Page 25 of Ashes to Ink

“I’ve been thinking about this for probably longer than Ishould have,” he said, honestly.

“Same.” She searched his eyes, and he gave her a nod.

“Are you ready for me?”

“Yes. But, Ryan? It’s been a while. So go slow.”

He nodded again, having already guessed that. She might’vegone on a couple of dates, but the way she had talked about them, he knew theyhadn’t gone well. He’d be the first person since Max. And that was why itwasn’t just the two of them in the house. And he was okay with that.

He truly was.

He didn’t want her to forget the person she had lovedbefore.

But he also wanted to make this good for her, to make thisjust about them. At least for the few moments they had.

So he kissed her, placed himself at her entrance, and slowlyslid into her. She tensed below him before melting. She was right, it had beena while for her. She was tight. Almost impossibly tight. But that was okay. Heslowly worked his way in and out of her as he used one hand on her clit to makeit easier for both of them. The other roamed her body before landing in herhair, helping to keep his mouth on hers as he kissed her.

They made love slowly, softly. Maybe they would go hardernext time, and maybe there would be no next time. He hoped there was, but rightthen, nothing else mattered. It was just the two of them, only them. And so,when she came again, he caught her scream with his mouth. And then he cameinside the condom deep inside her, pumping hot and hard. She was his, if onlyfor the moment.

He wiped away the single tear that had fallen down hercheek, and he didn’t feel bad about it.

He didn’t know if he could.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered.

“You’re not so bad yourself. Thank you for tonight,” shewhispered.

He grinned.

“I probably shouldn’t have said that while you’re stillinside me but thank you.”

He kissed her again and then slowly slid out of her beforetaking care of the condom. He found a washrag in her bathroom, got it wet withwarm water, and then went to clean her up. He kept his eyes on her, one handholding hers, their fingers entangled as he wiped between her legs. They hadused a condom, but he still wanted to make sure she was taken care of.

“You’re pretty great, Ryan. Just saying.”

He kissed her again. “And you’re pretty great, too. Thankyou for tonight,” he whispered.

“I think we already said that.”

“Maybe. But I think I’ve lost the ability to make my brainwork and actually use words.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Then she sat up and swungher legs to the edge of the bed. That left him standing between her thighs, sohe kissed her again.

“I have to text Adrienne soon and see if I’m going to pickup Julia or if she’s going to drop her off. I know that’s not the sexiest thingto say while we’re both naked. But real life tends to get in the way of thingslike that.”

He traced her jaw with his fingertip and nodded.

“I understand. Julia’s number one. She should be. I’m goingto kiss you again, and then I’m going to get dressed and leave. But, Abby? Ihope you don’t have any regrets. Tonight was…tonight was amazing, and not justwhat we did in this bedroom. And I’m going to see you at work, and hopefully,I’ll see you again afterwards. So, tonight? Tonight was great. Tonight was youand me. I enjoyed myself. I hope you did too.”

He hoped he was saying the right things because it wasn’teasy trying to figure out what was the right thing to do and say when it cameto the woman in front of him. She had a life of her own. She was a single mom.Julia would always come first, and Ryan would never be annoyed with that. Buthe also didn’t want to move too fast or make promises that he couldn’t keep.

His brother would likely make sure he wouldn’t be able tokeep those promises, after all.

Abby leaned forward and kissed his chest. “Thank you. AndI’ll see you at work. And, yes, I think I’d like to see you outside of it,too.”

Then he kissed her again but didn’t say another word.

He didn’t want to ruin the moment with something stupid likeasking her if she was really okay. Because after all, she would have to deal withher feelings regarding the fact that he had been the first person she’d beenwith since Max. He didn’t know what to say about that and didn’t want toencroach on her feelings. He would be there if she wanted to talk about it,even if it might be awkward.