CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Ridge marched back to her room to get some clothes on. She didn’t know how she felt about Walker being here. She was glad he was alive though. She had those flashes of him before, but she still didn’t have feelings of him. It was so weird. She needed to ask him about everything. Parents. Where she was from. Everything.
She did her thing in the bathroom and set the clothes on the counter. Catching sight of herself in the mirror, she gasped. She had pink marks all over her body. Her cheeks flushed. Harris had made those marks, nipping, sucking and rubbing almost every inch of her skin. Her tender pussy clenched at the images now passing through her brain of the things he did to her. Her body was sore all over, now that she had time to think about it.
And god help her sanity, because she wanted him all over again.
Pausing, she bit at her lip. Well, she could barely handle him as it was. She didn’t remember any man from her past, but she knew none would compare to him. He went after her like…She flushed. From the spanking to the bath, it had all been so delicious. He handled her body like he knew every need and fantasy she’d ever had.
Sighing she put her shirt on. She’d better join the guys before they went to blows again. She wanted to be sure Harris was okay too. Yeah, a tough guy but when you love someone—
Halting, she raised her head up. Love someone? Her stomach felt queasy suddenly. She let out a breath and leaned on the counter. She’d known him barely a week. Love? She gulped and tried to keep her hands from shaking. She remembered what Walker had said. This man is notorious for womanizing. So he had played the field. Of course he had, any man that looked like him would have women at his feet, begging. Hadn’t she done nearly the same thing, herself?
Well, maybe not begging. Fighting, pushing, and challenging. Still, it was true what she told her brother she had gone after him. Pulling on the sweats, she rolled her eyes. What kind of woman would I be, if I hadn’t? A dumb one that’s what. I would have let womankind down had I not waved my ass in his face.
Gasping, she put her hands over her face. I did exactly that too! Literally. Oh, my god. I have no shame! She let out a breath and raised her face to the mirror. Shame washed away pretty damn fast as she realized something. I got him, didn’t I? He would have kept on holding back, hesitating. To think of how powerful he is. Demanding, an alpha as they called them. But it took little Miss Sweet Cheeks to get him to go for it. She grinned at herself as she put her hair up in a ponytail.
She hurried out to the main room and slowed down as she heard their voices.
“But we cannot leave her here, Tanner. What if the mountain is compromised?”
“We only have once chance to get Faulkner. It’s why I came up here. To get the firepower and the copter.”
“I get it and I want to take him out just like you do.”
Stepping out, she stated, “I can go with you.”
They both turned to stare at her.
“We can’t bring a civilian on this!” Walker yelled.
“I can stay hidden. Watch your six or whatever it is.”
Harris grinned at her. “So dammed cu—”
“Don’t say it!” She raised her pointer finger at him.
“Watch our six?” He chuckled.
“Yes. I can be a lookout or something.”
“We cannot chance it,” her brother shot her down again.
“Then where are you going to put me while you are out…Out doing what exactly?”
“We…” Harris’ voice faded away.
“Sis.” Walker stepped up to her. “We are going to go and kill someone.”
Blinking her eyes, she swung her gaze to Harris’ face.
He nodded.
“T-the person who tried to kill the both of you?”
Walker nodded as Harris looked away.
“Well, I’m with you.”
They both turned to stare at her.
“This man tried to kill my brother and…You, Noah.”
His eye met hers. He sighed and nodded his head.
The look in his eyes told her more than most of the times she’d tried to read him. He looked as if he wanted to grab her up again. She shivered a bit. “Besides, he sent hit men after me too!” Her eyes went beady. “I almost died. I’m in this whether you like it or not.”
“Stubborn much?” Harris quipped.
“Don’t egg her on, Harris,” Walker snapped.
Harris and her locked gazes then the both of them laughed.
“What’s so funny?” Walker asked.
“She’s got this thing about eggs…” Harris chuckled.
“I do not! Speaking of that…we need breakfast,” she quickly changed the subject. “Come on SEAL boys and help me fix it.”
Harris glanced over at Walker.
Her brother looked puzzled. “But you can’t cook!”
She scoffed. “I can so!” She marched into the kitchen.
The men followed her in.
Walker looked doubtful. “Did she actually cook for you, Harris?”
He paused at the question.
Riley giggled. Yes, sizzlin’ hot. I was tucked full, baked, turned over and put out soaking wet.
Harris gave her the eye, warning her not to say anything. “Well, she scrambled some um…eggs?”
“And she didn’t burn them?”
Riley spun around and put her hands on her hips. “Burn them?”
“Yeah sis, really. You have actually started fires.”
Harris bit at his lip to keep from laughing.
“Well, maybe since my amnesia, I have changed.”
Walker shook his head. “And pigs will fly.”
Harris burst out laughing.
“I’ll cook.” Walker stepped to the fridge. “I need to do something normal for a change. Just go sit or something.”
“Want any help?” Harris asked.
“Nah. I got it.”
The couple retreated to the bar.
“OJ?” Harris asked with a wink.
She grinned at him. “Straight up?”
He chuckled and handed her the orange juice. “No ice, though.” He raised a brow at her.
“You are so stingy on the ice. I mean we are in ice, Harris. There’s a shit ton of it just outside the door.”
Snickering at her ranting, he grabbed a bottle of water.
“Just water?”
He nodded and came around to sit next to her.
She reached out to the cut below his eye. “I’m sorry about this morning.”
He looked into her eyes. “I deserved it and more.”
“Harr—”
He grabbed her chin. “I knew what I was doing. I am a bastard you know?”
“You are not!”
“Oh, but I am.”
“You are a beautiful one though,” she whispered.
Laughing, he kissed her lightly on the lips.
Wanting so much more, she grabbed his face to get a real kiss.
He pulled back “Oh, no. Not while big brother is around.”
Riley pouted.
“So adorable.” He grinned.
“I can’t help it if you are too scared.”
He raised a brow at her. “Really? You’re going to go there again?” His voice went low in warning.
Riley giggled. “Oh, hell yeah. Again and again.”
He tilted his head back and laughed.
“Come and get it, guys!” Walker called from the kitchen.
They rose up and got their plates then sat at the breakfast nook counter.
“Wow, omelets, eh?” Harris looked impressed.
“Yeah, in our household, the men cooked.” He laughed.
Riley raised her fork. “Can you tell me about our family?”
Walker sat and looked surprised. “Tell you?”
Harris spoke up, “She doesn’t remember. Remember?”
“Oh. Well, we had great parents.” He took a bite of his food.
“Had?” she asked.
He nodded and took a sip of his milk then swallowed. “They died two years ago in a car crash.”
Gasping, Riley dropped her fork with a clatter.
Harris grasped her hand.
“What kind of crap is that?” She glared at her brother.
“What?” He wiped his mouth with a paper towel.
“No preamble, no easing into it. Just… they’re dead!”
He stared at her. “I’m sorry. It’s just that I’m used to it by now. And maybe with what I’ve been through, I lost my dammed sensitivity, ok?”
Riley stared at him.
“Besides, no one knew who caused it. Was a hit and run.”
She felt saddened…Cheated somehow.
“Until you poked your nose in it. Tracked the man down and the evidence. Gave it to the cops and the man is in prison.” He took another bite of his food.
Her eyes widened.
“Well, I believe that.” Harris took a forkful of his food too.
Riley stared down at her plate.
“Eat, Ridge.” Harris nodded at her.
“Why do you keep calling her that?” Walker asked.
Harris shrugged. “She didn’t have a name.”
“So, you gave her one?” Walker stared at him.
“Yeah. I mean what? Should I have called her SHE?”
Walker laughed. “I bet she drove you nuts.”
Harris laughed with him. “Absolutely looney.”
“HELLO? I’m sitting right here!” she yelled.
The guys both laughed.