Just One Kiss (Very Irresistible Bachelors #2) - Layla Hagen Page 0,56

I moved my hand all over it, right until Ryker caught my wrist, stopping me.

I grinned against his arm. When I looked up, I was startled by the heat in his gaze. Holy hell, this man had three intensity levels: hot, hotter, and inferno. Right now, he was on the latter, and I had to find a way to bring him down. In other words, I had to behave. Easier said than done. I just wanted to feel part of him. As if I was here to stay and he couldn’t shake me away even if he wanted to.

We arrived at the airport too soon for my liking. Ryker got out first, keeping the door open for me. He took my hand, helping me out, but then kept our fingers interlaced as we headed inside.

JFK was extremely crowded on Sunday evening. New Yorkers were returning from their weekend trips. Tourists were leaving. It was absolute madness. Ryker didn’t ease his grip on me. I was so nervous!

My fears stemmed from a couple of things. This was the first time my mom was going to meet him. And Avery would know, just with him accompanying me, that something had changed. I hoped I was doing the right thing. I didn’t want my daughter to feel as though something or someone had come between us.

This felt so perfect though, as if I was supposed to be exactly here... trusting him with my heart and my happiness... as well as Avery’s. I couldn’t be that wrong, could I?

Ryker must have felt my tension, because he looked at me over his shoulder, bringing our hands up, kissing the back of mine.

“Babe, I’m right here with you, okay?”

I smiled at him, even though I was still a little afraid of this huge step we were taking.

“I’m not afraid.”

He cocked a brow.

“Okay, I am. A little.”

“I can’t tell you not to be. Just know that we’re in this together.”

My cautious smile morphed into an explosive grin all on its own. Despite our best efforts, we arrived a little late. Mom and Avery were waiting by arrivals.

Avery squealed so loud when she saw Ryker that several people turned to look at us. My girl made a beeline for us—correction—for Ryker.

She hugged him hard, squealing some more before hugging me too. The little traitor. She was already hugging him first? My mother was looking between the three of us with a curious expression, but she wasn’t as taken aback as I’d expected. Avery must have told her about Ryker. He held out his hand to her.

“Ryker Winchester, Mrs. Prescott. I’m glad to meet you.”

“Avery told me about you.” She looked pointedly at me.

“I meant to tell you,” I began, but she waved away my words.

“We don’t have time to chat now. Plane’s leaving soon, but call me.”

“Mom, are you sure you don’t want to stay? At least one night to rest?”

I didn’t understand why she was always so stubborn. It was a long journey. She always insisted on picking up Avery, so Dad drove her to the airport in Phoenix, then she flew to New York and made the return journey the same day.

“No, no. I’m going to sleep on the plane anyway. And I can’t be away too long from the animals. It was nice meeting you, Ryker.”

They shook hands again before Mom hugged Avery. She then turned her attention to me, pulling me into her arms, speaking in a soft voice.

“He’s a fine man. A detail obviously Avery didn’t mention.”

“Umm, thanks.”

Mom continued, “Just be careful.”

“I am.”

I could practically feel Mom trying to assess the situation, but lucky me, she didn’t have too much time.

After walking Mom to the departures terminal, Ryker grabbed Avery’s bag, and we all headed toward the exit.

“How was your week?” Ryker asked her while we fought our way through the crowd.

“Amazing. My pony isn’t tiny anymore, Mom. He grew up.”

“I know. Gran sent us pictures, remember?” I said.

“Yeah, but he’s even bigger than in the pictures.”

“You have a pony?” Ryker asked. “What’s his name?”

“Tony.”

“Tony the pony?” Ryker asked on a laugh. I smiled to myself. Avery nodded proudly.

“Do you have other animals too?”

“Yes. A chicken and a rabbit. And Gran said she’ll buy me a goose this summer.”

“My mom is basically luring her to Arizona with animals to make sure she spends every vacation there,” I explained.

Ryker nodded. “Sounds like something Mom would do if she had grandkids living in another state.”

We flagged a cab, and after we loaded Avery’s luggage in