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Chapter 30: Ryker
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Dear Diamond Chapter 31: Ryker
Sam stepped into the light from the streetlamp overhead. "Trying to sneak out?" He cracked his knuckles, and I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from reacting.Nikki tensed at my side, and her grip on my fingers went slack, so I tightened my hold on hers. I didn't have to glance down to see her looking up at me. Her hand shook in mine, and I could hear her ragged breaths. I stopped a few feet from the men in front of us. The two I didn't know had stepped up behind Sam, putting our mode of transportation and escape route behind them. They now formed a triangle, and the two in the back put their hands on their hips. It was an odd display of choreography that showcased the guns in holsters on their belts. Blindly, I used my arm to maneuver Nikki behind me. I wasn't dumb enough to believe that a bullet couldn't go through my body to hers, but she had a better chance of survival if I got hit first. I crossed my arms and straightened my back. "Not at all. I've been waiting to hear f
Dear Diamond Chapter 32: Nikki
The engine roared to life, and I realized that in a short amount of time, that sound had started to ignite a fire within my soul. It fueled me with energy, and electricity coursed through my veins as soon as the hum of the motor flowed through to my skin. I imagined the vibrations to be as addictive as narcotics, or maybe that was the man who brought the noise to my ears and the rumble between my thighs. It was raucous and should have startled me with as frazzled as I was after the encounter in the parking lot, but it calmed me with the anticipation of the freedom I found on the back. The solitude, the lack of noise except the rustle of wind, the inability to communicate with anything other than nature-it trumped yoga, chocolate, and my little experience with sex. Ryker didn't have to ask me twice to hop on. The moment he put that helmet on my head, I was ready to ride.And then he took a right out of Swank's parking lot rather than left. I leaned in while he could still hear m
Dear Diamond Chapter 33: Nikki
"Why are you doing this?"He stopped working and wiped his hands on a dish towel. His brown eyes searched my face in confusion. "You said you were hungry.""No, not dinner. This thing...with me. Why are you doing it?"Ryker popped a chunk of raw broccoli into his mouth and chewed before he answered. He was the only person I'd ever seen who could make food sexy. "I told you-" "No bullshit. The real reason."He swallowed, and his Adam's apple danced down his neck and back up. The tattoos expanded and then constricted; it was art in and of itself. The browns of his eyes swirled with golds and hints of green as his pupils pulsed and then dilated. I expected some in-depth or detailed explanation for whatever had caused him to go protective alpha over a woman he didn't know. He shrugged. "Not a clue."I arched my brows, not believing his response.Ryker stopped what he was doing and turned the burner down on the simmering sauce. It smelled divine. "The night of Chase's b
Dear Diamond Chapter 34: Nikki
I stood there in stunned silence, absorbing everything he'd said. The heat from his palms burned through my shirt, searing my skin beneath the fabric. My hands shook uncontrollably as I pushed Ryker away. Every nerve ending in my body frayed, leaving me raw and agitated. I'd worked too hard to stay clean from these people. All I'd ever wanted was to get out of Glendale Heights and Dacon, Illinois. And if what Ryker had said was true, the moment I'd agreed to help Ma, I gave all that up. Tears pooled in my eyes, and I fought like hell to keep them from falling. It wasn't sadness those drops expressed; it was full-blown fury. My head turned from side to side in utter disbelief as I seethed. No one's mother should ever ask their child for this sort of ransom, yet mine had offered me up as a sacrificial lamb. Ryker invaded my space against my will. I could hear myself mumbling, although I didn't know what the hell was actually coming out of my mouth. I couldn't make sense of my thoug
Dear Diamond Chapter 35: Ryker
When I woke, Nikki sat in bed next to me. Her legs were crossed as she stared out the window; although, for the life of me, I couldn't figure out what she looked at. The only things visible from my bedroom were other buildings and the parking lot. I squeezed her knee and stroked her thigh. "Morning."Her soft gaze shifted to me, and a smile rose on her lips. It wasn't full blown, but I'd take what I could get given the circumstances. "Hey," she cooed. The raspiness that had accompanied her early morning tone yesterday wasn't present today, and I assumed she'd been awake for a while.My hand moved up her leg and rested on the swell of her ass. "You okay?"She nodded. "Are we stuck here until you hear from Jesse or Chase?"It was easy to tell their silence unnerved her. Truth be told, it bothered the hell out of me as well. But I also knew this was part of the game. I might be like family to the Silvanos, but this was business, and I'd riled up a hornets' nest. Actually, I'd knoc
Dear Diamond Chapter 36: Ryker
Nikki walked toward my Harley while I locked the door. When she picked up the helmet she'd been wearing, she glanced back."No bike today."She appeared surprised and set down the helmet. "Are we walking?" Confusion was cute on her. "SUV." I pointed toward the black Tahoe two spaces over. "My mom can't stand to see me on a motorcycle. Plus, I'd hate to mess up your hair before you got there." I winked, and she scoffed. Nikki met me on the sidewalk, and I led her to the passenger door. "If you have an SUV, why do you always ride the motorcycle?""Chicks dig it." I closed her inside and then rounded the front.When I got in, she said, "You're insufferable.""You've mentioned that once or twice."The remainder of the ride was uneventful and quiet. Nikki didn't say a word, not even to mouth the lyrics on the radio or try to talk me out of forcing her to go with me. If she had noticed the detour I took back to our neighborhood, she didn't mention it. I had hoped to catch C
Dear Diamond Chapter 37: Ryker
The room was pitch black when Nikki crawled under the covers. Not even the moon crept through the slats in the closed blinds. There was a storm coming, and the wind howled around the perimeter of the building. I'd always loved the sounds of violent rain and the forces of nature reminding the world that they controlled us, not the other way around. Nikki, however, did not appear to find the same comfort in the deluge that I did. At first, I thought she might be cold after just getting out of the shower. She hadn't dried her hair, and I didn't keep my apartment all that warm-more like a meat locker-but even after a few minutes under the blankets, she still trembled like a leaf. Closing the distance between us, I brushed my fingers against hers. She nearly came undone when she flinched. I quickly retreated and propped myself up. Without any light, it was difficult to make out her facial features much less her expression, but I didn't miss the way she jerked with hiccupping sobs.
Dear Diamond Chapter 38: Ryker
When she pulled back a fraction, I sighed, sad to let her go. But she didn't pull free. No, in fact, all she did was create enough room to explore my chest and shoulders with her fingers. I closed my eyes and allowed myself to absorb her touch, and I basked in the swell of my heart. Every stroke of her nails was like a shot of scotch that warmed its way down my throat and then coated my stomach in relaxed bliss. With each caress, Nikki became more brazen. Her hand dipped a bit lower on my abdomen or inched a tad higher on my jaw. I itched to have her, to take her and claim her. I didn't know a damn thing about the girl, but she'd eaten a hole into my heart and then waltzed right into it and set up shop, made it her home. That shit was dangerous, but I'd be damned if I didn't want it all the same. I stilled to keep her from meeting my growing erection, but if she kept up this pattern of delicious torture, there would be nothing I could do to spare her the introduction. Basketball sho
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Dear Diamond Chapter 59: Ryker
Nikki missed graduation the following day, but I didn't think there was a single piece of her that minded. Although, when my parents left the hospital, I couldn't help but notice she seemed a bit somber. It was possible that she was tired or that the glow of giving birth had started to wane, but I still needed to check. "Babe, you okay?" I had just thought pregnancy was sexy. Seeing Nikki holding my son was hands down the hottest thing I'd ever witnessed. I could stare at her with Graham for hours and never tire of it.She smiled as she gazed at Graham, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I guess I had thought my mom would stop by." Nikki had tried several times over the last few years to get help for her mom, but Nikki couldn't force Tabitha into treatment, regardless of the number of carrots she had dangled in front of her. Nikki had believed the birth of our son-her mother's only grandchild-would get Tabitha to surface, even if it was just briefly. I'd done my best to keep her fr
Dear Diamond Chapter 58: Ryker: Four Years Later
"I'd like to tell you not to be a stranger, but you're one of the few I doubt I'll ever see again." My parole officer had been with me since I'd gotten out of prison years ago, and today was my last meeting. "Not gonna happen, man." I had never been in trouble before that raid with Chase, and I would never be in trouble again. I couldn't even smell Union 21 anymore they were so far away from my daily life.Nikki would have me by the balls if I ever got arrested again, and there was no way in hell I'd ever cross that woman. I'd only thought I was in control when we were younger, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Looking back, claiming a girl who wasn't mine was the best decision I'd ever made. She'd turned me into a man I was proud to be: her provider, her lover, and her best friend. And sooner rather than later, she was going to add father to that list. As I left my PO's office, I couldn't help but think of all that would happen in the next couple of days. Nikki would gradu
Dear Diamond Chapter 57: Nikki
His silverware clanked on the plate, and he wiped his mouth with a paper towel. "What did you misunderstand about what I said in there?" He used his thumb to point over his shoulder toward the bedroom. "None of that meant you wanted me to move in." It kind of had, but I needed to hear the words because I was a girl, and girls needed copious amounts of confirmation."I told you I wanted to wake up next to you, go to sleep next to you. How is that going to happen if you live somewhere else?" He had a valid point, but I still needed more. It couldn't, although I wasn't ready to concede since I hadn't gotten what I wanted. "I don't know."Ryker turned toward me, and with his hands on my hips, he angled me to face him. "I know it's unconventional, and I'm probably out of my mind for suggesting it, but it's not like my life has followed the straight and narrow. I want you here. Every day. In my bed. In my home." That was hot as hell and almost had me convinced."And what am I sup
Dear Diamond Chapter 56: Nikki
Basking in the afterglow of two mind-blowing orgasms, my stomach growled. It had gotten late, and the two of us had skipped eating in favor of savoring each other. Somehow, even the lingering smell of burned garlic bread tempted me out of bed. I rolled over onto my side to face the man who'd just rocked my world...twice. "Are you hungry?""Famished." He pulled me onto his stomach, and if I weren't careful, he'd have me chasing peak number three.I giggled, like a school girl, and my cheeks flushed with heat. "I meant for food."He leaned up to kiss me, grabbing the back of my neck with one hand and my ass with the other. "Trust me, I could dine on you all night long." The pinch of his nails digging into my skin jerked me into an upright position, right on top of his growing erection."If you're up for round three after we eat real food, then I'm game, but right now, I'm starving." I patted his chest and rolled off of him. "I still have to cook the noodles, but I managed to make
Dear Diamond Chapter 55: Nikki
My mouth watered, and my heart raced. I shouldn't want him, not after what I'd been through last night, but damn, I was desperate to be caught in his web. No matter how hard I tried to drag my eyes from his skin, I couldn't let go. Ryker snapped his fingers to get my attention. "Nikki...""Huh? Yeah." That was hardly a recovery to be proud of. "What's up?" At this point, I would look like a moron regardless of the turn this conversation took.He didn't bother to reach into the drawer to grab clean clothes. Instead, he sauntered toward me. As much as I wanted to meet his eyes, to get lost in their hypnotic gaze, I couldn't stop staring at the package between his legs. And the longer I looked, the bigger and harder and more erect it got...until it lay flush with his stomach, and he was close enough for me to feel the warmth of his breath. His fingers met my chin and lifted it. Reluctantly, I tore my stare from his sex."You were apologizing?"I'd forgotten that was what I'd in
Dear Diamond Chapter 54: Nikki
I jumped up and down, fanning the dish towel as close to the smoke detector as I could. What had started off as a sweet gesture had quickly morphed into a kitchen nightmare. At this point, I prayed the shrill beep stopped before the fire department arrived. I'd opened the door and continued to try to get the acrid-smoke smell to dissipate, but thus far, I hadn't been successful. A thick fog hovered in the air, and I coughed with every other breath I took. With no furniture to speak of, coupled with my height deficiency, it was difficult to get near the contraption on the ceiling to get it to shut up."Nikki!" Ryker's voice erupted into the frenzy just as the front door slammed shut behind him. "What the hell?" The anger on his face shattered the final shred of composure I'd held onto. His pinched brows and cerise cheeks spoke volumes that I didn't want to hear.My shoulders slumped as tears dripped from my chin. "I can't-" "Babe, why does it smell like burnt ass in here? Where d
Dear Diamond Chapter 53: Ryker
The buzz of my alarm continued in my dream until I realized I wasn't asleep. I just didn't want to get up. I'd slept like the dead for what little time I'd actually logged. I silenced my alarm and peered down my nose at the dead weight settled on my chest. Neither Nikki nor I had moved all night. Her hair flowed over my arm and spilled onto the mattress, and her tank top had ridden up, exposing the skin on her waist. I wished I had the time to stop and explore all the milky flesh that taunted me, but as it was, I would be late if I didn't get going. I managed to slide my body out from under the goddess in my bed without waking her. Even with dark hair, she looked like an angel as peacefully as she slept. The urge to touch her, to make sure she wasn't a figment of my imagination, was strong, so I settled for a kiss to her forehead. She rolled to her back, and I felt like a pervert watching her tits move with her. The swell spilled out the sides, and at the hint of a nipple, I adjuste
Dear Diamond Chapter 52: Ryker
Every sentiment she uttered rang true in my own life, only I hadn't been smart enough to keep everyone at bay. My tie to Chase ended up completely derailing me, and I'd never been able to get back on track. However, I still wanted the same things Nikki did. "I didn't mean to sound ungrateful for what you did, Ryker. It just meant more to me than it did to you." She'd managed to get my attention with that statement."How so?" This time, I pulled back, making certain she could see the dismay in my expression.Nikki swallowed and took her time before saying anything else. "You're safe here. The Silvanos will always have your back. But now that I'm on their radar, if I do anything to you, or you discard me...it won't be so easy for me to recover." I couldn't tell what exactly she meant by that. The only thing I knew with any certainty was that I was hungry and tired, and I had to be at work in the morning. This wasn't the time to have this conversation, especially when I couldn't
Dear Diamond Chapter 51: Ryker
I needed more than a ten-minute ride to clear my head. Leaving the Warehouse, I hadn't been able to shake Jesse's words or what I'd implied in claiming Nikki. It was more than just getting her out of the current situation. I never wanted her in danger again. I didn't even want the stench of the Union to rub off on her, and the only way I could ensure that was by having her at my side. But I'd stayed clear of relationships with women my entire life. Not because I batted for the other team-hell no. If the day ever came where one won me over, the game of life in Dacon ended. I had too many connections to the Silvanos, and any female in my life would be tethered by those ties as well. It was a greater burden than a help. Yet from the moment I'd laid eyes on her, I couldn't shake the need to protect her. She'd fought it. Hell, she was still fighting that shit until I had shown up at her apartment tonight. If I'd had to give an account of what took place once I had knocked on the door
