Wildcard: Volume Two

“I’m fine. I’m with Ryder.”

“God, I’m so happy for you, Scar. If anyone deserves a break, it’s you.”

***

Sighing, I close my eyes and immerse my body in the hot water. The tub is huge; big enough for me to stretch out and relax. I sip my wine and try to switch off my head.

“You look cozy.”

I look up and smile at Ryder, who is leaning against the frame of the door. My gaze falls on his bare chest, a shiver racing through me. He smirks at me, unashamed and completely comfortable standing naked in front of me.

“You like what you see?” He lifts an eyebrow.

“I think we’ve already established that,” I say, laughing. I smile as he walks over and crouches down next to me. He winces, his hand moving to his lower back.

“Be careful,” I chide. The last thing I need is to worry about him too.

“I’m always careful,” he murmurs.

He leans over and tilts my face upward. My lips meet his in a soft, sweet kiss. I want to respond that he’s never careful, but he’s distracting me with his sexiness. He stands up, his lips curving into a smile.

“Enjoy your bath. I’ll be waiting.”

***

As I walk over to the bed where he is waiting for me, I smother a giggle.

Lying on his side, he breathes in and out in a steady rhythm, fast asleep. I slide into bed beside him. So much for waiting. He stirs and wraps his arms around me, pulling me into his embrace.

His lips gently kiss the back of my neck. “Love you,” he mumbles.

My heart pounds, because I know he is barely coherent and will probably have no memory of those words tomorrow. But he said it: he loves me. No man has ever said those words to me. Or at least meant them.

A lump forms in my throat. Why did Tony have to come back? Why couldn’t he have just left things alone? Twice I’ve picked up the pieces of my life after he shattered them into nothing.

I can’t go through that again. I won’t go through that again.

Chapter Nine

Ryder

“Thanks,” she murmurs, taking the cup of coffee from my hands. She purses her lips and gazes away from me, her eyes clouded in thought.

“Are you okay?” I ask her.

“I’m fine.” She smiles—a forced smile—but her eyes give her away: she’s keeping something from me. I feel bad that I’m immediately suspicious. Between this shit with Tony and being away from Jake, I can’t even imagine how hard things must be for her right now.

“Do you want to talk about it?” I ask, not wanting to push her.

“Not really.” She hesitates and turns to face me. “I want you to take my mind off everything. Can you do that?”

Putting my cup down, I retreat to the bed. She bites her lip, her eyes shamelessly on my bare chest as I slide under the covers.

“This,” I say, raising an eyebrow as I wave my hand over my naked form, “is all yours to do with what you please.”

“You’re an idiot.” She bursts into giggles.

She wanders over, and I wait until she sets her coffee down on the nightstand before I wrap my arms around her waist. I roll her onto my lap. She cries out, surprised by m