Frayed Rope (21 page)

“You were gone for almost a month before you opened up a bank account here, next town over from this one. I spent a little over a week in that town, waiting for a hit to come up on your bank card after I hacked into your accounts.”

What the fuck? I’m not naive enough to think that couldn't happen but shit, the fact that anyone can know where I spend my money if they try hard enough is a little unsettling. I’m about to tell him so but he cuts me off before I get the chance.

“You didn't use it for two more weeks until it popped up being used at a specialty wine store in this town. Unfortunately when I got the hit on that I was back in Virginia setting up a job for my team. I came here last week and drove every side road within ten miles of this town that had water near it. Even drove up and down this street but didn't know you lived here. I still kept making the laps, hoping your obvious love for being near the water stayed true when you moved here.”

Jesus, this seems like an awful lot of work for a man who’s engaged.

“I came back through this street a few days ago, and who do I see outside? A dog that looks just like Norma. I parked my truck and walked toward her. She was some fucking happy to see me.

“So I watched, and I waited Elle. To see if you were alive and well, to see if whatever it is you ran from last time finally caught up with you. Then I saw you with Brock, here at your house, and then at the gym. I understand I jumped the gun on that one and I apologize. He seemed friendly with you, and I wanted to beat the fucking piss out of him because I was jealous of the smile he put on your face.”

He shakes his head and runs his hands over his face.

“I would have killed to make you smile like that, Elle.”

He settles his dark eyes on mine.

“Not fucking happy I wasn't the man to do it, but I’m happy someone did.”

His elbows are on his knees and he’s still staring directly at me.

His time is almost up.

“Not that it’s your business Ryder, but I’ve been training with that man for a little over two months now. The smile was because my hard work finally paid off and I took him down tonight. That smile wasn’t for anyone but myself, and I fucking deserve that.”

He moves his hands up in surrender and agrees with me.

“Yes, you absolutely do Elle. I just hope I get to see it again.”

“Times up, Ryder.”

I move to stand but he stays with his ass planted on the couch.

“I told you how I found you. I’ve spent weeks on the road and now that I’m finally here, I’m not leaving until you fucking listen to what I have to say.”

I’m shocked at his outburst. It’s not yelling, but it’s loud and firm enough that he gets my attention.

“I gave you your bits first, now you can give me mine. Because woman, if there’s one thing I fucking hate in this world it’s when people jump to conclusions without asking questions first. So you can sit down and listen, because I’m not fucking leaving until you do.”

He’s pointing toward the chair, and as much as I would like to show him exactly how fucking stubborn I can be, I know he's right. I didn’t listen to him or ask any questions.

I packed up, and I left. 

I grab my phone out of the pocket on my robe, ready to call Brock if he pushes this conversation any longer than I like.

“Brock ain’t coming to help you beautiful. He’ll tell you to sit and fucking listen too, so get comfortable.”

I top up my wine glass and sit back down in the chair.

“Five more minutes, and yes, he will come and help me.”

The frustration is rolling off of him in waves. He looks tired, like he’s been on the road for a while. If I was a nicer person I’d offer him some food and a bed to sleep in. But as I said, ‘if’ I was a nicer person.

“I was engaged for four years. Been single for about eight.”

His black eyes on mine show nothing but the truth. His gaze doesn't waver and his posture stays firm, faced toward me.

“I met Anna in my twenties. She was fun, she was friendly and wanted nothing more than to make me happy in the beginning. We moved in together in Jacksonville after a while and started talking marriage. I was away a lot with the corps and she didn't like that, she also doubted my commitment being gone six months at a time. I bought her a ring to keep her happy and started working on the cottage, making it into a home so one day we could move out of the apartment and start a family. She didn’t want a shotgun wedding; she wanted a big one where the flowers cost more than my truck. I didn’t have that kind of money back then and her rich parents cut her off when she flunked everything in University.

“I spent more time overseas and working extra jobs at home to give her what she wanted, but it was never enough. I was young and stupid, and unfortunately it took me too long to realize she was more interested in the vanity of things than the meaning of them.”

He’s staring at the wall now, lost in the history of his life with this evil fucking woman. I spotted that bitch a mile away; I don't understand how he couldn't. Men are blind sometimes, and women can be conniving catty bitches.

“We opened up a joint bank account so I could send money to help pay the bills while I was away. She still had a small inheritance from her family but I wasn't making my future wife pay for everything when I was gone.

“A month after that, I got a call from my bank saying a Ms. Anna Walters was trying to access my savings fund but her name wasn't authorized on that account. I quickly learnt what a money hungry bitch she was, but put that in the back of my mind a lot because when a man comes home from a war to a warm bed with a woman in it, there’s not much else that matters.

“When I got home, not only did I find out she’d missed the rent and hydro bill because she spent it on a trip with her friends to the Bahamas, I also found out she’d been sleeping with the mayor’s son.”

Shit I want to pummel the bitch, and wish I did when I had the chance.

“I didn’t care about the mayor’s son. Still don’t. After the call from the bank I knew I would be leaving her. Unfortunately I had to wait three months before I got home to speak with her about it face to face. Long story short Elle, I packed my shit and moved to the cottage. Gave my notice to the landlord and left her to the wolves. Not my fucking problem she can’t manage her money. She soon moved in with the mayor’s son and then anyone else with money who would take her in.

“My guess, her showing up at the house this time means she’s out of money and her recent sugar daddy kicked her out. Once again though beautiful, not my problem. This isn’t the first time she’s showed up, and it probably won’t be the last. I’ve never taken her back and I don't intend to.”

Wow.

That's a lot to take in.

“Greedy bitch,” I say, hating when someone kind is taken advantage of.

“That about sums it up. I have money now Elle, a lot. My security business does well and I’m sure she’s learned about that too, which is why she still comes around.”

“I don't care about your money Ryder,” I say honestly, because I don't. I certainly don't need it.

“I know you don't Elle, but I’m sure it gave Anna the push to come back. I’m just sorry I wasn’t there to keep her away from you. Not sure what all she said, but I imagine it wasn’t good.”

“I told you before Ryder, I don't do the catty bitch routine.”

We sit in silence for a few moments. Both processing I’m sure. Him able to breathe a little easier because he found me, and me going over everything he just said. I’m not sure how much time passes before he’s in front of me with his ass on the coffee table. Elbows back on his knees, head leaning closer to mine.

“I miss you Elle. I miss seeing you on your back deck for your morning coffee and I miss your smart mouth. I also miss your cooking, but that's not why I’m here.”

I stare into those beautiful eyes and breathe in the scent of him. Fresh laundry and man. No cologne for the road but it still lingers on his clothing.

“Why are you here then Ryder?” I solemnly ask.

I’m mentally exhausted, on top of my two hour workout with Brock I can’t take much more.

“I’m here because I want you with me Elle. I want you home where I can see you, and not just because I’m a selfish bastard but because I know this is not where you belong. This place is temporary beautiful, it’s not your home.”

If anyone would figure something like that out it would be Ryder. We may not have known each other long but sometimes you just
know
someone. Sometimes better than you know yourself.

I wish I had of gave him the benefit of the doubt when it came to Anna, but I have to remind myself that I was leaving anyway after he saw my scars.

“This is a lot to take in Ryder, and to be honest with you I can’t process it all right now. I’m exhausted. I’m sure you are too. I need to sleep on this and deal with it tomorrow.”

He leans over and runs his hand down my face and curls it around the back of my neck. He leans in close so his forehead is against mine.

“You can take the time beautiful, I told you I would never push you and I won’t. But I’m not leaving here without an answer. Whether that takes you until tomorrow or a few days from now, I’m going to be right here, waiting.”

He leans forward and places his lips on mine. He’s firm enough that I know he means every word he said but he doesn't try to take it further.

“I’m staying the night Elle, I’ve been in every shitty motel from here to the East Coast and I want to share a bed with you.”

I take in a deep breath, prepared to reject him but his words stop me.

“Just to sleep, I just want to sleep next to you Elle.”

He sounds so defeated so I just nod. At this point I can’t say no.

I grab his hand and lead us down the hallway. My room is not pretty but I never cheap out on a mattress. I let go of his hand and move to my side of the bed. I reach under my pillow and move my gun into the drawer of my night table.

“Good call beautiful.”

He too removes a gun from an ankle holster and does the same thing on his side of the bed.

“Mind if I borrow your shower?” He asks as he takes off his boots.

“That's fine. Towels are in the closet beside the bathroom. Lock the front door please when you’re out there,” I ask as I pull the blankets back.

Ryder moves around the bed and places a kiss in my hair.

“Be back in a few.”

He leaves the room and I hear the front door open. Most likely he’s gone to grab a bag. I don't wait up for him. I shut off the overhead light and leave the small one on that sits on the nightstand. I rid myself of my robe and sweat pants and climb into bed.

A while later I hear him come back in the room. I’m faced away from him and I don't turn around. I feel the bed dip and the covers move as he settles in and turns off the light.

A warm arm comes around my stomach and he spoons me into his front. It feels good, and warm. Like coming home. He inhales my hair before placing a kiss there.

“I missed the way you smell.”

A kiss is then placed on my bare shoulder before he settles down into the bed.

“Thank you.”

I’m not sure if he's thanking me for the cuddle, or the killer mattress. I don’t ask.

“Goodnight Ryder.”

“Night, beautiful.”