This Time Around (Maybe #2)(52)

Summer sighs. “Xander said they are fine, not to worry; they will explain everything. Then he tried to make light of it by reminding me about the first time we officially met.”

“What happened?”

Summer cracks a smile. “I had to pick him up from jail. He spent the night in there for fighting. Xander’s the only one not in jail this time because he had to look after Sephie.”

“I thought Seph was at work?” I’m so confused right now.

“I’m sure there’s an explanation. Let’s just get home,” Isis says, rubbing her arms for the cool breeze.

“Isis is right,” Summer says. “Let’s all go home. Do you guys want to stay at my place? Then we can go get the guys together in the morning.”

“Sounds good,” I tell her, grateful that I didn’t have to spend the night alone worrying about Ryan. We call a taxi and wait for them to pick us up. We then head to Summer’s. I try to go to sleep but all I can do is think about Ryan. What the hell happened tonight?

*****

Ryan’s been home for an hour, and I’m still trying to process what he’s just told me.

“So you went to a strip club, and Sephie works there? As a stripper?” My voice pitches higher with each word.

“Yeah,” he says, his voice cracking a little. I look at the bruise on his cheek, the only evidence of him being involved in a fight. Sephie, a stripper? I really didn’t see this one coming, that’s for damn sure.

“Where is she now?” I ask him.

He swallows hard. “I haven’t spoken to her yet.” Poor Sephie, who knows what’s going on in that head of hers right now. I cover my face with my hands, sliding them down and resting them on either side of my neck.

“Go talk to her, Ryan,” I encourage him softly.

He sighs. “I know. I will. I just… come here,” he says, opening his arms. I lean into him, closing my eyes, so happy he’s back.

“I missed you last night,” I whisper.

“I heard you had a sleep over. I’m guessing yours was better than ours,” he says, startling a laugh out of me. “How was your night?”

“It was good, until my husband got arrested,” I say as I trail my lips up his neck.

“I’m sorry, Tay. I just saw her there and lost my temper.”

“I know.” I reach my hand up and touch his bruise with my fingers. “Does it hurt?”

He grins. “No.”

As if he would admit it if it did. “Are you too injured to make love to your wife?”

“Never, beautiful. Plus, I just got out of jail…”

I start cracking up laughing. “That one night in jail made you really horny, huh?”

“Well, I was hard all night picturing you in that school girl outfit, and what I was going to do to you, so yes.”

“I can put it on again for you,” I say, nibbling his ear lobe.

“Now?” he says, sounding extremely eager.

I decide to use this to my advantage. “No, not now. After you talk to Sephie.”

He growls, “Are you bribing me, wife?”

“Yes, is it working?” I ask, batting my eyelashes. He stares at me with an intensity that makes me want to rip all my clothes off and beg for him to take me.

“I love you. You know that, right?” he says, his gaze holding mine.

My entire face softens as I look at him. “I know.”

“You still love me, even if I’m an ex-con?” he jokes, hiding his smile in my hair.

“I’ll always love you, no matter what,” I say. “Even if you’ve done time.”

He laughs. “You’re amazing.”

“I try,” I say, my eyes still on his bruise.

He exhales. “I better go sort things out with my sister.”

I inch away from him as he stands. “Be dressed in that uniform and waiting for me when I get home.”

“And if I’m not?” I reply, lifting my chin up.

“Then you find out what happens to naughty girls,” he says, his eyes sparking with mischief. He kisses my forehead. “Do you want me to bring you anything on my way home?”

I look down towards his lap.

Ryan laughs, “What am I going to do with you?”

“I have a few ideas.”

“So do I,” he says, kissing me before he walks out of the apartment.

Is it suddenly hot in here or what?





Chapter Thirty-One

Ryan

I don’t think I’ll ever understand women. I watch as Seph paces the small confines of her apartment. Throwing an evil glance at Reid and me every now and again.

“Why are you mad at us again? We just found out that you’re a stripper and you’ve been lying to us about working in a café. I’m pretty sure it’s us that should be pretty pissed off right now.”

Reid grunts his agreement. Seph stops her pacing to glare at me. If looks could kill… let’s just say, I’d be dead on the floor right now.

“You overbearing jerk! I’m not a stripper! I’m just a waitress there,” she says, her chest heaving in anger.

I exhale in relief. Not an ideal job, but a million times better than a stripper. “It’s not safe to work there. That man was putting his paws all over you,” I say, trying to contain my anger.