“I spoke to your mom.”
“Ah, so that’s what you called her for.”
“Yes... among other things.”
“What things?”
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.”
“Sort of... but they’ll know who it was.”
“How?” He kissed my cheek, tracing his mouth all the way to my ear, as if he needed at least this much contact.
“Well, you’re the hottest man around here, and you’re mine. They’ll put two and two together.”
He pressed his fingers against my lower back, smiling against my cheek.
“Hottest guy in town, huh?”
“That’s the only piece of information that registered?” I taunted.
Instead of answering, he brought his mouth to mine again. He’d stoked a fire in me before, but this... this was a downright inferno. I placed my palms on his arms for support only at first, but then I drew them down his torso, lingering on his chest before making my way down that six-pack I loved so much. When I reached just below his belly button, he groaned, capturing my wrist, stopping my descent.
“Heather... don’t.”
“Oh, I see. So you can kiss me until my panties are on fire, but I can’t fondle you? This is a two-way street, you know.”
His eyes flashed. Oh, wow. I’d meant that as a warning, but I had a hunch Ryker saw it as a green light to push his previous shameless agenda.
“Heather....” His voice was almost a growl, and experience taught me that when he reached this point, I had two, maybe three minutes until he unleashed his full power of seduction on me.
“Why don’t we go inside the house?” I suggested.
“Excellent idea.”
I laughed, lightly pinching his ribs. He caught my hand, holding it for a brief second before surprising the hell out of me and twirling me around, hugging me from behind, kissing the side of my neck. I laughed, just melting against him, touching his arms, every part of him I could reach. At this rate, we’ll never make it to the house. But I was completely okay with that.
***
Ryker
“How long are we staying?” I asked as we approached the house.
“Well, Avery will be here until Monday evening, but you and I should probably go back on Sunday.”
“Yeah... I’ll use Monday to catch up on everything.”
The second we were inside, I curled an arm around her waist, pressing her against me, wanting as much contact as possible.
“Looks like we have the house all to ourselves,” I said.
Heather narrowed her eyes. “Is that code for something?”
I grinned, pressing her even tighter to me. “What do you think it’s code for?”
“Something dirty. You’re very creative in that department.”
“You think?” I moved my fingers in a slow, circular motion on her lower back. I wanted to hold her for a beat. The last twenty-four hours had taken a toll on me too. When I’d listened to Heather’s voicemail, for a few excruciating seconds I’d thought I’d lost them both. I kissed her until she hummed, curling her fingers onto my arms, but I needed her closer—I needed to know that I owned every part of her. Her lips were a little swollen when I pulled back. I traced the contour with my thumb, smiling.
Heather poked my chest with a finger. “You look a little too full of yourself.”
“So?”
“So that means you’re going to try and seduce me.”
“Not just try. I will.”
She rolled her eyes. I pinched her ass, enjoying immensely the way she pressed herself into me.
“Okay, okay,” she answered quickly. “Want to see my room?”
“Gladly.”
Heather smiled shyly before taking a step back. I intertwined our fingers as she led me up the stairs, bringing the back of her hand to my mouth, kissing it. A small shiver ran through her. I smiled against her skin. Heather chuckled, looking at me over her shoulder.