Page 162 of Cavern of Silence
"You aren't wearing one?"
"Nope."
He tilts his head. "Are you sure?"
"Yep. Come on." I take his hand and lead him down the stairs and outside. When we get to the deck, I pick up sunscreen and tell him to sit on the bench.
He does. Before I lather him in lotion, I kiss his back, and he inhales deeply.
I bring my mouth to his neck then lean over him and our lips meet. He moves his arms behind his body and holds my thighs.
"I really missed you," he murmurs.
"I'm glad you didn't forget about me," I reply and kiss him some more.
"Not possible."
The door opens, but we keep our lips locked.
"Are you going to get all corny again, Ryker?" Hunter asks.
I look up. "What are you talking about?"
"Julieta has A-plus-plus-plus skills," he teases.
Vanessa smacks him on the arm. "Stop it."
"What?"
I smirk. "Don't make fun of my man's compliments."
"She does have A-plus-plus-plus skills." Ryker grins and pulls me back for another kiss.
We lather each other up and spend the rest of the day in turquoise waters and lounging on pink sand with our friends. Throughout the day, there are pieces of him I see broken, but I'm determined to do whatever I have to in order to help him be whole again.
28
Ryker
All day,I keep Julieta close to me. We spend time in the water and on the beach, and our friends do their best to keep my spirits up.
My ribs are in pain, and my right hand is so swollen, I can only open it halfway. Sloane gives me some anti-inflammatories, and Julieta makes ice packs between showering me in kisses all day.
The sun sets, and everyone goes to clean up and change. As soon as I enter the bathroom attached to our room, I lock the door. Julieta is helping Millie, but I don't know how long she'll be. And I'm trying to come to terms with myself.
I want to be the man Julieta fell in love with. But I don't feel anywhere close to that guy.
I've always kept my body in top shape. The time I spent in the cell, eating scraps twice a day, didn't do much for my physique. I've lost muscle. To the general population, I probably still look ripped. But when I stare in the mirror, I see it. Then I see my hand curled, back branded, and bruises everywhere, and I wonder how I'm ever going to be the man I worked so hard to become.
Don't forget you're a monster who kills men with your bare hands.
How can she love this man when she fell in love with the man I was proud to be?
Will I even be able to shoot a gun again?
I don't know if I want to return to Interpol. And I definitely don't until I know if Louis was acting alone, or if Interpol is involved with the Global Leaders.
"You're here because of him."
