Page 21 of Wicked

I face her. Soft rustling of covers in the darkness. Small fingers burrowing in my chest hair. Floral scent from her body wash, or is it her shampoo making me heady and hot? Talking my randy beast down, I stretch one arm over her head and the other across her waist.

“Is this okay?”

She glances up at me through long, thick lashes. “More than okay. Thank you.”

“Officer Ramirez is a cool guy.” I can’t sleep being this near her. “Did you grow up in Chicago?”

Her fingers play with my chest hair. I bite back my groan. I won’t be one of those bastards who made her feel unsafe.

“I grew up in Vegas, then moved to Chicago for my dad’s training. He was a mixed martial arts fighter, heavy weight division.”

“Holy shit.”

A small smile from her, moonlight shining in through the windows above her bed.

“My mom was a kindergarten teacher.”

“How did opposites meet?”

“Through friends. My father said it was love at first sight. Mom said the same. They married two weeks later.”

“Wow.”

“No wow. That kind of insta-lust can lead to a crash and burn.”

“Crash and burn?”

“My father was a jealous man. I don’t think my mom knew that about him. I remember him going into a tailspin and punching walls and destroying things if my mom so much as looked at another guy.”

“Did he ever hurt her or you?”

“No. Didn’t play mind games either. My father made his expectations clear. He would be the love of my mom’s life for life, until death do them part.”

My gut knots. Something bad is coming up in her story.

“My mom cried a lot. Started losing weight. The school she worked for let her go. Then when my dad was gone in Europe on a tour, something in her changed. Happier. Gained back the weight. Glowing skin. Shiny hair. I didn’t realize . . .”

Her voice trembles. She shifts. The covers fall off her pale and dainty shoulder. I pull them back over her. With what little light shines in through the windows, I see tears in her eyes.

Oh, shit, here comes the godawful part.

“My mother and my father’s best friend, one of the fighters, they . . .” She heaves a breath. “They fell in love and were having an affair. My father suspected. Nothing gets by him. The trip to Europe was a ruse. I knew what they were doing inside the bedroom, and I couldn’t move, Ryker. He shot them. He killed my mom and his best friend. And Colton, he was still inside my mother when they died.”

Her tears fall, and I hold her tight, smoothing my hand over her back.

“I’m sorry you went through that, Harper. So sorry.” Hot tears on my skin. The hell she went through. “Officer Ramirez said he’s known you since you were thirteen.”

“He was the responding officer.” Muffled words against my neck. Small fingers clenching and unclenching my chest hair. “Promise me you’ll leave before Shephard gets here. Promise, Ryker,” she pleads.

“You have it. Anything you need from me, I’ll give, Harper.”

Something in my words causes a change in her. She untangles from my hold, turns, and scoots until her back is against my chest and her ass nestled in my crotch. Reaching behind, she grabs my hand and slings my arm over her hip.

“Thank you. It means the world that you listened.”

Her body is warm, soft. I fold into her, my arms and legs cocooning her in place. We’re a perfect fit this way too. I want to cup her face. Bring her mouth to mine. But we’re not there yet, at a point where I can touch and claim her so intimately.

No matter what point we’re at in this journey called life, I won’t let her fight her inner demons alone. If she’ll have me at her side, I’ll keep her safe.

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