Page 43 of Deserving Ryleigh
“He’s gonna say shit that’s fucked up. He’s going to try to get at you through the psychological crap he used while you were growing up. And I won’t tolerate you having to endure that. He’s hurt you enough. Letmefilter what he says. I promise to pass on anything thatisn’tabusive.”
Ry didn’t have to think twice about his suggestion. “Okay.”
One of Tiny’s brows raised quizzically. “Okay? You agreed really fast, which makes me think you’ve got something up your sleeve.”
Ry shook her head. “No. I don’t actuallywantto talk to him. I don’t want to be on the receiving end of his cruelty. I’ve lived through it long enough. I’m okay with you reading his messages first…as long as you can handle it. He’ll probably say some horrible things. I don’t wantyouto have to deal with that either.”
“I can handle it for as long as it’ll take to figure out how to take him down. And I have to tell you, your trust in me is humbling.”
“I’m really doing it for myself. I’m being selfish,” Ry felt obligated to point out.
“Good. You think about others way too much for my peace of mind.”
Ry smiled at that. “Thanks for bringing me out here and plying me with alcohol to get me to talk.”
Tiny blushed. Actuallyblushed. “You figured that out?”
She chuckled. “Wasn’t hard. But I’m okay with it. The liquid courage was good. Thanks for not letting me drink too much.”
“Never. I might’ve done a crap job of looking out for you until lately, but I promise that I’m a different person where you’re concerned now. And now that I know about your background, remembering all the times you flinched when I raised my voice to you makes me feel like shit.”
“It’s okay.”
“It’s not. But I swear to you that’s done.”
Ry sighed and sagged against him, resting her head on his shoulder. His arms held her to his chest tightly and she felt as safe as she’d ever felt. “Can we stay here forever?”she mumbled against his neck. “No fathers. No computers. Nothing to go wrong.”
She felt more than heard Tiny chuckle against her. “I’m a decent cook, but I’m thinking with you not being an outdoorsy girl, you aren’t gonna like pooping in a hole and using leaves to wipe.”
Ry wrinkled her nose and sat up. “I’m with Jasna…can we not talk about pooping? That’s gross.”
“Part of life,” Tiny said with a grin.
“I know, but still. Ew.”
“Noted. No poop talk.”
“You said it again. Stop it.”
He laughed out loud that time. “Sorry.”
Ry stared at him for a long moment, then she slowly leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. She couldn’t have stopped herself if someone held a gun to her head. Tiny was everything she’d ever dreamed about.
His arms tightened as she leaned back. She stared at him for a beat, suddenly self-conscious. Had she done it wrong? She hadn’t ever kissed anyone before. She wasn’t sure what to do.
“What was that for?”
“Um…” Ry hedged, knowing her cheeks were a fiery red.
“Because if you wanted to thank me for listening, I’ll say you’re welcome and we can get up and head back to The Refuge. But if it was because you feel something for me, something more than gratitude, I need to know so I can kiss you back the way I’ve dreamed of for way too long.”
Her heart was thumping so hard in her chest, she’d be surprised if he couldn’t hear it. “Iamgrateful that you’vebeen so understanding and nonjudgmental about everything. But that’s not why I kissed you.”
Tiny shifted under her, and Ry could swear his dick had gotten harder. But she was too nervous to move and find out.
“Why, Ryleigh? I need the words. Need to be sure we’re on the same page. That you want the same thing I do,” Tiny said softly.
“Because I haven’t ever kissed anyone before. Haven’t wanted to. But I want to with you. Want to experience everything I’ve missed out on because of my past. Because I’ve been too scared.”
