Catching Bianca: A Dark Mafia Romance (Shadows of Obsession Book 4)
Catching Bianca: Chapter 16

Having Ryder breathing down my neck is equal parts infuriating and exhilarating. Our days in the shop are the most challenging. At least when we’re in my apartment, I can hide in my bedroom or the bathroom if I need a break, but here… there’s less than twenty feet between us and I feel him.

I feel him watching me while I work. I feel the knee-melting scent of his cologne, so potent it overpowers the floral, earthy scent hanging in the air. I feel the heat of his gaze, and the heat of his body, whenever he comes closer.

And he does often.

Whenever someone he considers a possible threat enters, Ryder’s by my side, hovering so close his arm brushes mine as I assemble the bouquets.

“We’re leaving for Columbus as soon as you close up tonight,” Ryder says once the door closes behind a young mother with three kids.

“We’ll be back tomorrow, won’t we?”

“Yes.”

I look up from the handful of short-stemmed red roses I’m arranging. It’s been busy for a Saturday, all my emergency grab-and-go bouquets were taken before noon.

Ryder hasn’t said a word for hours, quietly watching the throng of people coming and going. While I scrambled to meet everyone’s needs, he remained almost motionless.

He didn’t consider anyone suspicious enough to move closer, and the lack of proximity is grating my nerves. I keep glancing at him, my attraction growing swiftly.

It shouldn’t.

Lusting after a man who’s not the least bit interested is idiotic at best, but I can’t help myself. He a sight. Tall, broad, dark eyed. His bad-boy aura should be repulsive, but it’s fucking enthralling. Any woman would replace Ryder hot, but it’s not his looks stirring feelings inside me.

His protective streak is what gets me.

Rationally, I know it’s his job. He’s keeping me safe under Carter’s orders, but I ignore that detail. I like thinking he’s protective because he wants to be, not because he has to.

No one ever took care of me; no one worried about my safety or well-being. While I’m more than capable of fending for myself, a small part of me basks in Ryder’s protectiveness.

Not that I’d ever admit it aloud.

Even if he’s protecting me out of necessity, he is protecting me. That’s more of a turn-on than I thought possible. It makes my body and mind react in the most feral way.

I’m uncomfortably wet whenever his shoulders tense and his piercing stare assesses whether another newcomer might be a threat. And don’t get me started on how much I love him invading my personal space.

Which might be why I’m annoyed this afternoon… because he hasn’t gone near me for hours. I crave a whiff of his cologne, a moment with his big body almost leaning into me.

God, I think I’m a junkie and he’s my drug.

And so, to compensate for the lack of proximity, I keep daydreaming inappropriate scenarios.

Not once and not twice a customer’s had to drag me out of my own, filthy imagination. It runs wild whenever I assemble another bouquet. I imagine Ryder flicking the sign on the door from open to closed then stalking across the shop until he stops right behind me. I imagine his big hands full of my hips as he bends me over the workbench and has his way with me.

I’m hopeless. I didn’t dare play with my vibrator, quickly realizing how thin the walls are in my apartment.

I hear Arthur and Ryder moving about, chatting in low voices while I take a bath or settle in my bed with a book. I hear Ryder tossing and turning on the inflatable bed, so I know he’d hear my every gasp if I made myself come.

I’m frustrated. Hot, bothered, horny.

Living under one roof with a man like Ryder makes things worse because he’s always there. Handsome, broody, growly, fucking irresistible. It’s worst when I tiptoe out of my bedroom at five am and replace him bare-chested, muscles on display.

This morning, he was making coffee in his boxer shorts when I left my bedroom. I stopped dead in my tracks, admiring the taut muscles on his back, the way his biceps bulged and shifted as he reached for three cups, the way his hair stuck out in all directions in the most sinful, bed-mussed way.

“Are you listening to me?” Ryder asks, the scent of his cologne targeting my nose as he nudges my shoulder with his.

A fit of shivers shakes me from head to toe, goosebumps erupting across my skin, the sudden closeness raising my pulse.

I zoned out so hard I missed him coming over. He’s right beside me, the heat of him, the bulk of him, the smell of him…

My heart stutters, the remnants of my fantasy mixing with reality. I glance at the door, disappointment like a separate living thing inside my chest. He hasn’t flipped the sign.

Of course he hasn’t.

I meet his dark stare, my cheeks burning hot.

“What’s wrong, Winter?”

Swallowing hard, I shake off the feeling his nickname induces. My body was ablaze when it first rolled off his tongue. So unique. So sweet. Then I realized why he chose it. He said it fits… I drew my own conclusions.

What does everyone associate winter with?

Coldness, ice, snow… He basically wrapped cold bitch in pretty packaging. I hate it.

“Nothing.” I snatch a few flowers to start another grab-and-go bouquet. “I’m fine.”

A muscle feathers his jaw as he grinds his teeth. “Of course. Did you hear what I said?”

“That we’re leaving straight after I close the shop.”

“We’ll be in Scarlett tonight. No sportswear allowed.”

“I saw what Hailey was wearing last week. I get the gist. Will there be dancing?”

He steps back when I reach for pink peonies. “There’s a dance floor and music, so yeah, there’s dancing. Scarlett is one of the safest places for you. Feel free to do whatever you want as long as you stay inside the club.”

Whatever I want…

I want him but that fantasy won’t come true. Maybe I could get laid in the men’s restroom. I wonder if that’s allowed or if Ryder has to screen the guy first.

That would be an awkward conversation.

Hey, Ryder? Could you check this guy out for me? I want him to fuck me senseless, but I figured it’d be best if you looked into him first. You know, make sure he won’t kill me or something.

I wonder how he’d react. Would he be angry? Would he fuck me senseless himself? Or would he open his laptop and screen whoever I pointed out?

The latter, probably.

“Will you dance?” I ask, a lilt to my voice.

My cheeks flare, the flirting more than humiliating when aimed at a man who hates being in the same room as me.

“I don’t dance.”

The door opens, and another customer arrives, saving me from more awkwardness. Ryder moves away, scrutinizing an older man eyeing the flowers lining the shelves.

I close early on Saturdays, but the last hour drags as if it’s a Monday. Mainly because Ryder’s back in silent mode and doesn’t say another word until we enter my apartment, the flower shop closed, cash from the till in my bag, ready to be deposited first thing on Monday morning.

Arthur’s waiting in the living room, suitcase packed, a smile on his face. “How was your day?” He aims the question at no one in particular, but he knows Ryder won’t answer.

“Busy,” I reply. “Good sleep?”

“You can chit-chat on the road. Go pack a bag.” Ryder drops his hand to my lower back, pushing me toward my bedroom.

Annoyance lights up my mind, but I swallow my pride and tame my usual outbursts. Maybe he’ll stop glowering if I do as I’m told without arguing for once.

***

Two hours later, the atmosphere in Ryder’s Jeep thickens further once we’ve dropped off Arthur.

Ryder makes the hairs at the back of my neck stand on end for two different reasons—I don’t understand either.

On one hand, my body craves his presence. His scent invades my senses, acting like a potent aphrodisiac. The hint of mint hidden behind a more masculine, woody note never fails to raise my blood pressure in the best way.

On the other hand, I struggle with taming my urge to clock his stupidly handsome face for making me so needy.

“What time are we leaving for Scarlett?” I ask, averting my thoughts away from the pleasure he could give me before I soak the leather seat of his Jeep.

“You have about two hours to get ready,” he replies, pressing his foot down when the traffic light turns orange. “We meet at the club every weekend around nine, but I doubt you’ll arrive before ten. Hailey’s a little chatterbox, so she’ll talk your ear off before she lets you get ready.”

A cold sweat rushes down my spine and my stomach sinks. I didn’t put any thought into where I’d be staying over the weekend. I kind of assumed it would be with Ryder since he’s tasked with keeping me safe.

“I’m staying with them?”

His grip on the steering wheel tightens. “That’s the plan. Why? Where did you think you’d be staying?”

I swallow hard, shifting my gaze out the passenger-side window, a lump forming in my throat. It’s irrational, but the last few months were tough while I was tossed from one person to the next. I’d hoped the days of learning to trust someone new were behind me—at least for a while.

There’s no rational explanation why the thought of being separated from Ryder spikes my anxiety. I’ll be safe. Nothing will happen, but over the past week I’ve become used to him. I’ve gotten to know him a bit and… I trust him.

Carter won’t hurt me. I know he won’t. Hailey wouldn’t let him if her reaction last week is anything to go by, but still… staying the weekend with them is an unexpected turn of events. Another out-of-my-comfort-zone experience.

“Bianca,” Ryder prompts, snatching me out of my head.

I clear my throat, pushing away the unwanted feelings of being tossed aside yet again. “I assumed, since you’re keeping me safe, I’d be staying with you.” I inhale deeply, centering myself.

This isn’t the end of the world. I stayed with Carter and Hailey last week. One night wasn’t long enough to trust them, but I’ll be okay.

“It’s fine,” I say, straightening my back and bracing for another dose of the unexpected. “I don’t know why it didn’t occur to me that you’d want a break.”

“Hailey’s orders. She wants to spend time with you.”

“No, of course. She’s my sister. We should bond.”

I want her in my life… I just wish I’d have a say in how it happens. We might be blood, but we’re strangers. I’d much prefer getting to know Hailey on neutral ground.

Instead, I’ll be staying at her house, under constant scrutiny. A barrage of questions. My every move watched. I’ll be a guest. I won’t be able to make up an excuse if I need a breather.

The pressure of the upcoming weekend settles heavily on my chest. I half-hope Ryder says he’ll ask Carter for permission to let me stay with him, but he remains silent, navigating Columbus at breakneck speed. I bet he can’t wait to get rid of me.

Another thought appears, slapping me across the face.

He must have a girlfriend.

Why did I not think of this sooner? It explains so much. Not only why he’s dumping with Hailey for the weekend but also why my subtle flirting flies over his head.

Well, maybe not so subtle.

He’s caught me staring at him more times than I can count. He’s seen me in little more than my lingerie. I might not be the prettiest girl out there, but I’m not ugly. I never had any problems hooking up. Ryder’s lack of response is like a punch in the gut.

A girlfriend would explain why he’s not interested.

My mouth fills with the vile taste of jealousy. He’ll probably bring her to Scarlett tonight. I bet she’s beautiful. I bet she’s lovely. All smiles and easygoing attitude.

My mood sours further when Ryder parks outside Carter’s mansion. I’ll be here until tomorrow evening, frustrated. Pining after the man grasping the steering wheel so hard his knuckles are white, while he’ll be with his girl doing all the things I wish he’d do with me.

The engine dies and Ryder gets out, rounding the hood to open my door.

“Don’t.” I stop him before his hand reaches the handle. “I can manage by myself.”

“Figures.” He spins on the sole of his shoe and walks off, leaving me with my mouth hanging open.

I don’t get his hot-and-cold attitude.

Then again, I don’t get mine, either. He brings out such contradictory emotions I lose all rational thinking when he’s nearby. My brain goes haywire, feelings cross over, and I lash out when all I want to do is climb him like a tree.

Shaking my head softly, I exit the car. Two bodyguards stand outside, one watching us, the other scanning the perimeter. They remind me of Ryder, though he’s more intense when he looks over every customer entering my shop.

I move to grab my suitcase from the trunk, but Ryder takes my wrist, leading me inside Carter’s house.

Ah, yes: no heavy lifting for me.

“I’m so glad you’re here!” Hailey beams, wrapping her cool fingers around my other wrist, ready to play tug-of-war with Ryder as she drags me inside. He lets go of me, the loss of his touch leaving a hollow ache in my chest.

Carter sits in the living room, a crystal glass in hand, head hanging low over a wad of papers littering the table. He looks up, acknowledging my presence with a nod, then greets Ryder.

“Come on, I’ll show you to your room and you can tell me all about your week,” Hailey says, tugging my hand.

“She’s staying with me,” Ryder chimes in, his eyes replaceing mine, those dark irises burning my cheeks. “I just brought her over so she could say hi. I’m taking her away in a bit.”

“With you?” Carter asks, raising a brow at Ryder before turning my way. “You know you’re safe here, don’t you? There’s around-the-clock security.”

I don’t dare glance at Hailey.

I don’t want to see whether she’s disappointed or relieved.

I’m not sure which would be worse.

“Yes, I know, I just…” I take a deep breath, filling my lungs and steeling the anxiety churning in my stomach. “I’m sorry but I’m used to Ryder now. I don’t do well with change.”