Only in this case, out of sight wasn’t out of mind. Quite the contrary. The second he wasn’t in my field of vision anymore, giggles bubbled out of me, and I didn’t even try to rein them in despite all the curious looks I got. It wasn’t every day that I got so thoroughly kissed. Why make apologies for it?
Chapter Nine
Ryker
My mind was so full of Heather that I couldn’t even think straight or focus enough to decide what I wanted to do next. I could still taste her, feel the light tremor in her body, the way she’d opened up, tugging at my hair and demanding more. I’d been on the brink of obliging her. I’d almost forgotten we were in a train station. I never lost my head—not when I was making million-dollar bids, not even when I was playing my guitar at the Northern Lights. I was always in control—of the situation, of myself. I hadn’t been in control with Heather, not by a long shot. I’d been driven by an impulse that was completely new to me—to be closer to her in every way possible. I’d needed to touch her more than I’d ever needed anything else. I still needed to.
Turning around, I searched for the schedule of trains, then zeroed in on the one I was interested in. It was arriving in twelve minutes. I could jump on it and catch up with Heather. She’d told me the station where she was getting off.
No, wait. She’d gone to pick up Avery. I couldn’t go after her. What was I thinking? I wasn’t... not really. I was still acting on impulse.
Just to be on the safe side, I rushed out of the station before I gave in to the temptation to take the next train. I couldn’t just barge in on Heather’s life.
I needed a better plan.
I needed my sisters. Instead of heading to my apartment, I headed to Soho, to their shop. I didn’t need to call them to know they’d be there.
Tess and Skye weren’t in the front when I arrived, but the light was on.
Stepping inside, I asked, “Anyone here?”
“Yes. We’re in the changing rooms,” Skye called.
I strode to the back and found the girls propping a ladder in the first changing room. Several things had been delivered since I’d last been here, including the curtains of the changing room and the rods, and boxes of shelves and lamps.
“To what do we owe this surprise?” Skye asked.
I clutched at my heart theatrically. “Surprise? You wound me. I’m your trusty handyman around here.”
Tess pointed a finger at me. “Yeah, but today is not your day. It’s Cole’s.”
“Why isn’t he here?”
“Oh, he had some stuff to do. So... what gives?”
“Can’t believe this. I’m getting shit for trying to be a good brother.”
I shouldn’t push my luck too much, because once they caught on that I wasn’t here only to help, they’d give me hell.
Tess sighed, dropping her chin to her chest. “I’m sorry. We’ve just got screwed over today with a delivery, so I’m extra jumpy. Forgive me?”
She rose on her toes, giving me a kiss on the cheek. Skye followed suit. Oh, hell... now I was feeling guilty.
“Who screwed you over?” I asked.
“We paid for one thing and received another,” Skye said. “They delivered it when I was here alone, and I think they thought I’d just accept it, because they only talked to Tess before. But I roasted their ass.”
I bit back a smile. Next to Tess, she always seemed quieter, even shy. But if you pissed her off, you were in for a scare.
“Can I help with anything?” I asked.
Tess smiled like a Cheshire cat. “The answer to that will always be yes.”
“We’re hanging some lamps in the changing rooms.” She pointed to the ceilings.
“Say no more, I’m your guy.”
“You need us? Otherwise we’re out to sort the merchandise from the new collection,” Skye said.