Ryker (The Powers That Be Book 4) by Harper Bentley Page A

my mouth, finding mine to tangle with it.
    Good lord, the man could kiss. I felt a huge dip in my womb at the hunger he displayed as if he couldn’t get enough of me. But I was the same (damn it), moving a hand up to lock in his hair, my other behind his neck holding him tightly to me needing more. Always needing more.
    We made out for a long time before he ended it (damn it again) with several soft, sweet kisses on my lips, my jaw, my forehead, the tip of my nose.
    I was this close to asking him in when he spoke up.
    “I need your number.” He moved his hand from my chin slowly down over my throat, and even more slowly down between my breasts on to my waist and around to my back where he found my pocket and pulled my phone out. He brushed his lips over mine as he handed it to me before sitting back. “Dial,” he ordered and gave me a number.
    I frowned at his bossiness but dialed the number and upon hearing his phone ring, I hung up.
    “Call me anytime you need me,” he announced which I thought was really nice. Until he added, “You get starved for my cock, hit me up, babe.”
    Wow.
    Wow.
    And here I thought we’d made some leeway but apparently not. I was back to my original play of getting out of his car which I did quickly, but not before turning and telling him to go fuck himself then slamming the car door and stomping to my apartment. Right before I got the key in my door, I heard him chuckle as he said out of his window, “Won’t be fuckin’ myself, but I will be fuckin’ you soon, darlin’.”
    “Don’t hold your breath,” I mumbled turning the key in my door. I slammed it shut then holding both hands up, fists clenched, I let out a pissed off shriek as I heard him drive off. “Why am I so stupid?” I yelled to no one before stomping to my room and throwing myself on my bed.
    My phone chimed that I had a text and I remembered that I needed to text Sharee and Gladys. I was on my stomach, so lifting my head, I swiped my phone unlocked and read what’d been sent.
    Text Message—Sun, Jan 18, 12:24 a.m.
    Unknown: Don’t forget to put my name in your phone, Francesca
    Ha. Fat chance of that ever happening. I deleted the text and the number, texted Sharee to let her know I was home then got my pjs and went to take a shower. Back in my room, I heard my phone chime again and picking it up saw I had messages.
    Text Message—Sun, Jan 18, 12:57 a.m.
    Ree: K! Glad & I are having fun… don’t wait up
    At least someone was having fun at the party. I looked at the next text.
    Text Message—Sun, Jan 18, 12:32 a.m.
    Unknown: Goodnight, beautiful
                  Deleted.
    I got in bed and turned out the light only to toss and turn for a while. As I thought about everything, I figured it was good that Ryker pissed me off so much which took the focus off my broken heart.
    Huh. Would you look at me being all optimistic and shit.
    ~*~*~*~
    I drove Gladys to the airport Sunday morning. She and Sharee had barely gotten up before we had to leave, both of them having hangovers from hell.
    “I told you not to let me drink more wine,” Gladys whined at Sharee who was practically passed out in the backseat.
    Sharee moaned, “As if I could’ve stopped you,” but it came out garbled.
    I picked up coffees at Starbucks on the way trying to sober up their drunk asses and by the time we reached the airport, what do you know? They were at least able to walk without zigzagging too much.
    “Let me know when the next big party is,” Gladys said, hugging both Sharee and me. When she pulled back, she gave me serious eyes. “And I’m sorry I was such a pain in the ass about guys. You’re doing just fine, Frankie.”
    Ugh. If she only knew. But it was still nice to hear she was dropping my love life as her focus for now.
    “Yeah,” Sharee added. “Sorry, Frank.”
    “Can I get my phone out and record both of you saying this?” I asked with a grin.
    “Hell no,” Gladys said with a snicker. “I’m still