“You.” He pinched her nipple, and she bucked against him. “All in, giving us a shot. No more pushing me away or expecting me to run out the door. I ain’t easy, I know, but I’ll be worth it.”
“I already decided to do just that… So there.” How could she turn away from such an offer? Ryker was the real package of pure male. No guarantees, but he was asking for a chance. Well, not exactly asking.
“You did?” His voice lowered.
“Yeah.” She swallowed, her heart warmed, and she took the jump. “We’ve danced around enough.”
“Tell me more.” He soothed her smarting breast.
“No more pushing you away, and I’ll give us a real shot. No more second thoughts or doubt… I’m all in.” The words came out fast and breathless.
“Good.” His chest shuddered as if a weight had been lifted, and he grabbed her hip and reached up her spine to her nape, holding her off the dash. “Hold on, sweetheart.” Spreading his legs as much as he could in the half-off jeans, he shoved deeper inside her. He frowned.
“What?” she groaned.
“No leverage.” He grinned, appearing almost boyish, even with lust stamped hard across his face.
She bit her lip. “I swear to God, if you don’t find leverage, I’m going to kill you. Like really dead.”
He nodded and reached forward to yank the bra and shirt off her arms, freeing her. He pulled her thighs to the sides of his hips. “You have leverage.”
She grabbed his shoulders and lifted up, using her knees for balance.
“Faster.” His hands clamped on her hips, and he lifted her and pulled her back down, setting a rapid rhythm that she fell naturally into. The sound of flesh against flesh filled the quiet night.
Close. She was so close. Tightening her internal muscles, she detonated, crying out his name. The orgasm tore through her, taking everything. She dropped her head to his neck just as he shuddered with his own release. His teeth clamped onto her shoulder and dug in. Finally, blinking away tears, she leaned back. He’d bitten her.
The man did bite back.
Chapter
28
Ryker waited until Zara snuggled closer in the bed before tuning his senses into the apartment. Grams slept in the guest room, and Greg was out on the sofa. The kid had stirred when they’d entered but hadn’t awakened, so that had to be a good sign. Maybe Greg was settling in and could relax a little.
Family was all around Ryker, needing him, and instead of being terrified, he jumped into the warmth. He could do this.
“Well? You said you wanted to talk,” Zara murmured sleepily.
His mouth felt dry. “How about we sleep and then talk in the morning?” he asked. The world had bombarded the woman. She needed to store up her defenses, and he needed to provide cover and make sure she stayed safe. No matter the cost. “Sleep now.” He pulled her against him.
Her breathing smoothed out so quickly, he figured he’d made the right decision.
He partially turned and spooned Zara, drawing in her scent of fresh tangerines. He loved that shampoo. He breathed her in and settled. In the morning, he’d tell her everything about his past. If it was going to catch up to him, he needed her prepared.
After one more cursory check of his surroundings, he allowed himself to drop into a light sleep that quickly became deep.
He was sixteen years old, nursing bruised ribs and a possible concussion. Ned Cobb, the proprietor of the boys home, and his brother, the sheriff, had gone at him for hours, using threats and more than a couple of punches, but not once had he broken and told them that Ralph had stolen the food. The kid was too young and too small to take a beating, so Ryker had taken it for him.
Heath had gathered Ralph into their little family the second he’d taken a look at the short kid. Ryker hadn’t had the heart to object.
Spring had finally arrived, so the bunkhouse wasn’t as cold now. He sat on his bed, surrounded by other beds. Birds chirped outside, and the sun gleamed through the dirty windows. The place had been built by nature-loving rich people who thought they were helping kids who needed a safe place in nature. Dumb-asses.
Heath ran into the room, his jeans torn and bruises across his jaw from a run-in with Ned the previous week. “Shit. They found out it was Ralph.” Heath had turned fifteen the month before, and he’d quickly started sprouting up. Soon he’d be as tall as Ryker. His eyes darkened, and he ran a bruised hand through his dirty brown hair. “I think they knew from the beginning and just wanted to make you tell.”
“Probably.” Ryker pushed to his feet and winced as his ribs protested. “They’re both sick fucks.”
“Yeah.” Heath eyed him. “You okay to walk?”
Ryker stumbled toward the door. “Yeah. My legs are fine. Tell me they don’t have Ralph.”
Heath shoved the door open to full sunshine. “They’ve had him for hours, and I just found out. Denver is there, too.” He cleared his throat. “I just saw Sheriff Cobb go into town, but he’s sure to be back soon.”