When I look up, I find Ryot in the kitchen, shirtless in an apron, and hovering over a bowl of melted chocolate and dipping éclairs.

Oh mama, yes, please!

“You made éclairs?” I ask as I reach for one. “They look amazing—”

My hand is slapped away as a menacing expression meets my shocked one. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“Uh, grabbing an éclair.”

“I see that. Did I invite you to my éclair party?”

“Is that what this is?” I look around at an empty kitchen. “A party? Doesn’t seem like one.”

“A party of one,” he answers with a voice dipped heavy in spite. “And I don’t think I did, so keep your sticky, clammy paws away from my delicious, puffy, and creamy éclairs.”

Hand on my hip, I say, “Ah, I see what you’re doing. This is your way of getting back at me for yesterday, isn’t it?”

Seems like we’re volleying the spite back and forth now. And that, too, makes me sad. That we’ve come to this.

“No idea what you’re talking about,” he says as he dips his last éclair into the melted chocolate and then rests it on a cooling rack.

“Uh-huh. Making my absolute favorite dessert the day after we had a rules talk has nothing to do with payback?”

“Let’s just say I had a hankering,” he says before taking the melted bowl of chocolate to the sink.

My eyes trail his muscular back all the way down to his . . .

“Oh my God, where are your pants?” I ask as I stare at his round, tight, sculpted ass.

Lord help me, he has the nicest backside. Even after retirement, he still stays in peak shape by running every morning and lifting weights, and man, does it show. His back has bulgy muscles everywhere, with two distinct muscles that protrude and connect with the curve of his ass and two dimples on either side. I’ve always been a fan.

“Didn’t think I needed them,” he answers while he cleans the bowl.

“What do you mean you didn’t think you needed them? Nichole could see you.” If Ryot knows anything, he knows I have a sweet spot for his backside.

“So?” he answers. “Wouldn’t be the first time she’s seen my ass. Remember, she caught me fucking you on the dining room table once?” It was a show for everyone.

“This is different.”

He places the bowl on the drying rack and then turns back around. “Not really. This is my house too. Therefore, if I want to walk around in an apron and nothing else, then I will.”

“I see, so if I want to walk around topless, that won’t be a problem?”

“Do whatever your little maniacal heart desires.”

As I said, I volley, and he volleys back.

I challenge, and he’s waiting on the sidelines with revenge in his eyes and my name written all over it.

If this is our new normal, then I might as well play his little game. I reach behind me to the strings of my bikini top and tug on them until they’re loose. With one swift pull, I’m topless. Resting the top on the counter, I say, “There, that’s better.”