STRETCHING, I ASSESSED MY ACHING body. Damn. I hurt but I felt sooo good. I’d never had this satisfied achy feeling. Last night had been beyond amazing. I had no idea a man could have stamina like Ryder did. I knew I would be walking bow legged today. I was so thankful that I didn’t start work until midday.
I could hear the shower on and slowly eased out of bed and considered joining Ryder, but as I grabbed the sheet from my waist I saw something shiny flash in my vision. Dropping the sheet, I held my hand out in front of me and screeched. How fucking dare he! I’d teach him not to take over. I was the one in charge of our relationship. Not him. I made the decisions. Not him. And I didn’t agree to anything. Jumping off the bed I ran to the bathroom, opened the door, stepped in and shoved the massive black rock with two diamonds on either side in Ryder’s face. “What the hell Ryder? Why the fuck am I wearing a huge arse engagement ring? I do not remember agreeing to anything that would involve a ring.”
Right now, I hated being short as I stood on tiptoe so my hand could reach Ryder’s face. Ryder, the wanker, smirked down at me and my stupid body instantly reacted to his cockiness, heating up like it hadn’t had a night of marathon sex. “You agreed to be mine. If I remember, you screamed over and over you were.”
Holy. Crap. My face was on fire. I ducked my head, but knew it was too late. He’d seen how red I turned. I was usually good with witty come backs. Well okay, they may not be witty, but I always had the last word. Ryder seemed to be stopping that. My mind couldn’t think of anything to say, but only flashed images of the things we’d done last night. “Yeah, well. You never asked to marry me. I didn’t agree to wear this.” I waved my hand in front of his face again, although now I’d noticed the ring, I had no idea how I missed it before, as it was obscenely huge. There was no way anyone would miss it. Ryder couldn’t have picked anything bigger to show people I was taken.
“You agreed to be mine. I didn’t need to ask you if you would marry me because there is no question. You will.”
Shivers raked my body and moisture pooled between my thighs. I cursed my body’s reaction to his caveman words. My brain shut down and all that came out was, “No-huh.” Oh God, could I sound any lamer? What had happened to my outrage and anger that he’d put a ring on me without asking? I was sure I was fired up when I came in ready to show Ryder who was boss, now I could barely form words. What was this man doing to me?
“You are mine. I would have claimed you the first or even the second time I saw you, but I waited to give you time to get used to the idea of me. When you came to me, I knew I wouldn’t, no, that I couldn’t give you up again.” His finger tilted my chin up and I glared at him, but I knew it lacked any hostility. This man did strange things to not just my body.
Needing a moment to myself to process, I pushed Ryder out of the shower. “This discussion isn’t over. Go.” I shoved at his solid chest, grunting when he didn’t even move. “Let me shower in peace.” I gave him my don’t-mess-with-me glare, the one that scared everyone. Apparently not him, though.
He chuckled and took a step back. “You were the one who came in and interrupted my shower.” He raised his hands and smirked down at me in mock surrender. “I happily give it up to you.” He winked and lowered his hands. “I’ll leave something clean for you to wear on the bed when you get out of the shower.” He leaned down and brushed a quick kiss over my lips. “I’ll see you in the kitchen. I’ll cook you breakfast.”
“You cook?”
“Of course. You don’t get to my age and not know how to cook unless you want to live off takeout food or sponge off your parents.”
Raising my brow, I scanned his body. Nope. No way could this magnificent sculpted body live off takeout food. I wouldn’t tell him how drool-worthy he was, he was already way too full of himself. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you couldn’t. You are a cop, aren’t you? Don’t they live on junk food?”
“No they don’t, and I’m a detective.”
“Same thing.” Shrugging my shoulder, I dunked my head under the spray. I knew it wasn’t the same. Being a detective was bigger and better than just being a normal beat cop, but I enjoyed the deep annoyed grumble that came from his chest as he backed out of the shower.
When he turned, I focused on his buns of steel and clenched my fists to resist the temptation to rush forward and squeeze the tight globes. God, he’d turned me into a nymphomaniac.
Looking around the shower, I saw a shelf built into the wall with shampoo, conditioner and men’s body scrub. Two hooks sat on either side of the shelf. One had a back scrubber hanging off it, the other, a sponge. Getting the shampoo, I opened the container and poured a small amount into my hand. Running it through my hair I lathered it up and washed my hair, repeating the process with the conditioner. The hot water seeped into my skin and relaxed my body, soothing my aching muscles. I didn’t want to get out of the water, but I knew I couldn’t procrastinate any longer and had to go down to see Ryder.
Turning off the shower, I stepped out, wrapping the towel Ryder had out for himself around me. I walked into the bedroom and laying on the bed, as he said there would be, was a pile of neatly folded clothes. Going to them, I picked them up, frowning at the women’s garments. Where did they come from? Whose clothes were these? Black bikini briefs, a pink tank top with built in bra that barely contained my breasts, and a sheer white long lacy dress top would help cover my overflowing cleavage. The black tights were a size small but fit stretched to the max. I would have bought a medium.
Dressed, I headed to the kitchen. Ryder and I needed to talk, and not just about whose clothes I was wearing. If I didn’t remember where the kitchen was I would have been able to easily find it with the heavenly smells coming from it.
Ryder stood by the stove in just dark blue sweat pants hung low, the perfect muscled v showed when he turned and flashed a heart stopping smile my way. His smile sent my heart a flutter. My gaze raked his body but I couldn’t stop staring at his muscular chest. His bold tattoos had me itching to go to him and trace them, feeling his strength beneath my fingers.
“You done looking your fill or do you want me to put the food in the oven and we can move somewhere more comfortable?” He wiggled his eyebrows up and down and I couldn’t stop my giggle slipping free.
“Put a shirt on.” I sat on a stool where a plate with a knife and fork rested on the bench. Picking them up I banged the end on the marble counter. “Give me my breakfast. I’m hungry.”
He turned back to the stove and when he turned again he had an oven tray pilled full of bacon, eggs and hash browns. “I thought you wanted me to put a shirt on. I can’t feed you and go get my shirt at the same time. I’m talented, just not that much.” He winked and I knew my grin was big. I hated to admit it but I did love his cockiness and I enjoyed our banter.
“Well I suppose if you feed me I’ll forgive your near nakedness.” Ryder stacked food onto my plate. “You don’t think I’m going to eat all this?” The plate was stacked high with four eggs, three hash browns and ten slices of crispy bacon. “I don’t think I’ll even eat half.” He did a plate for himself with double what I had and sat on the stool next to me. He reached across and grabbed some of my bacon but I slapped his hand away. “Eat your own.”
“You’re feisty. I like it.”
“I’m glad you do. It comes in handy for times like this when bossy men try to take over.” Now was my time to talk. I glanced at the gorgeous ring. This was the first thing. “You put this ring on my finger and although I said, under duress I might add, that I was yours, that doesn’t mean I agreed to marry you. Not that you even asked. I mean a girl might wanna have a proper proposal. You know, romance and all that.” Shooting a glare at him I shoveled some eggs and hash brown in my mouth and slowly chewed, savoring the perfectly cooked food. “I came here yesterday to talk, but I hate to admit this, you have this strange effect on me.” Heat crept up my neck and settled on my cheeks as I remembered just what effect he had on me all night long.
“So you believe you’re my soul mate now?” I hated the smugness in his voice.
“No. I didn’t say that. I said you have an effect on me. Look, we can argue back and forth, but what I’m getting at is you can’t just charge at me and take over my life.”
“I didn’t charge at you. I’ve given you time and then you came to me.”
Argh! I hated that he was right. Well, in a way. “I gave you an inch and you took way more than a mile.” I continued to eat and was surprised when I looked over to see that Ryder had eaten everything on his plate and now sat turned, listening to me. “How the hell do you eat all that and look like you do? Do you always eat like this?” I shook my head. Of course he didn’t. Surely?
He shrugged his big shoulders. “Not all the time. I’m a growing boy though and need energy.”
“Ha, I think you’re fully grown.” I looked down at my own plate shocked to find I’d almost eaten everything. “What do you want from me?” Groaning at how whiny I sounded, I eased of the stool and paced back and forth.
“Love.”
Whoa. I was not expecting him to say that. I stopped pacing and studied the man sitting on the stool. He gazed at me like I was the most precious jewel in the world. I’d never had anyone look at me with such hope and, dare I say, already growing love. My brother loved me and so did my father, in his own way, but other than my mother I’d not had anyone else love me or ask for my love like Ryder had. Could I fall for Ryder? He hadn’t done anything that would make me think I couldn’t. He was strange and I had thought he was crazy, but I, myself, hadn’t been acting so sane. He made me feel so many different emotions, anger, hate, love and frustration, which was something I hated to admit to, but I hadn’t felt much in a while. I’d been going through the motions. Moving to Brisbane had helped, but I still felt stuck. Ryder, from the moment I’d met him, had brought me out of my comfort zone. He’d got me changing my rules. The ones I had in place to keep me safe. To protect my heart.
Could I love Ryder? Yes. I just had to learn to how.
I could see the inner battle in Divinity as she decided whether she was going to let herself love me or not. I knew it would take time. Love was something that needed to grow. I knew I was starting to love Divinity. It was easy, with her loyalty to her family and the way she looked after her brother. The backbone she had against what she wanted and what she believed in was phenomenal. I loved that she wasn’t afraid of me or that she didn’t care about my family name.
I thought about all she’d said and glanced at the ring, then back to her face. She was right. She deserved romance. She deserved to be asked. “How about this. The ring is yours. Keep it on. I’ll give you what you want. I’ll ask you too. Not right now, but when I know you’ll be ready.” Getting off the stool, I went and gathered her to me, hugging her tight and pressing a kiss on the top of her head. “Let’s get to know one another. Give us together the chance I know you want to give it. We have the spark and this now proves we can get along without arguing.”
Her sigh was loud but she wrapped her arms around me returning the hug. “Fine. Let’s do this, but I want to date. Just because I came over last night and jumped your bones doesn’t mean I intend to do that all the time.”
I was glad she couldn’t see my face right now because I was grinning like a loon. I’d gotten what I wanted. Well, I was on my way to getting it. And from watching my cousins and uncle I knew Divinity would be jumping my bones, as she so well put it, again very soon. “Okay. Dates. I can do that. Tomorrow I’ll pick you up at seven?” If I didn’t have to work tonight I would have taken her out, but tomorrow would do.
She raised her brow and pushed me away making her way across the room and placed her hands on her hips. “Why do you assume I’m free tomorrow night? Maybe I already have plans.”
There was no way she had plans with anyone but me. Going to her, I circled her waist and brought her to me, tilting her chin so she looked me in the eyes. “You’re mine. There is no one else you will go on dates with but me.”
She rolled her eyes, but I didn’t miss the twitch of her lips into a quick smile before concealing it. “Okay, tomorrow at seven thirty.”
I wasn’t stupid. I knew she made the time change so she had some control back. Choose your battles, I told myself as I thought about arguing about the time. I knew I’d chosen right when after a moment she snuggled against me and relaxed her stance.
Now for the next battle. Protection. Security.
Taking a step back I slipped my hand down and twined my fingers with hers. I guided her to the lounge room and sat on the sofa, placing her on my lap. She twisted and pushed to get off but I held firm, holding her tight until she gave up on a sigh and snuggled against me. Her delicate frame fit perfectly.
“So I know you know that I have someone watching you.” I held my hand up as she started to speak. “I actually have a couple. They alternate. It’s to keep you safe. I always thought my cousins overreacted with all the security they have around them, but now I have you, I understand why.”
“I don’t need any security. I’ve never be—”
“I hope you don’t need it, but dating a Silverman, we’ve found out, can be dangerous. We have enemies. Not everyone is always happy about our family’s success.”
“I can look after myself. And really, we’ve only just started this thing. I mean who would want to harm me?” She shook her head, her hair whipping my chest.
“I have learned firsthand that you are capable of looking out for yourself, but you’re not bullet proof.”
“Ha, guns are banned in Australia.”
“Yes, they are. That doesn’t stop people from obtaining black-market weapons, as much as we police try. It also doesn’t stop a knife or other weapons. You wouldn’t believe some of things I’ve been assaulted with as a cop, so for those reasons alone, I’ve made sure you have someone watching over you. Now we’re going to be dating and being together out in public. I want you to make sure you always have guards with you. I called Chad, my new head of security, before you came down and he and the others are going to introduce themselves.
“Oh, and I don’t want guards.” Divinity eased around to straddle my lap and stared up at me. “I’m flattered that you want to protect me, but I don’t need bodyguards.”
This was a battle I wasn’t willing to lose. Her safety came first, especially with what the Devil’s Queens had told me. “Divinity, I don’t think you understand how dangerous things can be. My cousins’ wives have been attacked and shot at. Guns may be illegal, but they’re around for people to get their hands on. Chad and his team have stayed back because they haven’t seen any threat to you and we haven’t been seen together. Things have changed now and I need to know you’ll be safe. I can’t be out or working and worrying about you.” Brushing a strand of hair form her face I gently tucked it behind her ear.
Her sigh was loud as she puffed out a breath. “I’m probably one of the safest people. I spend most of my time, when I’m not at work, at home on the base. As you have learned it’s not easy to get into. I highly doubt your security could, especially when you couldn’t.”
Fuck. I hated that she was right about the base, but when she wasn’t there she was vulnerable. “You need to have a guard when you’re not on base. How about we make a deal?” I had a feeling if I gave her some control she would compromise. “You have the guards when you leave the base. I promise at work you’ll barely notice them.”
Her eyes closed, but it didn’t shut off her expressions. I knew she was thinking. Her lips pursed and then she nibbled on her lips. I just bet if her eyes were open I would be able to see her thinking through her options. After a moment that felt like an hour, she grunted and her eyes snapped open and narrowed on me.
“I’ll meet Chad and his team. They don’t come onto the base. To be fair, I’ll call them when I’m leaving. That way they won’t have to wait around all the time. They will not make trouble for me at work and they will stay as invisible as possible.”
For now, it was the best I was going to get. I didn’t like her calling, but I would give her a chance and if I found she broke this rule, we’d change and do what I wanted. “Fine, but if I find out you’ve gone out without them or if anything happens to you, we’ll do it my way.”
Her smile was blinding and I couldn’t suppress my groan. As I stared into her beautiful dark brown eyes and her shining face, I knew I was a goner. This woman already had me wrapped around her little finger.