Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 65354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Eventually, they were left alone and sat in the chairs with us. “That must be exhausting.”
“Yes and no. They are what keeps me doing this, and a lot of them are true fans. I appreciate them, but the puck bunnies? Not so much. They’re not here for the sport.” Ryder shrugged and sipped his beer as curiosity filled me to the point of boiling over. As if he was reading my mind, Ryder gazed at me. “What is it, love?”
“You have liked them in the past, haven’t you?” I asked softly so only he would hear me.
“When I was younger, I did. I was playing the sport I loved and had stars in my eyes. They were available, but I soon came to know that they weren’t after me as much as a story to tell their friends. It was empty after a time. I have so much more with you.” He smiled at me and pecked my lips gently. “You’re all I need.”
We stayed for a few hours, laughing and talking with the guys. I felt much more comfortable now than that first night when I felt like a fish out of water. My life was shifting into something more prominent now, and I was shedding my fear little by little. Tori was always my cheerleader, but Ryder was a close second.
Tori dropped us off at his house, and he unlocked the door to let us in. “You look hot as fuck in my jersey, Elyse. I like my name all over your body.” I turned to look at him, and he was giving me a heated look.
“I like wearing it. It’s comforting somehow and makes me feel safe.” I smiled. “I just need a shirt of yours to sleep in when you’re out of town, and I’ll be set.”
“You can have all of them.” He stepped towards me, cupping my face as he stared into my eyes. “Hell, you can have this place. Move in with me, Elyse.”
“What?”
He paused before kissing me as he stared into my shocked eyes. “I want you with me all the time. I want you safe and sound when I’m gone, sleeping in my bed, and being here,” he said before brushing my lips with his.
“I have my own house, Ryder. It has everything of mine in it,” I whispered before he kissed me again.
“I’ll set you up here with anything you need. We can move somewhere else that suits you, if need be. I’m only renting.” He slipped his arms around me and kissed me harder, scrambling my thoughts. I responded quickly, moaning when he lifted me to carry me to bed.
I woke up in the morning to the smell of coffee, blinking slowly. I knew where I was immediately and rolled to my back as the night before played through my mind.
Ryder wanted me to move in.
We’d been together for a short while, and I was happy. That was just more serious than I was ready for. Wasn’t it? I’d never felt a tenth of this for anyone else, and therefore never considered it. I never even thought that I wanted it.
“You’re awake, love.”
I glanced over to see him with a big, steaming mug in his hand that he brought over to me.
“Just now. That smells good.” I smiled and sat up as he set the cup on the table beside the bed, sitting beside me on the mattress. He kissed my cheek, and I smiled as I looked down. “Thank you.”
“Any time.” Ryder settled himself against a pile of pillows and pulled me into his arms as I laughed. “You smell so good, feel so good.”
“I love you.” I whispered the precious words, knowing they were true. They were always going to be true.
“I love you too,” he told me, stroking my hair gently. Ryder could be the kind of man who drove me nuts with his caveman ways, but other times, he was so gentle. He completed me. “Want some breakfast? We could cook here or join Justin and Tori. They texted a bit ago to ask.”
“Let me think about that.” I snuggled closer and kissed his chest lightly, bared to me. I slipped my hand down to cup him over his shorts, making him groan as his embrace tightened around me. He was hard, and I dragged my tongue over his flat nipple. “I think I want to stay here and eat you for breakfast.”
We did just that, lazily showering once we finished. I smiled as he washed my hair, closing my eyes as I dropped my head back.
“Still want to eat here?” he asked as his hands scraped over my scalp.
“Sure. Whatever.” I was in the usual daze that he put me in, and Ryder chuckled.
“I’ve called Justin to tell him that we’re ordering in,” Ryder assured me, and I hummed in agreement. We finished the shower and dressed in some of his clothes to make omelets and toast along with more coffee. We ate at the table and talked about what to do for the day since we both worked the following day. Ryder suggested staying around the house and having dinner with our friends. It was perfect.