Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Ryan
Birdsong woke me up at dawn.
I started to get out of bed, but a strong arm clamped around my waist caught my eye. Warm, steady breaths brushed the back of my neck. Last night's wild ride replayed in my head like a high-def movie, frame by frame.
Hold on.
Ronan's damn house had a keypad lock on the door. I'd seen him use the iris scanner when I dropped off his jacket. Where the hell did "forgot my keys" come from?
The man behind me tightened his grip, his hand getting bold. I lifted my foot and kicked his shin hard.
"Mmm, morning, baby."
"Don't call me that!" I struggled up. "Your house doesn't even need keys!"
He opened his eyes, not a flicker of guilt. "You figured it out."
"You're laughing?" I yanked the blanket around me. "Get out. Now."
Ronan ignored my anger, propped himself up on one arm, and got out of bed, showing off that mouthwatering body.
I looked away, guilty, refusing to stare.
He dressed and strolled out, even closing the door behind him like he was in a great mood.
I flopped back, rubbing my throbbing temples. Damn scheming bastard!
By the time I showered and got ready, Ronan was cracking eggs at the stove. I watched him rummage for spices, my anger fading. Rose wandered out, rubbing her eyes, spotting Ronan in a sunflower apron, slicing bread.
"Dad, why so early today?"
"I should be this early."
Rose nodded, half getting it. "I'll wake Pedro."
Twenty minutes later, the four of us sat at the table. Pedro plunked down next to Ronan, making him cut his toast into pieces.
"Triangles!"
"Yes, boss."
Rose chattered to Pedro about her ocean animals book while eating. "Did you know a blue whale's heart is as big as a car?"
"Really?" Pedro's eyes widened.
"It's in the book," Ronan cut in. "And their calls travel thousands of miles."
"Wow!" Pedro spun to him. "Ronan, you know everything!"
Breakfast rolled on like that, kids whispering, Ronan tossing in low comments now and then. Mostly, he just ate quietly. But even without looking up, I felt his hot gaze locked on me.
After, Rose dragged Pedro to the hall for shoes. Ronan cleared the dirty dishes into the kitchen.
I stepped up beside him. "Ronan. Last night was a one-off accident. It doesn't mean any promises."
He shut off the faucet, grabbed a paper towel to dry his hands, and turned, stepping close. His big frame loomed over me.
"Sure. Heat of the moment." He chuckled low. "Whatever you say, Ryan. If calling it an accident makes you feel better, I'm in. But..."
He leaned down, his hot lips brushing my ear like a tease. "I'm looking forward to our next 'accident'."
My face burned. I stomped his foot and bolted from the kitchen like a fugitive.
At the clinic, I threw myself into work. Three appointments in the morning, two new case evals in the afternoon. But those morning scenes kept popping up uninvited.
The door pushed open—not Sarah, but Eleanor. She wore that familiar beige wool cardigan, gray hair neat as ever, face lit with a kind smile.
"Eleanor!"
"Since the busy bee can't visit, I brought Pedro's favorite cookies myself." She stepped close, setting the bag on my desk.
"I'm sorry, Eleanor. Clinic's been slammed, and..." I hugged her tight. With Ronan around, it'd been almost two months since I'd seen this woman, the most important person in my life here.
"And some unexpected guy showed up, throwing your whole rhythm off, right?"
"You... you know?"
"Palo Alto's small, dear." Eleanor pulled me to the sofa, holding my hand gently. "Neighbors are buzzing. A tall guy like a tower waits at your door every morning, picks up the kids, and even stands up for Pedro at kindergarten. Tell me, who is he?"
Her eyes brimmed with concern. Lies wouldn't fly with a real family.
"He's... Pedro's father."
Shock flashed in her eyes. "The one who left you pregnant and alone in California four years ago? You said he died."
"I'm sorry, Eleanor. I lied." I took a deep breath, eyes stinging, spilling it all. "It was complicated. To protect Pedro, I cut all ties. Even 'Emily Harrison' is fake. My real name's Ryan. Ryan Clark."
I dropped my head, scared of disappointment or coldness. But she just sighed long, squeezing my hand tighter.
"Oh, my poor girl." She tucked a stray hair behind my ear. "What've you carried these four years? Ryan or Emily, you're still my proudest girl."
That full acceptance hit me. Tears nearly fell.
"Now he's here, what'll you do?"
"I don't know." I looked down. "I used to fear him. But lately, he's stepping up. He's with Pedro every day, even volunteers here. Is he really changing for us, or just faking it?"
Eleanor cupped my face. "Ryan, you've been strong alone too long. Walls protect, but they isolate. If he's dropping his pride, learning to change, why not give yourself—and Pedro—a shot at a full family?"
"Okay. This Saturday night, bring Pedro and that man to my place for dinner."
"You want to meet him?"
"Damn right. The guy who stole my treasure." Eleanor winked. "I'll judge if this heartbreaker's worth another chance. If he can't face me, he can scram."
"Fine. I'll bring him."
After she left, I texted Ronan about the dinner invite. His reply came quickly.
"I'll be there."
Afternoon evals dragged on, tougher than expected. The second kid had severe selective mutism and needed a long-term plan. By the time I saw off the last parent, it was past closing.
"Dr. Harrison," Sarah knocked. "Emergency case."
"Now?"
"Karen called. Emma's worse—meltdown at home, locked herself in her room."
"Tell her I'm coming." I grabbed my coat, texting Ronan. "Emergency case. Pick up Pedro today. Take Rose, too."
A minute later. "Got it. Drive safe."
It took a full hour for Emma to come out of the closet. I drew with her, listened to her stutter about missing Dad, and video-called him. By the time she calmed, it was after nine.
"Thanks, Dr. Harrison." Karen walked me out. "Really."
"It's my job." I smiled, wiped out. "Bring her in on time."
Outside, pouring rain hammered down. I pulled out my phone for a ride, spotting Ronan's messages.
7:32 PM - "Kids ate."
8:15 PM - "Pedro's doing homework, Rose helping."
8:47 PM - "Raining. Drive safe."
9:23 PM - "You okay?"
As I typed back, another pinged. "I'm picking you up. Right outside."
I looked up. Through the downpour, a black sedan idled under an oak, hazards flashing.
I dashed through the rain. Yanking open the passenger door, I slid in, hair and shoulders soaked.
"Why're you here?" I shook water from my hair.
Ronan handed over a towel and blanket. "Rain's brutal. Hard to get a ride."
"Kids?"
"Pedro's asleep. Rose is watching." He cranked the heat. "All done?"
"Yeah." I leaned back, suddenly warm.
He didn't drive off right away. Poured hot tea from a thermos, handed it over. "Drink. Warm up."
It was perfect, hint of honey. I cupped it, watching rain streak the windshield.
"Thanks."
"No problem." He started the car. "Oh, Eleanor called me today."
I nearly spilled. "What? How'd she get your number?"
"Said she asked Pedro." Ronan smiled, a bit helpless. "Wanted my intentions with you."
"She's looking out. Don't—"
"Don't sweat it." He cut in. "She's important to you. I need her approval."
The car went quiet, just rain and engine hum.
"Ronan, I haven't decided."
"I know." His voice dipped low. "Eleanor told me about your early days in California. Never hated myself more."
Then he slapped himself hard. I grabbed his hand, panicked.
"Ronan, don't—"
He caught mine, eyes raw with honesty I'd never seen.
"Looking back, I screwed up from the start. Ran with a cold note. Turned every move closer into hurt. All I learned from Natasha, from my world, was strike first. Now, after this brutal cost, I see how stupid."
"These months with our son were like relearning life." His mouth softened. "Kid laughs his ass off at a cardboard cat. Defends me first when mocked, no grudge. Once he drew a picture in kindergarten—a tall guy next to you. The teacher asked who he was. He said Ronan."
Ronan breathed deep, eyes glistening.
"I sat in the car forever with that drawing. Couldn't start it." His voice choked. "Never been accepted like that, no strings. I don't deserve it."
He leaned in, rough thumb brushing my cheek.
"But I'm greedy. I want to earn it."
My vision blurred. Hot tears spilled, splashing his suit jacket.
I wiped, but they kept coming.
"Ronan, you know?" I swiped at them. "I can live without you. Proved it for four years. Job, house, Pedro's school... most folks think I'm fine."
"But every night, eyes shut, I dream of that Long Island beach. Us three barefoot in the sand." Tears flooded. "Wake at three AM to empty silence. It drives you nuts."
Shaking, I grabbed his shirt collar.
"Eleanor said don't let the past steal the future. I get it. I can live without you, but wanting to is different."
"Ronan, if we'd started like this—coffee smell at breakfast, Pedro's laughs, Rose's jokes. I..."
I choked up. Ronan cupped my face.
"If that's what you want," he thumbed away tears, "it's yours."
He kissed me. Not like last night's rush, no lusty hurry, just deep promise and longing. I closed my eyes, fingers in his hair, kissing back.
Rain pounded the roof like wild drums. Fog thickened on the windows, sealing us from the world.
Ronan's hand cradled the back of my neck, steady and possessive, while his other hand slid to my waist, fingers spreading wide across my skin.
In one smooth motion, he lifted me from the passenger seat and pulled me across the console, settling me astride his lap.
My knees pressed into the leather on either side of his thighs.
Our bodies aligned flush, chest to chest. The hem of my damp shirt rode up, and the first touch of bare skin against skin sent a hot shiver racing through me.
He reached for the seat lever and yanked it back, reclining the driver's seat to create more space in the cramped car.
I braced my hands on his broad shoulders and leaned down to capture his mouth again.
Our kisses grew urgent, breaths mingling hot and fast. His palms roamed under my wet shirt, tracing the curve of my spine and the dip of my waist before sliding lower to cup my ass.
He kneaded the soft flesh with firm squeezes that made me rock against him instinctively, grinding, slow and needy.
Heat bloomed fast between my thighs. A slick ache built as I felt him, hard and throbbing, pressing insistently against my core through our clothes. His cock strained against the fabric, hot and demanding. I gasped into his mouth.
Ronan broke the kiss with a low groan. His breath came ragged.
"I need you, baby. All of you." He tugged at my pants, fingers deft and desperate, shoving them down my hips along with my underwear.
I shifted to help, kicking them off awkwardly in the tight space.
He unzipped himself and freed his thick, rigid length.
It sprang up heavy and pulsing, the tip already glistening with precum.
I wrapped my hand around him, stroking the velvet steel, feeling the heat radiate into my palm.
"I love how hard you get for me," I whispered, voice trembling with need.
I rose up on my knees, guiding the broad head to my slick entrance.
He parted my folds, and I sank down slowly, inch by inch.
He stretched me open, filling me completely until he bottomed out deep inside.
The fullness made my walls clench greedily around him.
I threw my head back and let out a soft, broken moan. "Ahh... Ronan..."
"So perfect," he murmured against my neck. "You feel like you were made for me."
I started moving, rising and falling with a steady rhythm at first. Each downward motion drove him deeper, the head rubbing that sensitive spot inside me and sending sparks of pleasure through my body.
Ronan gripped my ass firmly, helping me lift and pull me down harder.
His hips bucked up to meet every descent, turning our pace faster and more intense.
The car filled with our sounds: panting breaths, the wet slap of skin meeting skin, and the steady drum of rain against the windows.
My blonde curls bounced wildly over my shoulders.
My breasts heaved under the damp shirt. Ronan shoved the fabric aside and captured one nipple in his mouth.
He sucked hard, teeth grazing lightly while his tongue swirled around the sensitive peak until it stood red and aching.
Pleasure coiled tighter in my core. My hips moved faster, twisting and grinding as my pussy squeezed his cock with every stroke.
Slick arousal coated us both, dripping down his shaft and making each thrust smoother and messier.
Ronan's breath grew heavier. One hand slipped between us to rub my swollen clit in firm circles.
The other dug into my waist as he thrust up powerfully, driving deep again and again.
"You're so beautiful like this," he growled, voice thick with lust and affection. "Riding me so well. I love you."
The added stimulation pushed me closer to the edge. My moans grew louder and more desperate. "Ronan... oh god... I'm so close..."
When the peak finally hit, I shattered. I cried out sharply as waves of intense pleasure crashed through me.
My walls pulsed and fluttered wildly around him.
Ronan banded his arms around me tightly and snapped his hips up a few final times.
He growled my name as he came, flooding me with hot, thick spurts that warmed my belly.
Some of his release spilled out around where we remained joined, trickling onto the seat beneath us.
He did not pull out immediately. Instead, he adjusted the seat slightly upward so I could collapse fully against his chest. One hand stroked my sweat-damp back in lazy, soothing circles.
The other gently combed through my tangled curls.
I went limp in his embrace, cheek pressed to his pounding heart, listening as it gradually slowed to a steady rhythm.
Fog had completely blanketed the windows, sealing us in our own private world.
Rain continued to pour outside, but inside the car, everything felt safe, warm, and intimate.
"I've got you," Ronan whispered, pressing a tender kiss to my forehead.
I smiled softly against his skin, still feeling him pulse faintly inside me. My arms wrapped around his neck as I nestled closer. The connection between us felt deeper than just physical. In that moment, wrapped in his arms with the rain as our only witness, I felt completely cherished and loved.
Four years of separation, misunderstandings, pain, it all faded in that moment.
What mattered was that we'd found each other again.