Chapter Twelve
Charlotte
Before taking me to work, Ryker takes me to my apartment to get my scrubs and anything else I may need in the days to follow. I don’t need much, but I make sure to grab a few books and my iPod. Pulling up to the nursing home on the back of Ryker’s motorcycle, I don’t miss the stares coming from my fellow co-workers as they arrive to start their shifts.
Climbing off the bike, I turn to say goodbye to Ryker. I’m a little unsure of what to say. Do I kiss him? Do we do that now? Before I can make up my mind, he reaches into his saddlebag and pulls out a sleek iPhone.
“I noticed you don’t have a phone. Every woman needs one.” His voice is deep and rich, reawakening the butterflies in my belly. I would listen to him recite the phonebook if I could. He holds it out to me and as I take it, I notice he isn’t making eye contact, his face cold and blank.
I want to protest but the look on his face stops me in my tracks.
Right away, I notice that it still has the plastic sheet over the screen. It’s brand new. “Thank you. I’ve never had a cell phone before. It just wasn’t something I could ever afford.”
“Well you have one now.” His voice is gruff and terse, causing confusion to flood my mine. “I already programmed in my number. Use it. I want you to text me when you leave here, and again when you get home.” A shiver runs up my spine when he uses the word “home”. “Tease will be right out here all night, and Jase is coming to get you at eleven.”
I nod, frowning a little in confusion. “Jase? But where will you be?”
He smirks. “Charlie. I’m a busy man, not your personal chauffeur.”
I nod again, embarrassed. “Ok. See you tonight.”
“Don’t wait up. I have some shit I gotta do, and don’t know when I’ll be home. Text me when you get there though.”
Just then, Dr. Anders comes walking up the sidewalk. Dr. Anders had been working at the nursing home just a little longer than I had. We’d bonded a bit over being the new kids on the block – I always enjoyed working with him. He’s about thirty years old and extremely handsome. I’d known right away that he was interested in me, but I tried not to encourage it. Yes, he’s attractive and I consider him a good friend, but I don’t think it’s wise to date someone in the workplace.
I smile at him as he approaches and his lips tilt up when we make eye contact. The smile falls from his face before it’s even fully formed. Coming to a stop in front of me, he reaches out to gently grasp my chin between his thumb and forefinger.
“Charlotte! What happened?” He turns my face from side to side, assessing the damage.
I feel bad lying to him, but I need to stick to my story that I’d given to save my job. “Just a little car accident. I’m fine, really. It looks much worse than it is.”
He continues to hold my chin, concern blanketing his features. Suddenly, I feel Ryker beside me. He’d gotten off his bike, moved to me and was glaring daggers at my friend. Clearing his throat, he places his hand on my arm.
Dr. Anders looks up then, noticing Ryker for possibly the first time. I don’t know why it feels so awkward, but it does. Not knowing what else to do, I clear my throat. “Ryker, this is Dr. Jeremy Anders. Jeremy, this is my –.” My what? “My friend, Ryker.” The two men each give a slight nod and continue to glare at each other. I paste on a smile and turn to Ryker. “I better be getting in now.”
His eyes flick from Jeremy to me, a small frown creasing his forehead. Finally he nods, leaning in to whisper in my ear, “Don’t forget to text me.”
Smiling, I nod, heart fluttering from his proximity.
Always the gentleman, Jeremy offers me his arm. I politely take it, following his lead up the walkway. When we get to the door, Jeremy opens it for me, placing his hand on my lower back to guide me in ahead of him. I glance back at Ryker, seeing him still standing beside his bike, glaring at us.
It excites me a little that he seems jealous. He has nothing to worry about from Jeremy, but it warms me from the inside out that he appears to be possessive of me. My feelings for Ryker are growing fast and that scares me. He seems almost too good to be true. I just know that the other shoe could drop at any time, and I need to be prepared. My heart may not survive him.
***
Ryker
I drive away from the nursing home pissed right the fuck off. Who the fuck was that ass clown? Charlie and him had seemed awfully friendly. My jealousy unnerves me. I feel possessive of Charlie and that shit just can’t happen. Losing my mom was something I was still dealing with over twenty years later – losing Charlie the same way would ruin me.
She deserves a good life. White picket fence, two and a half children and a husband without a criminal record. I’m not that guy for her – I can never be that guy. I don’t know how many times I have to remind myself that this is for the best, but I would do it a million times if it meant I got her out of my fucking head.
Regardless, when he grasped her chin and moved into her space, I was off my bike and beside her before I even knew what I was doing. That fucker had eyeballed me too. She’d introduced us and he’d just stood there and eyeballed me. It took everything I had not to rip the son of a bitch a new asshole. Then he’d offered her his arm like he was some kind of fucking prince. Fuck.
I need to get a handle on myself. Charlie’s a grown ass woman, and she certainly doesn’t belong to me. If she wants to be with some stick up his ass doctor, there’s nothing I can do about it. I should never have taken things so far. I can’t quite bring myself to regret it though. It had been the most amazing sex I’d ever had.
It doesn’t help matters that she’s cute as hell and makes me laugh. Charlie is smart, beautiful and sexy. She won’t be on the market for long. I know that she’s going to go her own way one day soon. To get some distance from her, I need to break off whatever it is we have and make it known that we can never be anything but friends. Friends? Like that’s going to happen. As much as it kills me to think about, as soon as I can find Krueger and ensure her safety, Charlie has to go.
I have to physically stay away from her. No way in hell can I go home tonight. Seeing her, asleep in my bed, hair spread out on my pillow will break down my resolve. Tease is going to be pissed, but it looks like he’s spending an all-nighter on my front porch.