Can't Touch This (Can't Touch This #1)

“Oh, it’s you.” She wrinkled her nose.

I didn’t reply, merely glared at the dogs in her and her son’s arms.

I really didn’t want her to have them.

How could Ryder do it?

A snarky gleam filled her gaze. “You know, he’ll never feel the same way about you as he does about me.” Nate dashed past, kissing the Chiweenie as it bounced in his arms. “I was his first, you see. He was mine. There’ll always be something special between us.”

Once the boy had flown away, Michelle crowded me against the door. “Do you know why I tracked Ryder down? Do you know why I ran the risk of upsetting him by showing up unannounced?”

My throat was dry.

I wanted to know. But I didn’t.

Just go away.

I wanted her to never have existed.

I wanted her gone so I could pretend this never happened. Hell, we all had a past. We all had baggage. I just didn’t want to be on a carousel that proudly displayed said baggage. It was meant to stay with the skeletons and bad decisions of days gone by.

“The silent type, huh?” Michelle smiled. “Well, seeing as you’re too polite to ask, I’ll tell you.” Her voice dropped to a secretive whisper. “The truth is, and I’m so sorry to say this because you obviously thought you stood a chance with him, but Nate…he’s Ryder’s.”

“What?” My mouth hung open. “That can’t be.”

“Oh?” She tossed her brown hair smugly. “Why not? He fucked me. Actually, that’s a lie. He made love to me. He loved me. He begged me to stay. If I’d been a little smarter when I was younger, there was no way you’d be shacking up with him as a convenient blow-up doll with a pulse.”

My hand itched to slap her horrible face. Like literally burned to connect. Hard.

“Anywho, thought you should know. I’m not going to give up because it’s about time he took some responsibility for his own offspring and not just stray dogs, don’t you think? He’s mine. Always has been, so I’d move along and find some other dick to claim.”

I stumbled.

This can’t be happening.

Ryder…he wouldn’t—

But what was wrong about him having a kid to another woman? His relationship with Michelle was before me. Before us. His past had every right to make a claim on him.

But did I have a right to ask for a future when he already had a readymade family wanting him back?

No, no, no.

I can’t deal with this.

I’d opened my heart and soul to him.

I’d willingly fallen, believing he’d be at the bottom waiting to catch me. Now I’d found out he’d not only fallen the wrong way but he would never be there to catch me because he’d have to play house with her and his son.

Michelle laughed softly. “I’m not going to stop until he’s mine again. I should never have left it so long, but I didn’t know where he’d gone. I had no idea he was close by. It wasn’t until an old high-school friend came into the salon the other day and told me about this awesome place and who ran it that I realised he’s been waiting for me all this time. Why else did he move back here? Especially after his parents left him such a legacy.” Her eyes gleamed. “He’s got money now and well….” She ran her tongue over her lips. “Nate needs his father to step up, so I suggest you stay out of my way.” Brushing past me, she headed up the meadow to her car.

I stood there, breathing erratic, thoughts colliding.

Out the corner of my eye, I saw Rupert and Polly on the deck to the side of the house. Polly waved, trying to get my attention. And Ryder appeared from the front door, his body facing me and not the mother of his child.

He held up his arms in a question. Probably wanting to know what I was doing out here and not spread-legged and waiting for him to slide back home after talking with this hoe-bag (and yes, the title was entirely apt).

What does he expect will happen now?