Ricochet (Renegades #3)(28)
Author: Skye Jordan

Ryker stepped forward and took her hand. “I’m Ryker, but I’m no savior.

Her grin turned into a full smile, and her face brightened as if it were lit from the inside. She was truly stunning. But Ryker found himself glancing over her shoulder, searching out the woman he was dying to get his eyes on again. A woman equally as stunning in a whole different way.

“Well thank you for helping Renegades out of this pinch,” she said, releasing his hand and drawing Ryker’s gaze back. “If you’re looking for Rachel, she’s out by the pool on the phone. Can I get you something to drink?”

“Troy’s got something for me, thanks.”

“Make yourself at home,” she said turning back the way she’d come. “The guys are out by the grill.”

She swayed ahead of them and slipped into the kitchen beside another woman, just as gorgeous. Ryker wondered if he’d accidentally stepped into the Playboy mansion. This woman was dark skinned with long, straight black hair that shone around the crown of her head. She glanced up from slicing strawberries and set bright green eyes on Ryker. He experienced another shocked loss of brain cells.

“Welcome to the family, Army,” she said, then added, “think fast,” and threw a fat strawberry at him.

He caught it against his chest with a surprised laugh. “Uh, thanks?”

“I’m Rubi.”

“Ryker.”

“I’ll just call you Army.”

“Fine by me.” He popped the berry into his mouth, looking around the massive living area, all leather, granite, stainless steel, and glass. The strawberry’s sweet tang burst on his tongue as he surveyed the soaring ceilings, the warm wood flooring.

Nickelback’s “Burn It to the Ground” came on, and Lexi and Rubi started singing along, dancing at the counter as they continued to cut fruit.

Jax came in through wide sliding glass doors and joined the women in the kitchen. He slid his arms around Lexi’s waist and opened his mouth for the strawberry she offered him over her shoulder.

“Mmm,” he murmured as he chewed it, then kissed her. “Did you meet our new addition?”

“Sure did.” She offered Jax another strawberry.

A chorus of shouts rose outside along with a whoosh. Ryker recognized the distinct flare of rising flames.

“Troy,” Someone yelled from that direction. “Bring me the spray bottle on the counter.”

“Beer’s in the fridge.” Troy grabbed a bottle labeled water and headed out.

Rubi had already turned and opened the refrigerator door. “What kind do you want?” she asked. “We’ve got Guinness, Fat Tire, New Castle…”

“Troy said you had Firestone.”

She moved a few bottles around. “17?”

“Yesssssss.” He drew out the hiss in relief. He set his duffle on the floor and the rolled plans on the counter. “Thank you.”

She pried off the top and handed it to him. “Guess I’ll have to try that one.”

“Nectar of the gods.” Ryker tipped the beer back and let it flow over his tongue and down his throat, then sighed. “So…Rachel?”

“By the pool.” Rubi picked up two handfuls of strawberries and added them to the colorful fruit salad. “She could probably use a little mood improvement right about now.”

“Hmm. Might be better if I stayed away, then. I haven’t been a mood enhancer for her today.”

Rubi glanced outside and slipped a piece of strawberry into her mouth. “She’s got a lot of stress right now—work, personal stuff. When it rains…and all that.” She pointed to his beer. “Bring her one of those, and you’ll make points.”

“Mmm,” he said around another mouthful of his own drink, glancing at the label. “That’s right. I’ve got just the thing. He pulled a bottle from the six-pack he’d brought sitting on the counter, and tilted it toward Rubi. “Pop that for me?”

She grinned. “I’d whip out a nasty comment, but you’re still pretty new. I don’t want to harass you too much. Yet.”

Ryker relaxed a little more. This was easier than he’d expected. Troy had a great group of friends. “Appreciated.”

He headed outside and found Rachel immediately. She sat on the pool deck in the distance, wearing a tank and shorts, her legs hanging over the side, feet swirling in the water, a phone at her ear. The sight of her relieved the need gnawing at him since he’d walked out of the trailer earlier that day, but it also ramped up residual desire still simmering from the night before.

To his left, Wes, Troy, Duke, and Keaton stood around one of the fanciest barbecue setups Ryker had ever seen. Built in a U shape, a granite counter surrounded three different grill configurations and a six-burner cooktop. Beneath, several stainless steel doors appeared to house ovens, refrigerators, even an icemaker.

“Whoa,” he said, taking it all in.

“Hey,” Wes greeted. “What’d you think of the plans?”

Ryker offered a round of hellos to the other guys. “I’ve been looking at them so long I think they’re imprinted on my brain. I’ve got a lot of questions.”

“Bring ’em on.”

“Little later. I need to decompress”—he lifted his beer toward Rachel—“and I have a couple things to talk to Rachel about.”

He veered toward the pool down another stone walkway, through lawn as plush as carpet with flowering borders. An open iron fence separated the property from the beach, and ocean waves lapped a short distance away. He wasn’t sure how far in the darkness, but the sound, the warm air, the dim lighting all smoothed another layer of tension from his muscles.

“You know I’d come see you if I could, but I can’t manage it right now.” Rachel’s voice was soft, filled with affection and apology. “I know it’s been a longer stretch than usual, but I’m in the middle of a big project. You of all people should understand how important my job is to me.”

Discomfort niggled at the back of Ryker’s neck.

She’s got a lot of stress right now—work, personal stuff.

If Rubi didn’t know about his night with Rachel, then the reference to her personal life… Well, hell. She must have another guy on the hook. That would explain her desire to cut ties so completely this morning after such an amazing night, and her urgent need to get him out of the picture after he’d shown up at Renegades.