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Chapter One
Breeanne
“Why the fuck did I let you talk me into this?” I bitch, glaring at the phone, wishing I had Facetimed my best friend so she could see the pout on my face.
“If you remember, it didn’t take much convincing,” Stephanie says dryly, trying not to laugh.
I switch my glare to my foot, which is stuck in the weak flooring. I have to admit she is right. All she had to say was that we could start over somewhere new, and I was all in.
Stephanie is my best friend and the sister I have always wanted. We have been close for six years. We both needed a change, so we decided to move from Idaho to Oregon and open a bakery and coffee shop. She found a building online, and we jumped at the chance to buy it. Unfortunately, we didn’t see it in person. Too excited for the adventure, we ignored the pictures that showed us how run down it was inside. The sellers were very honest about the work we would have to put in to prepare it for a business.
I arrived late last night, checked into my hotel, and crashed from the long drive. As promised, the seller had the keys ready for me at the front desk this morning.
“I wish you were here with me.” I hold onto the wall and attempt to pull my foot out.
“You also remember that the plan was to move in a month. I have to wrap everything up here with my family and train my replacement at work.” Steph went to school for business but has recently been working in a private home, taking care of an elderly married couple. I know she was sad to leave them.
“I do. I was just too excited.” I sigh. “At least by the time you get here, I can have the construction in full swing.”
“Plus, you wanted to get away from your family,” she says.
“You’re right.” I bite my lip and lean heavily on the wall. My family is a sore subject.
“Sorry, girly.”
“You have no reason to be sorry,” I assure her. She is the only one in the world that I tell everything, good and bad.
She gave me an excuse to leave all that behind, but more than that, I wanted to give her a reason to smile again. She was in a bad place mentally for a while—being kidnapped will do that to a girl.
“Is it really that bad?”
I stop struggling with my foot and look over the room. “It has so much potential.” The room I am in is large and open. There is enough room for several tables and display cases.
“Have you seen the apartment upstairs yet?”
“No, I was on my way.” I am stuck between the doorway of the big room and the kitchen. I have to go through the kitchen, past an office, and up the stairs to see the living space.
“Your foot is still stuck?” The laughter is back in her voice.
“Yes,” I growl. “The shards of wood are stuck on my jeans.” I yank again, trying not to rip my favorite jeans and also not cut the shit out of my ankle.
My head snaps up as the front door opens. The man that walks through is gorgeous—hello, holy hotness. He doesn’t look real. He’s dark from head to toe. His long black hair reaches his shoulders and is perfectly in place. He’s wearing a black dress shirt, black slacks, shiny black boots, and a curious expression. His eyes trap me; they are blue with an unusual white ring around the edges. I should be nervous about the knife I see at his waist, but in my dirty mind, all I can think is, ‘Please take me.’
I realize Stephanie is speaking through my earbuds. “What?” I ask weakly.
“Are you okay?” she asks with concern.
“Yes, a drop-dead beautiful man just walked in,” I explain. I know he can hear me, but I just don’t care. Judging from the smirk on his lips, he knows he’s beautiful.
Stephanie laughs in my ear. “I have to go anyway. Call me later with an update. Is the man's name Ryker?”
“Is your name Ryker?” I ask, sounding breathier than I intend.
“It is,” he confirms.
“Yes,” I tell her.
“Sorry to say, he’s the man that sold us the building. He has a mate, and you have no chance with him,” she says quietly.
