Page 13 of Her Surprise Protector
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Today was Tuesday morning. It had been ten days since Riker had come to my rescue, and this is what he texted me.
There’s a timer on who we are right now, and we can only go on being who we are until the timer runs out and we change.
The idea was absolutely fascinating, and I ended up sitting in the break room at the law office throughout my entire lunch break, pondering the idea and trying to place why it resonated with me so well.
Poetry!The answer struck me when I looked through my handbag for my chapstick and noticed my poetry notebook instead.Or rather, poetic.That was the word I had been searching for to describe Riker’s words all along. The brevity of his statements, the deep thought behind them and the abstract comparisons he often used all reminded me of my own passion for linking words, emotions, and physical things through poetry.
This evening after work when I texted Riker, I remarked about his writing style and his thought earlier in the day, saying jokingly,That sounds almost poetic.
Not poetic. I just think a lot.
“Okay, sorry!” I murmured aloud, a little thrown off by his response. We had been joking back and forth, and this abrupt dismissal of what I thought had been a cute comment felt out of character for him. Whatever. He probably just didn’t like the idea of sounding poetic, not when he was a big bad billionaire who worked security.
Me too. About things like glasses of wine, breaks from work and downtime with Bree,I texted back after a moment.Can’t wait for the weekend.
I’m only in town on Fridays and weekends, but I wish I could stay in the Hamptons all the time. The ocean beats skyscrapers.
Languidly, I reached for the bottle of that wine I had mentioned and poured myself a second glass, searching for something to say.Got any interesting weekend plans?
I had plans on Friday. My friends bailed on me.
I set down the bottle and the newly-filled glass, a tingle of cautious excitement running through my fingers.Most people I know get off work later than me on Friday, so I always end up just going home.That was good, right? That should tell Riker that I wasn’t busy in the evening on Friday, but it also wasn’t too suggestive, just in case my wild hunch - or desperate hope - was unfounded. His next message came swiftly, but I took my time in reaching for my phone, suddenly nervous.
Well, if you’re not busy, we could meet for dinner, so I can tell you more about how your security detail works.
My nervousness transformed into euphoria. If Riker wanted to talk to me about security, he could call and do that anytime. This wasn’t about his security arrangement.That would be great.My own enthusiasm surprised me. After all, the first time I had met Riker, he yelled at me. But…I just had a good feeling about this - about Riker. And, honestly, I wanted to see him again. His ripped arms and bulging chest, wide, even smile, short, and side-swept hair made a pretty good view…and left me imagining what was under the shirts that hugged his muscles.
Good, it’s a date. If you’re okay with that, of course?
Well, now I didn’t have to wonder. Blunt was best, but I was glad he hadn’t said this over the phone. I wasn’t sure I would have been able to form a coherent sentence if he had. As it was, I had time to take a few good sips of wine before I replied, the wine giving me the confidence to send an answer I normally wouldn’t have.I was just about to ask you. I’d love to make it a date.
Perfect. We’ll work out the details later this week.
I wanted to say something back, but I needed to wait until I made a quick phone call. “Hi, Payton…Yeah, I’m doing fine, things have been pretty quiet, actually…Hey, can you pick up Bree from the daycare after work and keep her for a few hours Friday evening? I have…” I paused suddenly. I had been so busy getting things done around the house and working that I had forgotten to tell Payton about how Riker was protecting Bree and me from Oscar. All she knew was that he had yelled at me on two different occasions and acted like a jerk.
Rather than explain everything now, I just said, “I have a date. Yes, with a man around my age. I need to go, but I’ll tell you about it this weekend if it goes well, okay? So about Bree… Okay, awesome, thanks! Bye.” After Payton agreed to watch Bree on Friday, I hung up and sat back to text Riker.By the way, it’ll just be us on Friday. A friend is watching Bree.
His reply flitted on wings around my heart.It would’ve been fine if she came, but I’d rather have you all to myself, if only for a little while.
How was I going to survive a date with this man? I couldn’t even sit alone in my house and read his text messages without blushing. It was like…it was like saying yes to a date was a signal that it was okay to pull out all the stops - be as honest and flirty as he wanted to be.
As flirty, at least. The words, honest and flirty didn’t go hand in hand, Oscar had taught me that. Still, I was more than willing to have dinner with a handsome billionaire, enjoy a rare evening out, and see where things went from there. Even if it didn’t work out, it would probably be fun. Riker and his go-getter attitude would see to that.
Chapter Seven
Riker
Today, it was my turn to drive Elena somewhere.
Before she had offered me a ride home the evening I had been out jogging, I had never let the woman pick me up first. Or second. Or maybe even third. Since I usually had the nicer cars and liked to plan lavish dates, it only made sense that I be the gentleman and pick up the lady. I didn’t mind; in fact, I preferred it that way. It felt more chivalrous.
Elena had asked if I would like her to meet me after work at the restaurant I had chosen, and I gave her a very emphatic no. “How about this,” I suggested instead when she presented me with the option on Thursday evening. “Go ahead and drive home from work so your car will be there, and then I’ll come pick you up for dinner when you’re ready.”
With my feet propped up on my comfortable outdoor recliner, I smiled when Elena agreed without argument. We both knew she would rather go home, shower, and get ready after a long day at work, rather than rush to the restaurant. Besides, this would give me some time to do something I hadn’t done in a while.
The weather wasn’t right. I had too many things to do – every weekend lately something had come up, and I missed going sailing. While Elena finished her Friday afternoon at the office, I would head out to the marina and get my weekend started early.
