I’d never seen Ryker cry like that before. The only thing I knew to do was to hold him, so I did. His head was on my shoulder, and his body was trembling, just like the night at the lake house. I put my hands on his cheeks and wiped his face with my hand. His eyes were so sad. I didn’t want him to relive any more of it. I wasn’t even sure why he was telling me.
“You don’t need to tell me anymore.”
He nodded. “Yeah I do. I want to.” He tried to regain his composure. “I had to call my mom and tell her Jimmy was gone. I was so scared. I heard sirens, and the sheriff was there. Apparently they come when an ambulance has been called to an emergency. My phone was somewhere in the sand, and I didn’t have time to look for it. The sheriff interviewed me as I watched them put Jimmy’s body on a stretcher and carry him into the back of the ambulance. I didn’t know where they were taking him, and that scared the shit out of me. The cop told me to ride with him because I needed to be checked out too after going into the water. I told him I was fine, but I guess it was a rule or something. He asked for my mom’s number, and he made the call I didn’t want to make. I heard my mom screaming through the phone while I sat in the back of the car, sobbing.”
He let go of me and walked around the room. “At the hospital, they gave me some scrubs because my clothes were soaked. A social worker came into my room with the cop who drove me there. He handed me Jimmy’s belongings, which I held tight, and told me my mom was on her way. My mom burst in the room and screamed at me. I didn’t yell back. I just told her I was sorry. She said she was sorry she had to deal with me and asked the cop if they were pressing charges.”
“Your mom wanted charges pressed against you?” I couldn’t believe that.
He shrugged. “I don’t know. When he said it was up to the courts, she became hysterical. She looked at me and said, ‘I don’t have any more children.’ She turned to the social worker and said, ‘Take him. He’s all yours.’ That’s the day I lost my family. I didn’t go to the funeral because I wasn’t allowed. I went with the social worker and lived in a place for troubled teens until the judge dismissed my case. By that time, I was seventeen. Then I lived in foster homes, moved here, and stayed.”
I knew my mouth was open because I could taste my tears. “I’m so sorry, Ryker.”
“Yeah. Me too.”
“You’re not a killer. It was an accident. You made a mistake, but you were a kid. You have to understand that.”
He nodded and wiped his face with the back of his hand. “That’s what the judge said. He gave me a lecture on neglect and responsibility, then said it wasn’t all my fault because I was also a minor. But I was the minor who should have known better.”
“I know I can’t change things, but I’m here if you need me.” I meant that. At that moment, I saw his damaged heart, not the hard one he was used to displaying.
He kneeled in front of me and took my hands. “When I saw you with Erik tonight, I felt like I was the one drowning. So I thought maybe I’d try to get you out of my head.”
“With Tori?”
“Yeah, but nothing happened- not tonight or the other night when you saw us I don’t want her.”
My voice shook as I said, “What do you want?”
“You. I want you.”
“Why?”
His eyes met mine. “Because I need you.”
More tears came. “You need me?”
“Yeah. I’ve made so many mistakes throughout my life, and I don’t want to make another one by letting you go. The thought of you with someone else terrifies me, but so does the thought of you being with me.”
I wanted to tell him I loved him and there would never be anyone else for me, but I didn’t totally trust him. Even though he’d just poured his heart out to me, I didn’t believe he wouldn’t leave me again. “Is that the only reason? You don’t want me with anyone else?”
“No, that isn’t the only reason. Something happened to me on Saturday night.”
“Yeah, me too.” Sarcasm and truth poured out in one sentence.
His thumbs rubbed the back of my hand. “I know. I didn’t use you. Please know I would never use you. I needed you then, and I need you now; I think I always will.”
“You left me.”
“I’m sorry.”
I half smiled. “I know.”
He sat next to me. The sofa dipped, and I leaned into him.
His hand went to the back of my head as he held it against him. “Be mine, Faith.”
My eyes scrunched together as I nodded.
He laid back on the couch cushions and pulled me with him. “Can I hold you?”
I smiled. “Yes.”
“And tomorrow night?” His voice was deep, sexy, and raspy from crying. His strong arms wrapped around me.
“Yes.”
My body slid up his, making my skin tingle. Our lips met, and his hands threaded through my hair. He deepened the kiss, and my senses were on full alert. I wanted him so badly I felt it between my legs.
“I’m not going to make love to you tonight,” he said. “I’m just going to hold you. Is that okay?”
“Yeah. I’d like that.” I laid my head on his chest and fell asleep to the beat of the heart that gave mine reason to keep going.
Snoring… that’s what I woke to. My legs were intertwined with his, and I felt as if I was being pinned in a wrestling match. I opened my eyes to see the most gorgeous man. I drank in his features: chiseled chin, perfect nose, soft lips, and morning scruff that I was tempted to rake my teeth over. I sighed.
His right eye opened, and he smiled at me. “I like when you look at me like that.”
I felt my face redden, and I smacked his chest. “How long have you been awake?”
“Long enough to see you gawking at me.”
I gasped. “I don’t gawk! Take that back!”
“No.” He chuckled.
“You snore!”
“You’re gorgeous.”
“You’re forgiven.”
I tipped my face toward him and kissed him. He rolled me onto my back, and his tongue did things to my mouth that I felt everywhere on my body. His hand roamed down my side to the back of my knee, and he pulled it up, making me wrap my leg around him. His hand went under my shirt and covered my breast. I cursed myself for not taking off my bra before I fell asleep. I felt him growing hard on my hip.
“Do you know how bad I want you right now?” His hips shifted, and he was square between my legs. He rubbed against me, and I tightened my leg at his waist.
“As badly as I want you?” I wanted him so badly it was making me crazy. I wanted to feel him inside me again. After everything he told me last night, I felt so close to him. My heart was full, and I was happy.
The pillow I was laying on was pulled out from under my head and tossed on the floor. He bent forward and ran his tongue from the indentation under my throat to my chin. My head tipped back, and I lifted my hips.
“I’ll get to that, but for right now, I’m going to lick each part of you until you orgasm like you did in your dream,” he said.
Holy shit! If he kept talking like that, that was all it would take. “Ryker.”
His tongue went around my ear. “Yeah? Tell me what you want.”
I lifted my hips higher, and his hand went between my legs. Damn these clothes! He unbuttoned the denim, making me moan as his hand slipped inside. I yelped when he glided one finger then two inside me. He moved them in and out while sucking on the pulse point throbbing on my neck.
“Oh my God Ryker… please…” I found my release and grabbed his ass.
He moved his hand from my jeans. His eyes were full of lust. “I need to get you naked… now.”
“My bedroom.” I was still seeing stars, and I wasn’t sure if my legs would support me. They felt shaky, and I was only lying down.
I let out a breath, and Ryker slid off me so his back was against the back of the couch. He leaned down and consumed my mouth. We kissed as if we would never
kiss again. I closed my eyes tighter so I could remember it forever.
“Ahem.” Max cleared his throat.
I immediately stopped kissing Ryker, and he groaned. I brought my hand up to cover my face. Ryker laughed, and I peeked through my fingers.
“So I see we had a slumber party.” Max chuckled. “Faith, you can uncover your face. I know it’s you.”
Ryker sat up to straddle my legs. His hair was a mess, and he looked hotter than ever. I couldn’t help the smile that crept across my face.
“Dude… we’ve been found out.” Ryker laughed.
After I adjusted my shirt, I sat up and looked at Max, who didn’t look displeased. He actually looked happy, which surprised me.
“Don’t call me Dude.” I snickered. “Good morning, Max.”
“Uh, yeah… good morning.” He kissed my cheek and turned to Ryker. “I thought you needed to help Mrs. Bowers this morning?”
“Shit. I need to get home. Faith, do you want to come with me, and then I’ll drive you to work?” Ryker pulled me into my arms. “Please?”
“Yeah, but I need to take a quick shower. I promise I’ll only be twenty minutes, tops.”
“Go. I’m timing you.”
I laughed and hurried into my room.
I grabbed my clothes and rushed into the bathroom that was connected to my room and the hallway. I made sure the hallway door was locked. Max had already embarrassed me enough for one day. The last thing I needed was for him to see me in the shower.
The hot water against my over-sensitized skin was just what the doctor ordered. I washed up, ran the razor over my legs and my underarms, stepped out of the shower, and grabbed my fluffy white robe. I towel-dried my hair and put it in a low ponytail before I applied moisturizer, mascara, and a little bronzer. I put my clothes on, glanced in the mirror, and went back into the living room.
The guys stopped talking and looked at me, making me self-conscious. I looked at my feet and made sure I didn’t have something hanging out where it shouldn’t be or two different color shoes.
I lowered my brow. “What? Why are you both looking at me like that?”
Ryker walked up with his phone. “I just won a bet.”
“What?”
He flipped his iPhone around and showed me the stopwatch displaying 19:58:02.
“I don’t get it.”
Ryker laughed.
Max said, “You couldn’t have taken two more seconds?” He handed Ryker a twenty-dollar bill, which Ryker held up and kissed before slipping it into his pocket. Shaking his head at Ryker, Max said, “You’re a dick.” Then his attention was directed at me. “Thanks. Some friend you are.”
“Me? What about you? You bet against me! I’m glad you lost.” I laughed and walked into Ryker’s arms.
“What the hell is going on, and why is Ryker here?” Tyf came out of her room in a short pajama set. She rubbed her eyes and looked at me. “Why is he holding you? What happened? Damn it, did I miss something good?” Her bare feet shuffled across the carpet to Max. She smacked his arm. “Really? You couldn’t have woken me?” She yawned. “I need coffee.” Then she looked at the clock. “Holy shit! It’s only six-thirty?”
Max rubbed his arm. “Damn, that hurt.”
Tyf kissed the spot on his arm that she’d just smacked. She smirked and walked away.
“Thank you, baby, it feels much better now.”
We all laughed—well, except for Tyf. She really needed her coffee in the morning.
Strong arms wrapped around my waist. “Ready?”
“Always.” His arms loosened, and I turned to face him. “Thank you.”
He tilted his head. “For what?”
“Not betting against me.”
He leaned down and kissed me. “Never.”
My heart raced when I saw Faith wearing a form-fitting black skirt. Her gray blouse was unbuttoned just enough to make my dick stir. I knew I didn’t have a lot of time with her before she needed to go to work, but I’d take what I could get.
“I love your car.” Faith smiled as I opened the door for her.
“I’m glad to hear it. I do too. She’s my baby.” I closed her door and jogged around to my side. Once I slid onto the black leather seat, I turned to look at her. She was so innocent—well, not that innocent anymore. The engine roared to life, and we were on our way.
The streets were quiet, and so were we. Kids were waiting for the bus at the corner, and one of the moms waved to me. She lived a block from my house, so I’d seen her around. I raised my hand in a brief wave. Faith’s expression didn’t sit well with me.
I grabbed her hand and brought it to my lips. “Thank you for coming with me, even if it is only for a little while.”
She smiled the smile I loved to see. “Thanks for coming over last night, and for staying.” Her smile fell, and she fiddled with the strap on her purse.
“What’s wrong?”
Her head was down, and her eyes didn’t meet mine when she said, “Why me?”
My heart felt a little heavy after hearing that question. Didn’t she realize why? I pulled up in front of my house, and she got out of the car before I could open her door. I took her hand and walked her in. My place wasn’t like hers. I didn’t have artwork or fancy furniture. My apartment was just a place to sleep, but with Faith there, I could see it becoming a home.
I still needed to address her question. I guided her to my couch and looked in her eyes. “You don’t know why?”
She fidgeted her hands. “What I meant to say is, why me now?” She looked at her body and then back at me. “You could have anyone you want. That woman at the corner, did you see the way she looked at you?”
I grabbed her hand. “You’re who I want, and you are my type. I couldn’t care less how other women look at me. Do you know the way you look at me?”
Her face flushed. “No.”
“No? Well, that’s the only look I care about. I told you, last night I got scared. I haven’t been that scared in years. So after I talked to Max, I knew I needed to see you. When your baby blues look at me, I feel a warmth in my soul and in my heart.”
“Why haven’t you told Max about Jimmy? He’s a great guy and an even better friend. He would understand and want to help you.”
She was right, and I knew it. “I don’t know. He’s the closest thing I have to family. I don’t want to risk losing him.” I realized how that sounded by the look on her face. “I needed to tell you. I don’t want Max to be my girlfriend; I want you to.”
“Did you just say you want me to you be your girlfriend?” she asked.
“I did. I thought I made that clear last night, and this morning.” I faced her. “Faith Bishop, will you be my girlfriend?”
She nodded.
“Is that a yes?”
“Yes. It’s most definitely a yes.”
She kissed me, and then there was a knock on my door. I looked at my watch. It was almost time for me to take Faith to work. I opened the door.
Mrs. Bowers was there with a plate of blueberry muffins. “I’m sorry to disturb you.” She looked around me to see Faith getting up from the couch. “These are for you, Ryker. I thought you might want something to eat before we start packing.”
Mrs. Bowers was such a sweet woman. I would want someone like her as a grandmother. Her apron said “Kiss the Cook,” so I did. I took the plate and invited her in.
I set the muffins on the table and put my arm around Faith. “This is my girlfriend, Faith. Faith, this is Mrs. Bowers.”
“It’s very nice to meet you, Mrs. Bowers.” Faith shook her hand. “I hear that you’re moving.”
“You are a dear, aren’t you? Yes, I’m moving, and I’m going to miss this handsome young man. You two enjoy those muffins.” She patted my arm. “I’ll be upstairs with my tea. Come on up when you’re ready.”
“I’m going to drive Faith to her office, and then I’ll be up.”
After she left, Faith looked at me with an expression th
at was so sweet, I was glad I wasn’t a diabetic.
“What?”
“She’s a very nice woman, and you’re a wonderful person for helping her. I do need to get going, though. Can you drive me to work now?”
“Yeah. Let’s go.”
On the way, we hit a little bit of traffic.
“I hope you aren’t late.” I sped up a little to ensure that wouldn’t happen.
Faith tilted her body to look at my speedometer and gasped. I realized that she’d seen the picture. I looked at her.
Her eyes were shiny with tears. “That’s Jimmy, isn’t it?”
I looked at the picture, then back at the road. “Yeah.”
“He’s cute, like you.”
“Nah, he was cuter, and a great kid. He always wanted to be with me, which tore at my mom. She never wanted to be with me. I don’t know why really. Some people said I looked exactly like my dad, so maybe that made it too hard for her to be around me. I just think she didn’t like me much. She never came to my band concerts, even if I had a solo. Jimmy always wanted to go, and she wouldn’t take him. I was going to start teaching him how to play the drums. He started asking me when he was about eight, but I was a cocky teenager and didn’t want anyone playing my drums.”
“All kids are like that. Max never let me play his guitar.”
“Yeah, maybe.” We were at her office, but I didn’t want to let her go. “Will you have dinner with me? I’ll order in, and we can eat at my place. I’d offer to cook, but I need to help Mrs. Bowers, and I won’t have time.”
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