Down and Dirty by Kendall Ryan

Author:Kendall Ryan [Ryan, Kendall]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kendall Ryan
Published: 2020-02-19T16:00:00+00:00

Landon

Aubree seems to have let go of her insecurities about our age difference, and the last thing I want to do is set her off again, so I hope my question won’t do that.

“Can I ask you something?” I ask, stretching to bring one arm around her in the bed.

She nods, picking at a piece of lint on the duvet. “Go for it.”

“Why are you still single?”

She lifts her head from its resting spot on my chest and gives me an uncertain look. “What do you mean?”

I shrug. “You’re obviously a catch. Smoking hot. Fun. Smart. Amazing at Skee-Ball.”

She smirks. “Go on . . .”

I smile. “Well, I’m not going to lie and tell you that you’re a good dancer. You’re not, babe.”

“Shush.” She swats my arm. “Just ask me what you wanted to ask me.”

“Well, I was just wondering why you haven’t settled down with someone yet?”

She licks her lips, weighing my question. “I’ve dated a lot, but I always kept things casual. I guess it’s just because I’ve always prioritized my job over my relationships. I love what I do, you know, and it’s important work.”

I nod. “That’s a good reason, I guess.”

She inhales, releasing the breath slowly as she lays her head back down against my chest. “Maybe. But I know you’re right. If I don’t want to end up old and alone, I’m going to need to learn to make room for a man in my life.”

That’s not what I asked, but I don’t point that out. And since I’m hoping to be that man in her future, at her side, I don’t want to press my luck. “Today was a good start.”

She nods. “It was fun.” There’s a long pause before Aubree continues. “I haven’t told you this before, but my parents divorced when I was young.”

“How old were you?”

“Little. First grade, I think. I hardly remember a time when they were together, so the divorce itself wasn’t difficult on me. But I watched my mom go from relationship to relationship, always looking for a man to fulfill her. I guess that left an impression.”

I’m pleased that Aubree’s finally letting me in, but I opt to stay quiet and just run my fingertips along her arm, hoping she’ll continue. And after a little while, she does.

“I vowed that I would never be like that—dependent on a man with nothing for myself. I didn’t want to repeat her mistakes. So I went to college, focusing on myself, my goals, my grades, applying for the best internships. I was driven, and I never really focused on dating. I liked that about myself, you know? I took pride in that.”

“And you should.”

I want to ask if she feels differently now. Even if I do respect the hell out of her for creating the future she wants for herself, I hope she’s starting to consider how I might fit into that future too. But am I brave enough to ask her?

Nope.

Instead, I just enjoyed the feel of her in my arms, and try to quiet the worry in my head.

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