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I blink and tighten the blanket aroundI had considered

He leans against the doorfra his arms “Truthfully, I don’t know, but I always err on the side of caution and assu watched all the time”

“That’s a terrible way to live”

“Possibly, but it’s the way Iphotographed”

He’s too serious I don’t want him to return to his old self I want him to stay focused on the heat between us, so I rise and slowly lower one side of the blanket off my shoulder “What if they printed this in the tabloids, would that bother you?”

“Hadley” He frowns

“No?” I ask playfully “Really, this wouldn’t bother you?” I lower the blanket just a bitskin I know he’s way more possessive of than he wants to admit aloud

He’s staring atin his eyes Then he’s there, right in front of me, and he yanks me into his arms and presses a tender kiss on s the blanket back over ives ” is the only answer he’s obviously prepared to givethe door behind us

Inside hts are turned off, but as I walk by, I turn one of the la up into the corner When Ryder joins me, I can tell by the curiosity in his expression that he’s wondering where hts are at

I know hih to knoants to talk about it, so why avoid the inevitable “There’s a lot against us,” I admit

“There is,” he agrees

That’s the heaviness on my mind, I decide We’ve waited for this But now that it’s happened, it al tiets out, the trouble it will cause you…”

“Hadley, we still have time Don’t think of what-ifs”

How could I not? Because the what-ifs are at the center of my life “I don’t want this to hurt you, Ryder”

He slides one arm over the back of the couch as one eyebrow arches “You’re thinking of me?”