“You are so fucked, my friend.” The rockstar shakes his head, ignoring Mr. High and Mighty’s growl while stepping over to us. “Now put the caveman away while I meet your girl.”Your girl?Is there some sort of silent male communication going on around us that I’m not aware of? The rockstar smiles down at me. “I’m Bender Valentine. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“You too,” I manage to squeak out past my dry throat, still overwhelmed by all the male hotness circling the room.
After all the introductions are done, Finn cuts in, glancing down at his watch. “Francesca’s assignment started five minutes ago. We don’t have any time to waste on this cozy meet and greet.”
Finn gets to work hooking my laptop up to one of the large monitors on the wall, and then we jump in. As the computer hacker clicks through the hard drive, Ryker steps close to me and wraps an arm around my waist. Luckily, I have one of the smartest men on earth working on my assignment since my mind is mush from feeling Mr. High and Mighty close.
“Here it is.” Finn glances over and smiles. “I’m impressed. Old Professor Bailey did a good job hiding this.” I grab my phone and check the class comment board to make sure no one has beaten me to the prize. “But he’s no match for me.”
Finn clicks a few times, then my phone vibrates, letting me know there’s a new comment on the class board stating the assignment is over and I’m the fortunate student getting an A+ on the class final. Woot woot! “Thank you so much.” I rush over to Finn. “I can’t begin to thank you enough.”
Ryker grabs my hand and pulls me back. “You can express your gratitude from over here by me.” His tight grip on my arm leaves no room for argument. “Let’s get out of here. We have a lot to talk about.”
“I don’t want to be rude,” I hiss under my breath, trying to pull out of Ryker’s hold, but my pitiful attempt is a joke. His strong arm wraps around my waist and pulls me closer.
“We need to talk.” Ryker isn’t budging. “And I’m not letting you get away this time until we work everything out.” I’m pretty sure I hear him mutter, “And I make you mine forever,” under his breath.
“Poor fucking pussy-whipped asshole,” Finn grumbles while unhooking my laptop from the cord on his desk. He smiles down at me as he hands me my computer. “I’m glad I could help you.” Then he glances over at Mr. High and Mighty. “You’re going to have to get over yourself while I give your girl a few pointers. I promised my wife,” he adds quietly—so quietly I almost miss it, but the other men don’t.
“And you’re calling me pussy-whipped?” Ryker growls, starting a whole debate on who’s the most pussy-whipped man in Silver Spoon Falls.
Scarlett slips into the room and stands next to me as I pack my backpack. “See? They’re like little boys comparing their wee-wee size,” she teases as her husband walks over and wraps his arms around her waist.
“You know there’s nothing wee-wee about my equipment,” Finn growls against the side of her neck. “Why don’t we go upstairs and I’ll remind you.”
“That’s our signal to blow this popsicle stand.” Ryker takes my hand and calls over his shoulder, “See you assholes later.”
“Call me.” Scarlett glances around her husband and smiles. “We’ll set up a time for Finn to tutor you.”
I wave at my new friend and let Ryker drag me out of the house.
Once we step out onto the front porch, I pull my hand from his. “Do you have to drag me around?”
“No.” He shrugs. I squeak when he bends down and lifts me against his hard body. “I can carry you if you prefer.”
“Wait, wait, wait.” I smack his shoulder, trying to get a grip on this situation. “We need to set a few ground rules.”
“Whatever makes you happy,” Ryker agrees before kissing the heck out of me. My mind shuts down as pleasure soars through my soul. I forget all about our conversation and let his kiss pull me under. When he pulls back and places his forehead against mine, I let my eyes slowly blink open. “Now, what are those rules you want to discuss, sunshine?”
I can’t even remember my own name by the time he’s done with me. “What rules?” Great. I melt against his muscular chest, trying to force my brain to function. “Wait. It’s coming back to me.” It’s hard to concentrate with his woodsy scent wrapped around me. “First.” I poke my finger against his chest. “You can’t pick me up any time you feel like it.” Not that I don’t love the feeling of him holding me close, but there needs to be rules. I can’t make it too easy for him.
“But I love to hold your sweet curves against me.” He shakes his head, not really agreeing to my rule.
“Second rule.” Biting my bottom lip, I search my mind for an appropriate request. Oh. I got it. “I’m not going to jump into bed with you.”
Ryker’s eyes widen as he smirks down at me. “Ever? Because I’m not prepared to live the rest of my life like a monk.”
Oh, heck no. I doubt I’ll be able to control myself very long around hot Mr. High and Mighty. “Just until I’m ready.” I shrug. I’m not sure how long my unruly hussy lady bits will allow me to resist this insane pull between us, but I don’t plan to go down without making him work for it.
“Is that all?” One side of Ryker’s lips pulls up into a slight smile. “Two ground rules?”
“I might come up with more later.” I need to leave my options open. Just in case I find other ways to make him work for it.
“I agree to your rules.” I let him get away with the “for now”he mutters under his breath. “Now, will you have dinner with me tomorrow night?”
“I work until six tomorrow.” All my intentions fly out the window as I stare into his electric blue eyes and find myself caving. “I’m available after that.”
“We can have dinner in my suite.” Woah. Wait just a minute. How in the world will I be able to resist him? In the presidential suite. With six bedrooms and six king-size beds available? I won’t.