Page 89 of Power of Shadow

“I don’t understand,” I admit, studying him.

He snaps out of his thoughts. “We’ll talk about it, but maybe not today. Not because I don’t want to, but because you’ve had a rough day. Full of emotions and stress. I don’t want to add to that load right now. It’s really late, and you should go to bed.” With that, Ryker gets up from the couch.

For a moment, I feel slightly disappointed. I opened my heart to him and told him about my tough childhood. I want him to do the same.

However, he’s right. I’m emotionally drained. This is his way of taking care of me, and it warms my heart.

It’s new to me. For the first time, I’m letting someone take care of me, and not the other way around.

Back to reality. As usual, my eyes linger on his toned, muscular, tempting body. Just the sight of him makes me hot inside. Just like now. Watching the muscles on his arms bulge under his shirt, I squeeze my thighs together, a throbbing need appearing between them. He’s so damn sexy.

It takes a moment for what he said to sink in. I look up at his face, which is sporting a knowing smile accompanied by raised eyebrows. I’m checking him out, and he knows it.

I jump to my feet and take two steps back. “I’m sorry, you’re absolutely right. It’s late. I’ll be going now.”

But before I can turn around completely, Ryker is already beside me. He grabs my hand and turns me to face him. His other hand lands on my hip, and a tingly sensation emerges in that spot. The heat in the place connecting us radiates further.

“Wait. That’s not what I mean, Ash. I don’t want you to go back to your place. Maybe I didn’t express myself well, but I was thinking you could stay here tonight.” Ryker’s eyes shine with unabashed hope.

“You want me to stay the night?”

“Only if you want to. I want you close. Maybe I’m not a guy who has a lot of experience in these situations, or rather, I have none at all...” Ryker’s hand leaves my shoulder and rubs the back of his neck. He looks out of his element. It’s cute, so boy-like and insecure. “Stay. I wanted to say that I want you to spend the night with me.”

I hold back a smile. “What do you mean you don’t have experience in these situations?”

“I’m a bit nervous about sounding like I’m overstepping, or maybe too sure of myself. I haven’t had anyone stay over before.”

“You’ve never had one-night stands?”

“I’ve had them, but no woman has ever spent the night here, with me. In fact, I’ve never brought anyone here before. This is completely different. With you, it’s different.”

“You’ve never had a steady girlfriend?”

Another smile, this time a mysterious one. I could swear this guy has at least twenty different smiles. “Not since I was six.”

Teasing, I laugh. “She must have been a special woman.”

“You have no idea. Gina was the girl all the boys feared. She was taller than any of our other peers and wouldn’t let any of them be better than her at anything. I was the one who had the honor of being her boyfriend for a whole six days.”

Raising my hands, I put them around his neck. “What happened after those six days?”

“She broke my heart, that’s what. She said she didn’t want to be with me anymore. Patrick brought her a muffin to the playground every day, and I didn’t. I still haven’t gotten over it.”

“Oh, burn.” I pretend to be horrified by his childhood experience. “I wonder what Gina would say if she saw you with another woman now.”

“I hope she regrets trading me for muffins, and I’m grateful now that Patrick bought me out of her favor.”

“Yeah? Why’s that?”

“Because it led me to you,” Ryker whispers, leaning his head down and bringing our lips together.

The kiss is slow, even lazy. His lips are warm and soft. I can still taste the faint hint of whiskey on them.

When he slides his tongue out, he teases my sensitive lips left and right. I part them slightly, but Ryker tilts his head back, looking into my eyes.

“Are you staying?”

“Yes.” My answer is hardly audible. Enough for him.