Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
Lily
I watched Ryker back out of my driveway while clutching my phone in my hand.
Did that really just happen?
Did I really just fuck a man I just met while letting him declare he wanted me forever?
Yep. Yep. It sure did.
I would know from the pain shooting up my arm from where I pinched the skin between my fingers. I was alive, and it happened, dammit.
As soon as Ryker was out of view, I unlocked my phone and called Whitney.
“Hey, my starter is toast. The guy is fixing it now but looks like it’s going to be another hour. Want to meet at the shop, then?”
“Okay but Whit, I know you never thought the day would come where you’d hear me say this, but I just got done having sex with the tow truck driver.”
The line went silent.
“Whit? Are you still there?”
The loudest scream I’ve ever heard echoed over the line, and I pulled the phone away as I dissolved into a fit of laughter.
“You what?! Oh my God! Tell me everything now!”
“I know who the hell am I right?”
“Yes, seriously. Who are you?”
“He does something to me, Whit. I’ve never felt like this before.”
“I can see that. Details girl, stat.”
I filled her in on the juiciest parts and promised to tell her the rest when I saw her later. It all felt like a fever dream, and as I showered and fed my cat before leaving for the shop, none of it felt real.
Here I was living a quiet life in Appleridge, content with my cabin and my cat, my best friend and our business, until a hunky mountain man turned it all upside down.
And now I couldn’t picture my life without him.
Whitney and I gushed over Ryker for five solid minutes before we could even focus on work, but we managed to get a few things done before calling it a day.
“Do you know what he’s making you for dinner?”
I shook my head. “If he cooks as well as he fucks, then I’ll be in heaven.”
Whitney’s mouth fell open. “Who are you and what have you done with my sweet innocent friend?!”
My cheeks burned red. “Good question. Who am I?”
I continued to ask as I drove to his place later, the sun just beginning to set in the sky.
He lived a bit on the outskirts of town, on a dead-end drive, just near the edge of the mountain.
As his cabin came into view, I did a double take, the size impressive never mind the craftsmanship of the sturdy log frame.
When I pulled my car into his long driveway, I parked behind his truck and ran my eyes over the breathtaking view.
He filled his wrap-around porch with potted flowers, from hanging planters to boxes on the railing, so many gorgeous colors and smells.
In the garden in front of the porch were huge rose bushes, with picture perfect red roses beaming towards the sun, the scent of them filling the surrounding air.
He wasn’t lying when he said he liked flowers, that I could tell.
I got out of my car and walked towards the porch, admiring his garden as I went, with wind chimes and various decorations adding a creative touch.
“I promised my mom I would always take care of her gardens.” Ryker’s voice washed over me and my head shot in his direction.
His large frame loomed on the porch, a very happy, very wiggling dog bouncing beside him.
If it wasn’t for the tight grip of the leash, I’m sure the big lab would’ve knocked me over in a heap of kisses by now.
“Hi.” I smiled at him and then his dog. “He’s a cutie.” I nodded towards Finn, whose tail thumped loudly on the porch wood slats.
Ryker returned my smile, a sexy gleam in his eye. He gripped the leash tighter, the muscles flexing in his arms.
Good thing I wasn’t wearing any panties under this dress.
My cheeks flushed at the thought. “I’d say you’re doing a pretty damn good job of keeping up with your mom’s gardens.”
Ryker took the stairs one step at a time as he strode toward me, Finn obeying and staying right by his side, though his tail never stopped. “We’ll have to trade secrets.” He said as he came to a stop in front of me, Finn desperate to get my loving.
I kneeled down and held out my hand for Finn to explore.
The brown dog sniffed and licked me.
“See Finn? I told you she’s a keeper.” Ryker flashed me a wolfish grin and a wink. “Are you comfortable with me setting him loose?”
I straightened. “Yes. Let him free.”
Ryler let go of the leash and Finn was at my knees in a second, licking and wagging and begging for my attention. I gave him all the loves when Ryker cleared his throat.
“Hey man, can I have a turn greeting my lady?”
I laughed as I gave Finn one last smooch before looking up at my sexy man. “Hi handsome.”
“Hi, my Lily girl.”
“I like the sound of that.” I slipped my arms around his neck.
“Me too.”
We kissed and kissed, with Finn spinning circles around our feet.
“C’mon, I’ll show you around,” Ryker said as he covered my hand with his and led me around his property.
His backyard was the same as the front, gardens and potted plants galore, with a small vegetable patch off to the side.
“Growing up, my mom loved to plant. She’d spend hours out here in the yard.
Said it helped relieve her stress and bring her joy to watch something grow.
When I was a kid, I didn’t appreciate it as much as I do now.
When I no longer could take care of her, with her dementia rapidly declining, I felt like such a failure.
She’d taken care of me and raised me my entire life.
I couldn’t do the same for her? But after a lot of soul searching, I made the tough choice to do what was best for her.
And with that came nurturing all of her gardens.
I hope to raise my family here, surrounded by her love. ”
I stared at the big, tall beast of a man, his soft insides on full display, and I admired him. I admired him so much. So strong and tough on the outside when, really, he was a gentle giant.
“Ryker…” I tugged on his arm until he turned to face me, his eyes wet. “You’re an amazing man, you know that?”
He said nothing but hugged me close, so much passing between us in unspoken words.
And as we feasted on a delicious dinner of beef stew and crusty bread, I somehow knew deep down in my gut, he was the man for me.