Page 137 of A Game of Love and Betrayal

Gods above, he needed her.

Finally, the elevator dinged, and the doors opened on the penthouse floor. The honeymoon suite, one of two on this floor, was a wedding gift from his parents, as was the month-long trip to the Northern Region he and his wife would depart on after attending Therian and Hallie’s wedding.

“We’re here,” he said gruffly.

In response, Brynleigh ran her fangs over his neck. Good gods. Tremors ran through him. Shifting her in his arms, Ryker reached into his pocket and felt around for the small key card he’d been given earlier.

“Keep that up, and we won’t make it inside the room,” he warned her hoarsely.

“Is this… bothering you?” She nibbled on his neck again.

He groaned, stumbling down the hallway and fumbling with the card. “It’s… not bad,” he managed to force out the words in a somewhat respectable voice.

Laughing to herself, his vampire continued her pleasant torture until he finally got the key to work. The door beeped, and then it unlocked.

Ryker carried Brynleigh over the threshold and kicked the door shut behind them. He listened for the tell-tale click of the lock before he set her on her feet. “One moment, sweetheart. I need to look around.”

Even now, his military training remained with him.

Brynleigh watched him with an amused look in her eyes as he inspected every inch of the hotel suite, guided by the light of the moon shining in through the open window. He looked under the king-sized bed with its mountain of pillows, red comforter, and scattered rose petals. Then, he checked the closets and the balcony. Once he’d ensured those were empty, he went through the bathroom. There was a massive tub and a shower big enough for two, which he fully planned on taking advantage of later. The room was empty.

He strode to the door and flipped the deadbolt. “All clear.”

He was about to turn around when a delicate hand trailed down his back.

“You are aware that I’m a vampire, right?” Brynleigh kissed the other side of his neck, and he shivered as her fangs scraped his skin. What would it be like if she bit him? “I’m capable of taking care of myself if there’s a threat.”

Something primal inside him roared at the thought of her being in a dangerous situation.

Ryker captured her hand with his, turning her around to face him. “I know you’re strong.” He met her dark gaze, loving how she caught her bottom lip between her teeth as she studied him. “But I want to take care of you. It’s part of my nature. Will you let me do that?”

Looking after those he loved wasn’t burdensome for Ryker. It was how he showed affection. He’d done it for River her entire life and planned to do the same for Brynleigh.

A long moment passed as she studied him. His vampire was strong—he had Chosen her in part because of that—but it didn’t mean he would stop needing to protect her.

“You can take care of me. It’s not… I’m not great at letting other people in, let alone letting them help take care of me. But for you, I’ll try.” A shy smile crept on Brynleigh’s face. “I’ll do just about anything for you.”

“Thank you, sweetheart.” He kissed her softly. “How can I help you tonight?”

“There actually is something.” Tugging his hand, she led him to the middle of the room before releasing him and turning around so her back was to him. Tiny pearl buttons, half the size of a fingernail, ran up her spine.

She looked over her shoulder. “Care to help me out of this?”

“With pleasure,” Ryker practically growled.

He’d wanted to get this dress off her from the moment he first saw it. The garment was beautiful, but she could have been wearing a paper bag, and he would not have cared. It was not what she wore or the way she styled her hair that he loved, but the woman beneath it all.

“Thank you.” Brynleigh crossed her arms in front of her. “It took River half an hour to do up the buttons. They’re fiddly.”

Ryker snorted, accepting the unspoken challenge. “I assure you I will get this dress for you in less time than that.”

He’d rip it off if he had to. He wouldn’t resort to such measures yet, though. Working steadfastly and swiftly, he undid the buttons one by one. Excitement bubbled in his veins, and he felt like a youngling on Winter Solstice morning, ripping open his presents.

The buttons slowly fell away, revealing Brynleigh’s skin.

Flawless. Every inch, every freckle, every part of her was gods-damned perfection.

She chuckled, glancing at him over her shoulder. “Thank you, Ryker.”

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