Ryder by Jani Kay

know it was me yet, and already he sounded agitated. I shuddered. Thank God he wasn’t my man. I liked my men well-mannered and pleasant. Not grumpy, inarticulate and with an eternal scowl on their face.
    I counted slowly to three. “It’s Jade Summers, from Clarke and Sons Agency. I’m here for the property inspection,” I said brightly. I would remain friendly and professional. I wouldn’t let him rile me. I hugged the clipboard to my chest and blew out a breath. For some weird reason my heart was pounding in my chest. I’d done a number of these inspections before, so it wasn’t that which had my knees feeling shaky.
    It wasn’t that I was afraid of him either. Yes, he looked fierce, and his goal was probably to intimidate everyone into doing as they were told. Only, he didn’t scare me. Maybe I was stupid.
    Another minute passed and I heard multiple chains and deadbolts moving. Making a mental note to check on the security system, I pulled at the collar of my shirt.
    The door swung open and my eyes met with the most beautiful chocolate brown puppy dog eyes I’d ever seen. Two dimples appeared and I was greeted with a wide smile. Without thinking, I spontaneously reached out and stroked the silky dark brown curls topping that gorgeous, welcoming face.
    “It’s you,” Ryder growled, a deep frown marring his brow. As if he didn’t want me to touch the beautiful baby girl in his arms, he took a step backward, pulling her out of my reach. It was only then I noticed the little boy clinging to his leg. Same dark hair and thick dark lashes. But he didn’t look up at me. He scowled and hid his face between Ryder’s legs.
    “Yip. It’s me. I made an appointment to inspect the house today, remember?”
    Ryder’s scowl matched that of the boy. “Told you it wasn’t necessary. You’re wasting everyone’s time. Including your own.”
    I stiffened. God, he couldn’t make it any clearer how unwanted I was. But screw him, I was here to do my job. And I wouldn’t leave until I’d done what I came to do.
    “You didn’t mention you had kids?” My eyes widened as I watched him rub the baby girl’s back. She cooed in his arms. I couldn’t miss the huge tattoo on his muscled triceps of a black scorpion, ready to strike. I wasn’t a huge fan of tattoos, but it really suited Ryder. It accentuated his thick arms and bulging muscles. Kind of sexy in a caveman way, if you were into that kind of thing.
    Of course I wasn’t.
    Irritation build up inside me. Was it disappointment at the thought that he was married with kids? He didn’t look the daddy type, but what the hell did I know?
    A voice called from the bedroom. “Who is it, honey?” She sounded sleepy, her voice thick but sweet.
    “Mama’s awake, go to her room,” Ryder told the boy, gently pushing him toward the bedroom.
    The boy nodded and scampered off quickly, as if he was afraid I would see him. Odd.
    “Go back to sleep, babe. It’s just the rental woman. I’ve got it.”
    “Thanks, honey,” she c alled back. God, all this lovey-dovey stuff was churning my stomach. Who would have thought a big scary looking guy like Ryder was a doting father and husband? He certainly had me fooled.
    “Let’s do this, shall we?” I said in my most professional, take no nonsense tone of voice. I peered at my clipboard and went straight for the kitchen.
    “I was just feeding the kids when you got here,” he said as he followed me into the kitchen. “You do what you need to, I’ll be here with Isabella.”
    Hearing her name, Isabella giggled and looked up at him. She reached out a puffy little hand and stroked his cheek. He grinned at her and moved his head to kiss her palm. I swallowed hard at the lump in my throat. He clearly loved this little girl with all his heart , and she him too.
    He placed her into a highchair and planted a kiss on her forehead. I couldn’t take my eyes off them. It was so loving and intimate. And in that fleeting moment I longed for