“You didn’t sleep with her, did you?”
Shit. Trust Trevor, the soldier, to go straight to the punch.
“I don’t really see how that’s any concern of yours.”
Silence greeted his dry response, and he glanced over at his cousins to see any humor gone from their expressions.
“You plan on calling her?” Tyson asked, his gaze unreadable now.
The hell they tried to run his life. “Yeah, Ty. I’ve called her every night. Sent her flowers and chocolates. Hell, thought I’d propose next week if that’s all right with you guys.”
No laugh, not even a twitching mouth.
He shook his head. “Look, maybe you all are happily shackled now, but I’ve got no interest in doing the same. And in case you forgot who her brother is—”
“We didn’t forget,” Trevor said flatly. “And the minute you realized who she was, you should’ve sent her home.”
“I wanted her.”
Tyson shook his head. “Maybe you wanted revenge.”
“You have no idea what the hell I was thinking.” Sweat broke out on the back of his neck, because his cousin was pretty damn close to the truth.
“Ciara is a nice girl,” Tyson said tersely. “Look we all wanted to kick Daschmoore’s ass when he fucked with Anna. But Ciara is not her brother. She had nothing to do with what he did.”
“You think I don’t know that?” Then why the fuck did he feel like such a bastard right now? “Look, we had one night together. It wouldn’t have mattered if it were Ciara or any other girl. You know I’m not looking for long term.”
Trevor harrumphed. “Yeah, you and Todd used to love using that phrase. Look at him now.”
“Oh you guys don’t quit.” Ryan gave a sharp laugh and shook his head. “You know, I’m too tired for this. I’m going to head out seeing as I’ve got to work early in the morning.”
His cousins both stood.
“No problem.” Trevor gave him a hard slap on the back. “Be careful, Ryan. I hear there’s a helluva summer storm rolling in tomorrow.”
Ryan shoved his phone back into his pocket. “I’m always careful.”
“We don’t mean to come down so hard on you, cuz,” Tyson hesitated, “but you’re better than this. You know you are. You may be a bit of a notorious flirt, but you don’t set out to break a girl’s heart. Don’t see a reason to start now.”
Not even about to reply to that, Ryan nodded. “We’ll reschedule the beer.”
Ciara turned off the television and crossed the room to where her cell phone was charging.
Even though she knew it was pointless, she checked again to see if she’d missed any calls.
Nothing.
Three days, and not even so much as a half-assed text message from Ryan.
She’d already been smarting from Lance’s blatant rejection of her. That lunch had left a lump the size of Texas in her throat, and more than anything she’d wanted to return to Ryan and seek the comfort she knew she’d find in his arms.
Only he hadn’t called, and Ciara couldn’t exactly call him since he hadn’t given her his number. Why that hadn’t registered at the time God only knew—it should’ve been a big warning sign.
Stupid. She’d been so freaking stupid to expect anything else but getting blown off. Going to bed with a guy she barely knew after a few hours?
She’d come to Wyattville and become Easyville.
Her heart pinched and she bit her lip. Ryan had officially become her very first one-night stand. It wasn’t exactly a bucket list item, but oh well.
The nurses back at the hospital loved to tease her about how naïve she was at times. She’d sure earned that badge on this trip.
Ciara set her phone back down and paced the living room of the rental house she’d been in since last week.
This was supposed to be a vacation. Granted, a vacation where she’d sought to reconnect with her half-brother, but she’d hoped to combine the two.
It was Wednesday and she’d booked the rental another four days. It was charming, just a few blocks from the beach. There really was no reason she couldn’t just try to enjoy herself and relax.
But as lovely as Wyattville was, the idea of sticking around a town that Ryan might show up in again left her stomach churning.
She paused in front of the window and glanced out at the view. Through the cluster of trees off in the distance she could see the Pacific Ocean whipping itself up into a frenzy. It’d gotten crazy windy in the last hour, and looked like a storm was rolling in.
Not exactly good weather to drive home to Idaho in.
So she’d leave tomorrow. She’d spend one last night here, wallowing in her own self-pity, and then leave first thing in the morning if the weather cleared.
Because Wyattville wasn’t quite as charming now that she knew the founder’s descendant was a womanizing asshole.
Chapter Seven
Ryan glanced out the window of the Coast Guard station and stared out at the ocean. The storm outside was full on raging. It was dangerous. Unpredictable. Kind of like his own mood.
It wouldn’t be long before a call came in. They inevitably did on days like this. He was mid-conversation with the Chief when the alarm sounded, followed by the familiar crackle of the station’s PA system.
“Now put the ready Helo on the line. Put the ready Helo on the line. There is a 28-foot pleasure craft taking on water eight miles southeast from Lincoln inlet. Three crew, one is a minor. Now put the ready Helo on the line. Put the ready Helo on the line.”
A short time later he sat in the chopper, staring out at the disappearing shoreline as they flew low over the Pacific—just out of reach from the turbulent ocean swells.
His focus was mostly with the vessel holding a small family that was taking on water. But every once in awhile, under the hypnotic whoop whoop of helicopter blades, Tyson’s words from last night slipped through his mind.
You don’t set out to break their hearts.
The guilt over Ciara was almost a distraction to the tightness in his gut over the upcoming rescue. Almost.
They were almost out to location. Fuck, it was always so much harder when children were involved. But you couldn’t think that way. You couldn’t let it debilitate you or compromise your ability to do your job.
“Sinking vessel up ahead.”
Ryan blinked at the pilot’s words and prepared himself.
All eyes were focused and searching the ocean. Ryan spotted the child first. Wearing a life jacket, waving anxiously and bobbing in the swells. He slid his gaze around to search for the other victims, and spotted one who seemed to be attempting to climb back into the sinking vessel.
What the fuck? Get your ass away from the sinking boat.
There was no sign of the third victim.
Ryan positioned the sling around him to ready for descent. The cabin door opened and a second later the flight mechanic began to lower him out of the helicopter.
“Swimmer going down!”
While going down he studied the waves, concentrating on direction and keeping his eyes on the targets just ahead of him.
Ryan mentally said a quick prayer. A second later he hit the water and unhooked himself from the harness, then began cutting through the water toward the victims.
Another gust of wind rocked the small house and Ciara flinched, tightening her grip on the mug of tea she was drinking.
The storm seemed to just be getting worse. Which was still a little shocking after how great the weather had been yesterday.
Rain would slam into the window with each wind gust, making her grateful for the small fire she’d built. Who would’ve thought she’d need the fireplace in the middle of summer?
For a moment she was almost convinced the sharp pounding at the front door was part of the storm. Then she snapped out of her daze and rose to her feet.
The only person who knew where she was staying was Kate. And right now Kate should be up to her eyeballs in piña coladas an
d honeymoon sex.
She approached the door warily and glanced through the peephole.
Even with his back to the door and hands shoved into his jeans pockets, she knew it was Ryan.
If she were smart she’d walk back to the couch and ignore him, but part of her wanted to hear his explanation. As if there could possibly be an explanation.
You’re a grown woman, Ciara, you can face your unintentional one-night stand.
She straightened her spine and opened the door.
“You’re kind of ruining the fuck and run concept by showing up here, you know.”
And that was real mature. Damn she should’ve planned a better greeting.
Ryan turned around and her anger died rapidly. His face was pale and there was a glint of torment in his eyes he probably wasn’t even aware of.
“Can I come in?”
Her pulse quickened, but it wasn’t because of the man in front of her this time. It was the sudden and powerful sense of emotional pain radiating off him.
“Of course.” She stepped back and gestured him in from the powerful wind and stinging rain.
He hadn’t even worn a coat, and wearing just a t-shirt left his forearms bare and coated with rain.
“Ryan, what’s wrong?”
“You’re renting the same place Ellie did.” His gaze slid around the interior of the house. “She rented it to hide when she was supposed to testify on a trial. That’s how she met Tyson, you know.”
Ciara frowned. She only had a small amount of information on the Wyatt brothers and how they’d all met their wives—Kate had filled her in that day at the salon. But she was pretty sure that no matter how fascinating their stories were, Ryan hadn’t come here today to discuss his cousins’ love life.
“Okay...” she wasn’t quite sure how to even reply to that. But she did know Ryan was upset. Struggling with something.
“Let me get you a drink.” She turned away, but he caught her hand and pulled her back.
“I don’t need a drink,” he said thickly. “I...fuck, I just need you right now, Ciara.”
Tension took over her muscles and she shook her head. “You can’t do that. You can’t just come back because you’ve decided you want to get laid—”
“I couldn’t save them.”
She stilled. “What?”
“We got called out to a vessel taking on water and going under. A couple parents and their kid had gone out fishing and hadn’t checked the weather report.”
“Oh my god.”
“We got the kid, but the husband ignored my instructions and went after his wife who for some reason was still on the boat.” He shook his head and his fingers tightened around her wrist. “It went under before I could reach them.”
The visual made her stomach clench and brought tears to her eyes.
“It’s not the first time I’ve dealt with death on the job. But to know that nine-year-old just lost both his parents—”
“I’m so sorry, Ryan.” She wrapped her arms around him, burying her face against his chest. “So sorry.”
He clung to her, nuzzling the top of her head.
“I know I have no right to be here today. I started to drive to Tyson’s, but I couldn’t do it. I needed to see you. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you.”
Emotion gathered thick in her throat and there were doubts, but she shoved them aside when Ryan’s mouth found hers.
There was desperation in his kiss, a blatant plea for distraction, but she couldn’t think about that right now. He’d sought her out when he was hurting, surely that meant something?
And if he’d been thinking about her, maybe he’d just been too busy to call?
Fool me once...
She silenced the warning voice in her head and clung to him, kissing him back fervently.
She didn’t try to stop him as he walked her backward into living room and toppled them both onto the couch.
Cool air hit her thighs as he shoved her cotton sundress over her hips. He maneuvered his fingers beneath her panties and delved past the damp folds of her sex.
Ciara cried out, her hips bucking against him as he brought her to a quick, powerful release.
But even when she came, he wasn’t done. Ryan ripped her panties off her body and then slid off the couch to his knees. He draped her legs over her shoulders and a second later his mouth claimed the most intimate part of her.
Hot thick pleasure raced through her veins as he tasted her. She gripped his hair and rode his tongue, not stifling her moans of pleasure.
She came harder this time. Trembling and mind spinning. Vaguely she became aware of him rising to his knees and the hiss of his jeans unzipping.
With her legs still over his shoulder, he thrust deep into her. Ciara reached behind her, gripping the back of the couch as he plunged again and again inside her.
Her world became his, where she became aware only the feel of him, scent of him, and the guttural sounds he made while he took her.
When she fell off the cliff of pleasure he was with her. And it was so much more intense. Mind-blowing. It was only when he pulled out of her did she realize why.
“Fuck,” he muttered, lowering her legs back to the ground and lowering his head to her breast. “I didn’t...”
“Use a condom. I know.” She closed her eyes. Her heart had yet to slowdown.
Somehow, she managed to do the math in her head. “I just finished my period a few days before the wedding. I should be okay.”
“I’m clean, Ciara. I can show you my last test results—”
“Me too.” A shiver of unease ran through her. She never had sex without a condom. She knew the risks that came along with it—pregnancy and disease wise. “That can’t happen again, though.”
“It won’t.” He moved to the couch beside her and cupped the side of her face, before brushing a soft kiss over her lips. “I’m sorry. I can’t seem to think straight around you. It’s so hard to go slow...”
Her heart gave a little flip. “We just need to have sex a dozen times or so and then the novelty will wear off.”
That is if you call this time.
“Sounds like a plan to me.”
His mouth twitched into a slight smile, but there was still a heaviness in his gaze. Even quick sex on the couch probably hadn’t distracted him completely from the horrors of his day.
“Can I stay here tonight, Ciara?”
“I think I’d hate you a little if you didn’t,” she admitted and trailed a finger gently over his mouth. “Have you eaten dinner?”
He sighed. “I haven’t been able to eat.”
“You should try. Let me cook you something.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I realize that. But I want to.” She slid out from beneath him. “Lay down and try to relax for awhile. You can watch a movie or something.”
Anything to take your mind off of what happened today. As she cooked up some ground turkey to make spaghetti, she glanced out the kitchen window at the water. Another chill slid through her. The ocean had turned violent in the storm.
How did the Coast Guard even conduct a rescue in these conditions? She wanted to ask, but wasn’t about to bring it up now.
She heard the television running in the other room and hoped Ryan had managed to distract himself.
What must that be like? Going out into such a powerful storm knowing you were responsible for trying to save a life? Or multiple lives?
The images occupied her mind as she continued whipping up dinner. Ten minutes later she set the pasta to boil and then turned down the heat on the spaghetti sauce to simmer.
Ciara wiped her hands on a towel, before going into the living room to check on Ryan.
He was stretched out on the couch, facing the television, and fast asleep.
Her heart softened and her stomach did a little flip. For a man who seemed so solid and invincible, he seemed plagued with demons in his sleep.
She reached be
yond him for the remote and turned off the television, then made her way to the old desktop computer in the corner.
The thing was a dinosaur and ran epically slow, but it would still help her figure out just what the heck a rescue swimmer in the Coast Guard did. Wasn’t that what Ryan had said he did?
After a short time watching videos and researching informational sites, she held a whole new respect for him. And fear for his life.
Chapter Eight
The smell of food woke him. Something with garlic and tomato... Spaghetti sauce?
Ryan sat up and rubbed the back of his neck. How long had he been out? And where was Ciara?
He glanced around and spotted her working on the computer in the corner.
It should’ve been odd that seeing her immediately eased some of the tension in his muscles. Why Ciara had been the only person he’d wanted to see after today was a bit troubling.
Or was it?
Why was he fighting it so hard? Why was he trying to push away the best thing that had ever happened to him? Simply because of who her brother was?
Ryan unfurled his body from the couch and walked over to her.
“What are you doing?”
Ciara let out a surprised yelp, and twisted around to see him. Her brows were drawn together and her eyes held a flicker of worry.
“Realizing just how dangerous your job is.”
Ah, so she’d figured it out. His lips twisted slightly and he shrugged. “There’re a lot of dangerous jobs, darlin’. I’m a lot like you. We’re both in the business of saving lives.”
“Yeah but I do it from the safety of an ICU ward.”
He slid his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him. “What exactly did you think a rescue swimmer did?”
“I don’t know,” she muttered. “You said Coast Guard and I figured you were like a glorified lifeguard or something—not someone who jumps out of helicopters into twenty foot ocean swells.”
There was genuine concern in her gaze, not the gleam of fascination he’d grown accustomed to seeing in the women he dated.
“We also do cliff rescues and medical evacuations. I’m not always jumping out of helos into storms. We wear many hats, Ciara. Like when Katrina hit. I was sent down to New Orleans to help out.”
Love Me Knot Page 4