Page 11 of Ryder

Allison beamed as she drank him in.

I stepped aside and made sure I was out of all of their way. Instead, I turned my attention back to the track and watched the events.

Ryder’s brother, Axel, who he had brought to the house when he first arrived, made it his way into the tent, too. He was quiet and didn't’ say much. From some online snooping, I had learned that Ryder had three other brothers. Drake was married to Lacy and they owned a bar in their hometown, Hollow Cove. Axel was married to Ivy and had a baby, and Blaze was married to Remy.

I heard his cell phone ring, and a genuine smile spread over his rugged features. As I watched him take the call, a gentler, softer side of Axel, appeared.

“He’s talking to his wife,” a voice said from behind me.

I pivoted on my heel and almost lost my balance. Ryder had terrified me as I was caught watching yet another Raven boy.

“What?” I choked out.

Ryder smiled down at me, and I wanted to reach up and slap that grin right off his chiseled face.

“Whenever she calls, he lights up like that,” Ryder adds.

“Oh,” I sigh. That was genuinely heartwarming.

At one time, I thought I had a love like that, too. I used to brighten up whenever a certain someone called me. Now, though, when his name was brought up, I wanted to scream and cry.

“It’s nice that Axel came here with you,” I add, trying to keep the conversation light.

Nodding, Ryder runs a hand through his long, black hair. “Yeah, being out here, I sometimes miss my family and Hollow Cove. I try to go home as much as possible and help my brothers. He leaves tomorrow, but I have enjoyed having a part of my old life out here,” he says.

The way he talks about Axel and his home life makes me feel a tinge of sympathy for him. I can relate to moving on with my life and missing something that I can’t touch. To have a tangible piece of your life back is a blessing. Realizing the conversation was a little heavy, I decided to change the vibe.

“Shouldn’t you be getting ready to race or preparing your next conquest with one of those scantily clad ladies out there?” I asked, motioning my eyes toward the track.

Ryder let out a loud laugh, and his eyes glowed. “Oh, that is for later, though, if anyone wanted, I would be more than happy to pleaseanylady here tonight. My tongue can do wonders,” he whispered, his warm breath tickling the back of my neck.

Leaving me breathless, Ryder moved back over to where the boys were standing. I had to remind myself to breathe. A strange mix of emotions washed through me as part of me wanted to slap him for being so crass and arrogant, while the other part of me grew hot with need as he spoke to me.

“Alright, boys,” Ryder began, clapping his hands together and breaking me from my trance. “I had a great idea. For my first lap, how about we have Miss. Scarlett ride with me,” Ryder announced.

I almost choked as all eyes turned my way.

“Yeah,” a unison of cheers erupted from the boys, as I began to shake my head, no.

“I don’t think that would be safe,” I argued, now shooting daggers at Ryder.

He held onto my gaze with that cocky grin, and I knew this was all to punish me.

Allison grabbed my arm and began pulling me toward the front of the tent. My once friend was now my enemy, and I was planning her very painful death right now.

Ryder reached his hand out to me, and I hesitated, truly contemplating my next move. If I refused to give in to his little game, I would be letting down the boys. If I allowed Ryder to win right now, this would be the highlight of the night for the kids.

Sighing, I rolled my eyes and slapped my hand into Ryder’s.

He led me out of the tent and onto the track where his bike was sitting. Ryder lifted his leg over and straddled the bike.

Damn, that was a hot move. Turning to me, he took my hand and helped me climb onto the back of his bike.

“Alright, put your arms around my waist and prepare for the ride of your life,” Ryder said, before handing me a black helmet.

“You truly believe you are God’s gift to women, don’t you?” I scowled.

“I can’t help it if the ladies can’t resist me,” he winked, kicking the clutch and revving the engine.

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