fun sightseeing I was able to do. It was needed, like a balm to my soul to be out and about without a care in the world. Only next time, I’d love to have someone by my side. The look on Ryder’s face, the small smirk, tells me he’s thinking of something. I’m not sure what it is though.
“I just bet you listened too, didn’t you?” He cocks an eyebrow.
“Nope, I was smart and safe. That didn’t mean I listened to everyone along the way. They wanted me to stick to bigger interstates, a trip that could have taken me two days. I stretched it out to a week.” After prattling on to no end, I move my foot onto my chair, hugging my knee to my body with one hand, somehow not flashing myself. Not that it would matter. The man has seen every inch of me now, but still, we’re talking now. I take a long sip of the chilled white wine, waiting for his response.
“Yep, your ass needs to be spanked more often.” That statement he made earlier comes up again, and I’m more than interested to see just what he’ll do.
“Are you offering?”
“Hell fucking yes.” His gaze meets mine. I see the tensing in his jaw and the slow sweep of my body, lingering on my exposed thighs.
“Interesting. We’ll have to come back to that.” I wink. “I can see renting an RV and driving across the US during the summer or when vacations allow it. I know children bring joy and add to your life, but for now at least, I’m good with being a teacher and borrowing children that way.” I take my last bite of food, enjoying everything Ryder’s made us. This is ten times better than anything I could cook.
“You keep that up, we’ll test it out. I might have to take this table home, name it Berkley, and make sure it’s used for breakfast and dinner.” His tone is promising. “I’m with you. Sienna keeps me busy. If they happen sometime down the road, that’s fine too, but if not, it wasn’t in the cards.” He shrugs his shoulders. I can wholeheartedly understand his way of thinking.
“Will the real Berkley be invited too?”
“What do you think?” Ryder stands up, grabbing the plates. I hop up, knowing full well he cooked, so I should be cleaning.
“I’d say that’s a yes. Tell me what I can do to help,” I say with a yawn. The early mornings are not my friend, but unfortunately, my job doesn’t allow for late start times.
“All there is are our dishes. Everything else has been cleaned up. Can you bring me the rest? We’ll throw them in the dishwasher, turn off the lights, and be done. Did you drive?” he asks while I scurry back to the table to speed up the process.
“Nope, I grabbed a car. Nancy was walking out when I walked in. I probably should have told you about that sooner. I’m sorry.”
“Nothing to be sorry about. I figured she’d left earlier and locked up. I’ll take you home. As much as I want our night to continue, you’re not allowed to turn into a pumpkin,” he repeats what I said on the phone.
“Thank you.” I hate that I won’t be able to return the favor tonight. My arms wrap around his shoulders. Once he’s done, I stand on my toes and kiss him. It’s slow and soft, portraying what I feel for him.
“Not a problem.” He smacks my ass before squeezing it and letting it go.
“I really don’t like my job right now,” I grumble.
“It’s not just yours. Tomorrow, I’m on Si duty. Melody has an early appointment.” He’s not complaining at all. It has me falling for him even more.
“Okay, at least I get to see you for a few minutes tomorrow, then.”
“How about after work you see me too? I’ll close tomorrow and head to your place. I should be there around nine?” he asks.
“I’d say you have yourself a date.” A smile takes over my face as we walk hand in hand out of the restaurant. Tomorrow night definitely can’t come soon enough.
Twelve
Ryder
“God damn it.” I hate showing up on Berkley’s doorstep nearing eleven o’clock at night. I should have been here hours ago. It was one catastrophe after the other tonight. Even Nancy couldn’t keep up. So, I had to step in, compensate a few meals, thanks to Dan. We’re really going to have to look into hiring another chef