Purple Haze (Blue Dream Book 2) by Unknown Page A

love making.”
     
    His perfectly chosen phrase chokes the question from me. “That seems a little fast, doesn't it?”
     
    “Ten years?” Ryder's eyebrows furrow. “Pandas mate faster than we have.”
     
    Laughter breaks out momentarily between us. Our waitress grabs his drink request and the appetizer I order for us to split since neither of us have long, but both need the fuel.
     
    “I meant calling it that.”
     
    A serious look takes a hold of him. “I've never stopped loving you, Pres.”
     
    My lips press tightly together.
     
    “Never. And I'll always love you. And yeah, I know how trite all that sounds, but it doesn't make it any less true. You are my soul mate, Pres. You're the embodiment of my biggest hopes, fears, dreams, wishes and regrets coated in the world's most gorgeous, mocha skin.”
     
    The compliment tugs the corner of my lip upward. “I'm not...I'm not the same girl I was when we were in school.”
     
    “Maybe not.” He shrugs casually. “But there's nothing in this world that compares to the way I feel when I think about you or when I'm around you. You're home, Pres. When I'm with you none of the other bullshit in the world seems to matter. So, yeah, you may be older now, with a high paying job, tits that won't quit, and heavily guarded fifty foot wall around you, but I know every time I look in your eyes, I'm exactly where I belong.”
     
    My folded hands twitch as I whisper, “I know exactly what you mean.” Cautiously he extends his hand until our fingers are intertwined. “But that doesn't mean we shouldn't get to know each other with our clothes on sometimes.”
     
    “I like that you said sometimes,” he flirts.  After giggling away the comment he questions, “Tell me about your job. You mentioned something about an important meeting yesterday. Did it go well?”
     
    Impressed he was listening, I answer, “It did. Just a routine licensing inspection.”
     
    “You're the owner, right?”
     
    “I am,” I proudly acknowledge. “It's one of the best in the country. Best in state.”
     
    “It's day care?”
     
    His comment gets a pass. Unlike others who make the remark, it's not spoken with disdain or a backhanded effort to belittle my choice of career. Clearing my throat, I explain, “No. It's a licensed and accredited private education center for children. My teachers are certified. Most come with specialty backgrounds, which are used to enhance the learning experience. It's basically a private elementary school for those not old enough to be in actual elementary school. To put it simply, it's like kid college.”
     
    “Kid college,” he says on an impressed chuckle. “Not something you hear every day.”
     
    The silliness from my own statement finally hits me and I giggle too. “I can't believe I said kid college.”
     
    Instead of letting me be embarrassed he squeezes my hand. “It's a fair comparison.” When my face tilts to the side to further hide, Ryder adds, “And fucking impressive. I knew you'd be amazing at whatever you decided to do. I don't know why I didn't assume you would end up working around children. You loved being a part of the program we had in high school. I forget its name, but the one where you would go to the elementary schools to read to them or push them on the swings or whatever it was you did that gave their teachers a break for the day.”
     
    Another laugh escapes as I question, “You remember that?”
     
    “Presley there isn't a goddamn thing I don't remember about you.”
     
    Softly I sigh and lean forward body wanting to praise his words with my tongue.
     
    He bites his bottom lip, evidence his brain is turning the same direction as mine. The heated intensity of his blue gaze only adds to it further. “Uh...um...H-H-How did you become the owner? Did you take it over from someone else?”
     
    “My best friend Katherine, lent me the funds and I paid her back. Her daughter now attends it. She's in the same class