Page 20 of Ryder

Embarrassed, I glance around and realize people are watching us now, and not because Ryder Raven is in their presence. It’s the spectacle we are creating that has them watching us with their phones out. Oh no, I hope we aren’t on TMZ tomorrow.

As Gregory begins to move past me, he nudges me out of his way, and I fall into Ryder. In one quick move, Ryder shifts mybody behind him, and he now has Gregory in his grasp, shaking him with extreme fury.

“Don’t you ever put your hands on a woman,” Ryder roars.

Gregory places his hands up in defense, and I can see him tremble under Ryder’s hold. I want to yell at them to stop, but my voice has suddenly gone silent. With wide eyes, I watch everything unfold like I am outside of my body right now.

“Calm down, man. I don’t know who you are, but unless you want a lawsuit, get your hands off of me,” Gregory shouts back, trying to pretend to be brave.

Standing taller, Ryder leans in so that he and Gregory are nose-to-nose. “I will tell you who the fuck I am. I am Ryder Fucking Raven, and I own this town. Go ahead and sue me, my lawyers will laugh while they write you a check to run away like the bitch you are,” Ryder seethes.

Gregory’s eyes go wide. Of course, now he realizes who this man is. The man who he looked at like nothing more than a low life, is a man who has more money than any of us can dream of having.

“Alright, I didn’t know. Let me go, and I will leave,” Gregory pleads.

“Ryder, please just stop,” I say, finally finding my voice.

Ryder turns his head a bit and looks at me. I nod, letting him know he needs to do this. Slowly, Ryder loosens his grip on Gregory and takes a step back.

Gregory straightens out his shirt and then rushes out of the patio area.

“I’m so sorry,” I whisper to Allison.

She and John are still watching us, but I see amusement in their eyes.

“No worries,” Allison says, standing and taking John’s hand. “I think it is safe to say dinner is over. You two should go on that date after all,” she finishes.

“But, I’m hungry,” John whines.

“Come on,” Allison says, pulling him behind her. She waves at me and offers a wink.

I turn to face Ryder, and I’m so confused and angry by the entire situation, I just lower my eyes at him and storm off.

I can hear him chasing after me as I push my way through the crowds on the patio. When I reach the parking lot, he grabs my arm, and I turn on my heels.

“What?” I scream, attracting more attention to us. “What do you want to embarrass me more? To keep me from dating someone else?” I throw out.

Ryder stops and looks at me like I have just bruised his ego. “Scarlett, that’s not at all what I want,” he begins to say, but I stop him.

“Ryder, you are playing a game with me, and I don’t do games. Look, I appreciate more than you will ever know what you are doing for the boys at All Our Children. But, that doesn’t mean I will let you play me like a fool.”

“Scarlett, you have no idea what I think and feel,” Ryder says, stepping closer to me.

We are so close now, and I can hear his ragged breathing. I gulp down my fear and plead with my body, not to betray me by crying or shaking. Ryder does things to me I just can’t explain, and I definitely don’t want him knowing that.

“Really?” I ask, my tone sarcastic and full of doubt. “Because I have you pegged as the type of guy who just wants to take me home and fuck me, then forget I even existed the next day. Let me tell you something. I’m not that type of girl. I won’t be a one-night stand for you.”

I see rage fill Ryder’s eyes at my outburst. “Let me tell you something, Scarlett,” he begins, moving so close to me that I can feel the heat from his breath burning my skin. I shake under his glare and gulp down my own trepidations. “You aren’t the typeof woman that should ever be someone’s one-night stand. You are too good for that, and you better never let someone make you feel otherwise,” he snarls out.

“How can you say that?” I whisper. I am beyond stunned by his admission. “You don’t know me outside of my job. You can’t believe what you just said,” I say, my voice shaking. From fear? I have no idea.

“No. Did you know that when I first saw you, I thought you were the most beautiful creature I had ever laid eyes on? Did you know that when you wear jeans and sweats, I think that is the most attractive thing a woman can wear? Did you know I think you are golden, someone with a heart so big, that you put others before yourself?” he asks, his voice breathless as he speaks in a rush.

My mind is blown. Never had I dreamed he would say those things about me? I want to argue and tell him it’s all a lie. To beg him not to drag me down this path, but I just can’t. Something in my heart and soul tells me Ryder is telling the truth. And what is killing me is knowing that regardless if he is sincere or not, I could never open my heart to him. I have closed that off for--how long I don’t know.

“So, can I please just take you to get something to eat?” Ryder asks, extending his hand to me.

I stare down at his hand, knowing I am about to betray myself, but I just can’t help it. I will tell him I can only be his friend. I will let him down easy, but right now, all I can do is place my hand in his and let Ryder lead me away.

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