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But now?
Now, he continues to smile at me like I’m his whole darn world, and I wonder if I’m smiling at him in the same way.
Frodo begins to wiggle in my arms, indicating he wants to be let down.
I relent, albeit somewhat reluctantly, and Frodo immediately walks in a circle before lifting his leg and peeing on the side of the hotel. The chihuahua then gives me a look that eloquently states, “I pee in my excitement. Why are you looking at me so strangely?” before sniffing the ground around my feet. He surprises the shit out of me when he races across the lawn, toward where Raymond and Teak stand with Landon.
Raymond smiles enigmatically as he bends to pick up the tiny fluff ball, and Frodo immediately peppers slobbery kisses across my uncle’s face.
My incredulity must show on my face because Ryker snorts and folds his arms over his chest. “Believe it or not, I sometimes think that Frodo likes Raymond more than me.”
“They say dogs are a good judge of character,” I muse, unable to tear my gaze away from the sight before me. Landon is watching the two of them with just as much confusion.
Ryker heaves out a breath and then tugs at my wrist, pulling me against him once more. “I don’t want to talk about your damn uncle, baby. Not now that I finally have you in my arms.”
Anticipation flushes my skin as I study him the way I’ve so desperately wanted to since I first stepped out of the car. Really study him, not just his smile that always seems to burrow its way into my heart.
He still wears that hard blue cast, but he doesn’t appear to be in any pain. I imagine the last few weeks have been crucial in his healing process.
The sweatshirt he wears is unzipped, revealing his bronze flesh and the multitude of scars marring it. The hood, however, has been pulled up, casting strange shadows on a face I’ve dreamt about more times than I care to admit. His ice-blue eyes lock on to mine unerringly, and the rest of the world falls to the wayside. The threat of tears pricks the backs of my eyes, but sheer determination keeps them at bay.
“I truly did miss you.” My voice is barely above a whisper.
“You already know I missed you,” Ryker responds, his gravelly voice skating over my skin like a caress. He snaps his head up and focuses on the two men behind me. “We’ll be in my room.” With that declaration, Ryker quite literally bends down and hauls me over his shoulder. I find myself dangling upside down, all the blood rushing to my head.
“Ryker!” I squeak as this new position gives me an unrestricted view of Ryker’s hard ass encased in blue jeans.
“Shush.” There’s a smacking sound, and a strange combination of pain and pleasure migrates from where he just touched me.
No, not touched me.
Spanked me.
“Ryker!” This time, my voice is louder, though I’m not sure if it’s in surprise, distress, or something else entirely. Something distinctly warmer that floods my body in waves of rippling heat.
“I haven’t seen my girl in way too damn long,” he growls out. “Landon can handle Raymond. I have you.”
“Are you handling me?” I ask in disbelief.
I can’t see Ryker’s face, but a smirk is evident in his voice when he speaks next. “Do you need to be handled, baby girl?”
“Um…” I try to think of a reply, but coherent thoughts slip through my grasp like a heavily lubed-up dildo.
Wait.
Dildo?
Head. Out. Of. Gutter.
I’m spending way too much time around Zane.
I blink myself out of my cock stupor just as Ryker kicks open a door and deposits me on the edge of a king-size bed. I attempt to orient myself as he leaves to shut and lock the door.
“This is where you’ve been staying?” I ask, rising from the bed and walking the perimeter of the room.
It’s larger than the one I was placed in, with a connecting bathroom. The bed has been pushed flush against the far wall, with two nightstands flanking it. Against the opposite wall is a large, L-shaped sectional that faces the television and what appears to be a makeshift kitchen. I spot a fridge, freezer, microwave, and even a stovetop. The glass shelves look to be filled with dishes and silverware.
“Yeah.” Ryker shoves his hands into his front pockets as he watches me with that cold, almost clinical intensity I’ve come to expect from him. I already miss his smile. “I was fortunate that one of the studio suites was completed. Raymond allows me to stock my cupboards and fridge full of food, so I don’t always have to eat with the others in the lobby.”
