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“I’m a reporter for the New York Reports. Pitched a few ideas I could work on along with my current articles, but none were of interest to them.”
Ryker drummed his fingers over the counter, deep in thought. Even with a table between us, his sexual energy was inescapable. It wrapped around me, pulling me to him like a magnet.
“Would writing about the Pearman Fund make the cut?”
I blinked. Sitting up straighter. “That’s the fund you work for?”
It had received a lot of bad press in industry journals as of late; maybe I could write something to help improve their image.
“Yes. The HR and marketing departments are trying to come up with ways to improve the company’s reputation.”
“I’d focus on the people, not the company per se. Letting the workers behind the numbers shine. Do you think I could interview some of the employees?” My brain was already spinning a story. The more I thought of it, the clearer I saw the angle. This actually could work, and I’d enjoy piecing it together.
“I’ll talk to my team—I think the timing is right, and it’s something we really need now,” he said.
“Why are you willing to do this?” Honestly, after my last two relationships I was feeling a little raw. I couldn’t believe someone would want to help me.
“You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours?” He smiled, wiggling his eyebrows but then became more serious, saying, “You need a good article, and we need something positive written about us.”
“It’s not the only reason though, is it?”
“I was raised by a single mother. I know how much work it takes; how hard it is. Mom struggled a lot raising the four of us and Hunter, our cousin. I don’t want that for you.”
Oh my God. I couldn’t believe he cared so much, when the man I’d spent two years with didn’t give a damn that Avery and I would be evicted. Ryker seemed so sincere.
“Thank you,” I said. I wished I could find the right words to tell him how much this meant to me.
“I’ll talk to my team and let you know. And now, no more talking about stressful things. Tell me about Avery.”
Of course I beamed, I couldn’t help it—my baby and I were tight. “She’s smart and likes to collect coloring books. She’s just the best kid in the world.”
Ryker watched me with a smile as I filled him in on my daughter’s accomplishments. But his grin kept growing, and I had to stop and ask him, “What?”
“Nothing, you just... transform when you talk about her.”
I blushed, shrugging. “I can go on forever.”
“I don’t mind.”
Checking the time on my phone, I gasped. “Oh, no. I have to leave. I promised Avery we’re going to watch a movie.”
Ryker pushed back from the table. “I’ll walk you out.”
“Oh, no, no. You’re not done eating.”
He held my
gaze, smiling shrewdly until I squirmed on my seat. I wasn’t ready to spend even more time with him, and he saw right through me.
But my excuse was good—I’d already finished my food, but Ryker still had half a burger and almost all the fries. I rose from the table, smiling when Ryker did the same. Taking my coat, he held it for me. His fingers brushed my shoulders. Even through two layers of clothes, the touch made my whole body sizzle. I tried to pull myself together, but clearly that wasn’t possible when I was so close to him. Everything about Ryker was just all-consuming: the way he looked at me, as if he was determined to see right through me; the way he leaned into me, as if he was just barely restraining himself from touching me. I wanted his touch just as much as I feared it.
“The burgers are excellent. Pity it’s out of my way.” I turned around and licked my lips when I realized we were only inches apart.
“I’ll lure you back here,” he said confidently.
“How?”
“Do you really want to know, or rather I surprise you?”
