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"Wow," I whisper.
Ryder shifts slightly, propping himself up on one elbow to look down at me.
"Did I live up to your book boyfriend expectations?" he teases.
"Exceeded them," I confess, my cheeks warming under his gaze.
His laughter rumbles through his chest. "Well, Jayden Sommers, looks like you got your happy ending."
My lips curve upward, but I know there's truth threaded through his humor.
"It's not over yet," I say, my fingers dancing across his back now.
He leans down, planting a soft kiss on my forehead. "I'm all yours," he says against my skin. "For as long as you'll have me."
I continue tracing my fingers along Ryder's arms. He watches me as I gather the courage to confess.
"Ryder, there's something I've been meaning to talk to you about," I start in a whisper.
"Go for it," he says, his thumb grazing my jawline.
"I've been doing some research," I continue. His muscles tense under my fingertips. "About those parties... the ones Match Me Bunny hosts."
His eyes narrow slightly. "And what about them?" he asks.
Taking a deep breath, the words tumble out of me. "I want us to explore more. Together." I watch him closely, searching for any sign of his thoughts.
"Explore?" His eyebrow arches.
"More of my sexual adventurous side," I clarify, my cheeks warming at the confession. "I think... it could be exciting for us to go to events like that in the future. Together."
He's silent for a beat, but then, his hand cups my cheek, and his thumb brushes away the anxiety knitting my brow.
"Jayden," he starts, his voice soft, "you know those parties are more than just games and pleasure, right?"
I nod, understanding the weight behind his words. "I know. It's about trust, intimacy..." My voice trails off as I search his face.
"Intimacy we already have," he states firmly, but his lips curve into a smile that reaches his eyes. "Opening up to new experiences with you? Hell, I can't think of anything I want more."
Relief floods through me, and I can’t wait to see where the years ahead take us.
Epilogue
Ryder
The virtual crowd on the game console roars through the surround sound system of my Pawley Island beach house. Dakota's out for the night, leaving Kaleb, Jayden, and me hanging out like a triad of misfits.
I'm lounging on the couch, the controller gripped tight in my hands. Kaleb's intensity matches mine from his throne in the recliner. His gray eyes are locked on the screen, his blond hair falling into his face as he concentrates.
"Fuck, Wolf," he mutters when my digital running back evades his defender with a juke. A smug grin tugs at my lips because,even in pixelated form, I'm dominating the ice—or football field, in this case.
"Better step up your game, Viking," I shoot back.
Beside me, Jayden is curled up like a cat, her eyes darting over the pages of some romance novel she picked up from Book & Barrel. The soft lamplight makes it look like she's got her own personal spotlight.
"Keep it down, boys. You're ruining the mood of my book; the heroine is about to confess her undying love," Jayden sarcastically quips without looking up.
"Sorry to interrupt the epic romance," I say, not sorry at all. "But some of us are trying to make touchdowns here."
