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My arms drop and irritation hardens my jaw at what he’s implying. “Aiden, she’s an American. She didn’t need me to come here. And I don’t need Addie sniffing around her for you.”
“Hey,” he states, pointing his beer at me and then gesturing to the living room. “That surprised me just as much as you.”
“Addie will do anything to get out of having that gaggle of kids you keep insisting on.”
He tosses his head back, laughing. “I think you’re right. Just be careful, brother.”
“You don’t have to be concerned about Aspen. She’s the most genuine person you’ll ever meet.” The only thing I need to worry about is not getting too deep with her. She’s been here one day and already has me knotted up inside.
We both return and the girls look up at us with curious expressions. Aiden holds up his beer. “Got it taken care of.”
“You two are as bad as girls needing to go to the bathroom together,” Addie says, rolling her eyes. There’s my non-girly-girl friend.
We cut the night short because Aspen can barely stay awake. Jet lag is a bitch. But it’s okay with me. The quicker I can get her naked, curled up to me, the better.
Chapter Sixteen
Aspen
“I’ll get used to it.”
Ryker shakes his head, worry etched in his forehead. Determined to struggle through the cold stinging my body, and make Ryker stop worrying, I yank him into the tenth coffee shop we’ve passed. American’s like their coffee.
The heat, like a brick wall, threatens to shatter my frozen bones. “Go grab us those seats.” With a tip of his head, he motions to a table by the window, looking out to the snow-covered streets, “and I’ll grab a couple coffees.” I nod, pulling off my hat and walking between a couple tables.
I overhear a couple girls whisper his name as I sit and seconds later glance at me with curiosity. There’s a lengthy line to order so I busy myself with taking off my coat to avoid the questioning expressions. After a few minutes, I glance to the line to see how far he’s gotten. It doesn’t help that he stands out in the crowded room. Between his looks and his height, it’s hard for anyone to miss him. He’s caught more people’s attention, yet his focus stays on me. He smiles and winks. You can hear the whiplash of people’s head jerking my direction. My cheeks burn and I swiftly turn my attention outside.
Not used to seeing bare trees, their bones exposed, my body aches for them in these harsh elements and I wonder how they survive. I focus on the boutique shops lining the colorless street. Everything in the city seems dull during the day, yet bright and festive at night with all the lights on the buildings. Last night, seeing how the city wakes up after dark, I was awestruck. The energy fueling my soul. It was love at first sight. People crowd the sidewalks, not bothered by the freezing temperatures. Well, per Ryker, today is a gorgeous day. Sunny and not as cold as last week. I shiver again thinking about it being even colder.
“Still cold?”
Ryker’s voice startles me. I swallow my groan of pain so I don’t cause a commotion, holding my hand where I tried to karate chop the table.
He puts the coffee on the table and sits quickly, reaching under the table for my aching hand. “Are you okay?” His fingers softly graze over the pain.
“A little embarrassed.” I chuckle. “How did you get through the line so fast?”
Humor dances in his eyes. “I know people.”
I glance around the room for a second, every eye pointed our direction. “I would say so.” He doesn’t bat an eye at the gawking, just continues caressing my hand, giving me all his attention. “Pretend they aren’t there. It’s only you and me in this cozy warm coffee joint.”
I can’t hold in the loud laugh escaping my lips. “There is no way I can pretend we’re alone. Is this what it’s always like for you? No privacy, ever?”
He shrugs with little care. “I’ve been in the public eye for so many years. I learned a long time ago, it’s better to use it to your advantage than your demise. Because if you let it, it’ll crush you.”
“I see that because I’m feeling awkward right now.” I flick the cardboard wrapper on my coffee. My normal confidence shaken. Compared to most of these women and their perfect hair and makeup, I stand out.
“We can leave.”
“No.” I sit up taller, forcing myself to settle down. “This is part of you, so I’m good.” It’s obvious, now, why so many famous people come to our remote island. Privacy.
Ryker sighs. “You sure?”
“Yes. But… are you sure? I don’t want to embarrass you. Look at me.” I hold my hand near my makeup-less face and wild hair.
He licks his bottom lip. “Whiskey, you’re all I see.”
The truth in his words flash heat in his eyes. I fidget in my seat, not used to a man directing all his sexual energy on me.
