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Ryker chuckles and settles back against the pillows.
Sitting here with him, there’s just something that feels so right. So comfortable. It’s hard to remember that we only met a handful of days ago when I feel as though I’ve been waiting for him my entire life.
“Honestly?” he asks.
“Always,” I reply.
“I felt like I needed to. No matter how many times I talked myself out of it, I couldn’t get you out of my head. From the moment I pulled you from that water, Dahlia, you’ve been on my mind.”
I scoot back and lean against the headboard, then tuck my knees up to my chest. “Is it silly that I waited for you to come back to the hospital?” The admission leaves me vulnerable, but it’s the truth, and I need him to hear it.
He turns toward me. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. You didn’t even know me. You were the only person I did know, if that makes sense? I mean, I know that you introduced me to Katelyn, but you saved me. And I guess that made me feel safe whenever you were around.”
“Made you?”
“Makes me,” I reply. “You make me feel safe, Ryker. Protected.”
His expression is serious. “I won’t ever let anything happen to you.”
“You can’t control the rest of my life, but I appreciate the sentiment.”
He stretches an arm back and rests his head on it, but doesn’t respond right away. “Oh, Sawyer said that Mrs. Marooney has made herself at home in Maverick’s spare apartment. Katelyn is stopping by and taking care of her a few times a day, and she hangs out in the bar with Mav during the day.”
Laughing, I shake my head. “I bet she is loving that. She’s always been such a flirt.”
“He’s not super chatty, so it’s a pretty perfect situation.”
“Thank you for saving her,” I tell him as I turn toward him.
“You don’t have to thank me for anything, Dahlia. At this point, there’s very little I wouldn’t do for you.” The tone of his voice changes with that last bit.
“That makes you nervous.”
“It terrifies me,” he admits.
It shouldn’t bring me any level of joy to hear him say that, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that there’s a part of me who cannot keep from smiling. I settle down against the pillows, then offer him the remote.
“Want to watch a show?”
He looks over and grins. “How about a Hallmark movie?”
Chapter 25
Ryker
Someone gently shakes me.
I bolt up, heart racing, only to see Presley standing in front of me. He puts a finger up to his mouth, then gestures over toward the side. Following his gaze, I see that Dahlia is curled on her side, facing me, eyes closed, face relaxed.
The movie has long since ended, and the TV has rested on a menu screen.
“I need to show you something,” he says.
“Be right there.”
Presley nods, then leaves the room, so I take a moment to catch my breath and let my heart rate slow. Dahlia moves and reaches across the bed in her sleep. Her hand gently rests on my arm, and I still beneath her touch.
