by K. C. Lynn
“Then why?” he asks, clearly wanting a reason.
“I’m busy.”
He shrugs easily. “That’s fine, we can do it tomorrow night.”
“Sorry, I’m busy again.” Damn, I’m a terrible liar.
“Doing what?” he asks suspiciously.
“Uh…” Come on, Emily, think. “I’m going out with Cece.” That’s actually happening tonight, but if I get him to leave soon he will never know any different.
He smirks seeing right through me. “That’s fine. I’ll be here for a few weeks so there are plenty of other nights.”
Weeks?
His gaze moves to my coffee table where my cellphone is and I’m just about to grab it but he ends up snatching it first. “Hey, what are you doing?” I try to swipe it from him but he holds it up over his head where I have no way in hell of reaching it. Seriously, who is this tall?
I watch him tap the screen then hear a ding come from his pocket a moment later. He hands me back my phone with a cocky grin. “Thanks. Now that I have your number I’ll call you soon and we will set up a time when you aren’t busy.”
I glare at him and rip my phone out of his hand. “It seems you are even more arrogant and bossy than you were in high school, Ryder Jameson.” I throw his whole name into the equation, not bothering to hide my annoyance.
He doesn’t seem the least bit offended, if anything his cocky smirk only spreads. He steps closer, and before I can register what he’s about to do, he wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me flush against him. I suck in a sharp breath at the feel of his erection against my stomach. My heart thumps wildly and heat shoots through every part of my body, including the spot between my legs.
He bends down, bringing his lips to my ear. “And you are a terrible liar, Emily Michaels.” His voice is husky and smooth as he throws back my full name at me. “You seem to have forgotten that when I want something, Em, I don’t quit until I get it.”
What is it he wants? Me? Just dinner? Me for dinner? Oh lord, the last thought has heat exploding through me. I try to think of a witty response but my brain is short-circuiting from the feel of him against me, and boy does he feel good, and he smells really darn good too.
He leans back slightly and cups the side of my cheek in a gentle gesture. The tender and familiar action from so long ago has my eyes falling closed. And for the first time since seeing him, I remember him the only way I have ever known him, through feeling. It’s my comfort zone and it brings me back to a time when this man completely owned me – heart and soul.
I feel his forehead drop on mine. “I’ve missed you, Em.”
His words have my eyes snapping open and I stare back into his dark green ones. The one question I have wanted to know for six long years, the one that left my heart pained, rises to the surface. I dig deep for courage and I’m just about to ask it when a loud bang on my door startles me.
I jump back from him with a yelp. My heart pounds a million miles a minute as we stare back at one another, the air thick with tension. When there is another knock I quickly move forward, and try to compose myself before answering it, which is really hard to do when I can feel Ryder’s eyes on me. I open it to see Cece on the other side. Well shit!
“Hey, babes, you almost ready for our big night out?” she asks as she steps in. “Gah, I can’t wait for some Channing Tatum, that man is one fine piece of aaaa…” She comes to an abrupt halt at seeing Ryder standing not far behind me. Her eyes bug out of her head and her mouth drops open. “What. The. Fuckburger!” she blurts as she gapes at him in shock. I would find the entire situation funny if I weren’t still shaken up myself.
“Cece…” Ryder greets easily. “I see you still like carrying your big purses around,” he muses before turning to me and quirking an eyebrow. “Plans with Cece two nights in a row?”
I glare at him silently, not having anything to say now that I’ve been busted. He chuckles arrogantly as he strides toward me and I’m taken by surprise again when he pulls me against him. “I’ll be seeing you, Em.” His words hold promise, and after pressing a quick, hard kiss to my forehead, he struts his sexy, arrogant ass out my door as if he didn’t just tilt my world on it’s axis.
Cece stands staring at me, her expression still one of complete and utter shock. “Emily? What the hell was Ryder fucking Jameson doing here?”
I look out in the hallway to make sure he is gone then close the door before turning back to her. “He said he’s here on business and wants to have dinner with me.”
“Business?” she asks doubtfully. I nod. “What kind of business? Wait, let me guess. I’ll bet he’s in a motorcycle gang. Or part of the mafia, or no… an assassin. Yeah, an assassin, he probably kills for a living.”
I roll my eyes at her outrageous guesses. “He is not any of those things, Cece. He owns his own businesses and he’s thinking about expanding.” The thought has me smiling, I’m really happy for him. I always knew he would be successful at whatever he did.
“He’s lying, that’s just his cover. Assassins have to say shit like that. They can’t tell you what they really do.” I shake my head at her ridiculousness. “I’m serious, Emily. I mean, look at him. The guy looks even more dangerous than he did in high school. Still hot as hell, but fucking dangerous.” I don’t think he looked dangerous. Powerful? Yes. Sexy? Heck yes, but not dangerous. “So what did you tell him?”
“About what?”
She looks at me like I’m stupid. “About dinner.”
“Oh, I told him I couldn’t, that I had plans with you. Well actually, I told him it was tomorrow night since he wouldn’t take no for an answer and I was running out of excuses.”
“Did he give you an explanation about why he left without so much as a goodbye?” I shake my head sadly and try to ignore the sharp sting I get in my chest. She scoffs. “Figures, the guy has some serious balls to come here and expect you to have dinner with him without so much as an apology, or an explanation for what he did. I’m sure his dick is big enough to hold them, but that’s besides the point.” I feel my face heat at the mention of his equipment. “And what the fuck was up with his dig about my purses?” she asks, sounding insulted.
I shrug. “I guess he still remembers you hitting him with your purse.”
“Whatever, he needs to get over it. I thought he was attacking you. He was lucky it was my purse and not my pepper spray.” I bite back a smile, remembering how scared she was that Ryder was going to murder her in her sleep.
“Speaking of purses.” She holds up the dark purple one she has with her. “Meet my new friend. First name Louis, last name Vuitton.”
I burst out laughing at the introduction. “Hi, Louis, nice to meet you.”
She giggles. “Ain’t he a beaut?”
“He sure is,” I agree with a smile, my heart feeling lighter for the first time since seeing Ryder, but it vanishes quickly when Cece’s expression turns serious once again.
“So what are you going to do when he comes back?”
I think about her question and blow out a heavy breath, my heart feeling like a twisted mess. “I don’t know, Cece. A part of me wants to catch up with him. You know how much I’ve thought about him over the years. But I’m scared, seeing him again, after all this time, has affected me even more than I thought it would. And I have so much going on right now, with everything that has happened this past month. I’m not sure my emotions can withstand anymore.”
She walks over and wraps me in a hug. “I’m sorry, Emily. I know you’re feeling really overwhelmed right now with getting your sight back, and you didn’t need this. You know how I feel when it comes to him, but I also know you see him differently than I do, you always have. Just…”
“What?” I ask when she trails off.
“Just whatever you decide, be careful. A lot has changed, but one thing that we both know haven’t are your parents. Your dad will shit when he finds out Ryder is back in town. I’m scared what he will do if you go out with him,
especially with how much your parents have been pushing you toward Kyle.”
My temper spikes just thinking about it. “I know, but I’m not seventeen anymore, Cece, and I have to start taking a stand. This crap with Kyle is getting out of hand. The guy has come here almost every day since I’ve gotten my sight back. Of course he’s been on his best behavior, and has tried to be charming, but he doesn’t fool me. I know who he really is, who he has always been. No matter what my parents say, I will never have anything to do with him. So they can all shove their political marriage bullshit up their asses.”
She rears back in shock at my heated language. “Well damn, girl, look at you. Now hold on to all that feisty confidence for the next time you see your parents.”
“I’ve never had a problem telling my parents how I feel, the issue is they just don’t listen to me.”
“They can’t force you to be with Kyle. Just keep standing your ground and they will give up eventually, and we both know there is only so much rejection Kyle will withstand. The asshole’s ego can only take so many hits.” I have to agree; I’m surprised he’s come around as much as he has, considering I am not very pleasant to him. “And where Ryder is concerned, maybe you’re worrying for nothing. Maybe he won’t come back.”
“You seem to have forgotten that when I want something, Em, I don’t quit until I get it.” Cece is right, the man is dangerous, and after his parting comment I have no doubt he will be coming back. Instead of feeling aggravated like I ought to be, a little thrill of excitement shoots through me. I’m in very serious trouble.
Chapter 10
Emily
A few days later I’m walking home from my doctor’s appointment with Summer by my side, feeling incredibly overwhelmed. The warm afternoon sun doing nothing to ease the storm of emotions coiling inside of me.
I must admit, as conflicted as I feel after leaving the doctor’s office, I’m glad I went to see Dr. Ross again. It was the second time I’ve been to him, and he seems to genuinely care about my well-being. Whereas Dr. Shepard, the one my father has made me see since the time of my incident, only does whatever appeases my father. I just wish Dr. Ross didn’t want to dig deeper into my past, his suggestion today has left me feeling panicked.
Releasing a deep breath, I shake myself from my thoughts and pay attention to my surroundings. I let Summer do most of the leading, because even though I have walked this area a thousand times it feels completely different to me now that I can see. I’ve been trying to walk everywhere, rather than taking the driver my father hired for me when I moved out. I have no doubt that Andrew is more of a set of eyes than just my driver – my father’s attempts to make sure I’m keeping up to his standards and not doing anything to embarrass him or my mother.
When I turn down my street I come to an abrupt halt upon seeing Ryder parked outside my building, leaning against a sleek black SUV. My heart skips a beat at the sight of him, his stance radiating confidence.
He has texted me every single day since leaving my house, asking me to have dinner with him. Thanks to the app I had installed, I was able to listen to his messages. I don’t think he realizes I can’t read, and it’s not something I care to tell him either. I always decline his invitation, telling him I’m too busy but he never buys it, and usually we just end up bantering back and forth. His last text said if I continued to decline him, he would come to my apartment and not take no for an answer. I’m not going to lie, the threat excited me, because I really did want to see him again, even though I should stay far away.
He notices me right away and gives me a sexy smirk. One I bet girls drop their panties for in a heartbeat… Don’t go there, Emily. I start forward, portraying a confidence in my step that I don’t feel, and before I can stop myself, my eyes travel down the length of him, taking in all his masculine glory.
He really isn’t your typical businessman; at least he doesn’t dress like one. Most businessmen wear suits or dress clothes, but Ryder’s attire is much more casual. Like right now – his loose, faded jeans sport a few holes in them and hang enticingly low off his lean hips. He wears a long sleeve, plaid shirt that is left unbuttoned, showing off a white T-shirt that stretches across his defined chest. His sleeves are rolled three quarters of the way up and displays black ink that’s woven up his cut forearms. Yeah, definitely not business attire. Most businessmen I’ve seen (at least in the last month) are clean cut, always keeping their hair fairly short and their faces clean-shaven. Ryder is definitely more rugged and unkempt, but in a sexy way. His brown hair is always messed, and you know it wasn’t done on purpose, but rather by him running his hand through it. It makes my own hands twitch, remembering how soft it used to feel between my fingers during our heavy make out sessions all those years ago. That thought has my gaze dropping to his mouth that is tilted into a cocky grin, and I realize I’ve been busted ogling him. Well crap! I feel my face heat with embarrassment.
“See something you like, Em?”
I ignore his arrogant question as I stop in front of him and try to act indifferent to his sexiness. “What are you doing here?”
“I was just in the neighborhood and figured I’d stop in to tell you I’m taking you out for supper tonight.”
I quirk an eyebrow. “You’re telling me?”
“Yup. Since asking hasn’t been working, you leave me no choice.”
“Well darn,” I reply with fake disappointment. “I’m so sorry, but I can’t. I’m busy again tonight.”
His smirks at the lie. “Really? And what’s the reason this time?”
“I’m washing my hair.”
He chuckles at the poor excuse, and the husky sound washes over me and has my stomach doing a flip. I hate that stupid flip… Kinda.
Ryder steps away from the SUV, standing at his full, intimidating height then crowds me until our positions are suddenly reversed and I’m the one backed up against his vehicle. How the heck did he just do that?
He cages me in, his elbows leaning on either side of my head, bringing his face only inches from mine. His delicious scent penetrates the air around us, and my heart pounds wildly from his close proximity. “Emily, if you say no then you leave me no choice but to come here tonight with dinner. And I’m warning you right now, I will not be responsible for my actions if I’m alone with you in your apartment again.”
Oh lord, what on earth does that mean? Never mind, I don’t want to know. Actually, I do… No, I don’t. Ahh! I hate how conflicted this man makes me feel. I stare up at him and desperately want to say yes. As worried as I am about my fragile heart, I’m starting to worry more about whether I will regret not seeing him before he leaves. I need closure. I need to know why he left without so much as a goodbye. The problem is I’m not sure I can handle the truth of it, especially tonight. Blowing out a heavy breath, I drop my head back against the SUV, suddenly feeling exhausted. I so did not need this today.
Ryder’s expression turns from teasing to serious. “What’s wrong?”
I shake my head and look at the ground. “Nothing.”
He takes his aviators off then grabs my chin and forces my gaze to his. “Don’t lie to me, Emily. What’s wrong?”
“Did you ever stop to think it’s your pesky persistence?”
“No, it’s something else. I can tell.” His intense, green eyes bore into mine with determination and I realize he’s not going to let it go.
“I just had an appointment with my doctor that has left me feeling a little off-kilter is all,” I mumble.
“Why, what did he say? Is something wrong?” he asks worriedly.
“No, no, it’s nothing like that.” I wave away his concern. “I just…” I trail off and shake my head. “I don’t want to talk about it right now.”
I hold his stare, showing him I mean it, and he finally relents. “All right. I’ll let it go for now, but you have to let me take you out for dinner then.”
I scoff. “I don’t have to do anything, Mr. Bossy.”
Instea
d of sniping back like I expect him to, he steps in closer and cups the side of my face tenderly. “Come on, Em, it’s only dinner, baby, and it will help take your mind off whatever is bothering you.”
Oh man, it’s the ‘baby’ that does me in. I’m weak! Weak, I tell ya. “Fine. I’ll move my schedule around and wash my hair a little earlier.”
He gives me a sexy, triumphant smirk then backs out of my personal space, and I suddenly feel chilled, even though it’s a blistering hot afternoon. “Good. I’ll be back at six, I already made us reservations.”
My mouth drops in exasperation. “What do you mean, you already made reservations? What if I had said no again?”
He shrugs. “It wouldn’t have mattered because I told you I wasn’t taking no for answer.”
I gape at him, not believing his audacity. He chuckles at my infuriated expression, then leans down to kiss my forehead. I rear back before he can make contact, but he slings an arm around my neck and pulls me back in. I consider ordering Summer to sic him, but I know she wouldn’t hurt a fly. Well, maybe if she thought I was really in danger she would. “I don’t remember you being this obnoxious back in high school, Ryder Jameson,” I retort, trying to act unaffected by the simple kiss, when in reality my body is humming with pleasure.
“And I don’t remember you being this difficult, Emily Michaels,” he returns with a smug grin before leaning down to my ear. “But I’ll admit I like the challenge, baby. It makes my dick harder for you than it already was, and I didn’t think that was possible.” I suck in a sharp breath, his dirty words hitting me right between my legs, making my panties turn damp. He winks, knowing his affect on me. “I’ll see you at six.”
He gets into his vehicle and pulls away, leaving me to gape after him like an idiot. Oh the man is infuriating. Sexy, but infuriating. Maybe I won’t answer the door when he comes tonight… Oh, who am I kidding? I’m going to answer and I hate myself for how excited I am for it.
