Page 33 of Laying it Bare Biker Style: Ryder

“You should not be takingout the garbage. Come with me. Let’s get you cleaned up and somehot tea.” Taking my arm gently in his hand, he led me out to abooth way in the back of the restaurant. After he sat me down, hegave me a somber look. “Will you be okay for a minute while I goget a wash cloth and a drink for you?”

“Yeah. I’m pretty suresomeone chased him off.” My hands still shook, but the bodytrembling had slowed to the occasional shudder.

“I won’t be long.” Hescurried back into the kitchen.

While I sat there, my mind raced. Istill didn’t completely remember my attack, only brief flashes, butthere was no doubt he had found me. I had my suspicions it was himat the explosion yesterday, but today I saw his face. It had to behim; this was not merely a coincidence.

Randy returned with a soapy washclothand a cup of steaming tea. “Clean up your scrapes and then sip onsome tea. It’s chamomile.” He set down the mug before handing methe cloth. “This was probably the man Ryder had mentioned. You arenot to be out of the restaurant without him. Your job isn’t takingout the trash.”

“I was just trying to helpsince everyone was so busy.” I ran the warm rag over the scrapes onmy elbows. “I didn’t know I wasn’t permitted outside. I didn’t meanto cause any problems.

Reaching across the booth, Randypatted my hand. “You are not causing any problems. None of this isyour fault. But Ryder wants you safe. He’s not going to be happyabout this.”

I took a sip of my tea. “I’ll tell himabout it when he picks me up. I’ll smooth things over with him.That way he won’t cause a scene here.”

Grimacing, Randy shook his head. “Ifsomeone did in fact give chase to your assailant, word travels fastin the club. I’m surprised he isn’t – ”

Ryder burst through the front door.His eyes were full of panic and fury as he scanned the room. Whenhis gaze landed on me sitting in a booth in the back, he stormedtoward us, a huge ball of swelling rage. When he reached the table,he tugged me out of my seat and crushed me to his chest. “Oh fuck,Sage. When Boots texted me that someone tried to nab you behind therestaurant, I almost had a heart attack. What were you doing backthere anyway? That’s not part of your job.”

“Hey, don’t go blamingRandy. I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to be outside and I knowit’s not my job to take out the trash, but I was helping out. I hadsome down time and everyone else was busy.” I burrowed further intohim.

“It’s okay, Sage.” Hekissed the top of my head. “I won’t yell at Randy since you’redefending him so nicely. Thanks for sitting back here with heruntil I got here.” Ryder extended one of his hands toRandy.

Randy accepted his offering. “Always,Man. She’s a sweetheart. I’ll take care of her when she’s here. Ifyou need anything else, I’ll be in the kitchen. But Sage, you cantake the rest of the day. I’ll fill in for the remainder of yourshift.”

Twisting in Ryder’s arms, I put myhand out to stop Randy. “No. I’m okay to stay and finish my shift.I won’t leave you shorthanded. Besides, I won’t go outside anymoreand I really doubt he’ll come in here. And I have my gun in mypurse and I’m sure you’re packing too.”

Randy gave me a wicked grin. “Hewouldn’t leave here without a few holes in him.” Then he eyed mefor a moment. “Well, as long as you’re sure about staying, I’mgoing to head back now. Take a break here and sit with Ryder.” Hestrolled back toward the kitchen.

Ryder scooted into the booth andtugged me down right beside him.

“I’m sorry I’m keeping youfrom your work.”

Tipping my face to meet his gaze, hegave me a scowl. “I can catch up on stuff later. You think Iwouldn’t drop everything when you’re in trouble?”

“I’m not in troubleanymore. I’m okay. Just a little brush burned and scratched up. Butthank you. I do feel better sitting here with you. I think my heartis finally beating a normal rhythm and I’m no longer border linehyperventilating.”

“You’re my Old Lady andmore than that, I love you, Sage.” He pressed his lips to mine in akiss that was a bit too heated for inside a busy restaurant. But Icouldn’t find it in me to care too much. When he pulled back, hegrinned. “I always come over for lunch here anyway; so today I’m alittle earlier than usual.” He shrugged.

As terrified as I had been when I wasalmost grabbed and I still had a bit of that panic swarming insideof me now, being wrapped in Ryder’s arms brought me a comfort Ihadn’t known for much of my life.

Draping his arm along the back of thebooth, he twirled a strand of my hair between his fingers. “So youreally like working here? You don’t mind being on your feet most ofthe time? I couldn’t convince you to come work as a secretary atthe garage?”

Leaning back enough that I could lookup at him, I shot him a confused look. “You don’t have a secretaryat the garage. Is that even an available position?”

“No. See why we would needone. So you would be interested?” He gave me a disarmingsmile.

“I like it here. Besides, Ithink you made up that position just now.” My lips pulled into afrown as I studied his expression. “I’ll be fine. I can watch outfor me, but I won’t wander outside anymore. Randy will keep an eyeon me and there are guys who come by throughout the day to check onthings.” I put my hand up to his face and ran my fingers along hisbeard. “Moving to a different job won’t keep him from finding me.We just need to keep vigilant. And I know you guys are discussingways to stop them.”

He raised his eyebrow atme.

I giggled. “I’m not spying orlistening in when I shouldn’t be. But maybe Angel and Misti are, Idon’t know. But girls talk and they told me they know you guysaren’t ignoring these new developments. They didn’t give mespecifics, because maybe they don’t know them or they were keepingthe gossip to a minimum.” I shot him a goofy grin.

“I know what you’re tryingto do but, Sage, you mean the world to me and I can’t stomachanything happening to you.” His normal cocky self-assured personafaltered a bit with his confession.

“I love you, Ryder. And Ilove that you want to protect me. But maybe he’ll get bored withtracking me and when you guys start really interfering with theirplans; they’ll be too busy with that and his focus willchange.”

He stared at me for a beat. “I justhope he’s not obsessed with you. I know from experience that ispossible. Although I’m not obsessed with you like a sicko so maybethat’s not the best word. I couldn’t resist falling in love withyou.” He pressed his lips to my forehead.

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