I climbed out of his lap. He immediately rose to his feet, walking away from the couch, as if staying too close made it too tempting to fall back into each other’s arms. Well, the risk was very real.
As I walked him to the door, I suddenly remembered that Avery had asked him to come to her science fair.
“Ryker, I’m sorry Avery ambushed you with her fair. Don’t worry about it. I’ll tell her she can’t invite people just like that.”
“Heather, I want to come.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“But it’ll just be a group of kids standing next to posters. A bit boring.”
“You’ll be there?”
“Of course.”
“Not boring, then.”
I was smiling from ear to ear when we reached the door.
“What do you think, far enough from the couch?” he asked.
“Far enough for what?”
“Kissing you without the risk of wanting to yank off your clothes.”
Ahh, by the edge in his voice, I had a hunch he still wanted that very much. Before I could answer, he gripped my hips and kissed me, deep and wet, and just didn’t let go... not until I felt a hard surface behind me.
He chuckled. “Fuck, woman, I’ll just pin you against the wall.”
“You already are,” I pointed out.
“I think not touching is a better strategy.” He took a step back, holding his hands in the air. I was that tempting, huh? Good to know. Because I couldn’t just shove him out the door like this, I gave him a quick peck on the lips before bidding him goodbye.
I did a little dance in my entrance hall after Ryker left. I couldn’t believe tonight. It had been... I didn’t even know how to describe it. I just couldn’t wrap my mind around everything... including all the budding feelings I already had for him. Ryker had swept into my life like a hurricane. I hadn’t been prepared. I still didn’t feel prepared. And yet I already knew that falling head over heels for this amazing man would be inevitable.
Chapter Eighteen
Ryker
“Mr. Ryker, did you like my poster?” Avery asked next Thursday, after we left the science fair.
“It was interesting,” I replied. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Heather was about to burst out laughing. Interesting was a very generous way to describe the few volcano drawings and pics on the poster. Honestly, some of the projects looked like they were an April Fool’s joke, which was appropriate since it was the first of April.
That prompting was all Avery needed to go into detail about formation of volcanoes and whatnot. Then she switched gears, talking about her upcoming trip to her grandparents’. She was leaving next week for her Easter vacation.
On the way home, we passed an ice-cream parlor.
“Want to go for ice cream?” I asked. Avery practically lit up. Heather narrowed her eyes. She saw right through my tactic. I wiggled my eyebrows, putting an arm around her shoulders, pulling her nearer.
“You’re cheating,” she whispered.
“I know,” I whispered back. But I didn’t know the rules yet, and I planned to play the clueless card for as long as possible.
The ice-cream parlor was full, so we stood in line. It was almost our turn when Heather’s phone rang.
“I’m going outside to take this,” she said.
“Sure.”
“What does your mom usually buy for you?” I asked Avery when we had to order.
“A cone with three scoops,” she answered in one breath.
“Okay. Let’s buy yours.”
Avery was so ecstatic that I couldn’t help grin. Was it really this easy to make kids happy? I’d always thought there was more to it.
Heather joined us just then. Her eyes bulged when she noticed Avery’s cone.
“How much ice cream is that?” she asked.
“Three scoops,” I said. “She said that’s what you usually buy her.”
“Kid-sized scoops.”
I glanced at Avery. “You didn’t tell me that.”
Avery shrugged. “You didn’t ask.”
“Fair enough.”
Heather laughed, pointing to a table. “Wait for us there, Avery. We’ll buy ours and join you.”
Avery practically ran away, as if afraid her ice cream might get confiscated. I took Heather’s hand, pulling her closer to the counter. “What about you?”
“Mango. You?”
“Not really in the mood for ice cream.”
“What do you want instead?”
I didn’t answer. Instead, I ran my fingers lazily up and down her palm, making my intention clear. I wanted her. Heather cleared her throat, but her voice was slightly breathy when she ordered her mango ice cream. Her cheeks were a little flushed. Fuck, I loved seeing her react like this to a simple touch and implication. She was still blushing when we sat next to Avery.
She’d