Were they right?
“Ryker.” She let go of his hand, shifting closer. He told himself to back off, to give her room, but his boots didn’t move. She leaned forward, resting her head in the crook of his shoulder. “I’m blessed to have you here with us.”
Blessed? If either one of them was blessed, it was him. He couldn’t think of a response, so he simply lowered his head and pressed a chaste kiss on her temple.
She lifted her head to gaze up at him. He wished he could see her eyes more clearly, but the lack of light made it difficult to observe beyond the shadows.
“Is something wrong?” He didn’t know what she was thinking, or why she continued looking up at him.
“Nothing.” A smile curved her lips and she surprised him by reaching up to wrap her hand around his neck. Then she gently pulled him down as she went up on her tiptoes.
It never occurred to him to resist. She kissed him. Sweetly at first, but then with a longing that he couldn’t ignore or deny.
He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close and deepening the kiss, the way he’d wanted to since they’d first met. She tasted like sunshine and wildflowers after the rain. He wanted nothing more than to keep holding her, but the baby kicked between them, and he couldn’t help but laugh.
“Well, I’m not sure my kiss has ever spurred that reaction,” she said with a wry smile.
“It’s beautiful and so are you.” He was about to kiss her again when he heard a small voice call out, “Mommy?”
Aaron’s plaintive cry made Olivia sigh. “I’m sorry but I need to go to him.”
“I know.” He reluctantly loosened his grip. “Get some sleep. We’ll talk in the morning.”
She nodded, turned and rushed to Aaron’s bedside. He listened as she reassured the little boy. Peering through the open doorway, he saw her cuddling the child close. His chest ached as he watched them.
It was a full minute before he could make himself move away from the doorway, her taste lingering on his lips.
She’d kissed him, but now that the cloud of attraction had faded, he knew he shouldn’t read too much into their embrace. She’d been scared, had hidden in the bathroom with a toilet tank cover as a weapon. The stress of being on the run for her life, was probably getting to her. Coming to him for comfort didn’t mean anything.
He couldn’t let it mean anything.
Getting emotionally involved wasn’t smart. He needed his wits about him to figure out how to stop the Blake-Moore Group, while keeping her and Aaron safe.
Another lapse in judgment on his part could prove deadly.
EIGHT
Had she lost her mind? Why on earth had she kissed Ryker? He’d been trying to comfort her, the way any friend might after running from bad guys with guns, but she’d turned a sweet embrace into something romantic.
Long after Aaron had fallen asleep, she’d replayed those moments over and over in her mind.
It’s beautiful and so are you.
Just remembering the words made her shiver with awareness. An attraction she hadn’t felt in a very long time.
It was impossible not to compare Ryker and Tim. Her husband had lost interest in her while she’d been pregnant with Aaron. At the time, she’d blamed his new job with Blake-Moore for the long hours Tim had spent away from home. Blamed it for his short temper and the subtle changes she’d noticed in his demeanor.
But deep down, she’d feared her husband was becoming a stranger. No matter how much she tried to find the man she’d married, he’d remained elusive. She’d attempted to rejuvenate their relationship, hoping that reconnecting with him on an intimate level would bring life back to his eyes, but it hadn’t worked. She believed Blake-Moore was to blame.
Those instincts had proven correct, based on the way the Blake-Moore Group had sent armed men after her.
Only after Tim’s death had she really understood that her marriage would not have survived a second pregnancy. That their relationship was damaged beyond repair.
She hadn’t even had the chance to tell Tim about the baby. Frankly, she’d been afraid of his reaction. Then it had been too late.
Not that it mattered now. The relief of knowing she wouldn’t have to deal with Tim made her feel guilty. He’d been her husband, a man she’d once loved. But he’d eventually turned into someone else.
A man she didn’t recognize.
Which brought her back to Ryker. Sweet, caring, strong, compassionate Ryker.
It was crazy. She was getting in way over her head. Telling herself this was nothing more than some strange hero worship didn’t help.
As much as she appreciated Duncan’s and Mike’s help, her senses were only tuned in to Ryker. A man she had no business kissing. Or wanting.
The minute she and Aaron were out of danger, Ryker would move on to his next project. Whatever that might be.
She didn’t know much of anything about his personal life, other than he worked as a security specialist. But what about the women in his life? Or his family? She had no idea.
Exhaustion finally shut down her brain long enough to sleep.
The following morning, she woke up feeling well rested. But the serene feeling of hope quickly evaporated when she realized Aaron wasn’t beside her.
“Aaron?” She rolled off the bed, her heart hammering in her chest. She yanked the bedroom door open and saw Ryker had Aaron on his lap, feeding him something they must have gotten from a nearby restaurant.
“He’s fine. We tried not to wake you, right, champ?” Ryker grinned down at the boy.
“Right.” The words were muffled by the food in her son’s mouth.
“Thank you.” Her panic faded and she drew a hand through her tousled hair, suddenly feeling self-conscious about her appearance. She’d been wearing the same maternity clothes for the past two days. Ugh.
The kiss they’d shared hovered in the air between them.
“We have something for you, too,” Ryker added, avoiding her direct
