I’d heard him with another girl. That alone had been brutal. Seeing it was enough to make me lose my mind.
When she latched her teeth around his earlobe, her breasts shoved against his side, I saw red.
I wasn’t a violent person by nature but the sight of her hands on him had me hauling ass across the patio. Before I could stop myself or think, I was shoving her with every ounce of strength I had.
She fell on her ass with a squeak, her dress riding up to reveal no panties underneath. That just made me madder.
“What the fuck!” she exclaimed, jumping to her feet and glaring at me as the crowd around us grew silent.
I didn’t know what the hell I was doing, aside from making a spectacle of myself, but I couldn’t seem to stop.
“Don’t touch him,” I demanded.
“No way,” she scoffed. “Ryker here’s gonna take me home and give it to me real good, aren’t you, baby?” she purred.
“Oh shit,” I heard a male voice rumble warily. Mack? I couldn’t be sure.
I reached out, grasping her dress in my fist and yanking her close. “I’ll give you one more shot. Leave now,” I demanded.
She spat in my face.
In a sick way I was relieved. It was license to do what I’d been wanting to since I’d seen her hands on him. If I was being honest, she was an outlet for a hell of a lot more than that.
I shoved her and she pulled me down with her. We rolled, pulling and hitting in a blur of hair and heels.
“Piper, stop!” Ryker commanded, pulling me bodily from her, holding my back against his chest as I fought against his hold, wanting more, clamoring for it.
The prospect he’d been talking to had the other girl in a similar hold.
We both breathed heavily, glaring at each other.
I forced myself to calm down, realizing we’d created quite the entertainment for the evening. Everyone was standing around staring at us with either amusement or concern, depending on who I glanced at.
In a blur of motion, she broke free of the prospect’s grasp and with a violent swipe scratched her nails down my jaw and neck before he was able to grab her.
“Are you serious?” I hollered, outraged at her underhandedness.
“Fuck!” Ryker swore, pulling me back harder, as I fought against his grasp. “Get her the fuck out of here!” he barked angrily at the prospect as I felt blood slide down my collar, the searing burn radiating like a heartbeat on my torn flesh.
“This is one of my favorite t-shirts!” I shrieked, too far gone to realize that was so not one of my major concerns at the moment.
The prospect didn’t delay pulling her bodily from the yard and out through the side gate.
I looked over at Cole, feeling immediately embarrassed. “Sorry,” I managed, my chest heaving with exertion.
If I’d known I was going to get into a catfight, I might have hit the gym in the past, well, ever.
“No worries,” he replied, looking mildly amused and not a little bit surprised.
“Shit, Pipe—it’s really too bad Catwoman claws are so in vogue.” Connie winced, coming to get a look at my neck. “It looks like you got attacked by a cougar.”
“Cheap shot,” I complained.
“Total cheap shot,” she agreed, as I realized that Ryker was still holding me, his arm wrapped around my shoulders, pulling me into his chest. Despite the pain radiating down the side of my face, I relished the feeling of his arms around me.
Wes came to stand beside his wife, cocking his head, staring at me. “You should probably get that cleaned up, you don’t want to get rabies. Can you get rabies from fingernails?” he pondered out loud, earning a glare from Connie. “What?” he protested, looking at her. “Not saying it wasn’t badass, just don’t want to see her start frothing at the mouth.”
“Thanks, Wes,” I muttered dryly.
“I’ll take you,” Tag offered, taking a step toward me. “I think they have some antiseptic in one of the bathrooms.”
“Back up,” Ryker barked, his arm wrapping more tightly around me.
Tag held up his hands with a glimmer in his eye. I could swear he was goading Ryker. “Just tryin’ to help, brother.”
“Back. Up.” Ry repeated.
“All righty, let’s see what’s doin’ in the far backyard, hmm?” Ettie spoke up, dragging Mack to follow her lead and looking meaningfully at the rest of our brood.
The yard really wasn’t that big, but I appreciated her effort to break the tension.
Ry turned me in his arms, his fingers raking through my hair, pulling it almost to the point of pain as he propelled me backwards. “What the fuck, Tink, why’d you do that?” he demanded, his face so close to mine I could scarcely think.
Tink. I used to hate that damned nickname. Hearing it now was like a balm for all that ailed me.
“I…” I swallowed, looking up into his gorgeous face, unable to process my thoughts, embarrassed at how much I’d already shown with my actions.
He stepped back, assessing me. “Let’s get you cleaned up.” He took my hand and towed me inside.
The silence was like a living thing between us as I sat on the counter in Cole and Scarlet’s guest bathroom. He stood between my legs, dabbing at the open wounds on my neck, his muscles taut with tension.
I barely felt the sting of the antiseptic. I was too distracted by how close he was. I could feel every inch of his hard body against mine. I could smell his masculine scent, something familiar from a time long past, and something… new and so intoxicating I felt drunk. I licked my lips, forgetting about the pain in my neck entirely.
“What am I gonna do with you, huh?” he rasped thickly.
His gaze fell to my mouth, remaining there for a beat before his eyes locked with mine. I sucked in a breath as his hands gripped my hips, pulling me closer still.
My heart hammered in my chest as the moment I’d daydreamed about for as long as I could remember loomed so close, and yet not near enough until his lips were on mine.
I moved my hands up into his thick hair and pulled him closer, shocking myself with my nerve.
That seemed to be all the encouragement he needed and his head descended, his lips moving to mine. His tongue swept over my lips with graceful skill as my head spun. He took my mouth with a possession I’d never known until now. He broke the onslaught only when his teeth nipped at my lower lip, before his tongue met mine with strokes so passionate, I could scarcely contain myself.
It was a confounding combination of undiscovered territory and something so familiar. One thing was for sure, whatever combination it was made of—thrill was the main ingredient.
The door opened and someone yelped in surprise. “Sorry!” a familiar voice laughed as the door slammed shut.
Connie? I could barely tell in my current state.
We broke apart, Ry resting his forehead against mine as I giggled.
I giggled. I didn’t even know I knew how to do that.
“What, Con?” Ry asked, his breathing labored, as I unwrapped my legs from his waist.
“Uh, just have to pee at some point,” she responded, with a muffled laugh.
My cheeks heated at being caught in such a compromising position.
“Be out in one sec,” he replied impatiently, his eyes on me. “You okay?”
I managed a nod, my head whirling and lips tingling.
“That bitch will never step foot near you again,” he ground out after he threw the last cotton ball in the trash.
It wasn’t me I was worried about her getting near.
“You slept with her?” I asked, before I could stop myself. “Sorry, that’s none of my business.” I shook my head, my face flaming.
His jaw clenched as he focused on my neck, which I hadn’t been able to look at myself, and remained silent.
I took that as affirmation, my face flaming brighter still. “I’m tired, can you take me home?” I asked quietly, embarrassment setting in with a heavy hand.
&n
bsp; Getting into a brawl with a girl my ex-boyfriend had clearly slept with wasn’t really the highlight of my week.
I hopped off the counter, pushing his hand off when he tried to steady me. “Take me home,” I repeated.
He nodded, watching me with those knowing green eyes as I turned away, opened the door and strode through it.
A gentle hand grasped my arm as I made my way toward the front door. “You okay?” Scarlet asked gently.
Was I?
“Just time to go.” I offered an apologetic shrug. “I’m sorry for, well… you know.” I grimaced.
“Don’t be sorry.” She laughed. “You know how long I’ve wanted to see that bitch get put in her place? That was badass!” she hooted.
“Glad you think so,” I muttered, as Ry came up behind me.
“I’ll check in with you tomorrow.” She winked. “Bring this one around more often—she’s fun,” she added, her eyes on Ryker.
“Right,” he grumbled, his hand at the small of my back guiding me out to his bike.
I looked at the helmet dubiously when he handed it to me, knowing it would hurt like hell to pull it down over my face.
“Shit,” he muttered, thinking the same thing I was as his gaze roved over my skin. “Hang on,” he instructed, striding toward the house.
When he returned he dangled keys from his fingers, a smile playing on his lips.
“Thank God,” I groaned dramatically.
He chuckled, guiding me toward Cole’s SUV.
I stared out the window, watching the dark landscape flash by in a blur of muted motion as he drove me home.
We pulled up to my place in what felt like no time at all.
“Thanks,” I said, my hand on the handle, ready to escape the tension that had blossomed.
“Pipe.” His voice was low and full of intent as he rumbled my name.
My boots hit the pavement as I turned to face him, holding the door open.
His forearm lay cocked over the steering wheel as he looked at me. “What were you thinkin’?” he demanded. “Why’d you go after her like that?”
I looked at him, soaking in everything that was pure Ry. There was so much about him that had changed, his size, his build, the knowledge in his eyes, those lines when he smiled. But the boy I’d loved, the man I still did—was all still there.
“What were you thinking?” he repeated.
“That you were still mine,” I murmured with an unapologetic shrug, slamming the passenger door and striding inside.
Chapter 7
The next morning I started my shift at the day care.
“Morning, Piper,” my boss Joan called from the kitchen when I walked in. “Oh my God, what happened?” she exclaimed when she got a look at me.
Connie’s comment sprang to mind.
“A cat attacked me,” I replied, removing my jacket and hanging up my purse in preparation for the munchkin onslaught.
She winced. “Sorry to hear that. I’m a dog person myself,” she offered, with a smile.
“Me too,” I agreed wholeheartedly.
Joan ran the day care from her home, with the entire first story dedicated to the kids. The space was large and clean with a huge backyard. She’d been doing it for close to fifteen years.
Personally, having a day care in my home would drive me batshit crazy, but Joan seemed to enjoy it.
It wasn’t long before the first little ones started being dropped off, their parents on their way to work.
The organized chaos started soon after that, and I was grateful as always for the distraction.
I still felt Ryker’s lips on mine and found myself constantly daydreaming. It was lucky I made it through the day with how distracted I’d been.
“Dad?” I called when I walked into our quiet house later that evening. I was exhausted and the quiet and gloom of the space felt particularly heavy.
He didn’t answer even after I called again, and my anxiety kicked up a notch. Even in his darkest moods, he always offered up some sort of response, no matter how unintelligible it may be.
I sprinted up the steps, knocking softly on his bedroom door and cracking it open cautiously when he still didn’t answer.
My heart dropped when I found him lying in bed, his face so pale it was nearly gray. His arm was thrown over the side of the bed unnaturally. For a minute I thought he was dead, before I saw his chest lift with a shallow breath.
How long had he been like this?
“Dad,” I croaked, rushing to his side to take his pulse. It was slow—too slow—but there. The open pill containers on the side of the bed had me rushing to the phone to call 911.
I sat with him, stroking his hair back as I waited for help to arrive.
I rode in the back of the ambulance as the paramedics took his vitals and asked me details about his medication. I told them everything I knew, trying to stay calm and was glad I’d thought to bag up the pill containers by the side of his bed.
It all felt so surreal, as they rushed him down the linoleum hallway of the hospital, and a nurse guided me to a quiet waiting room.
The chaos of the last hour suddenly came to a screeching halt and I was left feeling like I’d been hit by a truck as I tried to get my bearings. The evening news was playing quietly on a TV in the corner as I glanced around to find several people with what I was sure were similar deer-in-headlights expressions as I wore.
An elderly man shot me a pained smile and I had to bite back tears from the kind gesture. Who knew what he was going through, and yet he still tried to boost my spirits in some small way.
When Jill walked in, it took me a moment in my dazed state to even place her.
“Piper,” she said quietly, crossing the room and kneeling down in front of me. Her dark eyes were concerned as she looked up at me.
“How did you know I was here?” I responded dumbly.
“I saw your name on your father’s chart. What happened?” she asked gently.
I fought against the lump in my throat and swallowed painfully. “I found him like that when I got home. He must have taken too many pills,” I croaked. “Will he be okay?” I was nearly afraid to ask.
She squeezed my knee. “I don’t have any details yet, but I’ll let you know as soon as I do,” she replied, offering the only assurance available just then.
“Okay,” I sighed, moving a shaking hand through my hair, my eyes widening in surprise as Ryker came striding into the room.
His green eyes landed on me with blistering intensity as he crossed the room to where I sat.
“How did you…? What?” I stammered, confused as I looked up at him.
“Jill called.”
I nodded numbly.
“I’ll find you as soon I know more.” Jill spoke up quickly, no doubt wanting to give us some space.
“Text me if you can’t find us,” Ry ordered over his shoulder as she left the room.
He squatted down in front of me in a similar position Jill had just been in. “How long have you been here?”
“I just got here,” I replied hoarsely. For some reason seeing Ry was making me lose the last vestiges of control, and I felt my eyes fill with tears.
“Baby.” His voice sounded pained as he dropped to his knees, embracing me. Even on his knees, he was still almost a head taller than me and I clung to him, my face pressed into his neck.
He just held me, uncaring of the fact that we weren’t alone. I breathed in the reassuring scent of his leather jacket, of his skin that smelled slightly spicy with a hint of something minty, all overlaying the best part, just pure Ry. I pulled away, wiping my eyes and trying to pull it together.
“Sorry,” I rasped, as he rose and took the seat beside me.
“Don’t be sorry. What happened?”
I shrugged, feeling despondent. “I don’t know if he tried to kill himself or if it was an accident, but he took too many pills.”
“Fuck,” he muttered, his hand reaching out for mine and clasping tight. “I�
�m sorry, Pipe.”
“Me too,” I agreed, taking a shaky breath. “Thank you for coming. You didn’t have to,” I added.
His gaze narrowed as he regarded me. “Yes. I. Did,” he replied through gritted teeth.
Okay then.
He took a deep breath as though he were trying to calm himself. “Pipe, your father is in the hospital. Why the fuck do you think I’d be anywhere else?” he demanded, reaching up to cup my face as his eyes bored into mine. “I want to be where you are.”
I looked back at him with wide eyes. “Oh,” I breathed, unable to come up with anything else.
“Yeah, oh,” he replied, pulling me so our foreheads were touching. “I’ve got you, okay?” he said quietly, his lips mere inches from mine.
I really had no idea what that meant, but based on his intense expression I figured it was probably best just to nod. So I did.
It wasn’t long before Ettie, Mack, Connie, Wes, and Axel came striding in. I was so moved by the gesture that I nearly fell apart all over again.
“What are you guys doing here?” I asked, rising to accept hugs from Connie and Ettie.
“Your dad’s in the hospital,” Ettie replied, as though I didn’t already know that.
“How you holdin’ up, Pipe?” Axel asked, his gray-eyed gaze concerned as he looked over at me.
“I’ll be better when I know what’s going on,” I replied.
“Jill will tell us something as soon as she can,” Ettie assured me, sitting on my left side.
I nodded, feeling overwhelmed and incredibly tired.
They stayed.
Other than Axel, who had to get home to Maddox and a pregnant Sophie, they stayed. I couldn’t believe it. I was so moved by the outpouring of friendship and support.
We waited for hours, during which Ryker never left my side. He never so much as dropped my hand.
When Jill walked in with a doctor by her side, I rose to my feet along with Ry.
“Miss Owens?” he asked, pushing his glasses farther up his nose.
Ryker (The Ride #4) Page 6