Chapter Twenty-Three
It’s three hours later and after ten o’clock when I make it back home.
I stayed with Allysa for another hour after Ryle left and then went
back to my office to finish up a few things so that I don’t have to go in
for the next two days. Whenever Ryle has a day off, I try to coincide
my own days off with his.
The lights are off when I walk through the front door, so that
means Ryle is already in bed.
The entire drive home I thought about what he’d said. I wasn’t
expecting this conversation to come up so soon. I’m almost twenty-
five, but I had it in my head it would be at least a couple of years
before we started trying for a family. I’m still not certain I’m ready for
it yet, but knowing it’s now something he wants someday has put me
in an incredibly happy mood.
I decide to make myself a quick bite to eat before waking him up. I
haven’t had dinner yet and I’m starving. When I flip on the kitchen
light, I scream. My hand goes to my chest and I fall against the
counter. “Jesus Christ, Ryle! What are you doing?”
He’s leaning with his back against the wall next to the refrigerator.
His feet are crossed at the ankles and his eyes are narrowed in my
direction. He’s flipping something over in his fingers, staring at me.
My eyes fall to the counter to his left and I see an empty glass that
probably recently held scotch. He drinks it on occasion to help him
fall asleep.
I look back at him and there’s a smirk on his face. My body
instantly grows warm at that smile because I know what comes next.
This apartment is about to become a frenzy of clothes and kisses.
We’ve christened nearly every room since we moved in here, but the
kitchen is one we haven’t tackled yet.
I smile back at him, my heart still beating erratically from the shock
of finding him here in the dark. His eyes fall to his hand, and I notice