Just One Kiss (Very Irresistible Bachelors #2) - Layla Hagen Page 0,62

off the water, and we both stepped out of the shower. He wrapped a towel around me and another around himself before pulling me in a bear hug.

“My clothes are drenched,” I said, glancing at the pile. I would have pinched him, but he had me firmly captive in his hug. “Why did you pull me in the shower?”

“I didn’t plan on it.”

“So you just couldn’t help yourself?”

“Exactly. Just saw you standing there and wanted you with me.”

I sighed, just sinking against him. Well, I was completely disarmed now. I disentangled myself from his arms, turning around, running my fingers over his chest.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Getting my fill of you. And shhhh... your voice is too sexy. It’s distracting me.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

He was silent right until I reached the hem of the towel he’d wrapped around his lower body.

“Heather....” His voice was dangerously low.

“All done, had my fill.”

“Really?”

“For now,” I amended.

“We’ll see about that.” Ryker’s smile was wolfish now. And his voice was still in that lower octave that made my entire body tingle. “How was your evening?” he asked.

“Excellent. The interview was just what I needed. I’m going to edit it tomorrow morning while it’s still fresh.”

“You can do it tonight if you want.”

“Ha! I’ve got you here to kiss and touch as much as I want, and you think I’ll waste my time editing?”

“Happy to know I’m more important than editing.” He wiggled his eyebrows, but then he swallowed hard, looking at me intently. “I want to talk to you about something.”

“Okay.”

“So... Avery made me a friendship card today.”

“Oh, that’s cute. She does those sometimes.”

“Yeah... but she made that after telling me she’d prefer if I was her friend, and not her dad. Because dads leave.”

My vision faded at the corners. I blinked a few times. My throat wasn’t just dry now; I had a lump the size of a fist at the base of it too.

“She... she said that?” My voice was shaky.

“Yes. And I was thinking, why don’t you two spend some time at my apartment too? Maybe then she’ll trust that I want to stick around. That I’m here to stay.”

Air rushed out of me. I hadn’t expected this, not in a million years.

“You want us at your apartment?” I whispered. Yes, I was double-checking, but I just couldn’t help myself.

“Yes. I want you two to be part of my life. You’re more important to me than I even thought possible, Heather. Both of you.”

“Ryker... wow, this is so surreal,” I whispered.

He frowned. “And you don’t want it?”

“I do. I do. I’ve just been so concerned with looking out for us... you know, just trying to protect us from being hurt, that I’m not even sure I know how to be truly happy without worrying about losing that happiness. Oh God, I’m not even making sense.” I buried my face in my hands. I wasn’t coherent. What was wrong with me?

I felt Ryker lean in, clasping his fingers around my wrists, lowering my hands.

“You are making sense, babe. And don’t worry, you’ll be so happy that you’ll just forget to be afraid. I’ll simply leave you no choice.”

He was beaming widely now. I laughed as some of that anxiety just melted away. I was so immensely happy. He wasn’t put off by my fears. He wanted to fight them alongside me.

“I know how Avery is feeling,” he said, pushing strands of my wet hair behind my ears. “My dad left when I was young. I don’t even remember him too much, honestly. But I do remember how shitty everything was for my family. How abandoned we all felt, like we were just afterthoughts. Leaving kids should be illegal.”

“Yeah, it should,” I whispered, wiggling my arms around his torso, wanting to be a little closer to him. I wanted to protect him. From what, I wasn’t sure. It wasn’t like he needed my protection anyway, but maybe I could take his mind off those unhappy memories. Yes, I could definitely do that.

“I don’t know if I can give you two something I didn’t have, or at least don’t remember. But I sure as hell want to.”

I couldn’t believe he actually doubted himself.

“I think you can do anything you want.” I looked up at him, kissing his jaw, feeling like my heart was about to explode.

“Oh, yeah?”

I nodded firmly, kissing down his neck.

“Didn’t know you held me in such high esteem.”

“I definitely do.”

“And you didn’t tell me before... why?” His teasing tone was back. Mission accomplished.