Sunny and not as cold as last week. I shiver again thinking about it being even colder.
“Still cold?”
Ryker’s voice startles me. I swallow my groan of pain so I don’t cause a commotion, holding my hand where I tried to karate chop the table.
He puts the coffee on the table and sits quickly, reaching under the table for my aching hand. “Are you okay?” His fingers softly graze over the pain.
“A little embarrassed.” I chuckle. “How did you get through the line so fast?”
Humor dances in his eyes. “I know people.”
I glance around the room for a second, every eye pointed our direction. “I would say so.” He doesn’t bat an eye at the gawking, just continues caressing my hand, giving me all his attention. “Pretend they aren’t there. It’s only you and me in this cozy warm coffee joint.”
I can’t hold in the loud laugh escaping my lips. “There is no way I can pretend we’re alone. Is this what it’s always like for you? No privacy, ever?”
He shrugs with little care. “I’ve been in the public eye for so many years. I learned a long time ago, it’s better to use it to your advantage than your demise. Because if you let it, it’ll crush you.”
“I see that because I’m feeling awkward right now.” I flick the cardboard wrapper on my coffee. My normal confidence shaken. Compared to most of these women and their perfect hair and makeup, I stand out.
“We can leave.”
“No.” I sit up taller, forcing myself to settle down. “This is part of you, so I’m good.” It’s obvious, now, why so many famous people come to our remote island. Privacy.
Ryker sighs. “You sure?”
“Yes. But… are you sure? I don’t want to embarrass you. Look at me.” I hold my hand near my makeup-less face and wild hair.
He licks his bottom lip. “Whiskey, you’re all I see.”
The truth in his words flash heat in his eyes. I fidget in my seat, not used to a man directing all his sexual energy on me.
“Don’t second guess yourself. New York City or Tahiti, you have all my attention.” He gently squeezes my hand.
“It’s all these clothes,” I say to change the subject. “There are so many layers.” We spent the morning shopping at a place called Macy’s. The building was probably larger than all the buildings put together in Bora Bora. It was intense. But I have enough winter clothes to last me two weeks.
“I can fix that,” he says, wagging his brows. Thoughts of us in the shower this morning swirl through my mind. Droplets of water cascading down his broad shoulders as his mouth sucks on my breast. A low growl comes out from the back of his throat, bringing me to the present, and he cups my neck, pulling my face to his. Our noses touch. He lowers his voice, “I’m perfectly okay with having you naked the entire time you’re here. Especially when your eyes light up like that when you’re thinking of me.”
I lick my bottom lip, and his eyes dart to my mouth. “That imagination of yours is overambitious.”
He chuckles, leaning closer to my ear. “Tell me you weren’t thinking about my cock filling you.”
I was getting there.
I swallow, the sexual magnetism between us sparking my pulse and melting the cold inside me. My cheeks heat.
“Ryker,” I say in a tangled breath.
“All these women have nothing on your natural beauty.” His lips brush against my cheekbone until they meet my lips. I pop my bottom lip out when his kiss is too quick. “Drink, so you can get warm.”
“Oh, I’m warm.”
“Me too, babe. Me too.” He adjusts his pants and glances at his watch. His smile falls.
“Is it time for you to leave?”
“Yeah, but I don’t want to.” He pulls out his phone. When he pushes it across the table, I lower my gaze in confusion. “I got you a phone.” Okay. Not his phone, my phone. I stare at the small electronic device.
“Ryker, do I really need that?”
“Yes,” he says firmly. “You’re in an unfamiliar town, hell, continent, so you need to be able to call me.”
“I can easily ask someone with a phone if I’m not with Addie.”
“Woman.” His expression hardens. “Do. Not. Ask a stranger for their phone.”
I sigh and put my hand over the phone. “Fine. Show me how to use it.”
After a quick overview of how to turn it on and make a phone call, I’m confident I can use it. As for all the other