Chapter 15
Hannah’s eyes met Ryder’s briefly before she quickly looked away, her heart skipping a beat.
Tamia stood awkwardly to the side, unable to bear the tension. “You know what? I just remembered I have… something. I should go. You two carry on.”
She hurried out of the living room, leaving Hannah and Ryder alone in uncomfortable silence.
Hannah cleared her throat softly. “Did Tamia explain everything to you? I’ll cover all your grandmother’s medical expenses, plus a hundred thousand dollars monthly for… your time.”
Ryder nodded, his expression neutral. “She explained. But I don’t accept those terms.”
Hannah tensed, assuming he wanted more money.
Looking at his face–so eerily like Chace’s–she couldn’t bring herself to negotiate harshly. “What amount did you have in mind?”
Ryder studied her, his gaze unexpectedly earnest. “Just the medical expenses for my grandmother. I don’t need the hundred thousand. My startup is launching soon–I’ll be able to support myself.”
Hannah stared at him, taken aback. “Alright,” she said, her voice softening. “That works.”
She hesitated before continuing, “You’ll need to stay here. So we can… get to know each other.”
Ryder nodded. “How do you suggest we do that?”
Hannah looked directly at him, her gaze unflinching. “We could start by sleeping together.”
She delivered this suggestion without a hint of embarrassment, as if discussing the weather.
Ryder didn’t blush either. He simply nodded, his voice deep and steady. “Fine by me.”
Hannah blinked, surprised by his easy agreement.
She stood and moved closer to him, looking up into his face with complex emotions swirling in her eyes. “So… now?”
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Chapter 15
Without speaking, Ryder gently took her wrist and pulled her toward him.
His touch was gentle but commanding, leaving no room for hesitation.
“Your bedroom?” he asked, his voice low and husky with barely controlled desire.
Hannah nodded, allowing him to lead her by the hand into the master suite.
The room was dimly lit by a single amber wall sconce, casting everything in a soft, intimate glow.
Ryder guided her to the bed, leaning down to capture her lips with his.
His kiss was gentle yet insistent, as if he meant to consume her completely.
Hannah’s breathing quickened, her fingers clutching his shirt so tightly her knuckles whitened.
A tide of emotions washed through her–part liberation, part surrender.
His fingers deftly unbuttoned her blouse, his touch whisper–light against her skin, sending tiny shivers through her body.
His eyes never left her face, watching for her reactions, silently seeking confirmation.
“Is this okay?” he asked softly.
“Yes,” she breathed.
That night, Ryder was everything she hadn’t realized she needed.
For hours, he seemed tireless, bringing her to the edge again and again, making her body respond in ways she’d forgotten were possible.
Hannah lost herself completely in his arms, finally drifting into satisfied sleep near dawn.
In those hazy moments between consciousness and dreams, looking at that achingly familiar face, a tear slipped from the corner of her eye. She held him tightly, whispering, “I finally have you back…”
She never noticed that after she fell asleep, Ryder gently kissed her forehead, murmuring words she couldn’t hear: “I have you back too, Hannah.”
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