Chapter 16

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Ryker had Chloe home within an hour.

They’d been delayed as he’d searched Adam’s room, and then he and the driver had emptied the sparse contents, taking them back home for Ryker to inspect again later.

He’d also paid the innkeeper generously for the damage and promised more coin if Adam returned and she sent word.

Chloe had never been happier to see Ryker’s home and hear the clang of the gates.

It was late, the house dark. Ryker carried her inside, bringing her up the stairs. He didn’t hesitate, taking her into her room and setting her on her bed. Then he lit several candles before returning to her side. She hadn’t moved a finger, she realized, as he brushed his palm down her cheek. “Let me undo that dress for you.”

She turned, feeling nearly numb as his fingers deftly worked the buttons, the gown falling away as he started pulling at the strings of her corset. Layer by layer, he stripped off her clothes, even rolling down her stockings until she wore nothing but her chemise.

He turned his back on her and that was the moment she came to life. “You can’t leave me.” She could hear the fear lacing her voice as she stood from the bed, her legs wobbling. “Please, Ryker. I’m frightened.”

A string of curses filled the room as he turned back to her. “I’m not going anywhere, love. Just undressing.”

She sat back down. “You’ll stay with me?”

“Of course.”

His words gave her permission to lay back, her body sinking into the bed. She was beyond bone tired; the only time she remembered feeling like this was after her father’s death. It might have been five minutes or twenty-five, Chloe didn’t know. Had she fallen asleep? She woke to Ryker lifting her so that he could pull down the covers.

Setting her down again, he tucked her in and then moved to the other side of the bed. He’d stripped bare to the waist and removed his boots.

He climbed in next to her and she instantly burrowed into his strength and heat. It felt divine to have his large frame curled around hers and she sighed out, “When we wed, I want to sleep like this every night.”

She felt him tense, her brow knitting in confusion. But she was heavy again, and this time, warm and protected, she fell into a deep sleep.

When Chloe woke, the sun was high in the sky.

She tried to stretch her aching body but could hardly move. She looked back, confused to see Ryker still sleeping behind her.

The events of the night before flooded her thoughts, the good and the bad. The way Adam had nearly hurt her, but also the way Ryker had rushed to her rescue. Aches aside, she snuggled deeper into him.

Which caused him to give a low moan.

Her breath caught, the sound reminding her of another event that had happened the night before. The way she’d touched him.

Her body warmed at the memory. But Ryker didn’t tighten his grip on her, instead, he rolled away.

She turned over too, and that’s when she saw them, at least a dozen walnut-sized bruises peppering his back in clusters. She gasped, covering her mouth with her hand.

He looked back, partially turning, and that’s when she saw more on his side.

He’d taken a beating defending her.

She rolled too, gently pressing to his side, as she wrapped her arms about him. “Oh Ryker. Look at you.” Her hand gently swiped down his side so as not to cause him more pain.

“It’s nothing. I’m used to it. I’ve had a lifetime of this sort of treatment.”

“Used to it? Lifetime?”

He grimaced. “I box.”

She shook her head. “Boxing is not a beating like that. My father boxed in his younger days. He never came home with bruises like this.”

Ryker let out a long breath of air. “I’m still used to it, so try not to worry.”

“I am more worried about your words.”

He reached up to cup her cheek. “My father wasn’t in my life very much. But about once a year, he’d come to check on his heir. And when he did, he believed the rod would cure me of all the ills I’d accumulated over the year.”

He grimaced. “Come to think of it. He’d always visit between the holidays and before the season began and parliament opened. No wonder I hate this time of year.”

Chloe squeezed him tighter, understanding forming a lump in her throat. “That’s why you don’t want to have children.”

He looked at her, surprise making his eyes wide. “You remembered that?”

“He ignored you, made your mother miserable, and on the rare occasion he came, it was far worse than just miserable.”

It all made sense.

Ryker looked away. “Don’t feel sorry for me now.”

“Why not?” Her chest tightened as he shrugged away.

“Because, Chloe, I am the reason you were in danger. I…” He sat up, his feet hanging off the edge of the bed, his elbows on his knees. “I accused you of being in league with that man. I…” His lips tightened over his teeth. “I ought to let you go find a man who might make you truly happy. A man without a dark past like mine.”

He couldn’t be serious. After all this time of insisting they wed, now he wished to end their engagement? Had the man lost his senses?

* * *

Chloe raised up on her knees, her hands coming to her hips. “You want to let me go now?”

It had been a thought. He’d brought her nothing but trouble. “Well… I…”

She pointed a finger at his chest. “Everyone at White’s last night was aware of your interest. You didn’t bother hiding it.”

That was true, though she was his charge. Surely, they’d understand his job was to protect her.

“We’ve been completely intimate.”

“You’re still a virgin?—”

“And now I’m in danger from a madman that we watched jump out a third-story window after he knocked me out and kidnapped me. And you want to set me free?”

Those were all very valid points. His chest ached at the idea of letting her go. “Try to understand. This time, I’m doing what’s best for you.”

“What’s best for me?” Her voice rose with every word. “What’s best for me?!”

“Yes,” he answered holding up his hands. He’d been selfish, he could see that now. And this time, when he acted, he’d think of her.

Her hands went back to her hips. “Retire from that ridiculous club. That would be best for me.”

She had a point there. He nearly grinned at the way she ordered him about.

“Marry me.”

He had a hard time arguing with that. By Jove, she was glorious. “Anything else?”

“I’ve seen London. I prefer the country.”

His heart stalled as he stared at her. Did she still want to live separately? He’d made the demand. How did he go back on what he’d made her promise?

But last night when he’d held her in his arms, he’d fully understood. There was no halfway with Chloe. He was either all in or he was likely drinking himself to death. “Chloe, I can’t live apart from my wife. I know it’s not fair to say after I made the demand but?—”

“Don’t be a fool. Of course we’re not living apart. It was a ridiculous request to begin with, and besides, I need a husband who is going to keep me warm at night and safe during the day.”

He stood up, his knees against the bed and stared down at her upturned face. “You want me to move to the country with you?”

She nipped at her lip, looking vulnerable for the first time during this conversation. “We can move back and forth between London and your preferred country estate but…”

He didn’t let her finish. Hooking an arm under her ass, he dragged her up against his body, pressing her torso down the length of his. “Are you sure? I’m a lot to handle.”

She smiled, a soft, sweet smile right before she gave him a slow kiss. “I know.”

Of course she did. He’d been on full display since she’d crashed into his life. “I don’t know if I’ll make a good father. My examples were dreadful.”

“Mine was excellent. I’ll show you if you’ll let me.”

He kissed her again. The passion was there, simmering under the tender touch, but more than he wanted to devour her, this kiss was meant to show her that he loved her. “Promise?”

“Promise.”

And then she threaded her hands into his hair, opening her mouth under his for a kiss that scorched his soul.

This was his woman. And he was her man. End of story.

“Chloe.” He managed to say between long, steamy kisses where their tongues tangled and their mouths melded.

“Yes?”

“I’m going to make love to you now.”

“Yes,” she answered, one of her legs hooking around his waist. “Yes.”

And with that he laid her back down on the bed, his body coming on top of hers. He was so glad that he got to do this during the daylight. He wanted to see everything.