He smiled. “I can’t help it.”
“I think you can, you just don’t want to because you know it’s irresistible.”
“Glad to know it’s working. I like you, Heather. But if you want to go back to the store, just say the word.” He moved his thumb over my lower lip.
“What happened to seizing the chance?”
Ryker tilted closer until I felt his breath on my skin. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t try again.”
I laughed. My pulse was jackhammering in my ears. His cologne and mere presence were so intense that I couldn’t even think past how right this felt—his touch, his nearness. And those words. How did he always know what I needed to hear?
“Let’s buy the tickets,” I said softly. “And popcorn.”
Ryker stepped back, smiling. “Popcorn for the lady, got it. Anything else?”
“Diet Coke.”
“Got it. You go pick up the tickets from the prepaid counter. I’ll line up for the food and drinks.”
“Sounds like a plan.” I nodded, full of excitement as I walked to the prepaid counter. Even though the line there was much shorter than Ryker’s, it moved infinitely slower.
I was just about to take out my phone to check if Natasha had messaged me when a guy approached me.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said lazily. “You alone? I’ll keep you company.”
“No need. I’m here with someone.”
“Well, if he left you alone, that’s his problem.”
“He went to buy popcorn,” I said coldly.
The guy didn’t budge.
“What do you say we get out of here?”
“What do you say about getting lost?” I replied, in no mood to fend off anyone’s advances. Another downside of going out on Friday evening. Some people started happy hour really early. The whiff of cheap whiskey told me that was the case with this guy. Out of the corner of my eye, I spied Ryker walking toward us with determined strides. Oh, this was going to be good.
I barely held back a smile when Ryker stopped right next to me.
“Get lost. She’s mine.”
Oh, my. That tone of voice was just delicious. It warmed my heart that he thought of me as his... but I didn’t know what Ryker expected and if I was ready to fulfill those expectations.
The guy quirked up a brow. “Maybe I’ll wait for her to tell me that.”
“I already did. Ryker, let’s move somewhere else.”
“Get out of our way, or I’ll remove you from this building myself.” Ryker’s tone was dangerously calm. The guy must have noticed that too, because he backed off. Either that, or he finally realized that Ryker was much, much more muscular than him. On top of that, Ryker gave off that dominant vibe that made you think he could win any fight he wanted—even if it was just a battle of wills.
“Let’s get the tickets together,” he said.
“What about the popcorn and drinks?”
“Bought them already but told the cashier to keep them there when I saw that douchebag.”
“Okay.”
He didn’t want to leave my side? That was so... I didn’t even know how to describe it, but I felt so important. Protected.
After picking up the tickets, we went to the food counter. I tried to hide my disappointment at the serving size he’d chosen: small. I was hungry, and this was going to be my dinner. His portion was small as well. I wondered if I could get away with stealing some of his.
As we headed to the theater, I took off my jacket.
“Fuck,” Ryker muttered.
I glanced up and nearly swallowed my tongue. Ryker’s gaze was not just intense, but feral. He was looking me up and down slowly. I felt great wearing the new camisole underneath my wool dress, it just made me feel that little bit sexier. My choice of footwear was also intentional: sexy stiletto half boots instead of my usual flat, knee-length boots, and tights.
We were in a narrow corridor next to a small table in front of another empty theater. Ours was further down at the end of the hallway. Ryker set his popcorn bag and soda cup on the table, then did the same with mine.
I was about to ask what was going on, when his intent became clear. Interlacing one hand with mine, he pulled me into the room. It was completely dark inside. Ryker’s mouth came down on mine the next second. His kisses were usually exquisite, but now he was taking everything to a whole new level. He explored me with an urgency that made me burn. And when he lowered himself on one of the chairs, pulling me in his lap, I curled my knees at his side instantly. His hand slipped under my dress. The contact electrified me. I pushed my hips into him, moaning softly. He pressed his fingers on my flesh, as if it was all he could do not to rip apart my tights. I felt his other hand in my hair, cupping the back of my head. He kissed me until I was so weak for him and so turned on that I could barely think.
“Heather, fuck,” he murmured against my lips.
“I think our movie is going to start.”
He made a sound I couldn’t quite decipher before helping me climb down from his lap. As we left the room, I felt him look at me. In the dimly lit corridor, I glanced up. Oh, heavens... if I thought his gaze had been feral before, it was nothing compared to this. He looked as if he was having second thoughts about the movie and would much rather just throw me over his shoulder and take me out of the building.
I felt him watch me as I picked up my popcorn and drink. He followed suit, then guided me to our actual theater. I chuckled as we sat down. I hadn’t gone on a movie date since college.
“You know, I’ve never made out at the theater?” I whispered to Ryker.
His mouth curled into a satisfied smile. I simmered. Simmered! And the man wasn’t even trying to seduce me right now. Oh, heavens. How was I supposed to just sit with him for the next two hours?
By focusing on the movie, that was how.
It became clear within the first minutes that Ryker was a terrible person to go to a movie with. He kept trying to explain back stories and trivia, with the result that I spent more time shushing him than paying attention. On the bright side, he was so focused on explaining every detail that I’d managed to eat half his popcorn too. I’d wolfed down mine during the trailers.
“I’m never watching another movie with you,” I announced when we returned to the main hall. “You’re one of those awful people who talk through the whole thing. Worst movie companion.”
“I promise I make a better dinner companion.”
“What do you mean?”
“You didn’t think I wouldn’t take you to dinner, did you?”
“You didn’t say anything about dinner.”
“Didn’t want to risk you saying no. I want to spend more time with you, Heather. And I’m starving. Aren’t you?”
I narrowed my eyes. “You bought a small popcorn bag on purpose, didn’t you?”
He grinned. “Guilty.”
“Ohhh....” I’d just realized a tiny detail. “Skye, Tess, and your mom already know, don’t they?”
“And Natasha. Had to tell her so she could make plans for Avery accordingly.”
“How do you even know Natasha? And how to contact her?”
“I have my ways of finding out what I want.”