Before he leaves, I pull him aside. “There’s something else.” I show him the trolling on social media. “Paige doesn’t know about this, and she doesn’t need to.”
He shakes his head. “Fucking c…” He looks up quickly. “Shit, I forget there’s a kid around somewhere. I’m trying to cut back on swearing to keep the missus happy, but it’s fucking hard.” His expression turns serious. “You want me to trace these assholes?”
“Can you?”
“It depends on how sophisticated the operator is. If it’s your average small-town asshole, then it’ll be easy. But if it’s a professional asshole, not so much.” He straightens up. “Leave it with me, and I’ll see what I can do.” He slaps me on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, bro. We’ll keep your woman safe.”
I wait for him to drive away before I grab my bag and head inside, feeling a little better now that we’ve got cameras and Marcus helping out.
25
PAIGE
Ryan grasps the railing as he pulls himself up the steps to the front door. I know instinctively that he won’t want any help. Damn ex-SEALs never do. Sweat beads on his forehead, but he smiles as I open the door for him. My heart flutters at the smile that’s all for me, and my lips tingle with the memory of his lips pressed against them.
It’s been a long time since I was kissed like that. Three long years, and the man who did it is right here in front of me. I shiver as desire spikes, and I’m not sure if it’s the memory of that weekend, the kiss from earlier, or the fact that I haven’t had a man’s hands on me for a very long time.
Once again, my inexperience has me tied up in knots.
“All set?” I focus on the task at hand and push the thoughts of his hands clasping the nape of my neck out of my mind.
“I’ve got a video feed running to an app, which is connected to my smart watch.” He holds up his wrist to show me a large watch. “It will trigger a silent alarm if there’s any movement. I can monitor the camera feeds from my laptop.”
Ryan follows me inside, and we go through to the living area. A couch faces the window, which looks out onto the garden. Next to it is a small dining table, which borders the living area and the kitchen.
“Take a seat.” I indicate the table, guessing the couch might be too low for Ryan. I’m not sure what the parameters are for the prosthetic, and given how he’s jumped from wheelchair to a leg in one day, I’m guessing he’s not sticking to the program from his physio.
“I’ve ordered pizza,” I tell him.
Ryan eases into a seat and sets his laptop next to him on the table. He lets out a long sigh as he rubs his thigh. “Hawaiian?”
Our eyes meet, and a smile passes between us. “Of course.”
He chuckles. “Glad to see your important values haven’t changed.”
As he relaxes into the chair, I get a glimpse of the man I remember. Funny and smart and thoughtful, whose kiss makes me forget everything.
Noah drops the building blocks he’s been playing with in the corner and toddles over to Ryan. “Where are your wheels?” He glares at Ryan as if he’s betrayed him by trading in the wheelchair.
“I upgraded, buddy.” Noah pulls up the leg of his trousers to reveal the prosthetic underneath. “I got me a special new leg instead.”
Ryan knocks his knuckles against the leg, and it makes a hard rapping sound. “Do you want to feel it?” Ryan asks.
Noah tentatively puts a hand on the leg and pulls it away when he feels the hard material.
Ryan chuckles. “It doesn’t feel like a real leg, does it? But I’m thankful for it. It allows me to walk again so I can see you and your mom in your home.”
“Ryan’s going to stay with us for a few days,” I explain to Noah, trying to keep my voice casual. I’ve never had a man over to stay. I’ve never even dated since Noah was born.Not that this is a date, I remind myself.
“Sleep in my room with me.” Noah smiles up at Ryan, eager and hopeful.
“He can’t sleep in your room, Noah. That’s just for you.”
Noah makes a face. “Where will he sleep, Momma?”
It’s the question I’ve been asking myself since I agreed to his staying. It’s a two-bedroom place. Perfect for the two of us. Anyone else would stay on the couch, but I can’t put Ryan there in his condition. I’ll bet anything he’s overdone it today, and his stump will be sore. Besides, it’s low and will be tricky for him to get up from.
There are not many options in a two-bedroom house.
