“Okay, I’ll see if we can get Cohen or Eli to head up there tomorrow to get it.” Jameson nods his head and looks back at the boys playing with a gaming console.
“That’s going to be a problem,” Norah points out.
“Why?” Ryker asks, but Norah sends a look toward Jameson who shakes his head and smirks. He responds for her.
“Because they use a specialized biometric scanner to unlock the lab and the chemicals cabinet. I designed it. They’re only getting anything out with her there.”
Ryker’s head sags and tilts toward the floor as he shakes it back and forth. “Goddammit. Why do you have to be so fucking smart all the time?”
*
RYKER WAS SEETHING WHEN he learned the only way Norah could burn the shit from her skin was to actually go grab the chemical from her lab. Jameson made things that were foolproof. He hadn’t even known his brother dabbled in biometrics. Ryker thought he only did software and coding, but he isn’t surprised. His brother had learned how to hotwire a car at five and rebuild a car and engine by ten. Jameson is both book smart and street smart – a deadly combination.
Now that he has had a chance to cool off Ryker is trying to come up with any sort of way to get the chemical without using Norah, but he’s coming up short. Hell, he doubted any of the things he’s seen in movies were actually possible, but he was so close to tossing those ideas around.
The group has settled across the house, each man staking a bedroom, while Norah catches some more rest in Ryker’s bed, at his insistence. She fought at him and Jameson, who also offered his bed for her to sleep, but in the end, he won out. Of course, he did kiss her deep enough to turn off the gears in her head as everyone was heading to bed and he was able to steer her toward his room. It was a bold tactic, but they both enjoyed the end result.
Ryker can’t sleep. He’s afraid if he blinks she’ll be gone, and at this moment he can’t imagine her not in his life. In one day she’s become an integral part of him.
Norah twists in the bed, her body now facing him, so he slouches down just as her arm reaches out to wrap around him. Even in her sleep she craves him. His hand reaches out to brush her soft hair away from her face. The sun is just starting to rise over the tree line emitting a soft orangey-yellow glow behind her body. He had forgotten to close the curtains and he is afraid that the sun may wake her, but right now with her looking like a goddess he has not one complaint. Ryker wishes that he could see her like this always.
And if they don’t find these men before they find Norah, he may never get the chance.
“Mmm, did you sleep?” she asks groggily as she scoots closer to him seeking his warmth.
“Naw, but that’s okay. I’m used to going on little to no sleep when we’re on the road. Sleeping on the bus is not what it’s cracked up to be.”
“Didn’t you have a bed?” she asks with her eyes sealed tightly and her head resting against his arm. He uses his hand to twist a few strands of her hair in his fingers, needing to touch a part of her.
“We just opted for bunks. It wasn’t fair of me to take an entire bedroom while they slept in tiny cubbies even though the record label demanded it. We are a team and we should each be treated the same. So instead of cubbies, we had bunks installed in the bedroom.”
“Hmm,” she murmurs as she falls back asleep against him.
Unfortunately, Ryker doesn’t get a chance to savor this moment. His phone vibrates on the nightstand, and he turns over to find a text from his own security team. One lives onsite at all times and runs clearance at the gate remotely. The small cabin that is set out in the woods had a secret tunnel leading out past the neighborhood to a dirt road. He and Jameson kept that part a secret from the homeowner’s association. The cabin reminds him of something he would have sought out for himself if he didn’t have his music career. It is a small Cape Cod style home painted a cream color with black shutters. And as he reads the message from his team member, he wonders what Norah would think about the cabin he had built.
Ryker slowly withdraws his arm from beneath Norah and makes his way out of the bedroom and toward the front door. The house is quiet at five in the morning, and Ryker tries to beat his guest to the door before she can ring the bell.
He opens the door wide just as Cassidy’s assistant Shelly walks up the stairs with her hands full.
“Lord, you scared the crap out of me,” she cries out with a laugh.
“Sorry, can I help you with that?”
“Yes, please,” she says as she slides one of the armfuls into his grasp not paying any mind to the fact that he’s shirtless.
“Would you like to stay for a while? I can put some coffee on.”
“I wish that I could. I have Jacob in the car,” Shelly explains as she follows him to the formal living room.
“Oh, you know he’s no trouble. Everyone will probably be waking soon.”
“Are you sure it’s no problem? I could use a hit of caffeine right now.”
With a chuckle, Ryker nods and then follows Shelly back outside where she gestures for him to grab a tote of shoes from the back of her SUV while she unbuckles Jacob from his car seat.
“Hey, little man. How old are you now?” Ryker asks the child as they all pile inside the house.
“I’m four. I’m a big boy,” Jacob adamantly states.
“You sure are. You’ll be driving your momma around soon.”
“I’m not that big yet, Mr. Ryker. You’re silly.”
Ryker and Shelly laugh as he loads up his coffee machine and turns it on.
“It will be ready in a few minutes. You’re welcome to put on something for him on the television,” he suggests.
“Oh, Momma, can I watch Mickey? Please?” Jacob pleads as he places both of his hands on his mother’s cheeks and squeezes them close puckering her lips together.
Shelly is attractive, girl-next-door pretty, and on any other day, Ryker could see himself settling down with someone like her. But now that Norah has slid her way into his life he can’t see anyone but her. Luckily Shelly doesn’t fawn over him like most women, so he’s able to keep a conversation with her without it being awkward.
“Sure, you can watch Mickey.”
As she heads toward the oversized television, Ryker turns back toward the coffee machine and grabs two mugs, sugar, and creamer from the fridge. The machine begins to sputter just as Shelly walks back into the kitchen.
“Mmm, that smells divine. I haven’t had coffee this way in a long time. When Cassidy and I were in New York we used to have specially ordered coffee all the time, but since we moved back here, it’s been Angie’s or Wake and Bake’s. Not that I’m complaining, but I can tell from the smell that this is an exotic blend.”
“You would be correct. I have these delivered from a special facility in Chile. It’s expensive but worth it,” he adds as the pot finishes filling and he pours them each a cup. Ryker offers the sugar and cream, but she shakes her head and takes a sip.
“Mmm, I can see why. This is delicious.” They drink in silence, Shelly keeping a close eye on Jacob as he sits perfectly still in front of the wall-mounted television. “So, how long are you back this time?”
“A while, actually. We’re taking a break from touring.”
“Oh, your mother will be so happy to have you home. Why the change?”
“I’m sure Cassidy has filled you in,” he hints.
Shelly’s smile widens against her coffee cup as she takes another sip. “She did. I’m so excited for her. She’s going to be a great mom. And Harlan is already super protective. I can’t imagine how he’ll be when the baby is born.”
Ryker chuckles. “Imagine if it is a girl.”
“He’s doomed,” she adds as she joins in his laugh.
“What’s so funny?” a voice asks from the opening to the living and kitchen area, and Ryker glances up to find Norah standing there with a smile on her face. Even in her disheveled state, she looks breathtaking to him.
�
�Norah! I’m so excited to see you, it’s been too long,” Shelly calls out as she sets her mug on the counter and rushes over to wrap Norah in her arms.
“It has been a while. Since just before Christmas if I’m not mistaken.” Ryker watches their exchange and tries to remember where he was right before Christmas, but he can’t recall. For the past four years, each day blends into the last. “Is that Jacob? He’s gotten so big.”
“He has. I swear he grows an inch every day. Anyway, I’m here for you. I brought a bunch of things Cassidy had available in your size. You can take what you need and then take what you want. Pretty much you have free reign.”
“You guys didn’t have to do that. I just need one or two things.”
“Non-sense,” Shelly insists as she walks toward the formal living room expecting Norah to follow.
Ryker has moved closer to Norah during their exchange, and as Shelly turns away, he leans down and whispers in her ear, “Good morning, beautiful.”
“Morning. I couldn’t go back to sleep once you left.”
“I’m sorry,” he admits as he winds a hand through her hair and grips it lightly so that her face tilts up toward him. Ryker bends forward and runs his nose along hers, loving the way her body shivers as he barely touches her. He reaches out his arm and wraps it around her waist, anchoring her to him, and then presses his lips against hers. Norah’s tongue brushes against his and he can feel his cock beginning to stir in his sweatpants.
Luckily they’re saved from moving farther forward when Shelly interrupts. “Damn, that is hot.”
Norah stands still with her eyes closed and he wonders if she’s memorizing the feel of his kiss the same way he is learning hers.
“Go get some clothes, princess,” Ryker offers as he places his hands on her shoulders and spins her around. When she hesitates to move, he smacks her ass and she yelps, glancing at him over her shoulder with irritation, but she finally heads toward a smirking Shelly.
Ryker finishes his coffee and washes out his and Shelly’s mugs before taking a seat next to Jacob on the floor. He hadn’t ever given any thought to being a dad before or wanting kids, but he loves his nieces and nephew. They were young, not even a year old yet. Ryker had a special bond with them though, he is the only one that can make them smile and giggle on command, much to their father’s dismay. If the babies cried and Ryker was around their mother’s instantly handed them over to him, and they’d stop. His half-sister Avery calls him the baby whisperer.
But sitting next to Jacob puts different thoughts in his head. If he hadn’t been a musician would he be a father now? Surely Ryker is still young, almost twenty-three, but a lot of his classmates from high school have one or two kids under their belts at this point – small town living and all that. He never felt that he was missing out by being on the road constantly but as Jacob scoots over and curls up in Ryker’s lap, he feels a sense of longing.
He strokes the young boy’s hair back as they continue to watch Mickey Mouse in silence, the only sound being a few chuckles from Jacob’s small form. Just as the episode ends a giddy Shelly bursts into the space with a sulking Norah behind her. Ryker wants to rush over to her and ask what’s wrong but her demeanor changes when she notices Jacob’s sleepy form in his lap.
“I can take him,” Shelly insists, but Ryker turns her away.
“Naw, we’re having man time. You get yourself another cup of coffee and relax.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. There is a small library down that hall if you like to read or want to catch a nap in one of the upstairs bedrooms. I can’t imagine how tiring it is to be doing this all on your own.”
“It’s a lot of work, but completely worth it. And I’ll take you up on the offer of the library. I haven’t gotten lost in a book in ages.”
As Shelly makes her way down the hall, Norah steps forward and Ryker notices the change of clothes. This is his first time seeing her in anything form-fitted, and he has to beat back the desire to stand and carry her off to his bedroom. Her body is perfection beneath a pair of tight dark-wash jeans and a navy and white striped shirt. The sleeves end just at her elbows and the neckline scoops outward showing off her narrow shoulders and the collarbone he loves so much. Some men are breasts men, some men are ass and leg men, but Ryker? Ryker is all about Norah’s collarbone. The way the skin and bone line delicately highlight the expanse of her shoulders leading up to her graceful neck is enough to send him over the edge.
“You look beautiful, Norah,” he insists as she moves closer to him.
“Thank you. I feel silly taking all of these clothes from Cassidy and for making Shelly come so early.”
“We want to help you, Norah. Let us help you.”
“I’m trying. I’m not used to people helping me.”
“You let Jameson help you. He’s the first person you thought of,” Ryker points out sullenly.
“He’s my best friend. He and Dr. Lewis are the only people I have in my life,” she claims as she looks down at her bare feet.
“Norah,” Ryker says to get her attention again. When she turns her face toward him he continues, “I want to be the first person you think of. Always.”
She bites her lip and her eyes fill with nervousness and Ryker grows with confusion as to why.
“If you knew me you would rethink that,” she whispers.
“Nothing could make me change what I think about you and what I’m starting to feel for you.”
“What are you starting to feel for me?”
Ryker waits for a beat to find the words to describe how he feels, but he knows if he comes on too strongly he’ll scare her off. Instead, he says, “I don’t know, but I know something is there and it’s growing stronger every day. Don’t you feel it?”
“I do. But Ryker, there are things about me you don’t know. Things Jameson doesn’t even know.”
“Well, let’s remedy that. Tonight, let me take you on a date. Just me and you. You can tell me everything and see if that scares me off.”
“You’re crazy,” she announces as feet start to pound against the stairs alerting them to company.
“Only about you, princess.”
Chapter Five
THE SURREAL MOMENT SHE just spent with Ryker is broken as the rest of the group file down the stairs. Jameson is followed by Cohen and Eli as they head into the kitchen and ransack Ryker’s fridge.
“I’m making breakfast,” Eli calls out as he starts cracking eggs into a bowl.
“Can I have Mickey pancakes?” Jacob requests as he sits up in Ryker’s lap at the mention of food.
All movement in the kitchen halts and Cohen looks at Ryker in confusion.
“Dude, when did you get a kid?”
She and Ryker burst out laughing as Jacob turns to look at them in confusion wanting to know what is so funny.
“Not mine. This is Jacob, he’s Shelly’s son. She’s in the other room relaxing. Cassidy had her bring some clothes for Norah.”
Cohen and Eli smirk and begin working again at the mention of another female, one not off limits just as Jameson moves to take a seat on the couch behind her, his legs straddling her shoulders. She looks over to see if Ryker reacts, but besides his clenching jaw, he remains quiet.
“Preston sent a text that he’ll be over soon and we can start to go over a plan to get Norah to the lab and back as safely as possible. Dylan’s old FBI friends will be coming in today to assist. Do you remember Heath and Alexis?”
“I do, they were a big help with everything that happened with Austin and Sydney last year. I’m happy to have them involved.”
Norah thinks back to last year when she heard that Austin and his now wife Nikki were held at gunpoint by his ex-girlfriend who had roped one of his coworkers into embezzling money from his billion-dollar corporation. She also remembers when Sydney was kidnapped by a drug kingpin.
More things happened in Carson than in most big cities, but the town could handle itself. Many of the r
esidents are veterans or strong and smart enough to defend themselves. That’s part of the reason Norah has always felt safe in the small town.
Jameson continues. “Dylan will be bringing everyone back today as well. Actually, they’ll probably be arriving soon. They chartered a plane around 2 a.m.”
“This is ridiculous,” Norah blurts out as her panic starts to bubble over. “No one needs to come back! I don’t want to risk everyone that is involved.”
“Norah,” Ryker adds as he reaches over to grab her hand instantaneously soothing her. “Let us help you. This is what we do for our family.”
“But I’m not family.”
“You’re Jameson’s best friend. You’ve been at more holiday celebrations in the past few years than I have. And . . . well, you’re special to me,” he adds with Jameson still listening in on the conversation. “That makes you family.”
Her eyes begin to fill with tears and she murmurs, “I’ve never had a real family.” Her emotions overpower her and she stands up needing some space. “If you’ll excuse me.”
She rushes off to compose herself, the swirl of emotions being unfamiliar to her, but not before she hears Ryker ask what he said wrong, which breaks her up even more. She’s never wanted anything more than to be a part of this family.
Norah dashes through the sunroom at the back end of the house and is thrilled to find a door leading outside. Stepping onto the deck the cool /early fall morning is a refreshing feeling.
A line of woods edge the yard and she can make out a small cabin close to the gate that must run the perimeter. She wonders what it would feel like to constantly have your life under a microscope, to have to have security with you at all times, to never feel like you can truly be yourself. In someway Norah supposes that thought brings forth a similarity between her and Ryker. A fear of not knowing who to trust and who only wants something from you. That’s why she holds onto her friendship with Jameson with two hands. He was the first person that hadn’t asked her for anything. No notes, test questions, lab work like the rest of their classmates. He had simply sat beside her in a general education math class and asked her randomly why they were learning something they had been taught in middle school.
Coming Unplugged (Welcome to Carson Book 6) Page 7
