Rivals In Love (Wild Creek Ranch Book 5)

Chapter Thirty-Five

It was the hottest make-out session of their lives, each trying to please the other. By the time they realized they had to go on a date, they were already late.

So Ryan ordered pizza and switched on a movie to watch as compensation. Soon the pizza came in and they tucked it in straight from the box.

"How was your day? Did you start work immediately?" asked Ryan.

Georgia told him about the probation period. "It's just for three months. Afterward, if Scott's happy with my work, he'll induct me permanently and my salary will also increase," said Georgia. Ryan nodded appreciatively. She told him how much she enjoyed working there.

"Have you called your brothers and informed them? They might have called your aunt after finding you missing. You need to inform your aunt too," said Ryan. Georgia nodded. She had completely forgotten about her aunt. Just as they discussed this, her phone buzzed with an incoming call from her aunt.

"Hello, Aunt Dorothy," said Georgia, looking guilty.

"Where are you, dear? Your brothers had called to say that you're missing. They were about to lodge an FIR after checking up with me, but I've stopped them," said Aunt Dorothy.

Georgia felt guilty and told her about her job in Las Vegas. Aunt Dorothy sounded pleased. "That's wonderful! I'm happy that you like the job so much. A distant uncle of ours lives there with his family. You could keep in touch with him if you want to. I'd be worried about you living all alone in such a busy city," said Aunt Dorothy.

"Umm, actually, I'm not alone. I'm staying with a friend." Aunt Dorothy's ears immediately pricked up.

"A boyfriend?" she asked with a laugh. Georgia blushed but didn't know what to tell her. What was she to Ryan? Friends with benefits? She couldn't tell her that, so she just laughed.

"Please, Aunt Dorothy. I'll answer that after I figure it out myself. Can you send me my certificates and clothes? I'll message you the address." Aunt Dorothy agreed.

After she disconnected the call, she glanced at Ryan, who looked as if he was deep in thought. "What's wrong? Why are you frowning?" asked Georgia curiously.

"Nothing important," said Ryan. He was actually guilty and wanted to give their relationship a name after hearing her reaction to her aunt's question. It made him realize he hadn't even asked her to be his girlfriend.

They sat down and finished the food, as well as the movie. Ryan pulled her into his chest. "Are you happy with me here, Georgia?" he asked hopefully.

"Of course I am. I wanted to be with you always, Ryan. Even when I was away at Laramie, I thought about you." Ryan hugged her tightly to himself.

"I was devastated when you left. For the next few days, I went crazy looking for you. I wanted to apologize to you. I wanted you back so badly," he whispered, embedding his face into her hair.

"I waited for years to tell you I'd fallen in love with you," he said, raising his head and gazing into her eyes. Georgia's heart started beating faster and faster hearing his confession. He loved her! She wanted to dance with joy.

She caressed his face, her eyes filled with all the love that she felt in her heart. "I've always loved you, Ryan, since we used to go to Alpine farm, our college days." Ryan's eyes widened at the realization. "That's the reason your behavior had hurt me the most. I didn't care about my brothers. I expected nothing better from them. But I loved you, Ryan, and even after the way you hurt me, I couldn't stop myself from loving you. I agreed to be Wyatt's girlfriend just to prove to you I had moved on from you, but after what he did to me, I realized one thing. You cannot force yourself into a relationship. You cannot be with someone just to prove a point. I also realized that I could never stop loving you." Ryan's eyes were filled with remorse.

"I'm really sorry for everything I've done to you. I thought that hurting you would undo the hurt that your brothers had caused to my family, but I was so wrong. It devastated me and wrenched the life out of me. I was like a living corpse for the last five years."

"I'm glad that it's all in the past now and we're together again," she said, clinging to him.

"Me too, but I want to do this the proper way. I want us to be in a proper relationship. I want to start afresh with you. So please, will you be my girlfriend, Georgia? I'd be the happiest man alive if you agree to be my girl," he asked, looking a little nervous as he spoke.

"Of course, I'll be. In fact, I was dying to be," she said, covering her flushed face with embarrassment. Ryan chuckled and pulled her hands away. Then he cupped her face and kissed her hard.

"I've sealed our relationship with this kiss. Now we belong to one another," he said in a playful tone. Georgia grinned.

"Just a kiss won't do, Mr. Boyfriend. Take me out on a date first, then I'll know if it's for real," she teased. Ryan lifted his eyebrow at her.

"Is it? Then let's go out on a date tomorrow?" he asked, and Georgia nodded.

"Done, but if you cancel it again, I'll not be your girl," she threatened. Ryan laughed.

"Then you have to be ready before I arrive from work," he winked, making her blush, remembering what they had done earlier. Afterward, they cuddled to sleep. It was a tiring day, after all.

The next day, after a tiring day at work, Georgia ensured she was ready and waiting for Ryan in the living room. He grinned, seeing her enthusiasm as he returned from work. Georgia blushed to see him check her out openly.

"Mmm, you look too delicious for your own good," he said, his eyes dancing with mischief as he checked out her rose-pink top and figure-hugging tee shirt. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun and she looked gorgeous, as always.

Georgia glared at him. "Don't even think about it. Tonight I'm going out on a date with you and that's final," said Georgia. Ryan grinned.

"I'll be ready in a minute. You can come inside and see me getting ready," he suggested slyly, to just pull her leg. Georgia's eyes widened, and she reacted in exactly the same way as he had expected her to do.

"Am I crazy that I'll go in there? I know what you're hitting at," she said, looking annoyed.

"You're definitely crazy. Only about me. Tell me, am I wrong?" he said, leaning in. Georgia shook her head slowly as a smile spread on her lips. Ryan gave her a quick peck on her lips, licking the lipstick away and walking into his room with an amused grin on his face. He had missed her so much the whole day! Coming home to her was the best part of the day for him.

Georgia gasped with horror seeing all the lipstick on his lips as he walked away with a smirk. She took out a tissue from her clutch, cleaned her mouth properly, and reapplied the lipstick. After ten minutes, Ryan was ready in blue figure-hugging jeans and a white tee-shirt, freshly showered and smelling delicious. He winked at her, seeing her check him out.

"Shall we go?" he asked, picking up his mobile phone.

"What about your car keys?" asked Georgia, surprised to see him leaving his car keys in the bowl. Ryan smiled knowingly.

"We won't need it," he said. Georgia was baffled. Where were they going without a car?

"Are we going to the terrace?" she asked with a horrified look on her face. She had heard her college friends telling tales of having a date on their terrace! Ryan laughed and shook his head.

"No, try again," he said, leading her outside and locking the apartment up. They went down the elevator, but Georgia still couldn't come up with any other idea.

"We'll walk down to the Strip. I've heard that it's the most famous thing here," she said, but Ryan still shook his head.

"The strip is a ten minutes drive away. Your legs will fall off if you plan to walk there." Georgia sighed, giving up already.

"Tell me, please. This surprise is killing me. Oh, wait! I know. We're going to the mall nearby. I saw it on my way here." Ryan chuckled and still shook his head.

"No, we're not going to the mall," he said, and she groaned. They walked out and Ryan led her to a sleek black limousine waiting for them. Georgia's mouth hung open seeing the luxurious car. She'd never been on one in her entire twenty years of life!