Ryan chokes on a laugh, and Dad mutters something that sounds like a prayer.
Nathan glares. “This is not funny.”
“It’s a little funny,” I say, shrugging. “Especially the vein popping out of your forehead right now.”
Nathan glares at Ryan. “You can’t blame me for being skeptical. You’ve never had a relationship in your life.”
Ryan shrugs, his eyes finding mine. “Guess I was just waiting for your sister.”
Nathan makes a gagging noise.
Dad starts to say something else, but I hold up a hand. “Nope. We’re done here. You’ve both officially lost your talkingprivileges. You don’t get to decide who I’m with. You don’t have to like it, but you will respect it.” I grab Ryan’s wrist, tugging him up from the chair. “Come on, Ryan. Let’s go have sex.”
Ryan blinks. “Uh?—”
Nathan throws his hands in the air. “For the love of God, at least use protection!” he yells. “I am way too young to be an uncle.”
“Don’t worry,” I shoot back. “He’ll pull out.”
The silence that follows is immediate andpainful.Dad looks like he’s just had a stroke. Nathan opens his mouth, then closes it again like his brain short-circuited.
I grab Ryan’s wrist and drag him toward the door.
As soon as we’re away from the office, Ryan comes to a halt, scratching the back of his neck. “Not that I’m against the idea, babe, but… I did just get my nuts kicked.”
I sigh, turning toward him and reaching up to gently touch his jaw. His skin is warm beneath my fingers. My thumb brushes his busted lip, careful not to hurt him.
“God,” I murmur. “What did they do to you?”
Ryan just smiles, that stupid crooked grin that got me into this mess in the first place. “Worth it.”
I shake my head, laughing despite everything that just happened. “You’re ridiculous.”
He slides his hands around my hips, pulling me closer. “I’d take a hundred more beatings if it meant being with you.”
My heart squeezes in my chest.
“I really hope it doesn’t come to that,” I say softly.
He grins, leaning in until his forehead rests against mine. “Me too. But hey, there is a silver lining to all this.”
“Yeah?” I reply, raising an eyebrow. “What’s that?”
His hand curls around the back of my neck, his thumb brushing against my skin—the way he knows I love. He stares into my eyes, a smile tugging at his lips. “We don’t have tohide anymore. Your brother knows. Your dad knows. The team knows.”
My smile widens at the realization, and then he leans in, capturing my lips with his.
Ryan pulls away from the kiss, still grinning. “Guess there’s no turning back now, huh?”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Nope. You’re stuck with me now.”
He tugs me closer, his hands sliding down to my hips, his grin widening. “Good. Cause I wouldn’t want to turn back even if I could.”
38
RYAN
The house is suffocating.
