Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
PENNY
I raced into the kitchen, dropping to my knees at Ryder’s side. “ What happened? ”
“Nothing, I’m fine.”
Fine, my ass, but I met his gaze. “I’m getting a sense of déjà vu.”
That got me an almost-smile. “At least I didn’t almost get run over by a truck,” he said. “This was just my own stupidity.” Closing his eyes, he leaned his head back against the island, exposing his throat.
I’d let myself wonder later why a man’s throat was so sexy. For now, I could see pain in the grim set of his mouth.
“Why are you drenched and shivering?” he asked.
“Forgot my coat.”
He started to shift, like he was going to get up and take care of me, but I put a hand on his chest. “Stay.”
With a chuckle, he opened his eyes. “I’m not a dog.” He took in my concern and his expression softened. “I’m okay, Penny. I just need a moment.”
On my first day of delivering food here, six plus months ago now, Ryder and his guys had been doing some sort of team bonding warrior ninja obstacle course that had been set up in the parking lot.
It’d been dawn and pouring rain then too, but I’d been able to pick him out of the crowd, up on a high rig, effortlessly and gracefully swinging from ring to ring while dodging nunchucks and massive bouncy balls.
As I couldn’t do more than one pull up at a time, I’d been fascinated by his easy show of strength.
I’d still been watching when one of those huge balls had taken him out.
He’d crash-landed on a thick mat, but not before also taking a nunchuck to the head. He’d gotten to his feet, bleeding but smiling—because he’d gotten farther on the course than anyone else.
“Why are guys so dumb?” I asked the room.
He gave a low laugh. “Comes with the equipment.”
Not impressed, I gave him a deadpan look. “Do you need an ambulance?”
“No.”
“Ryder—”
“I don’t. I’m okay. I just had a little mishap with a ladder and a chain-link fence on a jobsite. I came in to patch myself up and needed to sit down for a minute. No big deal.”
I stared at him. No use asking if he was still dizzy, he’d just deny it. “If it’s no big deal, then let me see.”
He hesitated.
“Hey, I let you see mine.”
This earned me a lip twitch, but not a peek at his injury.
“Also, I owe you,” I said. “My excellent nursing will make us even.”
“Hardly. I threw myself in front of a truck for you.” His eyes took on a mischievous gleam. “But, maybe, if you were to wear a naughty nurse uniform…”
“Keep dreaming, perv.” I tugged on the hem of his shirt. “Off.”
“You didn’t have to lose your shirt.”
“Maybe next time.”
He smiled. “Now you’re just teasing me.” He removed the baseball cap, leaving his dark hair sexily tousled. Then, very carefully and slowly, he pulled his t-shirt over his head.
I didn’t know whether to drool or gasp in horror. His side was black and blue and had a three-inch gash running horizontally between his belly button and his ribs. “Looks like you tried to give yourself an appendectomy.”
He choked on a laugh. “It’s just a scratch.”
“Yeah, and I’m the Easter Bunny.” I ran back to my cart, grabbing two clean towels off the stack I’d brought with me. I stopped to thoroughly wash my hands, then dropping back to my knees at his side, I pressed one of the towels against the injury.
He hissed in a breath.
“Hold this,” I demanded. “Is the first aid kit back in its place above the fridge?”
“I don’t need it.”
“Answer me or I’m calling 911.”
A barely there exhale escaped his lips, which from another man would’ve been a huge sigh. “Yeah. But first go into the closet behind the door. There’s a black hoodie hanging there. Grab it for me?”
I brought the big, cozy sweatshirt to him, but he shook his head. “Put it on.”
“What?”
“Humor me. Please,” he added when I didn’t move.
Blowing out a breath, I pulled on the deliciously soft and warm hoodie and sighed. I hadn’t realized how cold I was.
He smiled. “Better.”
“Thank you,” I said, but also rolled my eyes because I never knew how to deal with someone doing something for me. To get the first aid kit, I had to climb onto the counter, and he watched me with a small smile.
“How is this funny?” I asked, shoving up the too-long sleeves.
“Just admiring the view. You’re strong.”
“Do you have any idea how much the trays I carry around weigh?” I flashed him a body builder stance, flexing my arms.
“Wonder Woman.” He held my gaze, the jade of his eyes streaked with melted honey. “Inside and out.”
Nope. I wasn’t going to let that go to my head. Not even a little bit. So instead, it went to my belly, making it quiver.
“It’s a stupid place to keep a first aid kit, up so high like that,” I grumbled, trying to get down off the counter without dying.
“You’re the only person in this entire building who can’t reach it.”
I slid him a look. “Was that a height joke?”
“I wouldn’t dare.”
With a snort, I came back to him, pulling on a pair of medical gloves I found in the kit before beginning to carefully clean around the injury. He didn’t make a sound, but his abs twitched, giving away his pain.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, and he shook his head.
I was so focused on not meeting his gaze while touching him that I just kept staring at his torso, which seemed made entirely of lean muscle. His skin marred by the occasional scar, and swirls of dark ink ran over his shoulders and chest in a sexy pattern that made my mouth water.
“And I’m not short,” I said apropos of nothing. “I’m five foot four.”
His mouth quirked. “I stand corrected.”
“I’ll have you know,” I said in a playful tone meant to distract him from the pain. “There are plenty of advantages to being…height challenged.”
“Do tell.”
“Well, since I fit into tight places, I’m an expert at hide-and-go-seek.”
“I’m sure that comes in handy all the time.”
“It does when you’re trying to turn a raised-by-wolves cub into a human twelve-year-old boy.” I pulled out some gauze and antibiotic cream. “Once I cover up the wound, I’ll drive you to the ER.”
“No need. Find the skin glue I’ve got in there.”
I gaped at him. “You need a doctor.”
“Pass.” He started fumbling in the kit himself, and I slapped his hand away. “Are you always this stubborn?”
“Takes one to know one.”
“Uh-huh. I thought you handled the business side of things, not the actual physical labor. Why didn’t whoever was working with you take you directly to the hospital without passing Go?”
“I keep telling you, I like to get dirty.” He flashed a mischievous smile when I bit my lower lip. “And as for this morning, something came up on a job that had to get done right away, and no one else was available.”
“So you went alone? Even I know that’s against your own rules.”
He shrugged, then tried unsuccessfully to hide his wince. “I’m the boss.”
“Ah. Which means you get to be stupid, but no one else does.”
He rubbed the spot between his eyes. “Up until two years ago, I spent most of my time in the field. I miss it. It gives me balance. And I do know what I’m doing.” He paused. “Usually.”
I found the skin glue. “So you really aren’t renovating our kitchen out of pity.”
“If anything, pity me for being stuck inside an office for the past two years.”
Still on the floor, our faces were close, our bodies even closer with him leaning back against the island, and me on my knees at his side. He hadn’t shaved and I liked the dark scruff, a lot.
Around us, the world was still quiet, giving the moment an intimate feel, so I dared to ask, “What changed two years ago?”
“I had a partner. Auggie managed the day-to-day running of the business side of things, and I handled everything in the field. When he…died, I had to shift my attention to management. It’s been long enough that I should be used to it by now, but…” He shook his head.
My heart sank at his loss. “I’m so sorry.” Stupid, useless words, but I hoped he heard the genuine sentiment beneath them.
“He loved numbers, loved managing this place, just as much as I loved working with my hands.” He drew a deep breath.
“People thought I was the funny one, but they were wrong. It was Auggie. He had a wicked sense of humor and could prank the shit out of anyone, but he was also quiet, unassuming, and so chill you had to check him for a pulse to make sure he was still breathing. He liked quiet evenings at home with his wife and kids. He liked vacations where he could sit by the pool and watch over his family and read a good book. He was…”
“Your virtual opposite?”
He gave a half smile. “Yes, and also my best friend. I’d been after him for years to live a little.
To pick even one thing outside his comfort zone.
Just one damn thing, something he’s always wanted to try, something new, something thrilling.
I helped him plan a backcountry ski trip with a group of our friends. ”
He paused and swallowed hard, like memories were bombarding him.
“Two days before the trip, I broke my ankle rock climbing and needed surgery. I couldn’t go.
We talked about rescheduling, but he ended up still going because the trip wasn’t refundable.
On the second day, Auggie skied off trail and lost control, hitting a tree at full speed. ”
My mouth fell open in shock. “Oh my God.”
“Yeah.” Ryder knocked the back of his head against the island, staring up at the ceiling as he let out a small, baffled laugh. “I’m sorry. I don’t know how we got here, with me spilling my guts, both literally and figuratively. I don’t talk about this, ever.”
“I’m glad you told me.” I couldn’t imagine the pain he’d been through. “So is you taking on Auggie’s job your penance then? You have to suit up and move the pieces on the chessboard instead of doing the work you love so much?”
He didn’t answer. Which was an answer in itself.
“Ryder, how’s what happened your fault?”
He waved a hand. “How is it not? I set up the trip.” He shoved his fingers through his hair, a frustrated gesture. “He went off trail, alone. What was he thinking?” He shook his head. “I should’ve been there.”