“I’m not sure,” I admit, feeling the confusion in his eyes. I can’t quite put it into words myself.
We finish our meal in silence, the quiet between us comfortable rather than awkward. I bundle up again, ready to head to the training grounds together. This time, I ride with Ryker in his truck. The hum of the engine fills the space between us, but no words are needed.
The moment my feet touch the cold ground, I’m suddenly lifted and tossed over someone’s shoulder amid a chorus of laughter.
“What the hell?” I protest, pushing against the broad back holding me. It’s Danny. “What are you doing?” He’s skipping**literally skipping like a carefree child**and it’s making it hard to keep a straight face.
“Bennet and the Bossman have had enough of your time. Today, you’re my partner!” he declares with a mischievous grin, breaking into a jog as Ryker shouts after him to stop fooling around.
The kids erupt into laughter at Danny’s antics, and despite myself, I can’t help but join in. It’s ridiculous, but it’s fun**a welcome distraction. Danny sets me down on the far side of the training field, as far from Ryker, Josh, and the pups as possible.
“Alright, Luna,” he says, bouncing on the balls of his feet like we’re about to spar in a boxing ring. “You’ve been out of the game for a bit. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
I wonder if he knows that Greta has been coming to the packhouse gym to train with me. I’m not back to full strength yet, but I’m improving. I’m bundled up in snow pants and a down jacket**thin enough to move in, but still different from my usual workout gear. It’s strange moving like this, but I guess I should get used to fighting in less-than-ideal conditions. If I’m ever targeted, it won’t be convenient or comfortable. This might be embarrassing for both of us, but it should be fun**and I’m sure I’ll be laughing through most of it.
About thirty minutes in, I realize Danny’s true plan. He’s got a score to settle with Ryker, and apparently, I’m his way in. That suits me just fine. I have my own scores to settle, and I know we’ve caught his attention because of all the whooping and hollering coming from the teen side of the field. Ryker’s distracted, and Josh keeps winning the sparring matches, whatever moves they’re focusing on.
Every now and then, Danny manages to sneak a touch on my backside or trap me in a hold that presses us chest to chest. He’s even gotten me tangled in some positions that feel like a twisted game of Twister. I notice Ryker’s eyes lock onto me whenever my backside is in full view. It’s good to know I can command his full attention when I’m bent over like that. It’s giving me a few ideas.
Danny comes at me again, thinking I’m distracted, but I’m ready this time. I duck under his arm and deliver a sharp smack to the back of his head for his cockiness before pushing him away. It feels incredible to be out here, moving and sweating. I know he’s still going easy on me, but I don’t care. I had to shed my coat and snow pants a while ago, and now I’m working out in just my thermal leggings and top**another form-fitting distraction for Ryker. I smile to myself as Danny and I reset.
When the session finally ends, Ryker strides straight toward me with a fierce look in his eyes. Danny chuckles, presses a quick kiss to my temple, and bolts like his life depends on it.
“COWARD!” I call after him, laughing.
Ryker doesn’t slow as he crashes into me, lifting me off the ground. My arms wrap around his neck, and my legs barely manage to lock around his waist. He’s staring right into my eyes, so I have no idea how he’s navigating without looking where he’s going.
I heard the sharp click of the truck door as he shoved me inside, closing it with a force that seemed almost deliberate. Without a word, he circled to the driver’s side and climbed in, eyes fixed straight ahead, refusing to meet mine. The silence between us was thick, and I found myself wondering if maybe we had crossed a line we shouldn’t have. But honestly, I shouldn’t care**he had done far worse things, and surely he understood that Danny was only teasing. Still, I couldn’t reach out to him through mindlink to ask what was wrong. The tension was suffocating. The drive back to the packhouse garage took barely ten minutes, but it felt like an eternity.
The moment I stepped out of the truck, he pulled me into his arms again. This time, I didn’t resist. There was something fragile about him, something broken beneath the surface, and I wanted to hold onto it, to hold onto him. Without a word, he carried me through the back door and up the hidden staircase, the quiet creak of the steps echoing in the dimly lit hallway.
Once inside the bedroom, he slammed the door behind us. Before I could even catch my breath, he pinned me against the back wall. His chest rose and fell rapidly, his eyes scanning my face with an intensity I couldn’t quite decipher. I had no clue what he was searching for, but I waited patiently. This wasn’t something I could coax out of him. He’d speak when he was ready. I gently ran my fingers through the short hair at the nape of his neck, and he closed his eyes, savoring the touch. Taking a deep breath, he opened his eyes again, revealing redness around the rims, teetering on the edge of tears.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, his gaze never leaving mine. I cupped his face, feeling the heat of his skin beneath my palms as he inhaled and exhaled deeply. “That was the worst thing I’ve experienced in a long time. And I know Danny was just playing around. I know you were teasing him, but it felt like torture. I hated seeing him touch you like that. I hated the way he smiled at you. And damn it, you smiled back. A real smile that lit up your entire face. And I hate, with everything in me, that I haven’t earned even one like that from you yet.”
He took another shaky breath, and I simply watched him. I saw him crack just a little, tears welling in his eyes. I should feel bad, should comfort him, but I didn’t**not yet. He needed this moment of raw honesty. He had no idea what those nights were like for me, but today, he got a glimpse of it. He couldn’t stop it or fix it in the moment; all he could do was endure it.
“Can you forgive me? Can I make this right? What do I have to do?” His voice was desperate, searching. A single tear slipped down the cheek of my fierce, intimidating mate, and that was the moment I lost my defenses. He had let down every wall, revealing the depth of his feelings.
Tenderly, I brushed the tear away with my thumb. He leaned into my touch, and I pulled him close, pressing my lips to his. The kiss was electric**more powerful than lightning or explosions. His lips were soft and full, hesitant at first, but when I gently asked for more with my tongue, he didn’t hesitate. He let me lead, and the kiss quickly became wild and urgent**teeth, lips, tongues tangled in a messy, desperate dance. My heart pounded fiercely as I pressed closer, craving every inch of him. I wanted more. I needed more.
He pressed himself against me, and I felt every inch of him, every breath, every heartbeat. I dug my nails into his shoulders and moved my hips against his, earning a low growl that sent shivers down my spine. Encouraged, I did it again, reveling in the electric thrill coursing through my body. A sigh escaped me as he deepened the pressure. One hand tangled in my hair, the other gripping my ass firmly**I was in heaven. I bit his lower lip, sucking lightly to ease the sting, and his hold on my hair tightened in response.
I whimpered softly when he pulled away, his eyes half-lidded, a goofy, intoxicated smile spreading across his face.
“Don’t stop,” I whispered, unsure if I was begging, pleading, or commanding.
He pressed his forehead against mine, his breath warm on my skin. “I don’t want to, but I have to. We need to.”
“Why?” I whined, my voice trembling. “That was incredible!”
He flashed me that dazzling smile again. “I’m glad you think so. I wasn’t sure…” He hesitated, tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear.
“Not sure about what?”
“How it would go. I thought it would happen somewhere more romantic than our bedroom, but I guess this works.” He smiled softly and just looked at me.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.