh from Anna as she slowly unwound herself from his embrace and climbed into the passenger seat. Ryan quickly got in as well and pulled her across the bench seat to tuck her securely into his side.
“Won’t I be distracting if I sit this close?” Anna was the best kind of sultry tease as she pressed even closer to his body.
“You’ll be more of a distraction if you’re too far away for me to touch, sweetheart.”
With a final glance and searing kiss, Ryan put both of his hands firmly on the steering wheel and forced his mind to focus on driving them safely back to Anna’s house. He felt Anna relax into his side with a soft sound of contentment.
The drive home was silent, but it didn’t take words to convey the heat and emotion sparking between them. Anticipation, mixed with their own unique, romantic chemistry filled the cab of the truck with a pheromone laden energy that hummed with sensual desire.
Feeling deeply thankful that Anna’s house was a short drive from the bar, Ryan pulled into her driveway and let out a breath he had not realized he’d been holding. As that last vestige of control started to slip away, he leaned back against his headrest, closing his eyes, and welcoming the wave of desire he had been keeping at bay.
“Well, that was torture. Forgive me for going caveman, but if you do not get your sweet ass inside that house and naked in the next few seconds, I can’t be held responsible for what I might do.” He turned a searing look on her, scorching the air between them. In the back of his mind was a twinge of discomfort, wondering if his words were too aggressive. But the answering gasp of passion from Anna, combined with her scrambling to get out of the truck and run to the house brought a wolfish grin to his face. Locking the truck behind him, he ran up behind her before sweeping her up in his arms, earning a squeal of laughter from her.
“Why are you so obsessed with carrying me! How am I meant to open the door and get naked when I’m stuck in your arms, big guy?” Anna teased, passion lighting her face.
“I’m sure we can find a way.” Ryan shifted her in his arms, taking the key from her and unlocking the front door. “I’ve decided you need to be in my arms all the time.”
“If you insist.” She laughed, before pressing a lighthearted kiss to his nose.
As the door swung open, Samson’s welcoming bark broke through the haze of happiness and seduction. Anna wriggled out of his hold, patting Ryan on the chest.
“Sorry, handsome, looks like your plans to have me naked will have to wait. Dog needs come first.”
Anna walked away, calling Samson to the back door. Ryan watched her go, admiring the seductive sway of her hips that was all the more attractive given that he knew it was not done on purpose. She was just naturally sensual and beautiful. In that moment, Ryan realized everything about the evening had felt so right. Even this—their passion being interrupted by a dog—felt more normal, and more perfect than anything he’d ever experienced before. He loved how they effortlessly swung from sex and desire, to laughter and teasing. How seamless it was to be a couple at work, around their friends, and here at home.
