Chapter Eleven

 

“On Saturday?” Came the mumbled, very testy voice from beneath the pillow.

“I’d really rather not have to explain to the police why you smothered, Rose,” Ryan shook his head and leaned over the bed, kissing her brow softly. “Go back to sleep.”

“Insanity runs in your family!” She called out, burrowing lower when she heard him laughing and the door firmly closing after him.

An hour later she sat perched on the breakfast stool as the breakfast was laid out on the table for them, relieved when Ryan came out from his shower and tipped the young woman. He tied his hair back before folding the sleeves of his shirt up and joining her at the table.

“Wasn’t so painful ordering breakfast, was it?” He met the wrinkled nose with a laugh before launching into a discussion of food in general. He’d managed to convince her to go shopping and let him and Matt handle the packing and moving. So they talked of food over breakfast so she knew what he liked and preferred.

“Wait…” She stood in the doorway to her little apartment, a surge of panic rushing through her over an hour later.

“Rose…”

“No…this is important, Ryan…I need to make sure you know that…I’m not living with you because of…well, it’s mostly for the really good sex,” she murmured, ignoring not only the flush of red to her cheeks but his laughter.

“Rose…I know you’re not after me for my earning potential,” he told her honestly, meeting a pair of eyes filled with relief. “I wouldn’t have had to work so hard if you were,” he teased with a wink.

 

Matt watched her storm out of the parking lot, one brow arched at the laughter from his friend. “You two have an interesting relationship.”

“You have no idea, Matt. On the upside, that wasn’t one of my doors,” Ryan took a set of keys from his pocket. “When will they be here?”

“Now. I signaled them as soon as I saw her leaving,” he looked over at Ryan. “You’re going to let her think we did this on our own, aren’t you?”

“Unless she asks. Guy points,” he said with a grin. “I’ll see you back at the house. Just make sure every drawer, cabinet and shelf are emptied.”

“I’ll manage things, boss…”

 

****

 

Rose drove through the open gates, a part of her numb with what she’d just done. She’d never spent that much money on stuff before. But today she had four and a half bathes to outfit and a kitchen to fill. Her things were coming from the apartment, so she knew what spices and little things she had. She almost managed to chew through one nail going carefully down aisles in three different stores to find the things she was after to stock the kitchen.

She pulled her packed car next to the side of the house where the kitchen door opened directly into it and just sat for a long minute. She liked him. She liked laughing with him and arguing with him and just sitting quietly and watching the sunset outside the windows in the suite at the hotel. She liked playing with him and teasing him and just being herself. Face it, she told herself. You are part of a couple. You are part of a couple with a guy who owns a lot of the planet. That part made her groan a little.

She was relieved to see Susan open the back door and meet her.

“I’m not sure what happened…” Rose winced at the bright laughter as they began hauling bags into the house.

“Did you have a good time?” Susan asked as they passed.

“Actually…yes…I did…” she admitted with a chuckle.

“Ryan said he gave you a credit card…” Susan saw the pulled pout on the younger woman’s lip as they passed again. “He won’t be happy, Rose,” but she chuckled at the face Rose made.

“He’ll deal…”

“So we need to sit down and have a glass of juice and talk before we start organizing the kitchen,” Susan suggested, offering some orange juice with ice. “He said you probably wouldn’t approach me about it.”

“He talks too much,” Rose mumbled darkly, but sighed after a long drink of the cold juice. “I’d like the cooking detail on Fridays and the weekend.”

“Done and easy. Usually if he has a dinner party, he hires staff.”

“Have you known him long?”

“Matt and him were friends for a few years before Ryan offered him a job. Matt likes doing a lot of things, but hates offices,” Susan confided with a chuckle. “I handle the housekeeping and laundry. Most of Ryan’s things are dry cleaning. I’ll find an agency and get a girl for a part time help with the cleaning.”

“This place is huge,” Rose whispered.

“It’s smaller than the one in California,” she met the stunned look on Rose’s face.

“But…why…what’s the point?”

“He has a lot of people who…stay from time to time,” she answered cautiously.

Rose sat up and frowned. “Relatives?”

“Not usually…some…his sister visits now and then. She’s in college in Florida. Mostly it’s business related…”

“People who want things from him?” Rose asked softly. She watched Susan nod slowly.

“They occupy time that should have been his to relax, to be frank.”

“Why does he allow it?”

“Because it’s Ryan…he’s too polite sometimes, I think,” Susan shrugged.

“Do they get what they were after from him?” Rose felt her shoulders tense.

“Some…some, not…sometimes I think he backs things just to get people out of his….space.”

“Then I guess it’s up to you and I to make certain it doesn’t happen.”

“I like how you think, Rose,” Susan smiled and nodded. “I’ll get the bathrooms set up with towels and all this stuff.”

“I don’t like people who…who take advantage of someone. If this is our home, then people do not need to be intruding upon him…us…” Rose said with a nod, pushing against the breakfast nook and rubbing her palms over the seat of her jeans. She went around the kitchen, opening cabinets and focusing for a long minute before she began arranging and emptying boxes and bags around her. The pantry was huge, she stood in the doorway and just stared for a long minute.

Ryan found her sitting in the middle of the kitchen floor, just staring.

“Rose?” He moved to the fridge and opened the door, sighing contentedly and pulling out a large pitcher of orange juice.

“Hmm? There’s lunch stuff in there,” she said absently.

“Have you eaten yet?”

“No…I’m thinking about a nice big sandwich…” She pushed against the floor and exhaled deeply.

“Why were you in the center of the floor, Rose? On the floor?” He explored the inside of the fridge, locating the sandwich things and selecting what he was after.

“Oh…just thinking…”

“What’s the smell?” He wasn’t sure about peeking into steaming pots and pans so he figured it was safer to ask.

“Dinner. Susan gave me some notes with recipes and stuff…she’s fun,” Rose commented getting two small plates out and setting them on the breakfast bar.

“She said you had a very good time shopping for the house,” Ryan watched her make a sandwich, wincing at the mayo she slathered on before laying turkey and sprouts between the bread. She didn’t look up at him but studied placing a freshly peeled cucumber over the turkey before going after some crème cheese, salt and pepper. “I’ve checked my online account.”

“Then you already have the answer to the question you’re not asking,” she answered sweetly, giving him a toothy smile. “What’re the guys building off the gym?”

“A cage,” he growled in return.

“Kinky…” but she peered through thick lashes at him. “We could trade information.”

“I know the answer, now I need a solution,” was his response, level and intent.

“You’re very good at solutions,” she said, more to herself than him.

“Thank you, Rose,” humor hinged his voice, the rest of the sandwich chewed on.

“It doesn’t have my name on it,” she finally said on the last bite of her sandwich, the silence around them making her twitch. “So I used my own account. No big deal, Ryan…seriously…”

“How much, Rose? I’ll have you reimbursed…” His voice came to a hard, abrupt stop at the look in those tawny eyes that whipped from her hands to meet his gaze. A lilting, soft groan broke from his lips when he saw the moisture there. “Rose…”

“I don’t want your money,” she whispered hoarsely. “I don’t want to be bought, Ryan Flannary,” she informed him stiffly, striding from the kitchen without looking over her shoulder at him.

He sat back on the stool, hands tented on the counter and eyes staring at the kitchen she’d just made into hers. Her touches. Small towels he’d never seen before with every manner of design on them. Pans from bright orange to deep red on the stove. Magnets in the shape of every known animal adorned the fronts of both refrigerators.

Rose was right. They needed a manual to avoid painful miss steps. Learning as you go was going to be rough, he thought, hands sunk into the pockets of his jeans as he wandered through the house. He had an idea where she would go and headed for what she was calling the pool house. He’d overheard her talking with Susan about filling it with tropical plants, the pair of them planning to visit a couple nurseries next weekend.

He felt his stomach lurch and palms begin to sweat as he slid the door open, moving quietly onto the dry tiles surrounding the indoor pool.

“I am not packing, nor am I crying,” she informed him loftily, her hands deep in the pockets of her jeans as she stared out into the sparkling waters of the Sound. Dark clouds were moving toward them from over the mountains, but for now, brilliant traces of sunlight moved between the clouds.

“Of course you’re not, Rose,” he said softly, not about to mention he’d seen her swipe angrily at her cheek before he entered.

“I warned you we’d fight.”

Ryan’s laugh was warm, his voice teasing. “Hardly a fight, Rose. More like my inept attempt to discuss a household budget.”

“A budget,” she repeated slowly, turning to face him and knowing instantly it was a mistake to meet those damn blue eyes.

“Yes, a budget. Utilities, household items…that sort of thing.”

“You really want me to believe that there’s a budget for this place? And if I stray over it, we’re doomed to live on the streets under a bridge?” Rose raised one eyebrow, a sense of satisfaction when he looked annoyed. “I talked to Susan about it when we were unloading the groceries. She wanted to know a good local butcher and I found her one a little north of here. Because you enjoy BBQ’s and the occasional dinner party. She also told me that you handle your own money because you don’t trust accountants. Funny, huh? Me being an accountant.”

“Do you believe in a traditional type relationship? Friendship, marriage…whatever term you apply to it…” Ryan walked to one of the thickly cushioned lounges and stretched out on it, his hands behind his head as he watched the wariness in her. He slid to the side and patted the empty space winking at her as her gaze went from him to the cushions. “Come join me, Rose.”

“I don’t think so…you’re distracting…I should be immune…” She mumbled testily even as her feet moved her traitorously closer. The full bow of her lips was set in a pout when he moved swiftly, snagging her wrist and giving one sharp pull. Her body bounced off his much harder, sturdier frame and fit neatly into the slot beside him. “I really hate when you do that…”

“Hmm…I can tell,” he whispered against her throat, his teeth nipping and ego satisfied when she shivered, the soft mew from her lips extremely enticing.

“Stop that. This is serious.”

“I know, sweet Rose…”

She sighed. “And do you have to sound like that? So…calm…and…and understanding…sympathetic…” she knew she was sulking.

“Would you rather I shouted?” A brow arched despite himself, amusement edging his voice.

“I could handle the shouting,” she leaned back and met his eyes, nodding as if to herself. “I could. I think it would only worry me when you go cold and…exacting…strict…I’ve heard you on some of your conference calls with people you’re displeased with…that would bother me…”

“Somehow I’m not sure I could find those tones with you, Rose. I have a difficult time placing the situation where it would be needed,” Ryan brought a palm up, tapping a finger on the lip she was chewing on. “That really is my job…” A laugh broke free when it dawned on her what he meant, a faint tint of pink dusting her cheeks.

“Should I warn you again about us fighting?”

“I’m sure it’s neigh on impossible to make it fifty years or so without a row,” he responded, the barest hint of humor in his voice while his eyes overflowed with it when she scowled. “Perhaps another word might suit better. How about we try negotiating?”

Rose ran her tongue around her lips at the same time she realized one of his palms was on her side. Then on her ribs, his fingertips just barely scraping the underside of her breast.

“Negotiating,” she repeat slowly, unaware of the way he watched her eyes glaze over or the little mew from deep in her throat.

Rose moved quickly, shoving against him and bouncing to her feet. She went behind the lounge and shoved the back forward, jerking Ryan to an upright position that he adjusted to after a low curse left his lips. She moved to the side, and pushed his legs apart, one foot falling on either side of the lounge. Rose sat cross legged on the end, hands together with a satisfied smile.

“Alright. Now I’m ready,” she informed him with a brisk nod.

“Darling…you just removed all the fun from it,” but he straightened up, watching her closely.

“So…you say what you want and then I say what I want…then we narrow it down, right?” Rose almost laughed at the pained expression on his face.

“Since we are a board meeting of two,” he began slowly, choosing his words carefully. “Generally one of us would make an opening statement.”

“I’ll let you handle that part.”

“Generous of you,” his grin was crooked, the sweetly serious look in her eyes making him want her right here. Right now. Would the wanting stop? Part of him wondered. Another part of him knew it would never fade. He cleared his throat, forcing his mind from the heart shaped face and wide eyes watching him.

“Something wrong?”

“Not a thing,” he answered quickly, amazed at himself and at her. She wasn’t even aware of the effect she had on him. “Alright…let’s begin with money,” he held up one finger when her mouth opened. “Never interrupt a board member,” he advised sternly.

“Yes, sir,” came the petulant response.

“As I was saying…money is a tool. It was designed as a trade item for goods and services provided. It serves a purpose in that we use it to provide for those we care about. Friends, family, employees…in some instances, even strangers, as through charities,” Ryan kept his gaze on her as his mind churned out what he wanted to say.

Rose closed her eyes. Like the chess game, she could see moves ahead where he was going with the speech.

“If you fall asleep, it immediately defaults to my list and the negotiations are at an end,” he said softly.

“I’m not sleeping. I’m listening,” she answered tartly.

“A question was asked a short time ago about whether or not you believed in a traditional sort of relationship between us,” he paused, her lashes opening to study him. He watched her tongue come out, moving slowly over her lower lip.

“Traditional…as in monogamous…just you and me…yes, of course,” she said instantly. Mine, she thought fiercely.

“Traditional, Rose, also includes a man taking care of his family,” Ryan said the words slowly. Her breath caught and held. “We…you and I…have formed a family unit. Small, but still…”

“A couple,” she said softly, nodding slowly.

“A couple. It doesn’t mean I’m trying to buy you…nor does it mean you’re only with me because I can pay the bills,” Ryan leaned forward, his hands taking the two she was twisting in her lap. “I noticed the little bowl of chocolates on my desk.”

“You seem to have a sweet tooth,” she murmured, shrugging. “I thought you’d like them there now and then.”

“I do…and thank you…and that’s my point,” his gaze caught on the emerald shamrock around her throat and he smiled.

“An instruction manual would be nice,” she said with another sigh, giggles bubbling forth when he gripped her shoulders and pulled her over him on the lounge.

“Ahhh…my sweet Rose…then we’d miss out on all the wonderful make up sex,” he whispered before taking both their thoughts far from the past hour.