“So spill it.”
“Will you sit on my lap?”
“Excuse me?”
“Will you sit on my lap, I want to touchyou.”
“You can hold my hand.”
“I want to hold your body.” His eyes flashand my insides stir.
I hesitate for a beat before he pulls me ontohim, my legs hanging over one side. He slides his arms around mywaist locking me in, and then looks up at me. It’s an almostvulnerable stare.
“Okay, so you got me where you want me,talk.”
“This is nowhere close to where I want you,but I’ll take it for now,” his voice calling to me like a hypnoticmelody. Ryan takes a deep breath then says, “Prison, I spent threeand a half years in prison.”
“What?” I shift my body but he holds metight. “Why were you in prison?”
“Because of my brother.”
“Sean? Why were you in prison because ofSean?”
“Because he’s a drug addict piece ofshit.”
“Ryan.”
“It’s the truth. He’s always getting intotrouble. And sometimes he drags me down with him.”
“So what, you got popped with drugs orsomething?”
“Not exactly.” His leg starts to shake. “Youknow I’m not from the most desirable family. Mother’s an alcoholic,father skipped out when I was three. Drug addict sibling.”
“That never mattered to me.”
“I know. That’s why it’s so important youunderstand what I’m about to tell you.” He takes my hand almost asif it’s his life line, “You know I would never lie to you.”
“You keep telling me,” I say dryly.
“I mean it. I also told you I love my family,even though they’re a fucked up bunch.”
“Yeah, well, no one’s family is perfect.”
Except maybe Emily’s.
Without even thinking I wrap one arm aroundRyan’s shoulders. He looks up at me with those indomitable blueeyes, the same flicker of hope resurfacing from before. I don’twant to lead him on. But God, he feels so right. “So your family’sa fucked up bunch…?”
“Well, that morning, you know after thecabana? I went to grab some coffee and breakfast for us. From thatlittle café on the promenade you liked. I was on my way back when Iwas pulled over. They said I was speeding. Maybe I was,” he ramblesnervously. “They ran my license and before I knew it the cops wereslapping hand cuffs on me for an outstanding warrant.”
“A warrant for what?”
“Failure to appear in court.”
“For what?”
“A drug charge.”
“But you don’t do drugs, or at least youdidn’t?”