“Yes,” I reply, shaking Herman’s hand. “I’d be honored.”
“Good. It’s settled then. How about family dinner at the house Saturday to celebrate?” he asks, directing his question to Ryder.
“We don’t have any plans that we can’t cancel.”
And just like that, I’m part of the team. Part of the family.
As Ryder and I drive back to his house, my mind is going a million miles a minute. Idea after idea comes to me. Pulling a receipt from my purse, I begin writing them down so I don’t forget them later on. I want my first client to be the jewelry store Ryder and I worked on together. It seems fitting in a way.
“Go get changed,” he says, swatting me gently on the butt. “I want to take you out to celebrate.”
Giggling, I rush down the hall and into Ryder’s room. Over the past two weeks, he’s purchased new furniture. His bed is no longer on the floor, his clothes no longer in baskets in the corner. His closet, however, is jam packed. I’ve brought a few things over. Rather, they’ve ended up here after work, after a night out or as back up clothes for those nights I planned on staying.
I still plan on going home every night. This isn’t my home, I’m a guest. The thing is, I like staying here. I like sleeping wrapped in Ryder’s arms. I feel safe and happy. At first, I protested staying all the time. Now, I assume I’m going home but hope he asks me to stay.
“Just one more night,” he always says.
Tonight will be night number nineteen in a row.
Pulling a long, red dress from the closet and a pair of black, strappy heels, I quickly change. Letting my hair down, I run my fingers through it and freshen up my makeup.
“Ready,” I announce, making my way into the kitchen. When Ryder doesn’t say anything, I twirl in place and grin at him.
His dimple appears moments later, that sly grin I love so much making its appearance. Dinner is a thing of the past. Ryder is on the prowl, his eyes taking me in from head to toe as he slowly makes his way around the kitchen island and to where I’m standing.
When he reaches me, he firmly places his hands on my hips and I can feel how shaky he is.
“Emerson, I…”
His voice trails off. Closing his eyes, I can see he’s doing everything he can to maintain control.
The fact that he wants me, right now, as much as he does makes my heart soar. I want him just as much, and he needs to know that.
Tugging on his tie, Ryder’s eyes pop open as I loosen the knot, pulling it free and tossing it on the floor. Next are the buttons on his shirt. His eyes never leave mine as I slowly and meticulously unbutton each one. When I tug his shirt from his pants, he takes over, stripping himself of his shirt in one swift motion.
“Hungry?” he asks, sliding the strap of my dress off my shoulder and kissing my neck.
“Not really.”
“Good,” he states, gripping my hips and lifting me.
Wrapping my legs around him, Ryder carries me to his bedroom, kicking the door closed behind us. After gently setting me on the edge of the bed, he looks me deep in the eyes. If he’s looking for uncertainty or doubt, he won’t find any. This is our moment. We’ve waited long enough and there’s no reason I can find to wait any longer.
After we slowly finish undressing each other, Ryder takes his time appreciating every curve of my body. His hands are unsteady, a clear sign that he’s holding back as my body screams at him to hurry the hell up. There will be time to appreciate each other later.
“Are you about done?” I ask, sliding away from him, hoping he’ll get the message I’m trying to send him.
“I can be if that’s what you want.”
“I think you know exactly what I want.”
“Oh yeah? What’s that?” he teases, crawling across the bed to get within reach of me again.
Once he reaches me, he pulls on my legs and in an instant, he’s straddling me.
“You, Ryder. Just you.”
“For how long, Emerson?” Tilting my head in confusion, he continues. “How long can I keep you? Because if you’ll let me, I’d like to keep you for the rest of my life.”
Before I can respond, Ryder’s claiming me as his and the only thing I can say is yes. For right now. For tomorrow. For the rest of my life.
Forever. He can keep me forever.
The next rumor is coming…SOON!
Did you enjoy Emerson & Ryder’s story? If so, the next book in the Rumors series will be available 4/26/18. I wonder what the rumor mill has to say about Justine & Devon?
“Like wildfire, rumors are easy to spread… and hard to extinguish.”
Broken heart after broken heart, Justine is about to give up on dating when an unexpected meeting, followed by a night spent getting to know each other, leads Justine to believe that she may have found the man she’s been waiting for. Things are finally looking up until the man who ruined her waltzes back into her life.
For Devon, it was supposed to be a quick trip up north. A surprise party for a friend’s birthday, but the surprise is on him. He didn’t count on falling for Justine and he wasn’t in the market for anything serious, but she makes him want to change everything. After spending every available moment together, Devon’s ready to take the plunge and uproot his life for her.
Rumors begin to fly, reaching Devon in Chicago. He doesn’t know whether to believe what he’s being told and forget his feelings for Justine or stand up and fight for what he wants.
In the meantime, check out these other titles
by Rachael Brownell…
Chasing Fate
Sticks & Stones
Imperfect Love Story
5… The number of years since I’ve been home.
4… The number of people who know my secret.
3… The number of times I attempted to move on.
2… The number of months I spent crying after I left.
1… The number of men I’ll love in my lifetime.
They say everyone has one true love, one person who was made just for them. A person they were meant to spend the rest of their life with.
For me, that person was Wyatt.
Our love was perfect. When we were together, nothing else mattered. Not college. Not our parents. Because our relationship wasn’t about anyone else.
We had big plans for our future together.
The thing about life… it doesn’t always go as planned.
Coming June, 21 2018
https://www.subscribepage.com/e3g0o6
About the Author
Rachael Brownell is an award-winning author of both young-adult and new-adult romance. She resides in the midwest with her husband, son and their fur-babies. To learn more about Rachael and her books, follow her on social media or sign up for her monthly newsletter.
For more information…
www.AuthorRachaelBrownell.com
[email protected]
Also by Rachael Brownell
Holding On (Holding On series book 1)
Unglued (Holding On series book 2)
Weakness (Holding On series book 3)
Flawed Reality (Holding On series book 4)
A Secret Life (Secrets Duet #1)
Secrets & Lies (Secrets Duet #2)
Saving Bliss (Love & Loss Duet #1)
Losing Chelsea (Love & Loss Duet #2)
Dark Bishop
Dear Maggie
Lucky 13
Jumping Puddles
Next
Take A Gamble
Chasing Fate
Sticks & Stones
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Rumors: Emerson & Ryder Page 20
