Chapter 3
three
. . .
Ryker
I don't sleep. Can't. Not with her breathing just fifteen feet away, behind that flimsy bedroom door.
My body's been in a constant state of readiness since the moment she invited me up.
Not just my cock—though fuck knows that's been at attention—but every muscle, every sense.
Alert for any sound that doesn't belong.
Any threat to what's becoming mine. I stretch out on her too-small couch, my feet hanging off the edge, and listen to the rhythm of her breathing.
Slow. Steady. Trusting me to keep watch.
The responsibility settles on my shoulders like a familiar weight.
But this is different. This isn't a paycheck. This is primal.
The sun isn't even up when I hear her stirring.
Soft footsteps, the sound of running water.
My body responds instantly, cock hardening against my zipper at just the thought of her moving around.
Fucking pathetic. I'm a grown-ass man, not some teenager.
But there's something about Amanda that bypasses every shred of self-control I've built.
She emerges from her bedroom wearing sleep shorts that show miles of smooth leg and a tank top that clings to her curves. My mouth goes dry.
"You're awake," she says softly, looking surprised. "Did you sleep at all?"
"Enough," I lie. I sit up, making room for her on the couch. "You?"
She shrugs, a small smile playing at her lips. "Better than I have in years, actually."
The admission does something to my chest—squeezes it tight. The idea that my presence gives her peace makes me want to fucking howl with satisfaction.
"Coffee?" she asks, already moving toward the kitchen. I follow, unable to stop myself from watching the gentle sway of her hips.
"Sure."
Her apartment is small but neat. Feminine touches everywhere—soft throw pillows, a vase of flowers, framed watercolor prints. Nothing expensive. Nothing that screams attachment. The place of someone ready to run at a moment's notice.
The thought makes something dark and possessive curl through me. She won't need to run anymore. Not with me here.
"Thank you again," she says as she measures coffee grounds. "For staying. You really didn't have to."
"I did." No room for argument.
She glances up, those doe eyes searching my face. "Why?"
How do I explain something I barely understand myself? That the moment I saw fear flash across her face, something primitive clicked into place? That I'd tear apart anyone who made her feel that way again?
Before I can answer, her phone buzzes on the counter. The screen lights up with a text. Just a glimpse, but it's enough.
I know he stayed with you. Whore.
Red bleeds into my vision. Every muscle in my body tenses, ready for violence with no outlet. In two strides, I'm across the kitchen. The phone is in my hand before she can react.
More messages. Dozens. Threats. Surveillance details. Sick fantasies.
"He's been watching you." My voice doesn't sound human. "How long has this been going on?"
She wraps her arms around herself, suddenly small. "It comes and goes. Sometimes months of nothing, then..."
"Then he starts again." I finish for her, jaw clenched so tight it might shatter.
I slam the phone down, making her jump. In an instant, I have her backed against the wall, my body caging her in. Not touching—I'd never harm her—but close enough that she can feel my rage radiating off me in waves.
"Did he touch you?" The words tear out of me, rough and demanding. "Ever?"
Her eyes widen, but there's no fear in them. Not of me.
"No—I mean, he tried..." she stammers.
"Tell me," I growl. "Everything."
"There was one kiss in high school. Forced. That's why I broke it off." Her words tumble out quickly. "He grabbed me after class one day, pushed me against the lockers. I pushed him away and ran. That was it. That's all that ever happened physically."
"One kiss." The words taste like poison in my mouth.
"I've never..." She swallows, her cheeks flushing. "I've never been with anyone. At all. I'm a virgin."
The confession hits me like a fucking freight train. My cock goes from hard to granite in seconds. Something savage and triumphant roars through my blood.
Virgin.
Untouched.
Mine.
"Say that again," I demand, my voice dropping to a growl.
"I'm a virgin." Her tongue darts out to wet her lips, and I track the movement with laser focus. "After Danny started stalking me, I was too scared to date. To let anyone close."
My hand moves before I can stop it, cupping her cheek. Her skin is so soft under my calloused palm that it makes me ache.
"No one?" I confirm, needing to hear it again. "No one's touched this body?"
She shakes her head, leaning into my touch. "No one."
"Fuck," I breathe, reverent and filthy all at once.
I shouldn't. I know I shouldn't. She's vulnerable. Scared. I should be a gentleman, back away, give her space.
But I'm not a gentleman. Never have been.
My mouth crashes down on hers. The first touch of her lips sends electricity arcing through me. She tastes like mint and sleep and innocence. I mean to be gentle—she deserves gentle—but when her arms wrap around my neck, pulling me closer, something snaps.
I lift her, hands gripping her ass, and carry her to the couch. Her legs wrap around my waist, and I can feel her heat through our clothes. It's torture. Heaven.
"Tell me to stop," I rasp against her mouth, giving her one last chance to save herself from the beast I am.
Instead, she whispers, "Don't stop. Please."
Those three words unleash something primal in me. I peel her tank top off, revealing perfect breasts that fit in my palms like they were made for me. My thumbs brush her nipples, and she arches with a gasp that goes straight to my cock.
"Look at you," I murmur, lowering my head to taste one pink peak. "My perfect little girl. All mine."
Her hands clutch at my shoulders, nails digging in. "Ryker..."
I strip her shorts and panties in one rough motion, leaving her naked beneath me. The sight nearly undoes me. Soft curves, smooth skin, the triangle of honey-blonde curls between her thighs.
"So fucking beautiful," I growl, running my hands from her ankles to her inner thighs, spreading her wide. "And no one's ever seen you like this. No one but me."
She nods, eyes heavy-lidded with desire. "Only you."
I shed my clothes with brutal efficiency, my cock springing free, thick and heavy. Her eyes widen, a flicker of nervousness crossing her face.
"Shhh," I soothe, moving over her, covering her body with mine. "I'll make it good for you, princess. Gonna take care of this sweet body."
My fingers find her center, already slick with need. I circle her clit slowly, watching her face as pleasure overtakes apprehension. When I slide one thick finger inside, she's tight—so fucking tight—but wet and ready.
"That's it," I praise as she rocks against my hand. “Take what you need from me. You’re in control, baby. I would never hurt you. No one will ever hurt you.”
I work her slowly, adding a second finger, stretching her carefully. My cock throbs painfully, desperate to claim her, but I refuse to hurt her. When she's writhing beneath me, I position myself at her entrance.
"Look at me," I command.
Those doe eyes lock on mine, trusting and wanting.
"You're mine now," I tell her, pushing in slowly, feeling her body resist then yield. "No one else gets this. Ever."
She whimpers as I breach her, her virginal tightness gripping me like a vise. I pause, letting her adjust, fighting every instinct screaming at me to thrust deep.
"So tight," I groan, sweat beading on my forehead from the effort of restraint. "Perfect little pussy. Made for me."
When I'm fully seated inside her, I lower my forehead to hers. "You feel that? How perfect we fit? Gonna fill this tight pussy until you're round with my baby, princess."
The words spill out without thought—filthy promises I have no right to make. But they feel right. Inevitable.
I begin to move, slow deep thrusts that have her gasping beneath me. Her legs wrap around my waist, pulling me deeper.
"That's it," I growl, picking up pace. "Take every inch. Good girl. My good girl."
She moans, head thrown back, exposing her throat. I latch onto it, marking her with my teeth, claiming her in every way possible.
"Yours," she pants, her inner muscles fluttering around me. "Only yours."
"Gonna breed you so deep," I groan against her neck. "Make you mine forever. You better want that, baby, cause that’s what’s happening.”
Her nails rake down my back as her pleasure builds. I can feel her tightening around me, getting close.
"Come for me," I command, grinding against her clit with every thrust. "Come on my cock, little girl."
She shatters beautifully, her back arching off the couch.
"Daddy!" she cries out, the word sending a bolt of pure lust through me. Holy mother of god, I’ve never fantasized about being called that.
Never been into that kind of kink, but something about Amanda saying it feels so right.
So fucking right, and I go off like a firehose.
I growl in triumph, hips pistoning faster. "That's right, princess. Daddy's got you."
Her orgasm triggers mine, and I bury myself deep, emptying inside her with a roar. Marking her from the inside. Making her mine in the most primal way.
Afterward, I gather her trembling body against my chest, stroking her hair as she comes down. Her virgin blood and my cum smear our thighs, and the sight satisfies something ancient in me.
"You okay?" I ask, voice gentler than I thought possible.
She nods against my chest, dropping a kiss over my thundering heart. "More than okay."
In that moment, looking down at her flushed face and swollen lips, I know with absolute certainty: this woman is mine to protect, to cherish, to breed.
Forever.