“Hey, August, I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
“Don’t be stupid.”
“Okay. I won’t.” He snorted a laugh.
“So, what’s going on?”
“When do you come home again?”
“In about five more weeks or sooner maybe. Why, what’s going on?”
“Nothing. I just wanted to talk.”
“Liar. What’s the matter?”
“Okay. Well, other than the stalking?” He paused, sighed, and then said, “Someone is trying to kill me.” He told August about the cut brake lines and someone shooting at him.
“What the hell?” his friend shouted.
“Yeah, it’s worse than I realized.” He left out the part about his stepmother; August hated her enough.
“I do need to come home!”
“No. I have Ryder here,” he sighed. “My bodyguard.” he crossed his legs at the ankle and gazed at the screen door.
“Ryder? Hmmm.”
“Um… yeah,” he whispered with a hitch and sigh.
“Wait! Is this Mr. Sparks to end all sparks guy?”
“Yeah.” He felt his cheeks heat.
“Oooh, you didn’t tell me it was your bodyguard! Tell me everything.” August’s voice changed to a suggestive tone. “Is he hot?”
“Stop it,” he said on a soft laugh. “And yeah, he is. Really. OMG HAF,” he groaned beneath his breath.
“Really? HAF?” August said using an ooh la la voice.
Hot as fuck didn’t really do Ryder justice.
“This can’t be happening. I met him three weeks ago. What a cliché, right?” he whined.
“It’s lust at first sight,” August sang out.
He suddenly hooted with laughter along with August before darting a hasty glance back toward the screen door.
He lowered his voice. “Yeah, and I’m certifiable.”
“Oh who cares? Does he like you back?”
“I think so, but he won’t cross the employee boss boundary.”
“Then fire his ass and jump it!” August laughed.
“Now there’s an idea.” He laughed with August.
“Take the risk, babe. You deserve it.”
He smiled. “I’m trying.”
They talked for a little while longer, and then he ended the call assuring August he’d call or text again in a few days to let him know he was safe.
The screen door creaked open, and Ryder stepped out onto the porch. The guy looked sexy in bare feet, worn jeans, and a t-shirt. No pullover in the cool mountain morning for Ryder; the guy seemed to run hot. Tattoos peeked out from the short sleeves and he dropped his hands to hide the sudden state of his crotch when he thought of exploring them.
“Hey,” he said tentatively, clearing his throat.
“Morning,” Ryder said gruffly and took a sip of coffee after slanting him a quick look.
“Sorry about the other day. I know you were born.” He drew his legs off the arm rest and curled them beneath him, trying to apologize again.
Ryder appeared uncomfortable. “Don’t worry about it.”
Harrison expected the guy to retreat into the house or around back to continue cleaning out the shed, but Ryder remained.
“I like it here. It’s beautiful,” he offered.
“Not what you’re used to I imagine, but it’s a second home to me,” Ryder said.
“Have a seat and I’ll tell you what I’m used to.” Harrison could tell that had gotten his attention. After a long moment, Ryder drew closer and sat in the chair next to him.
“My grandfather was a hardware store owner,” he said, gazing out at the lake, and he felt more than saw Ryder’s quick glance.
“We, my father and I, don’t come from money.” He twirled a frayed strand at the knee this time and watched the blue bird regain its courage and fly down to peck at the front grass.
“Every summer, I went and helped my grandfather at the store. I’d stock the shelves and help him work the register. He had this old hound dog, Dudley, that used to follow me around constantly.” He chuckled softly and darted a glance at Ryder.
He found Ryder attentively listening with a slight smile on his lips.
“Where’s your grandfather now?”
“Cancer got him about five years ago.”
“I’m sorry,” Ryder said quietly.
“Thanks. He always told me that he’d had a really good life.” Harrison smiled and when Ryder stayed quiet, he continued. “I was ten by the time my dad made it big. Around that time, grandpa sold the store and retired, and I started going into the office with my dad.”
“What about other family?”
“It was just my dad, my uncle Dean, Aunt Julie until she passed away, and me. My mom left us to go,” he rubbed at his stomach, “I’m not really sure where.” He hurried on. “Then dad remarried when I was little. Mom made a brief reappearance after the company went big. I think dad paid her off. Then he got married another two times before Sheila. She’s number five.”
“Sounds like he was searching for something,” Ryder murmured.
“I guess.” He didn’t understand it, but then he figured his dad had never really been in love.
“What about your mom? Did she ever contact you after that?”
“No. She left, and never called. She didn’t want any part of me.” His breath hitched.
“Sometimes, people leave and it’s nobody’s fault.”
Harrison tipped his head and stared at Ryder. Deep down, he knew it wasn’t his fault his mother had left, but knowing that didn’t take away the hurt and the feelings of not being enough to make her stay.
The silence grew, which was not what he’d planned, but Ryder seemed content to let it grow. Harrison swallowed down his disappointment and fiddled with the handle of his empty coffee mug. He’d shared not only in the hopes that Ryder would open up to him, but also because he wanted the man to realize he was more than his damned money.
“How about some breakfast?” Ryder said, standing abruptly, clearly not interested in sharing.
“Sure.” He got up and followed, his eyes glued to Ryder’s ass in those perfectly snug jeans. Like he’d told August, his crush on the guy was crazy.
Breakfast consisted of pancakes and fresh fruit, and they worked quickly together to get it done.
When Ryder disappeared down the hallway after eating, Harrison tossed his napkin on his plate and stood to clear the counter. Since it was his turn, he rinsed and tucked the dishes in the dishwasher and wiped down the counter.
Now what? There was always more work to be done. His lips twisted at the thought of going over one more financial spreadsheet.
A slight noise spun him around, and he almost swallowed his tongue. Ryder wore a pair of swimming trunks. The trunks reached the top of his knees and covered what Harrison could tell was a nice sized package, but the rest of him was laid bare like a feast. Sculpted muscles rippled on Ryder’s chest with a smattering of dark hair that traveled down a happy trail along sculpted abs only blemished by the bandage covering the wound on Ryder’s side. The man was definitely carrying an eight pack. And oh my god… The tattoos on the bad boy were amazing, covering his upper arms and back from the looks of them.
Harrison quickly lowered the dish towel to cover his crotch.
“Feel like a swim?” Ryder asked gruffly.
“What? Yeah.” He’d been wanting to since they’d arrived, but he shook his head. “Are you okay to go in the water?”
Ryder glanced down at his stomach. ‘What? This scratch?” The man smirked. “It’s a water proof bandage; should keep it protected. We won’t stay in for long.”
Harrison pouted. “I don’t have a swimsuit.”
“I put several sizes on your bed.”
“Oh! Then give me two minutes!” He gave a quick darting smile and tossed the towel to the counter.
Back in his room, he stared down at the brightly colored pile of suits resting on the bed. Lifting a ti
ny red suit, he gaped. It would barely cover what he was packing. He snickered, imagining Ryder’s expression if he wore that one.
Maybe that’s the guy’s plan?
He laughed softly and lifted a more moderate mint green colored suit that at least covered the top of his thighs. Unlike Ryder’s loose trunks, this one was made of a spandex blend that molded to every inch of him perfectly.
Twisting this way and that way before the mirror, he was happy with the way the material hugged and enhanced his tight butt. It was one of his best features. Snatching up the towel and beach shoes, he headed out of the room.
He found Ryder standing at the edge of the lake, and the man turned at the sound of his approach.
When Ryder’s gaze raced over him, Harrison tossed the towel to the grass and stepped forward. Taking his time, he let Ryder look his fill.
“It’s cold so it takes some getting used to.” Ryder turned toward the water.
Harrison laughed delightedly; he’d seen the quick flash of desire in Ryder’s heated gaze.
He lifted his voice to carry the distance between them. “I have been in lake water before.” The guy constantly wanted to place him in the shallow little rich boy role, but he had news for Ryder, he was more than that.
Ryder shot him a curious glance, but Harrison ignored the man and slipped on the pair of water shoes. They were a tiny bit loose but would protect his feet on the rocky lake bottom.
“Fuck,” he gasped when he stepped in up to his calves.
“I told you so,” Ryder smirked.
Harrison squinted and dipped a hand in the water and shot a spray at the bigger man.
Ryder chuckled and dodged before plunging into the clear blue lake.
Harrison made it in up to his thighs. He knew from experience that it was easier to just dive in, but it was freaking cold. He waded in a bit further up to his ass and then waist.
“Ryder?” He glanced around, but the guy hadn’t surfaced yet. He turned in a full circle.
With a cobra like swiftness, Ryder lunged out of the water in front of him, grasped his hands at each side of his waist, and power lifted him up and into the air.
“Oooooh shiiiiiiit!” He’d had enough time to yell before he was tossed over Ryder’s head and into the deeper part of the lake. All he heard before he sank into the icy coldness was Ryder’s deep laughter ringing out.
He came up gasping in the frigid water. His feet hit the bottom, so it wasn’t that deep. Swiping water from his eyes and face, he lunged after Ryder.
“Oh, no you didn’t!”
Ryder dodged through the water away from him. “Oh, yes I did, Mr. I’ve swam in a lake before.”
“You’re going to pay for that!” he laughingly promised, and lunged again.
Ryder gave him a rakish grin and dove beneath the water and then came up several yards away before taking off swimming at a good clip farther out into the lake.
Harrison took off after Ryder’s large retreating form. He broke into a smooth stroke that he knew would soon catch the guy. One thing he was very good at was swimming, he was also hella fast.
Ryder glanced back and started increasing his speed. Reaching a wooden platform anchored in the middle of the small lake, Ryder climbed on it.
Harrison reached the swimming dock and hoisted himself up. “I didn’t even see this out here.”
“My brothers and I begged our dad to make this diving platform when we were kids,” Ryder murmured and dropped down to stretch out on the large warm wood. This gave Harrison a good view of the tattoo on one upper arm and shoulder. The ink was of a bald eagle just taking flight. The wing span went across one shoulder and curved around on Ryder’s back, claws extended down his upper arm and bicep.
Wait, brothers?
“How many brothers?” he asked nonchalantly, shaking the water from his hair, sending the spray over the reclining man.
Ryder smoothed a hand over the drops and into the skin on his ripped abdomen before pulling that same hand up his chest and through that smattering of dark hair.
Oh fuck. Harrison dropped down to sit and pulled his knees up, painfully hiding his erection.
“Four.”
“Wait, four?” he gaped.
“Yep, there’s five of us. Mom wanted a girl. So, she kept trying.” Ryder smirked.
“How close in age are you?”
“I’m the oldest at thirty-five. Then it’s thirty-three, thirty, twenty-eight and twenty-six.”
“God that must have been crazy fun growing up.” He smiled, just a bit envious having always wanted siblings.
“It was at times, because for the most part, we all get along. When things got too rambunctious, mom and dad would pack up the car and bring us here.”
“I wish I had someplace like this.” He gazed out over the lake, finally able to lay flat on the warm platform without embarrassing himself. He turned his face up to the sun and closed his eyes.
“You could buy a place.”
Buy a cold and empty place? That wasn’t the same as one filled with stories, history, and love. More than anything, he wanted a home, a family, and a special man to love him.
“I could, but then it wouldn’t have the memories,” he returned quietly, and there was a long moment of silence.
“True.” Ryder turned on his side, facing him, and Harrison swiveled his head. Intense brown eyes were locked on his face. “You could make new memories.”
He shrugged and looked up at the clear blue sky, wondering why the hell he felt like crying.
“Hey,” Ryder said softly. “You can come here whenever you want to get away. Just call me, and I’ll let you know if anyone else is using it.”
That didn’t help the tears. A lump grew in his throat at the generosity of this gruff and often unreadable man. He’d cherish the gift forever.
“Thank you,” Harrison whispered, clearing his throat. “I’ll take good care of it when I’m here, I promise.”
Finally able to look over without embarrassing himself by crying, he found Ryder studying him.
“I believe you. You and your friends can have the run of the place.”
The thought of bringing anyone out here felt like a defilement. He wanted to preserve the peaceful paradise and create new memories of the two of them here. Was that so wrong?
“I won’t bring my friends here.”
“Why not?” Ryder’s eyebrows lifted.
“Well, I only have one true friend. The others are acquaintances that I’ve met at some function or nightclub.” Fly-by-night friends.
“Toby?” Ryder frowned.
“Oh god no.” He realized how weird that sounded. As if he didn’t consider Toby as a friend.
“I mean, he’s a friend, but not my best friend.”
“How did you meet Toby?”
“A year ago at our company convention. He literally bumped into me at a display table.”
Ryder grunted and rolled onto his back.
Harrison watched the man for a long moment. Ryder didn’t like Toby, it was clear. Harrison could see why. Toby could be pushy and often rude. Not to mention, the guy came across as possessive and that was not okay.
“We’re just friends.” He picked at his chipped nail.
He didn’t want Ryder thinking there was anything going on with him and Toby. When he got home, he was going to have a long talk with Toby about personal boundaries.
“What about Shelby?”
“Shelby? He’s more of a coworker, not really a friend. You already know he’s very persistent. He was hired in as a team leader by my dad a few years ago.”
Ryder looked thoughtful for a few moments.
“Tell me about your best friend,” Ryder said gruffly.
“August is in Paris.”
“What’s he doing in Paris?”
“He’s studying under a renowned fashion designer. Having the time of his life, I imagine.”
Smiling, he turned his face up to the sky. Sharing about August and
some of their escapades during college had Ryder’s deep chuckle rebounding over the lake.
Harrison suddenly made it one of his goals to get Ryder to laugh more. He loved the way the lines crinkled near the corners of his eyes.
“What is it?” Ryder’s gaze swept over him when Harrison turned on his side.
“Nothing,” he whispered, resting his cheek on his arm. Letting his eyes linger on Ryder’s mouth, he inched forward suddenly.
Ryder froze for a split second, zeroed in on his lips. There was a moment of hesitation when Ryder’s throat moved as he swallowed, but then the guy rolled from the wooden platform and dropped beneath the water.
Harrison crawled to the edge, and when Ryder came up, Harrison splashed water.
“Chicken!” he yelled and ran, jumping into the lake, hoping he hadn’t ruined their budding friendship by being too forward. He came up and found Ryder smirking at him.
He lunged and Ryder took off swimming toward the shore.
Ryder
He slammed the back of the SUV harder than he’d anticipated and drew Harrison’s gaze.
The guy was on the goddamned phone with Toby for the second time today.
“I’ll be one more minute,” Harrison called to him and smiled.
He scowled and crossed his arms. The smile faded, which was a bummer, because Harrison’s smile was something special. All he thought about was the small, brief moment on the swimming dock the other day and the fact that it had driven his fantasies into over drive.
Don’t think about Harrison’s silent invitation to be kissed. Just don’t. What would it cost him to cross that threshold? To take the risk?
You fucking work for him. He had to admit that mantra was wearing thin.
He roamed his gaze over Harrison’s face and the phone in the man’s slim hand.
Ryder couldn’t fucking stand the asshat on the other end taking advantage of Harrison’s good nature and generosity.
Toby made a point of calling Harrison frequently. That kept the guy front and center on Ryder’s radar.
So much so that he’d fired off a text to Logan, who in turn alerted the detectives, who then picked up Toby for questioning. The guy had been released a few hours later and on that day, Toby had called Harrison three times.
Without Warning Page 14
