R ayla smoothed her hands down her outfit and checked her reflection once more before she went to the front door of her cabin. She didn’t understand why she was so nervous it wasn’t like she was guaranteed to run into him perhaps today was his day off.
I fucked him at work. What the hell was I thinking?
There and lay the problem. She hadn’t been thinking not at all. At least not with her brain. Ovaries? Most definitely.
Not that it mattered he had definitely delivered on his promise to fuck her and even a day later she was still sore. It hadn’t been as long as she wanted or would have liked for it to have been however for the short stint in the back room at work she had never felt anything like that before.
Who cares what I wear? I’m about to change into something Christmassy anyway.
Even so, she did look cute with her army green drawstring crew neck short sleeve top and tie dye pants outfit. The pants were loose and gave her a lot of room to move, mostly white with dye of brown, tan, and green on them. They flattered her, even with her larger body type.
With a roll of her eyes she gave her a mental talking to and headed out the door. After making sure the door shut and locked behind her she turned back and drew up short a scream lodging in her throat.
Ryker stood there. Today short sleeve charcoal gray T-shirt did very little to contain the defined muscles in his upper body unlike most people in the area he wasn’t wearing shorts but another pair of his faded partially ripped bluejeans that looked well loved and well worn. They hugged his lean hips molded to rock hard thighs and made her think things she had no business reliving especially when she was back on her way to work.
“You been avoiding me.”
With a healthy swallow, she edged by him and headed down the two steps to the ground and walks towards work. Ryker caught her before she could go much more than five steps, his fingers curling around her elbow halting her forward movement firmly but not painfully.
“ Why have you been ignoring me?”
Canting her head to the left, Rayla thought about her response before she pivoted to face him. A quick glance between his hand on her arm in his face before she realized he wasn’t releasing her until he was good and ready.
“I figured you’d gotten what you wanted.”
His thick eyebrows converged, he opened his mouth closed it then opened it once more. “You thought you would just ignore me since I fucked you against the wall at work.” It wasn’t a question. “You believed that the minuscule amount of time I had the utmost pleasure of being buried within the wet heat of your body was enough.”
Still not a question.
Ryker huffed, frustration filling his blue eyes. He pursed his lips ever so briefly before nodding.
“Understood. This is how this is going to go, Rayla. If you have questions about something in regards to me you will come ask me you will not assume anything. Two, when it comes to the matter of you and me in a physical manner I will never, let me repeat that I will never get enough of you.” He tugged her closer to him settling her against his hard chest. Dragging one knuckle from her temple down over her cheek till he could nudge under her chin he made sure she was still looking at him.
“I would stay deep within you every hour of every day if our possible. To have you pressed against me, your scent surrounding me, your heat caressing me is unlike any pleasure I’ve ever had my entire life. And quite frankly Rayla, I’m fucking addicted.”
She licked her lips words having completely deserted her.
“I’m so glad we got that straightened out. Let’s go to work.”
The walk through town was experience. They weren’t touching but he was right beside her and there was something about him giving off the vibe they were together people steer clear and gave them knowing and smirking looks.
Once they were inside she glanced around the room until she found Krissy Mae in the far corner. Her friend had a knowing twinkle in her expression as she waggled her eyebrows. Rolling her own in response, Rayla began to step towards her.
Ryker had a hold of her shirt and tugged her back before turning her back towards him.
“I need a kiss first, baby.”
She blinked a few times and scrunched her nose up. “What game are you playing?”
“No game, baby. I told you you’re it for me. It means I’m putting a claim on you so all these damn men especially that damn bartender leave you the fuck alone.”
Doing her best to hide her smile Rayla nodded. “Cole is harmless.”
He snorted in disbelief. “Harmless like the sidewinder lurking in the shadows just waiting for his chance to strike.”
It was her turn to snort. “Seems a bit dramatic don’t you think?”
He shook his head. “Not even close when it comes to you.” One finger under her chin he tipped it up pressed his lips to hers.
Rayla moaned and sank into him. His strength the way he always made her feel so safe when he held her. His arms was a place she would never want to be without.
Logically the back of her mind she knew this was a momentary situation. One she was planning on enjoying to the best of her ability. Opening her mouth, she met his questing tongue with hers and lost all sense of time as he twined his tongue around hers.
When he finally pulled back the cheers from everybody reached her. With a huff, she ducked her head and rested against his chest. Ryker chuckled and pushed his hand underneath her hair so he could cup the nape of her neck. His possessive and protective hold cut through her embarrassment and gave her the strength to look up at him once more.
“See what you do to me, baby? I barely remembered that there were other people here.”
“Get to it Santa! There will be kids coming in soon need you dressed and ready.”
One more fast kiss and she scampered away from him heading directly to where Krissy Mae waited.
“I knew it!” Her friend smacked her in the arm cackling with glee. “You been holding out on me. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me that you two sleeping together.”
Rayla nibbled on her bottom lip for a moment before shaking her head. “We’re not sleeping together. We did once.”
The squeal emanating from Krissy Mae had her wincing and waving her off.
“When, where, and how big is it?”
“A day ago and I’m not telling.” She would not look at her friend instead opting to keep her gaze on the packages ensuring everything was wrapped and ready to go for the swarm of kids they were expecting.
The punch on her shoulder was painful and she whipped around to glare at her friend. Krissy Mae had her finger in her face waggling it back and forth.
“You did it at work. And you didn’t have to decency to spill the luscious and juicy deets while we had dinner. Not sure I like you anymore.” She stuck out her lower lip. “But then, you hit that and I can’t blame you. So I’ll love you again, but you have to tell me everything! ”
Rayla flushed grateful one more time for her darker skin tone even know she had no doubt there was some evidence of her embarrassment on her face. “Don’t you have like an elf cost them to get into or something like that?”
With an arched eyebrow, Krissy Mae shoved down her Daisy Duke-esque jean shorts and pulled on the red and green striped elf tights from the pile near them. Without missing a beat, she then reached for the longsleeve crop top that match the tights pulling on over her bikini top. To finished off she plunked the fuzzy cap on her head with a flourish. Then she waved her hand in front of her face and bowed before shoving her feet somehow devoid of the four to six inch heels that she always wore into the waiting elf slippers with the curly toes and bell at the tip.
“I’m ready.” She narrowed her eyes and poked her in the shoulder. The same one she just punched. “Don’t think you can keep details for me. I will find out if not from you I’ll ask Santa.”
As her friend flounced away Rayla realized coming from her that was no idle threat. Krissy Mae wanted the gossip she would find a way to get it. Thankfully, she didn’t have long to dwell on that bit of unfortunate information as she hurried to change before the main doors opened and the children streamed in, putting her to work.
Like always it was busy and she was running back and forth making sure the presents remain stocked, Santa and his elves had water, and photos were given to the parents. Not wanting to become more of a spectacle even though she completely enjoyed being in his arms, Rayla remained busy while he got his break. Only once he was back in his chair she take hers.
Unlike the first day when they had a longer hours for seeing Santa. Weekdays were shorter hours now so they didn’t have to stay as long, however, it remained incredibly busy. When the door closed behind the last child and her family the entire room released a collective groan of relief.
A few moments of silence that were quickly broken up when the music turned up in the dancing started. That’s how it always was part of the reason she still stuck around here doing this, waiting for her friend and avoiding her parents. This atmosphere, this collective feeling of being part of something greater than herself.
Rayla laughed as she watched Krissy Mae strip off the hat and top of the elf costume only to dance around swinging it with the bottom half still on. Her friendship made Rayla happy. Krissy Mae shook, she did things Rayla had no idea what it was but she enjoyed herself as she crossed the room.
“Today was a good day, mama.”
They walked to a changing area where Rayla made short work of exchanging out her holiday costume for her far more comfortable light outfit.
“Agreed. Busy but good.”
Krissy Mae nudged her shoulder as they reentered the main room.
“Are we hitting June Bug’s tonight? Or do you have dirty nasty plans with hunky Santa that you’re not telling me about?”
His presence gave him way before he even said a word. His heat his scent all of it just surrounded her bringing with it a sense of familiarity and comfort. The moment he was behind her he slid an arm around her waist and tucked her against his chest before resting his chin on the top of her head.
His large hand spread over her belly moving in small circles which to the casual observer may appear as a calming soothing touch, but to her it was nothing but foreplay. Making her want the brush of his calluses on her skin the feel of his strength as he touched her with such care.
“Apologies, Krissy Mae, I’m stealing her away she has dirty nasty plans with hunky Santa she’s not telling anybody about.”
It wasn’t a lie she kinda did have plans of things she wanted to do to him.
Ryker wanted nothing more than to tuck this woman away from the rest of the world and keep her all for himself. As he walked through town he continued to observe her. She was still holding back from him and he didn’t know how to fix it or rather how to change that.
“Are you hungry, baby?”
“I’m sure you can tell by looking at me I don’t say no to food. Given I just ran my ass off and there while you were sitting on yours. yes, I’m a bit hungry.”
He chuckled reached out with one hand and grabbed the back pocket of her jean shorts. “You and your curves are fucking delectable. And if you want to be Santa tomorrow and let all the screaming, kicking kids on your lap I will be happy to change places with you.”
She angled her head up to him so he could see her eyes and he was again grateful she wasn’t hiding them behind contacts today. “No screaming and kicking kids in your life?”
Her eyes widened as she realized her question and she struck off once more, not looking at him. Using his hand in the back of her waistband he tugged her to a stop before pivoting in front of her.
“Look at me.” He waited until she complied with his demand. “Not unless our time against the wall results in two pink lines. And I hope it does.”
Ryker didn’t have it in him to lie to her. He wanted her. No questions, no hesitations, and definitely no excuses.
Despite her having darker skin he could still see the flush that scampered up her cheeks making them glow in the afternoon sun. Pushing down his amusement at her discomfort he tapped her on the end of her nose with his index finger before turning her back into the direction they were headed.
For couple of blocks the only sounds were either one of them saying hello to townsfolk. No words were exchanged between them, however he did maintain his hold on her needing to touch her in some manner.
As they headed to where the cabins were and got closer to the final destinations he slowed to a stop before once again putting them face-to-face.
“Holly or Tinsel?”
Her face scrunched up she tried to ascertain the meaning behind his question. Ryker waited not in any rush to end the connection between them or the time that he spent with her. Besides, he hadn’t lied there were dirty nasty plans the two of them had to take care of.
She shrugged shoulders popping briefly. “I’m sorry, I have no idea what you talking about what’s Holly, what’s Tinsel and why are those my two choices?” She shifted her stance not enough that his fingers left the grip on her pants but putting slightly more distance between. “Because I have to say as far as food choices go neither one sounds appetizing. As for dirty nasty things to do to the hunky Santa, I have to say, tinsel I could understand but Holly, now that just sounds painful.”
He tipped his head back and roared with laughter. This woman he would never have enough.
“I’m all for tying you up with tinsel if that’s what you’d like. I love that you’re adventurous. What I meant though, was the names of the cabins and whose are we going to?”
His phone rang before he could her answer and with a frustrated groan he released her pants pocket and dug his out to find Preston’s name on the screen.
“I have to take this, just a moment.” He kissed her lightly on the lips step back once more and swiped accept. “Everything okay, Preston?”
“We need to talk.”
Swallowing back his irritation, he stepped further away from Rayla keeping the phone to his ear. He didn’t pause until he was on the porch in front of his own cabin.
“I’m clear. What do you got?”
“There was some activity on his card. Ryker, it’s not good.”
Dread filled him at the thought of his brother in trouble in him being unable to do a thing about it. Fisting his hand, he took two deep breaths and forced himself to relax. In his periphery, he watched his future wife walked off to her own cabin.
“Tell me everything. First off have you found him?”
Preston’s uneasy sigh told him more than he ever wanted to know. His brother was in serious trouble. Listening to his friend and teammate he tried his best to stay objective to the words he was hearing which painted his brother in the least flattering way possible.
“None of this makes sense Preston. My brother was a lot of things, he goofed off didn’t take things seriously, but I can imagine he would ever get in bed with the people that you talking about crime syndicate, murder, drugs. It’s just not the guy that I knew growing up.”
“We all know people change, Ryker. This isn’t set in stone, but this is what we found. I know you said not to look that your brother would reach out, but we also know that were family and you needed this handled is you’re doing it from your end we can do it we can from here.”
Raking his hand through his hair he stared off into the mountains. “I would beat his ass if he was in front of me.”
Preston released a wry chuckle. “There is one other thing.”
Of course there was.
“Lay it on me.” He moved to the edge of the porch proper shoulder against the corner post continue to stare off into the mountains.
“There was one other number that I managed to trace and it leads back to Hallelujah Crossing.”
Ryker gripped the back of his neck and tugged. “So he’s here? And I just for some reason can’t find my brother in this smallish town?”
“No. He called somebody there and they talked for a couple of minutes before the connection was severed.”
“Tell me who it is.”
“It went to a burner phone but this number also had other people trying to reach it. People out of DC high in the political arena.” A few beats past. “The other calls were from people on the staff for Senator Hunter.”
While he didn’t pay tons of attention to politics and who was who within the social elite circles of Washington DC he was acquainted with the name Senator Hunter. The man was ruthless in his climbing to the top. Had made some friends in question places I always had things to go his way were somebody to take care of the obstacles in his way.
“I know the name. I have to tell you Preston, I’ve been around good portion of the people in this town and I don’t see anybody who fits the social climbing elite of the DC political shark circle.”
Hell, the only one who came close to that kind of money had been Xavier, okay, he surpassed, but he was in tech, not politics.
“It’s Rayla, Ryker. She’s their daughter.”
His muttered curse slip from his lips as he grabbed the corner and squeezed welcoming the pain of the tiny slivers biting into his skin. He didn’t let go, in fact he held harder willing the pain to increase to short-circuit his brain and stop the thoughts that were racing through there about the woman he was determined to make his wife.
“I’m sorry man.”
Ryker shook his head not wanting to believe this not wanting to imagine the woman he envisioned as his perfect partner being wrapped up in this. “I have to find out what I can.”
A sympathetic, yet warning sigh. “She’s not an enemy combatant, Ryker. And you can’t lie to this woman while you try to get information out of her especially if you’re planning on making a future with her.” He cleared his throat. “Since, since you’re planning on that.”
He understood the words his friend said yet, it didn’t matter right now the only thing that did was getting his brother back. Safely.
After that, he could figure out more with him and Rayla. Preston wasn’t wrong, she was it for him but if she was part of this shit his brother was wrapped up in, well, he wasn’t sure how he would take it.
Unease skated up his spine, but Ryker swallowed it back and slowly turned towards the steps leading to the cabin door. Glancing across the space he landed his eyes on Rayla’s cabin and clenched his jaw.
Why did things have to be so shitty?
“Ryker? Dammit man are you listening to me?”
“I heard you,” he lied to his friend as he walked to the door and let himself inside his cabin. “I have to go. I’ve got a woman to question.” Ryker ended the call on his friend’s response.
After dropping the phone on the counter is stood over the kitchen sink and cleaned out his hand in the splinters, continuing to wash the blood down until the water ran clear. There wasn’t a lot but it stung. With a deep breath he braced his hands on the edge of the sink and closed his eyes.
What am I going to do with you Rayla? And what am I gonna do about this?