“Why are you sorry?”
“I said that without thinking, and…”
He looked down to the bed covers he was fiddling with, and I hated seeing him look so on edge, like he’d just committed some kind of crime because he’d said what he was feeling. I’d made him feel like he couldn’t be honest, and that wasn’t fair.
“Hey.”
Ryan bit his lip but didn’t look up, so I tipped his chin up.
“You don’t have to apologize to me for anything. You were just saying how you feel.”
Twin spots of color appeared on Ryan’s cheeks. “I know, but I don’t want you to feel like I’m rushing you into anything or planning out the rest of your life, because I’m not.”
“You’re not?”
“No. I was just—”
“I’m kidding, GQ. Relax.” I kissed him. “I like being here with you too.”
He shyly smiled. “You do?”
“Mhmm, and if we didn’t have to go to work today, I just might convince you to stay here.”
“There’s always tomorrow night.”
“It’s a date.” I ran my fingers down his jaw and moved in to kiss him a little harder. “For conversation and kisses in the dark.”
“I’d like that.” Ryan took my hand and pressed a kiss to my palm, and my chest tightened.
“Good. But right now, I’ve gotta get ready or Olsen will have my ass.”
“He better not,” Ryan said, and pinched one of my cheeks as I climbed out of bed.
“Shower, now.” I grabbed his hand and pulled him to his feet. “And if you’re lucky, I’ll scrub your back.”
HOW WE MANAGED to shower and get ready in time to walk out the door, I had no idea. But as I grabbed the traveler’s mug Ryan had just filled with coffee, I saw him walking out of the hall straightening his tie.
“Looking good, GQ.”
“Thanks. I’m shocked we’re not running late.”
“Me too, but I need to get going.”
“I’m about to leave too. I have to pick up a couple things for Alexander before I head in.”
We grabbed our coats and jackets and headed out the door, and as we made our way toward the elevator, Ryan reached for my hand.
I’d thought it would be difficult getting used to having such intimate contact again with someone, but with Ryan I’d slipped right into it. I couldn’t remember the last relationship I’d been in, but it felt nice to want to be around someone. I enjoyed having him near.
I pressed the button on the elevator and pulled him in close. He wound his arms around my neck, and I nuzzled into the crook of his shoulder.
“Jesus, you always smell so damn good. I need to keep you close.”
Ryan rubbed his cheek along my beard and purred. “Feel free to get this close anytime you like.”
I nipped at his ear, but just as I was about to steal a kiss, the elevator dinged. I reluctantly pulled away. “After you.”
Ryan trailed his fingers across my stomach as he stepped inside, then his phone rang. “Oh shit.” He grimaced. “It’s Alexander. Sorry.”
“No problem.” I rested against the back wall and took the time to look him over. In a light grey suit and a royal-blue tie, Ryan looked sharp and sophisticated this morning, a business professional through and through. He was the exact opposite to me in every way, but I was finding myself more and more attracted to this look.
“Good morning, sir. You’re up early.” Ryan listened to Alexander and nodded. Then he looked at me and smirked.
Huh, what’s that all about?
“Yes, I can move your morning appointment to later this afternoon, and we could fit it in then.”
He listened some more, nodding as though Alexander could see.
“I can definitely do that. Of course.”
The elevator reached the parking garage, and as we went to step out, Ryan stopped in his tracks.
“Really? You wouldn’t mind?”
I assumed by his megawatt grin that the answer to whatever question had just been asked was no, he didn’t mind at all.
“I would love to, and I’ll be in ASAP.” He paused and frowned. “You don’t want breakfast?”
We headed toward Ryan’s car, and he chuckled.
“Sean’s a good man. Okay, I’ll see you in a few.” As he hung up and we reached our vehicles, Ryan turned to me. “Guess what?”
I unstrapped my helmet. “What?”
“Looks like Alexander spoke to your chief and is going down to the station today for the interviews on Chicago’s finest.”
“That’s cool.”
“It is, and even cooler?” Ryan practically bounced on his toes. “He said I could come too.”
“I’m assuming that makes you happy?”
“Well, of course I’m happy to visit a fire station. I love firemen. But to visit yours is an added bonus.”
I cocked my head to the side. “You love firemen, huh? How come I’m just finding out about this now?”
Ryan opened his mouth to respond, and when nothing came out, he quickly shut it again. As he floundered trying to think of a response that wouldn’t get him in trouble, I stepped forward and backed him up to his car.
“Should I be worried about you around my crew today? Do I need to keep an eye on you?”
Ryan placed his hands on my chest and licked his lips. “Definitely. You should definitely keep your eyes and maybe your hands on me. You know, just to make sure I don’t do anything I shouldn’t.”
“Uh huh. Why do I get the feeling that if I keep my hands on you that’ll happen anyway?”
“’Cause you’re smart.” Ryan nipped at my lower lip. “And you know exactly how to use your hands.”
“How the hell am I supposed to stay away from you when you talk like that?”
“You’re not.” Ryan winked and pushed me away so he could get in his car. “Suddenly my day just got a whole lot better. I’ll see you later.”
I nodded and pulled on my helmet. “Apparently you will. See you then, GQ.”
Chapter 31
Ryan
“YOU SEEM EXTRA exuberant this morning. That wouldn’t happen to be because we’re heading down to you fireman’s station, would it?”
I smiled at Alexander, who sat in the back of the company’s Cadillac with me, and shrugged. “Maybe?”
Alexander nodded as he scrolled through his phone. “I see. So the whole inappropriate text situation worked out in your favor?”
“Let’s just say I might print it out and frame the thing. Maybe I could give it to Jameson for our anniversary or something.”
“Really?” Alexander looked up at me. “I assume he decided to kiss you again after all, then?”
“You could say that.”
“And you two are together now?”
“Well, we’re still in the beginning of everything.” I could feel my face flush, and Alexander chuckled.
“Oh yes, I remember that place.”
“Right, but things are going really well. I don’t want to rush him or scare him off, but he seems to want the same things I do.”