Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36118 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36118 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
He finished putting the items back in the binder before he looked up. “I met her at a fundraiser in DC, her parents were putting on.”
Ice slithered into her veins.
“I’m Xavier Strauss.”
It all clicked at once. Billionaire of DarkStrike Security, a cybersecurity tech business.
Pasting on the smile, she nodded. “I’m sorry, yes. Good to see you again, sir.”
Fuck, the last thing I need is to piss off someone my parents constantly try to get money from because I knocked down his wife.
Logically she knew it was an accident and she didn’t actually knock down Mrs. Strauss but given how her family viewed her, it would be one hundred percent her fault.
“Xavier.” The man’s expression was one she couldn’t read, but she didn’t think he was angry. She wasn’t positive though, billionaires she knew were brutal.
A strong arm curved around her side and two fingers tipped up her chin. Before Rayla could say anything, Ryker kissed her.
This wasn’t a light brushing of lips. No, of course not. It was claiming, possessive and hungry. His taste burst through her mouth and she could barely keep her legs from giving out. fingers curling into his shirt, she leaned into him, trusting him to hold her up.
“You okay, baby?” His lips had barely lifted from hers as he posed his question.
“Fine.” She went to step back from him as embarrassment found her, only his hold on her tightened, keeping her flush to him.
“You okay, ma’am?” He skimmed his fingers up and down her side as he gave the other woman a brief look.
Tink smiled. “I’m fine. I’m the one at fault here, rushing around without paying attention to my surroundings. Rayla and I were about to grab a drink and pastry.” She took the binder back and tapped it. “Business. If you’ll excuse us.”
Business? I met her like two seconds ago.
Xavier kissed his wife. “Take your time, the helicopter will be on standby.”
“You’re not following me there?” Tink lifted an eyebrow.
“I’m giving you the illusion, wife.” Another kiss and he stepped back.
Rayla glanced up at the man who continued to hold her tight. “Excuse me, we have to get going.”
One finger. That’s all it took for her to turn back into mush. He released her then put that damn finger under her chin. If she were a cartoon, she would have heart bubbles and her feet would be off the ground as she floated with dreamy eyes.
“See you soon,” he murmured.
Somehow, she got her feet to cooperate and she walked away with Tink.
* * *
“Ryker Owens.” He offered his hand to the suited man looking like he belonged in a boardroom instead of in small rural Tennessee.
“Xavier Strauss.”
Holy shit. He knew the name. They shook hands briefly. “Your wife okay?”
“She’s fine, gets lost in her work and doesn’t pay much attention to things around her. They didn’t hit, she merely dropped her binder.” His sharp green eyes moved from the retreating duo and landed on him. “How do you know Rayla?”
Possessiveness swarmed like a colony of pissed off bees. How dare this man speak her name like he was okay to do so. Reining in his temper, he slid his hands into the pockets of his shorts and rocked back on his heels.
“She’s mine.”
“Interesting.”
His control on the possessiveness slipped a few notches. “If you say so.”
“I saw so. I know her and I know her family. You don’t strike me as someone who has political aspirations but I’m not about to let you hurt her.”
While still angry about the implied implication that he couldn’t or wouldn’t protect her his rage soothed as he recognized the brotherly stance the man took. His gaze followed the path the women had taken and found them dipping inside a small café, Merry Delights.
Together, they headed in that direction.
“I have zero political aspirations.” He made a mental note to look her up. Apparently, his little woman had one a bang up job of hiding her true identity. “And I have absolutely no intention of hurting her.”
Xavier moved the toothpick in his mouth from one side to the other. “Good. If you do, I will ruin you.”
Mentioned in a casual way like he would have discussed the weather. There was no posturing, nothing that showed he was trying to frighten Ryker. And for that reason alone, he believed the man would do exactly as he stated.
The man’s cell rang and he stepped to the side to answer it. Ryker gazed around the town. Even in the late morning, it bustled with activity. He had the first part of the day off and was pulling an extra half shift.
Who knew being Santa took so much energy? He was figuring that out.
He lifted his head when Rayla stepped outside of the café, phone to her ear. Moving before it even registered to him, he slowed when he approached her from behind.