Bound by Steel (12 page)

I recognize Cole immediately, but the two other men are strangers. “I’d like to apologize for what appears to be an unexpected visit. However, I did notify Ryker we’d be coming out today. Apparently he failed to check his messages.” He glares at Ryker, whose jaw clenches. “Lyra, why don’t you have a seat while Ryker gets dressed?”

When Ryker takes a few menacing strides towards Cole, the two men advance. Cole’s arms stretch wide as he stops them from taking another step. “Remember, I’m one of the good guys, just like you, Ryker. Let’s not make this any harder than it needs to be.” He says it with such conviction that I almost believe him. Almost.

“Fine! Just don’t start without me.” I’m unsettled, when he hurries up the stairs, taking two at a time.

“Please, make yourself comfortable. I’m sure it won’t take him but a minute,” Cole explains. A small smile plays on his lips when I finally sit on the edge of the sofa. Ready to run? Maybe. “My mistake. It was less than a minute.” I inhale sharply when Ryker sits down on the arm of the sofa, surrounding me with his warmth. And when his hand lands on the nape of my neck, I’m grateful he’s ignoring my request not to be touched. Cole, on the other hand, doesn’t look too pleased with Ryker’s possessiveness.

“Personally, I have a few concerns about sending Lyra home...”

“Cole, you gave me your fucking word... ”

“Ryker, would you like my men to escort you outside while I talk to Lyra alone?” Every muscle in his body constricts, preparing for an attack. When I gently squeeze his knee, it doesn’t go unnoticed. Cole shakes his head before continuing, “No? I didn’t think so. Let me explain what my concerns are and we’ll go from there. The man who is sitting behind you is Jonathan Day, not Ryker Steel. And I don’t think for one minute you truly realize how crucial it is for you to know the difference between the two. One is a figment of our imagination, and the other is sitting behind you. Ryker has pissed off quite a few people by going off the grid. So, it’s a matter of life and death, Lyra. His! And no matter how much he doesn’t give two-shits-to-the-wind about what happens to him, I do!”

“I wouldn’t do anything that would put him in danger, I swear...”

Cole throws his hands up in surrender. “Not intentionally, of that I’m sure. Look, you need to be debriefed before I can even think about sending you home. This is how it’s going to go down. We will take you to a safe house where I will personally go over everything with you. Only when I’m absolutely positive you’re on board will I consider sending you back to your family.”

“Over my dead body! That was not what I agreed to, Cole, and you know it!” In an instant, Ryker has Cole pinned up against the wall and the goons are having a hell of a time trying to pry him off of him.

“Stop it! I’ll do whatever you need me to do!” I scream. Once I push past the two thugs, I hear Ryker whisper to Cole, “That was not part of our deal.” What the hell is that supposed to mean? What deal?

“Lyra, go pack your things. You’re leaving with us today,” Cole states. He smooths over the suit that Ryker just messed up.

“Goddammit, Cole! We’ve always had each other’s backs. Please, don’t let me down. Or I swear I will hunt you down.”

“You and me. Outside. Now!” Cole motions for Ryker to follow him as they both go storming out the door. I’m very uncomfortable sitting alone with the two goons, so I nonchalantly walk to the window and peek out. There’s a lot of screaming, and hands flying around. No fists, just hands. Both of them trying to get their points across. Cole seems to be the first one to back off, with his head tucked into his chin. My heart’s thumping when Ryker places his hand on the back of Cole’s neck and pulls him in for a hug. The actual embrace itself doesn’t last long before it turns into a one-arm bro-hug. If you blinked, you probably would have missed the whole thing. Cole nods once before they head back towards the cabin. Quickly, I run into the kitchen to get a drink.

I’m certain that the both of them can hear my heart hammering the moment they step inside. I have no idea what conclusion they’ve agreed to but they both look devastated. And when Ryker’s gaze locks on mine, I know it was his decision and not Cole’s. By his furrowed brow, the set of his jaw and the creases around his eyes. We’ve only known each other for a short time, but I know for a fact that’s the look of a man in control.

“Ryker seems to think you’ll need more time to acclimate. So, against my better judgement, I’ll be back to pick you up in a week. Is that acceptable, Lyra?”

I’m trembling uncontrollably as I nod. “Yes, t-that’s fine.”

“Good. Then we’ll see you.” Ryker’s intense gaze never wavers, long after the door closes behind them.

Chapter Sixteen

Ryker

Last night, she made it very clear I wasn’t to touch her. Ever again. Now I’m wondering if she’s changed her mind. Lyra’s held my gaze since Cole told her she’s leaving in a week. Could she be committing me to memory much in the way I’m memorizing her? I’d like to think so. I’m hoping against hope that she’d like to remember our little fragment of time. I know I certainly will. Lyra’s the only woman who’s ever managed to tap into emotions I thought I had buried along with my wife. Although our ending will be bittersweet, I wouldn’t have changed a thing.

In a few short strides I’m in her personal space. I’m devastated when the palm of her hands push against my chest. Stopping me. “I can’t do this, Ryker. I’m sorry.”

Her rejection hurts, but I will not show it. “Don’t apologize, precious. I’ll call Cole immediately to see if he can swing by to pick you up.”

“No! You don’t understand! I don’t want to leave. I want to stay with you, Ryker.  Please, let me stay.” Lyra’s emotional, so she hasn’t a clue what she’s really asking of me. I can’t give her what she so deserves.

When I fold her in my arms, she doesn’t resist. Instead, she pulls me in closer as she shatters. “Oh, precious.” I thought I had warned her about falling for me. I nuzzle into her as I whisper, “I won’t let you stay here with me because I destroy everything I touch. Besides, Cole has already spoken to your family and they’re anticipating your return. Imagine how devastated they would be if they were told it was a false alarm. Do you really want to put them through that kind of pain again?”

“No, but I can’t fathom the thought of never seeing you again.” I’m at a loss for words because she’s just verbalized what I cannot.

My chest tightens as I whisper, “We still have a week, Lyra. So let’s not waste another precious second. Tell me what you want and it’s yours.” Holding my breath, I wait for her answer.

“You. I want you, Ryker... ” I don’t wait for her to finish. I claim her mouth with mine. Even if I wanted to stop the outpouring of love and passion that bleeds from my heart and soul, I couldn’t. It consumes me to the point where I feel like I might implode if I stop. So I don’t. I take and take until I’ve stripped her bare, exposing her all to me.

We don’t speak as I carry her up the stairs and gently lay her down on my bed. Her eyes never leave mine as I remove my clothes and place myself between her trembling thighs. With all of my weight on my elbows I thread our hands together and place one of them against my chest. “You’re the reason why my heart is pounding, Lyra. And do you know why?” When she worries her bottom lip and shakes her head, I continue. “You... Make... Me... Feel... Something I haven’t been capable of in years. So thank you for giving me these last three months, precious.” I taste the salt of her tears on my lips as I slip inside her tight, wet heat. For the first time in a long time, I get lost in a woman. This woman. The only one who’s been able to turn my black and white world into blindingly vibrant colors!

“I’m going to devour you, precious. Watch me.” She whimpers as I quickly pull out of her, but soon moans as my mouth latches on to her nipple. I tease those sensitive peaks with my tongue and my teeth until she’s a writhing mess beneath me. All the while, my beard scratches and tickles her tender flesh.

Her hands tangle in my hair as I lick and nip the swell of each breast. Making sure to avoid those pretty pink-tips that are begging for my attention. “Ryker, please. I need you inside me.”

“First, I’m going to taste every inch of you, precious. Then you can have my cock.” My mouth leaves a trail of kisses along her ribs, her taut stomach and her slender waist before I start from the tips of her toes and work my way up her inner thighs. When I push her knees up into her chest and see her puckered little opening glistening with arousal, I aggressively growl. Then with a few quick swipes of my tongue, I lap up all the sweet goodness her excitement has surrendered to me. She tastes like passion, desire and paradise all rolled into one. My precious.

Her half-hooded eyes search mine as I climb off the bed and drag her to the edge by her ankles. “Ryker?” she asks, as I kneel on the floor and position her legs over my shoulders. As soon as I bury my face between her thighs, I can feel her heels press against my shoulders. Urging me on.

I allow my tongue to ravish every part of her aching pussy, except the one area she desperately craves. And I try not to smile when she huffs out a breath in exasperation. “What do you want, precious?” I breathe across her swollen folds.

“Lick my clit, Ryker. Please!” She bucks against my face as I pull her into my greedy mouth. Sucking and nipping on the sensitive bud until her orgasm takes her over the edge. And as soon as her body stops shuddering from her climax, I stand up and thrust inside of her still quaking pussy. There’s plenty of time to make love to her later, but right now I need a quick release.

As soon as I feel the familiar tingling in the base of my spine and my balls tighten, I know I’m close. “Come with me, precious. I want to feel you as I explode inside of you.” As soon as I feel her clench around my throbbing cock, I capture her mouth with mine. Silencing her whispered words of love that try to escape as we shatter into rapturous oblivion.

Lyra

The week has flown by, but it’s been the best week of my life. We spent hours if not days making love in every room and in every way imaginable. And I was captivated when Ryker revealed he has a romantic side. Last night, we cuddled in a huge sleeping bag as we watched a meteor shower caused by the star that I was named after. Lyra was on display and it was breathtaking. Then we danced under the stars to some amazing music and the rhythm of our beating hearts. Our week ended a few hours ago as we made love in the shower for the very last time. My legs were weak and my body was still humming as we sat down to eat our last breakfast together.

Unfortunately, Cole’s here to pick me up, but I’m not ready to leave yet. I’ve been sitting on the bed just staring at the rumpled sheets with Ryker’s pillow splayed across my lap. Every now and again I bury my face into it, and breathe him in. I know I should be happy but I’m not. And that really, really bothers me. Because after all this time, I’m finally going to be reunited with Gage and my family. It’s what I’ve always wanted. So why do I feel this pressure inside of my chest? Maybe it’s because I feel like I’m already home…

When I glance around the room for the very last time and see Ryker standing at the head of the stairs, I break. “Please don’t cry, precious.” His strong arms lift me up like I’m weightless before he cradles me in his lap. There’s so much I want to say but I can’t find the right words. Not the ones he wants to hear, of that I’m sure. Perhaps, there are no words to best describe how I’m feeling in this moment.

So we don’t speak. Instead, we find comfort in each other’s embrace. And I let his scent wrap around me as I lie my head against his chest.

Inhale...

Exhale...

In...

Out...

Until his body becomes rigid beneath mine when Cole calls out, “Lyra, we need to get going.” And that’s when I know I was lulled into a false sense of security. It’s over. Physically, I’ll be leaving but my soul will remain his. Forever. In the end, I’m not the same woman I was all those months ago. How could I possibly be? Ryker has awakened something inside of me that I never knew existed. And I’m terrified that I’ll never feel this way again.

When I feel Ryker’s body shift, I quickly straddle his lap. There’s something I need to tell him privately before going downstairs. As I hold his beautiful face in my hands for the very last time, I become emotional. His dark eyes are staring into mine with so much sadness, I can see my reflection in their murky depths. “I know this isn’t easy for either of us, but you need to know how much I love—” Instantly his fingertips press against my lips, his head resting against mine.

“If you say those three words precious, I will never let you leave. Never! And remember what we discussed last night. When I walk away I’m never looking back. If
Orpheus
hadn’t looked back at
Eurydice
before she walked into the light, she wouldn’t have vanished and they would have had their happily ever after. The only difference between theirs and ours is, I want you to walk into the light because the light is your future. I want you to have a loving husband, two-point-three kids and the white picket fence...”

I try to quiet him with a thousand-and-one kisses and pray that they are enough to last me a lifetime. When we come up for some much needed air, I wrap my arms around his neck and whisper, “Thank you for saving me, Ryker.”

“You are the one who saved me, precious. More than you’ll ever know.” His lips graze mine before he sweeps his thumbs across my cheeks to catch all of my tears. “C’mon, it’s time to go. We don’t want to keep Cole waiting.”

Once I’ve climbed off his lap, he threads his fingers through mine. Reluctantly, we walk downstairs. Cole looks relieved as we approach the front door. He nods once before saying, “Everything will work out for the best, Ryker. Don’t you agree?”

“Sure, Cole. Whatever you say.”

As soon as the front door opens, I want to run back inside and hide. This cabin has been my home for so long now. It’s all I’ve known. Ryker must sense my hesitation as he wraps one arm around my waist and squeezes my hand with the other. My knees weaken as we walk across the deck, down the stairs, and come to an abrupt end in the driveway. It is all too overwhelming as Cole opens the car door while one of his men throws my bag into the trunk.