Page 8 of Ryder

Lucy practically bounced on her seat. “Name. Who is this hunky man?”

“Ha, I never said he was hunky. How do you know he is?”

Lucy giggled. “Are you saying he isn’t?”

I knew I was probably bright red. Any time I thought of Ryder my body heated and it came alive, eager for him. I’d been dreaming of him and since I’d seen him, I couldn’t get him off my mind. I hated that he had so much control over me and I barely even knew him. He was everything I’d told myself I didn’t want in a man. I hated that he was so attractive. That not only was his body perfection, but his face was so handsome. On a groan, I nibbled on my lip as images of Ryder came to mind. “No. He is gorgeous. Beyond handsome. He has tattoos.”

She squealed. “Ooohhh, I can’t wait to meet him.”

I shook my head. “No, you don’t understand. He’s crazy. He thinks I’m his soulmate. He wants me to move in with him.”

“Wow!” She bounced. “Please tell me his name. He sounds so yummy.”

Laughing at her excitement I took a calming breath. Ryder was a Silverman. Everyone knew who the Silvermans were. “Ryder. Ryder Silverman,” I mumbled.

Lucy’s eyes widened. “You’re shitting me.”

“I, um, I guess you know him.”

“Ha, I don’t think I know a person who doesn’t.”

“Yeah, I met a bunch of them. The Silvermans are hard to miss.”

“I’ve seen one before,” Lucy whispered like she was spilling a secret. “He had a huge entourage of bodyguards.” She inched closer to me. “I don’t know a Ryder though. I’d heard about a bunch of others, but not him.”

“He seems to be a bit of a black sheep. He didn’t have any guards, but he’s a cop, so maybe he feels he doesn’t need them. He’s huge though and doesn’t look like a rich entitled man.”

“Soooo.” Lucy’s drawn out word had me smiling because I knew she was about to get to the point. “What’s the problem?”

“You did hear me tell you that he thinks I’m his soulmate?”

“Yeah, how romantic.”

Rolling my eyes, I sank back into the seat. “He’s insane. I don’t know about romantic, but I can’t stop thinking about him. Do you believe in soulmates?”

Lucy nodded. “Yes. You don’t?”

Closing my eyes, I wondered if I did believe in soulmates. I didn’t think I did, but after the last couple of days I wasn’t sure. I felt a pull towards Ryder, but I didn’t know if that meant he was my soulmate. If soulmates even existed. “I don’t know.”

Lucy jumped up and stood to the side and held out her hand. “I’m going to tell you what I think you should do and once I’ve said this, I’ll leave this all alone and we’ll not talk about it all again tonight.”

Nodding I sighed. I knew Lucy would tell me and act the way I needed her too. “Thanks.”

“You might not thank me when I tell you what I think you should do.”

I waved her thought off. ‘Tell me straight.”

“You’re stressing about what these Silvermans are going to do next. What do you think Ryder will do to you? I think you should turn the tables. Go to them or better yet, go to Ryder. You know where he lives. Confront him. Say what you need to. Get him out of your system, but do it on your terms by going to him and not him capturing you unaware.”

Lucy had a point. I wasn’t one to avoid anything or stress about what could or may happen. I needed to do things on my own terms. Getting up I hugged Lucy. “Thanks. You’re right.”

She beamed at me and winked. “Oh I know I am.” Giggling, she squeezed me before steeping back. “Okay, you need to go shopping. It will help. I can see your brain struggling with all this.”

Threading my fingers through hers, I smiled. “You’re right. Let’s go.” We walked through the restaurant. Lucy was right again. Going out and having fun shopping would help.

We left the restaurant, Lucy going to her car and me going to mine. The hairs on my arms stood on end and my body felt tight. I could feel eyes on me. I’d felt them for days now. It didn’t feel bad, but I was sure someone, or a couple of people, watched. I had a strange feeling though that the man I couldn’t stop thinking about was responsible. Ryder. He was making sure I was safe. Warmth spread through me. Maybe giving him a chance wouldn’t be so bad.

Divinity was out tonight. I had someone watching her. I intended to take her tonight to our home. I was done waiting for her and I now knew why my cousins went a little crazy. Divinity was all I thought of. My work was suffering and if I didn’t claim her, I’d soon get myself killed.

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