Chapter Four

THEIR ESCORTS ARE WAITING at the bottom of the plane staircase with the blacked-out SUV only a few feet away. Ryker takes the first step, but Norah hesitates as she peeks her head out. She’s been to Asheville before, many times actually, but the airfield is bustling, and the noises overwhelm her senses. She knows it’s impossible for the black car that chased her in Virginia to reach her out here on the tarmac but her fear rises none-the-less.

“Hey,” Ryker says as he tugs on her hand, his hold her only lifeline. “It’s ok, I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Norah takes a deep breath and then follows his descent to the SUV. Their two escorts flank both her sides and she wonders if this is what Ryker is accustomed to when he is traveling with his band.

The group pack into the car and then they quickly take off for the hour drive to Carson, North Carolina. Preston, the town Sheriff and their escort, drives cautiously but Norah can’t help but look out the window at every passing car wondering if it is filled with someone out to get her.

Ryker hasn’t released her hand since they left the plane and she wonders if he can feel the clamminess of her palm.

“Have you eaten?” he whispers in her ear, and she realizes that she hasn’t had anything since her quick breakfast this morning.

She shakes her head and Ryker directs Preston to the fast food restaurant up the road. He orders what seems like everything on the menu but then tells her no one has eaten since breakfast since they all left before the meal was served at the reception. A thinly wrapped burger falls into her lap followed by a container of French fries and Norah has never smelled anything so good before in her life, except for the man sitting beside her.

“This is delicious,” she mumbles as they pull away from the drive-thru and make their way back onto the road.

“Glad you think so,” Ryker replies as he smirks and reaches his hand out. At first, she thinks he’s going to rest his palm against her cheek, but instead he reaches out toward the corner of her mouth and swipes his thumb across. “Sorry, you had some ketchup.”

She instantly blushes in embarrassment and tilts her head toward the floor.

“Hey,” he says as he uses his fingers to tilt her chin toward him, drawing her attention. “Don’t be embarrassed. You’re starving, I’m sorry I didn’t think to feed you sooner.”

“You know, you’re not anything like I expected.”

“Is that a good thing?”

“Yeah,” she replies just as Jameson chimes in from behind them. “Can you two knock it off?”

“Aw, bro, don’t be jealous,” Ryker taunts.

“I’m not jealous.”

“Well, you should be,” he says as he winks at her.

For the remainder of the ride, she lets her thoughts travel far away from the men probably trying to track her down and allows them to hone in on her feelings about Ryker. She never believed in insta-love; that is something that only happens in fairytales. Insta-lust is something she could totally get behind, but she knows what she feels for Ryker is more than just lust. Even from their few conversations she knows that there is so much more to the singer than anyone, or even himself, give him credit for.

But she’s never known what love is, real love. She has Jameson’s family as an example and that’s it. Growing up love wasn’t something she was familiar with.

Does she take the chance of having her heart broken or worse breaking his heart? Or does she step back and reassess the situation, figure out a way to keep her distance from Ryker.

Suddenly they pull up to a large brick fence and Preston slides a card from his wallet to swipe at the security booth. The iron fence screeches as it pulls across the opening and the truck moves forward into the community. Norah takes in the extravagant homes with their perfectly manicured yards and wonders what she’s doing in this place. Her thoughts scatter even further as they pull up to another gate and Ryker rolls down her window and types in a code then scans his finger on a biometric scanner.

“Wow,” Norah exclaims, and Ryker just shrugs.

“I told you it was secure. But don’t worry, most of my friends and family have access, too.”

Two oversized doors swing open and Norah gets her first glimpse at the home of Ryker James – singer of Exoneration, multi-platinum rock star. As her mouth hangs open wide in amazement, she can see Ryker shrink down from the corner of her eye. And then Norah realizes that she isn’t here with Ryker James. No, she’s here with Ryker Connelly – loving son and twin to her best friend.

She lets her hand slide down to his and she squeezes it warmly.

“Hey, tell me about your house. What made you chose this design?”

The house is styled like an old plantation, looking as if it’s been here for centuries and not just a few months. It shines brightly in the dark of the night by numerous spotlights.

“I wanted the house to be something familiar, not over-the-top or ostentatious. Jameson and I share it, but eventually, he’ll build his own house on the adjacent lot. It just seemed silly at the time. We both loved the house our sister Everleigh bought and our brother Austin renovated an old farmhouse a few years ago so we asked him to design something for us that is a mesh of the two. This is what we got.”

“I love it. It looks like you’ve moved it from Charleston, South Carolina or Savannah, Georgia. Or at least from what I’ve seen from pictures. I haven’t traveled much.”

“Thank you. I’ll give you a tour once we get settled. And one day I’d love to take you traveling.”

“Let’s just get through the next few days before we make any plans, okay?”

“Sure,” Ryker complies, but she can tell by the gleam in his eye that he is already making vacation plans in his head.

Norah steps out of the SUV still wearing her navy blue dress and glances upward at the front façade of the home.

“You’re smiling,” Jameson says as he comes to stand beside her. “What’s funny?”

“We’re all still dressed up, and I feel that I should be wearing an old-style Southern Belle ball gown. It seems more appropriate.”

“That would be a sight. Anyway, I can message Cassidy and see if she can have her assistant bring you some clothes.”

“That would be nice of her, but please don’t go through any trouble. I can put on my clothes from earlier.”

“Let us help you, Norah. That’s why you came to me, isn’t it?”

Norah nods because Jameson is right, she did come for help, just not with her own clothing. She just needed him to save her life. The two weren’t really on the same wavelength in the scheme of things.

The group moves as one to the front of the house where Ryker opens the double doors widely letting them all inside and out of the night air.

Inside he guides everyone to the den and kitchen which runs the length of the back of the house in one giant space. Norah loves the light wood tones mixed with the Southern charm of the shabby chic style. She knows that Ryker must have had a designer come in to decorate their home becomes it does not scream bachelor pad.

“I’m going to show Norah around. There is beer in the fridge and the remotes are in the basket by the couch. Help yourselves,” he says to the group.

 

 

RYKER PLACES HIS HAND gently on her lower back and Norah can feel the heat simmering through the suit jacket and her thin dress; which she desperately wants to change out of. She stumbles walking up the stairs, almost forgetting that she is wearing the god-awful heels. Norah bends forward and removes the shoes, stretching her toes against the navy and white runner on the stairs beneath her feet.

“How about you get a shower before I give you the tour? I can bring your bag up and hopefully the clothes will arrive soon. If not I can lay out a pair of sweats and a shirt for you,” Ryker offers.

“You know what? A shower would be great,” Norah answers as she turns on the stair above Ryker and throws her arms over his shoulders, hugging him tightly. “Thank you.”

Norah doesn’t let her embrace linger too long, she pulls back and then allows Ryker to guide her to a set of double doors at the end of the hall.

“This is my room. It’s the only one with a stocked bathroom, but if you want to use another, I can grab some soap and shampoo for you.”

“Oh no, this is fine,” Norah claims as he opens the door to a large room filled with blues, grays, and whites. The look is both masculine and inviting. In the corner, a few stands sit holding different guitars in their arms. A notepad rests on a small end table beside a leather chair in a little nook with a bay window looking out over the large yard and wooded area.

“Here you go,” Ryker points out as he gestures for her to enter the bathroom.

The space is similar to the décor of the bedroom and Norah’s body blushes at the sight of the over-sized tub. She can imagine resting her body in the heated water against Ryker, his chest to her back. His hands would trail up and down her arms and shoulders pooling the water in his palms and releasing it over her skin.

“The knobs are pretty simple,” Ryker continues to explain, and she realizes that she missed most of what he had been talking about. “Hey, what’s got you so flushed over there?” he asks and then takes a glance at the tub and smirks. “Ah, yes. We’ll save that for another time. Right now, let’s get you clean and dressed. It’s almost midnight.”

“Yeah, thanks. It’ll be nice to put on something comfortable.”

Ryker nods and leaves her in the space. She takes off his jacket and brings it to her nose, taking one last inhale of his manly scent before hanging it on the doorknob of the linen closet. In the mirror across the way, she stands sullenly, not recognizing herself. Not just the hair and silken dress that she wears, but the brightness in her eyes, the tell-tale sign of being in love.

Not that she is in love with Ryker, they only just met, but she can see how easily she could fall under its reign.

The zipper slides down her side effortlessly, and she lets the dress pool at her feet along with the shoes that were clasped in her hands. She unhooks her bra and removes the thumb drive from its confines, placing it on the vanity in the far corner. Her panties quickly follow, and she spins around to enter the shower, turning the knob and adjusting the temperature.

The water feels divine on her body and she uses the moment to rid her mind of everything, because from this moment on her life will change. Not just with Ryker, wherever that may lead, but everything she’s known up to now is gone. Norah will no longer be able to work in the lab, she’ll have to leave the University, and she has no home to return to. Her father is, who knows where, and her mother died in a drive-by shooting a long time ago. To top it off the government is most likely going to ban her from ever working again since her product is lost.

With that depressing thought, she ducks her head under the powerful spray and lets her hair fall around her in a curtain as the water soaks it through. Norah wraps her arms around her chest, covering her breasts, as she lets the first tear fall. She’s tried to be strong for so long, far too long. Since she was five and had to fend for herself for weeks at a time when her parents were off doing their jobs. What five-year-old should have to get themselves ready for kindergarten, pack their own lunch, and get themselves to school? She always felt she was lucky her parents had the thought to leave her bread and snacks. But to this day she can’t stomach a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Her pity party lasts for a few minutes until Norah feels that she’s able to compose herself. She opens the bottle of shampoo, lathering and rinsing her hair, then she pops the top of body wash and inhales the scent that is so familiar. How many girls would kill to know that they have bottled up Ryker’s scent? She squeezes a generous amount into her palms and rubs it over her skin, the suds leaving trails as they travel down toward the drain.

Norah’s hands travel across her breasts and between her legs just as a groan sounds from the entrance to the bathroom. Startled she spins around and opens the door to the shower to peek out, only to find Ryker standing with a ball of clothes in his fists, and his eyes squeezed tight.

“Ryker?”

“I’m sorry. I was going to leave the clothes just inside the door, and then I heard you crying. I stepped inside out of reflex. I didn’t mean anything by it, but then I saw you there in the shower and I just -”

She knew he could barely see anything, the glass of the shower being heavily frosted, but the way his eyes burn her skin, Norah knows that he could see enough. And she isn’t even mad about it. Instead, it turns her on.

In a brashness that she didn’t know she possesses Norah blindly reaches inside the large shower to turn off the water then steps fully through the door baring herself to him. The pained look on Ryker’s face only motivates her to continue.

“Could you hand me a towel please?”

Ryker stands in awe as a chill moves over her. Her skin breaks out in gooseflesh and her nipples harden from both his gaze and the cold.

With his jaw slackened and his eyes penetrating every inch of her body Norah says, “Ryker? Towel?”

Finally, he snaps out of his stupor and opens the linen closet to remove a towel. Ryker steps toward her outstretching his hand with the cloth for her to take but she stands in her spot with a poised smirk. Instinctively he steps up closer to her, practically pressing his own body against hers, and wraps the towel around Norah’s shoulders.

As she reaches up to grab the towel, she whispers a thank you and Ryker takes a step back, but still within her reach.

 “You’re welcome,” he replies with his eyes trained to hers – questioning, wanting, pleading.

Somehow she holds a power over Ryker and that control both thrills and scares her. She has only known him for roughly ten hours, but their connection is overwhelmingly strong and powerful. Norah could easily bring him to his knees, and fearfully she realizes that he could do the same to her.

“I’ll just let you get dressed.”

“Will you wait in the bedroom for me?”

“Yeah, sure.”

Norah leans forward with the intention of leaving a kiss on Ryker’s smooth cheek, but he takes another step back instead.

“If you kiss me right now, I won’t be able to control myself, and you’re too special for that.”

She understands, honestly, she does, but the years of rejection and hurt fill her, and she immediately ducks her head to hide her mortification.

“I want to, Norah, just not now. Not today. Not until we know each other better. You deserve better than that.”

Unable to meet his gaze Norah pins her eyes to his lower body, realizing only now that he has changed into a pair of jeans and a T-shirt.

“I understand,” she whispers.

“I hope that you do, Norah.” Ryker’s voice commands her attention, and she looks back up at him as he says her name. “You are mine.”

Defiantly Norah replies, “I am no one’s.”

“Not yet, princess, but you will be. Make no mistake about that.”

He efficiently spins on his heels and leaves her alone in the bathroom. Norah quickly dries off her body trying not to ponder how she feels about being possessed by him. At the vanity, she searches through the drawers until she locates a comb and scrupulously untangles her hair.

Norah exits the bathroom ten minutes later and heads straight for her purse resting on the plush bedding, snagging a clip she keeps inside. She twists her hair up on top of her head and secures it before scanning the room. She finds Ryker sitting in the chair at the window with a notepad and pen in his hands.

“Writing anything good?”

“Maybe.”

“Do you have a safe or something secure that I can place the thumb drive and server inside? I’d rather not have it on me or out in the open.”

“Sure. I have a personal safe in my closet.”

Norah steps back into the bathroom and snags the two-inch piece of plastic and metal and brings it out to Ryker who waits patiently at the closet door. She follows behind him with her purse in hand into the large master closet filled only halfway before they stop at a mirror. He tucks his hand behind the frame, and it swings open to reveal an in-wall safe.

“The code is 3592.”

“Oh, you don’t need to tell me. I trust you.”

“I want you to know it. If anything happens you’ll be able to get the drive. What was the code?”

“3592,” she repeats once out loud and then again in her head, solidifying the numbers to her memory.

“Good. Ready for the tour?” he asks as he extends out a hand. She accepts it and places hers in his grasp.

“Sure.”

First, they make their way through the second story, Ryker pointing out the bedrooms and bathrooms. They don’t venture into Jameson’s room, but Ryker insists that his twin spends most of his nights sleeping in his actual office, which doesn’t surprise Norah in the slightest. He did the same thing when they were in school.

They bypass the first floor on their way down and head straight for the basement which boasts a game room, theater, small wine cellar (which was his mother’s request), extra bedroom and an indoor pool.

“I can’t believe you have an indoor pool.”

“It’s just the space under the garage. We’ll go swimming sometime.”

“Oh, I don’t know how. I’ve never been to a pool really. It wasn’t something my parents took me to when I was a kid and I’ve been busy with school and work.”

“We’ll have to remedy that soon then. I’m a great teacher,” he smirks at her as he leads her back to the first floor.

“I just bet you are,” she murmurs under her breath as she watches his tight butt encased in well-worn jeans move with each step.

Before they meet with the rest of the group Ryker shows Norah the office and sunroom at the far end of the hall, and then they head through the kitchen to meet everyone in the living room.

Jameson quickly rushes to her side, and she tries to reach out to hug him, thankful that he’s been able to help her, but Ryker doesn’t release his hold of her hand. He’s staking his claim for everyone to see and Norah can’t quite decide how she feels about that.

“How are you feeling?” Jameson asks after rolling his eyes. He takes in her attire of oversized sweatpants she had to roll about six times and the loose T-shirt she has knotted on the side so that it doesn’t hang to her knees.

“I’m . . . okay. As okay as I can be.”

Ryker looks to Jameson as he squeezes her hand. “Did you find the stuff?”

“It’s past midnight, man. No one is awake but us. And I’m not sure which labs keep that stuff in stock,” Jameson explains.

Speaking up Norah adds, “I think we’re going to have to get it from my lab. I had it on special order with the grant from the government.”

“Okay, I’ll see if we can get Cohen or Eli to head up there tomorrow to get it.” Jameson nods his head and looks back at the boys playing with a gaming console.

“That’s going to be a problem,” Norah points out.

“Why?” Ryker asks, but Norah sends a look toward Jameson who shakes his head and smirks. He responds for her.

“Because they use a specialized biometric scanner to unlock the lab and the chemicals cabinet. I designed it. They’re only getting anything out with her there.”

Ryker’s head sags and tilts toward the floor as he shakes it back and forth. “Goddammit. Why do you have to be so fucking smart all the time?”

 

*

 

RYKER WAS SEETHING WHEN he learned the only way Norah could burn the shit from her skin was to actually go grab the chemical from her lab. Jameson made things that were foolproof. He hadn’t even known his brother dabbled in biometrics. Ryker thought he only did software and coding, but he isn’t surprised. His brother had learned how to hotwire a car at five and rebuild a car and engine by ten. Jameson is both book smart and street smart – a deadly combination.

Now that he has had a chance to cool off Ryker is trying to come up with any sort of way to get the chemical without using Norah, but he’s coming up short. Hell, he doubted any of the things he’s seen in movies were actually possible, but he was so close to tossing those ideas around.

The group has settled across the house, each man staking a bedroom, while Norah catches some more rest in Ryker’s bed, at his insistence. She fought at him and Jameson, who also offered his bed for her to sleep, but in the end, he won out. Of course, he did kiss her deep enough to turn off the gears in her head as everyone was heading to bed and he was able to steer her toward his room. It was a bold tactic, but they both enjoyed the end result.

Ryker can’t sleep. He’s afraid if he blinks she’ll be gone, and at this moment he can’t imagine her not in his life. In one day she’s become an integral part of him.

Norah twists in the bed, her body now facing him, so he slouches down just as her arm reaches out to wrap around him. Even in her sleep she craves him. His hand reaches out to brush her soft hair away from her face. The sun is just starting to rise over the tree line emitting a soft orangey-yellow glow behind her body. He had forgotten to close the curtains and he is afraid that the sun may wake her, but right now with her looking like a goddess he has not one complaint. Ryker wishes that he could see her like this always.

And if they don’t find these men before they find Norah, he may never get the chance.

“Mmm, did you sleep?” she asks groggily as she scoots closer to him seeking his warmth.

“Naw, but that’s okay. I’m used to going on little to no sleep when we’re on the road. Sleeping on the bus is not what it’s cracked up to be.”

“Didn’t you have a bed?” she asks with her eyes sealed tightly and her head resting against his arm. He uses his hand to twist a few strands of her hair in his fingers, needing to touch a part of her.

“We just opted for bunks. It wasn’t fair of me to take an entire bedroom while they slept in tiny cubbies even though the record label demanded it. We are a team and we should each be treated the same. So instead of cubbies, we had bunks installed in the bedroom.”

“Hmm,” she murmurs as she falls back asleep against him.

Unfortunately, Ryker doesn’t get a chance to savor this moment. His phone vibrates on the nightstand, and he turns over to find a text from his own security team. One lives onsite at all times and runs clearance at the gate remotely. The small cabin that is set out in the woods had a secret tunnel leading out past the neighborhood to a dirt road. He and Jameson kept that part a secret from the homeowner’s association. The cabin reminds him of something he would have sought out for himself if he didn’t have his music career. It is a small Cape Cod style home painted a cream color with black shutters. And as he reads the message from his team member, he wonders what Norah would think about the cabin he had built.

Ryker slowly withdraws his arm from beneath Norah and makes his way out of the bedroom and toward the front door. The house is quiet at five in the morning, and Ryker tries to beat his guest to the door before she can ring the bell.

He opens the door wide just as Cassidy’s assistant Shelly walks up the stairs with her hands full.

“Lord, you scared the crap out of me,” she cries out with a laugh.

“Sorry, can I help you with that?”

“Yes, please,” she says as she slides one of the armfuls into his grasp not paying any mind to the fact that he’s shirtless.

“Would you like to stay for a while? I can put some coffee on.”

“I wish that I could. I have Jacob in the car,” Shelly explains as she follows him to the formal living room.

“Oh, you know he’s no trouble. Everyone will probably be waking soon.”

“Are you sure it’s no problem? I could use a hit of caffeine right now.”

With a chuckle, Ryker nods and then follows Shelly back outside where she gestures for him to grab a tote of shoes from the back of her SUV while she unbuckles Jacob from his car seat.

“Hey, little man. How old are you now?” Ryker asks the child as they all pile inside the house.

“I’m four. I’m a big boy,” Jacob adamantly states.

“You sure are. You’ll be driving your momma around soon.”

“I’m not that big yet, Mr. Ryker. You’re silly.”

Ryker and Shelly laugh as he loads up his coffee machine and turns it on.

“It will be ready in a few minutes. You’re welcome to put on something for him on the television,” he suggests.

“Oh, Momma, can I watch Mickey? Please?” Jacob pleads as he places both of his hands on his mother’s cheeks and squeezes them close puckering her lips together.

Shelly is attractive, girl-next-door pretty, and on any other day, Ryker could see himself settling down with someone like her. But now that Norah has slid her way into his life he can’t see anyone but her. Luckily Shelly doesn’t fawn over him like most women, so he’s able to keep a conversation with her without it being awkward.

“Sure, you can watch Mickey.”

As she heads toward the oversized television, Ryker turns back toward the coffee machine and grabs two mugs, sugar, and creamer from the fridge. The machine begins to sputter just as Shelly walks back into the kitchen.

“Mmm, that smells divine. I haven’t had coffee this way in a long time. When Cassidy and I were in New York we used to have specially ordered coffee all the time, but since we moved back here, it’s been Angie’s or Wake and Bake’s. Not that I’m complaining, but I can tell from the smell that this is an exotic blend.”

“You would be correct. I have these delivered from a special facility in Chile. It’s expensive but worth it,” he adds as the pot finishes filling and he pours them each a cup. Ryker offers the sugar and cream, but she shakes her head and takes a sip.

“Mmm, I can see why. This is delicious.” They drink in silence, Shelly keeping a close eye on Jacob as he sits perfectly still in front of the wall-mounted television. “So, how long are you back this time?”

“A while, actually. We’re taking a break from touring.”

“Oh, your mother will be so happy to have you home. Why the change?”

“I’m sure Cassidy has filled you in,” he hints.

Shelly’s smile widens against her coffee cup as she takes another sip. “She did. I’m so excited for her. She’s going to be a great mom. And Harlan is already super protective. I can’t imagine how he’ll be when the baby is born.”

Ryker chuckles. “Imagine if it is a girl.”

“He’s doomed,” she adds as she joins in his laugh.

“What’s so funny?” a voice asks from the opening to the living and kitchen area, and Ryker glances up to find Norah standing there with a smile on her face. Even in her disheveled state, she looks breathtaking to him.

“Norah! I’m so excited to see you, it’s been too long,” Shelly calls out as she sets her mug on the counter and rushes over to wrap Norah in her arms.

“It has been a while. Since just before Christmas if I’m not mistaken.” Ryker watches their exchange and tries to remember where he was right before Christmas, but he can’t recall. For the past four years, each day blends into the last. “Is that Jacob? He’s gotten so big.”

“He has. I swear he grows an inch every day. Anyway, I’m here for you. I brought a bunch of things Cassidy had available in your size. You can take what you need and then take what you want. Pretty much you have free reign.”

“You guys didn’t have to do that. I just need one or two things.”

“Non-sense,” Shelly insists as she walks toward the formal living room expecting Norah to follow.

Ryker has moved closer to Norah during their exchange, and  as Shelly turns away, he leans down and whispers in her ear, “Good morning, beautiful.”

“Morning. I couldn’t go back to sleep once you left.”

“I’m sorry,” he admits as he winds a hand through her hair and grips it lightly so that her face tilts up toward him. Ryker bends forward and runs his nose along hers, loving the way her body shivers as he barely touches her. He reaches out his arm and wraps it around her waist, anchoring her to him, and then presses his lips against hers. Norah’s tongue brushes against his and he can feel his cock beginning to stir in his sweatpants.

Luckily they’re saved from moving farther forward when Shelly interrupts. “Damn, that is hot.”

Norah stands still with her eyes closed and he wonders if she’s memorizing the feel of his kiss the same way he is learning hers.

“Go get some clothes, princess,” Ryker offers as he places his hands on her shoulders and spins her around. When she hesitates to move, he smacks her ass and she yelps, glancing at him over her shoulder with irritation, but she finally heads toward a smirking Shelly.

Ryker finishes his coffee and washes out his and Shelly’s mugs before taking a seat next to Jacob on the floor. He hadn’t ever given any thought to being a dad before or wanting kids, but he loves his nieces and nephew. They were young, not even a year old yet. Ryker had a special bond with them though, he is the only one that can make them smile and giggle on command, much to their father’s dismay. If the babies cried and Ryker was around their mother’s instantly handed them over to him, and they’d stop. His half-sister Avery calls him the baby whisperer.

But sitting next to Jacob puts different thoughts in his head. If he hadn’t been a musician would he be a father now? Surely Ryker is still young, almost twenty-three, but a lot of his classmates from high school have one or two kids under their belts at this point – small town living and all that. He never felt that he was missing out by being on the road constantly but as Jacob scoots over and curls up in Ryker’s lap, he feels a sense of longing.

He strokes the young boy’s hair back as they continue to watch Mickey Mouse in silence, the only sound being a few chuckles from Jacob’s small form. Just as the episode ends a giddy Shelly bursts into the space with a sulking Norah behind her. Ryker wants to rush over to her and ask what’s wrong but her demeanor changes when she notices Jacob’s sleepy form in his lap.

“I can take him,” Shelly insists, but Ryker turns her away.

“Naw, we’re having man time.  You get yourself another cup of coffee and relax.”

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely. There is a small library down that hall if you like to read or want to catch a nap in one of the upstairs bedrooms. I can’t imagine how tiring it is to be doing this all on your own.”

“It’s a lot of work, but completely worth it. And I’ll take you up on the offer of the library. I haven’t gotten lost in a book in ages.”

As Shelly makes her way down the hall, Norah steps forward and Ryker notices the change of clothes. This is his first time seeing her in anything form-fitted, and he has to beat back the desire to stand and carry her off to his bedroom. Her body is perfection beneath a pair of tight dark-wash jeans and a navy and white striped shirt. The sleeves end just at her elbows and the neckline scoops outward showing off her narrow shoulders and the collarbone he loves so much. Some men are breasts men, some men are ass and leg men, but Ryker? Ryker is all about Norah’s collarbone. The way the skin and bone line delicately highlight the expanse of her shoulders leading up to her graceful neck is enough to send him over the edge.

“You look beautiful, Norah,” he insists as she moves closer to him.

“Thank you. I feel silly taking all of these clothes from Cassidy and for making Shelly come so early.”

“We want to help you, Norah. Let us help you.”

“I’m trying. I’m not used to people helping me.”

“You let Jameson help you. He’s the first person you thought of,” Ryker points out sullenly.

“He’s my best friend. He and Dr. Lewis are the only people I have in my life,” she claims as she looks down at her bare feet.

“Norah,” Ryker says to get her attention again. When she turns her face toward him he continues, “I want to be the first person you think of. Always.”

She bites her lip and her eyes fill with nervousness and Ryker grows with confusion as to why.

“If you knew me you would rethink that,” she whispers.

“Nothing could make me change what I think about you and what I’m starting to feel for you.”

“What are you starting to feel for me?”

Ryker waits for a beat to find the words to describe how he feels, but he knows if he comes on too strongly he’ll scare her off. Instead, he says, “I don’t know, but I know something is there and it’s growing stronger every day. Don’t you feel it?”

“I do. But Ryker, there are things about me you don’t know. Things Jameson doesn’t even know.”

“Well, let’s remedy that. Tonight, let me take you on a date. Just me and you. You can tell me everything and see if that scares me off.”

“You’re crazy,” she announces as feet start to pound against the stairs alerting them to company.

“Only about you, princess.”