Sheltered(22)

I turn around and stomp towards the bed. I hear him laugh behind me, and I spin around, wanting to give him a piece of my mind, and almost run into him. How did he move so fast without me hearing him? Someone his size should make a noise when they freaking move.

“Did you touch me while I slept?” I spit out and raise my chin in defiance.

“I changed you out of your clothes, nothing more.” He pushes my hair off my shoulder, and then he traces a finger down my chest to the deep V in the silk nightie next to the necklace. I’ve never worn something so pretty and soft before, but I don’t tell him that. “I’ll touch you, Blair. But you’ll be awake for it. You’re mine. Now get into bed.”

His words are final as he tells me what to do, so I turn around and do what he says. The bed is so tall, though, that I’m trying to climb in when I feel his hands on my hips to lift me up. I don’t say anything as I crawl in, but when I see him getting into bed with me, I hold my hands out.

“You can’t sleep with me,” I tell him. As if I have any say.

“I’ve slept enough nights without you. I don’t plan ever doing that again.” His voice is low, and his words have a southern drawl to them as he climbs into the bed.

It's the first time I’ve caught a southern accent, and I hate to admit how hot it sounds. I’ve heard all kinds of twangs back where I’m from, but hearing him talk to me like that is soothing.

He turns off the lamp, and I’m shocked into making a little squeak as I’m pulled across the bed. My back nestles against his chest as he wraps one of his big arms around me. His legs tangle with mine and he buries his face in my neck. I’m totally unable to move but completely comfortable.

“Besides. I shouldn't have left you earlier when it was storming. I know how much you hate them.” His arm around me tightens, then relaxes again.

A few minutes go by and I’m unable to fall asleep. My mind won’t stop turning.

“How do you know so much about me?” I whisper into the dark.

“I’m not him, Cricket,” he says easily, and I know he’s talking about Fritz. “You always have my attention. You don’t even have to try, and it will always be all yours.” He kisses me below the ear and my heart pounds at his words.

I close my eyes and all that he said goes around and around in my head. He should frighten me, and I should be plotting to get away. But as I lie here in his arms, all I feel is peace. Finally.





Chapter 11





Ryker





“I’ve never ridden a horse before,” Blair says as I pick out her clothes for the day.

“I know,” I say and turn around to give her a wink.

She huffs and then rolls her eyes, but there’s no changing my good mood today. I woke up next to the woman of my dreams, and I’m going to enjoy every second of it. I hum as I lay her clothes on the bed and get some out for myself. I enjoy picking something out for her and taking care of her for a change. I know she’s taken care of herself her whole life. I want to show her how I’ll be different than everyone else in her life. I’ll be here for her in all ways.

I slept the best I have in years last night, and even though it was damn near impossible to pull myself from the bed this morning, I want to show her around the place. Otherwise I might never let her out of this room. It’s too soon for that. I don’t want her to think this is only about sex. Oh, I want her, but I want her to see this is about so much more than that.

“Time to gear up, Cricket. We’ve got work to do.” I smack her on the ass as I walk towards the bathroom to brush my teeth. She lets out a small yelp, but I see her fight a smile as she shoots me a sassy look that only makes me want to do it again.

When I’m finished I come out to see she’s got her jeans and a button-up shirt on, but she’s struggling with the boots. I kneel down in front of her and help her get them on. Then I lace them up and tie them for her.

“Thanks,” she says, and I see her soft blush.

“You’re welcome.” I take her hands in mine and kiss the back of both before standing up. She studies my face for a moment before she goes into the bathroom and shuts the door, but I hear the water running. A moment later she comes out and I’m tucking my shirt into my jeans. She looks me up and down, and when I see her tongue glide across her lip, I can’t control myself any longer.

I move quickly and push her against the wall. “You keep looking at me like that I’ll put you back in that bed,” I say, right before my mouth lands on hers.

The kiss is possessive, because she’s all mine, and I want to erase every ounce of the man before me from her mind. I press my body fully against hers, and I feel her hands come up to my shoulders, then to my neck, where instead of pushing me away, she pulls me closer. She tastes like summer and fresh mint. And when her sweet little tongue touches mine, I know that was her doing. She’s kissing me back, and it’s more than I can stand. I want to take her to the ground, but she’s not there yet.

“Fuck,” I grunt when I’m dizzy with need, and I press my forehead to hers. “You’re gonna make me go too far.”

“How far is that?” she asks, clearly as out of breath as I am. I’m not even sure she understands what she asked me or what she said because she’s flirting with me. Or maybe my plan is working and she’s forgetting that I’ve taken her. That I’m pretending everything is normal.