Beautifully Insightful

by K. C. Lynn

  “You going to stare at me all day, or are you going to bring your sweet ass over here and come sit with me?” He glances up at me from his computer with a sly grin.

  “How did you know I was here? You didn’t even look up.”

  “Because I’m a special agent, baby, I know everything.”

  I roll my eyes with a giggle then start over to him. His gaze sweeps down the length of me, and by my body’s reaction I’d swear it was his hands. As soon as I get within an arm’s reach of him, he grabs my hips and pulls me down on his lap. His erection nestled in my ass.

  “What are you working on?” I ask, not being able to read anything on the computer screen in front of me. It reminds me that I need to get back on my programs and resume learning what I need to. Lately I’ve pushed that to the back burner, but I shouldn’t because it’s important.

  He brushes my hair aside and places a soft kiss on my neck. “Just writing a progress report for my chief.”

  I nod, even though I don’t quite understand what that entails. Leaning over, I trail my fingers along the keys softly, making sure to be mindful and not mess anything up for him.

  He encircles my wrist in a gentle grip, then surprises me by taking my finger and pressing a key. “E,” he says before moving to another. “M,” he whispers, bringing his lips close to my ear. “I,” he states, causing a delicious shiver to travel through me. “L.” I smile as he moves to the last letter. “Y.”

  My heart warms and my throat grows tight at how kind he is to me, never making me feel dumb. I lean the side of my face closer to his as I stare at my name on the computer screen. “That spells brilliant,” I whisper, before belting out a giggle that I can’t hold back any longer.

  He chuckles and flips me to the side so I’m cradled in his arms. “Yeah, baby, you’re fucking brilliant,” he presses a kiss to my mouth, “and sexy,” he mumbles, moving his lips to the underside of my jaw, “and sweet.” He trails his tongue down the column of my throat, drawing a moan past my lips. “And… did I mention sexy?”

  “Yeah, you’ve said it a time or two,” I respond breathlessly.

  “That’s because you are. Always, every day, especially in my fucking clothes.” He growls, cupping one of my ass cheeks in his large hand.

  “I guess that means it’s okay I borrowed your shirt?”

  He grunts. “Baby, I don’t mind one fucking bit. Hell, keep it and wear it every day. I like seeing you in my clothes, it makes my dick hard as fuck.”

  I roll my eyes at his dirty mouth, but can’t deny the minor ache it creates between my legs. “I should probably let you get back to work,” I say weakly, then completely contradict my words by tilting my head to the side to give his lips more access.

  “Fuck work. I hate paperwork, I’d rather work you.”

  I giggle, but his statement makes me curious. “What’s your favorite part of your job?” He ignores me and starts sliding his hand up my shirt but I stop his attempt. “You didn’t answer my question,” I say, biting back a smile.

  “That’s because I don’t want to talk, baby, I want to fuck.” He brings his mouth to mine again, and as hard as it is for me to do, I push him away then sit up and straddle him. “That’s what I’m talking about.” He groans, gripping my hips and bringing his mouth to my collarbone.

  Chuckling, I push him away again. “I’m serious. I want to know.”

  When he realizes I’m not going to let it go, he drops his head back on the couch with a frustrated breath. “What was the question?”

  “I said, what’s your favorite part of your job?”

  I watch him think about it before his eyes drop to my chest, blatantly staring at my boobs. Grabbing his face between my hands I bring his gaze back to mine. “Focus, Ryder!” I scold firmly, but bite my lip and try to stop the smile that wants to break free.

  He gives me a dirty grin, not ashamed in the least. The man is seriously cute sometimes.

  “Okay, okay.” He finally relents. “What’s my favorite part of my job?” He repeats my question then shrugs. “I don’t know. I like almost everything about it other than the paperwork. But I guess, if I had to pick one, I’d say it’s delivering justice. Especially for people who don’t get a voice.”

  I tilt my head in question. “You mean the victims?”

  “Yeah. Some of my cases deal with victims of civil rights. People who are considered lower class and get fucked over by assholes who are in positions of power.”

  Like my father.

  He voices my thoughts, treading carefully. “Take these girls for example. They’re kids who got delivered a shitty hand. They don’t have any family that give a shit about them, and no one cares to look for them, which is why they are in a group home to begin with. They are perceived as troubled teens, or junkies, which is what makes them easy targets. People don’t see they’re humans with just as many rights as anyone else. I remember what that was like, how it was to be judged because of where you came from, or rather who. People would fuck you over in a blink of an eye because they had the money and power that you didn’t. I couldn’t do a goddamn thing about any of it most of my life, but now I can. And I love bringing these assholes down as much as I love fighting for all the people who don’t get a voice because they’ve already been labeled.”

  I sit stunned, his words completely breaking my heart. He’s right, he was labeled years ago, and he never had anyone to fight for him. But in the end he prevailed, he worked hard and never gave up.

  Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I frame his face then lean in and kiss his lips. “I’m so proud of you,” I tell him softly, knowing no one has ever said that to him before. “I’m proud of you for working so hard and never giving up. I’m proud of you for being strong and fighting for what’s right. And most of all, I’m proud of who you are. These girls are lucky to have you…” I shake my head. “No, scratch that, this country is lucky to have you fight for them. I’m lucky to have you, and I will fight for you, Ryder. Always.”

  Something passes over his expression, something painful yet beautiful, and before I can anticipate it, he crushes his mouth to mine, kissing me with an intensity that steals my breath. I wrap my arms around his neck and give just as good as I get, wanting to show him just how much he means to me.

  “Ryder?” I mumble against his lips.

  “Yeah, baby?”

  “We can fuck now,” I tell him, smiling into our kiss.

  He growls. “Fuck yeah.”

  I let out a giggle which turns into a squeal of surprise when my back suddenly hits the couch, his body covering mine. Lifting my hips I grind against his erection and whimper, my panties growing wetter by the second. He groans and cups my ass to bring me closer while his mouth begins trailing down my neck. I start clawing at his shirt frantically, desperately wanting to feel his hard, naked body. Just as I start pulling it off, someone knocks on my door.

  I still, but Ryder continues his delicious assault. “Ryder, someone is at the door.”

  “Fuck them, they can wait, or better yet, go away.” He slips his hand under my shirt and I moan when he cups my breast. I think about agreeing until the knock on my door becomes more insistent.

  “Emily, open up. I know you’re in there.”

  We both freeze at the sound of my father’s voice, and Ryder’s expression turns dangerously hard. “Stay here,” he commands before getting up.

  I quickly sit up and fix myself as he walks to the door. He glances back at me to make sure I’m decent before opening it. My heart thunders in my chest, scared for what’s about to happen.

  Ryder leans against the door, blocking me from my father’s view. “What do you want?” he greets coldly.

  “Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m here to see my daughter.”

  “Wrong. She is my business, and you aren’t going to see her until you tell me what you want.”

  There’s a moment of silence before my father speaks again. “Listen, you let me see my dau
ghter now or there will be serious repercussions.” My stomach sinks at the icy disdain that drips from his threat.

  “Better be careful, Senator, sometimes we don’t realize just who we’re threatening.”

  I stand up and quickly make my way over to the door before things get out of hand. I step in front of Ryder and feel him tense behind me, clearly not happy that I didn’t stay put. “What do you want, father?”

  “I want to talk to you for a minute… Alone,” he adds, glancing at Ryder.

  Before I have a chance to respond, Ryder does: “Not going to happen, old man.”

  “Both of you stop it already,” I snap, knowing this is getting us nowhere. “Ryder is right, whatever you have to say, you can say in front of him. If you’re here to fight then leave. I don’t need it.”

  My father registers how serious I am, and although his jaw is hard, he finally backs off. “I’m not here to fight. I just… I came to check on you.”

  I falter in surprise. “To check on me?”

  He nods and Ryder expels a disbelieving grunt. I too know he’s full of shit. He hasn’t worried about me a day in his life.

  “Can I come in?” he asks, gesturing behind me.

  I back up, bumping into Ryder, and he walks in, heading straight to the far corner of the living room. I go to sit over on the couch, but Ryder holds me back, keeping me close to him. We stare at my father and wait for him to say something. I have no idea what he’s up to, but I’m hoping he won’t be here long.

  He clears his throat before finally breaking the awkward silence. “I just wanted to see how you’ve been. At brunch you said you were having a hard time adjusting and that you were thinking about trying hypnotherapy again. I was wondering if that’s still the case, and what doctor you plan to see. I want to make sure they’re qualified enough.”

  Yeah, right. Ryder touches my back, warning me to tread cautiously. “I haven’t thought about it lately. I have other things I’m focusing on at the moment.”

  He nods, seeming pleased about that. “Have you had any more nightmares?”

  Anyone who didn’t know my father would think he was calm and cool right now, but I know better. He’s nervous. How did I never piece this together before? “No, I haven’t,” I grate out, angrily, even though I try hard not to. It enrages me to know I’ve lived a lie almost my entire life. To know I lived in the dark for so long because of something he did.

  Relief flickers in his gaze. “Well that’s good.” I don’t respond because I’m finding it hard to keep my patience. “Your mother wanted me to make sure you were still coming to the charity dinner next week.”

  “Of course she did. She wants to make sure this false image she has portrayed of our perfect little family doesn’t get squashed publicly.”

  His eyes narrow in disapproval. “Watch your attitude, Emily.”

  “This is her fucking house,” Ryder replies, his tone low and threatening.

  I jump back in before things escalate. “I’ll come on one condition. Ryder gets to come with me.”

  “No!”

  “Fine, then I won’t be going.”

  He points at me angrily. “You have an obligation to this family. You will not back out now! Do you hear me?”

  “You watch your fucking tone with her!” Ryder barks, startling me. I can tell he’s close to losing his patience. Something he already doesn’t have much of when it comes to my father.

  “If you want me at that dinner then that’s my condition. I told you Ryder is a part of my life now, and if he isn’t welcome then I won’t go.”

  His jaw clenches in rage. “Fine!” he snaps and starts heading for the door. “Make sure you’re there on time, and don’t embarrass us!”

  Ryder tenses and starts toward him, but thankfully my father leaves, slamming the door on his way out.

  “Jesus, I seriously fucking hate that guy.”

  I stand frozen, feeling… I don’t know – tired, sad, angry?

  Ryder pulls me against his hard, warm body. I wrap my arms around his waist, and breathe him in, soaking in his comfort. “You okay, Em?”

  “I just want this over already.”

  He hugs me closer. “I know, baby. Soon, I promise.”

  Before I can say anything more there’s another knock at the door. My heart rate spikes thinking it’s my father again. Ryder answers it, and I let out a breath of relief when I see it’s Nick. He walks in and senses the tension. “Hey. Bad time?”

  I wave away his concern. “No, not at all. Come in.” I glance at the folder in his hand and realize he’s probably here to do some work with Ryder. “You guys go ahead and do what you need to do. I’m going to go work in my room for a bit.”

  I start to walk away but Ryder grabs my wrist, halting my pursuit. “You don’t have to leave, Em.”

  I give him a small smile. “I know, but I need to work on some things that I’ve been neglecting.” He watches me uncertainly and I rise up on my tiptoes to give him a quick, reassuring kiss. “I’m good, I promise. Help yourselves to whatever you want.” I walk down the hall with Summer trailing behind me, then close us in my room.

  I expel a heavy breath and flop down on my bed, feeling ready for a nap, and I just woke up. Summer jumps up beside me and lays her face next to mine. Smiling, I turn on my side to face her and put my arm over her neck. “You always know when I need ya, huh?” I coo while stroking her soft velvet ears. “I see you like Ryder.” She groans then licks my nose, making me giggle. “Yeah, me too.”

  After a few minutes of Summer’s sweet kisses and cuddles, I sit up and pull out my iPad then open my app to practice distinguishing my letters. It isn’t long before I forget my troubles, and get wrapped up into my new world of learning.

  Ryder

  Nick leaves hours later, and I’m thankful to be done the grueling paperwork. My brain is completely exhausted from going over every scenario for what should be our plan of action. Hopefully Rosa gets that key and we won’t have to wait until the charity dinner. We need to move faster; I got a call from Hector earlier saying Michaels was snooping around, asking questions and making not-so-subtle threats. I knew it was only going to be a matter of time before he did. We locked up my cover airtight, but it still makes me fucking nervous.

  A heavy dose of rage pumps through me when I think back to Emily’s father’s visit. Fuck, I lose all control when it comes to that guy. I can’t wait to bring him down; not only for these girls, but every other person he’s fucked over, including the years lost between Emily and me. I’ve been kicking myself the last few days for not coming back sooner for her. What I told her was true, I didn’t want to know she was with someone else; it would have ripped me apart. But the other reason, that I didn’t share, was because the more time I was away from her, the more I thought she was better off without me. Hell, I still think I’m not good enough for her, I know I’m not. But now that I have her back there is no fucking way I am letting her go. Not ever.

  I’m hoping when all of this is over she will come back to Florida with me. I don’t want to move here – I hate this place. It reminds me too much of where I come from, and it holds nothing but bad memories. Emily is the only good one. Actually, she’s the best thing to ever happen to my pathetic life.

  With that thought, I head down the hallway, needing to see her. She only came out of her room once in the last few hours and that was to grab a sandwich. Opening her door softly, I see her sitting up in bed, engrossed in her iPad. Her lips are moving as she stares at the screen. I lean against the door to watch her a moment, my eyes drawn to her long, smooth legs that are showcased by her short, sexy jean shorts. My dick jolts to life at seeing her in my shirt still. Fuck, I wasn’t kidding, she looks sexy as hell in my clothes.

  “L,” she whispers, still lost in concentration, before tapping something on the screen. The iPad repeats the letter back to her. “Yes!” she shouts with a smile, fist pumping the air, then leans over and hugs her dog. “That’s five right in a row,
girl.”

  Something shifts in my chest at her excitement and I smile with her. She sits up then finally notices me, and it scares the living shit out of her. She jumps and lets out a startled scream. “Jesus, Ryder.” She lays her hand over heart. “What the hell are you doing, sneaking up on me?”

  I chuckle. “Sorry, baby, I didn’t mean to scare you.” Walking over, I lean down and give her a hard kiss before flopping down beside her. “What are you working on?” I grab the iPad from her and look at the screen.

  “Just learning some letters and numbers,” she mumbles.

  “Want some help?”

  She clears her throat nervously. “Ummm…”

  I glance back at her to see her looking embarrassed or some shit, which pisses me off. “Stop it, Emily!”

  “What?”

  “You know what. Stop acting like there’s something to be fucking ashamed of. We’ve been over this.”

  She turns her face away but not before I see her vulnerability, which makes me feel like shit. I blow out a frustrated breath, wondering how I can help her without her feeling embarrassed. Suddenly, the perfect idea forms. “Let’s play a game.”

  “What kind of game?” she asks suspiciously.

  “A fun one.” Her eyes narrow at my suggestive smirk. I grab one of her pillows and lay back at the end of the bed, facing her. “I’m going to quiz you on your letters. If you get any wrong you have to take off an article of clothing.”

  She throws her head back and laughs, the sound of it doing strange shit to my chest, but her expression sobers when she realizes I’m not kidding. “You’re serious?”

  “Yeah, baby, I’m fucking serious.”

  She rolls her eyes. “Well, what do I get if I get it right?”

  “Whatever you want.”

  She smirks. “Okay, well if I get it right then you have to take your clothes off, too.”

  I shrug. “Sounds good to me.” Either way the end result will be the same, but if I have my way she will be completely naked in record time.