Don't Forget Me Tomorrow (Time River, #2)

by A.L. Jackson

“I already rode in, Cookie, so you might as well let me.” I’d started calling her that years ago. Now there was no way I could stop.

“Guess I like you on your knees for me.” A snort left my nose. I’d been for years, and she didn’t have a clue.

Because I’d wanted to give her everything I had, but the only thing I had been able to do was give her the one gift that I could.

I’d been in love with Ryder Nash since I was nineteen, probably earlier than that if I was being honest with myself. I was working on getting over that, though.

She tsked a sound of surprised disbelief. “That boy always seems to know when you’re in trouble, doesn’t he?” I couldn’t keep from rolling my eyes. “He didn’t know I was in trouble. We just happened to be in the same place at the same time.” It wasn’t like he had some sort of sixth sense about me.

I guess it was true that sometimes enemies made the best lovers.

“I’m not sure, Dakota, but if you are? I promise I will take care of you. Protect you.” “Why?” “Because protecting you is what I was created to do.”

“You’ll stay here as long as needed, Dakota. Until we know you’re safe, and I won’t let you go a second before that.”

It made me freaking blush that he had a chocolate chip cookie tattooed just above his right hip.

But there’d always been a wall. An obstacle. I’d tried to knock it down, and I’d taken the chance, placed myself at his feet. He’d rejected me. I’d never forget his words. Sweet and tender and so horrifyingly painful that I still carried them like a scar. I love you, Dakota. So fucking much. But not like that.

“We each have our own lives, Ryder.” I forced it out around the tumult. His teeth ground. “You are my life, Dakota.”

“I actually have a date,” she quietly admitted. I nearly dropped the plate I was holding to the floor, and I had to set it on the counter so I could regain my bearings. Heart thrashing. Teeth grating.

I had to force myself to move. To focus on carrying our plates to the table rather than spitting out the thousand things that spiraled through my mind. Rather than telling her the thought of it fucking killed me. Rather than begging her to give me some time. Rather than promising I was going to fucking fix this.

“Do I think you’re not desirable, Dakota? You’re the most desirable woman I’ve ever met. And yeah, I think you’re worthy of love. Worthy of it more than anyone I know. Don’t ever mistake that.” I was just jealous that I wasn’t worthy of receiving it from her.

I thought I sustained whiplash every time we had a conversation.

“You deserve everything. Had once thought I’d be the one to give it to you.”

Those arms so strong and sure as he held onto my son. “No, Dakota, you can’t be replaced.”

He looked like he was having second thoughts. Especially when Ryder appeared in the doorway with my son in his arms. He held him protectively as he issued the words over the top of Kayden’s head. “Take care of my girl.”

“What I would do to be good enough for you.” “You’re wrong. Whatever you’re thinking right now, you’re wrong, Ryder Nash.”

“What I’m thinking right now is I have a goddess kneeling in front of me.” “I’ve always been here, Ryder. On my knees for you.” “No, Cookie. It’s always been me. A beggar at your feet.”

“I love you, Dakota. I’m gone for you. Since I was twenty-two fucking years old, I’ve been gone for you. Since you became the one thing in this world that could soothe the ache inside me. Since you became the reason to look beyond my circumstances. Since you reminded me of the good things this world might have to offer.”

“You saved me, Dakota. Saved me when I was lost. When I’d given up. And I keep trying to push you away because I know I don’t deserve you. But I can’t do that any longer. I can’t fucking deny that you are the one thing in this life that I’ve been living for. You are the light breaking the darkness inside me. And I’m begging you, please don’t walk away.”

“Cookie,” I murmured. “Tell me I’m not too late. Tell me you still love me, too.” “Do you think I could ever stop loving you?”

“Nothing could ever feel as good as being loved by you, Dakota Cooper.” “That’s good, Ryder, because I promise you, I’m going to be doing it my whole life.”

“So, it’s the three of us now.” He tipped up my chin with his index finger, staring down at me. A promise blazed in those midnight eyes. “Is that what this is, Ryder?” I could barely speak. “I told you that I’m fighting for this family. For you and Kayden. For us.”

“That’s what you are, Cookie. Home. You’ve always been my safe place. The place my heart was called to. The only place I wanted to be. Sitting in that tree with you.”

“Tiny Tornado. The perfect kind of havoc in my life. I’m going to do everything in my power to do right by you. By your mom. I love you more than should be possible. With the kind of love that doesn’t exist. Not until the two of you created it.”

I stepped in and Trey came in behind me. He shut the door, and I frowned when he reached out and locked it. Disquiet pressed at my senses, the blunt force of a dull, rusted blade. “I always knew you were the key,” he rumbled when he turned back to me.

I KNEWWWW IT