It worried her though.
Ryker didnt understand how numbered their days together were.
By
Updated 1 year ago,January 16, 2024
This is an excerpt fromThe Entanglement Clause.
Arnel Hasanovic
The silk was smooth against her skin.
Miraculously, hed gotten her size exactly right.
Along with the material gifts, Ryker gave her something else of indescribable value repeatedly.
She could get used to it.
It worried her though.
Ryker didnt understand how numbered their days together were.
Arnel Hasanovic
She wanted to pass this all off as fun while it lasted.
But it was increasingly difficult to think in those terms.
Six out of seven days were spent with him.
Her life had begun to carve a Ryker-shaped space into it.
Soon, though, that space would have to be emptied.
Focus on the fun, she told herself.
Three weeks after her arrangement with Ryker had been forged, he bought her an opal pendant.
I cant accept this.
She resisted the urge to place it around her neck and make a selfie-filled spectacle of herself.
Instead, with more than a little reluctance, she handed the box back to him.
This goes against our agreement.
Its too… personal.
But the corset wasnt?
No…well, yes youre right.
I shouldnt have accepted anything, its just that this… She pointed to the box.
You found out opal is my birthstone, didnt you?
Ryker didnt even have a go at cover up the sheepish grin on his face.
Its not like your birthday is some big secret.
I found out from Iola, so you must have told her at some point.
Its on the utility I filled out for work.
Well, sort of.
October second wasnt her actual birthday, but the new one WITSEC had issued.
However, it was close to her real date of birth, October ninth.
She was grateful to only have a weeks discrepancy.
Thats… something boyfriends do.
Thats not something you do.
Because youre not my boyfriend.
Im not trying to act like your boyfriend.
Im just trying to be nice.
God, Emmie, its not like its a diamond ring.
For both of our sakes.
Is it for our sakes or for Sams?
Emmie had almost forgotten that Ryker had met him.
What does he have to do with this?
Ryker glanced away from her, eyes grown dark.
Never mind, youre free to do what you want with whomever you want.Damn right, I am.
Trisha must have said something to him.
He must think that she and Sam…
But that fact doesnt mean Im running around with every eligible bachelor in Oregon.
I dont know what you think is happening with Sam, but the terms of our agreement havent changed.
I just want to verify it stays that way.
If either of us feels were getting… entangled, we should talk about it.
I suppose thats what were doing right now, isnt it?
Reaching from behind him, she ran her hand along his side, over his thigh to his groin.
Firmly taking hold of him, she pressed the bare skin of her chest to his back.
Do you want to end this, Ryker?
Its so not fair for you to ask me that right now.
He moaned softly and began to respond to her touch.
Do you?I want this to go on for as long as possible.
Without warning, he broke from her hold, flipped over and brought himself on top of her.
I can definitely go on for as long as possible.
She laughed and then gasped as he entered her.
When she woke to the jarring beep of her alarm, Ryker was gone.
She was a ticking time bomb.
At some point, an alarm would sound and her lies would burst out into the world.
An omission of the truth was still a lie of sorts.
It wasnt just Emmie who was dwelling on this subject as of late.
I cant believe youre not showing already, Emmie.
Its just a matter of time, you know.
Youre three months along!Emmie didnt need to be told that.
Gestational dates leapt out of her brain nearly every morning; twelve weeks, six days.
And today, thirteen weeks, three days.
Her backside, in particular, seemed to have filled out.
So, have you told Sam yet?
Emmie was shaken out of what was an alarming but not entirely unpleasant memory.
No, I havent mentioned it.
Trisha hit her playfully on the shoulder.
Poor guy, the longer you wait, the more difficult it will be.
I dont think thats how it works.
Im aware that Ill have to say something if our relationship continues, but…
I dont really think its going to go anywhere.
Trisha didnt seem convinced.
You keep telling yourself that, Hun.
If hes a halfway decent guy, hell take it well.Take it well?
Dont worry, though, its not yours.
Emmie shook her head.
Honestly, I wouldnt blame him if he never wanted to see me again.
Well, I would blame him.
I bet hell be more understanding than you think.
Just… dont go looking for china patterns for us, okay?
My, arent we presumptuous!
Well cut the buns in the shape of hearts.
Youve thought about this way too much.
Sams your yes man.
Not just because he gives you the best orgasms youve ever had.
Theres something more to the two of you.
I know these things!
Trisha deposited two club sandwiches onto plates and slid them across the counter for Emmie to take.
Anyways, you have to envision the world you want to create for yourself.
And my world has me catering your wedding.
Taking the plates, Emmie did her best to scowl at her friend without bursting into belly laughs.
Youll thank me when he proposes!
Trisha called after her as she headed out onto the floor.
Emmies eyes grew wide.
Hed heard that, dammit!
No one, obviously.
Just Trisha being catty.
You look like youve been through a typhoon.
His hair was slicked back, water dripping from it onto his slate grey Gore-Tex jacket.
Shivering, he slid out of it and tossed it onto a nearby chair.
Have you seen it out there?
He gestured to the outside world.
I wish I didnt have to go out in that soon.
Hold on a second.
She delivered the sandwiches to a waiting couple, then followed Ryker to a booth in the corner.
It should calm down.
By the time youre off work, the wind should have at least died down.
Yeah, but Im leaving early today.
I have a doctors appointment.
He slid into the booth.
Its a regular appointment.
You know, just a check-up.
But you dont have a car.
Let me give you a ride to the doctors office, at least.
Emmies limbs went stiff.
She couldnt exactly have Ryker dropping her off at the obstetricians.
Kind of a dead giveaway.
Um, thanks for that.
Its okay, though.
But I
Well, hello there, brother.
I see youve battled Moon Beachs biggest storm of the year to grace us with your presence.
My appetite is bigger than this storm.
Its amazing that we still have power, but Im not counting on that holding.
So, what do you want?
Ryker gave her his order and she retreated into the kitchen while Emmie attended to Grace and Ed.
As she scrubbed out the coffee-maker, the familiar earthy aroma of sandalwood overtook the smell of burnt grounds.
She turned to find Ryker a foot away restocking the napkins.
What the hell, Ryker?
I thought since you were ignoring me, Id come over so you could ignore me to my face.
You are so full of yourself.
Im not ignoring you, Im working.
No, no… youre ignoring me.
Thats because… She glanced around the restaurant and then lowered her voice.
Thats because you winked suggestively at me, right in front of Trisha.
Shes going to know somethings up.
First of all, I wink suggestively at a lot of women.
Whos full of themselves now?
And could you use your inside voice like?
Secondly, he said in his shout across the playground voice, Trisha doesnt know anything.
One little wink is hardly enough of a tell for her.
Why do I think thats not the first time youve underestimated her.
And it probably wont be the last either.
But seriously, I think were safe.
His phone buzzed, prompting him to stop stuffing napkin dispensers long enough to look at the text.
Damn, thats Dan.
Looks like Im needed back at the office.
Ill just take my lunch to go.
Are you sure I cant give you a ride?
Emmie shook her head.
you’re gonna wanna get going anyways.
Its so nasty out, though.
You shouldnt be walking all over town in this.
Dont worry, I wont.
Ill ask Trisha to give me a ride.
Trisha chose that moment to come out of the kitchen, to-go box in hand.
She handed it to her brother.
Our Emmie will be escorted to and from the doctors office.
Ryker gave her one of his congenial smiles, followed by a kiss on the cheek.
You arent dating Sam, are you?
kindly dont be mad at me, Trisha!
Trisha narrowed her eyes.
I dont know if Im mad or amused or… No, I know what I am.
I am totally grossed out!
My brother is your yes man!
