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“Wow, her parents were assholes too. And technically, they had me chained, waiting to marry my sea monster of an ex. Huh, I kind of feel like her and I are kindred spirits.” I laugh.
“You know, it’s funny you should say that.” Ryker looks back at the sky. “See that constellation below it? That’s Perseus, the son of Zeus. He’s a Greek hero. He found out about what Cepheus did to Andromeda, so he went in search of her, killed Cetus, and saved Andromeda, setting her free. Then he married her, and they had a shit ton of kids.”
I raise a brow, scoffing. “A shit ton?”
“A shit ton.” He smiles at me and turns on his side. His hand comes up and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “I’ll free you from your past, Zo. Protect you from whatever monsters are lurking around.”
I move to face him, placing my hand on his chest. “Why? Why are you doing all this for me?” I whisper.
“I have a confession to make.” He looks away for a moment before returning his gaze back to me. His eyes are blazing with passion and desire. “I really care about you, Zo. Since the moment I walked into that diner, I couldn’t get you out of my head. You’re someone I can’t wait to see or talk to the minute I get up and the person I want to fall asleep next to every night. You’ve settled here.”
He takes my hand and places it over his heart. My eyes start to water, and I try to hold back the tears. “I’m falling hard for you, Zo, so I won’t let anything happen to you. Never. Because I don’t know what I would do without you next to me.”
Before I can respond, Ryker leans over me and melts his body into my own. His lips tease mine until he can no longer hold back. His kiss leaves me breathless as his tongue dances with mine inside my mouth.
This is the moment I know everything will become more complicated because I have absolutely fallen in love with this man.
Chapter 15
Ryker
Since the nightat the lake, things have been really great between me and Zoey. This past week, I’ve seen something different in her. She’s standing a little taller, finding a little more confidence in how she holds herself. She’s starting to return to the old Zoey. She’s got a little more fight in her.
Things have also been calmer at the ranch. No other problems have popped up, and I’m hoping it stays that way. But the days she works on the ranch, I make sure I’m there helping her. The last thing I need is for her getting blamed for more things that go wrong.
“Hey, boss, you listening?” Deputy Johnson and I are sitting at the diner having breakfast, and I have apparently missed the entire conversation he was having with me while being wrapped up in my thoughts.
“Sorry, my mind was wandering. But I’m listening now.” I grab my coffee and take a sip.
He tilts his head curiously. “I was asking how Zoey was doing.”
Placing the cup down, I smile. “Things are good. She’s good. No, strike that. She’s amazing.” I sigh. “I just hate that she has had to deal with so much shit. She gets into her own head, gets lost in there. And when shit goes sideways? Fuck. She retreats completely.”
“Are things still happening? Does she think she’s still being followed?” Johnson grabs his toast and starts to butter it.
“As far as the ranch is concerned, it’s been quiet, thankfully. But I’ve put a lot of time into making sure no one is messing with her there. If something does happen, I can assure my parents it wasn’t her. My parents have her working only at the store, so that should cut down on the bullshit. But everything has been fine.” I pause and take a bite of my pancakes. “She still thinks someone’s following her. She pretty much sticks to the ranch unless she has to come here to work or when she’s with me.”
Johnson stops eating, and concern flashes over his face. “Have you seen anything when you’re with her? I mean, she was scared out of her mind the other day. That has to account for something.”
I shake my head. “No. I don’t know if it’s just her fears manifesting into something she thinks is happening or what. But nothing happens when I’m with her, and nothing feels off.”
“So, what are you gonna do then?” Before I can answer Johnson, Deputy McCormick slides into the booth next to him.
“So, ladies, what are we gossiping about today?” McCormick leans over and steals a slice of toast from Johnson. Johnson just shoots him a death glare that McCormick shrugs off.
“We were talking about Zoey and if there’s anyone following her,” Johnson answers with his eyes still narrowed at McCormick.
McCormick takes a bite of the toast and shrugs. “No offense, Holliday, but she’s a little strange. Maybe she’s a few cards short of a full deck?”
“What the fuck did you just say?” I growl and clench my teeth together. My right hand curls into a fist, as I can feel my body start to heat up.
“Look, I said no offense, but she’s been lying since she got here. She’s lied about who she is, things have gone wrong at the ranch, and she thinks someone is following her.” McCormick holds up his hands, and the sides of his mouth turn up. “I’m just saying, a little off her rocker is all. Again, no offense.”
“If you say something like that again, I will get up and kick the shit out of you. Besides, Zoey told me who she is. She told me why she’s here.” I close my eyes momentarily and try to control my breathing. After a deep breath I open them, taking another sip of my coffee. McCormick is already getting on my nerves, and it’s still early.
Johnson’s eyes go wide. “We’re waiting, boss.”
“Can’t say right now. But I have some things going on that will hopefully help protect her.” My lips form a thin line as I look at them both. The table falls quiet until McCormick speaks up.