by Layla Hagen
The bedsheets were supposed to be delivered to the cash register on the main floor, but the woman working behind it informed us it’d take a while until they’d be here.
“You’re welcome to look around until then,” she finished.
“Thanks,” Ryker said. We moved along the counter toward the back, where there were no buyers.
Now that we had time for a breather, I took time to admire him for the first time today. He wore a light blue shirt and jeans and looked simply delectable. He was just getting hotter by the day.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked.
Blushing, I turned around, glancing down at the glass counter.
“That you’re basically like George Clooney. Getting sexier all the time. When you’re fifty, you’re going to be winning sexiest man of the year awards, and I’m just going to keep out of the pictures so I don’t cramp your style.”
“Already imagining us at fifty?”
I gasped. My stomach tightened the very next second. “I was just... I mean, I know how that sounds.”
“Sounds like you believe in what we have. I know I do. And today I just had this glimpse of what it feels like to have a family, and I want it, Heather. With you. And I bet you’ll be hot when we’re fifty.” He lightly bit the side of my neck, laughing like we were just playing around, when he was claiming more of me with every word.
I want it, Heather, he’d said. But we’d known each other for two months only. Was he ready? Was I ready? I had no answer, but I knew one thing: I loved being wrapped up in him like this. He was holding me tightly to him. If I stood still, I could feel his heartbeats echoing against my body.
“Choose something,” he whispered in my ear.
“What?”
“Anything. I want to buy you a gift.”
“That’s not necessary. And you’ve already bought so many things that we’ll need a truck to transport them.”
“I want something just for you.” He pushed my hair to one side. I felt his breath on the exposed skin behind my ear.
“Choose something, Heather. Or I’ll choose for you.”
By the way his voice had taken on a rougher edge and his fingers pressed on my belly, he’d choose something dangerous. I wasn’t sure in what way, but I wanted to find out. I just wanted to be surprised, and that was saying something, because I usually liked to be on top of everything.
“You choose,” I said.
He laughed softly, moving his fingers in the shape of a small eight on my belly. I sucked in a breath, hoping to steel myself against the contact. Somehow, it had the exact opposite effect. Goose bumps broke out on my skin. How on earth could that touch affect me like this?
“Fine. A few rules.”
“There are rules to getting a gift?”
“Yes. You’re not allowed to refuse it, or to return it.”
I whirled around, looking him straight in the eyes.
“Will I regret this?”
His mouth curled in a devastating smile. “Probably.”
“Give me a hint. So I can brace myself.”
“That wouldn’t be a surprise now, would it?”
I pouted, holding up my thumb and forefinger. “Just a tiny little hint?”
“You belong to me, Heather. Every part of you. I want everyone to know that. Our families, friends, strangers.”
Oh, wow. I didn’t even know what to say.
“Am I scaring you?” he asked.
“A little,” I admitted.
“You trust me?” he asked.
“Y-yes.”
“That was a stutter. Not very encouraging.”
That devastating smile was back.
“Should I give you tips?”
He laughed, looking at me incredulously. “No. It’s a surprise. Turn around. Go down to Avery. I’ll come get you later.”
He placed his hands on my shoulders, actually turning me around, then walking me in the general direction of the escalator. I was so giddy with anticipation. Couldn’t I just watch him buy it? Come to think about it, that would probably take away half the fun. But what if he bought me something outrageous? Or just something that didn’t fit me at all?
“I can’t believe you’re bossing me into accepting a gift,” I teased.
“This isn’t bossing, Heather. This is me being on my very best behavior. Wait until we’re home and I have you naked in my bed.”
“Ryker! You can’t say those things when we’re out in the open.”
“Yes, I can. You’re mine, Heather.”
I licked my lips. My body was already humming with anticipation... and not about my gift.
Ryker only let me go when I stepped on the escalator. I looked at him over my shoulder, intending to tease him, but the sheer intensity he was emanating was magnified by a factor of ten when I made eye contact.
I waited at the edge of the playground, glancing toward the escalator every few minutes. Avery was too busy playing to pay any attention to me. Ryker finally joined us half an hour later.
“Ready,” he announced.
“So, where’s my gift?”
“Hidden in one of the shopping bags waiting for us at the entrance. I’ll give it to you at home, when we’re alone.”
I groaned. “I knew it. You bought me something totally inappropriate.”
“You want something inappropriate? I’ll make another trip upstairs. I’ll be real quick.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
“Isn’t it?” His eyes raked over me playfully. I averted my gaze, because who knew what I’d say if I kept eye contact for too long.
Avery barreled toward us right away.
“Let’s go, young lady,” Ryker said.
We walked out of the store with what felt like a million bags. The Uber we ordered gave us the side eye when he picked us up, but I couldn’t care less. Ryker was happy, my little girl was happy, and so was I.
Avery was wedged between the two of us on the ride home. The excitement of the past few hours had been too much for her. She fell asleep in a few short minutes. My heart flipped when I noticed she was holding my jacket with one hand, Ryker’s with the other. A small knot formed in my throat. When I felt Ryker’s fingers nudge my shoulder, I realized he’d been watching me. He gave me a smile that made the knot instantly loosen.
Avery woke up the second we arrived. She always did that, almost like she had an internal clock.
As soon as Avery entered the apartment, she announced, “I want all the toys in my room. Ryker, can you help me?”
She darted toward her room before Ryker even answered.
“I think I’m her favorite person,” he said as we stepped in the enormous living room. We placed the bags next to the couch to give our hands a short break.
I grinned. “I wonder why.”
A strand of his dark blond hair fell over his forehead. I pushed it back, craving to touch more of him. But I had a plan, and I needed to be alone to put it in motion. I was hoping he wouldn’t take all the bags to Avery’s room right away.
“Off you go,” I encouraged. “Wouldn’t want you to lose the favorite status.”
Ryker tilted his head to one side, studying me. “You’re going to rummage through the bags for your gift, aren’t you?”
Oh my God. That was so spot-on that it was scary.
“Yes,” I admitted, because there was no point denying it.
“You keep wanting to change the rules.”
“You didn’t say anything about not looking in the bags at home,” I pointed out.
“You’ll get it when we’re alone,” he repeated, voice strong and determined. My entire body hummed. I wanted to rile him up a bit but didn’t get the chance, because Avery called out from her bedroom.
“Ryker?”
He grabbed the bags, walking backward, keeping eye contact until he left the room.
Even though Avery specifically asked Ryker for help, I ended up joining them too. Between the three of us, we got ever
ything unpacked and put together in no time at all. I’d never seen Avery so excited. She spread out her toys everywhere and insisted on having the new sheets on the bed right away. I liked to wash bedlinen before using it the first time, but when Avery looked at me with wide eyes, saying, “Pleaaaaaaaaase, Mommy,” I gave in. Guess I wasn’t that good at saying no either.
Ryker ordered dinner to be delivered, but Avery fell asleep before the food arrived, and I decided not to wake her up.
I stood in the doorway even after I turned off her lights, remembering that evening when she’d asked me if it could be just the two of us. And yet here she was, starfished on the bed as if determined to occupy as much space as possible. She loved it here, there was no denying it. She was a kid. Giving her heart away was natural for her. It was my job to look out for her... and yet I was head over heels in love with this man. I couldn’t even guard my own heart, let alone Avery’s.
“Babe, I can feel you overthinking this,” Ryker whispered, startling me. I hadn’t realized he was behind me. Taking my hand, he led me to the living room. My heart was beating at a million miles an hour. Yes, I was still a little afraid that we were just jumping into this, and I was still not sure if we quite fit in his life.
“Don’t know how to stop doing it,” I admitted.
He caressed my cheek, looking at me intently. “How about I distract you from it?”
“What do you have in mind?”
Grinning, he searched his pocket, taking out a gorgeous watch. The face was round, with a dark blue background that showed the mechanism.
“Ooooh, my present. Thank you.”
I bounced up and down on my toes as he clasped it around my wrist. I loved it.
“Time for some adult fun. I’m proposing something decadent,” I announced, nudging his shoulder. One of the perks of a huge apartment? We didn’t have to worry about Avery hearing us. The living room was separated from the guest bedroom by a corridor and two doors. The master bedroom was upstairs.
“I’m all ears.”
And hands, and lips. He pounced on me the second we stepped inside the living room.
“I meant we could order some dessert.”
“I already did. Ordered pizza and dessert.”
“Wow! Right now, you’re my favorite person.”
“I see. So ordering dessert is the way to win that title?”
“One hundred percent. You have a talent for picking out delicious treats.”
Ryker’s gaze turned from playful to intense. He closed the distance between us, pressing the back of my thighs into the armrest of the couch. He kissed from the corner of my mouth up to my cheek before moving on to my ear, biting the shell lightly.
“What are you doing?” I whispered.
“Reminding you of my other talents.”
“Oh, by all means. Go ahead.”
He laughed in my ear, continuing his ministrations. God, I loved having his mouth on me, and his hands. I considered telling him that I’d been waiting for hours for this moment... but I had a hunch that meant I’d have an even harder time getting him to keep his hands to himself next time we were out in public.
The sound of someone knocking at the door interrupted our moment. I pursed my lips when Ryker pulled away.
“What’s with that pout?”
“Just let them go away and come back to what you were doing.”
Ryker laughed, running his thumb over my lips.
“Don’t say that twice, or we’re going to starve.”
I grinned. “Oh, that’s right. Our pizza and dessert! Can’t believe I forgot about that.”
“I kissed you that well, huh?”
“You know you did.”
The sheer intensity in his eyes told me he was seriously considering not opening the door.
“What’s this? Ranking me above dessert?” he asked.
I laughed, stroking my chin in an exaggerated gesture. “I’m conflicted. If I say yes, does that mean I’ll get more kisses? Or more dessert?”
“Whatever you want.”
I wiggled my eyebrows. “Dessert it is then.”
Ryker lunged for me again, but before he could reach me, the doorbell rang.
“No, no, no. That’ll wake up Avery, and I’m still hoping for adult fun.”
His gaze smoldered on the word “adult.” Oh, yeah... we weren’t going to sleep much tonight. Avery was going to my parents’ again in two weeks. Memorial Day was coming up, and she’d spend an extended weekend in Arizona.
I could already envision Ryker and me not sleeping much the entire time. Ryker went to open the door, thanking the delivery guy. We ate at the kitchen island, straight out of cartons.
“This is delicious. Hands down the best pizza and doughnuts I’ve had,” I announced, licking my fingers once I was done. To my surprise, Ryker laughed.
“What?” I asked.
“You’re cute. I’d rate it as good, but not the best.”
I shrugged one shoulder playfully. “Maybe I’m just in a good mood.”
“Or maybe it’s the company.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
“Still in competition with the food, I see.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Heather
For the next two weeks, I kept checking Dawson’s website every day. My article was scheduled to come out in six days, in the third week of May, which seemed an eternity away. I couldn’t pay in advance another month to reassure my landlord, so I needed that bonus right away. But big newspapers moved slowly. Since he was in charge of his own platform, Dawson was more flexible.
On Thursday Mom was flying in to pick up Avery and fly back to Phoenix with her. Memorial Day was on Monday, of course, but my girl’s school had given them Friday off as well.
The damned article popped up just as I was heading to pick up my girl. She was watching a play downtown with her class.
I started reading the article while I was still in the subway station, stopping next to a busker singing a Michael Jackson classic.
Oh, crap. It was a nightmare. The title was “Frauds and Fears.”
The rest of the article was even worse. What the hell? This was not the angle I’d thought he’d take. I doubted this was what Owen had had in mind when he contacted him. I stared at the screen of my phone, trying to plan my next steps. Call Ryker? Danielle? Had they already seen it?
I had my answer the next second when Danielle called. I hurried away from the busker to a somewhat secluded section of the station before answering.
“Did you read Dawson’s article?” she asked the second I picked up.
“Just finished it.”
“It’s a disaster. The bosses just called me. We’re not publishing your article.”
“What? Why? Wouldn’t now be the time to point out the article’s inaccuracies?”
“It would make us look like we’re desperate to pitch in. Especially after how scathing Dawson’s article was. I’m sorry. I know it’s disappointing for you.”
That was an understatement.
“I already told Owen it’s not going to be published. He wasn’t too happy, but considering he was the one who brought Dawson into this, I don’t give a damn.”
But I did. I needed to speak to Ryker right away, but before that, I needed to address another point. Even though I knew already what the answer was, I asked anyway. “My bonus?”
“I can’t make that happen. I’m sorry. My hands are tied. But it doesn’t mean it’s not doable; you’ve got until the end of the year.”
Except I needed the paper slip confirming the bonus right now. My landlord wasn’t going to give me another extension, I was sure of it.
“Right. Okay,” I mumbled. “I’ve got to go. I’ll send you the draft of my current article in a few days.”
“Sure, take your time. No pressure.”
I walked out of the station after hanging up, breathing in deeply once I was outside. I slipped into the coffee shop next to the theater where Avery was, buying myself a
decaf mocha latte. I sat at a window seat and called Ryker.
We’d made plans for a late lunch so Avery could say goodbye before flying to Phoenix, but I wanted to talk to him about the article right now.
“Heather,” he greeted.
“Hey! Just wanted to tell you about the art—”
“I know. We’ve all seen it... and we were also informed that yours won’t be published. I’m sorry.”
“Just spoke to my editor about it. How is the mood at the office?”
“Our PR team is flipping out. We’re going to have a meeting about it today.”
“Okay. We’re still on for lunch?” I asked.
“Sure. In two hours, right?”
I just wanted to be with him so we could regroup together.
“Yes.”
“Sure, babe. Just come here. Love you.”
“I love you too.”
I smiled, feeling a lot lighter after hanging up. I sat in the coffee shop long enough to finish my decaf mocha before heading to the theater. Avery and her group were already in the lobby. She barreled into me, wrapping her arms around my middle, grinning up at me.
“Hey, lovebug. How was the show?”
“Super boring. Are we still going to see Ryker?”
“Yes, we are. Come on, let’s go.”
I chuckled, hugging her with one arm. After thanking her teacher for making attendance the next day optional, we headed to Central Park. We still had an hour and a half until we were meeting Ryker. It was going to be a short (and very late) lunch, because we still had to make it home in time to get Avery’s bag and head to JFK. We ended up taking a long stroll through the park, and when we arrived at the fund, the receptionist handed me a visitor badge automatically. I wasn’t there on official business, but eh, she didn’t need to know that minor detail.
Once we were on Ryker’s floor, we stealthily made our way to his office. No one paid attention to us. It seemed even crazier than usual; everyone was running around in a frenzy. Even Ruby lacked her usual spark. Her hair was in disarray, as if she’d run her hands repeatedly through it. I waved at her, but she didn’t notice me.