Chapter 21
Ryker
I walk into The Bean after finishing at The Centre, and I falter in my step. Sitting to the left of the front counter is Kat. Shit, she looks good. She’s sitting facing me, but she’s completely oblivious to anything but her laptop right now. She’s wearing her hair in a high bun and barely a trace of makeup; I like it. All I want to do is go over and rub my face along her neck and collarbone, because I remember how sweet she smells. After placing my order, I decide, fuck it, I’m going to talk to her, especially after the way she stared at me today in the library. I know she’s just as interested as I am, and from our last few encounters, I’m hoping she’s sensing I am, too. I’ve been exercising self-control, proving to myself that I can talk to her after all, but not get too tangled up with her to the point where I loose myself, not that I think Kat would let me anyway. Kat is unlike any woman I’ve known; she’s too caring and compassionate to intentionally hurt anyone.
As soon as she looks up and notices me, I know she’s happy to see me. Her eyes light up and her breath hitches. Yeah, baby, you take my breath away, too.
She smiles and we begin talking about Jacob and the other boys and teaching. Kat’s genuinely interested in The Centre, we chat about it for a bit, and before I can think twice about it or stop myself, I suggest she volunteer. What did I just do? We really could use the extra hands. And I can’t help it if I’d like to see Kat around more, even if I think I need to keep her at arm’s length. Jesus, what is this girl doing to me?
As soon as Kat tells me she’s struggling with math, I’m relieved. Here is my chance to spend some time with her and practice keeping things cool. Thank fuck I’m a virtual math prodigy and Kat just gave me the in I was hoping for, allowing me to spend some time with just her and I, giving me more insight.
I’m all yours? Holy shit, I sound like a pussy saying that to her. My comment doesn’t seem to faze her, though, I sit and take a look at her work.
I did have plans tonight. Of course I did. But as soon as Kat was in my sight, I willingly cancelled. When I programmed her number in my phone, I shot a text message to Grace, cancelling. Honestly, I don’t know who I’m trying to kid here, there hasn’t been anyone since Kat came into my life. I like to think I would’ve hooked up with Grace, but I think, deep down, I know better. Kat is who I want, and I’d rather be right here with her, getting to know her better.
“Wow, Ryker, you’re a genius,” Kat says, all excited, leaning in and grabbing my arm, thanking me. “How I can ever repay you?” She smiles, leaning in closer to me and I swear to all that’s good that all I can think about are all the different dirty ways she could give me as payback. “I can’t believe how easy you made that! And here I’ve been thinking you hated me,” Kat almost whispers, breaking me out of my sexually-induced thoughts.
“What? Why?” I ask, trying to play dumb. I know I’ve been a dick and I need to make it up to her, big time.
“Oh, please, Ryker.” She rolls her eyes, but I don’t care because all I think in that moment is how my name falling from those pouty lips is a huge fucking turn on.
“I mean, after all of the crazy runs-ins we’ve had, you can’t really tell me things aren’t always awkward between us.” She laughs it off as if it’s nothing. “I mean, you growl at me and make me feel useless. Then I get bitchy thinking how crazy you drive me.” She giggles and it’s such a sweet sound.
“Kat,” I command her attention a little harsher than I intend, “the last thing I do is hate you. I—” The sound of my phone blaring interrupts. “Damn it, sorry, Kat, gimme a sec; it’s my brother.” I answer it only because it’s Levi; I’m not sure why I wanted Kat to know this information, as well.
“Shit, I’m sorry, Kat. I gotta go,” I tell her unhappily, getting out of the chair. “I guess Luke needed to bolt, Levi needs me to come in and close tonight. We’ll finish this conversation soon, baby,” I say, rubbing her cheek with my index finger. Fuck, she’s soft.
With that, I leave Kat right in the middle of a conversation that I’d been wanting to explore, in spite of myself.
Chapter 22
Kat
Claire and Matt have become quite the item since the night they met at the bar. I should know because they are always here.
Heaven forbid they go to his place. No. Apparently, Matt’s roommates, unlike us girls, are slobs and way too obnoxious to be around when they want alone time. Luckily for us girls, we get to watch the lovebirds go at it.
Claire and Matt are here almost every day. Well, except the days she works, that is. But sure enough, every day after I get home from either work or school, lo and behold, Claire and Matt are either going at it in the living room or can be heard from her room. Not that I really mind, though—well, other than the constant PDAs. I could do with a lot less of those—Matt is a super great guy. And on top of being very easy on the eyes, his best attribute is that he makes Claire happy. Very happy, from what I have seen and heard thus far, which is all that really matters.
The one major benefit for me, though, is that Matt loves to cook, which is just fine with me because cooking is not my forte at all. I’m a Lean Cuisine girl most nights, therefore Matty’s culinary skills are always welcome.
Ever since The Beaver and Bulldog, Matt has jumped on Claire’s bandwagon, and both of them are now being pains in my ass about me getting laid. Claire and Matt have decided that, “Any girl who dances like that is essentially screaming, I need to get laid.”
I’ve told them both they’re crazy and that is absolutely not the case at all, not wanting to admit how right they actually are. But I know Claire is on to me. And she knows I still want Ryker; she hints at it by dropping Ryker comments here and there when we’re alone. At least she knows better than to mention him around anyone else. Still, it doesn’t matter whether she knows my truth or not; I simply deny, deny, deny. “Guys, for real, I don’t need your help. I’m more than capable of meeting someone on my own. You really just need to mind your own business. The last thing I need is for you two,” I point to them both, “to embarrass me every time we go out. I don’t need a pity party.”
The three of us are in the kitchen cooking pasta, and rather than talk about my love life—or lack thereof—I’d like to focus on eating. Dinner smells really good and I’m starving.
“Sorry, Kitty Kat, but you absolutely need a life outside of the library and work,” Claire says, grabbing Matt by the waist, a smug smile on her face. “Matt and I,” she smiles up at him, “we’ve decided we’re implementing Operation: Kat Needs a Man,” she belts out like it’s no big deal, before leaving Matt’s side to grab plates and cutlery from the cupboard. “We are going to help find you a perfect specimen with who you may fuck your brains out, m’lady. It will be amazing, just wait and see.” She beams and I can’t fathom if she is serious. You have got to be kidding me.
“Actually, Kat,” Matt offers his two cents while serving us each a huge bowl of spaghetti, “I think I have the perfect guy. His name is Jay. He’s one of my roommates. I really think the two of you will hit it off. And the best part, we live close, it’s the perfect booty call situation…if that’s all you’re looking for. I’m sure he’d be down with dating, too, if that’s more what you’re after.” Are these two kidding me right now?
“Please, guys, listen to me again. I’m good. I can find a guy on my own if I really want. Believe me. I do know how to socialize. The way you’re talking is as if I’m some old crazy cat lady who needs an intervention and a makeover. So, please, let it be. No hook-up help. I got this.” I spend the rest of dinner drinking a few glasses of wine, eating, and listening to these two go on and on about stuff I can’t even remember.
I’m used to Claire being all up in my business, but her boyfriend? Oh, heck no. However, Claire allowing Matt in on her assault only makes me smile, because it shows me that Claire is serious about this one.
Chapter 23
Ryker
“Okay, Levi, yeah. Will
do, brother,” I say, holding my cell phone to my ear. I’m trying to listen to him as well as the TV, with its continuous coverage of the major rain storm that has hit the area tonight.
“Yes, most of them are gone. I sent all the customers home, too. No, man, they were cool about it. Really, we weren’t all that busy. Most people knew we were getting this, I guess.” I jot shit down on a list of things he wants me to check before I lock up, but I’m distracted—Kat is standing by the door. It’s just her and me left here tonight. I didn’t want to tell Levi that; he’d only lecture me. I wasn’t supposed to be here myself tonight, but Luke called in sick and Levi had a date, so, of course, Levi called me. Truth is, I didn’t mind at all. It meant I’d get to work with Kat.
After I hang up the phone, I decide to go talk to her. We haven’t really spoken all night, but we’ve spent a lot of time staring at each other, that’s for damn sure. Ever since that day at the coffee shop, I feel like we’ve made progress. I think we’re both afraid of whatever this may be between us.
“Shit, come on, Claire, text me back. Answer your damn phone. Where the hell are you?” Kat is muttering aloud to herself as I approach. Just as I’m about to ask if she’s okay, there is a huge crack of thunder in the distance. She jumps a mile high and I laugh at her.
“Scare much?” I say as she startles again at my proximity. “Jesus, Ryker, I didn’t see you there. Yes, oh my God, that totally scared me. I hate these kinds of storms; I always have.” She looks down at her phone again.
“Everything okay, baby?” I ask her, moving close by her side to look out the window as the storm moves in closer. “No…yes, yeah, I guess. I’ve been trying to get in touch with Claire for the last hour since we closed up early. My car wouldn’t start, she drove me in; she’s supposed to pick me up later, too. I can’t get a hold of her now, though, to tell her to come get me. She isn’t supposed to be here for another few hours.”
“You should have called me, Kat. Me, you should have called me. You have my number. Remember, I said if you ever need anything, you should call, and I meant it,” I say, brushing her hand as the a few bolts of lightning illuminate the sky before the thunder pounds, Kat jumps again, I grab her hand, entwining it with mine. “Don’t be scared, sweet girl; I’m here with you.” We stand like that for a few minutes, in silence, just staring at the storm as it takes over, wreaking havoc. The winds are blowing telephone wires around like rag dolls; leaves and garbage is being tossed around over the streets. The rain is teeming down.
“It’s really bad out there. I hope Claire’s okay. I’m going to try the house. Now I know how she feels when I don’t answer my phone,” she says.
“We should probably move away from the windows. The Weather Network is calling for high winds; we’re even under a severe wind watch. I have a few things to do here; then I’ll drive you home, Kat. Just call Claire and leave a message. I got you.” I kiss her hand before letting it go. At my gesture, her eyes grow wide, but she nods in agreement before dialling who I assume is Claire or her roommates. I leave her sitting at the bar and make my way back to the supply room to put some shit away and double check the doors. Suddenly, there is a loud explosion and the lights go out. After a few seconds of pitch black, the emergency lighting kicks in, giving a pale red glow to the place. It’s enough to see by, but barely.
“Fuck,” I say, grabbing a few flashlights from the supply room before heading back to Kat. I’m sure she’s gonna need some comforting; she was already scared.
As I’m making my way back to the bar, there’s another loud boom, which must have tripped the fire alarm because now it’s blaring overhead. Motherfucker. I’m just about to turn back to go shut it off at the alarm panel, when I hear Kat shrieking.
“Ryker, Ryker! Help me, help, please, Ryker! Where are you? Oh, God.”
Shit, I knew she was scared of storms, but come on, it’s just an alarm. Great, now I gotta deal with her on top of listening to this fucking thing. I figure I’ll go check on her then go shut it off.
I round the corner and can’t believe my eyes. Holy shit, Kat is sitting under the bar bawling, rocking herself back and forth; her knees are up, tucked tight to her chest. Her arms are hugging her legs in close and she’s chanting my name over and over.
A “What the fuck?” slips out; I can’t help it.
“Kat, baby, it’s me. I’m here, sweetheart.” I crouch down low right in front of her, resting on my haunches.
“God, Ryker, there’s a fire!” she yells over the alarm. “We…we need to get out, oh God. Ryker, it’s a fire, another fire.” Another fire? “I can’t…I can’t breathe.”
Jesus Christ, what the hell is going on? I manage to scoop her up and she immediately latches on to me for dear life. Her legs hug my waist, and her arms are wrapped so tight around my neck that my own breathing is becoming laboured.
“There’s no fire, Kat,” I whisper in her ear. “You’re safe; we’re safe. I promise you. I got you.” I’m moving us back down to where the emergency panel is; I need to shut this fucking thing off and fast. Kat is trembling in my arms, her body heaving with uncontrolled sobs. “Almost there, brave girl, almost there.” Seeing her vulnerable like this sheds the last of my resolve to try and keep my distance from her. There is a depth to her that I want to explore and support. I want Kat Rollins to be mine. I want her to be my endgame, my Holy Grail.
With one hand, I manage to shut the fucking thing off, and the silence is heavy after the screaming alarm. “See, baby, it’s off; we’re all right,” I say, rubbing her back as I move to sit her on top of the freezer. “I’m going to put you down, okay, Kat?” She nods and allows me to place her on the freezer top. I open her legs and step between them; she pulls me in close “I’m so sorry, Ryker. Thank you, I…just…I couldn’t do it again,” she sobs.
“It’s okay, sweetheart; don’t even worry about it.” I stand there rubbing her back.
“I’m so sorry,” she says again, and burrows into my chest. She’s crying softly now it seems her body is working to calm itself down. I like to think I’ve helped to console her, too. I like the feeling of her this close to me. But seeing her like this, it’s honestly breaking my heart. I’m just glad it was me here with her tonight and not one of the other guys. I want to be here for her, only me. Obviously, something has happened to make her react this way. I will get her to tell me, but not now.
“Kat, let’s move into Levi’s office, sweetheart. There’s a couch in there and I want you to relax. Grab onto me again, baby; I’m gonna take you for a ride.” Kat looks up and, for the first time in a while, gives me one of her beautiful smiles before attaching herself back to me. “Attagirl.”
I kiss her cheek and walk us to the office.
Chapter 24
Kat
I’m beyond embarrassed. I can’t believe that just happened. I’d been doing so well these past months. I obviously need to make an appointment with Dr. Lukas. Ryker sets me down on the couch then lights a few candles that he finds in Levi’s desk drawer.
“You feeling better, Kat?” he asks, handing me a bottle of water before sitting himself in front of me on the small coffee table.
Sighing, I tell him I’m okay. “I think I’m more worried about what you must think of me,” I say, lowering my head.
“Hey,” he says, placing his fingers under my chin, forcing me to tilt my head back up. Ryker is looking at me, really looking at me. “Kat, I don’t think anything. All I know is that you were scared, and I’m glad I was here for you. And that you know you’re all right. Yes, I want to know what all that was about; I want your trust. But I know we’ve got a long way to go before that happens, I won’t pressure you,” he says, now rubbing his thumb across my lip, and I swear it makes me tremble. He’s being exceptionally sweet. I want nothing more than to jump into his lap and nestle in close to this man. “But I won’t let it go either; we will talk about it, Kat, okay? And, please, say you’ll call me if you ever need a ride or help again, sweet gi
rl.”
“I will, Ryker, I promise. Thank you so much for helping me tonight. I really didn’t expect the storm to affect me that much,” I lie and we both know it, but he lets it go. For now.
“I’m gonna go check the rest of the stuff for Levi.”
“No,” I shout, louder than I intended. “Please don’t leave me.”
“Okay, I’ll stay.” He sits beside me. “Lie back and put your feet across my lap, Kat. I want you to relax.” I do as he says, and now I’m freaking out because I’m so close to Ryker. I can feel the muscles in his legs and the strength in his arms as he grips my feet, taking my shoes off.
“How did your math with the proportional reasoning go after the other day?” he asks while rubbing my feet. I know he’s trying to keep my mind off of what happened, and my stomach flutters with how sweet he is.
“Thanks to you, it went really well. Jeez, you always seem to be helping me, Ryker.”
“I want to help you, Kat. I don’t know why, but I like it. I like the feeling I get when I’m rewarded with one of your smiles. You have a killer smile.” Oh, holy shit.
“Th-thanks. I think you have a great smile, too. Well, when you’re not growling at me and I actually get to see it.” I smile at the look on his face. It’s almost as if he wants to explain something but stops himself.
Ryker and I spend the next hour talking about our families, school, volunteering, and what we want out of life. I decide I’ll call Robin to set up a time to come in and enquire about volunteering. Listening to Ryker talk about Jacob and all the other kids, it makes me all the more ready to put in some time. And, hey, if I get to see Ryker a bit more, all the better.
I will always be grateful for this night. It really gave me the opportunity to see yet another side of the anomaly that is Ryker. Huh, another silver lining. Maybe Claire’s onto something with that bright side shit.
My Mind's Eye (Pub Fiction #1) Page 15