The café was busy, but Ryker managed to get a table at the back. There was a window but not much of a view. It wasn’t meant to be a romantic date, anyway. This was just lunch, so he could get to know the client better.
He almost believed that.
The lunch menu offered the usual fare of soups, sandwiches, and salads. Mia chose the turkey club and iced tea, while Ryker ordered pastrami on rye with a Coke. He was enjoying her company, and nearly relaxed. But he dared not get complacent.
The tone could shift without warning; he knew that much about women, and figured that was even truer with Mia. She seemed willing to talk about her software company, and he was content to listen.
“Diversity in the workplace is the current buzzword,” Mia said. “But the inclusion of women within the tech field has been disappointingly slow. I’m a woman in a man’s field, or so it’s often thought. I had more strikes against me than just trying to fund a new, untried software program.”
“You’ve done well.”
“I started the company with my savings, and my friend Iris invested,” Mia said. “That’s how I got going. It’s taken a long time to get this far, but now we have some serious investors.”
“Where there’s big money to be made or lost, there’s substantial risk,” Ryker said, glad that she’d hired his company for protection. Success could be a magnet for trouble.
Mia sipped her tea, and for a few minutes focused on eating. Ryker liked to watch her. There was something about her attitude, her confidence that he perceived was hard-won. She hadn’t come from wealthy parents or a pampered background, yet she’d created one of the most talked-about tech companies within the past couple of years.
Since Mia wasn’t being defensive, it was probably safe to ask questions. “What is the software that you created?”
“It’s a learning program, but not like any you’ve seen.” Mia shoved her plate aside, excitement in her eyes. “I’m sure you know from my background check that I was raised in foster care. But what you don’t know is how devastating my own learning disability was.”
“Then how did you create this program?”
“When I was in school, I didn’t have parents who cared to help me with homework,” Mia said. “And it wouldn’t have been enough anyway. But I had a skill—a superpower, I used to call it. When it came to computers, I had natural ability.”
“You must have.”
“I struggled to read or write,” Mia said. “But I managed to create a simple computer program that helped. Instinct told me that traditional methods had failed me. And I would have failed at life if I hadn’t figured things out for myself.”
“I must say that I’m impressed.”
“I could finally learn,” Mia said. “And I’ve taken that same simple program and expanded it. I’ve developed it so that it can be used more broadly. Do you understand what that means? Other kids won’t have to suffer like I did, won’t have to feel like they are idiots because they aren’t like other kids. Those kids will have a chance.”
Ryker’s curiosity was piqued. “You’ve accomplished all of that when your start in life was the foster system?”
“It was rough,” Mia said. “I won’t deny that. I’ve been very public in sharing what happened in my childhood. The abuses were horrific. There are some things the system can’t protect a kid from, things that are kept out of the records.”
“You were abused?”
Mia’s eyes were moist. “I was abused on numerous occasions.”
“Were you molested?” Ryker couldn’t believe he’d voiced what was on his mind.
“No, I was one of the lucky ones,” Mia said. “I know it happens. Heck, it happens in regular families too. Not often, I hope, but I’m not naïve. No, I was battered and unwelcome, except for the support checks I brought in for my ‘care.’”
Ryker was deeply moved by what she’d been through, and how she’d dealt with it.
“But I wasn’t sexually abused.” Mia gave him a devilish grin. “That honor was reserved for my ex-husband.”
Ryker fumed inside but held it together. “I’m glad that’s over. He won’t have that chance again.” He furrowed his brow. “What’s his problem, anyway?”
“James can’t accept the fact that I’ve divorced him,” Mia said. “He’s bugged me month after month. Sometimes he’s charming, trying to woo me back. And other times he loses it and explodes. He has quite a temper.”
“He’s too persistent for my liking.”
“His efforts to get me back have increased recently,” Mia said. “The divorce will be final next month, and that has him backed into a corner. He’s become sort of crazed about the whole thing. I’ve told him repeatedly that there is no chance of reconciliation, but it’s like he doesn’t hear me.”
Ryker thought about that. There was more going on than a jilted lover. The fervor James exhibited was fueled by something more. He had major personality flaws, if he had to harass a woman and stalk her.
He was a threat, maybe just a minor annoyance. Yet Ryker intended to take the matter seriously. Any stalker could appear benign, only to shift into violent behavior. If that happened, Mia wouldn’t be alone. Ryker would be there to be sure that no harm came to her.
Chapter 5
Mia looked at Ryker, wondering if going to lunch with him had been a good idea. He was irresistible in the cotton shirt that hugged his muscles. She couldn’t get the memory of him touching her out of her mind, the way his strong arms had held her tight. Even if it was a self-defense demonstration, it had affected her.
The safer thing would have been to call her driver and go back to work. She could have had lunch brought in as she often did. Yet when Ryker had suggested going out, she’d agreed—despite her better instincts.
She’d wanted to spend lunch with him, and had given in. She needed to reexamine her priorities. It wasn’t smart to get involved. There was no reason to think that would happen, anyway. It was a meal together, a chance to get to know her protector.
If she made anything more out of it, that would lead to trouble. Trouble was something that she’d had too much of. The last thing that would be good for her was a pushy male in her life. It was a lesson that had already been learned.
Mia could handle things herself. Although physical safety appeared to be a matter she wasn’t as adept at. A history of abuse pointed to the fact it would be a good idea to let Ryker complete her lessons on self-defense.
That was, if she could withstand the attraction.
Ryker looked at her with those blue-gray eyes, making her want to fall into his arms. That didn’t mean that was what was going to happen. She had some self-control, after all. But when she looked into those blue depths, she saw sincerity and honesty.
Surely, Mia was deluding herself. There hadn’t been a male relationship in her life that had been safe, not when she got to know the man up close and personal. In the beginning, the guy would be on his best behavior, just like Ryker was.
But she was too smart to fall for that. The pretense was shallow and fell apart rapidly, once she grew attached. That wasn’t going to happen. Another debacle of a relationship, a controlling influence in her life, might be the end of her.
Mia had forgiven herself for hooking up with James. She hadn’t seen through him quickly enough. But she hadn’t encountered his personality type before. Abusive types hadn’t been scarce, but no one who’d harmed her had been coy about it.
James had been charming, deceiving, and she hadn’t spotted the true intent of his pretended affections. Since leaving him, Mia had learned. She’d figured out what she’d done wrong, how she’d missed the signs. Knowing what to look for, she wouldn’t botch that again.
Ryker sat across from her, patiently waiting for her to continue.
“Is this your good behavior?” Mia said sharply.
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Of course you do,” Mia said. “This is when you warm me up, get me to cooperate
.”
“I can protect you better if you do.” Ryker frowned. “But I’m not sure what you’re driving at. Did I do something to sour your mood?”
“Oh, now it’s me. I have a sour mood.”
“Listen, I thought we were getting along,” Ryker said. “It’s helpful for me to understand your background and more about the situation.”
“Until I let my defenses down?” Mia felt that happening more with each passing minute.
“You can be a real—”
“Go ahead, say it.” Mia pointed her finger at him. “I know what you’re going to say. It’s good that you are revealing your true self. The care and concern were getting to me, I admit.”
Mia hadn’t opened up and talked to anyone like she had with Ryker, not in a long time. She shared with her closest friends, but not with a man she’d just met. What had gotten into her?
“Are you trying to start an argument?” Ryker said. “Because if you are, you’re doing a damn good job. I was beginning to admire you for all you’ve accomplished. But I don’t get you at all. What are you so afraid of?”
“I’m not afraid, and don’t you imply that I am,” Mia said. “You don’t know anything about me. Just because I told you about my background, don’t assume you understand. No one understands, not really.”
Mia had done it again. She’d shared something with Ryker that she hadn’t intended to. If she didn’t know better, she’d think that subconsciously she wanted to get more intimate. But that wasn’t going to happen.
“All right,” Ryker said. “I don’t know you. You’ve got that part right. I do know one thing: your mood can shift without warning. I’ll have to remember that.”
Mia was about to spit out the perfect comeback, when an unfamiliar man appeared beside the table. “Excuse me, I’m sorry to interrupt. You’re Mia Scott, aren’t you? I just want to let you know what a fan I am. I’ve read about you, and it’s an honor to meet you.”
Great, there went her privacy. “I appreciate that. Nice to meet you.” She should have been more accommodating, but she wasn’t in the frame of mind for that. She was tired of being followed everywhere, by one person or the other.
When the man left, Mia said, “Let’s get out of here. I’m sure others heard that. I can see it now: our picture on social media. I’m sure we were overheard arguing.”
Mia thought of Iris telling her that her picture was on magazine covers. It was too much. It wouldn’t help her public image for a post to reveal that she’d been angry with her lunch date. Too much could be made of that, including that she was seeing someone—which she was not.
Once they were outside, Ryker said, “What…are you embarrassed to be seen with me?”
“You just don’t get it, do you?”
“Get what?”
Mia didn’t want to get into the whole dating implication. She might give Ryker the wrong impression, so she said, “I’m in the public eye. Every move I make is scrutinized, talked about, criticized. I’m running a multimillion-dollar company, and my investors might get nervous.”
“All the more reason you should be glad I’m in charge of your protection, instead of fighting me,” Ryker said.
“I’ll try, but watch it,” Mia said. “You got on my bad side with that stunt you pulled of setting up a team to guard me before I’d officially hired you.”
“You resent my efforts to keep you safe, and that Caleb scared off trouble before you were seriously injured,” Ryker said. “That’s what ticked you off? You need to get a grip.”
That only made Mia more furious, so she stormed off to the car. “I need to get to the office. Some people have work to do.”
Ryker opened her door then went around to get in. He glanced over then said, “Why are you looking at your phone like you’ve just seen a ghost?”
Mia had received a text. She stared at the screen, unable to disguise her chagrin. “Here, look for yourself.” She shoved the phone at him.
Ryker read the message out loud: “I’m annoyed, Mia, that you felt it necessary to hire a bodyguard. I don’t know who that guy was who interrupted our conversation, but I’ll be back. You’d better warn your muscled companion that if he bullies me, it will only mean harsher actions towards you.”
“It’s a threat,” Mia said. “I can’t escape that idiot. He won’t let me go.”
“What does he want?”
“What James wants is for me to go back to him,” Mia said, disgusted. “He has his reasons.”
“Well, whatever they are, they’re not good enough,” Ryker said. “He’d better keep his hands off you, or he can bet I’ll do more than bully him.”
If only it was that simple, but there was so much more to it than that. Mia couldn’t get into it with Ryker right then. “I’ll deal with him.”
“There’s something you aren’t telling me.”
“It’s complicated,” Mia said. She’d already told Ryker more than she probably should have. Although she wouldn’t admit it, deep inside, she liked Ryker and hated to see him get dragged into her messy divorce situation.
Ryker didn’t press the issue and drove her to the office. Mia was quiet for the drive, as she’d already made her point. She didn’t intend to be charmed and flattered just so the noose could be put around her neck again.
There was no arguing that Ryker was a hunk. And he came from an honorable background as a SEAL. He was in a business that should inspire confidence. But Mia swore that she wouldn’t be naïve. If she didn’t watch her back, no one else would.
Hiring protection was sensible, but that hadn’t put aside her fears about James. She’d dealt with his impulsive and destructive behavior. She’d witnessed his extreme emotional swings—and his explosive anger.
Whatever Ryker thought he was doing to protect her, it likely wasn’t enough. James was unpredictable and vicious. She doubted that Ryker had faced such an elusive opponent. He’d fought deadly enemies face to face in battle.
Yet she didn’t have confidence that he understood the type of enemy she faced. If she could have explained it, she would have. But she only believed it because she’d lived it. Having experienced abuse, emotional and physical, she knew better than to underestimate James.
When Ryker pulled into the parking lot, Mia said, “You have to understand…James is desperate. He sees the finality of the divorce as a personal threat, for many reasons. Just trust me on that and know that he is a worthy opponent. As much as I despise him, I admit that he’s gotten the upper hand far too often. His reference to harsher actions…take that warning to heart. He meant it.”
Mia left it at that, then went inside to get back to work. She had a full afternoon, with meetings and phone calls. It was exhausting, and she needed a break by the end of the day. Ryker had refused to let Caleb take over. Apparently, he believed what she’d told him, so didn’t want to take a chance of anything bad happening to her.
When Mia left the office, Ryker was waiting. “You must be hungry. I’m taking you to dinner.”
Mia let out a breath. “Don’t you ever ask?”
“Apparently, I don’t learn quickly,” Ryker said. “But you don’t scare me. I’m going to look after you, whether you want me to or not.”
Mia lifted her hand. “Okay, then. I need a drink. Take me somewhere dark and quiet.”
Ryker chose a downtown restaurant, and escorted Mia to the dark interior of the bar. He ordered Coke and she ordered a martini. “You don’t drink?”
“Not on the job,” Ryker said. “It’s better for you if I’m alert.”
“True, but I hope you don’t mind if I have a drink, maybe two.”
“I’m driving,” Ryker said, “so have whatever you want.”
As much as Mia tried to hold a hard line with Ryker, she found herself talking anyway. He was a good listener, and after a long day, she needed to unwind. He was damn sexy, and the more she spent time with him, the more she felt her defenses crumbling.
It was a pleasure to look at
Ryker. He had broad shoulders and a muscled chest. His biceps were bulging at the edge of his sleeves, and his lean thighs were drool-worthy. Mia’s mind kept wandering to thoughts she shouldn’t have.
As long as Ryker was with her in a public place, she was safe—from him, anyway. Mia really didn’t trust herself to be alone with him. She’d made plenty of mistakes in her life, and she didn’t want him to be another.
The alcohol went to her head, and she gradually relaxed. But that didn’t mean that Mia had forgotten it wasn’t smart to give in to attraction to a controlling male. Drinks and dinner were okay, but no more—definitely not.
Ryker asked more about her company’s growth and her software. Mia was willing to talk about safe subjects. She didn’t reveal any more than the public knew, or what could easily be found out. But she didn’t stop there.
Mia talked about her childhood, about how she survived it, and about her life since she’d been on her own. She talked too much and was aware that she was doing so. But she couldn’t seem to stop. Ryker was a good listener, and appeared interested.
“When I was a kid,” Mia said, “I didn’t have any money, no allowance or anything. So, I went to the public library to use the computer. That’s how I got started. I played around, got some ideas, and figured out a way to assist my learning.”
“That’s clever.” Ryker took a gulp of his drink. “When did you own your first computer?”
“Not until I was an adult,” Mia said. “My income was barely enough to keep me going before I got into the tech business. I was a theater usher, a waitress…you name it, I did it at some point. When I scraped together a few dollars, I found a used computer at Goodwill.”
“I wouldn’t have thought of that.”
“I took the thing apart and rebuilt it,” Mia said. “I had to know how each part worked. I had to see it and touch it with my hands.”
“And that helped?”
“For me, it did.” Mia drained the last of her cocktail. “I suppose I’m different. I had to be familiar with the inner workings before I could develop software. In my mind, the two were inseparable.”
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