I want to tell her to shut up, that it doesn’t matter anymore, but I can’t seem to get the words out.
“I just got out of a bad relationship, and you’re the first person I’ve been with. I panicked.”
“I’m sorry.”
“What are you sorry for? I’m the one who should apologize.”
“I’m sorry you had to suffer through a bad relationship. Relationships aren’t easy. Bad ones can be unbearable.”
“You have no idea.” Her eyes travel down to the ground. “Thank you for the chance, but I’m going to decline.”
“Please don’t.” I close the gap between us. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”
“Why?”
“Because Amelia needs you.” I pause, unsure if I should complete my thought. Deciding to go for it, I put it out there. “I need you.” Taking her chin between my finger and thumb, I tilt her head up, forcing her to look at me. My thumb runs along her bottom lip, causing them to part.
“Ryder.” My name sounds breathy and sexy, pulling at the last bit of restraint I’ve desperately been holding on to.
“One last time. One kiss goodbye.” She grants me permission, and the moment she does, my lips are on her. The kiss is soft and deep, filled with so much more than just sexual desire.
When we break the kiss, Ember looks up at me.
“Are you sure about this?”
Turning her into my employee? Giving her up? Putting Amelia before my desire to be buried in Ember, again and again?
“Absolutely not,” I reply with a laugh. I glance out the window where Amelia is doing Ninja moves on Mark. “But she is, and she takes top priority.”
“I promise I’ll take good care of her.”
“I’m sure you will.”
“When do I start?”
“How about now?”
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
Ember
All eyes fall on us when we exit the conference room.
Ryder’s friend Mark takes a quick read of the situation.
“You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here. Interviews are over,” he shouts.
He and his wife, Charlie, nudge the extremely disappointed women out the door. They’re all glaring at me and shooting daggers in my direction. I can’t blame them. I would be, too, if I were in their shoes.
With the lobby cleared out and only Ryder and I left with Amelia, he offers to walk me to my car. Sweet gesture… if I had a car.
“Oh, uh, I don’t have a car. I hope that’s not a problem.”
“Not at all. Can I give you a ride then?”
Why is it at the mention of the word ‘ride,’ my mind drifts to the shower when he stood behind me and drove himself into me excruciatingly slow? Heat rises to my cheeks, and I pray he can’t see the red in them.
“That’s not necessary. I already called for an Uber.”