Sting (8 page)

“Get in, Ryan. I can’t be responsible for you being fried to a crisp.”
That would be a great tragedy.

He runs around the bonnet of my car and rushes into the front seat.

“Thanks,” he says and fastens his seatbelt. “Sorry, I’m wet,” he says and waggles his eyebrows. I follow a rogue drop of rain which runs over his shoulder and down the bulge of his bicep, drawing my gaze to his lap.

Well, dang. That makes two of us.

How freakin’ embarrassing if he knew. I clear my throat, grip the steering wheel and set the wipers to high speed.

Within the confines of the car, his presence is amplified tenfold. It’s so surreal, because since Jacob, I haven’t had another man in the car with me. Of course, the first time I do since then, it’s a total hottie. I guess it’s about time my luck turned around.

“It’s no problem. So where am I headed?”

“South Street,” he says.
A stone’s throw from my place
. Lucky again.

As I drive the familiar streets of Freo with the windscreen wipers on high, I feel his eyes trained on me. I take the occasional glance his way without turning my head. His brown eyes travel a slow course from my face, down my chest, and linger on my thighs.

Not even Sienna singing crazily out of tune can distract me from him.

A few streets later, I am completely and utterly flustered. My face is hot, my heart is beating faster than it should be, and I’m sweating. The dampness between my legs is, well, the only word I can use to describe it is
ridiculous
.

My body knows what it wants from this gentle giant.

To be held.

To be touched.

To be taken.

“Just here on the left,” he says and points towards a block of units.

I jerk on the wheel, snapping out of my daze. I pull into the driveway and come to a quick stop beside a brick wall of mailboxes.

“Thanks for the lift. I appreciate it. You as good as saved my life, Blondie.”
Sugar
. There he goes, flashing that dangerous dimple again.

“No problem.”

He twists his body and grips the corner of my seat as he leans to face Sienna. “And that, Princess, was fantastic singing. I can safely say I’ve never had the pleasure of hearing anything like it.”

“Tank-you,” she says, all kinds of sweet.

Ryan turns to me. Did I just imagine him puffing his chest up before he leant in closer?

“Last chance today for that kiss,” he says, his voice low and handsomely hoarse. He runs his tongue between his lips, wetting them. Of course my eyes take in every moment of it. Every sweet moment.

“Do it, do it,” Sienna chimes, and kicks the back of Ryan’s seat
. Kids sure know how to kill a moment.

“Um, that’s a lovely offer, but perhaps another time. Like when I don’t have such a lively audience.”

He chuckles. “Give me your hand,” he demands.

Without a second thought I extend my left hand, which still bears the indent on my ring finger. He takes my hand in his, and places a soft, open-mouthed kiss on the top.

The heat from his tender lips and the slight presence of tongue on my skin has me melting further into my seat. I can’t stop myself from squeezing my legs together as I try and extinguish the desire centring there. A prickling shiver runs a course inside me, and I gasp quietly. It’s loud enough for him to notice.

“I had to leave you with something.” He places my hand on the gear stick and pats it twice.

Well, that was certainly something.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, then,” I say, my voice semi-caught in my throat.

“Absolutely. Tomorrow,” he says.

I watch him walk—well it’s more of a strut really—towards what looks like the main entrance to the units.

“Big mussies,” Sienna says, drawing my head from the fog.

“Yeah, Princess. Big Mussies.”

If things go well, I’ll be dreaming about them tonight.
 

CHAPTER NINE

RYAN

What an afternoon. Here I was thinking a run would do me the world of good. Get the girl out of my head. Nope. Not happening.

Willow, in a wet white T-shirt.

I couldn’t have dreamt that shit up. And there she was, maternal, patient, giving me shit about my sandcastles, but I couldn’t care less. I got to spend time with her. Got a little bit of an insight into things, more about Sienna’s life and that cluster-fuck of a situation—poor kid—but not much more out of Willow.

I strip down and get into the shower, raging boner and all.

When she’d asked me about having a wife, the puzzled look on her face had taken me by surprise. She seemed interested enough to ask if I were taken, and then she kind of clammed up. Maybe she’s just shy. She seemed a little more relaxed today than she normally is at the café. Perhaps she regretted asking, because that’s one less obstacle in our way.

I so want to have my way with her. Every which fucking way.

Fuck
.

****

After pulling myself again in the shower, I resign myself to the fact that I need to be pro-active about this. Clearly, Willow is not the kind of girl who’s gonna throw herself at me. Funnily enough, I don’t want her to. That’s never really worked for me, anyhow.

I never thought this day would come, but I need advice. And of all people, it’s from my sister. As much as I love Mum, I don’t need her getting involved. I’d never hear the end of it. Every conversation from here on in would consist of pressing me for information on the likely conception date of her grandchildren. Even though Cass will likely piss herself laughing, and no doubt throw my former slutty ways in my face, she’ll tell it to me straight. I can always rely on Cass to do that.

I’ve never really felt a connection with someone like I do with Willow. It’s all kinds of strange, because I barely know her. For the longest time I haven’t wanted to get to know someone. Now, I do.

The last couple of years on task have been about loneliness. I’ve had a few one-nighters here and there, but I’m playing a role. I’m always on the job. I’m focused on what I need to get things done. It’s what I do, and it’s what makes me one of the best.

I dial her number before I turn into a pussy and change my mind.

“Hey Ryan. It’s good to hear from you. How’s things?”

“Good, Cass. Always hectic, but I’m enjoying the location. Bit of a sea change.”

“You lucky bugger.”

“How’s Mum?”

She exhales loudly. “You know. Same as usual. The first couple of weeks after you leave are always hard, and then she’s back to normal. She’ll be happy to hear that you’ve made contact.”

“That’s good. Tell her not to worry.”

“She’s got other things on her mind anyway.”

“Like what?”

Cass huffs. “I was going to send you an email in a few weeks to contact me, because I never know when you’ll get a chance to call.” Her tone carries an element of worry. It causes a sinking feeling in my gut. When it comes to Mum, I always overreact. Love will do that to you. Call me a fuckin’ mummy’s boy, I don’t give a shit, but I’d go to the ends of the earth, do anything, for that woman.

“Talk to me,” I demand. If shit is happening with my family I need to know. I might be a long way away, but I have people I can trust close by to home if I need to call on them.

“Yeah, everything’s great. Well, apart from the morning sickness.”

“Huh?”

“I’m eight weeks’ pregnant. The little jellybean is torturing me already.”

Wow. I’m gonna be an uncle.
Uncle Ryan.
Has a nice ring to it. And just like that, I miss my family. Hell, it makes me wonder why I’m not hurrying up and having one of my own.

“Mum’s already picking out nursery furniture,” she says with a soft chuckle. Relief settles in, quashing the uneasiness from before.

“Congratulations. You and Jeremy must be stoked. I didn’t know you guys were trying. I mean, I kinda knew it was on the cards, but that’s really awesome. Couldn’t be happier.”

“Yeah, thanks. We got pregnant straight away. Jeremy’s been skiting about how his sperm has super powers. Magic swimmers.”

“That’s all well and good, but I don’t really need to be hearing about his jizz, Cass.”

“Ha ha. So what’s up with you? Everything good?”

Here we go. Time to spill and talk about feelings.

“So, there’s this girl …” I trail off.

“Oooooooh,” she taunts.
Bitch.

“Can we be serious for a sec, here?”
This is hard enough to do as it is
.

“Okay, okay. Tell me about this girl, then.”

“She’s a bit of a mystery. We’ve been dancing around each other ever since I arrived. The attraction is definitely there, from both sides, but she’s so, I dunno, guarded? There’s something holding her back, and it’s bugging the hell out of me. I’ve tried to be delicate about making a move, but she’s a hard nut to crack.”

“Ha. You always were a sucker for a damsel. Can I be completely honest?”

“Of course. Never stopped you before.”

“Every girl can do with a friend.”

Say what now?

“I don’t want to be her friend, Cass. Far from it.”

“Don’t be a dick, Ryan. Any relationship worth getting into needs a basis of friendship. Just
try
and be friends … you’ve been friends with a girl before, haven’t you?”

Have I?
I’m pretty sure I haven’t.

“Um, not that I haven’t slept with.”

“Well, if you wanna find a girl worth keeping, you’ll have to try.”

If Cass could see me now, she’d bear witness to the mother of all eye-rolls.

“So what do
friends
do?” I ask, feigning enthusiasm.

“Try finding out what she’s interested in. If she wants you to know, she’ll tell you. If she shares that about herself and talks to you some more, that’s a good sign.”

“I heard her talking the other day about her garden.”

“Offer to help her, then.”

My sister has a point. Nice tactic. Why the fuck couldn’t I think of that?

“Yeah, I could do that.”

“You must really like her if you’re ringing
me
for advice.”

“No need to get all high and mighty about it.”

“I’m not. I’m just glad you’re finally starting to think with your heart, instead of your dick.”

I hate it when my sister is right.

“Guess there’s a first for everything,” I admit. “Alright, I’ve gotta go. Thanks for, you know—”

“Anytime. I’ll send you some of baby’s first pics. The ultrasound is booked in in a couple of weeks.”

“Sounds good.”

“Bye.”

I disconnect the call and chuckle to myself.
Uncle Ryan
. Damn. I’m already thinking about Christmas time and buying all the toys and shit. I’m gonna be the fun uncle. The one they come to when their mum and dad are giving them grief. When they’re learning to ride a bike, drive a car. Fuck. That shit seems like a lifetime away, but I can’t wait.

From the safe, I pull out a small black book, with a few phone numbers stored. Of course I know my sister’s number off by heart, but I can’t have any personal contacts in my phone. Better to be safe about this shit.

Whilst I think Cass has a point, I need a man’s opinion. There’s one guy who I know will tell it to me straight.
Aidan Stone
. He bagged a treasure like Eevie. What I witnessed between Aidan and Eevie, when we were dealing with the blackmail and the takedown, was something incredible. Total and utter devotion to each other, no matter what stood in their way. The lengths they went through for love … to be together. That I will never forget.

Aidan’s living the dream: a beautiful wife, and a home with two kids running around. Could I have that with Willow? Is she the one I’ve been waiting for?

I’m supposed to limit personal contact with friends and family while on assignment, but this is important. I don’t wanna make a dick of myself by moving ahead purely based on my sister’s advice. I need to know how to play this, and surely he can give me some insight.

“Hey, man. It’s Ryan.”

“Ryan,” he says, surprise evident in his high-pitched tone.

“How are ya?”

“I’m good, mate. We’re all good. Just working away, you know? What’s happening with you?”

“Working hard, I tell you. Harder at some things than others.” I huff out a breath as I prepare to hang up my balls and become a girl for the next few minutes.

“Whaddya mean?”

I draw in a long breath. Guess I might as well cut to the chase. “So, ah, there’s this chick.”

He laughs. It’s a deep hearty laugh—just how I suspected he’d react. He knows all too well about the shit I’ve gotten up to with girls. I guess it’s the escapades with Jones on the night of his wedding that he was the most surprised by. I’m not sure how much he knew about Jones and I keeping in touch for the occasional tag team session after that, but there’s no point talking about past times. I’m not interested in that shit anymore. I want more than just bodies in a room. I want something different now. A relationship?

“A chick, hey, mate? Let me guess. She’s got you by the short and curlies?”

“I wish she were close enough to grab a good hold of them, man, but we’re not there yet. I’ve never really told another bloke this, but I want what you’ve got. You know, the family. You’re a lucky prick to have Eevie and the kids. Truly. I’m not sure if I’ll be doing this kind of work for much longer, and I don’t know, there’s something about this girl. I can’t let it go.”

“I am a lucky fucker. I’m the first to admit it. Even when I barely get a wink of sleep, because our little fellas are now scared of monsters in their room. They kick my arse in bed half the night, even when I have to get up and train for the next round, but I thank my lucky stars, mate.” He chuckles, and I can’t help but imagine his two boys running around. “So tell me about her. What’s the story?”

The problem is, I don’t really know that much about her.

“She works close by. We’ve been flirting and carrying on ever since I arrived here. It’s the mixed signals that for the life of me, I can’t figure out. I just don’t get chicks sometimes. The way she looks at me I swear she wants to rip my clothes off, it’s just the way she is around me, and the words that come out of her mouth that are total fucking opposites.”