Deep breaths.
I keep saying the words until I feel calm, and then I get up to call Ryker.
“Are you home?” he answers after the second ring.
“Yeah, I just got back.” Glancing around my place, I ask, “Can I come over?”
“Of course,” he murmurs.
“Can you send me the address?” I’ve only been there once for the home warming three years ago and honestly can’t remember how to get there.
“I can always come to pick you up,” he offers, which is a huge relief. Dr. Friedman told me not to drive because of the dizzy spells. I’ll have to hire a chauffeur this week.
“I’d appreciate that. Should I pack a bag?” I ask, injecting a teasing tone into my voice.
“Definitely. Once I have you here, I’m locking you in my bedroom.” His voice drops low, sending a wave of desire through me.
“Mhh… sounds like heaven.”
“I’ll be right over.”
I end the call and empty my bag in the laundry hamper. I pick a couple of suits for the coming week and pack casual clothes and underwear.
RYKER
Walking into Danny’s place, I say, “You should have a keycard made for me.”
“Yeah? For midnight sexcapades?” she teases.
“Amongst other things,” I chuckle. Wrapping my arms around her, I press a kiss to her mouth. “This prince wants quick access, incase his princess is stuck in her tower.”
A wide smile stretches over her face. “There you go melting my heart again.”
I glance at her luggage, and it has an eyebrow raising. Then I give her a playful look. “Do you plan on staying the week?”
Danny shrugs. “Maybe… maybe not.”
I steal another kiss from her before I reach for the luggage. “Let’s go.”
Once we step into the elevator, I ask, “How do you feel about grilled steaks for dinner?”
“As long as you’re the one doing the grilling, I’m all for it.”
“Bossy,” I grumble.
It looks like the weekend did her a world of good. She’s back to her old self again, and it eases the worry that’s been gnawing at me the past week.
I drive us to my place, and when I pull up the driveway, Danny frowns. “Did you move?”
“Yeah, last year,” I reply.
“How did I not know? Didn’t you have a home warming?”
“I’m sure I mentioned it. Christopher and Tristan know,” I reply. “And I wasn’t in the mood for a party.”
Her gaze turns back to the house. “Wow… okay.”
When we get out, Danny’s eyes roam over the landscaped garden. “Why didn’t you mention this place when we were talking about a house in the suburbs?”
“Because I thought you knew.”
Danny nods and follows me up the stairs. I unlock the door, and when we step inside, Danny’s eyes dart everywhere. “Damn, Ryker,” she breathes as she walks toward the living room. “Did Mila and your mom help decorate?”
“No,” I chuckle. “Why?”
“Because I expected a man cave… not a home.” I watch as she trails her fingers over the back of the leather couch.
I leave the bags and follow after Danny as she explores every room. She stops in the dining room then gasps, “That’s gorgeous. Where did you get it?”
“I asked Aria to paint me a piece.” Aria’s a family friend who’s currently studying art.
Danny’s eyes widen. “Aria painted that?”
I nod. “She’s really talented.”
We stare at the artwork. Aria painted two bubbles floating in a sea of color. There’s a silhouette of a man in the right bubble and in the left one an outline of a woman.
“It’s us,” I murmur.
Danny’s eyes snap to me. “The silhouettes?”
I nod. “It always felt like you were in a different world. Out of my reach.”
Danny glances back at the painting. “I know what you mean.”
I take hold of her hand, and linking our fingers, I pull her to the kitchen. “Coffee and tea are in there.” I show her where the basics are and then tug her up the stairs to the second floor.
“God, you even had the guest rooms decorated. I’m impressed,” she mumbles.
“I get the feeling you totally underestimated me,” I mutter.
When we walk into my bedroom, Danny nods. “Yeah… yeah, I did.”
Grabbing hold of her, I pick her up and place her on the bed. “Finally,” I growl as I crawl over her. “I have you where I’ve always wanted you.”
Danny lets out a chuckle as she lifts her hands to my jaw. “Yeah? In your bed?”
Nodding, I lower my mouth to hers and nip at her lips. I brush my hand over her hair to slip it behind her neck, but then Danny flinches while gasping, “Careful.”
I instantly pull away.
She pushes herself up on her elbows. “I… I bumped my head. It’s just a little gash. A couple of stitches.”
Sitting on the side of the bed, I frown at her. “You got hurt? How? When?” I move forward again. “Let me see.”
Danny darts upright and takes hold of my hand to stop me from checking. “It’s was a stupid accident. I bumped my head, but I’m okay now.” She scoots off the bed and holds her hand out to me. “Let’s get those steaks on the grill.”