The Path to Loving Him (Almond Bay, #3)

by Meghan Quinn

“As your personal doctor who is concerned with the color of your balls, I’m simply prescribing a way to take care of yourself other than using your hand.”

I remember the first time I laid eyes on Ryland Rowley. I was . . . I was awestruck. He was fit, attractive, at times . . . mesmerizing, and he was my brother’s coach.

I didn’t know how much I needed this until she started kissing me. But this . . . this is a drug, a high, something I can find myself becoming easily addicted to.

“Fuck, you’re big,” she says as she wiggles against me. “Can you handle me?” I ask as I bring my lips down her jaw to her neck. “That’s not the question you should be asking,” she says as she tilts her head to the side. “What should I be asking?” “You should be asking it the other way around . . . if you can handle me.”

The sound of my name coming from her husky voice makes me feel like a fucking king.

Christ . . . now that’s a fucking one-night stand.

“Please, Ryland, please take care of her for me. Give her a beautiful and special life. Teach her everything I would teach her. Love her the way I would love her. And please keep my memory deep in her heart.”

She loves holding my hand. She loves skipping while I walk. And she loves just . . . being with me. I don’t get it. I’m not sure I ever will. But fuck, am I thankful.

“For someone who has licked your pussy, I would say nothing is too personal at this point.”

Weapons. Those hands have created chaos in the past. So goddamn sexy that I want him to create chaos now.

This is . . . hell, this is my first time ever going bare, and she’s ruining every other woman for me. Because nothing will beat this feeling.

She squeezes again, creating a magical friction that seizes me, that makes me want to submit to her and let her know she is making me bow down to her like she’s the goddamn queen as I feverishly pump into her.

Then, I loll my head to the side and say, “Sex will never be the same after you.”

That brings a huge smile to her face, and that’s all I can ask for.

“How on earth are you horny after last night?”

“Because,” he says, looking me in the eyes, “it’s you.”

He’d become an addiction, so it’s wise we stay just friends. But I’m starting to see that if there were a man I’d want in my corner, to love every day, to go through life’s ups and downs, Ryland Rowley would be a strong contender.

It makes my ears go hot because . . . because they look cute together. Like Gabby was supposed to hold her hand all along.

“Jesus fuck,” I mutter as I stare at them, looking like a goddamn mother-daughter duo, and it hits me hard. Harder than I expected.

“You fucking squirted, and it was the sexiest fucking thing I’ve ever seen,” he says as he stands and pulls his dick out of his shorts.

What scared me? It was what I saw. I saw . . . I saw a brief glimpse of a future. A future I’ve never thought about before. One I didn’t think I wanted or cared for.

She put Mac first, and that surprised the hell out of me. Hell, it made me . . . made me like her. Like her more than I should.

“Hopefully, you don’t have to slide down any poles for a while,” he continues. Fucking idiot. Can’t even do banter right. The only pole she’ll be sliding down again is mine.

Ryland: What do you guys think of Gabby?

Hattie: OH MY GOD! It’s happening, Aubree. I told you. I told you it was going to happen.

Aubree: You know, you did, but I didn’t really believe you. But you’re ...

Ryland: What’s ha...

Hattie: You’re falling for her. I could see it in your eyes...

“The answer is no. I don’t want to leave you alone. I want to be there for you. I want to hold your hand. I want to capture the moment of you watching your brother play his first big league game so he can watch it over and over and see how much pride you have for him. I want to make the day special for you because you deserve it. But I also want you to be comfortable, so if that means I step aside, I act as the driver, and that’s it, then I’ll do that too. I just want you to be happy, taken care of . . . protected.”

“I recognize your hustle, Gabby, and I’m glad I can share the moment when you can see all your hard work pay off. It’s an honor.”

The people around us probably think we’ve lost our mind, but we don’t care. Bennett Brinkman just got his first hit in the big leagues in his first at bat. This is magic.

I needed this to push me to what I’ve been trying to avoid. She’s it. She’s what I want. And there is no way in hell I can go another day without her knowing.

I’ve attempted to stay away, but it’s not working. So if you’ll have me, if you’ll forgive me for being selfish, for putting myself first, I ask if you’d give me a chance? If you’ll be my girl?”

“I fucking love your mouth. You drug me,” he says before pressing his tongue against mine again.

Is this what it feels like to start the path to . . . to loving someone?

With Gabby, my life feels like it’s been flipped upside down, but in the best way possible.

It’s so fucking addicting, seeing how easily I can turn this woman on. By a touch, a kiss, she’s so goddamn ready for me.

“Naturally, a romance author’s dream place to make the sparks fly. One-bed trope is the epitome of all tropes.

Wanting her to feel comfortable with whatever she decides despite it making me feel weird, apprehensive, and maybe a bit uneasy, I say, “Yeah, Mac, I’m like your dad.”

And for the love of God, that smile that passes over her lips brings a goddamn tear to my eye as she loops her arms around my neck and pulls me into another hug.

“Good night,” she whispers. “Dad.” My lip trembles. My hand shakes. And my eyes get misty...

I know you’re so used to climbing the ladder. Maybe you’re finally at your destination.

He’s the light, and I will cling to him as much as I can.

He’s everything I’m looking for in a partner. He’s kind, has a warm heart, and his family comes first.

He’s healthy. He’s happy. And he’s mine.

But here I am, chest open, heart out, ready to be stolen by this man.

I want this forever. I want her forever.

“Yes, so fucking drenched already. Such a good girl.”

“Torture me. Make me beg,” I tell her.

She shifts, and after a few seconds, she finally says, “I’m falling in love with you, Ryland.”