Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19689 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 79(@250wpm)___ 66(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19689 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 79(@250wpm)___ 66(@300wpm)
“I know,” I groaned. I ran both hands over my face and mumbled, “That’s why I didn’t take it. I took the job in Spring Hill instead.”
Five seconds passed while the fire crackled and Ryder processed what I said. “The job in Spring Hill… Colin, they’re calling it a barn-dominium.” He snorted. “It’s like this project, but with more barnyard animals and cinder block.”
“I’m aware.” Coaxing any sort of beauty from cinder blocks was going to be a challenge.
“So, then…” Ryder’s voice was bewildered. “If you don’t like working with me, I’d think you’d want to—”
“You’re really not paying attention,” I interrupted, levering myself up on one elbow so I could stare down at him. “I do like you. That’s the problem. Has it never occurred to you that I like fighting with you more than I’d like getting along with the perfectly lovely people at Greensong Pharmacy?”
“But you… you acted like…”
Ugh. I fell to my back again and threw my forearm over my eyes. “Like I was jealous of every person you smiled at? Like I wanted to be with you, but couldn’t let myself be without breaking a promise again? Like working with you was the only connection I could let myself have, so even if you disliked me, and even if working with you made me crazy, I couldn’t let it go?”
A sound caught between a laugh and a sob burbled out of my throat, and I couldn’t bring myself to look at him. Giblets and gravy, I was such a fool for this guy, and if he was looking over at me with pity or dismay or horror or…
“I bet the snow stopped,” I said, sitting up. “I should really go. I should…”
Ryder’s hands snaked up under my shirt and pulled me firmly back against him. “The only thing you should do is stay right here while I explain that it’s been the exact same way for me. Three years of watching you. Wanting you. Convincing myself I couldn’t have you, but not being able to walk away. Taking job after truly terrible job just so I could spend time with you.”
I turned in his arms. “What?” I whispered.
“I was too scared to tell you how I felt,” Ryder admitted in a low voice. “Terrified I wasn’t good enough for you and convinced you didn’t like me. I promised myself I wouldn’t let another year end without at least telling you how amazing you are and how I want to spend some time together outside of work.”
To say his words surprised me was an understatement. I was shocked. Ryder Richards was a member of the Devoted Dogs MC. He rode some kind of motorcycle that made other men soil themselves when they saw it. I had to admit he looked darned good on it, but I might have assumed some things about him based on his membership in the biker club.
I’d assumed it was a group of racist rednecks. Until I realized Jacko Lamont from Granny’s church was in it. I’d assumed it was full of no-good criminal types. Until I heard about them helping rebuild the park playground after a tree had fallen on the climbing structure. And I’d for sure assumed it was at least full of toxic masculinity and macho straight guys until Ryder Richards kissed me stupid.
Before I could respond, Ryder chuckled. “And maybe that’s not exactly accurate. I’d like to spend all of our time together outside of work. Preferably I’d be able to touch you like this while we’re spending that time together,” he added with a wink that made my heart sigh.
“You are good enough,” I admitted. “I didn’t give you any credit when we first met, but… then I started to notice how good you were at your job, how competent and dedicated you are. Everyone in town raves about your work ethic, and even though you’re a big flirt… well, I can’t say you aren’t also a really hard worker.”
I reached up and ran a finger down his stubbled throat before continuing. “I’m attracted to people who take their work seriously. But…” Why was I so hesitant to say the words?
“But?” he prompted gently.
I leaned in and hid my face in his chest. “You also have a really nice body,” I whispered to the dragon inked into Ryder’s skin. “And I kind of want to lick it all over. Starting with this tattoo.”
The deep rumble of his laughter made me smile. His arms tightened around me, and he pressed a kiss to my ear. “You’re fucking adorable. And competent,” he teased. “Can’t forget how hot your work ethic is too. Apparently that’s a thing. I wonder if PornHub has a selection of videos of sexy men simply checking off items on their task list with authority…”
I laughed even as I chastised him for making fun of me. Ryder tumbled me down onto the rug until we were kissing and laughing and touching. The fire snapped nearby, and the moonlit snow continued to drift past the windows. How did I get so lucky? Surely this was some kind of New Year’s dream?