Chapter 9
CHAPTER
NINE
Ryker
My mind was so full of Heather that I couldn’t even think straight or focus enough to decide what I wanted to do next.
I could still taste her, feel the light tremor in her body, the way she’d opened up, tugging at my hair and demanding more.
I’d been on the brink of obliging her. I’d almost forgotten we were in a train station.
I never lost my head—not when I was making million-dollar bids, not even when I was playing my guitar at the Northern Lights.
I was always in control—of the situation, of myself.
I hadn’t been in control with Heather, not by a long shot.
I’d been driven by an impulse that was completely new to me—to be closer to her in every way possible.
I’d needed to touch her more than I’d ever needed anything else. I still needed to.
Turning around, I searched for the schedule of trains, then zeroed in on the one I was interested in. It was arriving in twelve minutes. I could jump on it and catch up with Heather. She’d told me the station where she was getting off.
No, wait. She’d gone to pick up Avery. I couldn’t go after her. What was I thinking? I wasn’t… not really. I was still acting on impulse.
Just to be on the safe side, I rushed out of the station before I gave in to the temptation to take the next train. I couldn’t just barge in on Heather’s life.
I needed a better plan.
I needed my sisters. Instead of heading to my apartment, I headed to Soho, to their shop. I didn’t need to call them to know they’d be there.
Tess and Skye weren’t in the front when I arrived, but the light was on.
Stepping inside, I asked, “Anyone here?”
“Yes. We’re in the changing rooms,” Skye called.
I strode to the back and found the girls propping a ladder in the first changing room. Several things had been delivered since I’d last been here, including the curtains of the changing room and the rods, and boxes of shelves and lamps.
“To what do we owe this surprise?” Skye asked.
I clutched at my heart theatrically. “Surprise? You wound me. I’m your trusty handyman around here.”
Tess pointed a finger at me. “Yeah, but today is not your day. It’s Cole’s.”
“Why isn’t he here?”
“Oh, he had some stuff to do. So… what gives?”
“Can’t believe this. I’m getting shit for trying to be a good brother.”
I shouldn’t push my luck too much, because once they caught on that I wasn’t here only to help, they’d give me hell.
Tess sighed, dropping her chin to her chest. “I’m sorry. We’ve just got screwed over today with a delivery, so I’m extra jumpy. Forgive me?”
She rose on her toes, giving me a kiss on the cheek. Skye followed suit. Oh, hell… now I was feeling guilty.
“Who screwed you over?” I asked.
“We paid for one thing and received another,” Skye said. “They delivered it when I was here alone, and I think they thought I’d just accept it, because they only talked to Tess before. But I roasted their ass.”
I bit back a smile. Next to Tess, she always seemed quieter, even shy. But if you pissed her off, you were in for a scare.
“Can I help with anything?” I asked.
Tess smiled like a Cheshire cat. “The answer to that will always be yes.”
“We’re hanging some lamps in the changing rooms.” She pointed to the ceilings.
“Say no more, I’m your guy.”
“You need us? Otherwise we’re out to sort the merchandise from the new collection,” Skye said.
“I’m good. You go do your thing.”
Some lamps turned out to be twenty-five spotlights.
My arms felt as if they were about to fall off by the time I was done.
The changing rooms were enormous. Some even had a black velvet chair inside.
I could imagine myself sitting there while Heather tried on lingerie in front of me.
I pressed the heels of my palms against my eyes.
It didn’t help. If anything, the vision became more vibrant.
I just couldn’t stop thinking about Heather, could I?
I headed straight to the front, where Tess and Skye stood behind the counter Cole and I had assembled two nights before. The girls were elbow-deep in boxes.
“Girls, do you have any printed invitations left for the March Gala?”
“Yeah, we always have a few spares,” Tess said without looking up.
“I need one. Actually, two.”
“Just tell us the names and I’ll send them tomorrow,” Skye murmured.
“They’re new guests. Just add plus two to my name.”
Skye looked up. “Okay. We still need the names though. For the seating chart.”
“They’ll sit with us.”
Skye’s jaw went slack. Tess looked up too, eyes wide.
“Wait a second… you’re inviting someone new… and they’ll sit with us. We do need to vet them first, though. It’s protocol,” Tess said.
“I’ve already vetted her.” Big mistake. I tried to correct myself. “Them. I’ve vetted them.”
My sisters’ expressions turned from shocked to smug in a fraction of a second.
Tess propped her chin in her palm, studying me before turning to Skye.
“So… what do you think? A couple?” she asked.
“No way. He looks like his tongue is stuck to the roof of his mouth.”
“A lady friend who’s coming with another friend?”
Jesus, they weren’t going to give this a rest.
“A lady friend. And she’s bringing her daughter,” I said finally. My sisters turned their attention to me at once.
“We’re going to need more info,” Tess said slowly. I shook my head.
Skye straightened up. “Ryker… we have a no-secrets policy in our family.” To be honest, usually I stood by the no-secrets policy.
It had been in place ever since Dad left.
We had zero dollars for therapy, but Tess decided that we all needed to talk among ourselves at least. For now though, I wasn’t sharing anything.
“Besides, we’re going to meet them anyway,” Tess pointed out. “But I’m putting two and two together. One… you’re keeping secrets. Two, you asked for invitations , which means you want to impress said lady friend. Am I right?””
“Yes. Give me the invitations, please.”
“I’m on it, I’m on it,” Skye said. “I have some in the back.” She disappeared through the door to the back room.
“Aha, you’re lucky,” she exclaimed a few seconds later, running toward me with two golden envelopes.
“These are the only two I have here.” She was clutching them to her chest. “I can write the names for you. I have the most calligraphic writing out of all of us.”
“Nice try, Skye.”
She handed the envelopes over with a pout.
Tess narrowed her eyes. “I can’t believe you made us feel guilty for suspecting you have a hidden agenda.”
Ah, I was surprised she’d waited so long to play that card.
“Want to have dinner together?” Skye asked.
“Already ate,” I said. I’d grabbed a snack before I met up with Heather.
“Second dinner. Or just cake,” Skye said.
“Girls, I have a call early tomorrow. I can’t stay.”
“You’re ditching us? Especially after the shitty day we’ve had?” Skye pouted, leaning into me. I laughed, putting an arm over her shoulders, kissing her temple.
“I’m not ditching you,” I assured them. “Just need to be rested for tomorrow.”
Skye sighed, stepping away from my half hug. I was grinning as I slid the envelopes in my pocket. After bidding them goodbye, I headed out on the streets with renewed energy. I didn’t want our next meeting to be at the fund.
I wanted Heather in my domain this time.