Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
Ryker
Shit. Shit, shit, shit.
I was in trouble.
Lily, with her long brown hair cascading down her back
Lily with her friendly smile and warm brown eyes.
Lily with her soft features and tantalizing scent.
Lily with her long floral dress, blowing in the gentle breeze.
Who the hell was she?
And how did I take one look at her and instantly know she was my forever?
I was thirty-eight and wasn’t getting any younger. I figured love wasn’t in the cards for me and I didn’t care. I had my dog, my cabin, and my business. It was all I needed.
Until now.
Now I suddenly needed her.
The space in the cabin of the truck hummed with energy, a low, electrifying spark ready to explode at any second. I couldn’t think of anything but her. Not the road in front of me or the car on my tow or even her nice friend in the passenger seat.
In my head, it was only her and I.
As I steered my truck along the mountain road, my bare arm brushed against hers and the air in my throat restricted. I couldn’t even make conversation if I wanted to.
When the auto shop appeared ahead, a ping of disappointment rolled through me. I didn’t want to drop her off and never see her again. I had to get her number. Figure out who she was.
Make her mine.
I parked the truck in front of the garage and cut the engine. “Okay, ladies, here we are. If you need a ride home, don’t hesitate to ask.” I offered before hopping out of the truck. I rounded the big vehicle and opened the passenger door, helping both ladies to climb out.
While I removed the car from my tow, the two of them stood side by side talking quietly before the friend, Whitney, walked over. “I’m going to stay here with my car. Do you mind giving my friend a lift home?”
“Not a problem.” I said with a bit too much excitement.
Rein it in there, killer. You don’t want to scare her away.
“Thank you. Take good care of her.” Whitney said with a wink, and my insides twisted. She was on the same page. She knew I wanted her friend and was giving me the go ahead. Score.
I finished unloading the car before walking over to the ladies. I handed Whitney her key. “Good luck with everything.”
“Thanks again, Ryker. Take good care of my friend.”
“Oh, I will.” I said with a near growl. Damn it, I needed to control myself. It was so hard around her.
I winked at Lily and watched as her cheeks reddened. I fucking loved it.
My dick twitched in my pants, awakening after a long slumber. Well, hello there guy, it’s about time.
I led Lily to the truck and helped her in before hurrying to the other side. I already missed her being right next to me, my skin aching without her touch.
As if she were a lost soul I was always meant to find, I was drawn to her. I wanted to know her inside and out. Take her home with me and never let her go.
When I slid behind the wheel, I started the loud engine, the roar rumbling beneath us. It wasn’t the only damn thing rumbling. My desire for her was out of damn control.
I cleared my throat. “Where to, sweetheart?”
She flashed her sexy brown beauties my way and a shy smile, one I desperately wanted to kiss right off her ruby red lips. “I live off the main drag in town, down past the gas station.”
“Got it.” I threw the truck in drive and steered out of the auto shop lot.
“How long have you lived in Appleridge?”
“A couple of years now. Whitney and I moved here after college. We opened our own antique shop downtown.”
“Really? That’s interesting. My mama loved antiques. Used to drag me shopping on Sundays.”
Lily’s whole face lit up. “That’s my favorite day to shop, too! Whitney and I hunt down the best deals every Sunday and Monday. What kind of things does your mom look for?”
My heart doubled in speed. Her warmth radiated through me. Get her talking about what she loved, and she opened right up.
“She enjoys shopping for vases and other knickknacks.” I explained as we turned onto her street.
“It’s the last cabin on the right.”
As we drove closer, I spotted her yard first, full of several wildflower patches, surrounding her small cabin.
“Are those all of your flowers?”
Lily’s face beamed with a smile. “Yes. I planted them myself. They’re blooming so well.”
I looked between her, and the flowers as I pulled my truck into her driveway.
I couldn’t believe it.
A flower lover, just like my mom. An antique shopper, just like my mom.
Could Lily be any more perfect for me?
“My mother loves flowers, too. Especially roses.” I parked my truck and killed the engine.
“Is that why she loved to shop for vases?”
I nodded, a wistful memory overtaking me.
I miss her so much.
“She loved to have a fresh arrangement on the table every day. Said it brightened her mood, even on the darkest of days.”
Lily smiled. “Your mom’s a smart woman.”
Silence fell between us.
I didn’t want her to go yet didn’t know what to say to make her stay, and she looked as if she battled with the same thing, her hand gripping the door handle yet not opening the door.
“Is it okay if I look at the flowers?” I blurted out, the urge to stretch our time together overtaking me.
“Of course. I have lots more in the back.”
As I followed Lily around her yard and into her backyard, I admired her beauty with her long hair and pretty dress. Her knowledge of flowers and what she planted and when, and her excitement to talk about it. I longed to kiss her.
It made no sense. It shouldn’t have, because it was all crazy and all so damn fast. I’d only just met the woman, and I wanted to wrap her in my arms and never let go.
“Does your mom still plant a garden?” Lily asked me as we stopped by the gate after walking around her backyard.
I shook my head. “No. But I keep it up for her.”
Lily studied me curiously. “You do?”
I looked her deep in the eyes. “Never miss a day.”
There was so much more I could say. How I visited my mother every day in the nursing home and how I kept her gardens flourishing at the cabin I grew up in and still lived in.
But there was plenty of time to show her my world and learn about hers. For now, I wanted to taste her.
To claim her as mine in the only way I knew how.
I took her by the waist and pulled her soft, tender body against my hard, throbbing one. I leaned down and covered her mouth with my lips, taking what was mine.
All mine.