Kat

What a day. What. A. Day. After a bath that turned my fingers and toes to prunes, I dressed in one of Ryker’s Harley T’s that fits snuggly around my belly, and a pair of his sweatpants with ankle cuffs so they can’t drag underfoot. I might look like Tweedledee sporting MC Hammer pants, but I’m cool with that. They’re comfy. Kade delivered the suitcases to the bedroom. However, I didn’t wanna weed through them to find pajamas. Ryker’s clothes suit me just fine. And if I’m being honest, I kinda like the idea of something he’s worn before wrapped around me. Call me sentimental. I don’t care. It is what it is.

Once I emerged from the bedroom, refreshed, I found my dad, Bear, Kade and the girls chitchatting in the kitchen. We ordered pizza, Kade discovered a marathon of Harry Potter on TV, and we settled in for a pleasant, no stress evening of family bonding. Scarlett, as I suspected, stayed glued to Kade’s hip. While Roxie, my independent child, kept to herself. It was nice to catch up. By the time the kids’ bedtime rolled around, Rosie arrived, and took up her temporary quarters in the spare bedroom, after she double checked all the doors and windows for security purposes. The men left together sometime thereafter, leaving the Suburban out back and me with its keys. Ryker has yet to be seen or heard from. Now, I’m curled up in the dark on the oversized chair in the living room, reading a blue alien romance on my Kindle. For my protection, there’s a handgun on the end table next to me. I found it locked and loaded in Ryker’s drawer underneath his sweats. Figure you can never be too careful, and I don’t think he’d mind.

Lost in the world of weird creatures, snow, and symbionts, I’m sluggish to respond to the creaky floorboard behind me until the noise happens again. Heart jacking up my esophagus, I swiftly yet silently reach for the gun and curl deeper into the chair, hoping whomever’s in the house hasn’t seen me. There’s a rustling of fabric. Another creak. Whomever it is, is getting closer. Cold sweat beads on the base of my neck, goosebumps sprouting from toes to nose. Pressing my lips together, holding my panicked breath, I force my pulse to quit pounding fervently. I don’t want them to hear it.

Creak.

Screw this. I’m not a victim. I can’t just sit here and wait. If they wanna come into my house and fuck with me, I’ll show them who’s boss. Knifing up in the chair surprisingly fast for a pregnant chick, I aim my gun at the black figure standing next to the kitchen table. “Freeze, motherfucker!” Spewing venom, I cock the gun. Click.

The silhouettes’ thick arms shoot in the air before stumbling over the nearest chair and knocking it on its side. “Fuck!” a familiar voice booms. “Put the gun away,” he then demands, righting himself and the chair on four legs.

Decocking the firearm, I re-lay it on the end table, expelling a shaky breath. Fingers trembling. “What the hell are you doing sneakin’ into your own cabin at—” I peer at the glowing numbers on the microwave. “Two-fifteen in the damn morning. And where’s Rosie?” Some bodyguard she is. There’s a perp in the house, and she hasn’t gotten up to check.

Sauntering to the lamp beside my seat, Ryker pulls a toggle. Bright light floods the space. The shock’s instant. Blinking rapidly, I combat the colorful, floating dots obscuring my vision. It doesn’t help all that much. Propping my glasses on top of my head, I rub my eyes. Blink. Rub. Then reset my frames where they belong. Better.

Kicking off his boots, Ryker drops heavily onto the couch, rumbling a long, border lining erotic groan. “Why are you up? You’re not sleeping in the livin’ room, are you? ‘Cause I can’t allow that.”

Give me a break. Allow?

There he goes again. Digging under my skin. Not in the pleasant kinda way. In the way that makes me wanna stab him in the eye with an ice pick. Do they even sell those anymore? If they don’t, I’ll buy vintage. Make it bloody. Maybe even Snapchat it to Dad. We could laugh about it later.

Rolling my eyes dramatically, I briefly lift my Kindle high enough for him to see. “I’m reading. Is that something you can’t allow as well?” I snark.

Reclining on the sofa, he tucks an arm behind his head and crosses his ankles. Ryker’s shirt rides up a smidge, revealing a strip of tight abs and a dark treasure trail. I’m not gonna look to see if his V’s showing, or what brand of boxers he’s wearing. So don’t ask. It’s hard enough to stay feisty when you’ve got muscles that fine to stare at. This must be the temptation guys feel when girls wear low cut tops. Don’t worry. I’ve got willpower and years’ worth of resentment to keep me from falling for his hot bod—again. No more moments of weakness.

“Do you look for reasons to fight with me?” he counters.

Throwing a blanket across my legs, I get comfortable. “I don’t like fighting with anyone. I never have.”

Ryker’s brows pinch, gaze narrowing. “Are you wearing my clothes?”

Harrumphing, I rest my arms on top of my bump, chin held high. “If it’s any of your business. Yes.”

“They look good on you.” He winks.

I frown, ignoring the niggling ache in my cheek. Kade said he’ll remove the sutures in a few days. “What are you doing here? And why isn’t Rosie already beating your ass for sneaking into your cabin?”

“I texted Rosie to let her know I’d be home late. And I’m here because the girls start school in the morning and I didn’t wanna chance missin’ it.”

Refusing to acknowledge what that tidbit of information is doing to my innards, I slip into a more comfortable subject. “They found out both our dads are their grandpas today.”

“I know. Kade was blowin’ up my phone with videos. Red glittery nail polish? What a sucker.” The amused grin he pops brightens his entire face, reminding me of the man I used to know … and love.

Ryker’s happiness catches, and I find myself smiling to match. “Did he tell you the girls asked if you were their uncle, too?”

He chuckles, accentuating the laugh lines around his gorgeous blues. “Yeah. He said you both changed the subject. There’s no rush to tell them anythin’, Kat. I’m not gonna pressure you. I made my bed. And for what it’s worth, I’m gonna lie in it until ya tell me to get up.” Scratching his stomach, Ryker’s shirt hikes up to his belly button.

Genuinely relieved by his level of maturity, I drop my head back on the cushion, stare at the rustic beams, and unleash a tension-laced sigh I didn’t realize I was harboring. A horse sized burden lifts off my shoulders, dissolving into thin air. Jesus. I needed to hear that almost as much as I need my next breath. “Thank. You.” A rock of emotion clogs my throat. “Thank you for saying that.”

“Anytime, Tiger, and I mean that. While you’re here, I’m gonna be around as much as I can. Between the club and Vanessa, I know it won’t be as much as I want. But I missed enough of Roxie and Scarlett’s life. It’s time to start makin’ up for it. That’s why I’m gonna drive ‘em to school tomorrow. And the bus will bring ‘em home. They’ll drop ‘em right in front of the lane. It’s safer that way. Then, in the mornings, I’ll drive ‘em again. If I can’t, there will be someone here who will.”

A spastic hummingbird flutters in my chest. “You don’t have to do that. I can take them.” I’m giving him an out. One I hope he doesn’t take—for their sake. I want them to know their dad. Even if he’s not worthy of them. He could be. Eventually.

“Nonsense. It’s not safe, and you’re pregnant. You need to rest, so you and our daughter can stay healthy. You’ve had enough stress to deal with. It’s the least I can do. Besides havin’ you stay in the cabin.”

“Which is beyond amazing,” I praise, scanning my dream cabin before returning my attention to Ryker, whose eyes dip shyly, cheeks kissed by flames.

He chews the side of his lip. “I—I'm glad you approve.”

Noticing he’s bizarrely uncomfortable with my admiration, I ask, “Where’d you get the ideas from? None of this has prefabricated catalog written on it.” Sweeping my hand, I indicate the vast splendor.

Stroking his short goatee thoughtfully, Ryker’s ink covered forearm dances with each movement. “Lots of research, I guess.” He shrugs a shoulder. “Took lots of years to get it this nice. Had to replace the floor three times because of the weather. I’d get the walls built, and we’d get some big storm that’d destroy the tarps I used to keep the elements out. At least we don’t get snow like you. It could’ve been much worse.”

“Did you know you wanted to turn your bedroom into a shrine?” I blurt. Then slap my hand over my mouth, regretting the dumb words the instant they spill.

Ryker jerks as if I struck him. A grimace pinches his strong features.

“I’m so sorry,” I add, guilt eating me from the inside out. I’m such a bitch. Why couldn’t I have kept my mouth shut? Let it go. He had to know I saw the pictures. If he wanted to discuss them, he would have. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

Abruptly looking away, like he can’t stand the sight of me, Ryker shoves his shirt back down to his belt line. “They’re in my bedroom, Kat, because I wanted to sleep with my family. It hurt too much to place them around the house. To see you three all day long, staring back at me when I eat or watch TV. Call it what you want. A shrine. A pathetic alter to the woman I fell in love with the first moment I saw her. I don’t give a fuck. For the longest time, it was the room I went to, to punish myself. I’d sit on the bed and drink half a bottle of Jack until I passed out, feelin’ guilty for leavin’ you and my kids. I know it was hard for you. I’ll never be able to take it back. But it slowly fuckin’ killed me.” Curling onto his side, facing the back of the couch, Ryker shuts me out. “I think it’s time you go to bed. I’ll see you when we take the girls to school,” he mutters solemnly, pounding the guilt I’m already feeling a whole lot deeper.

Nodding, even though he can’t see, I scoot awkwardly off the giant chair and set my Kindle on the table. Knowing I can’t let this fester all night or neither of us will sleep, I take the blanket I was using and drape it over Ryker’s prone body. Pecking the side of his head twice, I let the second one linger a bit.

“I’m sorry. The pictures are lovely. I didn’t mean to offend you,” I whisper, drop another kiss where I left the others, and leave him be. I’ve done enough damage for tonight.