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Ryker stares at me for a moment before saying, “What kind of cats love bowling?” He pauses. “Alley cats.”
I groan, stifling a giggle. “You know, I miss those. They’re kind of growing on me.”
“See? I knew I would eventually get to you. Because I have a shit ton more.” He taps the side of his head with his finger.
“Oh, I don’t doubt that you do.” I laugh.
After a few minutes of staring at each other, his face grows serious. “I owe you an apology. A huge apology.” I start to shake my head, but Ryker interrupts me and holds his hand up. “Let me get this out, please.”
Nodding, I say, “Okay.”
“Like I said, I owe you a huge apology.” He pauses. “I’ll never be able to forgive myself for not believing you. I should’ve looked deeper. Trusted my instincts that something wasn’t right. Instead, I let the lies get the best of me. I made you a promise that I would protect you from Mitch, and I failed.” His voice hitches. “In the end, he got to you, and I almost lost you. I’m sorry, so sorry.” His voice drops to a whisper, and I can see his eyes getting misty.
My hands move to cup his face, “Shh. Ryker, I don’t blame you. What he did … It wasn’t your fault. Between the problems on the ranch and then all that information you were sent, I can see why you reacted the way you did.”
“About the ranch, I know that wasn’t you.” His hand rubs up and down my back, his mouth a thin line. His jaw clenches, and I can see the rage bubbling just beneath the surface.
“Who—”
“Deputy Johnson.”
My eyes go wide in shock. My mouth drops open, but no words form.
Ryker continues, “It seems that your ex found out he had an outstanding debt to someone in Las Vegas. Used that to manipulate him into helping by saying he would pay off his debt as soon as you were away from me. When you didn’t run, well, that’s when he upped his game and made things worse. Then I got the information and … you know what happened.” Ryker sighs. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. If I had been honest with you in the beginning, maybe all this would have been different.” Pausing I bite my lip. “Hell, I don’t even know who I am anymore.” I shake my head, frowning. “In an instant, who I thought I was … I don’t even know that person anymore. Allison, Nicole, Zoey … Who am I?” My eyes start to well up with tears.
“You’re the bravest person I know. You’re fierce and strong. You left an abusive asshole and found a way to start over, all on your own.” His nose rubs against mine.
“I’m not brave, Ryker. I couldn’t save myself in that room at the motel.”
“Here’s the thing; I saw you. Your finger was on that trigger ready to pull. You would’ve pulled it. I saw it in your face. You were determined to end it. But I didn’t want it to be on you. I didn’t want that on your conscience. You were in that situation because of me, and it needed to be me to end it.”
“Oh, Ryker.” My hands move into his hair, and I bring his lips to mine. I hear him groan as my tongue dances with his.
Ryker shifts his body and rolls me over onto my back. Not breaking our kiss, he moves on top of me, his arms beside my head as he holds himself over me.
When he finally pulls back and breaks the kiss, he looks at me with his beautiful blue eyes.
“I will never forget the moment I first saw you in that diner. I will never forget the first time I kissed you. I will never forget the first time we made love and every time thereafter. And I want you to never forget something for me.” His lips softly brush over mine.
“What’s that?” I whisper.
“I love you.” His face breaks out into a huge grin. “I love you more than anything.”
A sob escapes my throat. “I love you, Ryker.”
“Say it again.” He starts to nibble on my neck.
I laugh. “I love you.”
His lips move up to my ear, sending a pulse to my core. “Again.”
“I love you!” I giggle as he nibbles on my earlobe.
“Again.”
My hands move to his face, and I bring it to mine. “I love you, Ryker. Always and forever.”