Page 54 of Deserving Ryleigh
“That’s not true,” Ry said, feeling her cheeks heat.
“I have a feeling he’d love to sit down and pick your brain for, oh, about four days. And even that still wouldn’t be enough. If you want a job, I’m sure Tex would hire you. Hell, anyone would. You’d be gold for an organizationtrying to lock down their security so hackers couldn’t get in.”
Ry blinked at him in surprise.
“You’ve never thought about that, have you? Using what you know to keep people like youout.”
“No.”
“You think you could do it? Lock down a system securely enough so hackers couldn’t get in? Like credit card companies or government websites?”
“Probably. I mean, I could at least lock down howIwould get in.”
Tiny chuckled again. “Which means keeping out ninety-nine-point-nine percent of other hackers. We can talk about it later.”
“Don’t I need a degree for that?”
“No clue. But I’m guessing once some CEO realizes what you can do, he or she isn’t going to care about a piece of paper. Thank you for letting me talk to the guys. We’re going to figure this out. One way or another, I’m not going to let your father continue to harass you. Will you promise me something?”
“Depends on what it is,” Ry told him.
“Smart woman, not to agree without knowing what it is. Don’t run.”
Ry frowned in confusion.
“We both know things are going to get intense. Your father isn’t going to back off. But I don’t want you to leave, thinking that will help the situation. It won’t. I want you to promise me that you won’t sneak off in the middle of the night. I’d never find you…but I’d spend the rest of my life looking.”
“Tiny,” Ry whispered.
“I slept with you in my arms last night, and I didn’t feel a moment of hesitation. Of doubt. Of worry. I want more nights like that. I want it all with you. And if you leave…” His voice trailed off.
“I won’t leave,” Ry said, feeling overwhelmed. “Not now. I mean, if I wasn’t going to leave before my dad started doing all the stuff he has, there’s no way I’d leave now.”
“Thank you. I didn’t think so, but I wanted to be sure. I’d like to kiss you again. May I?”
Ry nodded.
His head lowered, and his kiss was soft and sweet. A brushing of his lips against hers. It felt…nice. He lifted his head, looked at her for a moment as if wanting to make sure she was okay. Then he kissed her again. Harder and deeper.
By the time he lifted his head a second time, they were both panting. Ry’s fingers were digging into his chest, and one of her legs had actually come off the floor and was rubbing against the outside of his thigh.
Was thisher? She wasn’t like this. Wasn’t this…horny. Ever.
Tiny grinned. “You liked that.”
“Duh.”
“Me too. If you want…and there’s no pressure…maybe we can try sleeping in a bed tonight. I mean, the couch was okay but a little lumpy. I think we’d be more comfortable in my bed. But again, it’s up to you. And when I say sleeping, I meansleeping. Nothing more. Not yet.”
“Not even if I want it?”
Ry wasn’t sure where the words came from. Or who the hell she was anymore.
“I refuse to go too fast with you, Ryleigh. This is all new to you, and frankly, it’s new to me too. I’d like some time to get used to this. Us. Baby steps.”
When he put it like that, how could she refuse? Truth was, she couldn’t. “Okay.”
“Okay.” Tiny kissed her forehead and stepped back, reluctantly. “If I don’t go now, I’ll be late and the guys will give me all sorts of shit,” he said with a grin.
