Page 115 of The Path to Loving Him
“It’s fine. I got it.” He uncaps the medicine, and I stop him by placing my hand on his chest.
His eyes lift to mine as I say, “You touch my inner thighs and turn me on this morning without relief, and we’re going to have a problem, especially when you smell so freaking good.”
The lightest smirk appears at the corner of his lips. “I smell good?”
I nod, my mouth watering at the sight of him. “Really good.”
“Okay, yeah. You’re right.”
“Thank you,” I say as I apply the gel myself. “While I do this, why don’t you bring me that coffee over here that I assume is for me?”
“It is,” he says as he moves toward the kitchen. I catch him wetting a rag, probably for my hand, and then he grabs the bag and the coffee.
When he returns to the living room, he sits on the coffee table next to me and helps me wipe my hand free of the gel.
“Here.” He gives me a cup of coffee. “There’s milk and sugar. I’m not sure what you liked, but I took a guess.”
“This works great, thank you. You didn’t have to.”
“Didn’t think you’d be getting around easily this morning, so I wanted to help.”
“You know, for someone who was pissed to see me a couple of weeks ago, you’re actually very nice.”
“You have to break through the tough exterior to get to the nice.” He smirks.
“Are you saying I broke down your barriers?”
He takes a sip of his coffee and looks me in the eyes. “The first squeeze of your wet pussy over my cock broke down my walls.”
My cheeks go red, and I can’t hold back the smile. “That’s not a veryfriends with no benefitsthing to say.”
“Hey, you said we should joke about it.”
“Was that a joke? Because to me, your giant cock is nothing to laugh about.”
His lips twitch as he blows out a breath. “Okay, change of subject.”
I chuckle, then nod at the bag next to him. “Please tell me there’s something to eat in there.”
“There is.” He sets his coffee down and picks up the bag. He pulls out a muffin and says, “These are from the bakery here in town, and they’re amazing. Aubree is feral for them.”
“They smell delicious.” I take a large whiff. Apple, maple, and cinnamon all filter through my senses, making my stomach gurgle. If Ryland wasn’t currently present, I’d bury my head intothis muffin, but I maintain control and break off a piece instead. When the flavors, warmth, and fluffiness hit my mouth, I know this won’t be the last time I eat one of these.
“I can see why Aubree’s feral over them.”
He chuckles. “I actually got some for her too because she’s coming over today.”
“She is? What do you have planned?”
He breaks off a piece of his muffin and tosses it in his mouth. “The family is coming over to help me with my house. I have to finish unpacking and get it all set up. I think Mac wants some normalcy, and boxes everywhere is not normalcy.” He pauses, and if I didn’t know him better, I’d say he was embarrassed. But I see remorse in his expression.
“What is it?”
“She asked me whether I had forgotten her mom. Cassidy.” He looks so forlorn that I knowforgettinghis sister will always be an impossibility.
“You wouldn’t, Ryland. Even I know that,” I say, hoping he hears the sincerity and honesty in my voice. He smiles one of his reticent smiles.
“Yeah, of course, I won’t. But Mac asked if I’d forgotten her because we hadn’t put any pictures of her on the walls. Fuck, I felt awful when she asked that.”
