Page 70 of Wicked

My hands clasped in my lap, I stare out the limo’s window. It’s quiet now that the kids are dropped off and there’s a lingering smell of burgers and hot dogs. Warm air hits my bare shoulders and slides down my arms. I guess Ryker’s team chose who they’d rather believe. But I don’t give a care what they think of me. Only Ryker’s opinion matters.

“I’m sorry, Ryker.”

“For what?”

“For being a shitty date.”

“Aw, babe, you’re not.”

“You’ve been so quiet. Haven’t spoken a word since we dropped off April.”

My poor girl. She had high hopes for a “slamming good time,” her words.

“I’m disappointed, Harper, okay?”

My chest aches like a surprised punch to the chest from Shephard. He calls them “love taps.” Then why the hell do they hurt so much?

“I see.” My throat tightens. Tears spring at the corners of my eyes. Thank goodness we’re at my place.

The limo parks alongside the curb. Without another word, I rush out and hurry for the front door. On the steps, I trip. I catch myself, holding on to the railing.

Heavy footsteps from behind me.

“Why the hurry, sweetheart? I would’ve carried you to the door had you waited.”

There’s disappointment in his tone like it’smyfault I didn’t stick around for him to dig the knife into my heart deeper than it already is. I face him. My hair falls around me like a curtain. I shove the strands away from my eyes.

“Why are you here? You should be in that limo. And on your way home, you should be thinking over how you can let me down gently.”

“I—” He shoves his hands in his pockets and pulls his shoulders inward. “Why would I do that, babe? We’re solid, remember?”

“But-but you said I’m a disappointment,” I stammer.

“I should’ve been clearer. I’m sorry, Harper.” He blows out a breath. Rakes his fingers through his hair. “I meant my teammates. I’m disappointed with how they treated you and the kids. Further disappointed in Jake. Four years I protected his ass on the field. The least he can do is have my back when it counts the most.”

I understand loyalty and betrayal, having lived through both with Shephard and Sam. My chest aching for him, I wrap my arms around his waist and rest my head on the spot over his heart.

“I’m sorry and disappointed, too. Can we make it up to the kids?” I glance up at him. “After what happened tonight, I can’t think straight to come up with ideas, but I owe them something special, Ryker.”

“Of course, babe. Anything for you and them.”

“Thank you.” I pull him down for a kiss. His mouth on mine is searching, claiming. My body slackens. I lean into his heat. Want more of Ryker Conway. Preferably naked.

“Inside,” I say between kisses, dizzy and out of breath with need.

We make our way inside. Stumble to the bedroom. Along the way, we discard piece by piece of clothing. He rolls on a condom. I watch, balanced on my elbows. God, that body of his . . . I never tire of soaking in his sexy, beautiful, flawless body.

We make love nice and slow. Shower afterward, then crawl in bed. His arm is slung over my hip. My butt is nestled in his crotch. I burrow beneath the covers, enjoying the heat from his body.

I’m happy. He makes me so happy. But how much patience will he have when I tell him of my hang up, that I might not ever be able to perform oral on him without the overwhelming urge to vomit?

Unable to sleep, I stare at the wall and listen for his rhythmic breathing. The first night we slept together but didn’t have sex, I woke up from my nightmares, only to have him soothe me back to sleep with his deep voice and comforting words.

Later, I woke up again, panicked and fumbling for my cell on my nightstand, hoping we didn’t sleep past the alarms. But at five in the morning, Shephard wasn’t at my place, and Ryker was fast asleep, his rhythmic breathing in my ear startling at first.

I let a guy sleep with me, hold me through my nightmares, and he didn’t once make a move on me. Finally, I can’t take the silence anymore. I call him out.

“I can hear you thinking.”

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