Page 45 of Clashing

Chapter thirty-three

Fallen for Her

Ryker

T he Todd incident scared Danny into taking care of himself.

A double knee surgery wasn’t fun for anyone, but never again did he want Scarlett in danger where he couldn’t reach.

She drove him to the hospital, but she had an exhibit for that art program she’d saved up for and it ended around the same time as the surgery.

He insisted she go and assured her I’d give him a ride home.

After lecturing me about updating her regularly and sending every last detail the doctor gave, she relented and left, and I hung around until the operation finished.

It went well. The surgeon was confident that with physical therapy, Dan would be up and walking around the bar again.

I got him into his van and put the wheelchair in the back while he grumbled about the recovery time.

His eyes drooped as I drove out of the parking lot. Lingering anesthesia, probably.

“You need anything before I take you home?”

Danny yawned. “Let’s get a burger.”

I took the next right turn to his favorite place. “You got it.”

As usual, we picked up the food and fought over who would pay. He won by playing the I had surgery, so what I say goes card. Jackass.

I kept my burger in the bag, but Danny was starved from fasting before the operation. He munched on his burger while I drove to his house. The silence after he finished wasn’t unusual. He and I both did well in comfortable silence.

Except this silence didn’t seem comfortable, and I couldn’t put my finger on why.

I cleared my throat. “You all right?”

“Why did Scarlett call you that night?”

Fuck. Not what I expected. Good thing the military taught me how to handle pressure. “I didn’t ask. She called and told me what was happening, so I got there.”

“But why you? Why not Collin?”

“I don’t know, Danny, you’d have to ask her.” I regretted the words instantly. Saying that transferred the heat to her. “I mean, like I told the cops, I saw her beforehand. Maybe she figured I was nearby. Doesn’t Collin live a ways away?” I actually had no idea. I was grasping at straws.

“Yeah, he does.”

Thank fuck. “I’m sure that’s what it was, and she knows I’m always armed and ready for a fight. Collin doesn’t seem like the fighting type.”

“That’s true.” Danny frowned. “I guess I hadn’t thought about it like that. I wish she would’ve called me.”

“Shit, Danny, what could you have done?”

“I know.” He scratched at his beard. “It irritates the hell out of me that I wouldn’t have been able to help if she did call.”

“Well, that changes now. That’s why you got the surgery, right? For her?”

He nodded.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s in the past. You’ll be the first on her call list now, as long as you do what you’re supposed to with those knees. You’ll be up and working the bar before you know it.”

“It’s shit to be useless, Ryker,” he grumbled.

“You’re not useless, Danny.” I shook my head. “You’re her rock. You know that. She’s been staying with you, hasn’t she?”

“Not the last couple nights.” He huffed. “I wish she’d stop staying in that apartment. She hasn’t slept since she tried being there again. She refuses to see reason. Told me she needs her own space to overcome it.” He scowled. “She almost fell asleep making dinner last night. So goddamn stubborn.”

Dammit. That sounded like her.

“She’s gotta figure it out herself, Danny. At some point she will, or she’ll be too tired to stay there. Something’ll give. Be patient.”

“Yeah, I guess.” He pulled out his phone and tapped the screen. “She’s been working with me on texting. Helps me stay in contact with her better.”

I nodded and said nothing while he typed a message that’d likely go to Scarlett. I’d kept my distance the last several days. Despite the fact I didn’t want to. Despite the fact she dumped Collin.

I wasn’t sure what to do. I wanted to tell her the truth.

What I said was too vague. She needed me to man the fuck up and flat out admit I wanted a relationship.

I was so fucking worried about her and wanted to be there for her, but I wasn’t sure it was the right time to tell her.

She had so much happening and I didn’t want to take advantage of her vulnerable state.

I’d fucked things up with her too much to risk fucking up anything else.

I took Danny home and, per Scarlett’s instructions, stayed with him until she arrived. She fussed over him, and they went back and forth bickering, but the truth was, he wasn’t winning any fight with her. It made me feel a little better that even he had a hard time keeping up with Scarlett.

Although I wanted to check in with her about this not sleeping bullshit, watching her and Dan reminded me they needed family time. I let them be and drove home to take the dogs for a run and play.

After we got back, I jumped in the shower while Demon and Grayson passed out on their beds in the living room. I emerged from the bathroom to find a text on my phone. Sugar: I want to see you. Come over.

She wants to see me. That was a good sign. I’d kept checking on her, but this was the first time she’d initiated. I was used to her demands. She rarely asked me to do anything. Bossy pain in my ass. Me: Be right there.

I broke several speeding laws to get to her.

On my way upstairs, I ignored the looks from my guys and Tammy.

I entered the apartment, and the aroma of lavender assaulted my senses.

Lavender incense. Lavender candles. Lavender oil.

Someone’s trying to relax. My heart ached. She was trying so damn hard.

“Before you lecture me.” Scarlett’s slurred words accompanied swaying as she rose from the couch, glass of whiskey dangling from her fingertips. “I unlocked the door when I heard your bike.”

She knows what it sounds like. A smile battled with a frown as she stepped around the couch and stumbled. She caught herself on the armrest and whiskey splattered the ground, eliciting a giggle from her. “Oops.”

I approached and cupped her elbow to steady her after she set down her whiskey. “How much have you had?”

“Like . . . barely any.” She staggered, eyes glassy as she clasped the robe she wore shut. One step toward me, and she almost fell again.

I steadied her and clicked my tongue. “Clearly.”

“Don’t be all judgy,” she whined. Her head dropped against my chest, where I wanted it to remain. “You drink all the time.”

“I’m not judging you, Scar. I’m worried about you. Why’d you want to see me? Are you okay?”

“I wanted to see you because . . .” She circled her arms around my neck and pulled my lips down to hers. “This.”

It’d been far too fucking long since I’d tasted her. So long, and yet, the memories rushed in like they’d happened yesterday. Fuck. I tasted alcohol on her mouth.

“Scar.” I internally whimpered when I eased back and broke our kiss. “You’re too drunk. Come on, you need to go to bed.”

I tried to pick her up, but she dodged me and stumbled backwards toward the bedroom.

“I’ll go to bed.” She untied her robe, revealing bare skin underneath. “With you.”

“Jesus, Scarlett.” I averted my eyes and yanked her robe closed. “What are you trying to do to me?”

“I want you.” She threw her arms around me and kissed me. I groaned, holding her close and backing her into the bedroom. If I got her into bed, she’d probably pass out. I almost had her there when she lifted my shirt. Soft, addictive hands glided up my chest and I nearly shuddered.

Instead, I snatched her wrists and narrowed my eyes. “Bed.”

That vixen caught her delectable lip between her teeth. “You gonna spank me if I don’t?”

If there was some deity, it hated me.

Sweeping my arms under her legs and back, I lifted her and carried her across the room. “Don’t fucking start with me.”

She pouted and my cock wept. Too bad. Not until she’s sober.

“You don’t want me anymore?”

“Of course I want you. I want you when you’re fully conscious.” I laid her on the mattress. “Not about to pass out.”

“I wanted you before I got drunk, but I was too chicken to say anything.” She fiddled with her robe strap. “Don’t you want to fuck me?”

“I do, baby, but not like this.”

Tears formed in her eyes, and she looked away. “You’re making excuses.”

“Sugar, it’s not you.” I crouched and turned her face toward me. “I’ll stay the night and when you’re sober, I’ll show you how much I want you. Do you have any idea how hot this is? It’s one of my fantasies to have you show up at my house wearing only a jacket. It’s not easy to say no to you.”

“Don’t lie to me. I’m too much trouble and too damaged, I know.” Her lip quivered and she stared at the ceiling. “I’m so fucking messed up. You can go. Please go.”

Goddammit. My options were either make her cry or do something fucked up and I didn’t like those. So I came up with a new one.

I lifted her, only to toss her to the middle of her too small bed. She squealed, and I climbed over her, sliding my hands up and down her sides and nuzzling into her neck. Fuck , I missed her.

She moaned and wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me in for a kiss.

She wouldn’t last. As long as I kissed her and made her feel wanted until she passed out, I wouldn’t make her cry.

I kissed her slowly and gently, sliding my hands up and down her stomach, but never anywhere she might regret tomorrow.

As usual, she was stubborn. Didn’t pass out as fast as I’d thought, but I knew her better than I knew my fucking self. She was my world.

I angled her head to the side and kissed her while I pushed my fingers through her hair. She hummed as I ran my fingers through the gentle curls. Within seconds, she mewed and slumped into the bed. Her kissing became sloppier. When her hands loosened, I broke the kiss.

“Ryker,” she murmured, eyes shut.

I pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’m right here, Scarlett.”

Soft snores answered. I rolled off her, tied her robe, and covered her with a blanket.

Her curls spread across her pillow, dark lashes long and tickling her flushed cheeks.

She’s so goddamn beautiful. I wanted to stay in bed with her, but I also didn’t want to scare the shit out of her in the morning.

So, I moved to her living room and stretched out on the couch, which was far too short for how tall I was. I’d had worse.

Scrubbing a hand over my face, I did my best to recover from the most attractive woman in the world throwing herself at me. She wanted us to have sex again, but what did that mean? That she wanted sex or more? Would it be too soon after everything that’d happened?

I wasn’t sure but I was sure that I wanted her.

The thought of living another second not having her as mine tormented me.

I wanted her at my house loving on my dogs even though they liked her better than me.

I pictured her lying in my lap while we watched TV.

Waking up beside her. I wanted to fight with her, make up with her, hold her, kiss her, fall asleep with her.

Fuck. I should’ve realized sooner but I’d never been good at emotions or accepting anything good in my life. Scarlett petrified me. Only because I’d never wanted to be close to someone like this. Not until her.

But the truth was undeniable.

I’d fallen for her.

Hard.