Page 41 of Ryder

“Wow, you mean they are donating more?” Allisons asks.

“I guess,” I say.

I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. It seems lately, I am always smiling.

“How did we get so lucky?” she gushes.

I pick at my bikini bottoms, and my heart begins to race as Ryder’s face comes to mind. He has been nothing short of a miracle in all of our lives.

“I have no idea, Allison,” I breathe. “But, I do have something to tell you,” I say.

“Right, I forgot, you texted me,” she laughs.

I jump right in, starting first with my amazing night with Ryder. She listens intently, hanging on my every word as I don’t leave out any of the sordid details from our evening. Then, I told her about my phone call this morning. I’m a little nervous, but Iknow Allison will always have my back and want nothing but the best for me.

Once I’m finished, I give her a moment to digest the mountain of information I just threw at her.

“Scarlett, I am so proud of you,” she says, and I can hear her sniffle. Is she crying?

“Allison, are you ok?” I ask, feeling uneasy.

“Yes,” she says, and I can just imagine her waving her hands, telling me I’m making a big deal out of nothing. “I just knew one day you would get the happily ever after you deserve. Ryder is it for you. And now, you have your dream job. We are going to miss you here, but Scarlett, follow your heart. Don’t let that man or that job pass you by,” she orders.

A tear escapes my eye, and I laugh as my own emotions breakthrough.

“Allison, I finally feel like I can live. Like my past doesn’t have to define me anymore. I can have what I want, and I want Ryder and this job,” I admit.

It feels good, to be honest with myself, but also to voice my honesty aloud to someone else.

We talk a few more minutes before Allison has to get off the phone to make the boys dinner.

I place my phone back in my bag and lay back on the sunning chair. Closing my eyes, I smile to myself as my heart feels full and content. It is such a warming feeling when things finally go as planned.

I don’t know how long I have been lying here, but suddenly, a deep voice breaks through my mind. Startled, I almost jump as a hand touches my face.

Opening my eyes, I am relieved to see Ryder standing over me. He has his signature cocky smirk, and I can’t help but swoon over him. He’s mine. All mine.

“You are starting to look like a lobster out here,” he laughs.

I sit up, glancing down, and realizing I should have applied more suntan lotion. I had just been so lost in everything. It hadn’t come to mind.

Ryder sits on the empty sun chair beside me, and I watch as his eyes roam over my body. I specifically selected my favorite hot pink bikini to wear out here. It has a great top that makes my boobs pop.

“Like what you see?” I ask, my voice low as I feel my body tensing under his gaze.

“I love what I see,” he says, rubbing his jaw and licking his lips.

That act alone should be illegal. If we weren’t in public, I would jump on him right here.

“Fuck Scar, you are so hot,” he says.

I roll my eyes and giggle.

“I’m serious. Your body is rocking, and you have the most beautiful smile I have ever seen. I have to tell you,” he says, leaning in closer to me. “I may just be getting jealous. I don’t know if I like the idea of other men looking at what’s mine.”

I gulp as the intensity of his stare paralyzes me. I’ve never been the type of girl to get turned on by a possessive, alpha-male. But damn, if those words aren’t the hottest, I have ever heard. Knowing Ryder wants me that much makes me want him even more.

“Well, then maybe you should take me up to your room,” I say, narrowing my eyes on him.

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