Page 89 of Ryker

“God damnit! If you don’t leave, I’m calling the cops.”

He leans forward and steeples his fingers, resting his elbows on his knees again.

What a stubborn asshole. “Why won’t you leave?”

“Because I don’t think you really want me to.”

The arrogance in this man! “I never want to see you again. Get out.”

His Adam’s apple bobs in his throat. “Do you want me to get on my knees and beg again? Because I’ll do it.”

My cheeks tingle. “What? No. I don’t want that at all.”

“Then tell me what you want, Tara. How can I…” He looks away from me and sighs. “I don’t know how to do this.”

“Do what? Be anything other than a fucking asshole?”

“I don’t know how to be…” He looks around the room. “Normal.”

Seriously? What a dumbass. “Do you know someone who’s normal?”

“You are.”

“You don’t know anything about me, Ryker.”

“You’re right.” His gaze captures mine. “But I want to.”

My palms sweat. “Why?”

“Because I feel something with you.”

I bet he does. “Yeah, you feel hate, frustration, obligation, and disappointment. Funny, I’m not one to kink shame, but I didn’t see that coming from a man like you.”

He frowns. “I don’t feel any of those things with you, Tara.”

Crossing my arms, I hug myself and look away. “Could have fooled me, Sir.”

“Don’t do that. Don’t use honorifics right now.”

Fuck this guy. “Bye, Ryker. See yourself out.” I walk out and slam the heel of my palm on the elevator button, grateful that it opens immediately. Stepping inside, I muster what’s left of my confidence and turn to face him so I can flip him the bird.

He’s already out of my apartment and slams his hand on the closing elevator door, forcing it to reopen. His intensity is back too. Tenfold. I back up until my spine hits the wall. He’s on me in a flash, caging me in. His forehead presses to mine as his hands remain braced on either side of my head. My heart races. I can’t feel my feet.

Ryker looks down at my mouth.

He leans in a little more. I feel his breath on my lips and his soapy scent tingles in my nose. Ryker’s overpowering everything that’s mine. This elevator, my thoughts, my heart, my lust, and my brain.

“I’ll kiss you,” he whispers, and I float a little higher. “Just… let me earn you back first.”

Pop! The hope floating inside me bursts like a balloon, and little pieces of it flutter to the ground as garbage. Slipping out from under him, I smash the lobby button and hug myself again. Damnit, I left my keys!

A headache starts creeping in. Massaging my temples, I wait until we hit the lobby and the door opens. I don’t get out. Neither does Ryker. “This is your stop.”

He doesn’t leave.

I hate him.

Ryker hits the close button and pushes the number for my floor again.

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