Page 23 of Mutual Obsessions

It was the right thing to do. If we ever wanted to win the heart of Ryker DeWitt, we needed to present a united front. The man was important to both of us for different reasons. It was time to prove it to him.

Chapter Thirteen

Ryker

It was Thursday, and I had my head on right. I’d slept off and on all day Wednesday and Wednesday night. I’d been roofied or drugged, I was sure, and it took a while to get the drugs out of my system. I was finally thinking straight.

After I was dressed, I went downstairs to grab my keys and get on my way. I hoped to hell Mr. Danvert didn’t ask me where we were regarding the Tremblay project. I had no idea what to tell him.

It would probably be best for me to walk to work, but I didn’t have time to fuck around, so driving it was. I needed to get to the office and lose myself in something so I could forget that stupid, fucked-up nightmare.

Twenty-minutes later, I pulled into the parking garage under the building and found a spot on the second level. I grabbed my messenger and duffel bags from the back of the car, ran up the stairs of the garage to the lobby, and crossed over to the stairs that led to the law firm’s floor.

I opened the door to find the stairwell was dark, but who needed light to climb fucking steps? I counted them like I always did, and as I was about to take the second flight, I was grabbed from behind.

My body froze, and I dropped my duffel and held up my hands. I’d just fucking been through this routine a few nights earlier, but this time, I didn’t give a flying fuck if I lived or died.

“What do you want? My wallet’s in my back pocket. My keys are in my messenger bag. Take it all.”

A nose slid along my neck, and then there was a soft kiss. I’d never heard of a mugger kissing their victim.

I inhaled, and aside from the musty smell of the stairwell, I recognized a sandalwood and citrus scent easily. “What are you doing here?” I didn’t even know whose name to say.

“I’m here to prove we’re worth your trust. We’re worthy of your love and friendship and anything else you have to offer. We have a lot of things to tell you when you’re ready to listen, Ryker. Please, please, give us another chance.”

“Who are you?” The hands on my chest were familiar. Stephen. God, I was drawn to him, but that shitshow I’d seen Tuesday night continued to play through my head like a horror movie.

“It’s me, Etienne.”

“No. Etienne doesn’t want to touch me like this.” The voice whispering in my ear was deep and sexy, while Etienne’s was high pitched and proper. It made me smile.

“Etienne and I have come to an agreement we’ve vowed to keep if you’ll have us. You seem drawn to us for different reasons, so we’ve agreed to allow the other to come forward when you need them. We’re both still in here, baby, but you’ll get the best of both worlds. Etienne will take you to art galleries and tea parties. He’ll introduce you to the right people and ensure you know all the details of our family accounts so you can prepare the paperwork for the nonprofit. We want you to run it, Ryker.”

I stiffened, but I didn’t try to pull away. “I don’t understand, Stephen.”

“I will fill your nights with love and passion. I’ll take you out on the town for dancing and dinners, and I’ll ensure you know how much we both love you. How much we both crave your attention and desire to protect you should the need arise, but we’ve promised not to monopolize your time or make each other jealous.”

I pulled away and turned toward the beautiful man, barely able to see him, which reminded me of the first night with the trash on Royal Street. “Was it you or Etienne who was taking out the trash that night?”

What the hell are you doing? Have you lost your mind? This is another nightmare! My mind was spinning with questions I couldn’t answer.

“It was me, Ryker. I saw your beautiful face in the moonlight, and I couldn’t speak. Etienne wouldn’t let me follow you to make sure you got home safely. We’ve worked out our differences, and we’re ready to be the man you need us to be. We want to get to know you. Will you give us a chance?”

An overwhelming urge came over me. “Are you doing that?” I felt Stephen’s hands holding mine, and as much as I wanted to jerk away, I couldn’t. I wanted his touch. It calmed me, even though I didn’t want it to. I didn’t want to take comfort from him, but I couldn’t help myself.

“I’m not doing anything to you, but I want to, Ryker. Can we take you out tonight? Please?”

“Can you take me somewhere now? I’ll call my boss and tell him we’re still working on the nonprofit paperwork, but I want to know if what Cubby said is true. Are you a vampire?” As the words tumbled out of my mouth, I knew I’d lost my grasp on reality.

The beautiful man sealed his lips over mine, and the kiss took my breath. His tongue was soft and tasted of mint. When his arms wrapped around my body, he could have done anything he wanted to me, and I wouldn’t have cared. I wanted to feel his lips on every inch of my flesh.

Stephen pulled back and licked up the side of my neck. “If I am, is that a deal breaker?”

I chuckled. “Yesterday, I’d have said yes. Today? No.”

“Let’s go.”

He took my hand and led me out of the stairwell and back to my car. I opened the door for him and then slid behind the wheel. I pulled out of the garage and stopped at the light, turning to my passenger. “May I speak to Etienne?”

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