The Scars of Us Read Online Free Page A

hoped was a reassuring smile, I said, “Always.”
    I’d never explained the details of the arrangement Bryce and I had, but Kamden knew; big brothers always knew stuff like that, no matter how old you were.
    When I arrived at the bar Bryce and I typically met up at, I was surprised that he wasn’t there yet. He was normally early.
    I took a seat at the bar as the bartender walked over to me. “Hey, Ky. The usual?”
    “Please.” I looked around nervously before directing my attention to my phone, checking if Bryce had sent a message that he was running late, but there was none. I wonder where he is.
    “And for you?” the bartender asked, peering around me at another customer.
    “Jack and Coke,” a deep, luscious voice said from behind me.
    I stiffened before turning around and coming face to face with Ryker. He unabashedly appraised me, causing heat to simultaneously flood my cheeks and the juncture of my thighs. “Uh, hi,” I squeaked nervously. Fuck, just kill me now.
    Ryker chuckled, obviously amused by my awkwardness. As he laughed, I caught a glimpse of something gleaming in his mouth.
    Is that a tongue ring? Oh, God, it is. So fucking hot.
    “Can I buy you a drink?” he asked as he moved closer to me, almost pressing his firm body against mine. His arms caged me between him and the bar, causing me to inhale deeply from the sudden proximity. His scent was amazing, a combination of man and clean. I had to stop myself from begging him to touch me.
    “Actually, I, um, I’m meeting someone here,” I stammered.
    His eyes imperceptibly narrowed; I wouldn’t have even noticed if I hadn’t been so fixated on his face.
    Is he jealous? No way.
    “Everything okay, Ky?” the familiar sound of Bryce’s voice interrupted.
    Ryker’s eyes stayed locked on mine, even though my “date” had obviously arrived. His arms remained in place, even when I broke eye contact to look at Bryce.
    “Yeah, I’m fine. Ryker’s a trainer at the new gym I’m working out at now.” I replied, attempting to keep my voice steady, even though Ryker’s closeness unnerved me.
    Bryce stepped towards to us, keeping his gaze on Ryker as he approached. He warily stuck his hand out in greeting, “Bryce. I’m Kaiya’s boyfriend.”
    What?
    “No, you’re not!” I impulsively defended. Shit. I wanted to slap my hand over my mouth because of my outburst.
    Ryker’s eyes met mine again as his lips curved up in a sexy smirk. Pulling his arms away, he moved back, taking most of his delicious scent with him. Some of it lingered for a few seconds before fading away I almost audibly sighed from the loss, but stopped before I made a bigger fool of myself.
    Get a hold of yourself, Kaiya!
    “Maybe I’ll catch you at the gym,” Ryker said coolly as he grabbed his drink off the bar. Looking at the bartender, he continued, “Put her drink on my tab.”
    Then, he walked away. What just happened? I turned around, not wanting to be caught ogling his retreating form. Grabbing my Cranberry Vodka, I quickly downed it as Bryce stared at me.
    “What?” I asked defensively.
    “Nothing,” he replied with a knowing smile. He turned toward the bartender, leaning on the bar as he ordered another drink for me and a beer for himself.
    Rolling my eyes at him, I headed for a booth near the bar while Bryce waited for our drinks. A few minutes later, he slid into the seat next to me and handed me my drink.
    “How’ve you been?” he asked.
    “Pretty good,” I replied distantly. That was always my answer, and Bryce knew not to pry. “How about you?”
    “I’ve been swamped at work, but the money’s good.” Bryce was an investment banker, and earned an envious salary, but he was always stressed out. That stress translated surprisingly well in the bedroom, making our sex intensely passionate as he took his aggression out on me.
    After several more rounds of drinks, I was more than ready to head back to Bryce’s apartment. I had been torturing myself