His hand slipped to my lower back, and he pulled me closer. I lifted my chin, and his lips touched mine. I dug my fingers into the skin of his arms, and then deeper into the muscle. His tongue slipped into my mouth, but then he pulled away.

“Ahem,” Ryan said.

I turned to see the source of the interruption standing next to Claire at the top of the stairs.

“Figures,” Jared grumbled.

We returned downstairs together, joining Bex and Lillian in the foyer. I hugged my mother-in-law goodbye, smiling when her enthusiastic hug became a bit too tight.

“I love you,” she said, kissing my hair. She looked to Jared. “Be good to each other.” Jared nodded, and she waved goodbye.

I walked into the dining room, and Jared, Claire, and Ryan followed.

Ryan and Claire began clearing the table. Ryan smiled and elbowed her. “Your mom loves me.”

“She loves everyone,” Claire sneered. “You’re not special.”

“You don’t love everyone. I’d say that makes me pretty special…since you do.”

Claire glanced at Jared and me, clearly embarrassed. “You wish!”

“Just say it,” Ryan said.

“Stop telling me what to do,” Claire snapped back.

He crossed his arms. “It’s because I’m human, isn’t it?”

Claire’s eyes narrowed. “Seriously? It is possible that I just don’t like you.”

“Me?” Ryan said, pointing to his chest. “Nah,” he said, dismissing her suggestion. “You’re a strong woman. I get it. Not many can handle it that their girl could kick their ass. Even fewer soldiers, and even fewer Special Forces guys. But I get it, and I can keep up with you more than anyone else could. I’ve had training…and we’ve pretty much been told by the Creator of the Universe that we have to spend all of our time together. How much proof do you need?”

Claire turned and swiped her leg under Ryan’s feet, throwing him to the ground, flat on his back. “First of all, you can’t keep up with me. Second of all—”

Ryan kicked forward, and then leapt to his feet. Claire crouched in a defensive position. Ryan smiled at her reaction. “I can keep up with you.”

“I doubt that.”

“Try me. If I can’t, I’ll leave you alone.”

Claire looked at Ryan from under her brow. Her ice-blue eyes turned murderous, but under them was a mischievous smile.

I frowned. “This is a terrible idea.”

“Too late now,” Claire said.

She bent her knee and shoved her boot into Ryan’s stomach. He flew across the room and flattened against the wall, falling to the ground. He stumbled to his feet and sucked in a few times, the air knocked out of him.

I cringed. “At least she’s not wearing stilettos.”