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He continued, “I did two tours. We agreed before my second tour started that we weren’t right for each other anymore and we would be friends again. I didn’t file for divorce because I could help her out and leave her on my insurance. I feared she’d get hurt or end up in the hospital and have nothing, especially with the wild lifestyle she adopted. We kept in touch for a while after my enlistment finished and I started the security firm, but we never got around to finalizing the separation. I’ve had hookups but haven’t seen anyone seriously since we split.
“Last I heard, she lives in Texas, but like I said it’s been at least a year since I saw her or spoke to her so I’m not even sure now. She’s off drugs as far as I know, but she still bounces around a lot. Our marriage is a piece of paper at this point. Nothing else. We don’t know each other anymore. We haven’t actually been together for... damn, close to eight, nine years now.”
Lyra blinked at him then stepped close and wrapped him in a hug. “That’s really sad, Mr. Blue Eyes. I’m sorry I kicked you.”
A ghost of a smile touched Ryker’s lips and he hugged Lyra back. “It’s okay. I forgive you.”
“You may pursue Jade again. Good luck. Don’t fuck it up,” she said.
Lyra squeezed him then crossed the room to plop back on the bed. She pulled her phone out again and started browsing.
Ryker’s eyes met Jade’s. “Are we okay?”
She wiped the tears from her eyes and climbed off the bed.
“Yeah. We’re okay.”
She walked over and hugged him. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. He kissed her temple and nuzzled his face against her hair, inhaling the scent from her strawberry shampoo.
“I’m sorry. I should’ve said something. I never meant to upset you. You smell great, by the way,” he murmured.
“Thanks. And thank you for telling me everything. I’m sorry we jumped to conclusions.”
“It’s okay. I would’ve reacted the same way. You’re not secretly married are you?”
She laughed. “No, not that I know of, anyway.”
“Good.” He kissed her forehead. “Ready to head out?”
“Yes. Where are we going?”
He smiled. “It’s still a surprise.”
“I hate surprises.”
“You’ll love this one.”
“What makes you say that?”
“You get me all to yourself for two weeks at this super secret location. I’ll make sure you love it.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her suggestively.
“Big talk.”
“My talk’s not the only big thing going with us.”
She burst out laughing. “Oh my god, your big ego’s going, too? How’d I get so lucky?”
He laughed and took her hand. “Come on, let’s go.”
Chapter 13
Jade
Ryker’s cozy cabin, nestled deep in the forest near a gorgeous lake in the Appalachian Mountains, was the surprise.
The drive from the airport in their rented truck took three hours along windy narrow roads, some of them only gravel and mud. The nearest house was about a mile away, and the only visitors to the lake were local fishermen.
There was no cell phone signal, and Ryker told her they’d have to drive five miles up the mountain to a certain location to get service and check messages.
