Piece by Piece

by Kaylee Ryan

  I place the bra back into the bag and pull out the hairbrush that was sitting in the bottom, and the pack of hair ties, and a toothbrush. Can he be anymore perfect? Five minutes later, I’m turning off the bathroom light and stepping into his room.

  “Hey.” His voice is gruff as he takes in the sight of me in his shirt. He grins, his white teeth shining through his dark beard. “I thought you might be hungry,” he says, pointing to the table filled to capacity with food.

  “I can’t eat all of that,” I say, eyes wide as my stomach grumbles loud enough for him to hear.

  “I wasn’t sure what you would want, so I got a variety. Come on. I’ll help you eat it.” He motions for me to join him.

  “You’ve already eaten.”

  “I’m a growing boy,” he says, rubbing his stomach. I’m positive his T-shirt is hiding washboard abs from the feel of his body pressed to mine earlier tonight. Such a shame to keep them hidden.

  With careful steps, I take the seat next to him at the small dining table and we begin to eat. Together we sample a little of everything. The food is delicious, and the experience is one I will forever remember. “This is a first for me,” I confess as I wipe my mouth, tossing my napkin on the table.

  “Having dinner with a man in his hotel room?” he asks, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

  “That too. It’s a first for me staying in a hotel, or to have room service, and like you said, with a man.”

  “You’ve never stayed in a hotel?”

  “No. My mom and I did stay in a motel once. It was dirty and disgusting. There was a gap in the bottom of the door. I swear I watched it all night long, thinking some kind of critter was going to crawl into our room in the middle of the night.”

  “How old were you?”

  I shrug. “Not sure, I think about six or so.”

  “Well, I’m glad I can be your first.” He winks, and my heart trips over in my chest. His eyes remind me of a blue sky on a warm summer day. It’s soothing.

  “Me too,” I say honestly, as I place my hand over my mouth to cover my yawn.

  “All right, beautiful, let’s get you to bed.”

  I watch him as he pushes from the table and stands, offering me his hand. “Owen—” I start, but stop, not able to find the words.

  “You’re safe with me, Layla. I know you don’t know me, but I promise you that you can trust me. I just need you here with me tonight. The bed is huge, and I’ll stay on my side if that’s what you want.”

  I nod. My head says that him staying on his side is the best plan, while my heart beats double time at the thought of sleeping with his arms wrapped around me all night long.

  “I’m going to lock the door and turn off the lights.” He kisses my temple. “Go ahead and get comfortable.”

  “Um, what side? I mean, do you have a side?” I ask, sounding like every bit of the inexperienced twenty-five-year-old woman that I am.

  “I’m used to sleeping alone, Layla. You pick whatever side you want. All I care about is that you’re here.”

  He walks away, and I turn my gaze to the bed. I have a twin in my apartment. I’ve never slept in anything larger. In fact, it wasn’t until I moved out of the structure my mother called our home that I had an actual bed frame. It was left in my apartment when I moved in, and the landlord said it was mine if I wanted it. I remember feeling as though everything was going to be okay. I had a roof over my head, and a real bed to sleep in. I spent some of my savings to buy a new mattress. It was a luxury I didn’t plan on, but I was giving myself something I’d always wanted—a bed of my own.

  The suite is bathed in darkness when he turns out the lights, and I rush to climb into bed and under the covers. I have to fight back a moan at the softness of the mattress. I feel like I’m lying on a layer of clouds. My body sinks in, and suddenly I can feel the exhaustion of the day starting to set in. The bed dips beside me, and through the darkness, under the covers, his hand finds mine. Something so simple, but meaningful all the same. I’ve never slept in bed with anyone. Not even my mother. As a kid, I spent a lot of time in my room alone, hiding and being ignored.

  As soon as his fingers link with mine, the anxiety of what we’re doing melts away. I can’t explain it, but I feel connected to him on a level I’ve never experienced before. He said that he needed me, but at this moment, I realize that I need him. I needed this moment to feel safe lying next to him.

  “Owen?” I whisper into the darkness.

  “Yeah?”

  “How did you know what I needed?”

  I feel the bed move as he turns to face me. “What do you mean? What did you need?”

  I swallow hard. “You. I needed you, and I needed this,” I say, squeezing his hand.

  I hear the breath leave his lungs before his whispered request, “Can I hold you?” he asks, his voice soft and gruff. “Nothing else, you can trust me.”

  “I-I’ve never done this. I’ve never slept with anyone else,” I confess, giving him a piece of me that no one else has. What he doesn’t know is that my statement has a double meaning.

  “Come here.” He doesn’t give me a chance to object as he moves in closer, and I find that I’m drawn to him, and I easily turn to give him my back, letting him wrap his arms around me. “Much better,” he says over a yawn.

  As each minute passes, my body relaxes further into his. For the first time in my life, I feel safe and protected. Seen. I owe that to the man who slumbers peacefully behind me. He’s been asleep for a while, but his hold on me is tight. Even in his sleep, he’s keeping me close. It’s with that thought I finally let sleep claim me.

  * * *

  There have been many times in my life where I’ve woken up startled by the feeling that I’m being watched. This time, the feeling is different. I can feel his eyes on me, and his hand that rests on my hip. There is no panic or even regret for sleeping in his bed last night. It’s the best night’s sleep I’ve had in my entire life.

  “Morning, beautiful,” he murmurs as my eyes flutter open.

  “Hi,” I say, closing my eyes and burrowing into him.

  His deep chuckle vibrates his chest. “Do you work today?”

  “No. I’m off.”

  “Good. I want to spend the day with you, and there’s something I need to talk to you about.”

  That has me lifting my head to look at him. “Everything okay?” I ask hesitantly.

  “Yes. Everything is perfect. I’m going to order us some room service and grab a shower.”

  “You don’t have to do that—”

  “Stop right there,” he says before I can continue. “You’re mine for the day, Layla. Let me order us some food, and we can talk while we eat.”

  “Okay.” I nod, because when you have a man like Owen who insists on spending the day with you, you don’t pass that up. It’s something I’ve quickly learned.

  After a swift press of his lips to my forehead, he climbs out of bed. I watch as he calls to order room service, and again he orders way more food than the two of us could possibly eat before he disappears into the bathroom. My mind races with what he could want to talk about. Knowing Owen, it’s going to be something he feels like is good for me. Something else that has him helping me. I’m grateful for him, but at the same time, I know that I can’t lean on him too much. I can’t get used to him being there for me day in and day out. He’s only passing through. He’s going to be leaving soon, going back home to Nashville, and I’ll be here all on my own again.

  Distance.

  No matter how much I want to spend the day with him today, I just can’t. I’m already letting myself get attached to him. I’m getting used to having him to lean on, and I can’t do that. Jumping out of bed, I gather my things, and I’m almost to the door when the bathroom door opens.

  “Layla.”

  I freeze at the sound of my name. “Thank you for everything,” I say with my back toward him. “I’ve taken up enough of your time and generosity,” I say, hoping my
voice sounds strong and confident when I feel anything but.

  I feel his hands land on my hips, and the smell of his body wash surround me. “Where are you going, baby?” he asks, his lips next to my ear.

  “H-Home. I was going home.”

  “We have plans.” He presses his lips to my cheek, and the scratch of his beard against my skin causes me to melt into him. It’s a feeling I will always associate with Owen, long after he’s out of my life.

  “I’ve leaned on you enough. Thank you, but it’s best if I go.”

  Before I know what’s happening, he’s stepping in front of me, and his big hands are cupping my cheeks. “I want you to lean on me, Layla. I want you where I am, and I never want you to leave.” His voice is raw, as if his confession took extreme effort.

  There’s a knock at the door followed by “Room service.”

  “Go sit down. I promised you breakfast and conversation.” His lips press to my forehead, and it’s familiar. Forehead kisses are his thing.

  My heart tells me to do as I’m told while my head is telling me to run. My heart wins as I turn and walk back to the small table in his suite and take a seat. I don’t know what he wants to talk about, but he’s adamant. I’ll give him his chance to talk and get whatever it is off his chest. Then I’ll go back to my small rundown apartment and dream about the best night of my life.

  Chapter 9

  Owen

  I open the door to accept the room service, all while my heart is beating like a bass drum in my chest. One more minute and I would have missed her. She would have slipped out quietly, and I would have lost her. Sure, I know where she lives and where she works, but something deep in my gut tells me that if she had walked out of the door, that would have been it. Her walls would be up, and my chances of knocking them down would be slim to none.

  “Thank you.” I tip the young man delivering our food and close the door. “You hungry?” I ask her.

  She nods. “Thank you. I’ll never be able to repay you for all that you’ve done for me.”

  “Eat,” I say, handing her a plate. “Starting now, no more thank yous. No more how will I ever repay you. From this moment forward, you accept that I do what I do because I want to. I’m on your team, Layla.”

  “I’ve never had a team,” she replies softly.

  Fuck. “Now you do.” Grabbing a plate, I begin to pile it up. We eat in silence for several long minutes until I can’t take it a moment longer. I need to talk to her about this. “So, I have a proposition for you.”

  “You’re not getting my bacon,” she says, pointing said strip of bacon at me. It makes me smile to see her happy and indulging.

  “I won’t take your bacon,” I assure her. “It’s actually a job opportunity.”

  “What? Is this some kind of Pretty Woman set up? I hang out with you while you’re here, and then you leave?” she asks. I can hear not only the pain but the disappointment in her voice.

  “Not even close.” Reaching across the small table, I cover her hand with mine. “I want you to come and work for me and my brothers at our company.”

  “What?” she breathes.

  “Come work for us. I’ve already talked to my brother Royce. He’s the oldest and the CEO. He’s on board. His fiancée, Sawyer, she’s taking on more work from me and my other three brothers, and Royce hates that she’s working so much. He wants her to slow down not take on more. He wants a family, they both do, and you coming to work for us, taking some of the workload from her shoulders will help everyone out.” I pause, letting my words sink in. “And I’ll get to see you every day.”

  “Owen, I can’t even process this. You want me to come and work for you? In Nashville? In Tennessee?” she asks.

  “Yes.”

  “You want to see me every day?”

  “More than anything.” I watch as her eyes widen at my response. “I have plenty of room, you can stay with me, but—” I start when I see her mouth open to object. “If you’re not ready for that, you can stay in Sawyer’s old apartment. It’s still furnished, and it’s just sitting empty. It’s in a good neighborhood, and it’s close to the office.”

  “A-Are you ready for that?”

  “Ready for what, baby?”

  “Me moving in?” she croaks.

  “Yes.”

  “How? How are you so sure? You barely know me.”

  “I know enough, and we have the rest of our lives to discover the rest.”

  “The rest of our lives? Are you feeling okay?” she asks, her eyebrows raised in concern.

  I can’t keep the chuckle inside. “I’m fine, Layla. I admit this isn’t me. I’ve never done this, and normally I need my space, but the thought of having you in my space, well, that’s a game changer.”

  “This isn’t a game, Owen. This is my life,” she says, her voice raised.

  “I know it’s not a game.” I pull my hand back, running my fingers through my hair. “I will give you as much space as you need. However, I do have one request.”

  “What’s that?” she asks hesitantly.

  “We date. You give me a chance to show you who I am while I learn more about you. Exclusively,” I add.

  “You want to date me?”

  “Yes.”

  “You want to give me a job?”

  “Yes.”

  “Who are you?”

  “Owen Riggins.” I smirk.

  “You know what I mean.” She rolls those big blue eyes of hers.

  “I’m a man who never gives up when there is something he wants. My brothers and I took over my father’s company and have watched it grow into more than we ever could have imagined. We wanted it, and we made it happen. I want you, Layla.”

  “I have a job and an apartment. I can’t just pick up and move to Tennessee.”

  “You have a job making minimum wage and a shitty apartment. You’ve picked up and moved before. Why not now? Why not with me? This time you’re not going to be alone. You have my family and me there to support you.”

  “Your family?” she asks, shocked. “They don’t even know me. You don’t know me.”

  “They know that you’re important to me, and that’s enough. And I do know you, Layla. I know that you’re a fighter. That you fought to give yourself a better life, and you’re still fighting and struggling. I know that this job alone will change things for you, not to mention a nice clean apartment in a good neighborhood. I know that you and my future sister-in-law will get along great, as she’s feisty just like you.”

  “I’m not feisty. I’m cautious.”

  “That—” I point at her, not able to hide my grin. “—that’s the feistiness coming out in you. I’m going to lay it out for you, baby. If I had my way, we’d be packing up your things and moving you into my place where I could hold you every night, just like I did last night. I know it sounds utterly insane, but that’s how I feel. I’m a man of my word. I think I’ve proven that to you. You can trust me. You can trust my family. Please, come home with me.”

  “You realize this is crazy, right?” she asks. “I mean, we just met, and you want me to uproot my life for you?”

  “Not just for me, Layla. For you.” I go on to tell her how much she’ll be making as an assistant for Riggins Enterprises and her eyes bulge. “That’s not just a special salary for you, that’s what the position pays.”

  “I don’t know how to be an assistant, Owen.”

  “You’re smart, and Sawyer is amazing. She’ll help you.” I love Sawyer like a sister, and I’ve never been more grateful than I am at this moment that she loves my broody-ass older brother. Well, I guess he’s not so broody anymore. Not since Sawyer came into his life. Knowing that she has another woman there other than my mom to support her is a huge selling point.

  “I— What if she doesn’t like me? What if they don’t like me?” Her voice is soft as her insecurities shine through.

  Standing from my seat at the table, I offer her my hand. She takes it and follows me to the bed. I
sit and pull her into my lap. “They’re going to love you. You make me happy, Layla. I want to be with you, and that’s all they are going to need to know to like you on the spot.” I don’t know what I can say to convince her, then an idea hits. Reaching for my phone on the nightstand, I keep my arm tight around her waist and start a video call with Royce.

  “Hey, O, what’s up?” he asks.

  “I have someone I want you to meet. Is Sawyer around?” I ask him. I feel Layla stiffen in my arms, but my hold is tight. No way am I letting her run.

  “Babe!” Royce calls out. “Owen’s on the phone.” I hear footsteps and then see Sawyer’s face appear on the screen next to Royce.

  “Hey, you. How’s Florida?” she asks, her smile genuine.

  “Good. I’m heading home in a couple of days. They’re still giving me the run around with the reports. Jase says he’s working on it. At this point, they can send them to me. I’ve seen what I need to see,” I tell them.

  “Hi.” Sawyer waves, ignoring me. “I’m Sawyer, Owen’s assistant,” she greets Layla.

  “You’re Owen’s sister-in-law,” Royce corrects her.

  “We’re not married yet, Riggins.”

  “Details,” he mutters.

  “Hi.” Layla waves. Her reply is soft.

  “Guys, this is Layla. She’s the one I was telling you about.”

  Royce nods, a slow smile tilting his lips. “So, you’re the one that finally got my brother to come out of his shell?” he asks.

  “Um, I guess so?” Layla asks, looking at me.

  I laugh and offer her a reassuring smile. “I told you I was a workaholic. This is all new to me, baby.” I don’t bother to lower my voice or hide my term of endearment, and the way her eyes widen tell me she noticed.