Dirk's Love Read online

  And no backing out now, Dad.”

  Leif stood, then came over and tugged Jaden away from Dirk, tucking her under his arm. Miles also gained his feet before he fol owed them out of the room. Dirk heard him mutter under his breath, asking what he’d gotten himself into.

  Upstairs in his room, Dirk walked over to the desk he’d set up in the corner and sat behind it. He moved the mouse to turn off the screensaver, then launched his browser. It only took him a few clicks to get into Mate Connection and his profile. He clicked on the link that would take him to his possible matches. Since he real y hadn’t gotten the service out to the public yet, seeing Ryann listed hadn’t made him think anything of it. He thought it was a glitch he’d have to work out, that the program had put her there because she was the only female who’d signed up.

  Dirk clicked on Ryann’s name and was instantly brought to her profile. There wasn’t a picture of her, since he’d told her not to worry about it. He’d been more concerned about whether the info she fil ed out in the questionnaire had worked. He’d also ignored the bottom of the page on both of their profiles, where it gave a percentage of how compatible she’d be with him. He went back to his to look. It read ninety-nine point nine.

  He pointed to the number on the screen. “Holy shit, it worked.” Dirk had it programmed so it would, but there’d been a smal part of him that’d thought it wouldn’t be that accurate.

  “There you go,” Jaden said behind him as she leaned over his shoulder for a closer look at the screen.

  Once she straightened, she turned to face her father. “No point in waiting, Dad. Dirk already has the website open, so you might as wel take his seat and fil out the form.” Dirk spun his steno chair around and stood. He gestured for Miles to take his spot. Miles did not look at al happy about being forced into signing up. Even though this man had been an asshole for hundreds of years, Dirk couldn’t help feeling a smidge sorry for him.

  “Look, Miles, if you real y don’t want to do this, then don’t. There’s no point, if you aren’t wil ing to go through the whole process,” he said.

  Miles shook his head. “No, it’s fine. If this is what Jaden wants, I’l do it.” He smiled. “She may be my daughter, but she’s stil the foretold one, after al . I have to do what she wants, since she rules and al that.” Dirk, Leif and Jaden laughed quietly. Dirk knew what was going through the others’ minds, the same as it was through his—that Jaden didn’t rule.

  Miles slowly sat on the chair and sighed as he turned to face the computer.

  Leif laughed, and said, “It’s not as if you’re a dead man walking, Miles. Who knows, maybe you won’t find anyone this way either.”

  Jaden scowled at her mate. “Don’t say that or you’l jinx him for sure.”

  “Whatever.” Leif looked at Dirk. “I’m going to leave you three to it. Once you’re done, we can go out back and get some sword practice in. I know you must be feeling pretty keyed up with the mating urge riding your ass. I remember what it was like.”

  Dirk nodded. “Al right. I’l meet you in the backyard in a bit.”

  After Leif left, Dirk got Miles set up on the computer before he backed up a bit to watch father and daughter, while Miles fil ed out the questionnaire. He could see the love the ex-Protector had for Jaden was real. It was in his eyes for anyone to see, every time Miles looked at her. And becoming a grandfather seemed to bring more and more of the old Miles back. The man he’d been when they’d first formed the Protectors. Dirk had liked him then, they al had.

  He just hoped for Saskia’s sake, and especial y Jaden’s, that Miles didn’t revert back to what he’d been. It would more than likely break the hearts of the two women.

  Chapter Three

  The next day, Ryann finished packing the last of Tyler’s things he’d need over the weekend at his dad’s into his backpack. Mack was supposed to pick him up after he finished work. So far, she hadn’t gotten any phone cal s from him to say otherwise, so she figured he’d stil be taking Tyler.

  Leaving the backpack in Tyler’s bedroom, she went to the living room. Her son sat on the floor in the middle of the room with a pile of building blocks surrounding him. He was snapping the plastic pieces together to form a tal tower. She knew once he got it as tal as he wanted, he’d knock it down, just to build it again. One of his favorite pastimes.

  Tyler looked up when he noticed her watching him.

  “Mommy, when’s Dirk coming?”

  She smiled and shook her head as she sank onto the floor to join him. He’d done nothing but talk about Dirk since they’d had lunch with him the day before. And Tyler wasn’t the only one who seemed obsessed with him, either.

  Ryann hadn’t been able to get Dirk out of her head. The thought of him coming to her apartment excited her—a lot.

  More than it should. She had to keep reminding herself he was her boss. He’d given her a great job, and she didn’t want to do anything to screw it up. It was ideal for both her and Tyler.

  “Wel , when is he?” Tyler asked again.

  “It shouldn’t be too much longer. It’s after lunch, so I suspect he’l come sometime this afternoon.”

  “I hope he comes before Daddy does. I want to play blocks with Dirk.”

  “Now don’t be disappointed if he doesn’t.

  Remember, he’s coming here for a reason. He’s giving me a brand new computer for my job with him.”

  “I know. He stil might. I’l even ask nicely.” Ryann leaned across and gave Tyler a big kiss. “I’m sure you wil .”

  At that moment, someone buzzed up to her apartment. She had a feeling it was Dirk, since Mack wasn’t expected for hours yet. She stood, then walked over to the panel by the apartment door and pushed the intercom button.

  “Hel o?”

  “Hi, Ryann. It’s Dirk. Can I come up? I have the computer with me.”

  “Sure, I’l buzz you in. Do you need help bringing it al up?”

  “No, I can manage.”

  “Al right.”

  She hit the button to let Dirk in. She unlocked the apartment door and waited there for him. At the prospect of seeing him again, her heart sped up. Ryann resisted the urge to reach up and fix her hair. It wouldn’t have mattered if it were stuck up on end. Dirk wasn’t here for a date. She took a deep, calming breath. She would keep her cool and not stare at him like a sex deprived woman who hadn’t slept with a man in years. Wait a minute, that was exactly who she was.

  A short time later, Dirk knocked. Ryann opened the door and held it there as he stepped inside carrying a box that was large, but not very wide. She shut and locked it behind him before she turned to face him. Tyler had already come over to them.

  “So this is the computer,” she said. “Is that al of it?” Dirk smiled. “Yes. I told you I’d be getting you an al -

  in-one.”

  “Lemme see, lemme see, lemme see,” Tyler chanted.

  “Relax, Tyler,” Ryann said. To Dirk, she added,

  “Come on, I’l take you to where my other one is set up. We just have to switch them out. I’m sure that must be getting heavy.”

  “It’s not that bad. Lead away.”

  She headed through the apartment to the room that was hers. Ryann heard Dirk fol owing behind her. Tyler suddenly pushed past her once they reached the doorway and ran over to the smal computer desk tucked in the corner.

  “Here, Dirk,” he said. “It goes here.”

  “Wel , thank you, Tyler,” he replied as he set the box on the floor. “How would you like to help me move the old computer?”

  Her son nodded enthusiastical y. “I’d like that. I’m strong too.” Tyler lifted his skinny little arm and flexed his bicep.

  Dirk squatted in front of him and squeezed her son’s muscle. “Oh, you are.” He stood. “Let’s get started.” Ryann shifted out of the way as she watched Dirk and her son work together. Dirk was real y good with Tyler.

  He didn’t get impatient with the three-year-old’s incessant questions, unli
ke her ex, Tyler’s father. What she’d learned of Dirk from talking to him on the phone almost every day for the last couple of weeks, and now seeing how he was with Tyler, she knew he was the type of man she’d want as a stepfather to her son. Not that she was thinking that would ever happen.

  Dirk bent over and Ryann’s gaze landed directly on his tight ass. His jeans molded it to perfection. She bit her bottom lip to keep the moan inside that threatened to bubble up. She imagined his body was a piece of art hidden underneath his clothes. The idea of stripping him hidden underneath his clothes. The idea of stripping him naked to see it sent her pulse racing. Her pussy clenched at the thought of seeing his cock, hard and ready.

  It was also around that time that Ryann remembered they were inside her bedroom, and the bed became a looming presence. If Tyler were gone with his dad right now, she’d do her damnedest to let Dirk know she was more than interested in him. Short of jumping his bones and having her way with him, that is.

  Dirk suddenly straightened and turned his head and looked over his shoulder at her. His nostrils flared as he took a deep breath. His gaze latched on to hers, making her pussy clench again at the intensity that lurked in his eyes. It was as if he’d known what dirty thoughts she’d had of him.

  Ryann quickly broke eye contact with Dirk and looked at Tyler, who was busy taking the old keyboard off the sliding tray on the computer table. When she looked back at Dirk, he’d once again turned his attention to what he’d been doing.

  Since the new computer was so easy to set up, it didn’t take Dirk long to get it up and running. Ryann came closer to examine it. It was one she’d looked at before, but had thought she’d have to wait a few years to get.

  “Wel , do you want to give it a go?” Dirk asked.

  Ryann blinked and tried to pul her mind out of the gutter as she took what he said in a total y sexual meaning.

  “Sure.”

  She walked by Dirk to sit in the steno chair in front of the computer desk. Since he didn’t move—if anything, she swore he took a half step in her direction—her side brushed against his on her way by. Her body reacted as if he’d touched her intimately. Her pussy grew wet, while her nipples tightened into stiff peaks.

  As she sat, Ryann heard Dirk draw in another deep breath, then let it out on what sounded pretty damn close to an animalistic growl. With Tyler in the room, she decided to act as if she hadn’t heard it.

  She reached up and touched the screen, launched the browser, and checked her email. After going to a few more websites, including Mate Connection, Ryann spun the chair around to face Dirk. He looked at her expectantly.

  “Thanks, Dirk,” she said. “I love it. It’s so much faster than my other one.”

  He gave her a smile that just about melted al the bones in her body. “I knew you would.”

  Ryann’s gaze met Dirk’s as she looked up at him, and she felt as if she were fal ing into his eyes. The heated stare he’d given her the day before at the restaurant was back. It made her breath catch. Her body, so long denied, ached to feel him skin to skin. She gave herself a mental shake. She was only working herself up for nothing.

  Tyler stepped up to Dirk’s side and took hold of his hand, giving it a few tugs. “Are you done, Dirk? I want you to play blocks with me.”

  The spel broken, Dirk looked down at her son.

  “Sure, buddy. I’d love to.” He turned his gaze to Ryann. “As long as it’s okay with your mom if I hang around longer.” Ryann stood. “Of course you can. Stay as long as you want.” Hel , he could stay overnight if he wanted to, in her bed, while she joined him.

  “Hurray,” Tyler yel ed as he pul ed on Dirk’s hand, trying to steer him out of the room.

  She chuckled softly as she watched Dirk al ow Tyler to tow him away. At least, if anything ever did happen between Dirk and her, she wouldn’t have to worry about her son not liking him. If anything, Tyler was just as taken with him as she was.

  Ryann fol owed them into the living room. Dirk didn’t seem to have a problem with sitting on the floor as he took the blocks Tyler handed him. She sat on the couch and watched. It was a scene she would like to see happen more often. Her son hadn’t had much male influence in his short life. Mack was useless as a father, real y. He did the basics and nothing more.

  Time slipped away from her as Tyler and Dirk built tower after tower. Tyler was particularly thril ed when Dirk used his tal height to build one as high as the number of blocks they had would al ow. Before she knew it, the sound of her apartment buzzer going off could be heard.

  She looked at the clock on the digital TV box and realized how late it’d gotten. It had to be Mack. Without a word, Ryann went to the panel on the wal and pressed the intercom. At the sound of her ex’s voice, she buzzed him up.

  Ryann turned back to the living room, and said,

  “That’s your dad, Tyler. Time to put the blocks away and get your things for your weekend with him.” Tyler groaned. “Do I have to go? I’d rather stay here with Dirk.”

  She shook her head. “Sorry, you do. It’s only for two nights, then you’re back home again. I’m sure Dirk wil come to see you some other time.”

  There was a loud knock that signaled Mack’s arrival.

  Knowing how he didn’t like her keeping him waiting out in the hal , she opened the door and let him in. He sailed into the apartment as if he owned the place.

  “Is Tyler ready?” he asked without even saying hel o.

  “Just about,” she replied cool y.

  Ryann left Mack at the door and went to the living room. Dirk was just finishing helping Tyler put away his blocks. Once that chore was done, he stood as Tyler rushed off to his bedroom to get his backpack.

  “Who the hel are you?” Mack asked in a rude tone.

  She turned back to face her ex. Dirk came to stand at her side. “Not that it’s any of your business, this is Dirk.” Mack stared at Dirk, doing his usual act of trying to intimate someone he felt threatened by. “Do you real y think it’s a good idea for you to have a strange man around my son, Ryann?”

  “He may be a stranger to you, Mack, but he isn’t to me. So cut it out.”

  “Then who exactly is he?”

  Before she could answer, Dirk spoke up. “I’m Ryann’s new boss.” He then did something Ryann hadn’t expected at al . He put an arm around her shoulders and tucked her tightly up against his side. “I’m also the man who intends to take your place in her life.” Her head snapped up to gaze at Dirk. Had she heard him correctly? He didn’t look at her, but continued to stare at Mack as if he were a bug he’d like to squash.

  “Is that so?” Mack asked in a hard tone. “You’l have some pretty big shoes to fil .”

  “I’m sure I can manage, since I’m bigger than you are, according to Tyler.”

  Just then, Tyler came back into the room, dragging his backpack behind him. He walked up to his dad and sighed dramatical y. “I guess I’m ready to go.” Mack took Tyler’s backpack and ignored him. His gaze stayed on Ryann and Dirk. “So what are you going to do for the rest of the day?” He directed his question at Ryann. “And the rest of the weekend?”

  She bit back a retort along the lines that he hadn’t cared in the past, so why should he now? “As I said before, it’s real y none of your business.”

  “The hel it isn’t. I’l have Tyler. I need to know where you’l be if anything should happen. Aren’t you always tel ing me I should be a better parent? I would think me wanting to know what my son’s mother is up to in case there’s an emergency would be would classify as such.” emergency would be would classify as such.” Ryann knew it had nothing to do with that at al .

  “Fine, since you’re obviously not going to back down, I’l be

  —”

  Before she could finish her sentence, Dirk cut in.

  “She’l be with me al weekend. I’m going to take Ryann out for a nice dinner tonight and tomorrow. The rest of the time, wel , I’m not going to say, since Tyler’s in the roo
m.” Images of what Dirk had just insinuated flitted through Ryann’s head—both of them naked, having hands down great sex. In the back of her mind, she told herself he was more than likely saying those things and acting possessive of her for Mack’s benefit. She knew none of what he said was real, but that didn’t stop her body from thinking so. It was practical y jumping up and down in excitement. Not wanting to spoil any of the effect, she kept her features even as she stared at her ex, showing none of the roiling emotions deep inside her.

  Mack glared at her, showing her exactly how much he didn’t like anything Dirk had said. That caused anger to quel some of the arousal she felt. How dare he be jealous now? And she knew that was exactly what had him so upset. It was okay for her ex to hop from one woman’s bed to another, not caring how she felt about it. But when it came to her, he had double standards. It was quite an eye-opener for her, though it real y wasn’t that much of a shock.

  It proved Mack may not want her anymore, but he sure as hel didn’t like that someone else did.

  Her ex took Tyler’s hand. “You’d better be here when I drop Tyler off on Sunday.” With those parting words, Mack led their son out of the apartment, shutting the door behind them harder than he needed to.

  Ryann sighed, ready to apologize to Dirk, and to thank him for what he’d tried to do, basical y saying he was her new boyfriend. His arm stayed around her, stil holding her tight. She turned to look him in the face and felt al the air rush out of her lungs. He stared at her with what she could only describe as intense desire. And for one brief moment, she thought his eyes took on a muted glow. But he blinked, and it was gone.

  She swal owed, doing her best not to show her body’s reaction. “I have to apologize for—” Dirk cupped the side of her face with his hand and cut off her words with his lips. Her body erupted into flames as he kissed her as if he’d never get enough of her. Al she could do was hang on to his waist and hope he didn’t stop.

  Chapter Four