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Ryker nodded and smiled. “I can understand that. Intelligent and compassionate, a winning combination.” He grew somber. “My father was also military. He struggled with PTSD for years after his service. If it hadn’t been for a psychiatrist with your dedication, I don’t know if he would have recovered enough to continue raising his family and being a good husband and father. It was a long, hard battle to find the right help. And I have so many friends and fellow soldiers that suffered the same challenges.”
“I’m glad to hear he found help,” Oakley said softly. She glanced up at Ryker, struck anew by the warmth and empathy in his eyes. “Why did you become a military attorney?”
“Similar reasons.” Ryker’s jaw tightened. “Too many good soldiers face injustice because they don’t have proper legal representation. I wanted to advocate for those who have sacrificed so much for their country.” He grinned as he leaned back in his seat. “Besides, I’m damn good.”
Oakley’s heart swelled at his words, but his quip at the end took the sweet factor out of his words. She had never met anyone with such a deep, personal understanding of this issue, and it made her comfortable around him. She trusted him.
“It sounds like we have a lot in common,” she said.
Ryker smiled down at her, his eyes glinting. “So it seems. I’d love to discover even more.”
Oakley’s heart was racing at the hidden conversation. Over a creamy Italian dessert of hazelnut panna cotta for her and tiramisu for him, which they shared, they spoke of more mundane things such as work and leisure time.
“I cannot believe you like to fish,” exclaimed Ryker.
“Why? I’ve been fishing with my dad since I was old enough to go. I’m a great swimmer, too. I scuba dive every chance I can sneak away.” She grimaced. “Which has been once this year. Life gets so busy, and going alone; well, you have to have a buddy, and my bestie isn’t a diver.”
“Then how do you go?”
“My brother had come with me a couple of times before he got married. Otherwise, I just hook up with another single diver.”
“Oh, that’s not safe at all. You can’t do that.” Ryker said with conviction.
“I’ve done it plenty of times.” Her tone was defensive.
Ryker shook his head. “Well, it isn’t safe enough to continue that practice. Surely a partner could be found. I’ll ask around with my good friends.”
Oakley just stared at him. “Did you just tell me I couldn’t do what I have done for quite a while without incident?”
He had the grace to appear a little sheepish. “I suppose that is what I did, but it isn’t safe. Not with all the crazies in the world.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. For what?”
“For showing that even when you don’t know someone well, you still treat their welfare as important.”
“But I meant it. I’m serious.”
Oakley laughed before turning quietly intense. “I know you are.”
He nodded. “Good.”
As the evening wore on, Ryker and Oakley continued to share stories and jokes, their chemistry intensifying with every word exchanged. It wasn’t long before they realized that this initial encounter was far more significant than they could have ever anticipated.
Ryker listened with rapt attention, asking questions and sharing details of his own life. They discussed their mutual love of classic literature and hiking and their passion for helping military veterans.
With each word they exchanged, Oakley felt herself falling deeper under Ryker’s spell. He was charming, intelligent, and caring, showing a genuine interest in getting to know her. She hadn’t felt such a profound connection with someone for as long as she could remember.
“Oakley,” Ryker began, his voice low and filled with emotion. “I can’t remember the last time I connected with someone like this. I don’t want this night to end.”
“Neither do I,” Oakley admitted, her cheeks flushing with excitement and vulnerability.
When the check came, Ryker reached for it before she could. “When you are with me, I pay.” Oakley shook her head. “Today, I won’t argue, but if I invite you, I am paying. It is equal. Fair.”
His hand covered hers, sending a spark of warmth up her arm. “Life isn’t always fair. As you get to know me better, you won’t argue about things that you aren’t going to win. I give on plenty of things, but I don’t budge on the things that show me to be a gentleman or that I just believe to be right. That is an assurance that you can count on. Besides, most women like me to pay for the meal, open car doors, have them sit on the inside of a bench, or at least let me sit where I can see any potential danger coming their way.”
Oakley cocked her head to the side, as if to try to decipher him. She took in where he was sitting, that he had opened the restaurant and hotel doors, and walked between her and the traffic. Yep, he really did those things. She was falling for him faster than she was comfortable with, but harder than she had the will to resist.
