Текст книги "Two Worlds Colliding"

Автор книги: Jani Kay

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Текущая страница: 3 (всего у книги 12 страниц)

Chapter 8~ Ryder

“Get into the fucking wheelchair.” I nodded my head toward the contraption Cobra was refusing to get into. “I’ll wheel you out of this place and take you home. But first, you gotta follow the damn rules.”

Cobra’s eyes widened. “Fuck. Ryder, is this really you speaking? Since when do you, of all people, follow the rules?”

I winked at him. “Since it’s the fastest way to get out of this place that smells like antiseptic and is as sterile as Ox’s balls.”

He chuckled. “You got a point, brother. Get me the fuck outta here.”

Cobra leaned on both the nurse and myself as we lowered him into the wheelchair. He grinned like a fool up at the nurse. “Don’t go missing me too much, sweetheart.”

She swatted him with the clipboard. “Get your ugly mug out of here before you have another injury. And stay out of the way of bullets in future, will you?” She quirked an eyebrow at him.

I laughed. “Trouble is Cobra’s middle name. Follows him like a stench.”

The nurse placed a few containers of painkillers in Cobra’s hands and explained how he should take them. He listened patiently, and nodded his head. Fuck, was Cobra going soft after all this time in the hospital? The Cobra I knew would have chucked the pills in the bin, proclaiming to be a man, and not a pussy who needed pills to get through the pain.

We were inside the elevator when Cobra spoke again. “Mia?” His voice was so soft that I hardly heard it. I even detected anxiety. Yeah. When a woman had a man by the balls, there was no way he could pretend otherwise. He was fucked, whether he knew it or not.

“Mia’s at the house. Waiting for you. Don’t stress too much, she was dolling herself up when I left. She can't be that mad at you if she wants to look all pretty for you.”

“Yeah?” Cobra sighed. “Since when are you such a fucking expert on women? Thought you hated bitches, except for their pussies.”

I shook with laughter. “Since looking after your old lady. Babysitting your family. And since—” I stopped talking just in time. Cobra didn't know anything about Jade. Was bad enough that Mia was constantly interrogating me. I didn't need him on my case, too.

Besides, since I’d last seen her that night, she hadn’t been taking my calls. She was being stubborn as hell, sticking to her guns. But what Jade didn't know was that besides being a tenacious man, I was also a patient fucker. If it suited me.

“You were saying?”

“Nothing, man. Just glad you’re out of this place. Gives me the creeps.”

“Ryder. I'm your brother. No secrets. If you don’t tell me, Mia will. You know that woman knows everything.”

“It’s complicated. Let it go, brother. Focus on Mia and the kids. Excited to see them?”

“Hell yeah. I'm sure they’ve grown so much since I last saw them.”

“They have. Your family is really awesome. You’re a lucky man, Cobra.”

“How lucky? I’ll find out when I see Mia again. You know she’s not gonna forgive me easily for losing the baby. And I don’t blame her, either.”

Silently, I nodded my head. Losing a baby was a big deal. One score I hadn’t settled yet with the fucking LA Demons. That baby’s premature death was on them. Fuckers.

“Anyway, stay at the ‘Rental Ritz’ in Beverly Hills, as Mia and I call it, for a few weeks while you get stronger. Take the time to bond with Mia, to sort your shit. ‘Cause once you get back to the club, you gotta step back into your pres shoes. Razor has been doing a stellar job of keeping the club running, if you know what I mean. With both you and me gone, he’s been king of the fucking world.”

“Little bastard must be having a ball. Nobody to rein him in. Has he been up to any shit?”

We reached the black SUV with the heavily tinted windows. I quickly ran a scan to make sure nobody had tampered with it since I left it in the car park. Those fuckers were still out to kill us, so I had to be sure.

“There’s this new barmaid chick, Lexi. Between Ox and Razor, I think she’s getting royally fucked. Neither man will give way to the other. We may have shit on our hands.”

“And you? Have you got stuck into the bitch, too?”

“Nah. Not my type.” I lifted Cobra out of the wheelchair and put him on the back seat. Fuck, he’d lost so much weight. I lifted him easily. I'd never been able to do that before.

“Since when has a pussy not been your type? You fuck any pussy—especially fresh pussy. Want to tell me why not this one?”

“I’ve been at the house, remember? Doing your fucking job, looking after your family.”

“Some other pussy has gotten to you. Fuck, how did I miss that?”

“You’re blowing smoke, man. That ain't true.”

“Jesus. You’ve got it bad, brother. Nothing has ever stopped you from taking pussy at the club, even if other men were in there too. You can't fucking bluff, Ryder. ‘Cause I’ve been there, brother. Since I laid eyes on Mia, I didn’t want any other pussy. Only hers. You’re cunt-struck. and you ain't telling me.”

“Fuck off, Cobra. It’s none of your business.”

Cobra pulled a face as I strapped him in. “Mia will know. She’ll fill me in.”

“Mia knows nothing. I ain't telling you or her my business.”

“Fuck. Ryder, what is it with your bitch? Must be something if you won't talk to me. Or Mia. Something fucking serious.”

I got behind the wheel and closed my eyes. Cobra wouldn’t let this go till I told him about Jade and her brother. And I knew what he’d say. He’d tell me to back the fuck off. He wouldn’t understand that I couldn’t. My mind and my cock wouldn’t let go of Jade, even if I knew she was dangerous territory.

“Yeah. There’s this woman—”

“I fucking knew it!” Cobra sounded triumphant. “So why hide it, Ryder? It ain't no sin to want a bitch, brother. Even happened to me.” He chuckled, as if he were still surprised by it happening to him.

“Well, this one is different. Not only is she a fucking princess, her brother is a cop. Special Task Forces cop. And her daddy’s a criminal lawyer. Beat that for fucked up.” I sighed. “And even worse, she doesn’t want anything to do with me. She says it can't work out. Family, and all that shit.”

Cobra let out a long breath, whistling through his teeth. “Fuck, Ryder. Can’t you ever just do simple?” He leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes.

After a minute he talked softly. “How bad do you want this bitch?”

“Bad. Give both my balls bad.”

“Christ. You’re fucked.”

“Yeah. I know.”

Chapter 9 ~ Ryder

As we stopped in the driveway of the house, Mia came out to greet her husband. I frowned, annoyed that the woman hadn't listened to me. I got out of the SUV and went to get Cobra’s door.

Mia spoke softly behind me. “Ryder. I know you said not to come out. But I can't help myself. I miss Cobra so much.”

“I know. Wait inside the back door. I need to help him in. He won't want you to see that. Go.” My voice was harsher than I meant it to be, but it was dangerous for us to be outside, anyone could have followed us. And I had my hands full helping Cobra; I didn't need to still worry about Mia’s safety too. Cobra was a huge fucker—even though he’d lost weight, I still needed all my strength to lift him out of the SUV.

“Thanks, brother. Saving a man’s dignity.” Cobra patted me on the back as I lifted him. Yeah, a man always wanted to appear tough and strong in front of his woman. She had to believe he could protect her at all times. Showing weakness was not an option, especially not for a man like Cobra, who believed in the laws of the jungle: survival of the fittest.

“No problem, brother.” I set him down and helped him get inside by supporting his body with my arm.

“Baby,” he breathed when his gaze landed on Mia.

“Cobra. I'm so glad you’re here, baby.” Mia’s voice cracked.

She slid an arm around his waist and stood on tiptoes to kiss him. So far it all seemed good. Between us, we helped the enormous man to the main bedroom. Sweat was pouring from his face due to exertion. There was still a long way to go for my best friend before he’d be back to his old self, but every day he got better, and that was something to be grateful for. I didn’t know what I would’ve done if the bastard had gotten killed that day.

“The kids?” Cobra asked.

Mia spoke softly as she wiped Cobra’s forehead. “I called Jade. She’s taken them to the new Disney movie. Gives us time to settle you in and talk.”

“Jade? Who’s Jade? Is it safe for the kids to be out with a fucking stranger?” Cobra growled. Yeah, he was getting better.

“Jade’s a friend. She’s the rental agent. She’s totally safe, and very cute. In fact, I think Ryder is sweet on her.”

Cobra’s gaze shot to me, his eyebrows lifted to his hairline. Fuck. Back in the house less than two minutes and Mia already told Cobra. Plus, after what I’d told him in the car, I’d never fucking live it down.

“Yeah? That true, Ryder?”

“Nah, she’s just a piece of ass. Mia should know me by now—I don’t get attached to bitches. Ever.”

“Really, Ryder? That’s why you brought her here the other night. Don’t think I don’t know she slept here.” She cleared her throat. “Not much sleep going on, but you know what I mean.”

I grimaced. “Mia. That’s how you thank a brother for taking care of you and your babies? By ratting on him the first chance you get?”

“Cobra’s going to see the spark between the two of you the minute Jade gets here with the kids. Anyone would have to be blind to not know the two of you are crazy for one another.” She turned to Cobra. “But they’re both so stubborn, baby. Neither will admit it. Jade says it’s too complicated with her family. Ryder has a hard-on the minute he sees her, but tries to pretend otherwise.” She laughed, sounding happy for the first time in weeks.

Grumbling, I left the bedroom and closed the door behind me. They needed their privacy—they had a shitload of stuff to talk about. And I definitely didn't want to discuss Jade with Cobra.

Stripping down to my boxers, I jumped straight into the pool and swam a few laps. The water was refreshing, and I enjoyed the strain of working my muscles. I dried myself off and I lazed around on one of those fancy reclining chairs I’d always seen rich people sip cocktails in. It was the first time in weeks that I just had a bit of time to myself, and lying in the sun after a swim was something I could get used to.

I must’ve dozed off. Jamie had climbed on top of me and stroked my cheek to wake me. Startled, I sat up, looking straight into those fucking blue eyes that haunted my dreams. Jade was back with the kids. With the sun behind her head, it looked as if she wore a halo. Her blond hair shone in the bright light, and her lips gleamed as she pouted them while looking down at me.

Standing with Isabella on her hip, her legs were parted, and with the sunlight behind her, I could see right through the flimsy material. Fuck me, if she wasn’t wearing a bright pink lacey thong. The silhouette of her legs through the thin fabric, long and perfect, made my dick jump.

Jesus.

“Hello, Ryder,” she drawled before her face split into a smile. God, it was the most beautiful smile I’d ever seen. Was Mia right? Was I going soft on Princess? Yeah, I wanted to fuck her all right. I was always up for that with any bitch. But never before had I been affected by a fucking smile. I hadn’t realized just how much I’d missed the beautiful bitch until her sweet face appeared in front of me.

She raised an eyebrow, and stared at my boxers. Yep, my erection stood proud, and tented the satin fabric. She was lucky I was even wearing goddamn boxers. I wanted to drag her to my room and fuck the daylight out of her.

Instead I just grunted, and placed a towel over my stomach, laying my hard cock flat on my belly. Her laugh was sweet and sexy. She knew she did this to me.

“Batman?”

“Was a birthday gift from one of the boys,” I explained. She hadn’t seen the others yet. I had the whole fucking Marvel comic club in my underwear drawer, compliments of the guys trying to be funny.

“It’s cute. Goes with your tattoos.”

Cute? What the fuck was she talking about? I was mean and angry. Never cute.

“Anyway, I’m just dropping the kids. Got to go.” The smile that had warmed my heart had faded, and she had that serious look in her eyes. Fuck.

“Stay. Let’s get a drink first. I'm sure the kids are thirsty. What do you say, Jamie, my man? Should Jade have a drink with us before she goes?”

Jamie always came through for me. He nodded his head vigorously. How could she refuse the kid? I was bargaining on that, knowing she wouldn’t stay for me.

“OK. Just a juice, then I have to leave.”

“Juice it is,” I said, happy that she’d be around a while longer.

I watched her ass as she swayed her hips, walking toward the house. Man, I could so get into that ass right now. Pulling on my jeans, I swallowed the lump in my throat as I followed her, grateful that she couldn’t see my hard-on still raging for her.

Just as we finished drinking our juice, Mia came to the kitchen.

“I heard the car. Thanks for taking the kids, Jade. Cobra wants to see them now.” She took Isabella from Jade’s arms, and took Jamie by the hand. “I owe you one, Jade. You’re a sweetheart.”

Jade flashed Mia a smile. “It’s my pleasure. Happy to help out at any time.”

We watched Mia and the kids for a moment as they left the room.

“I have to go now,” Jade said, avoiding my eyes.

“Princess.”

I blocked her path, pulling her to my chest.

“Ryder. Don’t.”

Her eyes darted to the door.

“They won't be back for a while. Relax.” Dipping my head, I whispered into her ear. “Bet you’re wet for me. You know I’m already hard for you.”

It had only been a few days since I’d seen Jade, yet I was desperate for her. I’d jerked off a few times in the mornings, and also in the evenings before falling asleep, imagining her tits swinging above my face and the feel of her wet cunt, but it wasn’t the same as the real thing. I needed to get inside her. Now. For real.

Did Jade feel the same?

I walked her backward and pushed her ass against the counter, grinding my hardness into her. She groaned. My lips found the soft, warm skin under her ear and nibbled gently.

My hand snuck under her dress, targeting that fucking bright-pink thong. She’d worn them under a white dress on purpose—to drive my cock wild. I felt the dampness of the scrap of lace. She was fucking soaked.

“Spread your legs,” I ordered.

I bit softly into her neck as my fingers found their way under the fabric and into her wetness. “You need my fucking cock, don’t you?”

She didn't answer. I jammed two fingers into her, gauging her readiness. She was more than ready. Her head rolled backward as I slowly finger-fucked her.

She whimpered as I gripped a handful of hair and pulled hard, staring into her glazed eyes. “Princess. Tell me you need my cock.”

Her voice was barely above a whisper. “I need you.”

“Tell me you need my cock. Beg for it.”

“Ryder,” she moaned.

“Tell me you wore these pink panties for me. So I would fuck you.”

“I did. I wore them for you. I knew they’d please you.”

“Ahh, you beautiful slut, I knew you did,” I crooned triumphantly. “Now tell me how much you need my cock to fuck you.”

I stuck a third finger into her, massaging her G-spot. She bit her lip, her hands gripping the counter, her knuckles white.

“I won't let you come till you beg me.”

Her breath came in small spurts. She was close. “Ryder, please. I need your cock. Inside. Fucking me.” Her voice was hoarse, and sexy as hell.

Jesus Christ.

She’d turned the tables on me, and just like that, I wasn’t the one in control. I had to get inside that pussy. Now.

Turning her around to face the counter, I pushed her cheek to the cool marble.

“Hold on.” I pulled my jeans and boxers down and quickly rolled on a condom. We needed to talk about that. I didn't want latex between us again.

I leaned down and pulled her panties down her legs. “Step out,” I commanded. I needed these for later. I was keeping them.

My cock slid into her and I sighed, kissing her neck. My hands found her tits and squeezed as I slipped my cock in and out of her.

I pulled hard on her nipples, wanting to make her cry out. I had to punish her for making me want her so much that I ached all over when she was gone, and even more when she was close. She was my drug. Princess had hooked me with her smart mouth and sweet pussy. I couldn’t get enough, and now she had to pay for that.

“God, Ryder. Harder,” she groaned, pushing her ass backward.

Fuck. She was enjoying it.

I gripped her throat and squeezed, my free hand slipping to her clit and strumming it with my thumb while I held her body down against the cold countertop with my weight.

Jade was mine. I owned her. I owned her pussy and her orgasm.

Princess couldn’t scream my name out loud with the others in the house. But the way her body shook, I knew she would’ve if I didn't keep her quiet.

“Grip my cock with your pussy. Make me come,” I croaked as I rode her at breakneck speed, fucking her hard, my balls slapping against her perfect ass.

She did. Her pussy milked my cock as she rode her orgasm, gasping for air as I possessed her completely, even controlling how much air she breathed.

Jesus. This woman was perfect. Perfect for me.

Chapter 10 ~ Jade

Back home in my bed, I ran earlier events through my head again. After I’d succumbed so easily to Ryder, against my better judgment, I knew I had to get out of there as fast as possible, or I’d end up in his bed—again.

Mia and the kids stayed in the main bedroom with Cobra—I’d heard the kids laughing and chattering. It would be a while before they were ready to share their time with anyone outside their close little family unit.

I hadn’t planned on seeing Ryder, although, in all honesty, I was hoping he’d be there. My disappointment at not seeing him when I picked up the kids made me decide not to get my hopes up, just in case he wasn’t around when I returned. It was my lucky day when I found him lazing by the pool. He was like honey, and I was the bee—I couldn’t have resisted him even if I’d tried.

Tossing around in my bed, I knew I had to explain to Ryder why I couldn’t keep on seeing him. That it wasn’t because I was a snob or looked down on him. Because I didn't any longer. Shame washed over me as I remembered how I’d treated Ryder when I’d first met him. He was right—I’d acted like a bitch. But I had reasons.

Good reasons. One of them was because of my dear brother. My heart squeezed when I thought of him.

There was nothing cheerful about Harrison Summers. The permanent scowl on his handsome face only softened when he was at home, around me, and our parents. I loved Harrison with all my heart—he was the best brother a girl could wish for. Except that he was overbearingly protective, ever since the day of The Incident.

It took years of therapy to shake the guilt that it was my fault, and that I was to blame that Harrison was like this. Although it took place nearly ten years ago, whenever I had a flashback, it was as vivid as if it had happened only yesterday.

Ryder insisting on being in my life had brought on just such a flashback. I sat up, bewildered, images rushing through my brain.

No, please, I don't want to remember . . .

Huddled against the headboard, my knees drawn to my chest, I rocked myself as tears streamed freely down my cheeks.

* * *

Harrison kissed Amy and swatted her on the ass. “Go ahead with the others, babe. Get into the long line at the entrance. We don’t want to be late for the concert. Jade and I will catch up.”

He turned to me and laughed. “Hurry, Sis, you’re going to make us late. Go get your sweater—I’ll wait right here for you.” I was always losing stuff and luckily Harrison was patient with me. Love for my big brother surged through me—he knew me so well.

I nodded and ran back into the fast-food restaurant to get the sweater I’d accidentally left behind. It was my favorite; I’d be crushed if I lost it. Besides, it usually got cold in the evenings, and at outdoor events and I'd need it to keep me warm. Harrison and his other friends had girlfriends to cuddle with if they were cold. I was alone.

It was my first live concert, and adrenaline spiked my bloodstream—I didn’t want to miss a second of Karma Electric, they were my favorite band. I swiped up my sweater from where it had dropped on the floor.

I was lucky my parents had agreed to let me go to the event with Harrison on a week night, so I didn't want to spoil his evening. And I’d hoped Harrison would invite me again the next time he and his buddies went to a rock concert. Those were the perks of having an older brother. My friends at school were all jealous that I’d get to see the dreamy new lead singer of the band before they did.

“Got it?” Harrison shot me an impatient glance as he crushed the cigarette with his foot. I never knew my brother smoked till tonight.

“Yeah. Sorry. It was on the floor.”

“Put it on before you drop it again.”

Harrison chuckled as he watched Amy blow him a kiss, and tore his gaze away from the little group halfway across the large opening to help me dutifully into my sweater.

Gunshots rang out.

Both our heads jerked toward the ominous sound. What we saw would scar us for life. Both of Harrison’s friends and their girlfriends were mowed down, including Amy. I screamed so loudly that I couldn’t hear Harrison’s words to me, but his expression told me to stay put. I couldn’t have moved if I tried to, I was frozen to the spot. Pandemonium broke out around me. People were screaming hysterically, and running around blindly. I watched Harrison run across the patch of grass, reaching Amy just as the cops did.

Amy and the other four were caught in the crossfire between a biker gang and the police. Four were dead, and one survived. One of his friends, Michael, got shot in the knees, and fell down before more bullets could kill him.

Amy had been shot through the heart, and died minutes later in Harrison’s arms.

It was biker bullets that killed Amy and Harrison’s friends. With little regard for the lives of others, they’d shot at the cops who’d recognized them.

Harrison wanted to die. Said he should have been there with Amy. That if he had his arm around her, she may still have been alive. I shuddered at the thought—it would’ve meant my brother would be dead.

If it weren’t for me, both Harrison and I would’ve been with the group, but we may have been further along, avoiding the crossfire altogether. All it took was a few seconds to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. It was ALL my fault.

I should’ve been dead.

And Harrison wished he was.

Even now, after all these years.

* * *

The images had faded somewhat over time, but my heart was still breaking for the loss of those innocent young lives. I rubbed at my heart, trying to lessen the physical pain. Life would’ve been so different if that hadn’t happened.

From that day on, Harrison had hated bikers. He’d made it his life’s mission to stamp out biker clubs and crimes associated with them. Cleaning up the streets and banning groups of bikers from public places was what he dreamed about, because he never wanted an incident like that to repeat itself on innocent victims.

I got that.

Hell, I was on his side. We both recognized the gangster type immediately and had a strong aversion to anyone who was a biker in a MC. They were the scum of the earth.

Until Ryder.

Until I met a man who outwardly portrayed every one of those traits. I should hate him and his kind for what they did to Amy and the others. For what they did to me, and to Harrison.

Yet I couldn’t hate Ryder. Underneath that hardened exterior was just a man, one who had his own burdens weighing him down. Who the hell was I to judge him and his kind? I knew nothing of their pain or their reasons for being what they were.

But how could I explain that to Harrison? He wouldn’t even listen. For as stubborn as I was, Harrison was tenfold more so.

My head hurt from all the thinking. I had to get through to Ryder that we could never see one another again. That what had happened on the back of his bike and in the kitchen were a moment-of-madness mistake we couldn’t allow to be repeated.

My heart ached. It was going to be the hardest thing I’d ever done—to deny myself the feelings that flooded my being when I thought about Ryder Knox.

He felt them too—I didn't need a crystal ball to know that. Ryder never apologized for telling me blatantly just how much he wanted me, in every carnal and lustful way. There was a magnetism we couldn’t deny, a pull stronger than logic permitted. We were so different, yet we fitted so well together. It was beyond reasoning. Beyond anything I’d ever imagined. Not even the romance novels I consumed could have prepared me for this.

But I had to sacrifice my feelings of lust for Ryder because there no good could come of it. We were doomed from the start.

I. Had. To. Choose. My. Family.

Why had Ryder chosen Clarke and Sons Agency that day?

And why in hell could he not just let go? Move on?

And why, oh why was I so drawn to him, so weak when it came to resisting him?

Why?

Still bewildered by my emotions, I became aware of a strange noise. It reminded me of when I was a teenager and boys threw pebbles against my window. Then it dawned on me—that was exactly what it was. I scooted off the bed to the window as another pebble hit it smack in the middle of the glass. What little delinquent was pranking me at this time of the night?

I pushed the window open and gasped. Ryder was standing there in the darkness, a lopsided grin on his handsome face. Fuck. This was worse than when I was a teenager. Back then I was too innocent to know better. A boy beneath my window sent my heart aflutter. Now other parts of me were fluttering, way down south from my heart.

“Let me in,” he demanded, his arms folded over his chest.

“Shhh,” I gestured, then shook my head.

“Fine,” he muttered and walked away. What? Was he giving up that easily? He disappeared out of sight around the corner, without any further protest. I was pretty disappointed, but it was better this way. I didn't want him to see that I’d been crying. I wiped my nose with my sleeve and crawled back in to bed.

I closed my eyes, confused even more. Why had Ryder come here? Why had he left without even trying? Was he finally listening to me? And did I really want him to?

“Fuck, Princess. You’re killing me.” Ryder stood in my doorway, his silhouette in the dark visible by the light of the moon. Was I dreaming?

“Ryder! W . . . what? H . . . how?” I switched on the bedside lamp.

“If you won’t let me in, I’ll let myself in.” He grinned, his gaze raking appreciatively up my semi-naked body. I was wearing only a tee and panties.

“But . . . but the doors are locked . . . and we have alarms . . .” Had Daddy forgotten to lock up?

Ryder chuckled softly. “Babe, nothing will stop me if I want to get in somewhere. Breaking in is an undervalued skill, and definitely one of my many talents.” He wiggled his eyebrows at me.

“Yeah? And did you poison the Rottweiler?” Mom had insisted on having a trained guard dog. It made her feel safer. Bruno was alert and fierce, yet I hadn’t heard him growl or bark as he usually did when strangers came to the house.

“The pup and I are friends. I’m definitely not going to be his breakfast.” He sat on the bed, watching me.

My eyes widened. Bruno was a muscled brute of a dog; he hadn’t been a puppy in five years. How had Ryder gotten past Bruno? He didn't take kindly to strangers.

“Princess. You’ve been crying—tell me why.” His voice was hoarse, yet soft.

My throat was still thick, and tears sat just behind my eyelids, ready to spring forth again. I couldn’t speak. I wanted Ryder here more than anything, but I also wanted him to leave, for his own sake. I was so confused.

“Baby,” he said softly as he pulled me to his chest.

God it felt good. And the way he said the word baby, with the slightest dip in his voice as if he were affected too, made it sound sexy and comforting at the same time. My breath hitched—he’d called me baby—not babe, not bitch, not Princess. Just baby. And I loved it.

I let him hold me, let him stroke my back, soothing me while he hummed. This was a side of the tough, badass biker I doubted anyone had ever seen. Was he even aware he was doing it?

“Why did you come?” I whispered, my breath catching as I spoke.

“I’ll tell you . . . if you tell me why you’re crying,” he countered.

I fell silent for a long time, organizing my thoughts. Ryder kept rubbing my back, placing no pressure on me but waiting patiently for me to reply.

At last I spoke. It was as if the floodgates opened. I told him the whole story. Everything.

Ryder listened, only grunting occasionally, his fingers making small circular motions up and down my spine. I inhaled deeply, drawing his scent into my nostrils and basking in his warm embrace. He’d comforted me and lulled me into a relaxed state.

“Um, Ryder?”

“Yes, baby?”

“Now I’ve told you the whole story—why did you come?”

He was quiet for the longest time, but never resting his fingers. “Because I needed to be near you. Because I can never get enough of you. That’s why.”

He shifted down the bed, holding me in his arms. My head rested on his chest, listening to the rhythmic beat of his heart.

“Sleep baby, I’ll hold you. It’s all OK. That shit happened a long time ago. None of it was your fault. None. You gotta let that go. OK?”

Drowsy, I nodded my head. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Why, I wasn’t sure. All I’d done, was tell Ryder my and Harrison’s story; the story I’d hidden deep inside for so long, trying to bury it. Yet now that I’d set it free, it no longer weighed as heavily on me.

Ryder had done for me what no therapist ever could. He’d gotten me to set the ugly past free. He’d even gotten me to start believing that maybe it wasn’t my fault after all. I sighed as he kissed the crown of my head, a shudder of utter relief running through my body, letting the tension flow away.

“Go to sleep. I’m here now.” His voice was like velvet, soft and soothing. Hypnotic. I drifted off into a peaceful sleep with Ryder holding me, feeling safe and secure.

Pure bliss.