by Mandy Bee
When I hear sniffles, I turn to see all my friends standing behind me crying. At least I’m not the only one Riker made cry. I can’t help but laugh through my tears as I watch all of them wipe their eyes.
“If you don’t marry him soon I’m gonna fight you for him.” Gigi says causing us all of them to bust out laughing.
“I don’t think Greg would like that.” Porsha says to her. Wait what?
Gigi punches her sister and before I can ask what that was about Riker pulls me back to him and kisses me silly.
“I hate that I have to go to work.” He complains after he releases my now bruised lips. “I’ll pick up something special for dinner. See you at home, love.” With one last kiss he makes his way through my crazy friends who are both awing and hooting at us.
Trying to get the spot light off of me I tell them that Greg had the office clean for us so we didn’t need to do anything but jump right back into our projects. I asked to speak to Gigi and Missy for a few minutes in that back. They both followed me to the back office.
“I need help.” I tell them. “Gigi, I know you are good at making jewelry but you’re better at the books. I also need you to take over the payroll. I want to get back to doing what I love, designing and making the jewelry. I’ll put you on as full time but you would be our office manager, and would no longer be working on the jewelry. Is that ok?”
“Hell, yeah.” She cheers. “Those pliers were causing blisters on my hands.” She shows me her ruffed-up hands. My hands have a thick layer of hard skin from using my tools so much over the years that I don’t get those blisters anymore. But oh, I remember them well. They can be very painful.
“Sis, you already do the promotions, but I need you to take over the website work too. Also, I’ll be showing you how to do some of the ordering, so you can help me out there too. I’ll continue doing the order sheets each morning, but I need you two to take the rest off my plate, so I can relax a little more. Is that ok?”
“I’m so proud of you Darcy.” Missy walks over and hugs me. “I’ve been begging you for a year now I let us help you. So of course, I’m happy to do whatever you need me too.”
“Me too,” Gigi says. “moving back here was a hard decision for Porsha and I. But getting to be here for mom, and getting to work with y’all again, it shows we made the right choice coming home.”
None of us knew the real reason Gigi and Porsha moved back home until last week. Heather’s aunt, Gigi and Porsha’s mom, was diagnosed with breast cancer. The doctors are doing all they can, but nothing is helping.
Missy and Gigi worked with me for the next few hours. I showed them everything I needed them to do. When they kicked me out of the back office claiming it to be their space now I couldn’t help but laugh at them. They even made me move my laptop to my jewelry desk.
Before I start on my work I pulled Porsha aside and offered her the choice of staying part time or working full time for us. Gigi taking over the office work meant we were losing a worker out here. But if Porsha would move to full time we shouldn’t have to hire anyone else just yet. She would still be making multiples of our current designs, but I could have some of the others help her out when they were between projects. Porsha gladly agreed to switch to full time and was thrilled Gigi was going be the new office manager.
During lunch both Heather and Kristy showed me two new sets of earrings they had made while we were all out of the office. Most of us had our own supplies at home and would play around when we felt like it. Both sets were really beautiful, and I had Missy photograph them and upload them to the website, making sure to put Heather and Kristy’s name as designer on each piece. I’ll never take credit for work that isn’t mine. All of the girls have designer credits on our site.
The day passed quickly and before I knew it I had six new necklaces sketched out and one bracelet already put together. When I saw that it was just after six I knew Riker would be home, probably cooking dinner. He has never once complained about my long hours at work. He’s told me many times that he loves how passionate I am about my work.
Everyone is a little shocked when I told Demon I was ready to go. Most of us don’t even start packing up until around seven but I’m ready to go home and see Riker. Missy was the first to tease me about this. Saying I was rushing home to get some loving. Yeah, that’s not in the cards anytime soon but I can’t lie and say I’m not looking forward to one day being with him that way. But that day is still along way out.
As soon as I walk in the door a mouth watering aroma hits me. Whatever he is cooking smells heavenly.
“Riker, I’m home.” I call out to him.
“I’m in the kitchen. Paul’s here too.” I’m a little crushed that his brother is here. I was hoping it would just be us tonight. I try not to show my disappointment as I walk into the kitchen.
Riker is at the stove stirring something that looks like a stew. Paul is slicing what looks to be homemade bread. But there’s another man with them. One I’ve never met before.
He looks like one of those badass bikers you see on TV. Tight black t-shirt, black jeans, black boots, his hair is clean on the side but long and flopped over on the top. His eyes are steel grey. His whole persona screams ‘I’m a badass’ but yet I don’t get a scary vibe from him.
“Darcy?” I hear Riker from beside me. “You ok?” I nod but can’t take my eyes off of this mystery guy. “That’s Easton. He’s going to be one of your new bodyguards.” Riker tells me.
“What about Demon?” I ask, still not looking away from Easton.
“He’ll still be your main guard, but I’ll take over when he needs a break.” Easton explains. His voice is so low and deep is almost chilling. He pushes away from the counter top and walks over to me. “It’s nice to meet you Darcy. Riker and Greg have caught me up on everything that has been going on. You have my word I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe when you’re with me.”
“Thank you.” I mutter. “Hope they were more for coming with you then they have been with me.” I send Riker and playful glare.
“Don’t start.” Riker growls. “Paul made one of your favorites. Venison stew with homemade sourdough bread.”
“Paul you are my hero. That sounds amazing.” I thank him as I go over to the stove to taste the stew. It’s as good as I remember. Paul brought this to us at the cabin and I fell in love with it. Venison, or deer meat, is a staple around here. All wild game is.
“It’s no big deal. The boss lady is having one of her bitch fits and we can no longer serve it at the restaurant unless the meat is from a distributor. Locals have been bringing us meat for years and all of a sudden she wants to put a stop to it. We pay half of what we would to any distributor, but something crawled up her ass and now half our menu has to be redone.” I’m shocked not only by his words but by his tone. Granted I’ve only been around Paul a handful of times, but he has always been so laid back. Right now, he is fuming mad. His boss has really pissed him off.
“It will come back to bite her in the ass bro, don’t worry about it. After a few weeks of low sales and high ordering costs she’ll see the light.” Riker reassures his brother.
“Well, if she doesn’t get off my back soon she’ll be looking for a new head chef.” Paul sighs has he cuts the last piece of bread. “Greg’s been trying to talk me into opening my own place. Problem is I prefer to be in the kitchen. I don’t want to deal with the paperwork and all the headaches that come along with it.”
“I told you to call Luke. You two would be perfect partners.” Riker says.
“Luke? But he’s a UPS driver.” I ask as Riker smirks at me.
“Yeah, he is, but the guy has a master’s in business management, and a BA in public relations. He started working for UPS in college and after graduating he just never looked for another job. His degrees are going to waste.”
“Wow, that’s awful.” I look over at Paul. “If your boss is such a pain then maybe you should call Luke.”
Pa
ul mumbles that he’d think about it but I’m not sure he actually will. I hate that he’s unhappy at his job right now. He’s such a sweet guy. I wish there was something I could do to help him.
We asked Easton to stay and eat with us, but he said he had some things he needed to get done tonight. Paul didn’t stay for dinner either, he claimed he had plans, but I could tell he was just leaving so Riker and I could be alone.
All through dinner we kept the conversation light. It wasn’t until after we were curled up on the couch getting ready to watch some TV that Riker brought up what happened this morning.
“I hope you know I was serious about what I said today.” He tells me.
I don’t even pretend to act like I don’t know what he is talking about. “I know you were, I was too.” I look him in the eyes. “I do love you Riker, but there are going to be things between us that we are going to have to take very slowly.” Taking a deep breath, I decide not to hold back my fears from him. “After what Bradley did to me, even though I don’t remember it, I stopped wanting to be with a man sexually. Before that I had been with a few guys, one-night stands, but I always hated myself the next day. If you want the full truth, I’ve only gone out with three guys, and they got one date each. I just didn’t connect with any of them. Then Bradley happened, and I shoved all men aside. I focused on my business and didn’t waste time looking for a guy who wouldn’t understand that having sex would be hard for me. Just the shear thought of being that intimate with a man scares me to death. Please know that with you its different.” I try to assure him. “The want is there, the feelings are there, but the fear is there also. Whether that will go away or not I don’t know. But please know that it has nothing to do with how I feel for you because I know I do love you, but sex may take some time.”
I don’t know how I expected him to react, but smile was not at the top of the list. But that’s what he does, he gives me a breathtakingly beautiful smile. Without words he tells me how he feels. As he deeply kisses me his hands roam all over me. From my hair to my arms to my hips. Touching me in areas that shouldn’t be arousing but his gentle touch is setting me on fire.
Minutes, hours, or even days could have gone by and his kiss wouldn’t have been long enough. When he pulls back I don’t even try to hide my pout.
“When I told you, I loved you it had nothing to do with sex.” I give him a questioning look. “Oh, trust me I would love nothing more than to have you under me. For me to show you in the most primal way how much you’re mine and I’m yours. But I knew as soon as I found out what that asshole did to you that sex wasn’t in the cards for us, just yet. One day, we’ll get there. But for now, us being us is all I need.”
For the second time today, I melt at his words. I was wrong about him in everyway. He’s proven to me bullies can change and people can grow up. No more words are needed tonight. I cuddle closer to him and lay my head on his chest. He turned on the Game Show Network and we watched reruns of Family Feud. I lasted only three episodes before I fell asleep on top of Riker.
Chapter Fifteen
Waking up with an extreme hangover is never good. Waking up with an extreme hangover knowing you didn’t drink the night before is terrifying. My head is pounding, my body feels like I’ve been run over by a truck, and my mouth feels like a cotton ball.
I slowly open my eyes. The room is dark, so that means it’s still night out. I’m still in the living room but I’m alone now. The only light on is the one in the hallway, everything else is dark. I try to move but my muscles scream in pain. I groan and rest my head back down on the arm of the couch. I hear footsteps coming towards me from the kitchen.
“Riker?” I choke out. My mouth is so dry. I close my eyes and try to take a deep breath.
I feel someone come up beside me and kneel down. Cold finger run down my cheek and I know right away it’s not Riker. I try to jerk away but the pain is too bad.
A loud ringing has whoever it is pushing away from the couch and walking away. I know something is wrong. I know I need to try and move and getaway, but I can’t. So, I steady my breathing and try to take in everything I can.
“She’s waking up. What the hell did you make me give her? She’s acting like she’s been beaten to death.” I hear the man say. He’s sounds like he is right between the kitchen and the living room. I’m not having to strain to hear him and he’s not yelling. “I don’t care. I’ve done my part now let my family go!” Ok, now he’s yelling. His voice is starting to sound more familiar. “Look, I’ve drugged one of my best friends and his girlfriend. I tied Riker up and locked him in the storage unit downstairs. What more do you want?”
Oh, no. Riker! My heart starts racing. I quickly try to calm myself, so I don’t miss out on anything else that is said.
“We don’t have another hour damn it! Greg has already texted Riker’s phone three times. Knowing him he’ll check the security feeds first then storm over here to check on his brother. I blacked out the feed but knowing Greg that will send him rushing over here even faster.”
Oh shit. I know this voice now. It’s James! He has to be talking to Bradley. He said he had done his part and to let his family go. Does that mean Bradley kidnapped James’s wife and kids? Is Bradley on his way here? Is he going to kill me this time? Is he going to kill Riker?
Before I can get the thoughts in my head to slow down the alarm starts going off. All the lights come on. I squeeze my eyes shut tighter because the lights are killing my headache. I hear James scream into the phone that it was too late then I hear something break. Like he threw the phone at the wall and it shattered.
He’s beside me again. His cold hand cups my cheek. “Darcy, please know I didn’t want to do it. He has my family. I had no choice.” Oddly after his confession he lays a blanket over me then I hear the door open and slam shut.
I try again to move. I push myself into a sitting position. It takes everything I have not to fall back down onto the couch. I look around as the alarm continues to blare loudly. It’s killing my head, but I have to find away out of here. I see my bag on the floor by the door. Knowing my phone is still in there since I don’t usually look at it unless I hear it go off, and don’t plug it in until I go to bed, I try to stand to go get it. Bad move. I fall straight to the floor. Well, if I can’t walk over then I’ll crawl over.
Inch by inch I crawl over to the door. Trying my best to ignore the pain shooting through my body. I’m almost within reach when the front door swings open.
“Darcy!” I look up praying to see Greg but it’s Luke. What the hell?
“Help me.” I barely get the words out before he lifts me off the ground and starts running. When I feel the cold night air I grab onto his shoulders the best I can and dig my nails into him. “Riker.” I whisper his name.
“Easton went to get him. They are going to meet us at the hospital.” I sag in his arm in relief. “Just rest Darcy, I’ve got you.” Luke says softly. I close my eyes and let the darkness over take me.
***
Beep
Beep
Beep
Where the hell is that beeping sound coming from? I go to turn over but strong hands on my shoulders stop me.
“Don’t try to move around too much.” I hear someone say.
I have to blink a few times before I can fully open my eyes. When I finally realize where I am, a hospital room, I start freaking out, and the beeping sounds gets louder and louder.
The door to the room flies open and a nurse wearing hot pink scrubs rushes in.
“I said you could stay with her, I didn’t say you could upset her!” She snaps at Luke.
“Calm down Lynn, she just woke up and started freaking out.” Luke defends himself.
“Darcy, sweetie, I need you take a few deep breaths for me a calm down.” Lynn tells me. I do my best to take a deep breath, but my mouth still feels like cotton.
I slowly lift my hand to point at my mouth, but Lynn is two steps ahead of me. She pours me a glass of wate
r from the pitcher by my bed, pops a straw in the glass and gently holds it to my lips.
“Small sips, if you drink too fast you’ll get sick.” She says kindly.
I take several small sips then turn my head, pushing the straw out of my mouth. I look over at Luke. “Riker?” I ask him.
“He’s in surgery. When he woke up in the storage unit he tried to break out but ended up breaking his collar bone. He was drugged, just like you, and wasn’t fully alert. When he tried to use his shoulder to force the door open he ended up hitting the brick wall beside the door instead of the door itself. Luckily, Easton got to him not long after that and was able to get him to the hospital.” Luke moves closer to my bed, taking my hand in his, he gives it a little squeeze. “What do you remember Darcy?”
“No, Luke, it’s too soon. She needs to rest first.” Lynn snaps at him again.
“Damn it woman, don’t you understand what is going on?” Luke growls at her.
“Yes, I do. But my job is to protect my patient.”
I look back and forth between them. It’s obvious they know each other. What else is also obvious is the sexual tension between them. The longer they stare at each other the more awkward I feel. I fake a cough. This causes Lynn to go back into nurse mode. She starts taking my vitals and asks if I’m in much pain. I’m sore but not really in pain. She tells me they gave me a big shot not long after I was got here. When I asked how long I’d been here I was surprised to when she said just a little under two hours.
“Where is everyone else?” I ask Luke.
“Most of them are in the waiting room. Demon and Easton are helping the police track down Bradley. Last we heard they had caught a break but wouldn’t tell us what it was.” Just hearing Bradley’s name sends chills down my back.
“James was talking to him I think.” I mutter.