Challenging Ryker (Kringle Security #2)

Chapter 19

CHAPTER NINETEEN

If Amelia didn't stop moaning every time she took a bite of food, he was going to give her a reason to moan. One that involved a different kind of meat.

Okay, that sounded bad even in his head. It was a good thing he didn't say it out loud.

"Why are you smirking over there?" Amelia asked but immediately popped a piece of the smoked salmon appetizer in her mouth. This time instead of a moan, the infuriating woman did a little body shake.

"Because I'm considering throwing you over my shoulder and taking you into the bathroom to give you a different reason to moan," he explained.

Ryker knew she liked the idea when the apple of her cheeks pinked and her mouth dropped open into the sexiest O.

"Keep your mouth open like that and I'm going to find something else to put in it." He looked around the restaurant to make sure no one was paying them any attention before he leaned over the table and stuck his finger in her mouth.

Not exactly what he wanted between her lips, but the way she closed her mouth and sucked on his finger had him wishing they stayed home and ordered in.

"You're torturing me, woman."

Amelia had the nerve to laugh at him. "It's not my fault you can't control yourself while I'm innocently trying to enjoy my food over here."

The worst part about what Amelia said was the fact that she believed it. She had no idea just how appealing she was. She didn't realize that he spent ninety percent of his time walking around with an erection and the only reason he wasn't the other ten percent of the time was because she wasn't around him.

"There's nothing innocent about the way you enjoy your food."

"Whatever." Amelia rolled her eyes and popped another piece of salmon in her mouth. This time without the booty shake or the moan.

He had to admit he kinda missed it.

"Did Caden say when the tracker would come in?"

The last thing he wanted to talk about was his job or the threat to her but he didn't want to brush it off either. Not when they were talking about something that he knew Amelia wasn't completely comfortable with.

"I think Monica's came in the next day, or maybe two days tops. It won't take long. Are you sure you're okay with this?"

Amelia took another bite to eat and he watched as she appeared to be thinking her answer through. So by the time she was ready to speak, it was with an answer that hadn't been rushed.

"I think so. I don't love the idea but I understand the reason behind it. I never want Gavin to get his hands on me again but I'm not stupid enough to think it could never happen. Even with every safety precaution in place, Alexander still managed to kidnap Monica right out from under our noses. I would rather you have a way to find me than not."

The mention of Alexander Fletcher put him in a bad mood. It had been his responsibility to watch Monica, and unfortunately, she had been kidnapped on his watch. In part because Monica refused to allow him to be on the same floor as her, but mainly because Fletcher used the fire alarm to create a panic and snuck in while Ryker had been busy searching for her. It came down to really bad timing, but it was why when Monica called that day to check on Amelia, he couldn't say no.

He would forever be in debt to her.

"I know it's not ideal but I promise it's not the same. I don't want to control you."

Amelia reached over the table and grabbed his hand so that their fingers were laced together.

"I know that. I know you're nothing like him. If anything, you're the book boyfriend I've been looking for."

That brought his lips up. "Oh, sweetheart. You don't want to tell me that. Before you know it I'm going to have you reading me scenes so that I can act them out."

Ryker didn't think it was possible for her cheeks to get anymore red than they already were but he was wrong. This was a whole new shade.

"You're incorrigible." Amelia looked around to make sure no one was paying attention. "I swear sex is the only thing on your mind," she whispered.

"It's not the only thing," he whispered back. "But it's the main thing." He winked at her just as the waitress came over to drop off their dinner.

Amelia had ordered the Apollo Ancient Grain Bowl with sautéed shrimp because as she said that was what she had been craving. He, on the other hand, decided to try something new. This wasn't the first time he had frequented the establishment and each time he tried a new dish. Today's choice was the grilled fish tacos. He was curious to see if they would beat out his all- time favorite, the Pulpo A La Parrilla. Who knew grilled octopus could taste so yummy?

One bite and it was his turn to moan. He officially had a new favorite.

King salmon and sriracha aioli. Chef's kiss.

"Now who's enjoying their food just a little too much?" Amelia smirked.

"I'll give you that one," he said once he was done chewing.

For the rest of dinner, the conversation steered toward getting to know each other. They asked questions back and forth between bites of food. It was exactly how a first date should go and he was happy that he could give Amelia a sense of normalcy. Even if only for one night.

The chances of it lasting longer than that were slim, based on how things had gone up until that point. The other shoe was bound to drop. It was just a matter of when , not if . Ryker just hoped that he was prepared to deal with whatever came their way.

The conversation lasted well after they finished their food, so when the waitress came to check on them for the fourth time, he figured it was time to head out. They had held the table up long enough. He made sure to leave the waitress a generous tip.

The two of them walked out of the restaurant hand in hand. It was a beautiful clear night and a few stars shined bright above them. He liked to think that one of those stars was his sister looking down on him. Maybe for the first time she was proud of what she saw.

He knew he was proud of the man he was becoming because of Amelia.

It wasn't until he was a few feet away from his new car that he realized something was wrong. Placed under the windshield wiper was a dead red rose. He knew without even looking who it was from.

"Amelia, get in the car for me."

"What's . . ." Both her words and her body stopped when she finally noticed. "I'm not leaving you."

Of course she wasn't. This woman never listened to a thing he said, and she would be beside him through thick and thin.

He tucked her close to his side and approached the car. It wasn't until he was reaching for the flower that he saw what was hidden beneath it.

Ryker snatched the piece of paper.

I've warned you she's mine. Now your time is up.

He crushed the note in his hands. The fucker was a dead man.