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I lay Harlee on the couch but she doesn’t even stir which worries me more. I find the Calpol and suck the right amount into the oral syringe and gently lift her head slightly before slipping it into her mouth and squirting it a small amount at a time, giving her a chance to swallow in between each small dose. I kiss her on the head and lie her back down, opening the nearest window in the hope a breeze will cool her down. I notice Finn getting into his car, driving away at speed and Ryder is with Griff. It’s good to see the pair talking, since Ryder returned, I’ve not really seen them together at all.
Ryder eventually comes inside. “Griff’s gone to get her some treats,” he says, “I asked him to add Calpol to the list.”
I smile gratefully. “Thanks, you didn’t need to.”
He goes over to where Harlee is sleeping and feels her forehead. “She’s cooling down,” he tells me and I nod in agreement. He then places a gentle kiss on her forehead and it melts my heart. “She looks just like you,” he murmurs, stroking her hair away from her sweaty forehead.
“What did Finn say?” I ask casually. I can’t deny I’m worried about his next move. They’ll be no stopping him now he knows about Ryder.
“I reminded him who he’s messing with.”
“He’s going to try and take her from me,” I add, my voice wavering with emotion.
“He can try, but he won’t win. Don’t worry about it, Siren, I’ve got this,” he says, coming to me and kissing me on the forehead. “Go sit with your baby and I’ll make you a drink.”
I want to believe him, but I know Finn too well, he will stop at nothing to show me who’s really in charge. Today was a small win but it won’t last. He’ll make sure of it.
Griff returns and he looks like his usually goofy self. He hands me the bag of things to cheer Harlee up, most of which I can’t give her without signing her up to a lifelong illness such as heart disease but I’m grateful for the gesture. He follows me to the kitchen, leaving Ryder watching over Harlee.
“How’re things with you?” I ask casually.
He lifts himself up onto the counter. “If you’re asking are me and Ryder okay, then yeah, we’re good.”
“Did you talk?”
He shakes his head. “We’re not like that, Siren. Talking gives me the ick.”
I laugh. “And things are good with you and Corey?”
He grins, “The best.”
“How does he cope with you?” I ask, because I’ve wanted to ask since I found out he was seeing someone. “You’re so . . . hyper.”
“Corey is the opposite, which brings me calm. He manages me quite well, usually by sucki-”
“Sorry I asked,” I cut in, before he can finish the sentence. “I get the picture.”
“What about you and my brother?”
I fold my arms over my chest and lean back against the counter beside him. “He’s full on,” I admit and Griff laughs. “I feel like we somehow married and I didn’t know.”
“He likes to go in like a bull, he was never very patient.”
“But, I’m really enjoying having him around. It’s been a long time since I had a man around.”
“Just be careful,” says Griff, jumping down from the counter. “I’d hate to have to kill you if you hurt him.” He gives me a wink then leaves.
By bedtime, Harlee has improved. She’s spent the day lying on the couch with Ryder one side, and me the other. It’s been a nice, relaxing day, and if Finn wasn’t lurking in the back of my mind, I could have almost pretended this was my happy ever after.
I take Harlee to bed and when I get downstairs, Ryder is waiting to pounce. He wraps me in his arms and kisses me until my toes curl. “I’ve been wanting to do that all day,” he growls, burying his nose into my hair and inhaling. “We need an early night,” he adds, backing me towards the stairs.
“You’re staying over?” I ask, arching a brow.
He grins. “I’m staying wherever you are from this night onwards.”
His words make me feel warm inside and by the time we make it to the bedroom, we’re both half naked. Ryder pushes me to lay on the bed, parting my legs and burying his face between them. I arch off the bed as his tongue works it’s magic and I’m almost about to lose it when my mobile vibrates across the table. Ryder pauses, glancing up at me. “Don’t even think about answering,” he warns me, and he rubs circles on my clit. But it’s no good now, the moments gone. The phone rings off but I bat Ryder’s hand away, much to his annoyance.
“He probably wants an update on Harlee,” I reason.
