The Hurricane by Nicole Hart Read Free Book Online Page B

touched me. When he was killed, those things were burned into my memory. They would play over and over like a broken record. But as the years passed, they were harder to see, harder to remember. And when Ryker just appeared out of nowhere, I felt comfort. The guilt was still there, but I couldn’t deny the feelings that crept up when he wrapped his arms around me. I didn’t want to disrespect Kyle’s memory, but I was also tired of being alone. But in my heart, I knew that Kyle would want me to be happy. As a cop, we both knew there were risks. And we even had the conversation once. I cried and told him I didn’t want to talk about it, he would always be fine. But he reassured me that nevertheless, he wanted me to keep living and be happy. He knew first hand, because his mother never remarried after his father died when he was a toddler. She spent the last years of her life alone; when she was sick, she only had Kyle and that really bothered him. It was sad to watch. And it was the same conversation my dad had with my mom when they first got married. He had told me about it a year or so after Kyle’s death. My family tried to get me to move on, but I wasn’t ready. It was too raw. And I hadn’t been ready for the last four years. Being with another man had hardly even crossed my mind. A steamy romance novel and my vibe did the trick when I needed relief.
    Until Ryker.
    “You two don’t go out too far!” I yelled at the girls as they splashed each other. Josie came with us to the beach today. I wanted to return Christy’s favor.
    “Momma, it’s not even up to our knees!” she giggled as she dumped a bucket of water on her own head followed with more incessant giggles.
    “Hi Ryker!” she squealed when she opened her eyes, and started running out of the water.
    I looked over my shoulder, confused, and saw Ryker walking towards us. I almost started to pant as I watched him get closer. He was wearing a white V-neck tee that hugged his amazing body with his tattoos winding their way from the sleeves all the way to his wrists. He also had on a pair of carpenter shorts and a faded baseball cap. Sweet baby Jesus, he looked delicious. He took his aviators off and smiled as he watched Brooklyn get closer.
    “Hey there, Brooklyn!” he said when she reached him and wrapped her arms around his leg.
    “Momma didn’t even tell me you were coming!” she said with a hand on her hip as she glanced my way.
    “I’m surprised too,” I said with a laugh.
    “Come on, Brooklyn!” Josie yelled from the water, waving her hand excitedly.
    “That’s my friend, Josie!” Brookie yelled as she sprinted back into the water.
    “Brookie!” I said.
    “I know, I know, momma, not too far,” she said, and stopped next to Josie.
    “Hey!” I said with a smile as I looked up at Ryker. He put his sunglasses back on as he glanced back at me.
    “Hey,” he said with an almost shy tone. The next second he dropped down beside me and planted a quick kiss on my lips. Maybe I imagined the tone. As much as I loved his lips on me, I couldn’t help but look out at the water.
    “She didn’t see,” he said as he gave me a side grin, and squeezed my thigh gently before dropping his hand next to my leg, his skin resting against mine.
    “This is a nice surprise,” I said, trying to hide my beaming smile, but it wasn’t working.
    “I’m glad” he said, with the shy tone that I definitely did not imagine.
    “How did you know I was here?” I asked, not that I minded, but I was curious.
    “Truth?” he asked, looking nervous.
    “Yes, please,” I said with a giggle, and brushed his thigh with my knee, turning slightly to face him.
    “I don’t know how to say this without sounding like a fucking stalker,” he said, and scratched his beard.
    “How about you just say it,” I said playfully as I elbowed him gently. I was curious more than worried, even though he had just used the word stalker.
    “Last Saturday wasn’t the first time I