tapered waist, slim-fitting jeans, and I’m definitely thinking about the bulge I felt against me not so long ago. Well-worn boots pull his outfit together.
“Give me a few minutes with your teacher, princess,” Ryder tells her.
“Sure, I can read another book, but then you owe me a snack, plus grocery shopping,” Sienna barters.
“Like I could ever deny you those requests.” They meet each other’s foreheads, a silent answer for them both. He places Sienna on her feet, then she’s scurrying past me to the book nook. Ryder looks at me, something playing on his face, but I’m not sure what. What I know as well as I know myself is that this man is going to be my downfall. The way he looks, how he carries himself, how he interacts with his niece. Yep, I’m done for, I think the entire time as he saunters towards me, all while I’m trying to regain my composure.
Four
Ryder
Fuck, she’s even more beautiful than the last time I saw her. She might be covered up literally from neck to ankle, but that doesn’t stop my eyes from roaming over every square inch of her body. Her hazel eyes gave off every emotion, lust, need, and then the one I hated the most—defeat. I’m not exactly sure why she had that written on her face when I held Sienna in my arms, but if that’s a deal breaker for her, it would really fucking suck.
“I guess we should formally meet.” My body is already moving towards hers.
“We should. I’m Berkley Jennings.” Her face is soft now, showing me the slight dusting of freckles that have no rhyme or reason, dotting her face here and there.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Ryder Price, Sienna’s uncle.” She purses her lips. I’m thinking she had something else playing through her mind.
“Oh, of course you are. I mean, she ran right into your arms and called you Uncle Ry. I don’t know why I didn’t put two and two together sooner. She’s a very bright young girl.” I can see she’s nervous. My eyes move to Si. She’s firmly entrenched in her book, giving me the opportunity to stake my claim on Berkley.
“Not sure why you looked so forlorn when I walked in, but if it’s because of Si, I need to know now. She may not be my child, but I’m the only father figure she has, and our bond is super-glue tight.” I get that off my chest while my hand travels to her hip on its own volition, lifting up her sweater, wanting to feel her skin against my own.
Berkley’s breath hitches when our skin meets, scorching both of us in the best way possible. “That’s not it. I thought, well, I thought Melody was your girlfriend or wife, and yeah, I was not getting involved in any of your business or Melody’s that way. I’m not one for breaking girl code, you know?” Her body moves closer to mine, my hand squeezing her hip before my fingers slowly skate towards her lower back.
“I get it, completely. I’m trying not to gauge my eyes out at the thought of you thinking about me being anything other than a brother to Melody. Dear God, that’s just awful.” I step further into her body, wanting to feel us lined up again, thankful more than ever that Sienna has her nose stuck in a book, her usual if she’s not grocery shopping with me or cooking something up in the kitchen.
Berkley slaps my chest but doesn’t back away. I’m ninety percent sure she feels what’s happening between us. If not, I’ll make damn sure she does, and soon.
“You know what I mean though, and you have to admit Sienna looks a lot like you. She even has your eyelashes, which is not fair.” She rolls her eyes, throwing attitude.
“She does. Our gene pool runs strong, which is a good thing. By the way, I need to make you and the front office aware that if someone besides Melody or myself tries to pick her up, we need to know right away.” My tone is probably harsher than it should be, but the thought of that dick nugget trying to take Sienna will make me see nothing but fucking red.
“Oh crap, yeah, not a problem. I have Melody’s number on file, but I don’t think I have yours. The front office does, I’m sure, with you being on the pick-up list and all.”
“We’ll have to rectify that. Plus, I may want