“Thanks, Harlow,” he said.
“Put my woman down,” Ryker growled. “Listen, Harlow and I have some talking to do and I’d like to do it in private. We’ll be in my office if you need us—but don’t need us.”
He pulled her along to his office as she dug in her heels, protesting the whole way. “Ryker,” she shouted. “You can’t hide away in your office—they guys are waiting for you.”
“Let them wait, but this can’t,” he insisted.
“Whatever it is, I’m sure we can talk about it on the way home,” Harlow offered.
“Won’t keep until then,” he breathed. Ryker pulled her into his office and shut and locked the door. “Sit,” he ordered, pointing to his chair.
She crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head. “I’ll stand,” she insisted. He couldn’t help his laugh. She’d give him trouble around every turn, and he thought it was absolutely adorable. He even loved the little pout she gave him from being laughed at.
“Don’t laugh at me,” she spat.
“I can’t help it, honey,” he said. “You’re freaking adorable.”
“Well, thank you, but you won’t fix this by paying me a compliment, Ryker,” she insisted. “What do you need to tell me that can’t wait?” she asked. He took a deep breath and let it out. He was going to do what Ace advised and just lay it all out there for her. Hopefully, she wouldn’t push him out of her life after he said what he had to.
“That was Ace on the phone,” he said. “He wanted to tell me that Billows has been paid in full and Ace told the guy to stay away from you.”
“Did he agree?” she asked.
“He did, but with guys like Billows, his word doesn’t mean a whole lot. Ace wasn’t convinced that he’ll uphold his end of the bargain and leave you alone,” Ryker said.
“Oh—I see,” Harlow breathed. “I hate that you’re going to have to give up your time to babysit me longer. Will this ever be over?” she asked.
This was the part he was sure he would regret, but he needed to tell her all of it. “It’s not babysitting for me,” he said. “I want to spend time with you. I want to be with you, Harlow.”
“You do?” she asked.
“I do,” he admitted. Ryker closed the distance between the two of them and gently brushed her hair back from her face. He loved that she let him see all of her now. She hid from others, but she gave him full access. He loved that she seemed to trust him—it meant everything.
“I know that we haven’t known each other very long,” he said. “But I really like you, Harlow. Hell, I’ve started falling for you, if I’m being completely honest. I don’t want to stick around to protect you. I want to stick around to be with you and if that means protecting you too, then so be it.”
“Ryker,” she whispered. “I can’t ask you for promises—I won’t. Iris and I are a package deal and you said that you don’t get involved with single mothers,” she said. “My situation will never change—I’ll always be Iris’ mom.”
“Scratch what I said about single moms,” he ordered. “I was an asshole. Those were my hang-ups, not yours. I know that you and Iris are a package deal, and I’m good with that. I like hanging out with your kid, Harlow,” he said. “Don’t push me away now, honey. Let me be there for the both of you, please.”
“What exactly are you asking me, Ryker?” Harlow asked.
“I’m asking you to let me move in with you. Let me be a part of your and Iris’ daily life,” he asked.
“Wow,” Harlow breathed. “That’s a big ask.”
“Then, this one will be huge for you,” he whispered in her ear. “Marry me, Harlow,” he said.
She gasped and took a step back from him, “Marry you?” she asked. “You can’t be serious. We’ve only been together a short time. How can you want to spend the rest of your life with me?”
He shrugged, “I just do,” he said. “I can’t explain why I feel the way that I do, but now that I’ve said it, I mean it. Marry me. Let’s be a family—you, Iris, and me.”
“I need to sit down,” she said. Harlow walked behind his desk and sunk into his office chair. “This is a lot to take in,” she said. “Are you sure that you’re not saying all of this to try to keep me safe? Billows might not even be a threat anymore.”
“You’re right, he might not be. I’ve already told you that this isn’t about keeping you safe, baby. I want to be with you. Marry me,” he said again.
“Can I think about it?” she asked, looking up at him. He felt the sting of disappointment, but he wouldn’t let her see that.
“Of course,” he said.