I lick my lips and swallow hard. “Ryder?”
He gives me smile and leans forward. I feel his hands tenderly on my face, I realize his plan before it’s too late but I don’t pull away. I let his thumbs graze my cheek just before his lips engulf mine. It’s difficult to describe how beautiful…sweet…and dizzying this kiss is. His tongue tenderly explores my mouth and quickly makes me lose all connection with reality. He pulls away slowly, leaving me silent and completely out of breath.
“How was that for a first kiss?” He grins, pushing the hair from my eyes.
I stare at him unable to reply.
He laughs softly, “call it a reward for being so good to my cock, sweetheart.”
I feel my cheeks becoming warm and I feel his hand brush the hair from my face. I’ll give him one thing, he’s good at what he does. I let out a little breath. I can see how he would make not getting attached difficult. He looks at me with soft and satisfied blue eyes. He gives me a little grin.
I return the smile. “So, that shower?”
He gives me a little nod and moves from the bed. “I still owe you a drink.” He moves to his closet where he yanks something out and brings it over to me. “Do me a favor and put this on.”
He passes me one of his white button down shirts. He must hand out walk of shame outfits for no extra cost. I take the shirt from him and smile, “Thank you.”
“Make yourself comfortable, have a hot shower, and I’ll mix you up a drink.”
I give him a little nod and glance around the room. I’d be more than happy to take a shower if I knew where the shower was.
“Legs still shaky, sweetheart?” He lets out a little laugh.
“You’re not that damn good, Ryder, don’t flatter yourself so much.” I shoot with a smirk.
He laughs, giving his head a shake. “I didn’t even lay one hand on you and I do believe you came within three minutes.”
“You are a cocky one,” I say softly, climbing from the bed. I have no idea where I’m walking but I have to walk away from those blue eyes and cockiness before it makes me come again. Damn Ryder.
I feel his hand clamp on to my hair as he tenderly tugs me back to him. “We’re either a match made in heaven or a match made in hell. I can’t decide just yet.”
“Oh, we’re a match, huh?”
He uses his free hand to touch my face tenderly and I feel his fingertips run down my neck, to my chest, and finally down to my right breast where he grazes over my nipple.
“I told you, it’s got to be fate.” He tells me softly.
“And I told you I believe we create our own fate.” I smile as he releases my hair and lets his hand glide down my back where he gingerly rubs at my ass.
“Oh, we’re creating something here.” He rubs my ass cheek gently for a moment, before giving it a nice squeeze. “I have a feeling this ass will be the death of me.” He says, drawing his hand back and giving my ass a smack with his open palm.
I feel my cheeks heat up again. Damn him. He’s good, a little too good. I’ll have to make sure to steer clear of this one. He may be a whole lot of fun and he may be able to make me come better than I ever have before in my life, but he’s trouble. I have got to keep reminding myself that. I don’t feel like sinking deeper into trouble. I don’t need to be turning into my mother. I have a business to run, a life to live…and who needs a man when you can take care of yourself?
“What’s on your mind, Mercy?”
I look his naked body up and down for a moment. He is beautiful. There’s not an ounce of fat on his body. He doesn’t quite fit the image of a cop. I don’t think this guy has had a donut one day in his life. His smile is knee weakening. The kind that makes you turn into warm butter and melts you into a little puddle of goo. The kind that renders you speechless and makes you fall for the charming lines that are nothing more than that…just lines. His eyes are no different. They’re a shade of blue that I’ve never seen before. They’re bright and distinctive, the kind that make you forget the words that are right on the tip of your tongue.
“Like what you see?” He smirks, stepping back for me to admire him.
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t,” I admit with a little smile.
“You better go take that shower, before I throw you on that bed, and I won’t stop ‘til you can’t get out that bed and my neighbors know my name, sweetheart.”
I feel my cheeks warm up again. What is it with this guy? I let out a little sigh and lick my lips. “Where’s the shower?”
He nods towards a door to his right. “Right through that door.”
I give him a nod as I turn slowly to head towards the bathroom.
“What’s your poison tonight?”
I turn briefly and smile, “surprise me, Ryder.”
“Anything for you.” He winks as he turns away to walk from his bedroom.
Jesus. He jokes that I’ll be the death of him…I think it’s the other way around if we keep this up. Two nights in a row and I already feel a little funny. Whether it’s because I feel like I let myself down because I caught some sudden feelings for Trenton. Or because Ryder is making me feel so…something…I don’t know. All I know is that my mother certainly wouldn’t approve. I let out a little breath. Come on, Mercy, you need to pull yourself together. That man is a whole bunch of no, topped with some trouble, and a triple shot of heartache.
I pad off naked and barefoot to the shower. At least I’ll have a drink waiting for me when I get out. I fight off a little laughter. The idea of Ryder mixing drinks completely naked is quite the thought.
I take a much longer shower than I plan to but by the time I get under the hot water I can’t help myself. Besides, I have enough thought in my brain to keep myself content. I don’t feel like myself right now. I’m supposed to be so pissed at Trenton that I swore off all men. You know, a typical break up. Well, whatever you want to call it. Two fuck buddies ending their contract. Either way, I’m supposed to be scorned and sit on my couch in my PJs for a few days while shoveling down a pint of Ben & Jerry’s. The last thing I’m supposed to be doing is sharing the bed with some man. I let out another breath. I’m repeating myself and it’s annoying me. I’m annoying my damn self. Who knew that was possible? Dear God, I hope I’m normal because I’m feeling like I’m straddling the crazy line and I’m about to fall in.
I stand under the hot water for a few more minutes before finally turning it off. I step out and wrap myself in one of his black towels before returning to his bedroom to retrieve my panties that are still lying on his bedroom floor. I take my time drying off before I slide into my panties and his button down shirt. It falls down to the middle of my thighs and I’m practically swimming in it but it’ll do until I head home.
When I step out of his bedroom I follow the noises to find Ryder. There he is in all of his naked glory, mixing a few drinks behind a small bar. I don’t know whether I want to laugh or drag him back to the bedroom, it’s a complete toss-up.
He eyes meet mine and he immediately smiles. “I was right.”
“About what?” I ask curiously as I take a seat on one of the leather padded bar stools.
“I knew you would look sexy in one of my shirts.” He says, pouring the drink in the martini glass.
I feel my cheeks flush. “I was wondering about that, are you just providing me with my future walk of shame outfit?”
He gives his head a shake. “I wanted to see such a beautiful woman in one of my shirts.”
Damn, he is good. I reach for the martini that he has just topped off with two olives and have a sip. He’s not a bad bartender, either.
He gives me a smile, “you’ll have to excuse me, I need to make myself more presentable. You just sit there and look beautiful.”
I let out a little laugh and give him a nod. I admit it’s hard to make myself look away as I watch him run off to his bedroom. Seems there’s nothing wrong physically with Ryder Preston, that’s for sure. I have another gulp of my martini and
glance around his apartment. He’s definitely a simple man, likes black and white, loves old guitars as he has an entire wall filled with them. I don’t see any video games but I do see a very large flat screen. I can only assume he likes to watch sports, I’d probably peg him for a football or a hockey type of man. I have another swallow of my martini as Ryder rushes back to the bar. This time wearing just a pair of Under Armour sweat pants.
He shoots me that knee weakening grin.
“So, detective Preston, what’s your story?” I question as he begins making himself a drink.
“My story? There’s not too much to my story. Family of lawyers, I was defiant and became a cop.”
“Well, now that just sounds fun, family of lawyers, huh?”
He lets out a little laugh. “You’ll never believe it, but I’m the black sheep.”
“Aw, at least you’re on the right side of the law and not a convict,” I tease.
He gives me a little nod. “So, what’s your story?”
I give him a little shrug. “My story is too long to tell before the sun comes up.”
“And the guy who broke your heart…” His voice trails as he pours himself a martini as well.
“That…well…that was my own fault.”
“How so?”
“We had been seeing each other for about a year but we said from the start it wouldn’t be anything serious…” My voice trails and I lick my lips.
“And he ended up being an asshole who didn’t realize what was right in front of him.” He says, having a gulp of his own martini.
I let out a soft laugh. “Something like that.”
“His loss is my gain, sweetheart.”
I give my head a shake. There’s the cocky bastard I met at the Salted Brim. I knew I hadn’t lost him completely. “Just what do you plan on doing with me, Ryder?”
“Like I said, we’re either a match made in heaven or a match made in hell, but I’ll fight hell and high water to find out.”
Persistent, cocky bastard. I haven’t decided if I want to kiss him, wring his neck, or just run…far, far away.
I didn’t stay with Ryder all night last night. Actually when I told him that I had to go because I had work this morning he looked at me like a lost puppy. I’m such a sucker for lost puppies and long faces I’m surprised I didn’t cave in. I wasn’t lying. I did have work first thing this morning and I know for a fact that he had to be up early as well for work so there was no sense in me staying the night.
Last thing I need is for this to get all awkward and me catch some feelings again. The man is hard enough to resist. I don’t need to throw cuddling him into the mix and fuck everything up. He did make sure to send me off with his shirt…so I guess in a way he did provide me with my walk of shame outfit. Ha! Actually he was kind enough to call me cab when I insisted on walking. I wasn’t about to let him drive me home after having four martinis with me because if a detective ends up in jail with a DUI charge on my account I’d hate myself. He finally caved when I mentioned the cab as long as I promised to call him and let him know that I arrived safely. Which I did. I figured it was the least I could do. So, I called him as soon as I walked in my apartment, around three in the morning, thanked him again for the drinks, and ended the call. I guess that’s that really. Nothing to see here.
I have been struggling at work today. Mainly because of my insane amount of lack of sleep. I’ve done everything that I sought out to do today and I’ve let my team know that I am completely exhausted and have to cut my day short. I trust them and with Austin closing up shop again I don’t have to worry about the place burning down. All that’s left for me to do now is go home, slide into a hot bath with a glass of wine, and tuck myself in. I slide on my heels and retrieve my purse from my desk drawer.
I’ve never been more excited to go home and sleep before in my life. I let out a tired sigh as I remember to let everyone know that I’m leaving, pass off the nightly instructions, and tell them that I will see them all in the morning. When I hear the door open I take that as my cue to slink out and let Austin take care of the customers but when I look up and see who’s walked in I can hardly believe it. I had it all planned out in my head. Last night was it. It was a done deal. It was the last time I’d see him. I give him one thing. He truly is a persistent, cocky one.
I let out a breath and slight laugh, “Ryder.”
“Mercy, you look stunning today.”
I smile, “thank you. Austin can get your coffee for you, I was just on my way out.”
“Actually, I came to see you.” He flashes me that devious smirk that nearly makes me lose my balance in my heels. I’m seriously starting to hate the effect that he has on me. Damn him and his charm.
“Me?”
He laughs. “Well, I wanted to check on you after last night,” he says, softly. “I didn’t want my last time seeing you to be putting you in a cab at three in the morning.”
“Well, I’m in one piece,” I laugh. “I made it back to my apartment and to work this morning just fine.”
“I also wanted to see if you’d like to have dinner.”
Damn, he’s pulling out all the stops, isn’t he? I glance him up and down. Today he’s in another perfectly pressed dark suit, his dark hair is styled to perfection, and he’s left just the right amount of stubble. “Dinner?”
He gives me a nod, “and someone does have one of my shirts.”
My mouth drops open and I laugh. That explains why he gave me his shirt. It just gave him another excuse to track me down and not seem too crazy. This man is better than I thought. I let out another breath. I can’t remember the last time I honestly went out to dinner with a man. Trenton never took me out, we never went on dates, and the guy I dated before him was a complete joke. “Dinner? Like a…date?” I ask finally.
He immediately gives me a nod. “Yes, a date, what else would it be?” He winks and I feel my knees wobble a little too much for my liking.
I don’t even know what to say and I feel a little ridiculous to be honest with you. Dating isn’t exactly my forte by any means. I give him a little smile, “you want to go on a date with me?”
“It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, we could go right up the road to Serendipity.”
Seems he’s had this all worked out in his mind. I know the place he’s talking about. Serendipity is one of the best places in town to get burgers and fries. It’s low key and rather cozy. I’m still trying to wrap my head around the idea of a date with Ryder. Just last night or this morning rather, I decided that my phone call to check in with him would the last time I really spoke to him. I assumed that I wouldn’t hear from him any way and didn’t think he’d come to the shop to actually speak with me. I have been prepared to forget all of this happened but here he is asking me on a date. I’m having a bit of trouble wrapping my head around the idea to be completely honest.
I stare at him in disbelief. I don’t even know what to say but for some reason I find myself nodding. Wait. Why am I nodding? I don’t know if this is a good or a bad thing but Ryder seems pretty happy judging by the smile on his face. What have I just gotten myself into? I don’t date. I don’t know how to date. For the first time in my life I feel panic wash over me. This is not me. Snap out of it, Mercy.
“We could walk there, if you like.” He tells me.
I’m still in a haze. I lick my lips and give him a little nod. Serendipity is just down the street and it’s just dinner, it’s not like it will kill me to sit down and have a burger and fries with the man. He offers me his arm and I stare at him in disbelief. “Oh, you wanted to go now.” I feel quite stupid. I feel like my guard is down.
He lets out a little laugh. “You must be tired.”
I let out a breath and nod.
“Did I wear you out last night?” He shoots me another wink.
Oh, now I just want to dump an iced coffee on his head. The only reason I’d feel bad is that I ruined his shirt. “Well, you’re looking a little tired yourse
lf, detective.” I shoot back.
“I was tied up with this insanely beautiful woman,” he retaliates.
Seems Ryder really does has a comeback for everything. Damn him. “I didn’t peg you for the type that’d let some woman keep him tied down,” I smirk. That ought to do it.
“Only if I think she’s worth it.” He steps much closer to me, so close in fact that I can feel his warm breath on my face. At least his breath is minty fresh. I feel my cheeks begin to flush. Seems Ryder has this weird effect on me. Not sure if I love it, hate it, or just love to hate it.
I lick my lips and smile. “You said you were taking me dinner, detective.”
“I would never go back on my word.” He smiles and offers me his arm again, this time I take it and smile at him. It’s just dinner. How much trouble could this possibly be?
The walk to Serendipity isn’t that far, it’s just down the street from Tangled Web and I’ve been good friends with the owners for a while now. Ryder is relatively quiet as we walk down the street which is surprising for him. I catch him glancing over at me every now and then and pretend to not notice as I keep my eyes forward. If anything I have to pretend that he doesn’t get to me. Not one little bit. Cool, calm, and completely collected…on the outside. On the inside I’m a wreck. I’m a puddle of goo. This man has completely messed with my head, my heart, my feelings…and I don’t like it. Thank God I didn’t stay around to cuddle last night. God knows what would have happened then.
He glances over at me just in time to catch me staring at him. He gives me a little smirk. “Enjoying the view, sweetheart?”
Ugh, there is no stopping this man. He has a line for everything. He’s worse than…me. “Why yes, the shops on this street are quite quaint.”
I look around and focus on the architecture. The buildings are all older brick buildings. We’re all in a historical part of town and we have embraced the look quite well. Climbing vines have grown over most of the buildings, seasonal flowers are always present, and most of the business owners have draped white lights around the buildings, vines, and fixtures. In the middle of the street there is a divider island that we have turned into a nice little park. All the trees have been strung with white lights and white lanterns, and there have been cast iron benches, tables, and chairs added. We have worked hard and dedicated a lot of time in turning Greenwood Avenue into a little fairy tale street.
Have Mercy (Merciless Book 1) Page 5
