Always His (Crazed Devotion #1) by C.A. Harms Read Free Book Online Page B

farther in to the living room. “Sit,” she directed as she pointed toward the recliner.
    “Right here?” I asked, and she nodded. She then reached down to the floor, picked up a plate full of fake food, and placed it in my hands.
    “Eat,” she said.
    “Tori, Ryker doesn’t want—”
    “No, we’re good.” I picked up the fake cheeseburger and pretended to take a bite. “Did you make this?” Tori nodded so fast she resembled a tin bobble head, beaming. “It’s the best burger I’ve ever had.”
    Tori looked over her shoulder toward her mom and showed her that gleaming smile. She was so proud.
    Nicole smiled at her in return. “Okay, Peanut, Mommy wants one of these special burgers,” Nicole told her as Tori sat down on the floor at my feet.
    And just like that I felt like I was part of their little family.

R yker had spent the entire morning and well into the afternoon with us, playing and laughing with Tori. It felt natural, like it should be that way all the time. Tori adored him, and I tried not to let that worry me. I did my best to remember what Liz had said: keeping her sheltered was only hurting her, and I couldn’t always protect her from the possibility of loss. I also had to learn to let go and forgive him for his desertion, because being bitter and angry would never solve anything.
    I took a deep breath and closed Tori’s bedroom door, making as little noise as possible. She had been so wound up from playing helicopter with Ryker I didn’t know if she would ever lie down for her nap. When I turned around, he stood there with his shoulder leaning against the wall and his arms crossed over his chest. He looked completely comfortable and relaxed.
    “She finally fall asleep?” he asked as he pushed off the wall and took a few steps in my direction.
    “Yeah,” I whispered. Still after all this time Ryker made my heart beat faster with just one look.
    “Sorry I got her so worked up,” he said as he let his arms fall to his sides, “but she loved that ride.” The look of pride on his face made me smile. Tori had been glued to Ryker from the moment he walked into our apartment. She watched him in awe, hugging on him, and even when she ate lunch, he had to sit right next to her.
    “She did,” I agreed. “But you do know, I’m going to be forced to play helicopter daily now. I’m just not sure I can hold her up as long as you did. And the spinning-in-circles thing . . .” I widened my eyes just thinking about the effects it would have on my stomach.
    “Nah, I can come back every night after work and give her rides until she passes out.” He offered his time like nothing else sounded more important to him. “That is, if you don’t mind.”
    The way he was watching me made my stomach tighten. A mixture of nervous energy and lust battled inside me. “Ryker . . .”
    He didn’t give me time to argue. Instead he took that last step that separated us and used his body to press mine against the wall. His mouth was only inches from mine, and my heart raced with the overpowering urge to kiss him. I looked up at him to take my focus off his lips. They were entirely too tempting.
    “Today was amazing,” he whispered, and I swallowed hard. “There’s no way to describe how spending the day playing with Tori and seeing your smile made me feel. I can’t think of one thing I would’ve rather been doing.”
    “It was a good day,” I replied, trying to control my breathing.
    “One of the best,” Ryker corrected. “And I’m not gonna pretend I don’t want days like this for the rest of my life.” His words made my stomach flutter with excitement I wasn’t sure I was ready to feel. “I want to surround myself with you and Tori every day. I just want you to let me in.”
    “It’s gonna take a lot more than one good day to convince me that you and I deserve another shot,” I whispered as my throat burned from denying myself what I really wanted. “I just don’t—”
    He pressed his