24. Ryker
Chapter 24
Ryker
A s Paige left, the door clicked shut behind her, leaving a heavy silence in her wake. I leaned back on the bench, rubbing my temples. Glad she was gone. I needed a moment to think, to breathe.
Why the hell was I letting myself get caught up in her? It made no sense. She was a complication, a potential disaster waiting to happen. Everything she represented was a threat to the stability I’d built around myself. The team couldn’t afford this distraction, and neither could I.
But… fuck.
My eyes closed involuntarily as memories of our heated encounter flooded back. Her mouth, hot and eager on me, the way she took every inch without hesitation. The memory sent a shiver down my spine, reigniting the fire that never fully went out since that night.
I shouldn’t have let it happen. I knew that. She knew that too. And yet, the thought of letting her go now felt like an impossibility. The taste of her lingered on my tongue, and the feel of her lips haunted my skin.
She wasn’t just another distraction; she was different. And maybe that’s what scared me most. It wasn’t just physical—though that was undeniably electric—it was something deeper, something I couldn’t quite grasp or control.
I couldn’t let her go now.
And maybe… deep down… I never had from the moment our paths crossed.
I opened my eyes, staring at the empty dressing room. Paige had left more than an impression; she had carved out a space in my thoughts that refused to be ignored or dismissed. The image of her with Brendan flashed in my mind again, stoking that familiar burn of jealousy.
What the hell was happening to me?
This wasn’t who I was supposed to be—vulnerable, off-balance. Yet here I was, grappling with emotions I thought long buried and forgotten.
No matter how much sense it made to push her away for good, every fiber of my being rebelled against it.
Maybe it was time to face what I’d been running from all along: the possibility that needing someone didn’t make me weak.
But for now… for now, I just needed to breathe and figure out what came next.
A tentative knock rattled the door, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Yeah?” I croaked, my voice rough from the tension.
“Mr. Kane?” a nervous voice asked. “I have someone at the front of the store claiming to be your brother?—”
My heart skipped a beat. Brendan was here? Panic surged through me as I thought of Paige. Where was she?
I burst out of the dressing room, muscles coiled tight with urgency. The store’s bright lights felt harsh as I scanned the area. Then I saw them—Brendan and Paige locked in a heated discussion near the entrance. My pulse quickened, knowing the paparazzi were still lurking outside. Brendan was going to ruin this day if I didn’t step in.
Brendan’s face twisted in anger, his hands gesticulating wildly. Paige stood her ground, arms crossed and jaw set, but I could see the tension in her shoulders.
I moved quickly, closing the distance between us in a few strides. “What’s going on here?” My voice cut through their argument like a knife.
Brendan turned to face me, his expression hardening. “What the fuck do you want?” He sneered. “Knight in shining armor, here to rescue you, Paige?”
Paige glanced at me, eyes flashing with defiance and a hint of relief. “I was handling it,” she muttered under her breath.
“Clearly,” I said, sarcasm lacing my words. I turned back to Brendan, stepping closer until we were nearly chest to chest. “You need to leave.”
“Or what?” he challenged, his voice dripping with mockery.
“Or you’ll regret it,” I replied coldly, my eyes never leaving his.
He laughed bitterly but took a step back. “Always playing the hero, huh? Just like Dad. And here I thought there was nothing between the two of you. Well, nothing anymore."
A flicker of pain shot through me at the mention of our father, but I didn’t let it show. Not now.
“Get out,” I said again, my voice steady and unwavering.
Brendan glanced between Paige and me before shaking his head with a bitter smile. “Fine. But this isn’t over.” He stormed out, shoving past a group of onlookers who had gathered nearby.
The moment he was gone, I turned to Paige. “You okay?”
She nodded slowly, still tense but softening under my gaze.
The tension between us shifted slightly, something unspoken passing through our shared glance.
Paige took a breath, her shoulders rising and falling with the effort. Then she turned on her heel and headed back to the store manager. She wore a serene smile, as if the altercation with Brendan had never happened. How did she manage that so easily?
But I caught it—the fleeting pain in her eyes, like a shadow crossing the sun. Whatever Brendan had said to her had struck a chord. I clenched my jaw, anger simmering beneath my calm exterior.
When Paige finished up with the manager, I stepped in front of her, blocking her path.
"I need a ride."
She blinked, momentarily thrown off. "What?"
"I rode with Asher," I said, trying to keep my voice even. "The asshole left already."
Paige gave me a long look, searching my face for something. Maybe trying to decide if this was another one of my games or if I genuinely needed help. “Isn’t your car right there?” She pointed to my car in the parking lot.
I didn’t respond, didn’t look. Instead, I kept my gaze focused on her.
"Fine," she said at last, sighing softly. "Sure."
We walked out together, side by side but miles apart in so many ways. The store's automatic doors whooshed open, and the cool evening air hit us like a balm. Outside, the sky was painted in hues of orange and pink, the last light of day clinging to the horizon. A couple of camera flashes went off, but nothing too crazy.
Thank God.
I wasn't in the mood.
Paige led the way to her car—a modest sedan that looked like it had seen better days but still held its own. She unlocked it with a click and slid into the driver’s seat. I followed suit, settling into the passenger side and shutting the door behind me.
For a moment, silence filled the car, heavy and suffocating. She started the engine, and we pulled out of the parking lot. The hum of the car filled the void between us.
"You didn't have to do that," she said finally, eyes focused on the road ahead.
"Do what?" I asked, even though I knew exactly what she meant.
"Step in like that."
I shrugged, staring out the window as we passed streetlights flickering to life. "He was out of line."
"And you care because…?"
Her question hung in the air between us. I didn’t have an answer that made sense—at least not one I was willing to admit out loud.
Instead, I let silence reclaim its hold as we drove through the city streets.
"You'll have to tell me how to get to your place," she said, breaking the silence.
I remained silent, staring out the window, wrestling with thoughts I couldn't voice.
"Ryker," she repeated, glancing at me with concern etched across her face.
"Take me to yours," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Ryker…" Her tone held a mix of surprise and hesitation.
"I'm serious." My eyes stayed glued to the road ahead. The last thing I needed was to see her expression, to witness the war of emotions in her eyes.
She clenched her teeth, clearly grappling with her own thoughts. "We shouldn't."
"You think I can just stop?" My voice was low, strained. "I don't think you understand."
"Then explain it," she challenged, but before I could form a response, her phone rang through the stereo system.
Paige sighed and pressed a button on the steering wheel. "Hello?"
"Paige? Sweetie, I saw the news," came a woman's voice—her mother.
"Oh," Paige replied, her shoulders tensing immediately. "What did you think?"
"Honey, I think it's great, but aren't you worried?" Her mother's voice brimmed with concern. "You're orchestrating a back-to-school event with the Serpents. That's dangerous."
Her grip on the steering wheel tightened. "Mom, it's not dangerous. We have everything under control."
"But what about their reputation? These players are known for their scandals and problems, and you're bringing kids into it. What if something goes wrong? What if you're blamed for it?"
"I know what I'm doing," she said firmly, though I could hear the slight tremor in her voice. "Nothing went wrong. It went really well, actually."
"Do you?" Her mother pressed on. "You've always been such a good girl, Paige. This job... this team... Are you sure this is what you want? What about your future? Aren't you worried about that?"
I watched as Paige's jaw clenched and unclenched. The frustration was evident in every line of her body. It was clear that this wasn't just about work; it was about proving herself, about stepping out of whatever shadow had been cast over her by people who thought they knew better.
"Mom, I appreciate your concern, but I've got this," she said finally, forcing a calmness into her tone that belied the storm raging inside her.
Her mother sighed on the other end of the line. “I still remember what happened between you and that Sam from U of M, dear. He used you. He got caught in his own scandal with the sorority house and you had to clean up his mess, all while keeping the relationship quiet or else it would have completely ruined the team. And that’s not even mentioning what happened between you and Brendan–”
“Mom,” she said through clenched teeth. “I’m handling it. Please. You have to trust me.”
"Just be careful, sweetie."
"I will," she replied before ending the call and dropping her head back against the seat with a heavy exhale.
For a moment, neither of us spoke. The tension in the car had shifted slightly but not dissipated.
"We're almost there," she muttered after a long pause.
I looked at her profile illuminated by passing streetlights and felt something twist inside me—a blend of anger and protectiveness that I couldn't shake off even if I wanted to.
We pulled up to Paige's apartment building, a modest brick structure. She parked the car, and we both sat there for a moment, neither of us moving. The silence was thick, suffocating.
We climbed out of the car and headed up together in silence. The only sound was the echo of our footsteps against the worn concrete steps. I noticed her fingers tremble slightly as she fumbled with the keys before unlocking the door.
The apartment was small but cozy. The living room was directly ahead, furnished with a worn-out couch covered in a colorful throw blanket, a coffee table cluttered with magazines and papers, and a small TV perched on an old wooden stand. The walls were adorned with framed photos—Paige with friends, family gatherings, snapshots of moments that seemed frozen in time.
To the left was a compact kitchen, separated from the living room by a counter. It looked functional but lived-in; dishes were stacked in the sink, and various spices lined a small shelf above the stove. A potted plant sat on the windowsill, its leaves stretching toward the light filtering through thin curtains.
"Make yourself at home," she said softly, gesturing toward the couch.
I nodded and sat down, feeling the worn cushions give way beneath me. Paige turned, probably to head to the kitchen, when something inside me snapped. Before I could think twice, I grabbed her wrist and yanked her to me. She stumbled, eyes wide with surprise, and fell onto my lap.
For a second, I thought she might push me away, the tension between us crackling like electricity. Her breath hitched, and I could see the wariness in her eyes. But then, without warning, she lunged for me. Her lips crashed against mine with a fervor that matched the storm brewing inside both of us.
The kiss was hungry, desperate. Her hands tangled in my hair, pulling me closer as if she needed this connection as much as I did. My arms wrapped around her waist, holding her tight against me. The world outside faded away; there was only the heat of her body pressed against mine and the taste of her lips igniting a fire I couldn’t control.
Our breaths mingled in a chaotic dance as we explored each other with an urgency that spoke of unspoken desires and unresolved tensions. Every touch, every movement was a silent plea for more—more connection, more understanding, more of whatever this was between us.
Her nails grazed my scalp, sending shivers down my spine. I deepened the kiss, savoring the way she responded to every touch. It wasn’t just about the physical; it was about breaking down walls and finding something real.
I could barely contain myself. My hands moved with a mind of their own, gripping her shirt and tearing it open. Buttons flew across the room, bouncing off the walls and scattering like tiny meteors. Paige's eyes widened for a moment before the hunger in them mirrored my own.
We shed our clothes in a frenzied rush, tossing them aside until nothing separated us. My gaze traveled over her bare skin, every curve and dip more mesmerizing than I’d imagined. Her breath came in quick, shallow gasps, her chest rising and falling with each exhale.
I took one of her breasts into my mouth, sucking and nibbling at her nipple until she moaned. The sound sent a jolt straight to my core, making my cock throb with need. My arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her even closer until our bodies were flush against each other.
The heat between us was almost unbearable. I could feel the slickness of her arousal against my skin, the way she trembled under my touch. Her fingers dug into my shoulders as if she needed to anchor herself to something solid.
“Ryker,” she breathed out, her voice a mix of desperation and desire.
Hearing my name on her lips only fueled the fire inside me. I shifted slightly, positioning myself between her legs and feeling the undeniable heat radiating from her core. She arched into me, seeking more contact, more friction.
My hands roamed over her body, mapping out every inch of skin as if committing it to memory. She was everything I didn’t know I needed—soft yet strong, yielding yet defiant. Her nails raked down my back, leaving trails of sensation that only heightened my need for her.
I slid inside her, and the sensation was overwhelming. Her heat enveloped me, a tight, wet embrace that felt like nothing I'd ever experienced. It was like coming home and being set on fire all at once. The way her body clung to mine, the way she gasped and arched beneath me, it drove me wild.
We moved together, a rhythm as old as time. Every thrust sent shockwaves of pleasure through my body, and I could feel her responding in kind. Our breaths mingled, our moans filling the room with a symphony of need and desire.
"You're mine," I growled against her ear, my voice rough with possession. "No one else can have you."
Paige's nails dug into my back, urging me on. "Ryker," she panted, her voice trembling with pleasure.
I watched her face contort with ecstasy, her eyes half-closed and lips parted in a silent scream. I could feel her tightening around me, her body on the brink of release. The sight of her like this, lost in the throes of passion, was almost too much to bear.
"Come for me," I demanded, my voice low and commanding.
She cried out as she reached her climax, her body shuddering beneath me. The intensity of it pulled me over the edge with her, and I came with a guttural moan, every muscle in my body tensing as waves of pleasure crashed over me.
For a moment, we were both lost in the aftermath, our bodies still entwined and trembling from the intensity of what we'd just shared.
“Don’t leave,” she whispered, her voice fragile and almost lost in the quiet of the room.
My eyes widened, taken aback by the vulnerability in her words. For a moment, I was frozen, grappling with the rawness of her plea. But then I pressed a kiss to her shoulder, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath my lips.
“I won’t,” I whispered back, my voice carrying a weight I hadn’t intended. It felt like a promise.
With a gentle but firm grip, I wrapped an arm around her waist and lifted her from the couch. She nestled against me, her head resting on my shoulder as if she belonged there. Her breath was warm and even against my neck as we moved through the dimly lit apartment.
The journey to her bedroom was short, but every step felt significant, like crossing an unseen threshold. By the time we reached her bed, Paige had fallen asleep in my arms. Her body was relaxed, her face peaceful in a way I hadn’t seen before.
I laid her down carefully, making sure she was comfortable before pulling the covers over her. For a moment, I just stood there, watching the rise and fall of her chest as she slept. Something inside me shifted—an acknowledgment that this wasn’t just another fleeting moment.
As I turned to leave the room, I hesitated at the door. The promise I’d made echoed in my mind, and for once, it felt like something worth keeping.
I didn't think.
I turned back, crawled into bed, and wrapped my arms around her.
The truth was, I didn't want to leave.
We'd figure everything else out tomorrow. But right now, I was here with her, and that was all that mattered.