Summer and Oliver risked friendship.
After brutal divorces, Bryn and Logan chose honesty and trust for a second chance.
Dean moved across an ocean for Fitz, who made it possible for them both.
None of those happily ever afters were especially easy. But all are worth it.
I don’t know what’s inside my story. But I’d like to keep turning the pages.
Yes, I’ve been burned, I’ve been hurt, and I’ve lost.
But in these months of being Ransom’s friend, I’ve tasted the potential of new chances.
The possibilities that come with risk.
The pluses of being more than the woman who likes to have a good time, more than the sassy chick marching to the beat of her single-in-the-city soundtrack.
Because last week I told myself the greatest lie of all—that I would get him out of my system in only one night. A few days later, I learned that I don’t want him anywhere but in.
This man is in my system, and I want him there, no matter the risks.
With one last lingering look at all the happy people, I turn around and step toward the risk I’m choosing to take.
I hold open the door to my apartment, then let it close softly behind me, kicking off my shoes.
Ransom toes off his and steps back, looking around. “Cool digs, but can I please have the nickel tour later?”
“Who said I was even giving you a tour at all?”
He laughs, then follows me up the first flight of stairs, and when we reach the landing, his jaw drops. “Is this the second floor? You have two floors?”
I hold up three fingers, smiling as we turn into the living room.
“Hot damn. I would make an ice rink out of one of the floors.”
I laugh. “Yes, admittedly, that was next in my plans.”
“Good plan. I’ll get my skates.”
“I’ll get the Zamboni.”
“A woman after my own heart.” He wraps his arms around my waist and hoists me over his shoulder. “And now I will take the tour of your bed, please.”
I pound my fists playfully on his back, taunting, “See if you can find my bedroom.”
“It can’t be that hard,” he teases, carrying me to the hallway, then stopping in his tracks.
“Holy shit, you have a big hallway too,” he says, setting me down.
“Hey, I thought you were carrying me.” I pout.
“I was, then I saw more of your place.”
“Gawker,” I tease as his eyes swing up and down the long hallway that leads to three bedrooms.
He gestures wildly down the hall. “What do you do with all this space?”
I shrug. “Not much. I don’t go into all the empty rooms. I should sell it, I guess, but I also like it. It’s where I grew up.”
“I like it too,” he says, then waves a hand like he’s dismissing it. “But you know what?”
“What?”
He wiggles his brows. “Let’s go to your room.”
I bump my hip against his. “Hello? I was trying to take you there.”
“Take me there now, woman.”
I lead him to my bedroom, open the door, and bring him to my bed. We strip out of our clothes, and when I run my hands along his carved chest, I let out a long, happy sigh.
This feels right.
This feels like where I want to be—taking this chance, wherever it leads.
17
Ransom
What a difference a week makes.
Sure, the vibe between us changed the night of the auction. Everything felt different as soon as the evening began, as we walked to the event.
But now, as I sit on the edge of her bed, pull her on top of me, and thread my fingers through her hair, we feel different.
In all the right ways.
And I need to let her know.
I need to tell her before we move on to the main attraction. “Teagan,” I say, steeling myself to say the hard stuff—hard for me, that is.
“Yes?” Her voice is shuddery.
“Let’s make a deal,” I say, using the same words we used last time we were together. Except not . . .
She tenses in my arms. “What sort of deal?”
I swallow roughly, pushing past my fears. “Let’s make a deal to let this be what it’s going to be.”
“The sex?” Her voice pitches up.
I shake my head adamantly. “No. The us.”
Us. I’ve avoided being an us for years. But I don’t want to stop coming together with her.
Teagan’s lips curve into a grin, slow and warm. “You and me?”
I nod, bringing her close, dusting a kiss across her jaw. “I don’t think it’s going to be just one night.”
“And you don’t want to stay just friends?”
“I want to be friends. But I also want to be more with you.” It’s a terrifying statement to say out loud, but a wonderful one to give voice to as well. “I want to see you. I want to date you. I want to spend time in and out of bed, just you and me.”
