Page 52
Chapter Ten
Then
“Baby, you back here?” Ryan calls, his voice drifting through the open door of my studio as I pull my paintbrush away from the canvas and inspect my work. I was concerned that I wouldn’t get this piece finished on time but I think I just might make it.
“Yeah,” I answer, still not looking away from my piece as he walks into the room. He steps up behind me and slips his arms around my waist, pressing his lips to my neck. Things between us have been pretty good the past few months with only a few minor speed bumps but we worked through them fairly easily.
“I missed you today,” he whispers and I force a smile. As much as I love Ryan, I hate being interrupted when I’m working. It messes with my whole flow and sometimes, I can’t get it back.
“Missed you, too, baby. How was work?”
He places kisses down my neck and I fight back a shiver.
“Terrible,” he growls. “Put your shit away and go get ready. I made plans for us tonight.”
I shake my head, irritation clawing at me. He always does this kind of thing and I can’t stand it. “Ryan, I can’t tonight. I have to finish this piece. You should have asked me before you went and made plans.”
He releases me and takes a step back. “What’s the big deal? Just finish it tomorrow.”
I set my paints down and turn to him. “It’s a custom piece and she needs it tomorrow.”
“Babe,” he says, laughing, as he shakes his head. “She doesn’t need it; she wants it. There is a difference. You can finish it tomorrow and give it to her the day after.”
“Um… no. She paid me extra for a rush job and I promised her it would be done on time so I need to finish it tonight.”
He chuckles again, an air of superiority radiating off him and I suck in a breath in an attempt to control my temper.
“What is the big deal? It’s just a painting.”
“It’s not just a painting. It’s important to me and it would be unprofessional to be late.”
“Unprofessional?” He throws his head back and laughs as my jaw locks, my earlier irritation immediately morphing into rage.
“I’m not going out tonight,” I state, my voice strong and unwavering. I turn back toward the easel and grab the paintbrush.
“Baby,” he coos, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist again. “Come on now. There’s no reason to get so upset. Just call her and tell her that you tried your hardest but you couldn’t get it done on time.”
“No, I will not.” My anger is the center of my focus as I stare at the canvas and I get the sinking feeling that I won’t be able to do anymore work tonight no matter what happens with Ryan.
“Please, Emma,” he pouts. “I just want to spend a little time with you.”
I let out a sigh and feel his grin against my skin. When he uses his damn charm on me, I don’t stand a chance and he knows it. Add in the fact that he distracted me and there’s no way I was ever going to win this fight.
“Yeah, okay. What are the plans?”
“Just go get ready. It’s a surprise.”
Sighing again, I nod and put the paints away before making my way into the house to shower. I scrub as quickly as possible before jumping out and as I stand in front of the closet picking out an outfit, I start to feel a little excited. Yeah, I was mad earlier but it’s been a while since Ryan and I have gotten the opportunity to go out on a date and I love that he took the initiative to plan something.
“You look fucking hot, babe,” Ryan says as soon as I step into the living room in my white jeans and red leather top. I smirk and nod.
“Thanks. You don’t look too bad yourself.”
He’s dressed up a little with dark jeans and a white button down and the butterflies in my belly multiply. Grabbing his keys off the table, he holds his hand out to me and I grab my clutch before lacing our fingers together and following him out to the car. He opens my door for me and I slip inside as he jogs to the driver’s side and starts up the car.
“So, where are we going?” I ask and he just shakes his head as he backs out of the driveway and starts driving down our street. As much as I would love to know what he planned, I’m not going to bug him about it because I kind of love the surprise right now. I turn the radio on and as Broken by Lifehouse starts playing over the stereo, I relax back into my seat and enjoy the ride.
When he finally slows down to turn, I look around and realize that I recognize the area. Ryan turns into the parking lot for Moe’s and pulls into an empty spot by the door as I turn to look at him.
