His words are final as he tells me what to do, so I turn around and do what he says. The bed is so tall, though, that I’m trying to climb in when I feel his hands on my hips to lift me up. I don’t say anything as I crawl in, but when I see him getting into bed with me, I hold my hands out.
“You can’t sleep with me,” I tell him. As if I have any say.
“I’ve slept enough nights without you. I don’t plan ever doing that again.” His voice is low, and his words have a southern drawl to them as he climbs into the bed.
It's the first time I’ve caught a southern accent, and I hate to admit how hot it sounds. I’ve heard all kinds of twangs back where I’m from, but hearing him talk to me like that is soothing.
He turns off the lamp, and I’m shocked into making a little squeak as I’m pulled across the bed. My back nestles against his chest as he wraps one of his big arms around me. His legs tangle with mine and he buries his face in my neck. I’m totally unable to move but completely comfortable.
“Besides. I shouldn't have left you earlier when it was storming. I know how much you hate them.” His arm around me tightens, then relaxes again.
A few minutes go by and I’m unable to fall asleep. My mind won’t stop turning.
“How do you know so much about me?” I whisper into the dark.
“I’m not him, Cricket,” he says easily, and I know he’s talking about Fritz. “You always have my attention. You don’t even have to try, and it will always be all yours.” He kisses me below the ear and my heart pounds at his words.
I close my eyes and all that he said goes around and around in my head. He should frighten me, and I should be plotting to get away. But as I lie here in his arms, all I feel is peace. Finally.
Chapter 11
Ryker
“I’ve never ridden a horse before,” Blair says as I pick out her clothes for the day.
“I know,” I say and turn around to give her a wink.
She huffs and then rolls her eyes, but there’s no changing my good mood today. I woke up next to the woman of my dreams, and I’m going to enjoy every second of it. I hum as I lay her clothes on the bed and get some out for myself. I enjoy picking something out for her and taking care of her for a change. I know she’s taken care of herself her whole life. I want to show her how I’ll be different than everyone else in her life. I’ll be here for her in all ways.
I slept the best I have in years last night, and even though it was damn near impossible to pull myself from the bed this morning, I want to show her around the place. Otherwise I might never let her out of this room. It’s too soon for that. I don’t want her to think this is only about sex. Oh, I want her, but I want her to see this is about so much more than that.
“Time to gear up, Cricket. We’ve got work to do.” I smack her on the ass as I walk towards the bathroom to brush my teeth. She lets out a small yelp, but I see her fight a smile as she shoots me a sassy look that only makes me want to do it again.
When I’m finished I come out to see she’s got her jeans and a button-up shirt on, but she’s struggling with the boots. I kneel down in front of her and help her get them on. Then I lace them up and tie them for her.
“Thanks,” she says, and I see her soft blush.
“You’re welcome.” I take her hands in mine and kiss the back of both before standing up. She studies my face for a moment before she goes into the bathroom and shuts the door, but I hear the water running. A moment later she comes out and I’m tucking my shirt into my jeans. She looks me up and down, and when I see her tongue glide across her lip, I can’t control myself any longer.
I move quickly and push her against the wall. “You keep looking at me like that I’ll put you back in that bed,” I say, right before my mouth lands on hers.
The kiss is possessive, because she’s all mine, and I want to erase every ounce of the man before me from her mind. I press my body fully against hers, and I feel her hands come up to my shoulders, then to my neck, where instead of pushing me away, she pulls me closer. She tastes like summer and fresh mint. And when her sweet little tongue touches mine, I know that was her doing. She’s kissing me back, and it’s more than I can stand. I want to take her to the ground, but she’s not there yet.
“Fuck,” I grunt when I’m dizzy with need, and I press my forehead to hers. “You’re gonna make me go too far.”
“How far is that?” she asks, clearly as out of breath as I am. I’m not even sure she understands what she asked me or what she said because she’s flirting with me. Or maybe my plan is working and she’s forgetting that I’ve taken her. That I’m pretending everything is normal.
I don’t answer her. Instead I just growl as I take her hand and walk out of the bedroom, with Bear following us. Being in the bedroom with her is too much temptation and I’m not strong enough to last much longer knowing there’s a soft surface for me to fuck her on. Hell, I’ll take a hard one right now, but I’m trying not to go too fast.
“I think we both could use some fresh air,” I say and lead her to the back of the house.
When we get there, I jump on the Gator and hold my hand out for her to get in with me.
“What is this? Some kind of golf cart on steroids?” The look she has on her face is adorable and it makes me laugh. God, I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much. “I thought you said I was going to get to ride a pony.”
“A horse, Cricket. And yeah, this is a fancy golf cart made for the farm. It’s going to take us out to the horses. Unless you want to walk a couple of miles in your new shoes.” I make a point to look down at her feet and then back up at her.
“Fine. But I better at least see a pony,” she says before getting in.
I immediately pull her right beside me and wrap my arm around her before I take off. She melts into my side without hesitation. When we get to the top of the little hill behind the house, most of the plantation from either side is visible.
“Is this all yours?” she asks as she looks around. “It’s so beautiful.” I hear the awe in her voice as she looks down one side and sees the fields of peach trees.
We both woke up before the sun, mostly because we went to bed so early. Or maybe because I was excited to just be with her today. Either way, I asked her if she wanted
to go for a ride before breakfast and she seemed to like the idea.
“It goes on for miles,” she says, and I don’t know if she’s thinking about how isolated she is or if she finds that comforting. I don’t ask because I don’t want to bring up the reminder that I’ve taken her when everything feels so normal right now. A normal couple. I like it even if I know we will never be normal. Even if she comes to accept what is happening and chooses to be here. The obsession and need I have for her will never be normal.
“On the other side of that little hill is the barn. But you can look back and see the house behind us.”
She turns back, and I laugh when she curses.
“Are you kidding me? That thing is a freaking mansion.” She whips around to look at me. “Ryker, who are you?” Her voice is soft now and laced with curiosity.
“I invested well, and my family comes from money. My daddy started a business when I was young, and when I got older I helped him run it. I still do, but I’m taking some time off at the moment,” I say, looking at her and winking.
“Hmmm.” She makes a sound but doesn’t say anything else. I don’t know what she’s thinking, but I feel the need to impress her.
“I took over the family business, but I more than doubled the profits in the first year. When I made my own money, I used it to buy my daddy out so he could retire. Now he and my mom get to sit back and live the good life while I’m the one working and building my own way.”
“And now you like peaches and horses?” she asks, and I’m surprised when she gives me a playful nudge.
“I like peaches because they remind me of you. The way you smell. And I like horses because I’m a man raised in the south.” I watch her cheeks pinken once again. She bites her lip, looking away from me.