Instantly, the hairs on my neck start to stand up, and I glance to my left to see Ryker sitting in a chair like a king. He has his feet up on a stool and a cigar in his hand.
His eyes are on me, and for a split second Ialmostfeel vulnerable. After all, I’m only wearing a robe and a towel. Meanwhile, he’s wearing dress pants and a loose mauve shirt with the top buttons undone.
“Well, you certainly look the part,” I tell him, leaning against a thigh-high desk. “Big, tough, mafioso man.”
His lips twist like he wants to smile but won’t let himself. His eyes flash as he lifts his chin at me.
“I see your cheeks are still red from last night,” he remarks, taking a slow drag from his cigar.
Despite my lack of a sexy outfit, Ryker still can’t hide the fact that he’s checking me out. I watch his gaze roam up my legs, halt on my hips, then continue up to my breasts.
Men always think they’re being so subtle when they check us out, but we always know.
“And I thank you for that,” I counter. “It will save me having to put on blush later.”
This time, Ryker actually smiles. I have to admit, it’s actually a sexy smile. And from a guy who knows how to handle himself too.
“You’re quite a little firecracker, aren’t you?”
Placing a hand on my hip, I look back defiantly at him. “You know, I would have thought Dominic Vale’s son would have been a whiny, spoiled brat who let his men do all his dirty work for him.”
“Is that right?”
“Guess I was wrong.”
He smirks and pours himself some kind of alcohol from an expensive bottle.
“You may live here now,” he says. “But this isourhome andourrules. Don’t forget that.”
“Uh-huh.” I nod, pulling the towel from my hair and shaking it loose. “And I suppose that means doingwhatever you wantme to do?”
Ryker’s eyes narrow back at me. Slowly, he shakes his head, like he’s appalled by my behavior.
“You have quite a high opinion of yourself.”
I shrug, tossing my hair. “I managed to handle you quite easily.”
“Oh, you think so?” He laughs, rising to his feet. God, he’s tall—well over six feet with broad shoulders that seem to form a wall in front of me. “You know I went easy on you, right?”
“Oh, right. Cause I’m a girl?” I see where he’s going with this. But if he thinks he’s gonna get to me…
“Hey, I only put like fifty percent effort in. If I put in all one hundred—”
“You wanna put money on that?” I suggest, getting right up in his face. He smells like wood-scented soap, whiskey, and cigar smoke. The heat from his body pounds against me like there’s a fire raging within him.
He laughs, a deep roar straight from his belly. “Hey, if you wanna make me richer, princess, I’ve got no problem showing you who’s boss.”
I can feel my blood getting hotter as I stare into his defiant eyes. My teeth clench down, and I lick my lower lip. He can’t possibly think I’m just a harmless little girl, can he? Not after the bruising he got last night.
“Fine,” I reply. “Let’s go. Right now.”
His eyes flare. “You gonna wear that?” he asks, pointing to my robe.
“I’ll change now. Tell me where to meet you.”
“We’ve got a gym out back. Last door on the left. You’ll see it,” he replies, brushing past me. The feeling of his arm against my shoulder sends a barrage of conflicting sensations through me.
I whirl and watch as he exits the room, leaving me behind like I mean absolutely nothing to him. Then I’m rushing back to my room, my heartbeat pounding in my ears.
