Yes. Unlike you, I need to get to bed at a decent hour.
The thought that she might be in another guy’s bed and lying to him made him see red. He banged on the door this time. But there was still no sound of movement inside.
If you’re at home, you should answer your door.
He watched the screen, waiting to see her reply. Instead, he heard the chain slide inside the door. It flew open and she stood there looking gorgeous in her robe … gorgeous and madder than hell. He barely had time to register just how beautiful she was when she was angry.
“What are you doing here?”
He glared at her. He was still angry at the thought of her with someone else … and the fact that she was right here wasn’t managing to calm him down.
“It seemed like the only way I was going to get you to talk to me.”
She put her hands on her hips. “What do you want me to say?”
“I want you to tell me what the hell’s going on.”
“Me? You want me to tell you what’s going on? How about you go first?” She spat the last words at him, and he finally remembered that he had nothing to be mad at her about. But it seemed she thought she had reason to be mad at him.
“Are we going to stand here yelling on your doorstep or are you going to let me come in?”
Her lips pressed together into a thin line and she flung the door open, gesturing for him to enter. “If you want to.”
“What the hell’s going on with you?”
She glared at him. “Why don’t you tell me what’s going on?” She stepped in close and tapped two fingers in the middle of his chest.
“I would if I knew. And by the way … hello, Leanne.”
She blew out an angry sigh and turned to go into the living room. “You’re going to make me tell you what I know?”
He nodded. Wondering what she thought she knew.
“Okay. Who’s Brittany?”
He stared at her, trying to process the question.
“Don’t bother lying to me, Ryan. I know she was with you last Friday night.”
His heart was hammering in his chest as he pieced it together.
“Aren’t you going to say anything?” She still looked mad, but her eyes were shining with tears.
“I don’t know what to say. Do you want to know where I was last Friday night?”
“I’m not sure I do, no. I’m more interested in what the hell you think you’re doing here after that.”
He glared at her. He wasn’t going to let her do this. They were both too hotheaded. It could get away from them if he didn’t stop it now. He stepped toward her and put his hands on her hips, pulling her close. “I’m here to see you. I’m here because I love you.”
She tried to pull away, but he caught her arm.
“Don’t, Leanne.”
“Don’t what?”
“Don’t pull away from me; don’t shut me out.” He drew her nearer and closed his hand around the back of her neck. Her eyes were wide, and her breath was coming fast and ragged. She could pull away at any second, and he’d have to let her go if she did, but he needed to get through to her while he still could. He met her gaze. He could feel the muscle working in his jaw as he tried to figure out what he could say. Words failed him, so instead, he crushed his lips to hers, clamping her to his chest with his other arm.
For a moment, she froze, and he feared he was too late, that she’d already closed him out. But then her hands came up around his shoulders and she kissed him back with the same fervor as he kissed her. There was no tenderness in that kiss. Lips crushed, tongues tangled, teeth clashed as they each expressed their anger and fear and need. Slowly, it turned into something gentler and it wasn’t until she was melting against him that he finally lifted his head.
He started to unfasten his jeans. He’d known he’d have to show her the wound, but he’d had no idea it would be like this.
She laughed softly. “What are you doing? Planning to convince me further?”
“I’m showing you what I was getting done last Friday. Friday night, I was in a hospital bed recovering.” He pushed his jeans down and winced as he caught the edge of the dressing.
“Oh, my God, Ryan! What happened?”
“I got shot.” He raised a hand. “It’s only a flesh wound.”
“Ryan!” Her eyes were huge.
He shrugged. “I’m only showing you so that you know I’m not making shit up.”
“I believe you. But … that …” She stroked her fingers over his skin above the dressing, and he couldn’t focus on anything but his need for her.
He smiled. “Want me to convince you that it’s nothing too serious?”
He pulled her closer again and held her to his chest as he walked her backward into her bedroom. They had a lot of talking to do, but it could wait until afterward.
Chapter Fifteen
Present Day
Leanne checked her watch. By her reckoning, they could only have twenty minutes or so to go. She looked out of the window and smiled when the car emerged from the trees. The lake sparkled beneath them. When she’d ridden up here with Dan, he’d stopped at a pullout by the side of the road so they could take in the view. It really was beautiful.
She risked a glance at Ryan. He was engrossed in his phone. He’d been that way since she’d texted with Donovan and told him it was her boyfriend. Why had she done that? It’d seemed like a good idea in the moment, but she hadn’t thought it through. She’d figure it out when he arrived. If she were just here for a visit, it might be a good idea to have Donovan pretend to actually be her boyfriend, but if she was going to move to the lake—and bring Donovan with her—it was hardly feasible to think that they could keep it up for any amount of time.
She glanced at Ryan again. Maybe they’d be able to work out some kind of truce. At least, some way to avoid each other except when absolutely necessary.
To her surprise, he looked up and smiled. “We’re nearly there.”
“I know.”
“Where are you staying?”
Wow. He was making conversation? Perhaps he was thinking the same way she was—that they should figure out a way to at least be civil to each other. “I’m staying at the resort.”
He nodded.
“You?”
“I bought a place in town. Down on the water.”
“Wow!” She couldn’t help it. It came out before she could stop herself.
He smiled again. She wished he’d stop doing that. He looked way too handsome. Pft. Who was she trying to kid? He was still gorgeous even when he was glowering at her.
“Yeah, it surprised me, too. But …” He shrugged. “It’s time for me to build a new life. I love that I get to work with Dan. And Summer Lake’s a good place.”
“I’m happy for you.”
His head jerked up as he met her gaze.