“Hey,” she said when he answered her call. “How’s everything?”
“It’s okay,” he sighed. “I have a surprise for you,” he said. “Pack an overnight bag and be ready to leave at six.”
“Oooh,” she giggled. “Sounds exciting.”
“You’re going to love it,” he growled softly.
She heard the groaning of other males telling him to get a room. She giggled and started driving home. “Awesome. I’ll go home and set up my bag. See you soon.”
“Later, love.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Parker waited anxiously for Ryan to arrive downstairs while chatting with Harry. She loved the idea of getting away with Ryan and wanted to spend some time alone without involving work.
“You look excited, Miss Nolan,” Harry said. “I hope you’re not leaving us so quickly to travel the world again.”
She patted his arm and grinned. “No, Harry. I’m going to be here a while.” She leaned in and bumped his side. “I met a guy.”
“Really?” Harry chuckled. “He must be special to get your attention. You’re usually so busy that I was worried you’d never stop long enough to meet someone to show you it’s more fun to do things as a team.”
She cocked her head and stared at him. “You know, you’re right. All these years traveling and doing things for the foundation I felt like I was doing good but missing something.”
He nodded. “Love. It’s called love. We all need someone to share life with. It’s hard enough to have to deal with everyday challenges, but to deal with them alone? That’s harsh.” He sighed. “I hope it works out for you, Miss Nolan.”
She hugged Harry and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Harry. I don’t know what will happen and this is really scary, but I’m willing to try.”
“Love is scary. You’re giving your heart to someone else and you don’t know how they’re going to treat it.”
And there it was. The crux of her problem. The reason why she kept every man at bay. She didn’t want to become attached to anyone for too long because she was scared they’d break her heart. She didn’t want to end up living in a loveless marriage like her parents. She wanted a romance that lasted a lifetime. Her heart told her Ryan could and would give her that if she gave him the chance.
“How long were you and Mrs. Harry married before she passed?”
“We met when she was five and I was six. From the moment she moved into my block, I was attached at her side.” He chuckled. “It helped that our parents were good friends, too. We became best friends and then one day a boy in school asked her to her senior prom.” He raised his bushy brows. “I was already one year in college but knowing my best friend, the girl I cared most about in the world was going to date with someone else pushed me over the edge.”
She watched Harry’s eyes twinkle as he reminisced. “Uh-oh.”
He sighed. “That was all it took. We got married once she graduated and were always together. Best friends for sixty years. Married for forty-five years. And I miss her every waking moment.”
She pouted and hugged him again. “I’m so sorry, Harry. I’m sure she was a lovely woman.”
“She was,” he agreed. “The perfect woman for me.” He met her gaze. “There’s no perfect person out there, Miss Nolan. But there are perfect people for us. That was my Lily. She was perfectly imperfect for me.”
It was that kind of romance, that kind of relationship she wanted for herself. But her history with men wasn’t all that great. Mainly, because she kept everyone at an emotional distance. But now that she and Ryan were growing together, she knew she had to put her fears to the side and go all or nothing.
“Your ride is here,” Harry said, snapping her out of her thoughts.
The limo was not what she expected. Ryan came out and reached for her bag, bending to kiss her. “Let’s go, beautiful. I’ve got plans for you.”
She smiled at Harry. “See you in a few days.”
“Have fun, Miss Nolan.”
She slid into the limo and Ryan immediately pulled her onto his lap.
“Hey!” she mocked indignation.
“This is where you belong,” he told her, pushing her hair over her right shoulder and kissing the curve of her neck.
“I mean,” she moaned. “When you put it that way.”
“Don’t get too excited,” he chuckled and nibbled at her ear. “We’ll be at the airport soon.”
She wiggled to face him. “Are we seriously going somewhere?”
“Yes. I told you we were.” He caressed her chin and rubbed his thumb over her lips. “You deserve some fun. You’ve been busting your ass helping with my pride, and I appreciate it.”
She threw her arms around his neck and kissed all over his face. “I love to hear words like that.” She sighed. “So where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise. I borrowed a friend’s jet to take us on our trip. When we get back, I’ve got too much to deal with, and I don’t want you to feel abandoned.” He told her.
She shook her head and frowned. “Ryan, I know you have a lot of responsibilities. You don’t need to baby me because you can’t see me all the time. I’m a grown adult. I can handle being alone.”
He squeezed her into him. “I know. But my animal can’t handle being away from you for too long.” He cupped her cheek. “I love you, Parker. I want us to be together.”
She sucked in a breath and had a hard time hearing anything past the words she’d never thought she’d get from a man she cared for. He loved her. Instead of the dread and fear she’d been expecting, her heart filled to near exploding with happiness. She knew he meant those words because his face told her everything. Love shone in his eyes.
“I love you, too,” she heard herself say, her hand slapping over her mouth. “I can’t believe I said that.”
He raised his brows. “Did you mean it?”
She nodded jerkily. “I do. I love you.” Wow. “I just met you. Like less than two weeks ago. How can I love you this much?”
He rubbed his face on her neck. “Do you know anything about shifter mating?”
“No.” What had Jade said about mating with Dean and Gavin? “You mate for life or something like that?”
“Yes, love. There’s never going to be another woman for me. You, Parker, and only you are my mate. The woman who holds the key to my heart. I will never want anyone else but you.”
She blinked and stared at him, mouth hanging open. “Seriously?”
“Yeah.”
“Ever?” she asked in disbelief.
“Cross my heart and hope to die.”
Holy fuck. He was serious. He was really in love with her and there it was. Her chance to live that fantasy romance she’d always wanted. A wide smile spread over her lips. It was time to give love a chance.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Ryan loved the look on Parker’s face when they landed in Las Vegas. Her eyes popped wide open and she started bouncing in her seat.