“But can’t you work from anywhere?” Stormy asked. “Your companies. They’re all online, right?”
“Yeah, but my headquarters is L.A. I have investors and partners there,” he said.
“Veronica,” Stormy huffed.
“Yes, Veronica,” he laughed. “But that’s not why. She has nothing to do with anything. Believe me. That ship sailed a long time ago.”
“We’re missing the show. Can we talk about this later?” Stormy changed the subject. He leaned back down on the blanket as she curled up to him with her head on his shoulder. She tried to focus on the fiery, colorful swirls and shapes flying through the air, but all she thought about was Ryder’s proposition.
The moment the show ended and they were back inside Ryder’s rental car, the topic came up again.
“Stormy, we really need to figure something out,” he said.
“What’re you talking about?” She played dumb.
“You know exactly what I’m talking about,” he scoffed. “Are you moving out west or not?”
“The thought of picking up and leaving and moving to be with someone I’ve only known a short time is terrifying for me,” she said. “You have to understand that.”
“Trying to have a relationship with someone halfway across the country is not doable for me,” he said. “Long distance relationships never work out. I want to give this a fair chance.”
“Where would I live?” she asked.
“You could stay with me until you get a job and then I’d help you find a place,” he said. “And I’m completely serious about buying your place. If you don’t want to sell it, why don’t you rent it out? That would give you some extra income so you don’t feel so dependent on me for things, not that I wouldn’t help you out.”
Stormy bit her nails with nervousness and excitement as she thought about it. The idea of packing up her bags and hopping on a one-way flight terrified her, but she knew if she wanted to see where this was going with Ryder, she had no other choice.
“I’d rather not sell my house,” she said. “Just in case this doesn’t work out. I need a place to come home to.”
“Completely understand.”
“I guess I’ll post an ad online looking for renters,” she sighed. “You win.”
Ryder beamed from ear to ear as he reached over and squeezed her hand hard. He really did like her. He really did want to be with her. He really was serious about trying to make it work.
“Are you sure Zander will be okay with me staying with you guys for a bit?” she asked.
“Zander reports to me. His opinion doesn’t matter,” Ryder snickered. “But of course he’ll be fine.”
“Okay, good,” she giggled.
“And if he’s not, well, I own the condo. I’ll just tell him to take a hike,” Ryder said.
Stormy loved that Ryder was a no nonsense kind of guy, but every once in a while she saw a tiny bit of the alpha dog control freak in him come out. She didn’t know if it scared her or turned her on.
They arrived back at the trailer and headed back inside. The crickets chirped stridently outside and the cool air of the inside of the house was a welcome relief from the humid, July night air.
Stormy’s hair was sticking to her sweaty neck, and Ryder’s face was glistening.
“I’m not used to all this humidity anymore,” he said as he wiped his brow.
“I don’t think I’ve ever gotten used to it,” she replied as she gathered her hair at the nape of her neck and moved it over her shoulder. She fanned her face as she attempted to cool off. Impatiently she stripped her t-shirt off right then and there, leaving nothing but her shorts and camisole.
Ryder smirked as he looked her up and down. “You’re so fucking sexy.”
Stormy’s cheeks burned red, only from embarrassment rather than heat. Jett had always told her how sexy and beautiful she was, but she never believed him. She thought he was just being nice. It felt good to hear Ryder tell her that too.
“Stop,” she said as she swatted her hands towards him.
She trotted into the kitchen to grab a chilled bottle of water from the refrigerator and tossed one towards him. They gulped the refreshing, chilled water and stood in the kitchen in silence. Ryder was standing exactly where she had found Jett lying bleeding and unconscious the day that he was killed. She forced herself to think of something else. She had to replace the bad memories with the good or else she’d never move on. She’d be trapped, reliving those moments over and over again, just like Brooklyn said.
“What’s wrong?” Ryder asked.