Sheltered Read online

  He stands with me still in his arms, and I let out a loud squeal. But instead of him doing something crazy, he sits me back down in the chair I was in a moment ago. My eyes dart around the room looking for an escape. When I look back at Ryker, he pins me with a look that tells me I’d never make it if I tried to run. He’s probably right. The man is easily twice my size and most definitely in shape. I can’t even remember the last time I did cardio, so I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t make it a block. How many acres did he say this place was? If it’s longer than the driveway I’m screwed.

  He turns around to face away from me and takes a deep breath while he runs his hands through his short hair. Maybe I shouldn’t bring up the boyfriend thing again. Clearly that’s a hot button subject with how much it pissed him off. And I don’t want to piss off the handsome, crazy guy who wants to keep me.

  Why in the world does he want to do that in the first place? This can’t really be about some attraction he has for me. This man cannot be hard up for women. He’s hard up for you, I remind myself. And damn, was he hard. I close my legs when I feel a tingle between them, remembering that length and heat pressed up against me there. There has to be another reason, though. Something I’m not seeing.

  “Drink your tea, Cricket. I’m going to get you something to eat.” His voice is calm, unlike how he looked moments ago.

  He’s still facing away from me, and I can see the strong muscles that trail down his perfect skin. My eyes slowly move down his back and to his ass, where his slacks hang dangerously low. I wonder if he feels soft to the touch, or if there’s any give at all between his skin and his muscles. Every inch of him is oversized, like he’s been engineered to be the best of the species.

  When he walks towards the microwave and hits a button, I’m snapped out of my drool-fest.

  “I’m not hungry. I think I want to go back to sleep.” Yeah, I need to go back to my room so I can get some space and figure out what the heck is going on.

  I need to get out of here, but I’m also being honest when I say I want to go back to bed. I know how long he said I slept, but I still feel tired. I’m starting to think that maybe he did drug me. I want to ask him a million things, but I also don’t want to trigger the anger I saw on his face a few moments ago.

  “You’ll eat, then you can go back to sleep if you want to,” He says, and there’s no room for argument.

  The microwave dings, and he pulls out a dish then walks back towards me. My eyes can’t help but roam over his torso now. The muscles of his pronounced chest create shadows and make him appear even larger. His arms are bigger than my thighs, and I’ve never had a gap in between them. There’s hair across his pecs, and a trail that leads down to hard abs. It disappears down into slacks, and god help me, he’s got that sexy-as-hell V-shape on either side of his hips. His body doesn’t look real. It looks like something sculpted from stone that was put on earth to populate the species.

  I look away quickly when he catches me checking him out. He’s crazy, why am I losing it over this guy? Great. I like cheaters and psychos. My taste in men might be worse than my mama’s.

  He sets the plate down in front of me and my stomach growls when I see it’s chicken parmesan. Ryker leans down and kisses the top of my head as he hands me my fork.

  “See? You’re hungry.” He takes a seat next to me and watches me, waiting.

  I look at the food. What if he put something in it? As if reading my mind, Ryker takes the fork from my hand and takes a bite for himself. He chews it up and then swallows, giving me a small smile. “I would never hurt you.”

  My eyes catch on the hairband on his wrist. I know it’s mine because of the small hearts on it. He’s been in my apartment. In my room. I remember the smell I detected when I got home the other day thinking someone had been in my room. I was right. It was him.

  “But you’ll keep me against my will?” I snap back, and the words are out before I can stop then. Yeah, poke the crazy person, Blair. That’s seems like a bright idea.

  “I don’t want to fight with you, Cricket. I want to take care of you and keep you safe.” He emphasizes the last part.

  He brings a forkful of food to my lips, and I take a bite. I moan at the taste. His bright green eyes turn a shade darker and his jaw clenches. He pulls the fork back and I lick my lips once again. Why do I keep doing that? I know every time I do it, it makes his eyes go to my mouth.

  “Is that from Trattoria?” I ask, and he smiles.

  “Yes, it’s your favorite,” he says, bringing another bite to my mouth.

  I open for him and then wonder how could he could possibly know that. I pull my eyes away from him while I chew.

  “Am I in danger?” I finally ask.

  “Not while you’re with me. I would never let anyone hurt you.” I glance up at him and see the sincerity in his eyes. “I’ll protect you from even yourself.”

  The fork once again rises to my mouth and I take what he’s offering me. He feeds me until the plate is clean and I think I might explode.

  “I have a piece of their cheesecake, too. I know how much you love it.”

  His words scare me, but they do something else as well. I bet Fritz never noticed any of that. Anytime I go out to eat, if chicken parmesan is on the menu I always order it. It’s my food weakness. But this man knows this. It’s something so small, but Ryker knows. It has me wondering what else he knows about me.

  He picks the plate up and carries it over to the sink. Just then, Bear comes strolling in and jumps up onto the counter like he owns the place. I watch as Ryker pulls out a small bowl and puts cat food into it. Bear purrs at him before eating and he even lets Ryker pet him. I’m going to guess it’s because Ryker gave him food, and not because Bear is a traitor.

  Ryker comes back over to me, holding his hand out. I take it because I don’t really know what else to do, and he leads me back towards the front of the house. We walk up the stairs and back to the bedroom I woke up in. Thunder rumbles again just before the lightning strikes and it makes me jump. Ryker pulls me into his big body, and though I probably shouldn’t use him for comfort, I do.

  “It’s okay, Cricket. I’ll keep you safe, but I had a storm shelter installed in the basement. Do you want to go down there and sleep?”

  I shake my head. I love the idea that there’s somewhere safe to go during a storm, but I don’t like the idea of being locked up tight in a basement. I should probably be thanking my lucky stars I’m not locked up down there already. With the things Ryker keeps saying, he’s definitely not worried about my escape plan. He’s baffling me right now. He says the sweetest things and the craziest stuff almost in the same breath.

  “If you change your mind, just let me know.”

  His hands release mine and I think he’s going to leave. But instead he goes over to the closet and comes back out a few moments later in a pair of loose-fitting sleep pants. I try not to stare at the outline of the beast he has between his legs, and it’s then I notice he has a piece of silk draped over his arm.

  My mind goes back to what’s in the closet. I remember seeing all the women’s clothing inside and my anger starts to grow. “Are you married?” I ask, and I realize the way it comes out is accusatory. For some irrational reason this makes me madder than when he told me I couldn't leave. Maybe it’s my newfound disgust for cheaters. Apparently, they’re worse on the hate scale than kidnappers.

  He lets out a deep laugh, as if my question is funny. It only makes me angrier. My hands go to my hips and I stare up at him. He smiles down at me.

  “Calm down, Cricket. No, I’ve never been married.” He leans down, and I should step back, but I don’t. I hold my ground as his mouth pauses a breath away from mine. “Yet.”

  Before I know what’s happening, he pulls the shirt I have on over my head and tosses it to the floor. I don’t have time to react as he slides the silk nightgown over my head, and I stand there stunned.

  “Since I’ll be sleeping with you tonight, there’
s no need for you to sleep in my shirt,” he says easily, like he didn’t just take my clothes off and see me naked.

  I think I should smack him, but I just clench my hands into fists. I remember my clothes had been changed when I woke up. He’s seen me naked already. Well, at least partially. Or maybe he had that woman from the kitchen change me. I think I would know if he did something. Wouldn’t I? I’d still be tender between my legs. My eyes trail down his body again as if they have a mind of their own. Yeah, I would have known if he used that on me.

  I’m irritated that all this is happening around me and I don’t have any choice or say. I don’t feel threatened exactly, and I’m not scared, so frustrated is all I can seem to manage.

  My hand goes to the necklace and I lift it, drawing his eyes there. “I can’t get it off,” I tell him, already knowing he put it there. Who else?

  “I know,” is all he says in response. I look down at the necklace again, not sure why he put it on me, but out of everything it’s the last thing I should be worried about.

  I turn around and stomp towards the bed. I hear him laugh behind me, and I spin around, wanting to give him a piece of my mind, and almost run into him. How did he move so fast without me hearing him? Someone his size should make a noise when they freaking move.

  “Did you touch me while I slept?” I spit out and raise my chin in defiance.

  “I changed you out of your clothes, nothing more.” He pushes my hair off my shoulder, and then he traces a finger down my chest to the deep V in the silk nightie next to the necklace. I’ve never worn something so pretty and soft before, but I don’t tell him that. “I’ll touch you, Blair. But you’ll be awake for it. You’re mine. Now get into bed.”

  His words are final as he tells me what to do, so I turn around and do what he says. The bed is so tall, though, that I’m trying to climb in when I feel his hands on my hips to lift me up. I don’t say anything as I crawl in, but when I see him getting into bed with me, I hold my hands out.

  “You can’t sleep with me,” I tell him. As if I have any say.

  “I’ve slept enough nights without you. I don’t plan ever doing that again.” His voice is low, and his words have a southern drawl to them as he climbs into the bed.

  It's the first time I’ve caught a southern accent, and I hate to admit how hot it sounds. I’ve heard all kinds of twangs back where I’m from, but hearing him talk to me like that is soothing.

  He turns off the lamp, and I’m shocked into making a little squeak as I’m pulled across the bed. My back nestles against his chest as he wraps one of his big arms around me. His legs tangle with mine and he buries his face in my neck. I’m totally unable to move but completely comfortable.

  “Besides. I shouldn't have left you earlier when it was storming. I know how much you hate them.” His arm around me tightens, then relaxes again.

  A few minutes go by and I’m unable to fall asleep. My mind won’t stop turning.

  “How do you know so much about me?” I whisper into the dark.

  “I’m not him, Cricket,” he says easily, and I know he’s talking about Fritz. “You always have my attention. You don’t even have to try, and it will always be all yours.” He kisses me below the ear and my heart pounds at his words.

  I close my eyes and all that he said goes around and around in my head. He should frighten me, and I should be plotting to get away. But as I lie here in his arms, all I feel is peace. Finally.

  Chapter 11

  Ryker

  “I’ve never ridden a horse before,” Blair says as I pick out her clothes for the day.

  “I know,” I say and turn around to give her a wink.

  She huffs and then rolls her eyes, but there’s no changing my good mood today. I woke up next to the woman of my dreams, and I’m going to enjoy every second of it. I hum as I lay her clothes on the bed and get some out for myself. I enjoy picking something out for her and taking care of her for a change. I know she’s taken care of herself her whole life. I want to show her how I’ll be different than everyone else in her life. I’ll be here for her in all ways.

  I slept the best I have in years last night, and even though it was damn near impossible to pull myself from the bed this morning, I want to show her around the place. Otherwise I might never let her out of this room. It’s too soon for that. I don’t want her to think this is only about sex. Oh, I want her, but I want her to see this is about so much more than that.

  “Time to gear up, Cricket. We’ve got work to do.” I smack her on the ass as I walk towards the bathroom to brush my teeth. She lets out a small yelp, but I see her fight a smile as she shoots me a sassy look that only makes me want to do it again.

  When I’m finished I come out to see she’s got her jeans and a button-up shirt on, but she’s struggling with the boots. I kneel down in front of her and help her get them on. Then I lace them up and tie them for her.

  “Thanks,” she says, and I see her soft blush.

  “You’re welcome.” I take her hands in mine and kiss the back of both before standing up. She studies my face for a moment before she goes into the bathroom and shuts the door, but I hear the water running. A moment later she comes out and I’m tucking my shirt into my jeans. She looks me up and down, and when I see her tongue glide across her lip, I can’t control myself any longer.

  I move quickly and push her against the wall. “You keep looking at me like that I’ll put you back in that bed,” I say, right before my mouth lands on hers.

  The kiss is possessive, because she’s all mine, and I want to erase every ounce of the man before me from her mind. I press my body fully against hers, and I feel her hands come up to my shoulders, then to my neck, where instead of pushing me away, she pulls me closer. She tastes like summer and fresh mint. And when her sweet little tongue touches mine, I know that was her doing. She’s kissing me back, and it’s more than I can stand. I want to take her to the ground, but she’s not there yet.

  “Fuck,” I grunt when I’m dizzy with need, and I press my forehead to hers. “You’re gonna make me go too far.”

  “How far is that?” she asks, clearly as out of breath as I am. I’m not even sure she understands what she asked me or what she said because she’s flirting with me. Or maybe my plan is working and she’s forgetting that I’ve taken her. That I’m pretending everything is normal.

  I don’t answer her. Instead I just growl as I take her hand and walk out of the bedroom, with Bear following us. Being in the bedroom with her is too much temptation and I’m not strong enough to last much longer knowing there’s a soft surface for me to fuck her on. Hell, I’ll take a hard one right now, but I’m trying not to go too fast.

  “I think we both could use some fresh air,” I say and lead her to the back of the house.

  When we get there, I jump on the Gator and hold my hand out for her to get in with me.

  “What is this? Some kind of golf cart on steroids?” The look she has on her face is adorable and it makes me laugh. God, I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much. “I thought you said I was going to get to ride a pony.”

  “A horse, Cricket. And yeah, this is a fancy golf cart made for the farm. It’s going to take us out to the horses. Unless you want to walk a couple of miles in your new shoes.” I make a point to look down at her feet and then back up at her.

  “Fine. But I better at least see a pony,” she says before getting in.

  I immediately pull her right beside me and wrap my arm around her before I take off. She melts into my side without hesitation. When we get to the top of the little hill behind the house, most of the plantation from either side is visible.

  “Is this all yours?” she asks as she looks around. “It’s so beautiful.” I hear the awe in her voice as she looks down one side and sees the fields of peach trees.

  We both woke up before the sun, mostly because we went to bed so early. Or maybe because I was excited to just be with her today. Either way, I asked her if she wanted
to go for a ride before breakfast and she seemed to like the idea.

  “It goes on for miles,” she says, and I don’t know if she’s thinking about how isolated she is or if she finds that comforting. I don’t ask because I don’t want to bring up the reminder that I’ve taken her when everything feels so normal right now. A normal couple. I like it even if I know we will never be normal. Even if she comes to accept what is happening and chooses to be here. The obsession and need I have for her will never be normal.

  “On the other side of that little hill is the barn. But you can look back and see the house behind us.”

  She turns back, and I laugh when she curses.

  “Are you kidding me? That thing is a freaking mansion.” She whips around to look at me. “Ryker, who are you?” Her voice is soft now and laced with curiosity.

  “I invested well, and my family comes from money. My daddy started a business when I was young, and when I got older I helped him run it. I still do, but I’m taking some time off at the moment,” I say, looking at her and winking.

  “Hmmm.” She makes a sound but doesn’t say anything else. I don’t know what she’s thinking, but I feel the need to impress her.

  “I took over the family business, but I more than doubled the profits in the first year. When I made my own money, I used it to buy my daddy out so he could retire. Now he and my mom get to sit back and live the good life while I’m the one working and building my own way.”

  “And now you like peaches and horses?” she asks, and I’m surprised when she gives me a playful nudge.

  “I like peaches because they remind me of you. The way you smell. And I like horses because I’m a man raised in the south.” I watch her cheeks pinken once again. She bites her lip, looking away from me.