Just One Kiss (Very Irresistible Bachelors 2)

Ryker shook his head. “Can’t tell you yet.”

My jaw dropped. “What do you mean? Of course you can.”

“I will,” he assured me. “Just not yet.”

I laughed nervously, feeling completely off-kilter. What did that mean?

He took another step toward me, until there were just a few inches between us. Oh, why did he do that? I could barely think when he was this close. I could put some distance between us, of course, but I just didn’t want to. He’d called Mom and had flown over half the country just to see me. No one has ever done something like that for me, and I almost couldn’t believe he did, but then here he was. Ryker beamed widely, cupping my face with both hands, and his warmth spread through me. I loved his touch, just having him here with me.

“I love you, Heather.”

“I can’t believe you’re actually here,” I repeated for what felt like the millionth time. But I really couldn’t believe it. It was so romantic.

“Of course I’m here. Came to take care of my girls.”

“Oh my God, I just realized today is Friday. What are you doing here? How could you take time off with everything going on?”

“You and Avery are here. Everything else is just background noise. Of course I came.”

Oh, wow.

“How did Owen react to you taking today off?”

“Don’t particularly care what he thinks. Owen is an ass. He doesn’t have any right to an opinion about my personal life, and I told him that. I’m so sorry Avery heard Owen’s bullshit.”

“I felt so guilty when Avery got upset,” I whispered.

“Don’t. You have no reason to feel guilty.” Tilting his head, he added, “I spoke to her.”

“When?” I asked, loving this man even more.

“Before coming down here. She was still at the house.”

“Oh my, I bet she was surprised to see you. What did you talk about?”

“Let’s just say we’re good. But I can’t tell you more.”

“Ryker! Come on.”

He shrugged, but I could tell he wouldn’t relent. What was going on? I felt like something was being kept from me.

“Fine, you won’t tell me what you and Avery spoke about. But I at least want to know what you told Mom to win her over that fast.”

“That you and Avery are everything to me.”

I was itching to touch him again. Grabbing his T-shirt with both hands, I pulled him toward me while at the same time rising on my tiptoes. I caught Ryker’s smile right before he claimed my mouth. Wow. I’d prepared myself for a chaste kiss, not this. Ryker’s kiss was so deep, so possessive that it completely consumed me. My entire body lit up.

I went back and forth from my toes to my heels, then back up because I just had so much heat and energy coursing through me that I couldn’t stand still.

He bit my tongue teasingly before doing the same with my lower lip. I shivered lightly.

“Ryker, what if someone sees us?”

“We’re in the middle of nowhere,” he countered. His eyes were dark and determined. He traced his thumb lazily up and down the strap of my tank top, as if he was just moments from pushing it away.

“You New Yorker, you! The neighbors here are very nosy.”

“The houses are far enough away.”