Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 65862 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 329(@200wpm)___ 263(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65862 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 329(@200wpm)___ 263(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Just as my finger touches the edge of her breast, lightning cracks and she’s in my arms.
“Shhh, I’ve got you,” I say softly against the top of her head as I smile from ear to ear.
Chapter 10
Blair
Ryker’s scent pulls me from the panic that hits when the loud sound of thunder strikes. Calm rolls over me for a moment until I realize what he just said. I lean back to look at him, and I can’t believe I threw myself into his arms like that. He has a smile on his lips, and I involuntarily lick mine. He has to be the most handsome man I’ve ever seen in my life. Then a memory from what feels like forever ago enters my mind. I saw him at the coffee shop on my first day at the gallery. I was about to start my new job when I saw those eyes. His eyes. How could I ever forget them?
You’re not leaving.
His words repeat through my mind. He’s crazy. That has to be it. It’s the only way this makes sense. He’s too good-looking to have it all together anyway. Nobody is this perfect, so clearly he’s nuts.
I realize my fingers are digging into him and I jerk my hands back. I wiggle to get away from him, needing space. I’ve got to figure out what the hell is going on.
The grip he has on me tightens. I fight a little harder but freeze when my ass comes into contact with something hard. It’s then I realize I’m straddling him, with my core right up against him. The shirt I’m wearing has ridden up, and my panties are on full display. I glance down and then back up, and our eyes lock. It takes everything in me not to wiggle again. My breathing becomes shallow and I say nothing. His own is growing deeper and more pronounced.
“I have a boyfriend,” I blurt out.
Well, maybe I do. I never really told Fritz it was over, or even processed what happened between him and Lilith, so I guess we haven’t officially broken up. Though in my head he’s pretty much dead to me. I would never be with a cheater. Not like my mama. She didn’t care when her boyfriends stepped out on her. Maybe because more than anything I want loyalty. I’ve never had that in another person, to be able to always count on them no matter what.
Ryker’s whole face changes when I say that, and a look of anger takes over. The gentle softness he carried before is gone, and my heart starts to race. Fear takes hold and I try to remind myself that he wouldn’t hurt me. But should I believe that from a man who said he isn’t going to let me go? I don’t know why, but I do believe him. He seems like a man who always says the truth no matter if you’re going to like it or not. Kind of like how he said he isn’t letting me go. Though I’ve been wrong about a man before. That’s clear from my choice in my last boyfriend.
He stands with me still in his arms, and I let out a loud squeal. But instead of him doing something crazy, he sits me back down in the chair I was in a moment ago. My eyes dart around the room looking for an escape. When I look back at Ryker, he pins me with a look that tells me I’d never make it if I tried to run. He’s probably right. The man is easily twice my size and most definitely in shape. I can’t even remember the last time I did cardio, so I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t make it a block. How many acres did he say this place was? If it’s longer than the driveway I’m screwed.
He turns around to face away from me and takes a deep breath while he runs his hands through his short hair. Maybe I shouldn’t bring up the boyfriend thing again. Clearly that’s a hot button subject with how much it pissed him off. And I don’t want to piss off the handsome, crazy guy who wants to keep me.
Why in the world does he want to do that in the first place? This can’t really be about some attraction he has for me. This man cannot be hard up for women. He’s hard up for you, I remind myself. And damn, was he hard. I close my legs when I feel a tingle between them, remembering that length and heat pressed up against me there. There has to be another reason, though. Something I’m not seeing.
“Drink your tea, Cricket. I’m going to get you something to eat.” His voice is calm, unlike how he looked moments ago.
He’s still facing away from me, and I can see the strong muscles that trail down his perfect skin. My eyes slowly move down his back and to his ass, where his slacks hang dangerously low. I wonder if he feels soft to the touch, or if there’s any give at all between his skin and his muscles. Every inch of him is oversized, like he’s been engineered to be the best of the species.