“Really?”
I don’t even get the chance to answer before his shoulder slams into my gut, driving me back. My body crashes into the wall, the wooden wall groaning beneath the impact.
Fucking hell.
Ryker is a force of nature when he wants to be. He can go toe-to-toe with Knox or Dante when he’s fired up like this.
I grunt and grab his arm, twisting it slightly, trying to regain control. But he just smirks.
“Not this time, Max.”
He spins, giving me his back, and in one fluid motion, yanks my arm over his shoulder and bends, throwing me hard onto the floor.
“Fuck!” I groan as pain jolts up my spine.
Before I can move, the door slams open, crashing against the wall, and Knox storms in. His hand shoots out, yanking Ryker off mewith a scowl.
“It’s fine, Knox!” I shout, waving him off as he pins Ryker in place.
Ryker lifts his hands in surrender but keeps his gaze locked on mine.
“We were just burning off some steam,” he says with a low chuckle, but that look in his eyes? It’s all challenge. All heat.
Knox exhales, shoulders relaxing as he lets him go. He offers me a hand, and I take it, groaning as he hauls me up.
“Sorry, mate,” I grin, brushing off the dust. “Forgot we’re in a fucking wooden cabin.”
Knox runs a hand through his hair, shaking his head with a laugh.
“The damn place nearly crumbled.”
I look behind him and see Aspen wearing nothing but a shirt, her hands clenched at her sides.
“Aspen, sweetheart,” I say gently, and her eyes flick between me and Ryker, assessing.
She shakes her head, frustrated.
“I can never tell when you guys are play fighting or actually trying to kill each other.” She throws her hands up, exasperated.
We both laugh.
“That makes two of us, pet,” Knox adds with a smirk as he passes by. “I’m taking a shower; try to not bring the damn house down.”
Aspen follows him.
The door clicks shut behind Aspen, and what’s left in the room is heat and silence.
Ryker doesn’t look at me.
He’s still breathing hard, the fight not quite gone from his shoulders.
He’s vibrating like a wire pulled too tight.
I take a step forward.
He shifts. Not backing down but not coming closer, either.
“So,” I say quietly. “Still want to pin me?”