“That’s twice you and my daughter have gotten up from a dinner table. Anything I need to know?”
Ava squeezed my hand as we headed back to our seats. “No, Daddy. All is fine.”
After taking my seat, Jase leaned over and said, “Dude, I love seeing the smile on Ava’s face, but you hurt her, I hurt you.”
Turning to look at Jase with wide eyes, I whispered, “Point taken.” When I looked over to Ava’s brother, Walker, he communicated the same damn thing with the look on his face. With a smile, I gave him a nod of acknowledgment and turned back to my father. The look on his face told me I was going to be having a conversation with him later about this as well.
My eyes turned to Ava who was now smiling and talking my sister’s ear off. I couldn’t help but feel happiness bubbling over. Of course my smile faded when I caught Reed giving me a death stare.
This should be an interesting evening.
DINNER DRAGGED ON and was followed by drinks in the parlor as Ryder and I stole glances every now and then. Each time my heart would beat a little harder in my chest. The idea of being with him tonight was almost too much to take. My lips still tingled from his kiss. My skin still on fire from where he touched me.
“I’m pretty sure if you keep staring at my brother like that, his pants are going to just fly off at any moment.”
Dani stood before me with her hands rested on her belly. “Is it that obvious?” I asked while looking around the room.
“Oh yeah.” Dani looked over her shoulder toward her sister, Jennifer, and her friend, Destiny. “You’ve got Destiny over there in a huff, but I have to admit, it’s been fun watching her all evening try to capture my brother’s attention.”
My eyes narrowed as I stared at Destiny. Her long blonde hair was perfect. Not a strand out of place. Her toned legs told me she most likely ran or at least paid a small fortune for a good trainer at the gym. “Does she live here in Montana?”
Dani took a sip of her water. “Yep. Her father is best friends with my father. He owns the ranch right next to ours. Growing up, I think it was almost expected that Ryder and Destiny were to date. They were the same age, liked the same things, and were good friends.”
Jealousy raced through my veins as I tried to not picture Ryder and Destiny together. The thought made me feel sick.
“Don’t think too much about it, Ava. Ryder never really was that into Destiny. I think he dated her more to satisfy my father over anything else.”
My interest was piqued. “Why did your father want him to date Destiny?”
Dani shrugged as if not giving it much thought. “I dunno. Maybe thinking someday the two ranches would merge or something. Who knows why my father does anything he does. He loves his kids, but he has always put the ranch first before any of us.”
Turning to look at Dani, I wanted to ask her more, but decided to let it go. Ryder showed no interest in Destiny, and I knew there was nothing there for me to worry about.
As the evening dragged on, I grew more and more anxious to be alone with Ryder. Images of my dreams replayed in my head. Ryder had been talking most of the evening with Walker and Jase, while my father and Layton spoke with Nate, Sr.
Needing to at least be closer to Ryder, I made my way across the room as Ryder headed toward me. The moment our eyes met, I couldn’t help but smile. It felt as if the entire room full of people faded away, leaving just the two of us.
Stopping in front of him, Ryder’s smile nearly knocked me off my feet. “Hey,” was the only stupid thing I could manage to say.
“Hey, back at ya.”
“So, I’ve been thinking.”
Ryder’s eyes looked over my body in a hungry way. “About?”
“Tonight.”
“What about tonight, Ava?”
The way his voice vibrated throughout my body had me wishing I hadn’t made my way over to him. My body was now aching to feel him. To learn every little thing that turned him on. His lips were begging to be nibbled on.
Feeling flushed from my thoughts, I shook my head. “I need some fresh air.”
Ryder held his arm out for me as I laced it through his while we made our way through the living room and toward the front door. Once outside, the cool night air hit my face and cooled off my desire some.
Ryder wrapped his arms around me and buried his face into my neck.
“I want you so badly, Ava.”
My head dropped back to his chest, allowing him easier access to my neck. His lips moved across my skin, leaving a burning trail in their path. “Ryder.”
“We have three days before you leave to head back to Texas. I want to spend every minute with you.”
Ugh. The reality of our future hit me right in the face. I couldn’t forget Ryder was moving to Montana. I was about to sleep with a man who I knew I might not be able to have a future with. That scared the hell out of me.
The night sky caught my attention. It was then I saw how massive the sky was and the amount of stars you could see.