Page 120 of Ryker

It’s that giggle that lets me think I can survive this.

But will she survive me?

Chapter 40

Tara

After a long soak with bath salts in Ryker’s tub, we got dressed and drove back to the club. We were silent the whole ride here. I’m too exhausted to speak, and I think he’s too wrapped up in his mind to make words come out of his face.

There’s a noticeable difference in his body language as we pull up to the parking lot behind the Monarch. He’s tense again. You’d think after the session we just had, some of the volatile aggression he carries all the time would have been fucked right out of his system. Clearly, that’s not the case. A little insecure voice whispers in my ear that maybe I wasn’t good enough for him. It makes my stomach drop.

Stop it, Tara. No way am I letting my past burdens taint what we’ve done today.

Turning the engine off, Ryker growls, “Don’t move. I’ll come around and help you out.”

“Okay.” He wouldn’t let me do anything for myself after we fucked at his house, either. I couldn’t brush my hair. I couldn’t dry myself off. I couldn’t get myself dressed. He took care of everything for me.

The aggressive sex followed by soft attention is a complicated combo.

I’ve fucked rough before. It’s never turned out like this. I’m both precious and powerful and it’s lovely.

Ryker quickly walks around the car, fixing his tie just before making it to my side. His hand is warm in mine when he helps me out. The two wobbly noodles I have for legs collapse immediately.

“I’ve got you,” he says, scooping me into his arms before my knees hit the concrete. He had to carry me to his car when we left his house, too. Why I thought my body would bounce back faster is beyond me.

He stares straight ahead, his jaw clenching, and stuffs his face into the camera attached to the back door. A few seconds later, Dmitri opens it, his icy eyes wide with alarm. “Jesus, Ry.”

Ryker doesn’t say a word as he slips past Dmitri, through the kitchen, and into the main area of the club. It’s ten o’clock at night and the Monarch is in full swing. Dim lights illuminate our path, setting the mood for all the action happening everywhere. It might be my imagination, but I think Ryker’s taking the long way back to our suite. Unrushed, he walks us through most of the common areas and down the hall that leads to the elevators. Everyone’s looking at us.

Wrapping my arms around his neck, I nuzzle against him and make eye contact with every motherfucking woman we pass. I’d bet ten grand Ryker’s doing the same with all the men. Members move out of our way, respectfully.

Others gawk.

Only one jars me, and that’s Blake Rittenhouse. He’s got this tight smile on his stupid face, and I match it as we pass by. He can look, stare, lust after, and fantasize all he wants, but he’ll never have me. We both know it.

Since I’m feeling extra spicy tonight, I flip him the bird as I kiss the side of Ryker’s jaw.

Blake’s eyes flash with anger and he pretends to go back to whatever conversation he’s having with his partner for the night.

Ryker carries me to the Butterfly suite, where Sophie waits at our door. She opens it and whispers casually that she’ll have food and drinks brought up.

“Thanks, Soph.” That’s all Ryker says before kicking the door closed.

“I think you can put me down now.”

He clenches his molars again. “Not yet.”

I’m not sure if this is still part of his Dom drop, or if he’s just become a territorial caveman. Either way, I don’t argue. He places me gingerly on the bed with a sigh. “Let me see you again, Butterfly.” When I give him a confused look, he adds, “I want to make sure all the marks are gone and you’re okay.”

I kind of hope a few of them stay. “I’m fine.”

“Let me see.” He’s not going to take no for an answer. Lifting my dress, I spread my legs a little, and my cheeks blaze with embarrassment. I don’t feel sexy like this. Not with how concerned Ryker looks. “Lay back for me.”

My head hits the pillows and I stare at the ceiling. “I feel like I’m at a gynecologist's office.”

He doesn’t laugh when he peels my underwear off me. The gentle probe of his finger on my pussy makes me suck in a harsh breath. “Does that hurt?”

“Not really. It’s just a little sore.”