by Alexa Riley
“I’m staying,” I tell him, and he tightens his arms around me, as if to say I didn’t have a choice to begin with. “I choose to stay. I want to be here. You don’t have to keep me locked away. I’ll always come back to you.”
Ryker has given me something I’ve longed for my whole life—to feel like I belong somewhere. I want to give him something, too, because he’ll never know what it means to me. The only thing I can give is myself, and he wants that more than anything. I’m not really sure if that’s a gift for him or me, to be honest, but I vow in this moment that I’m his. Forever.
I wrap my arms around him and squeeze before I lean back to look into his eyes. I place my hands on both sides of his face and take a breath. “But you have to tell me everything, Ryker. If we are going to do this, I need it all.”
Chapter 21
Blair
“I’ll give you anything you ask for,” he tells me, holding me tight. He’s relieved that I’m finally giving myself over to him completely. He already looks more relaxed. “Except letting you go,” he adds.
I roll my eyes, even though his words warm me deep inside. His possessiveness is something that’s quickly becoming one of the things I love most about him. As soon as I have the thought, I’m stunned that I’ve thrown around the L word again. Maybe I should hear all of what he has to say, because if I keep letting it pop up, it’s going to take hold. Though it’s likely too late for that.
“Don’t give me any ideas. I’ve always wanted my own private jet,” I tease. He gives my ass a small squeeze and smiles.
“Make an honest man out of me and you’ll have one. I can even have her renamed, if you want.”
My mouth falls open and I can’t tell if he’s teasing me or not. “Do you really have your own plane?”
“Maybe you’ll find out one day.” He sits up with me in his arms and carries me towards the bathroom. I knew he was rich, but this is a whole new level.
“I need to get you cleaned up and dressed if I’m going to have an actual conversation with you.” He puts me on my feet in the shower and turns on the water. His hands roam my body as he shakes his head. “You’re distracting as it is, but when you’re naked I can barely think.”
My nipples tighten as he runs his fingers over them, then pulls me into his body under the warm water. He slowly takes his time washing every inch of me before washing himself. I slide my hands over his muscles, feeling the excitement build. I can’t seem to get enough of him. But as I begin to move my hand lower, he grabs my wrist to stop me.
“We’ll end up back in the bed if you keep going,” he warns against my lips, kissing me sweetly. “Is that what you want?”
I do. But the next time we make love I want nothing between us. I want to know as much about him as I can. “I’ll be good,” I vow as I bat my lashes. He grumbles low in his chest and I can’t hide my giggle.
“You’re a little liar, Cricket.” He smacks me on the ass, making me squeal.
I know exactly what I’m doing. Teasing a man isn’t something I’m used to. Maybe it’s his reaction to me that I’m not used to, but it makes me feel sexy when I see the desire and want in his eyes.
He pulls me from the shower and dries me off before I go into the closet looking for something to wear. I slide on a pair of black silk panties and grab one of his T-shirts that reads Gamecock across it. It reminds me how little I really know about Ryker. It’s strange, because I feel so much closer to him now than I ever did to Fritz.
I glance around the closet and smile at all of our clothes lined up next to each other. If anyone were to come in here and look they’d think we’re a married couple. It was the first thought I had when I saw this closet. It makes that warm feeling stir in my stomach again. Just like it did when Ryker said I should make an honest man out of him.
I grab a pair of socks and slide them on before heading back to the bathroom to brush out my hair and blow-dry it. I watch Ryker get himself ready, enjoying this little act of normalcy. How can something so small make me so happy? It really is the little things in life you never think about that mean the most.
Before I always had these big goals and end points I was reaching for. At least that’s how I thought my life was supposed to go. With Ryker, I’m seeing something that I was missing in my life before. Now I’m just enjoying the ride. This could be because I was on the ride alone before, and now even the quiet moments between Ryker and me are ones that are most precious.
After my hair is dry, I brush my teeth. As I’m finishing, Ryker comes up behind me and kisses me on my neck. I can feel him smile against my skin.
“You feel it, don’t you? How right this is?” he asks me as our eyes meet in the mirror.
I nod and he turns me in his arms so I’m facing him. He leans down and kisses me as I run my hands through his hair, pulling him closer. When we finally break apart we’re both breathless. His hair is a mess now, and his lips are full from kissing.
I reach up and touch the place where I left the small hickey. “Sorry about that,” I say and wink at him.
“Liar,” he says with a chuckle. “I like it.” He slips his hand into mine and takes me back to the closet. Inside he digs around for a moment and comes back with a pair of shorts. “For my own sanity.” He drops down to his knees, lifting my shirt. He places a kiss on my panty-covered pussy and for a second my whole body clenches. I want more, but instead he holds out the shorts for me to step into. I let out a sigh of frustration before he winks at me and helps me put them on.
Once I’m covered, he throws me over his shoulder, taking me my surprise. I yelp, but he gives me a smack on my ass, making me laugh.
“I can walk, you know.” I smack his ass back, smiling, but it doesn’t seem to faze him.
“I like carrying you around.” His hand grips my ass as he jogs down the stairs like I weigh nothing.
He stops when he gets to the kitchen and sits me on the island. I catch Lily out of the corner of my eyes. She gives me a knowing smile as she dries her hands on her apron and calls for my cat to follow her out of the room. The two of them exit quietly, slipping out of the kitchen and leaving Ryker and me alone.
“She’s stolen Bear,” I say as I watch them through the window.
“I think she likes the company,” Ryker says. “I had a couple of cat doors installed so he can come and go as he pleases. I think he likes it here.”
“I think I like it here, too,” I say, turning my attention back to him.
His smile is so bright and big, it makes my body ache for him. How can one smile rule my whole world?
“I’ve wanted you from the first time I saw you,” Ryker says, placing his hands on the counter on either side of me. “I wasn't even looking for you, but there you were.” A small smile pulls at his lips like he’s remembering the day.
“You were sitting on a bench outside. You were wearing white shorts with a pink tank top and flip-flops. Your toenails matched your shirt. I’m guessing you were waiting for your next class to start, or at least that’s what I tell myself you were doing. I don’t like the thought of you waiting for him.” His eyes grow a shade darker. He doesn’t have to say who he means, I already know who he’s talking about. “You were thumbing through your textbook looking completely bored. I thought you were stunning. I wanted to walk over to you and make you smile. I knew if you looked so breathtaking with that bored look on your face, I couldn't imagine what you’d look like smiling. I wanted to see that more than I’d ever wanted anything else.”
I search my memory trying to think back to the time he’s talking about. I wonder if I saw him that day, but I don’t recall. When I try to remember if he was there, the only thing I can think of is that I felt like I was being watched. More so in the past few months, but now I know it wasn't in my head. It was Ryker. Maybe that should make me mad, and it might have if he told me this when I first got here. But now? Things are different. I like that he watched me. He cared so much about me that he had this crazy need
to make sure I was always safe.
“I saw you and I completely forgot why I’d gone there in the first place.” Ryker pushes off the counter and goes around to the other side of it. He picks up a plate of food and brings it back over to where I’m sitting. He lifts a strawberry and brings it to my mouth. I take a bite of it, then he pops the rest of it in his mouth, finishing it off.
“Then he showed.” I glance down at my hands, locking my fingers together.
I don’t want to talk about Fritz, and I can tell he doesn't either. I actually feel guilty about Ryker seeing me with Fritz. I think I would lose it if I ever saw him with another woman. Even just thinking about that happening hurts more than when I saw Fritz with Lilith.
Ryker’s hands come to mine, untangling my fingers and locking his around them. “Don’t do that. It’s my fault. I should have taken you from him that day,” he tells me. His voice is deep and filled with emotion. “I just wasn’t sure of how to do it then. I thought you’d see through him and leave him soon.”
“I should have,” I admit.
“It helped that you two weren’t together much. It was hard to believe you were a couple at times. I think that helped me not to lose it.” His hands tighten in mine in a possessive yet gentle grip.
“I’m yours now,” I remind him, trying to cool the anger I see sparking in his eyes.
“You were always mine,” he corrects.
He picks me up quickly and it breaks the tension of the moment.
“You have got to stop carrying me everywhere,” I say though my laughter, hoping that he never does. He walks us out of the kitchen and down the hall to his office. He sits me down on the sofa he has in there before walking over to a picture. It’s like something out of a movie when he pulls the painting back to reveal a safe behind it.
“Zero five one nine,” he says aloud while he hits the keys. “The day I first saw you.” He winks at me over his shoulder before he opens the safe door.
I sit up a little straighter when he reaches in and pulls out a stack of folders. I see a gun sitting inside, too. It makes me nervous, although I shouldn’t be shocked. This is the south, but it still catches my eye. He shuts the door to the safe and comes over to me and sits down.
When I look down at his folders, I see Fritz’s name on the top one. I also see the folder I made that last day I was at the art studio. It reminds me of the things I found. It all slipped my mind since being brought here.
“Are you into something illegal?” I ask, feeling my stomach drop.
I need to know. I don’t know what I’ll do if he says yes, but I can’t be lied to again. The fact that he could be wrapped up in this should make me want to get away from him, but right now I just want the truth. If he’s mixed up in whatever it is I found that day, then I have to know.
“I kidnapped a woman. I think that’s against the law.” He raises his eyebrows at me, and I slap his arm. It shouldn't be funny, but it kind of is.
“You drugged me!” I snap out as I remember the night he took me. At least I think he did. It’s all still a little hazy, and probably always will be.
He cups my face. “I was scared you’d fight me. I did what I thought would be best. I knew you weren’t allergic,” he tries to defend himself.
“Because you got all my medical records?” Now it’s my turn to raise my eyebrows at him. This conversation is completely ridiculous and not normal, but still I smile.
He strokes my cheek with his thumb. “I took you that day to keep you safe,” he finally says. “But I’d be a liar if I didn't admit I took you because I wanted you. That I was tired of waiting. I took you because you belong to me and I couldn't take another moment of not having you.”
Chapter 22
Ryker
I watch as she lays the files in her lap, and I feel a knot in my stomach. I have to tell her everything. This can’t stay between us. Just like her, I don’t want anything between us anymore. We have come too far.
“There’s more I need to tell you, Cricket,” I say, and she squares her shoulders.
“You can tell me anything.”
There’s complete honesty in her voice, and in that moment, I want to tell her I love her. I want to not only lay out all the deception, but I want to tell her what’s in my heart, too. But I have to start with the messy truth.
I take one of her hands in mine, but as I open my mouth to confess all my sins, I hear the front door bang open. I jump up and grab Blair, pushing her behind me as I go to the door. I brace myself, but I see it’s just John walking in with a panicked look on his face.
“I’m sorry, Ryker, I tried to call. It’s Diamond. She got loose and somehow got tangled up in a mess of barbed wire on the other side of the property.”
“What?” I ask when I see the look of panic in his eyes.
“I can’t get to her. Memphis must have gotten out last night with her and he won’t let me near. I’ve got all my guys down there, but he’s kicking up at anyone who tries to get close. You’re the only one he’ll listen to.”
“Oh no,” I hear Blair gasp, and she brings her hands to her mouth in horror. “Is she hurt?”
John just nods, and I see tears form in her eyes.
“Let’s go,” I say as I rush over by the door and grab my boots. I glance over to see Blair grabbing her shoes, and I shake my head. “No, Cricket, you stay here. If Memphis is agitated, I don’t want you anywhere near him. He’s a beast when he’s calm, but if Diamond is hurt…” I let that sentence trail off, and I can see her trying to find a way to argue with me.
“But she’s mine,” she says, and a tear spills free from her eyes.
I stop putting on my shoes and reach out, holding her upper arms. “Hey, hey, look at me.” I wait until she does. “I’m not going to let anything happen to her. But Memphis is a beast. He won’t be happy his mate is hurt, and I can’t have you getting in the way of that or distracting me while I’m trying to save her.”
I wonder for a moment if she’s thinking of how I saved her. She looks up at John and then back to me and nods, putting her hands on my chest. “Go. Go save her. I’ll be there after you get her out.”
I give her a quick kiss and promise to make everything okay. I pull on my other boot and run out after John to the waiting Gator out front. He rushes to tell me how badly she’s twisted up and that he can’t imagine how she wandered that far off the edge of the land. He’s saying she’s lost a lot of blood already and it’s only getting worse as Memphis won’t let anyone get close.
I’m so worried about how I’m going to get past Memphis to get Diamond free that it doesn’t occur to me to ask why John couldn’t have just called me to tell me this. I’m so focused on the problem that I never stop to think who might have caused this.
But I should have.
Chapter 23
Blair
Bear is sitting on Ryker’s desk watching me pace. He must have heard the commotion and come running inside. I watch Johnny and Ryker leave, and now I can’t sit still. Poor Diamond. I wish I could go to her, but I know if I’m there it will only be a distraction for Ryker. He was right. He needs to save her, just like he saved me. I can’t help but think how he truly is a knight in shining armor, always rushing in to rescue the princess and save the day. I’m just glad I’m the princess.
As I turn to pace the room again, I notice I knocked all the files to the floor. I guess in my panic I wasn’t paying attention. Kneeling down, I gather some of the papers up, but I don’t know which order they go in. I should probably look through them, but I wanted to do it with Ryker.
Bear wanders over to the coffee table in front of me and looks down at what I’m doing. He watches me as I try to straighten the papers, but when I hear a creak on the wood floor, he arches his back and lets out a loud hiss.
“Bear?” I say, shocked at his behavior just before I look towards the noise.
As I turn, I feel pain burst against the side of my head and my vision dances with black spots. I d
on’t pass out, but I can’t see, and the wind is knocked out of my lungs. The pain comes so quickly that it’s too much for my brain to process. My body goes limp and falls to the floor, and somewhere in the back of my mind I hear a man’s voice cursing.
My thoughts are scrambled and I can’t make my arms and legs move. The only thing I can feel is the throbbing in my brain as I lie there and force myself to breathe.
Ryker! my mind screams at me. Call for Ryker!
There’s no air in my lungs, and my lips can’t form the words, but I push myself to try. I will my body to come back even though the pain is beyond anything I’ve ever felt. I have to get help.
“You stupid bitch,” I hear through the dark cloud surrounding me, and I blink a few more times.
Some of the darkness fades, and the fuzzy morning light brightens the room as I try to make out the man standing over me.
“Fritz.” I can barely whisper, but I know it’s him.
That voice sends chills down my spine as pain once again rolls over my body as he yanks me up by the back of my neck.
“Do you know how hard it was for me to get to you?” he hisses in my ear as he drags me out of the house.
I never thought Fritz was a strong man, or even capable of lifting me off the ground, but rage is fueling him as he hauls me out the front door and drags me to a waiting car. When I see the vehicle parked there, terror floods me and I begin to fight. A memory flickers through my mind…Ryker had said he had other reasons for taking me, a need to keep me safe. It had something to do with Fritz…
I don’t know what the hell is going on, but he can’t take me to a second location. I know that from all of the true crime shows I’ve watched. If he makes me leave this house, I might never come back. My arms and legs are still limp, but I force myself to kick at him and punch with all the adrenaline I have left in me.
