“I meant every word,” Ryker said simply.“Iknow what I said to you two years ago hurt you deeply, but I’llspend the rest of my life making up for it.”
Sky shook her head.
“I don't resent you for making thatdecision.I was an adult as well.I could have refused to leave,but I chose to go.You’ve already done so much for me.”Shefinished the rest of the plates, leaned against the sink and lookedhim in the eye.“I’ve always wondered if you hated me, even if justa little, or if you took me in out of guilt.”
Ryker set the plate he’d been drying down,along with the kitchen towel.“What the fuck are you talkingabout?”
“Well,” she began, then hesitated.
Sky never brought the subject of the pastbefore, didn’t dare to.When she woke up five years ago in Ryker’sbed, still reeling and hurting from the gangrape, she wondered ifshe’d been dreaming.
Any other man in Ryker’s line of work wouldhave finished the job.Yet Ryker chose to save her and end his ownbrother.Even after she healed, he could have just told her toforget what happened and left her.Instead, he’d offered her aplace to live, knowing she was about to become homeless.
Ryker said it was because Giovanni wantedhim to keep a close eye on her in case she’d talk to the police andtell them about River, and River’s connections to the Familia.Shealways believed that reason, but now, she understood he’d simplywanted her close by, for his own personal reasons.
Sky didn’t think after what she’d gonethrough, that she could survive by herself either.Her faith inhumanity had been shattered after seeing what guys like River werecapable of.Ryker and the Familia, they gave her a reason to live.They became the family she never had.She knew without a doubtthey’d have her back no matter what.All she could offer them inreturn was her loyalty.
“You’ve never talked about River,” shefinally said.Sky always knew they needed to have this conversationsooner or later.
“I never regretted killing him, if that’swhat’s been eating at you.I promised my mother I’d look out forhim, but he was getting out of control.If I didn’t end him, Ginoand the others would have done the job for me.”
Ryker reached for her hand and traced theold winding scars there, his expression contemplative.It struckher that Rodney always seemed repulsed by her old injuries, butRyker had no fear of touching them.
Ryker went on.“What River did to you wasunforgivable.I kept thinking if I’d noticed him spiraling out ofcontrol sooner, then maybe this wouldn’t have happened to you.”
“We wouldn’t have met otherwise.The pastcan’t be changed, and I think Fate put me in your path for areason.”
“Sky, the same blood runs in my veins.It’sa fucking miracle you’re still able to talk and be near me in thefirst place.Don’t you ever wonder if the same cruelty exists inme?”
She stared at him, wondering if some kind ofinsanity had taken a hold of him.“Is that also why you turned medown all those years ago?”
“Sweetheart, you’re too good for me, forthis world of mine,” he said in a gentle tone she didn’t believe hewas capable of.
“You gave me a choice all those years ago.Ichose wrong.Back then, I felt like a kid who didn't know what shewanted.Don’t ever think that way.You’ll never be like yourbrother, and you proved that when you chose to save me.”She closedthe distance between them and he held out a hand, which she took.Sky let him envelop her in another warm embrace.“Ryker, I want tobe here.I want to be yours.”
“I’m not going to ask you again,” he said.Ryker set her long hair aside to plant a kiss on the back of herneck that sent tingles down her spine.“When I want something realbad, I usually go for it, but with you, I’ve been careful.”
“I know.”She clasped his fingers inhers.
Ryker had been holding back all these years,terrified he’d become his brother and end up hurting her.He alsodidn’t want her to feel trapped into a life she never chose, exceptthis time, she made her own decisions.She understood him a lotbetter now.
“There’s no need to hold back anymore,” shetold him.“I’m yours.I’ve always been yours.”
“Mine,” he said, turning her so she facedhim.He repeated the word, this time with more certainty, as if itwere fact.
He edged her towards the closest wall.Skyfroze, unprepared for what he did next.Ryker knelt in front ofher, but there was no mistaking who was the one in controlhere.
“Lift up your shirt,” he ordered.
She shivered, then did as he asked andpulled up her favorite sleeping shirt—which was one of his oldshirts.She blushed.At this angle, he could see her bare breastsand how her nipples pebbled for him.
Sky sucked in a breath as he reached for thehem of her panties and yanked them down, exposing her cunt.Sky wasrelieved she had shaved down there two days ago.Never before hadshe felt so exposed, or so sexy.Her experience with sex waslimited—Rodney pumping in and out of her in the dark beforeexploding into the condom and leaving her completely unsatisfied.Sex had been uninteresting to her, scary even.
With Ryker, she felt like he’d introduce herto a whole new world of pleasure.
“Such a pretty pussy.I’ve dreamt of this,of eating you up, hearing your sweet cries and wondering how you’dtaste.”
God, even his mere words turned her on.Sheparted her legs wider for him, allowing him further access.Hegripped her thighs firmly, before leaning in close enough so hisday-old stubble brushed against her smoothly shaved mound.ThenRyker stuck out his tongue and flicked it over her clit.
