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

by Meghan Quinn

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.

“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.”

“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.”

“So the real question is Jess or Logan. Jess seems to know her better, but Logan, he’s . . . he’s the Christopher.”

“You consider me a part of your life?” He slowly nods. “I do, which means you’re mine to shield.”

“You might not want to be shielded, but you sure as hell will be shielded by me. Don’t fight me on it.”

“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.”

It was probably for the best because I know if I spoke, I would have said something stupid like . . . I like you and I don’t know how to deal with the feelings, but I’d like to deal with the feelings with you, and what are your thoughts on the matter?

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.

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

You, my love, are perfect.”