Heather
Ryker somehow talked me into staying with him the whole week. I didn’t even remember how that came about, but safe to say, the man was very persuasive. I’d worked out of his apartment, except for a morning I went into headquarters to talk to Danielle about Hank. She was just as in the dark as I was and advised me to forget about it and focus on my article.
“Damn, how did this week go by so fast?” I asked Ryker on Sunday evening.
“Time flies when you’re in great company,” he said. We were in his master bathroom, each at a sink. He’d just finished shaving and was now applying aftershave. I was pulling my hair into a ponytail.
I grinned in the mirror, elbowing him lightly. “You’re a bit too full of yourself, you know that right, Flirt?”
“You mean I don’t deserve the moniker?”
“Hmm... I don’t know. I think I need some time to make up my mind.”
I lowered my eyes to the sink, washing my hands carefully. We hadn’t spoken about what would happen once the we
ek came to an end. I had to pick up Avery from JFK in two hours, and then what?
“Well, why don’t I convince you some more over dinner. Steaks?”
“Oh, I can’t. I’m picking up Avery soon.”
I phrased it as neutrally as possible, not wanting him to think I had any expectations. I was still washing my hands under the warm stream of water, though there wasn’t any soap left. When Ryker turned off the tap, I snapped my gaze up, wincing when I met his eyes in the mirror. It was hard and focused, determined.
“We’re picking Avery up.” He came right next to me, bringing one hand to my face, tilting my head up, watching me, his eyes unwavering.
“I didn’t... I didn’t want to assume,” I whispered.
“Heather, this wasn’t just a week of fun for me. I want to be part of your life. Avery’s life.”
I couldn’t look away even if I wanted to, but I didn’t. I wanted to listen to this man forever.
“You mean it?” I whispered. Damn, why did I have to sound so insecure? I was a grown woman, and I’d come through even when life had thrown huge curveballs my way.
He whirled me around, cupping my cheek, looking straight at me, as if the eye contact through the mirror wasn’t enough and he wanted the real deal.
“Fuck, yes, I mean it. What we’re doing here means a lot to me, Heather. I know it’s not what either of us was expecting, but that doesn’t mean it’s not real. It fucking is—the most real thing that’s ever happened to me—the best. You’re mine, Heather.”
I was speechless. I had no idea what to say back. My whole body was vibrating with awareness, with the need to be even closer to him. I tugged at his shirt, bringing him an inch closer. I caught a glimpse of his smile before he kissed me so hard that I had to grip the sink for support with one hand. I wrapped the other one in his shirt, not particularly caring that I was wrinkling it. I just wanted him to feel how much his words meant to me, how desperately I wanted this to work even though I was still terrified I might end up brokenhearted.
Ryker’s kiss was feral. He bit my tongue lightly before exploring me further. He was kissing me as if he wanted to claim me right here, right now, and I wanted nothing more than to surrender.
How could he reduce everything around us to background noise every time? Wipe every thought away, erase any fears? He had so much power over me that it scared me.
I was trembling lightly in his arms by the time we both came up for air. I was still fisting his shirt. Ryker had me trapped against the sink.
My heart was beating at a lightning-quick rate. He wanted to come with me, to spend more time with me and my girl. The light tremor intensified as this sank in.
Ryker watched me with a satisfied smile, skimming his thumb from my shoulder down to my arm, where goose bumps broke out on my skin.
“And you still think I don’t deserve the praise?” he teased.
I rolled my eyes, playfully pushing him away. “Let’s go. If we’re late, Avery won’t be your number-one fan anymore.”
“Impossible.”
“Don’t push your luck.”
He held up his hands in defense. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”