Chapter 8 Let’s Make This Official
<< Ryker's POV >>
—
—
Heaven knew how unsettled I was after she left. If it was any other woman, I wouldn't bother chasing after her. But this wasn't just any woman. This was Vanessa Thomas— someone who had been the center of my focus for a while. Maybe not for a while—maybe for years.
One moment she was hellbent on leaving. But in the next moment, she changed her mind after checking her phone. Blessed whatever it was that changed her mind.
"I want to see the contract."
Now, that's a good girl.
I followed behind her, controlling the triumph inside me.
We arrived back at the house and Vanessa dropped onto the living room couch, letting out a deep breath. Her posture screamed exhaustion, and the bruises on her neck caught my eyes—had to be Derek's handiwork.
"You sure know how to make things difficult, Little Lamb." I said, quietly.
"Stop that." She pulled her arms around her chest. "My name is Vanessa."
I settled on the chair across from her and reached for the contract folder on the table. "I'll stop when you ask nicely."
"Or I could just change my mind?"
"You won't."
She opened her mouth to snap back, and then, she paused. I could almost hear the thoughts bouncing around in that complicated head of hers.
And before I could stop myself, my mind slipped to places it shouldn't — to how she'd look tangled in my sheets, saying my name instead of his.
Heat rose in my chest and crashed low on my groin, leaving me hard and aching.
Jesus.
"Look, you barely know me."
"You don't know that."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Means you should keep quiet."
"Or else..?"
Quite brave.
I crossed the room, calm and deliberate. "Or else, I'll spread you across that table right there..." Her lips parted in shock. Good. "and make you forget every other man's name before I even unzip."
She froze, probably shocked too. But she didn't cower like I'd expected, because her defiance soon returned like a switch.
"I might as well dance naked." She scoffed, loudly.
"Now, that would be such a sight."
"Pervert."
"Guilty." I grinned slowly. "But you've got all this fire, Vanessa. All that rage and passion, it could be put to a better use. " I stepped closer, "Let me show you how. Let me introduce you to something better to obsess over."
"I don't need lessons from you. "
Still fighting. Good. Makes it all the more fun.
It makes me want her even more. The need to have her. To unravel every layer, not just her body but the woman underneath. The thrill of touching what was once Derek's, now mine, made my blood pound.
Her resistance, it was like a breath of fresh air, and It made me ache in all the inconvenient places.
"You're Derek's brother." Her voice wavered with uncertainty. "You can't... we shouldn't."
"Who says we shouldn't?" I interrupted. "Who made that rule?"
I reached for her gently, holding her hips firmly. Her body stiffened but she didn't pull away nor did she tell me to stop.
"Morality has never been my strongest suit when I desire something, Vanessa." My voice turned husky. "Desire does. I always get what I want, and right now, that's you."
I traced a finger down her arm, barely touching her skin. "You want this too, even if you don't want to admit it yet."
"What's....this?"
"It's wild, primal, reckless, and untamed." I lifted her chin with a finger, our eyes locked. "It's me and you burning the rule book and finding something worth breaking for."
She was less defiant now. More softer. Just like a lamb caught up in a storm.
She let out an unsteady breath. "You don't have any idea what you're talking about."
"Maybe." I smiled, a little darker now. "But believe me when I say there's nothing I want more than to tie you up on my bed and bury my cock so deep inside of you that you'll feel me in your soul."
"Ryker..." She breathed my name, her shaky whisper betraying her vulnerable state.
"No rush," My lips brushed her ear. "I plan to take my time with you, Vanessa."
Her lips parted.
I should've stopped. I should have walked away. But no. Morality were for men with fewer scars than me and less reason to hate my brother. It's not for someone like me who held grudges.
I stepped away from her, tapping on the file containing the contract. "Let's make this official, little lamb. Sign them."